Life as a Lewis

So I think I've documented it well that Camden loves to read. And it does my heart good, because I love to read. As in, I was one of those kids that would put a book in front of their textbook and read in class. My nose was always stuck in a book. Ever since I can remember knowing how to read, I've read a book at night before bedtime. Doesn't matter how late it is, I read. It's how I calm down. (I should probably note that now I have an iPad, reading in bed has gotten a whole lot easier. It's also gotten alot easier to watch TV in bed on that same iPad, which is why the amount of time I spend reading might have dropped in recent months.) I have long been a huge fan of the Harry Potter series of books. Yes, I know I'm an adult, but they are probably my favorite books of all time. I've been waiting for years to share my love of Harry Potter with Camden, and Brian and I decided that at age 9, he was mature enough to handle them. Our decision was to re...

I am alternately mesmerized and horrified by these pictures I'm sharing today. I have let Rory watch Toddlers and Tiaras with me a total of twice, both times only brief portions of the episode, but it was enough for her to spend the last several weeks begging me to let her be in a pageant and to take pictures of her walk. Oh. My. Stars. And a special thank you to Kelle who sent me these fabrics (that she designed!) and to Beth for making the dress for Rory. Because I am totally not Martha Stewart even if I'd like to be. I have more age-appropriate pictures of her in this dress that I'll share soon. :)  

What happens when I tell her she can do anything she wants for the picture. P.S. My hair after my salon appointment yesterday. It will never look this good again. And a not-so-wordless prayer request. My friend Barbara, who was part of my original group of 4 going through the major chemo together last year, just found out that her ovarian cancer has spread to her colon, and she is facing some major chemo and surgery. I know she would appreciate your thoughts and prayers.

I don't know how you English people do it! - from Camden as he tried to mop the floor. Apparently Koreans mop the floor differently? :) I started Weight Watchers up again last week, which  means I'm living in a state of perpetual starvation. Whoever says that they feel full and satisfied on raw fruit and veggies all day is crazy. I have put together a collection of 2 week menus with recipe links and coordinating grocery lists. If you'd like them, leave me your email in the comments, and I'll send them to you. They also include a bonus breakfast recipe and one treat recipe. We just do raw vegetables or a salad for sides so there are no side dish recipes. And we generally do granola bars, cereal, or oatmeal for breakfast so you're on your own there. You'll also notice they are mostly beef or chicken recipes, although I did buy Halibut and Mahi Mahi yesterday (my family's jaw just dropped in shock) and plan to incorporate fish into our diet. You'll a...

Just a few pictures from around the house. For the past several weeks I've been receiving little care packages from friends. So fun! If you've never guessed, my love language is definitely gifts. I love to buy them, and I love to receive them. And I have absolutely adored all the accompanying notes and little drawings from sweet kiddos. This package came Friday. So perfect for me! Addison sleeping in my bed Friday. It was so dark, but I really wanted to take a picture of her. Sleeping babies are incredibly sweet, aren't they? Rory has a newly found love of drawing, coloring, etc. Many days after school she heads straight for the table with her coloring supplies. And many days you can find Camden laying on his bread singing along to the radio. And family game night on Saturday. We used to do this all the time, and we've gotten very bad at allowing our busy lives or my health to get in the way. Not good! This one makes me laugh because I...

What?? You mean *you*don't play outside in your witch costume from 2 years ago? And zoomed in so you can check out that cute sweaty face. She was playing hard!

Today was not a good morning. I'm sure you've all had them, right? The kids are tired; you're tired. It's always a mad dash to get out the door, despite all the prep the night before. And 95% of the time we keep it together. We're patient. We respond the way a parent should as we try to teach our kids how to love each other well. But then there's that 5% of the time when we lose our temper or do not react with kindness and love. And isn't it always that 5% that the kids emulate? Why is that? Why can't they pay attention to all the times we get it right? Today was a morning like that. The kids were ugly to each other, to me. And at one point Camden actually lashed out and yelled at me in anger. I mean, really yelled at me. Something that hasn't happened around here yet. I've already meted out punishment and sent him off to school still angry, but as I drove home I kept thinking that he was just responding the way he's seen me respond....

Rory's school year is starting off with the Kindergarten Olympics. They have a torch that will stay lit until the end, they had an opening ceremony, and they're having competitions. We have charts to keep track of daily exercise, getting to bed on time (we're woefully losing that race!), brushing teeth, eating healthy food, daily bathing, and reading (also woefully behind on this one). She received her first 3 medals earlier this week. And I continue to be cracked up as she says "A for Behavior, B for Attitude, and C for Considerate." check out the hand on the hip Zoe Pearn/Melita Bloomer: Pretty Little Thing

So you knew there was no way I could let that Monday picture go, right? I'll still use it for my P365, but it was grating on my every last nerve. Not that these are perfect (ummm, far from it photographically speaking), but I love how much happier they were in the afternoon. Pretty sure I'm setting myself up for failure when I try to take a picture (1) in the morning because of the bad light and (2) in the morning because it's a morning! I told them they could just be silly and then snapped away for about 15 seconds. My favorite. We have had a jam packed week so far: doctor's appointments, never-ending trips to and from school, open house for Brian, grocery shopping, Bible study, dinner with friends. And that was all in the first 2 days! Living this far away from everything means I am spending a ton of time in the car and a ton of money on gas! Looking forward to moving to somewhere just a little more centrally located.  Today's ...

In my August Birchbox there were samples of shampoo and conditioner that cost $116. Yes, you read that right. And while I am most certainly never going to pay $115 in hair products, my hair absolutely felt completely different (in a good way). Speaking of Birchbox , any of you participate? For $9.95 a month, you receive an adorable little box packed with fun high end beauty samples. If you'd like to try, use this link , and I'll get credit. ;) And speaking of hair, mine seems to be growing and falling out all at the same time. How is that even possible? It's at possibly the most awkward stage since my 5th grade school photo. My family knows exactly what I mean by that, and, yes, it is that bad. The Hogwarts mystery from Rory has been solved. There is a boy in her class named Griffin, which she associated with Gryffindor. Pretty good, huh? I've been reading the first Harry Potter book to Camden over the summer, and while she sometimes listens in, I did not ...

We kicked off our weekend with a family dinner at my sister's house. Breakfast for dinner, and it was good! Despite having chemo Thursday, I felt decent all weekend, which was a blessing. In fact, I felt so well that I picked up my old Friday night habit of staying up way too late. Saturday morning is the only time I have to sleep in (and by sleep in, I mean 7:00 a.m.) so for most of our marriage I have used Friday nights to scrap, catch up on TV, wasting time, etc. There is something about a quiet house late at night that I love. Saturday morning started off big. Not only did a tree fall down (narrowly missing the house and the kid's bedroom), but we discovered that there is a large rodent chewing through the wall and living in our garage. Yikes! Saturday night we took my parents out to eat at Coco's as a thank you for, well, everything in the past 18 months. Pretty sure dinner wasn't enough! Sunday was church, followed by a lazy afternoon. And thi...