Life as a Lewis

Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him! -Psalms 34:8 1. When I got to work Monday, there were balloons, a gift card, shampoo, conditioner, and mascara waiting for me. I am already using the mascara even though my lashes are teeny tiny. Other updates as a result of 6 weeks now with no chemo - I'm back in my contacts (chemo was affecting my eyes), toenails are still falling off right and left (this is not an improvement). Fatigue is still present, of course, but so much better. The best improvement is that the cancer-related pain I have experienced since October 2016 is improving at a rapid rate. I'm continuing to have scar tissue inflammation from my old stomach port (I had it removed all the way back in July 2011). 2. My kids are a solid week and a half into summer break and I've been telling anyone who will listen how great they are. There is giggling and playing, fake fights (their current favorite), soccer competitions up i...

You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. -Psalm 139:5 1. We celebrated Mother's Day twice. Saturday night our family used a gift card for supper at a local Italian restaurant (and a free dinner always tastes better). It was absolutely delicious and I brought home tiramisu, which is my favorite dessert. Camden was so irritated because he had made arrangements to stop at a little bakery to bring me a piece on Sunday so I burst his bubble by ordering it Saturday.  I told him it's the thought that counts. I volunteered to make Mother's Day lunch for everyone and so we spent the afternoon at my parent's house with my grandparents, Liz, and Addison. Camden had the idea of making chicken salad with some fancy-ish sides and cake. Brian gave me tulips and my favorite summer perfume; Rory gave me a laminated picture of her face. :)  2. I'm having a hard time believing that the school year is over. I have a high schooler, fri...

I went into my appointments this week prepared to argue my way out of further chemotherapy. Turns out, my oncologist needed no convincing, and my continued good scan results spoke for me. I don't think we can ever say I'm cancer free, but this may be is as close to it as I've ever been. Dr. C suggested we put a stop to chemo before I could put all my arguments to good use. Back in December 2016 when I started this new regimen, we all expected it to be for forever so to have this freedom after all the time, hard work, and - let's be honest - suffering is amazing. I'm left with chronic pain, neuropathy that may be permanent, and a whole lot of fatigue but I'm looking forward to trying to find my way back to normal. My first accomplishment? Growing eyelashes which are very slowly beginning to make an appearance. And want to hear something kind of insane? I'm still writing scripture daily (except when I'm not) and Tuesday's passage was Jeremy 29...

I don't know about you, but I could use something a little more on the lighthearted side. So here are a few of my recent favorites in all sorts of categories. Drugstore Makeup (or drugstore-ish price range): Loreal Pro Glow foundation, L'oreal Colour Riche lipstick in vintage rosewood (really sheer and lip balmy), Pixi liquid lipstick in Really Rose, Persona Identity eye palette (neutral but perfect) Not Drugstore Makeup: Soft Glam eye palette, Buxom Lip Cream in Cherry Flip , Dior Lip Glow, Laneige lip sleeping mask Spring perfume: You by Glossier (really light and clean smelling) Summer perfume: Bronze Goddess by Estee Lauder (smells like suntan lotion in all the best ways) Books:   As Bright as Heaven  by Susan Meissner (the author has several more book so I'm definitely going to look them up);  The Great Alone  by Kristin Hannah,  Something Like Happy  by Eva Woods TV: We just can't quit American Idol even if the new season hasn't qui...

For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable. - Hebrews 4:12-13 Another busy week, many more tears and tough situations. Also so many blessings. Such is life. 1. The school's Broadway-themed spring concert was Tuesday night and both kids were super excited. Excited enough to sing The Greatest Showman (not broadway-themed) together on the way to the concert, and it's not often they happily sing at the same time. Rory had a part in Never Grow Up from Peter Pan and Camden had the main solo in One More Day from Les Miserables (not for the faint of heart or in the midst of puberty, btw). 2. I read the best book this week called Something Like Happy. It was so sad but also fun...

Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don't worry or be afraid of their threats. Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong! - I Peter 3:13-17 I feel as if I haven't had a second to myself this whole week, with the exception of Wednesday evening but my Saturday opened up unexpectedly when the cold Rory has had all week blossomed into a high fever. We were scheduled to attend our church's spring event for the women (think old school mother/daughter banquet with a different name) but...