Bedtime Prayers For Daddy

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"...and please bless Daddy that he can pick us up and wrestle with us again..." When I relayed Ben's bedtime prayer request to Jon, he decided that at 7 weeks post operation he could indeed take on his boys the next morning for some post breakfast throw down... and he did. And they beamed.

The Season Is HERE!

Let's get this part out of the way...Garage sales are my MOST favorite thing to do...I LOVE LOVE LOVE (love) driving around early Saturday morning while the rest of my family sleeps looking for the "big one". I have a list that I make of wish list items I am looking for as well as things that I am always on the lookout for (the next season's clothes for the kids and new shoes for example...) It takes patience some weeks...I sometimes will set myself up for disappointment by going out hopefully when it is threatening rain or going out too early in the season...like last weekend when the "garage sale bug" was just too bad...I wasn't too successful but I did cross off one thing on my list; a pewter soap pump (well I had "black" on my list...but close enough!)...it cost $1.00 and I was satisfied enough with my first purchase of the season. THIS weekend however made up for last. There were two large community sales in neighborhoods that were promising (I don't venture to neighborhoods that are more than 20 years old...I find in older neighborhoods the residents have had too much time to collect junk. In new areas the homes and their belongings are relatively new and the families are younger so they are selling what I am looking for- call me a garage sale snob if you will...but it works). Here is my haul... LAST WEEK...

THIS WEEK!

• 3 pairs of infant tights  
• 2 peices of tupperware 
•  old navy dress 
•  Children's place 3 piece dress 
• Carter's romper 
•  Tommy denim dress
•  Robeez infant shoes 
• JOE toddler shoes 
•  GAP 2 piece dress 
• 2 piece dress 
•  one infant headband 
• 6 newborn sleepers sleepsac 
•  2 bags infant socks 
• children's Place 2 piece set 
•  Carter's 2 piece set 
•  OshCosh 2 piece set 
• OshCosh 2 piece set 
• OshCosh 2 Piece dress 
• JOE sunhat (with strap! I hate when they don't have straps!)
•  Baby GAP sweater 
• White boys cap 
• GAP shirt MEXX dress shirt 
•  boys belt Boys 
• Gymoboree shirt 
• Boys Gymboree shirt 
• Children's place shirt 
• Children's Place argyle sweater 
• 2 black maternity t shirts 
•  1 pair of maternity capris 
• 2 Mr. Potato head sets 
•  1 Leapfrog magnetic letter set 
• one number and letter board set 
•  1 new in box finger skateboard set for Ben (not pictured as it will be a birthday gift) 
•  Grand total?! ...$44.00 
•  Yup. That is right. For the cost of any one or two of the above outfits new...I got a front seat full and a lot crossed of the "list". Some Rules... Only buy clothes that have tags or look brand new. If they look worn at all (to an acceptable level...which is not much) do not pay over $1.00 an item. Shoes that do not have worn bottoms or scuffed toes. Do not buy something because it is a good deal. It isn't a good deal if you don't need it or love it. Go early...7:45 is ideal. Don't be afraid to barter...the worst they can say is no...but offers are expected. Map your route the night before... Always buy lemonade from the kids stands. Disinfect all toys...don't be afraid to buy things to save for Christmas and birthdays. I like to get new in packaging but certainly am not limited to that...I don't think my kids have ever noticed or cared that the box was missing...and if they did they would be awfully spoiled and it would be a good lesson anyway! Till next week! Ben washing his "new" Mr. potato head set..."earning" his new toy:)

Home School Day

There are three typical reactions when I tell people that we home school; "You're crazy". "Aren't you worried about "A, B and C?" "Oh I could never do that! What would I do with them all day!" I think all of those things have crossed my mind at one time or another but now that we almost have our first school year under our belts I would say I have a feel for what it looks and feels like. We like it! Jon just says..."if it ain't broken, don't fix it" or "If our kids are doing great and learning a lot...lets not change anything". He always simplifies things. I like that guy. Here are some snapshots of a typical day. After 8 months at it (with a lot of challenges thrown at us!) I am happy to report that I do not fear for my sanity 5 out of 7 days, which are still odds I can work with. I am not worried about "A, B and C" because they are likable, social, bright and vibrant kids and I don't feel like I have to do something out of the ordinary with them all day...they are happy to just do what we are naturally doing in a day anyway with a little added emphasis on "teaching moments". They are busy, love to help out whenever they can get a "job" and are endlessly fascinated with topics I couldn't pull out of a curriculum. Ben is determined to read before he is 5 and judging from his commitment to what he sets his mind to, I have no doubt he will. I am so excited to share books with him that he can read on his own. I think we have found a great fit for our family!

The View From Here

32 weeks... officially can no longer bend over, paint my toenails or walk without waddling.

Toddler Proofing

We made child proofing our new house a priority this week... since you-know-who has made it a full time job to get into absolutely everything he can get his busy hands on. Eye liner not excluded.

Happiness Is...

They give us a reason to smile, roll our eyes, laugh and hope everyday.

Life With Cancer

The pendulum of Cancer swings widely. There is frustration, worry and anger in full force one moment and gratitude, hope and determination in the next. Somewhere in the middle is exhaustion. That is where we hang much of the time. Life is tiring right now. Physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually. I am tired.
And yet.
We find that each minute continues to arrive and some days it seems that I fill them just trying to reach the next. Certainly they add up and another day comes. I try not to feel like life is something to be wished away...but some of these days...I just want them to be over.
What life with cancer does do...in between the rest of it...is serve as a reminder of what matters. The little moments that catch us off guard. When we find ourselves laughing like there isn't any reason not to. Those are times that are so cherished.

I read a wonderful book that a friend bought me soon after Jon's diagnosis; The Divine Signature. In it there are so many examples of people who faithfully and courageously dealt with often heartbreaking and shocking trials. it is immensely inspiring and full of perspective. It reminds us to see God's hand in all things and count our blessings through everything. He talks about the coincidences of life as divine intervention and to acknowledge it as such to become closer to God. One quote that stuck with me was a comment made by an older woman. She said the problem she saw with people these days is we expect life to be fair and easy. It rarely is. She said we need to adjust our expectations to be happy.

We can look for the reasons to be all consumed by this...or we can look for reasons why we are so blessed by the lessons we are learning, the crash course in the "tough stuff", the love and support around us that never ceases to amaze me. There is some sort of unique confidence that comes from saying "I have the flu. I have a husband with Cancer. I have two preschool children. I am eight months pregnant. I am so exhausted that I cannot will myself off the bed". And then I do. SOMEHOW I get through it. I turn to God in desperation and he gives me what I need. Sometimes in doses so small that I am back again 15 minutes later but I get through it. And I have faith that we will get through it all. Somehow...maybe 15 minutes at a time and maybe we will even find a reason to laugh.