Do you hear what I hear?

Last night was piano recital. Merry Christmas from the Crew.

Mother in Law For $200, please, Alex.

My mother in law is one of the smartest, most interesting- and interested- people I know. She is always learning and teaching us about, ...well... anything and everything. I can only best her in the pop culture category in Jeopardy :)
Case in point: Tonight we had a "trial run" Christmas dinner.  She was trying out a new method to cook turkey. No sooner do we enter the house and I hear "Merry Christmas. Who wants to see the spinal cord?"
Classic. She is the best. And we're smarter and better people because of her.

What Matters Most

If you're like me (and I hope I have some company) you have a To Do List that is nearly never ending, especially this time of year. But tonight I totally ignored it. Homework? Who knows..Haven't even looked at school agendas yet.  

Tonight we are just being together.

We ate dinner...very late...in front of the tele...and finished watching a Christmas classic. 

The antics of Marv, Harry and Kevin still make me laugh and cringe! 

Then, just before bed (because I drew the line at pulling an all nighter, Christmas movie marathon) we watched this:

His antics made me smile and get teary.

It was a very good night at the Stewart house.

Another Day Lived

It seems that not a day goes by that I am not reminded that my boys are not little anymore. That's a lot of nots.
Translation:   My kids are getting older.

How do I know this? Here are a few giveaways:
-They have pit stick- and use it! Ditto with hair gel.
-I dish up dinner and (if they like it) they eat more than us.
-They watch TSN and definitely not Treehouse (but still Teletoon Retro!)
-They will only kiss me goodbye if nobody's watching.
-They are practicing the piano without me begging, coercing, or forcing.
-Today at church someone came to tell me what a good boy I had (not telling which one ;) He had done something without me begging, coercing or forcing!
-We watched 2 littles for a couple days. Dean and Och were lifesavers. Without them, I could not have gotten all 5 of us out the door in 30 minutes or less. They couldn't believe what 4 and 2 year olds could and could not do :)
Finally:
-We were at Toys R' Us yesterday. When given the option of getting an early Christmas present...a LEGO STAR WARS advent calendar...they said "No thanks".

That made me tear up the most!

Silly Thoughts for a Monday

Did anyone catch the MLS cup game? My boys were cheering for LA, but it was a less than exciting game. (LA 1, Houston 0). Och was disappointed to hear it did not make the sports highlights on the morning radio news. Something about a certain "Sidney" playing hockey must have overshadowed it. Go figure.

What do you feed a sick boy if it was perhaps chicken noodle soup that got him sick in the first place?

Some of my favorite people are returning to the city today. I know Karri is bringing me home yogurt (sounds silly, but it's the kind you can't get in Canada). Bruce, what's not in your wallet? (said in the Capital One commercial voice) j/k

post script:
Bruce got home. He had a good time, learned alot and came back a new man. I told him it's like "How Bruce got his groove back". I may call him Stella for a day :)  You should have seen the boys eyes pop out of their sockets when they saw him. They love their dad.

The boys and I spent too much time on youtube the other day.
We're a little behind the times; check out anything by thepianoguys.com  (jon schmidt, steven sharp nelson and guests) especially:
All of Me
Pirates of the Caribbean by Jarrod Radnich (a new favourite)

Welcome Christmas!!!   Come let us Adore Him by the Lower Lights

And lastly...
It was a little chilly this past weekend...or was it?

That's all I got.

Tuesdays with "Morrie"

Ever read this book? I love it.  I love a good human interest story. I love learning from other people's experiences, fictional or not. I think he's a good storyteller.
I wish I could be a better storyteller.
(If you enjoyed Morrie, I suggest the 5 people you meet in heaven. That is, if you're looking for a good, quick read.)
But I digress...

Every Tuesday for the past few months I have the great opportunity to help out some family members. Like Mitch, I am learning that when you give, sometimes you receive even more.
I get to help my SIL and her girl(s). I am reminded of the quote "Babies are such a nice way to start people." She is the most charming little girl! I get to spend time with them in their home. I see that time stands still for no one and life must go on. I recognize the beauty in motherhood and its sometimes mundane tasks. I see what really matters most.
I get to spend almost 2 hours in the car. By myself. That's a long time to be alone, for me anyways. I have become acquainted with a master Canadian storyteller (thanks Dave and Karri), bought the CD 4pack at Costco and have listened and laughed for hours along the highway. I pondered some spiritual enlightenment from the always entertaining John Bytheway. I have listened to some really great music that really moves me. (No Gaga, it's not yours.)


Tonight I am just feeling like even though I can't be everything or do everything,  I can do something for someone.
I'm grateful for Tuesdays.

Remembrance Day 2011

They say remember is one of the most important words in the English language.
Thank you would be the most important phrase.
So today, I Remember and say Thank you.

random musings

For anyone out there that cares, the tally so far this week is Amy 1 Duvet 0
Breakfast of Champions...3 Double Stuff Oreos and a glass of milk !?!
Don't Judge Me


Dear President of The Gap
I have been reading that your sales are plummeting. Perhaps it is because you're retailing terrible clothing. I used to love The Gap. I have fond memories of spending my own hard earned money to buy a pair of jeans there. And I LOVED those jeans. That was many moons ago, and my love for your store has waxed and waned just like those moons. I want to experience that euphoria again. But if my last trip there was indicative of your future sales, you're in more trouble than you think. I found my jeans with the assistance of a somewhat helpful clerk:  Dark wash, long and lean (my jeans, not the clerk). I tried them on. Low and behold (and the only redeeming moment in the changeroom) I needed a smaller size! She came back with the LAST pair in the store. I put them on. They were great. Well, okay, more like adequate. The denim was thin. The stitching somewhat iffy. The price tag was outrageous.
Don't scrimp only quality. Figure out who your target market is.  Sell fairly.
You should know I was at a big box store a few days later. I found a comparable pair of jeans there. In fact, I think they are better than your trousers. They were also 80% cheaper than the ones at your store.

Sincerely,
Consumer Amy

Just found out I'm gonna be an auntie again. Another tiny is joining the Smith family in the Spring. Yay! I  wonder if  he/she will like oreos?

That duvet is now calling me...

Cool Runnings

I am starting to hibernate. The air is cooler, the nights are longer and I am starting to make preemptive and postemptive (?) excuses why I am not out running. Some of my best runs have happened when the mercury dips below 0 and I am layered up so well you cannot tell what or who I am. But this past week I had to concede that my duvet was holding me hostage...again.
I am not competitive. I am not speedy. And I'm not sure I ever will. I'm a social runner. I relish the thought that in the wee hours of the morn I can find a few, or several, like minded friends at our usual meeting spot. We all start together under the yellow glow of the lamppost and then, like taffy pulling, the group spreads apart as we head down the street. We all know the routes. Luckily, because sometimes my legs have to be my GPS as my brain has yet to kick into gear.
As I sit here musing about whether to take a sabbatical for the season, I think about this quip that I recently saw on Facebook (I'm still not on Facebook, but that is another post)

Patient: The problem is that obesity runs in my family.

Doctor: No, the problem is that no one runs in your family.


I guess it's time for me to embrace the season and "Feel the rhythm! Feel the rhyme!"
I WILL be there on Tuesday.

what my kids learn at school

Picked up the boys after school. Like usual, we had the customary question/answer period on the way home. Ocho couldn't wait to show me what he learned. And silly me, I thought it would have educational value.

Thanks, buddy. Hope this is important information is on your final exam! Happy Hallowe'en everyone!

What did we "learn" before youtube?

On a side note, Dean must have had some lucky beans in his pockets today. He won something at "school pride week"- a trip in an airplane over the city for him and 2 friends! He's on a roll...

Thanksgiving 2.0

And today, I am thankful for this boy!

Two boys, two birthdays.

Life is grand!

Thanksgiving

Today, I am thankful for:

this boy

leftovers

Happy B'day and Happy Turkey Day!

the proof is in the pictures

On our Saturday run, my friend (who sees me 3 times a week!) gave me a strict reprimand. Seems she doesn't know enough about what is up with the Stew Crew. Well, she knows, but maybe she just wants proof!

And I thought I was the only one who read this!

We enjoyed Vancouver Island for a few days this Spring. So fun to see my brother and his family. Cathedral Grove was one of MANY neat stops. Can't wait to go back.

Fit Physio was a sponsor for the 5km Family Fun Run that coincides with the Little Souls' Kids Marathon. Dean, Owen and a ton of other kids finished their marathon...again! What a neat thing they've accomplished.This may be the only way I ever run a full!

**On a side note, Fit is also a sponsor of the Pumpkin Run that goes this Saturday, Sept. 24.
We headed to SLC. Legendary trip! This is all of us at the Rio Tinto Stadium to cheer on Real Salt Lake vs New England Revolution.
Did I mention it was my birthday? Fireworks went off all night long. AWE-SOME!! These are from the end of the game, but it was cool to stand at the top of the stadium and watch blasts of sparkle all across the valley.
Dean is now in middle school and so shaving is part of his morning routine. J/K. This is at "This is the Place" park. It was a fun day.

That's a sneak peek. More to come...

all I ever needed to know...

I am a sucker for emotional advertising. If they can touch my heart, I'm sold. Check out this trailer for a new movie. I love the last line of this sneak peek. Try to catch what he says. It made me laugh out loud.

I take so much for granted.

Saturday morning

I am a sucker for a Farmer's Market. And while the boys and I did partake in some produce (peas, blackberries and raspberries), I love the "other" stuff just as much. Cause, really, when I'm at the local grocery store am I really gonna buy jumbo cinnamon buns, 3 jars of jam, and a chocolate roll? I think not. (sorry no pictures- we ate up as soon as we got home!)

Ah...that market's got me wrapped around their finger. An addiction? Maybe. Slightly co-dependent relationship? Definitely.

We'll be back again for more.

a slippery slope

My friend has made a summer bucket list and they accomplished alot. This activity would be on the boys' list for sure. It's not much to look at (it's no Seven Peaks), but my boys LOVE it. So guess what we'll be doing next week? Looks like the weather's gonna be great. We'll have to make our own video for sure.

Copy cat

The boys are very strict on copyright laws and infringements. Sometimes I even quote a movie and they tell me it's not mine! Check out this link. I hope I am not breaking any rules, but we are related and I REALLY needed a quick way to update this pathetic blog.

His family lives too far away so I have watched this about a dozen times trying to get my fill of him.

PS. I just thought that maybe Hux doesn't want to break any copyrights either, hence the lip sync!

A Great Read

I just got back from a great roadtrip. Legendary, in fact. But that's not what I am writing about today. All along the road, there were billboards shouting where to find the best place to eat, to sleep, to shop. Those boards were doing their job. I read them all.

But only one made me come home and read their website.

And I am a better person for doing it.

Miscommunication in Marriage

I have about 3-4 posts in my head waiting to get out and live on paper...digital paper. I hope I write them soon because, in my head they are written in a witty and charming prose.

This may or may not be one of them.

Today was Ladiesfest and several family members and friends were running. Many of their family members came to cheer us on. Including my Bruce.

Picture it: Almost at the top of the last hill. I, in my weakened state, look ahead and see him. I'm plugging along (sadly, I was walking...but whatever, I still finished) and I'm waiting for him to say something inspiring.

Bru: "Ran out of batteries, eh"

Me: (incredulously) "Yeah..."

Seriously...did he just say that to me??? It's about the last 300m...not really what I was hoping to hear. The closer that I got to the finish line, the madder I became. It wasn't really a Bruce thing to say. What's up with that comment?

At the post race breakfast (which is always a tasty and entertaining time), I was still fuming and told my table of 9 others what he said.

Once I returned home I thought I'd let it die, but that would not be like me.

Me: "Why'd you say that to me?"

Bruce: (incredulously) "What?"

Me: "You said I ran out of batteries. That was at the end of the race and I really didn't want to/need to hear that."

Bruce: "I had the camera bag, if you noticed, but didn't take a picture of you because I ran out of batteries"

Oh.

let's get fat!!

I've blogged about her kindness once before, but I must add this new story.

I picked up the Ocho from school yesterday and asked him what he wanted to do. Dean had handbell choir and we had 45 minutes together. His response "let's go get fat". (he was HUNGRY!!) Went home and found nothing to tempt our tastebuds :(

We puttered around until it was time to get Dean. Upon our return home this tasty treat had found its way to our abode...and then to our tummies!

Does it get better than Oreo cheesecake?!?! You made Owen's wish come true. Thank you!!!

why the smile on my face?

Simply because today is a BEAUTIFUL Spring day!

Big blue cloudless sky, sunshine beaming its warm rays on everything and just a hint of breeze.

I wore shorts for the first time this year. Gasp! Those ghostly white legs haven't seen the light of day for some time now. I also got my first mosquito bite of the season. Darn skeeters!

But, I wouldn't change a thing.

I hope the sun is shining on you, literally or figuratively, wherever you are!

Spring, where are you?

Sunday after church I asked the boys to do their job. They have shovelled for some neighbours all winter long...and they're still at it. That's right. Mother Nature is playing with us, that's for sure. They got all dressed in their winter garb- it wasn't that cold, and I wondered why- but then they went out the door. They seemed to be out there f o r e v e r. Went to check that they were still alive and this is what I found:

These two love being outdoors and being together. They made a bunch of little minion snowmen, too. So cute.

Sometimes I wonder if they even need me. But who would make the hot chocolate? or do the laundry?

Funny sidenote:

That isn't even our yard. They had to build in one of the neighbour's because they used all our snow to make a jump in our yard the other day.

If April showers bring May flowers what do April snowstorms bring? ...besides snow?!?

deja vu

Happy Anniversary, Alberta!

It has been one year ago exactly since i wrote about this. Well, it happened again!

Global warming really?!? I know "they" call it climate change now. I call all this ridiculous.

As the snow started dropping like pound cake from the sky, I thought to myself, "Could it be the beginning of Snow Day 2011?" Unlike last year, we have power -much to the chagrin of the boys- and there is school. Check out the pictures I took after my run. That's right...4 crazy girls showed up to run in this! It was tricky in spots, but beautiful. We saw toppled over trees, said "good morning" to several shovellers and even helped push a car along its way.

Thick, wet heavy snow: perfect for snowmen and snowballs. I may have to keep the boys home.

Ironic side note: Bruce just made the comment that the state of California has more hockey teams in the playoffs than our entire country. Ouch.

Head Smashed In

If you are not familiar with this place, then the title of this post may sound scary. FYI: No one was injured in the making of this post.

Perhaps if you have taken grade 4 or 5 social studies you would enjoy this place: Head Smashed in Buffalo Jump. Unless you didn't like Canadian history, which I totally understand. (I am trying to endure it better the second time around)

I was lucky enough to go with the boy's Cub group this past weekend. We had our own tour guides. Stan and Little Leaf were great and sure taught us ALOT. The picture above shows several items made from buffalo- the primary source of everything for the natives from these parts -and by these parts, I mean the Plains region of Canada from 11,000 years ago to as recent as 200 years ago.

Don't I sound like a socials textbook?

for bruce and dave

You must have the smartest wives :)

the end to "what a day"

So there we were...16 years ago...

STARVING!!

After we left our wedding reception we realized we had not eaten. We were just about at our hotel, when we made the quick decision that food was definitely in order. And where do you think Brewster chose to take his new beautiful bride?

You are right if you guessed Wendy's.

That is not the name of some quaint local bistro.

I mean the fast food chain.

And so, when we get all nostaglic, that is where you'll find us on the 24th.

This year, the boys even came. But they sat at a different table and nursed chocolate frosty's while studying for their spelling tests the following day.

What a day!

It's Sweet 16, baby.

Their's.

(The boys predict/hope that Florida's gonna get Jimmered.)

But more importantly...

Ours.

Happy Anniversary, Bru!

childhood memories

Owen came home for lunch today. He was so excited to tell us about this fun game his friend had taught him. He got a pencil and paper and began drawing lines and asking Dean questions. Like this:

Does anyone out there remember playing MASH?

We LOVED to do this, only we asked a few different questions.

He could not believe that I knew this game. Oh, the innocence of youth- always thinking they are SO much smarter than their parents (OK, most times they are).

Have you ever had a blast from the past moment at your house? I wanna hear about it. I always love a walk down memory lane.

PS Bruce just told me he has no recollection of ever playing MASH. Really?!? And he grew up in the 80's?

FYI: He's going to live in a house, be a doctor, have 4 kids and own a Segway when he grows up!

Gratitude is...

After 8 loads, I can see the laundry room floor again! HOORAY :)

What was your "I did it!" moment for the day?

Whenever I do the wash I think of this post by my friend, Antonia.

She really has some great sparkly thoughts.

me vs them

Tonight the kids wanted a make a fort.

I wanted to eat dinner (as lame as it would be).

Compromise.

Not as good as an outdoor wiener roast, but hotdogs eaten in a fort are pretty tasty. To balance the meal, there were oranges and apple slices, too.

We watched and discussed this video for family home evening. I loved the message.

P.S. Brilliant gift idea. My friend Amie and her family put together this fort making kit. Sheeting, ties, clips, rope, suction cups, clamps...and a flashlight. All in its own little bag. GENIUS :)

P.P.S. (or is it P.S.S.?) Happy Birthday, Griff

Brewster

Cue the Beatles. Start the guitar riff. "They say it's your birthday. Happy Birthday to you."

This picture is typical Bruce. (The apron however, that's mine, but I'll share it if you deserve it.)

He's smiling, presumably because he's going to eat something yummy.

Well, today that would be cake.

On this day, we hope you can enjoy everything that comes your way. Happy Bday to the GREATEST- Big Daddy Bru!

Love, ADO

iWon a what?

This past Saturday I went to our new bank. They were celebrating their 2nd Anniversary. I only went because my brother happens to work there. That, and there was free cake and juice- and it was tasty! There was a draw prize, but you had to be 18 so the boys were a bit put out that they couldn't put their name in.

But our day carried on, and no one thought any more about it.

Then I got a call on Tuesday at work saying I won the grand prize.

Ridiculous.

Then I had a plan. A right awesome plan. I would hide my prize and give it to Bruce for his birthday. "I am so devious" I thought as my nurse-friend and I schemed how it would all play out.

Fast forward a few hours.

Bruce calls me and says "I heard a rumour that you won something. "

Me: dead silence.

How did this happen? My plans now foiled all I could say was "Are you kidding? How do you know?"

A simple answer really- two of our new banker friends went over to the physio clinic to check it out and spilled the beans!

Happy Early Birthday, Bruce.

what's on your list?

Ever had one of those days were you just wanted to play hooky from life?

You know, put your responsibilities aside, stay in your pjs and just read a book (or watch a movie or whatever...) I forget kids probably have days like that too.

Maybe today was Dean's.

He stayed home this morning due to a stomache ache (those words look funny together).

I don't think he was lying. He had been up in the night. I slept through that. Apparently the mothering - supersonic hearing ability has left my body . Luckily, he has a dad.

He slept a bit, but mostly quietly rested the morning away.

I saw this kid's bucket list. It's full of slightly nostalgic ideas: some character building ones, others just for fun.

Dean can check off #14. Sorta. I was busy doing dishes and laundry and making dinner and phone calls. My bad! Next time we'll coordinate our hooky day!

kindness begins with...who?

Thanks, Heather.

My sweet SIL stopped by on this chilly, snowy morning to bring me a grande white hot chocolate (aka: Happiness in a cup!)

Some days you're the giver...Some days you're the receiver.

Read this or watch this for inspiration on serving others.

a dad's second childhood

So...we're making cub cars.

...need I say more?

And this year there's 2 to do!!

Thankfully the boys have great leaders who have been very helpful.

I just don't get it.

Perhaps it's because Bruce and I are less than capable when it comes to power tools-we've never really tried, actually. There's even a movie about a pinewood derby. It's a bit over the top- atleast I thought it was.

But the zeal with which I see people talk about axle positions, proper weighting, paint jobs...well, now I'm not so sure.

Seriously...

it blows my mind.

Pictures to come once the cars are complete- we wouldn't want to give the competition an edge.

I don't like to toot my own horn...but this isn't really MY horn

I promise that one day this will once again become the quaint, witty, sometimes humorous/sometimes serious, family blog you have come to love to read. (j/k).

But not today.

Today, it's about " the new baby" (see previous post -I guess I am still humorous-or is that sarcastic?). As you know, Bruce started a new business last month (WHO opens shop in December of all months?!) As you can well guess, everything we say, do, think, breathe has been about "the clinic". Hence-no Christmas card/letter from the Stewart's this year.

I'm not complaining- life is good! Every day another miracle presents itself.

I'm just saying thanks to all of you who still talk to us because you pretty much know how the conversation's gonna go before it even starts!

This week FIT Physiotherapy was featured in the Lethbridge Journal. They did a nice article. For your reading enjoyment, check it out. Let it load-notice the coverpage. Yes, that treadmill is there (and it is as awesome as it looks/sounds). Story on page 9.

Thanks again everyone( friends, family, blogstalkers, etc). We wish you all a happy, successful and FIT New Year :)