Thousand Gifts 570-600

Settle in. This is a long one. :)

I'll be honest. After the way our weekend began on Friday afternoon, I was doubting I'd ever feel good again, but we actually had a nice weekend. Not that there weren't hard moments, but I can think of lots of good moments as well. I am continuing to struggle with the "why" of it all, but surprisingly enough there were even moments where cancer did not cross my mind.

We sat the kids down Friday afternoon and told them the news about my scan; they reacted just like kids - like it was no big deal. I think the first words out of Camden's mouth were, "I feel like I'm still wearing my blue teeth." (a prize he'd gotten from school that day and had worn ever since) Clearly, he was devastated. And Rory informed us later that night that the worst thing that happened to her for the day was that she was hot while roasting her hot dog at Brian's dad's 60th birthday party. I thank you for your prayers because I am sure they contributed to the kid's less-than-compassionate calm reaction.

Saturday Rory had a soccer game, and she spent at least half of the game sitting on the bench chatting it up with the assistant coach. Oh, yes, she completely asked to sit down over and over simply because she wanted to chat about stickers. And, yes, her mama and daddy had a little chat with her about chatting at inappropriate times.

After the game, we headed south of Nashville to the area's largest shopping area for an afternoon of shopping and lunch at Chuy's. This was one of the few things left on our Summer List, and it wasn't really on the weekend schedule, but we decided to go for it since we don't know how I'll feel later on. Saturday evening we even managed to tackle both kid's closets and cleaned out the summer stuff and brought in the fall/winter clothing. Pretty sure Brian had no idea that was going to turn into a 2 hour ordeal when we started, but what can I say. I overshop and like to dress them well.

Brian and Rory at Chuy's. Clearly I did not bring out the big girl camera for this trip.

Me and my big boy.

I think Rory enjoyed the music more than the food.

Sunday was Rural Heritage Day at our church, and there were lots of animals and fun activities, but I took a total of 3 pictures. By the afternoon I was really tired, and honestly, it was emotionally draining to explain over and over again about my scan results.

(side note: General rule of thumb #1: you should not tell someone with cancer about all the people you know who have died from cancer. Believe me. I am well aware that cancer is serious. General rule of thumb #2: the sad, pitying looks from across the room that insinuate I have one foot in the grave do not make me feel better about myself.) 

Taking a ride on a mule-pulled wagon. The very happy couple in the back seat are Uncle Michael and Aunt Liz.

Brian insisted on this picture.

Okay, I lied. I actually took 6 pictures. Here are Camden and Rory with their pumpkins after they came home.

On today's agenda is about 3 weeks worth of activities. Okay, not quite that much, but I do have a very long "to-do" list as I try to tie up loose ends, get the laundry under control, stock up on groceries, plan ahead, etc. now that I have chemo, bloodwork, shots, and doctor's appointments back in my schedule.

570. breakfast at Dunkin Donuts with the kiddos before school

571. the pearl-like water drops on the basil plant

572. and Camden who pointed them out

573. "God is in his holy temple. He is a father to those whose fathers have died. He takes care of women whose husbands have died. God gives lonely people a family." Psalm 68:5-6

574. Salted Caramel mochas from Starbucks

575. for the 12 (!) cards that arrived in my mailbox last week

576. for Rory's red face after soccer

577. for Korean food with our family

578. for my two Korean kiddos

579. when the kid devotion I read to the kids every morning speaks to me as well

580. smelling the tobacco smoking in the barns

581. the sight of the tobacco smoke curling from the top of the barns

582. the sounds of guns blazing, screams, and uncontrollable giggles from the living room as the kiddos 583. wage war against Brian

584. the smell of fall throughout the house in the form of homemade pumpkin pecan granola

585. aching muscles that come from exercise instead of chemo side effects

586. peach fuzz

587. blue crayons

588. new shoes that come with the reminder of God's faithfulness

589. short wait for scan results

590. celebrating a 60th birthday

591. so many encouraging messages that I can't keep up

592. "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful." Hebrews 10:23

593. Rory's head bobbing in time with the music

594. a Saturday spent doing family activities

595. new music and parenting books courtesy of a gift card

596. successful Rural Heritage Sunday

597. playing the piano again

598. "Praise be to the Lord, to God, our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. "Psalm 68:19

599. friends willing to help

600. Superman was adopted pictures