Meet the Weaslys

When my eight year old son, Ethan, was told that he was going to have his wish granted by the Make A Wish foundation, there was no question on what his wish would be based upon. He had two passions: Harry Potter and his Thriantas. Ethan's first wish was to go to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and his second, or back up wish, was to have a air conditioned bunny barn built for his Thriantas. Since being told by Make A Wish that he would get to go to Florida for his 9th birthday to wander Hogsmeed Village and roam the halls of Hogwarts School, my husband and I got started on his dream home for his rabbits.

In a search for a hobby that our son, who was wheelchair bound, limited in speech, but not short on his love for animals, we began looking into showing rabbits. Ethan looked through all the breeds on the ARBA website and looked at what was available to us locally. Ethan was very insistent that he have “the red rabbit”, so I went and picked up our first Thrianta, who Ethan named Prince Lucian. During that first few months we were able to “train” him to sit on Ethan's lap while we pushed Ethan in his wheelchair, attend a few shows, where he claimed some blue ribbons and BOB certificates (as we had the only Thrianta) boosting Ethan's confidence and self esteem.

Thriantas were not always easy or rewarding. Our first two does did not want to care for their first litters and we lost one entire litter and saved two from the other litter, hand raising until another doe was able to foster when she kindled a week later. Then our summer heat in AZ claimed all but two, a buck and a doe. Resulting in Ethan's wish for an air conditioned bunny barn.

On New Years day, Ethan's new doe delivered her first litter. Thankfully she has been an excellent mother and is now working on weaning six healthy and spirited bunnies we affectionately call “the Weasley's”. Four ginger haired boys named Charlie, Fred, George, and Ron and two girls called Molly and Ginny, so named for a family of red heads from Ethan's favorite Harry Potter stories.

My Special Valentine

My sweet husband surprised me with this for Valentine's this year. I haven't played in over 15 years, but it is coming back to me slowly. Now my kids all want an instrument so we can "all be in a band". They can all be happily playing a networked game on their DSi's but the minute they hear me start to play you can bet they will be out in a minute. I think my Cello is SO BEAUTIFUL and I hope that with time and a lot of practice I can play the first song on my playlist....maybe half as good as Yo-Yo Ma!

Have you ever noticed.....

How amazing dinner cooking smells on Fast Sunday??????

Ethan's Wish

I don't think I ever posted on what Ethan finally decided on for his "WISH". It was not an easy process to determine just what Ethan wanted....he changed his mind rather frequently....but when he heard that they were building a Harry Potter Theme park, that was it. So for Ethan's 9th Birthday we will be in Orlando wandering Hogsmeade Villiage and wandering the halls of Hogwarts. Yesterday evening I got an email that the Universal Studios site had been updated, and I think I am almost as excited about this vacation as Ethan is! Click the link below to learn more about The Wizarding World of Harry Potter!

http://www.universalorlando.com/harrypotter/

A Brighter Day

Sometimes I wonder how my husband knows just what I need to pick me up. I had been missing listening to my music....and having decided I AM NOT technology savvy because I can not figure out this iPod thing and I could never hope to hook up the stereo that has not been set up since before Thanksgiving when we re-arranged furniture. So last night, while I was playing Monopoly with the kids, Terry brings out the iPod with headphones attached with the latest Enya and Loreena Mckinnit loaded on it for me. I needed that so much, I could feel the stress just leaving me as I relaxed even if it was just for a little while. Music is so vitally important to the soul. At least I have woken up in a better mood and ready to get some much needed work done!

The Dark Side

So it has been one of those days....or several days, were despite all my efforts, my mood is dark. I am upset about Ethan's condition, and that doctors have not returned phone calls and emails so that I might get help with treatment options, I am upset with the doctors/nurses/hospital etc. that left him in this condition. I am upset that my own family is not here for me, and more supportive. I am upset that we are half a world away from my husband's family. I feel alone in this, despite the fact that my husband and children are all here loving me and supporting me. I have tried to distract myself from this mood by charitable service, attending church meetings, making treats with my daughter, making dinner for a friend who has not been feeling very well, trying to loose myself in my passions (sculpting, rabbits and gardening) but to no avail, so I am hoping that writing about it, might, in some small way help. Truly, I am thankful for the numerous blessing I have. I really need to kick this mood so that I can get on with things that need to be done, for myself, for my family and for our future.

Wordless Wednesday