Short & Sweet

Those two words sum up a few things!

There was very little waiting this time around, probably about an hour start to finish, so that was good!

Short also describes Nate's disposition:  oh yes, he was not a happy camper!  He had been doing so well leading up to this appointment, even with the role playing we'd been doing at home, but once we were inside the clinic he was a different boy again.  While we were trying to settle him for the echo he even gave me a verbal:  "You are bad!" several times!  But, like usual, in the end we were able to get the tests done.

So where does the "sweet" come in?  Well, of course, when we're putting our jackets on and saying goodbye, Nate was just the sweetest little guy waving and talking to the staff.

And the report was very similar to the last one.  The gradient remains the same, or maybe slightly higher, which shows the band is starting to do some work.  Liver remain normal, leakage is still the same.
She considered coming off the Lasix completely, but given the 'sick' season we are entering, it would be best to have the Lasix to help in case he does come down with every virus this time around!
All will be re-evalutated in April.

Thanks again for thinking of us and for praying!

December, so far!

Does anyone else feel like December brings with it a complete whirlwind of activity?  The Hiebert household has certainly felt that way!  We've been party central for the last couple of weeks and up to our ears in birthday cakes and snacks, Christmas concerts and functions, parties and activities!  I have been greatly outnumbered by a houseful of grade one boys - at a ratio of 14:1....oh yes!  And there also may  have been an event with some very ugly Christmas sweaters involved!!  In all, it's been full of great memories!  And it's been so much fun to enjoy the many traditions and special events of this Christmas season with our boys.

We've been counting down to the celebration of our Savior's birth with our Advent calendar.  Everyday has brought with it some sweet treats and a note, describing that days special activity.  The excitement and anticipation of opening the Advent Calendar each morning has been so fun to watch!

But of course, life's realities still appear in this busy month, so tomorrow Nate gets to take a trip to see his cardiologist.  I am prayerfully anticipating an excellent appointment, with a cute and adorable and cooperative Nate to accompany me!  Your prayers for tomorrow are always appreciated!

Did I happen to mention my ridiculously talented niece took her first solo flight last week?

And my handsome Brady chillin' with his cool cousin after the school concert!

11 in '11

December is a great month full of celebrations for us!  The first day of December we get to celebrate 11 years of marriage!  Some time ago, we planned that we'd head out for supper to celebrate 'sans kids'!
Last night, I was just reminding Don of our plans, and here is how the rest of our conversation played out.

C:  "Can you remember the last time we went out on a date?"

D:  "Ummmm."

C:  "Hmmmm."

D:  "Well, remember that last time we went to Mulligan's for a late supper?"

C:  "Oh, yes.  Hmm....that wasn't our anniversary last year, it must have been the year before that?"

D:  "Yeah, you're right."

C:  "Well, do you remember that one day I needed to run in to Winnipeg to pick up a lens, and you came along, the boys stayed at my parents,  and we had supper at the Keg?"

D:  "Right, but that wasn't this last summer, that was the summer before."

C:  "Hah.  You're right."


Oy.  Now, I don't say this to complain, but rather to challenge/motivate/nudge you to go on a date!!  If you can't remember the last time you and your spouse went out, or, if you clearly remember - and it was in a year other than 2011, I say just do it!

Now, let's have fun:  We all need some 'me time'/'we time' once in a while.  Leave a comment with what you did on your last date or what you did for some 'me time' OR what you would love to do on your next one!  Don't be shy!


And since a post is way more fun with a picture, here are my boys enjoying some 'brother time'!

Brothers

Sometimes being a brother is even better than being a superhero. 
                                                                                                       ~Marc Brown

Treats!

Well, there weren't a lot of tricks - but certainly a lot of treats!!  Spiderman and Mr. Fireman enjoyed ringing a few doorbells and collecting a bit of loot!  

And if you check the date, you'll know it's November 1.  Don's official "You may now begin to decorate for Christmas, Carole!"

And he let me know without even knowing.... or saying it.  After dumping a large box of Smarties, he ate a bunch and while we were chatting in the kitchen I noticed him absent-mindedly arranging the rest.  He left the room and I captured the design he had made.

  

Even though today is my go-ahead day, you won't find anything festive in the house just yet.  I seem to be getting later each year!  All in good time!!

Seriously?

Don says that I say that a lot.  And I just said it again.  Has it really been over a month since my last post?

Seriously?

What have I been doing?!?

Well, apparently the last month has been a flurry of activity - both big and small!  We've been very busy celebrating some big birthdays - and some younger ones, too!  We finished up soccer, started up story time at the library, bought a residential lot to build on in spring, enjoyed Thanksgiving with our families, got into party planning mode for an awesome 70th party for my dad, welcomed my brother and his awesome family back to Winkler for a week, tried to keep up with laundry (sort of), and began spending our late nights 'house designing' with graph paper and our thinking caps on.  That's a start.

And here's one thing I never thought I'd do...

Yup, my first ever cattle drive!  I was feeling a little bit 'pioneer-ish'!  Thanks, Bonnie, for the awesome rear shot and Kristy for the fun off-roading!!

Hope to be getting back to some more blogging now - daylight hours are dwindling, and 'inside the house' hours are increasing!

Happy Saturday to each one of you!