Life as a Lewis

Friends investing in my kids. While I was in OK, our pastor took Camden hunting and the pastor's wife and daughters took Rory with the while they shopped for homecoming dresses, and both kiddos had an absolute blast. Community: I've been hosting a women's Bible study in my home for the last 4-5 months, and we're currently studying biblical parenting. Not only is it one of my favorite topics, but Friday mornings are starting to feel cozy and like I'm spending it with friends. Brian hunted four days in the past 2 weekends (and killed 2 deer). Not that I care one iota about that actual deer/hunting part, but I am thrilled his schedule allowed the time for hunting - his idea of fun. It has been years since he has had the time, and while each school year has seemed more difficult than the last, things have evened out recently. November 2014 was full of doctor's appointments as I prepared to start a new chemo regimen. November 2015 has been doctor-free. ...

We watched Annie (the 2014 version) over the weekend, and the next morning Rory told me she had a dream that I was Mrs. Hannigan. I'm sure my standard reaction over the constant state of her room had no influence on this connection. Our church handed out coats and warm weather accessories this past weekend in an impoverished area of town. Not only did it suddenly turn freezing cold with rain, but we heard gunshots and Rory got punched in the back (she's totally fine). Surprisingly enough (and I'm thrilled about this fact), what the kids took away from the day was how grateful everyone seemed for the hotdogs, chips, and used coats. Becky bought me a grown-up coloring book with pencils for my birthday, and I have to say it's been kind of relaxing to color . . . not something I would have thought I would enjoy. She bought me this one, and then I couldn't resist the Christmas version . Kids are out of school all week while Brian and I are working Monday/Tu...

I wish there was a way to know you're in the good old days before you've actually left them - Andy (The Office finale) There's a lot of beauty in ordinary things - Pam (The Office finale) Life is so full. I found myself remembering these two quotes from The Office series finale over recent weeks (a miracle in itself since my brain is feeling every bit of a sluggish 40). I am guessing I am not the only one to find it much easier to get caught up in the busyness of life instead of pausing for a deep breath with the realization that these full days are good and blessed. I flew to Oklahoma last week. It went by much too fast, and we skipped all the food and fun pictures this year. Food and fun still happened, of course. I did, however, take a picture of my cute new red shoes (which I would never have bought with peer pressure from Becky). Camden suddenly switched from uniform polos (ugly) to plaid shirts (cute) this week, and I thought he was actually ...

Twenty years ago today, I woke up to 20 dead roses in my college dorm room. Later that afternoon, my friends held a wake for me. I had fun friends who decided to make the most of the fact that I was having a minor crisis about leaving my teen years behind. Twenty years later, that seems incredibly silly (although still a fun memory). Today, I am 40 and that seems like an impossibly high number - especially since I still feel about as immature as I did back then. Well, maybe not quite. My sister and I discussed this whole aging event recently, and here's the thing. When you've been diagnosed with stage 3c ovarian cancer at 35, turning 40 is pretty much a hill you totally want to go over. And there are several more hills I'd like to climb. Turning 40 is an accomplishment to be perfectly honest. So no dead roses for me today. No complaining about being over the hill (even though my children - Rory especially - can hardly believe their mama is 40). To celebrate, I ...

Brian and the kids and I have always talked in general terms about going back to Korea for a visit. These talks picked up steam back in 2010 when we began correspondence with Camden's birth family, but after my cancer diagnosis in early 2011, the Korea trip fell to the back burner. We realized recently that the kids are 12 and 9 and the whole idea of returning to Korea was not going to happen unless we buckled down and made it happen. Realistically speaking, it will take 2-3 years to save and plan for the trip. So last night we showed the kids an envelope full of money and told them it was the start of our Korea fund.   When Camden buried his face in his hands and sobbed "this is amazing," I understood more clearly than ever before what a deep-rooted need he has for a tangible connection to Korea. It served as both a heart wrenching reminder that these precious kiddos have gone through terrible loss in their short lives as well as a strong motivator to make thi...

Reading: What Alice Forgot , the Fire and Thorns Trilogy by Rae Carson (I highly recommend reading a trilogy when all the books are complete - I've moved from one book right to the next and I love not having to wait) Watching: The Great British Baking Show - it's so light and fluffy and all things delightful. Netflix has several seasons available. Anticipating: My birthday trip to Oklahoma next week! Listening: to the Sorta Awesome podcast, This Glorious Grace by  Austin Stone Worship, and the Afternoon Acoustic playlist on Spotify  Loving: my new vacuum cleaner . Nothing like realizing how dirty your house actually is when you buy a vacuum cleaner with real suction power. Starting: to begin planning for Christmas. Rory keeps reminding me this week there are only 7 Fridays until Christmas. I haven't checked her math, but even if she's incorrect, it is quickly approaching. Finishing: I have THREE scrapbook layouts that have been in the w...