Life as a Lewis

Our date night turned out so fun. We were out and about for 7 hours! We shopped, laughed, had dinner at Olive Garden, a great dulce de leche frappucino at Starbucks, and just generally had a good time. We made a good dent in buying the rest of the things we need for the house. Still no mattresses, but we did pick a set out and Brian will be back to buy them and bring them home next week. We also spent about an hour at Babies-R-Us just having fun looking at all the cute baby things. Brian is so funny - he says he's in big trouble with a little girl. He's able to resist boy clothes (but not fun boy toys), but all the girly stuff is so cute! While I am certainly enjoying the peace and quiet that comes from a child-free house, I'm ready for my boy to be back! I miss his hugs and kisses and funny sayings.

Tonight was supposed to be date night, but there is absolutely no movie out that I want to see (and I love to go to the movies!). Besides, we've got a ton of house things that need to be done. I think we're going to go out to eat, and then hit Target and Wal-mart. There are so many little things we need for the house - blinds, sheets for Camden's new bed, towel hooks, rubber maids, etc. We're also mattress shopping for Camden. I'm hoping I can talk Brian into going to The Looking Glass, which is a family-run bakery/restaurant that is sooooo good! But it's slightly girly/romantic so we'll see. I talked to Becky last night, and she matter of factly talked me through her treatment options and many of the implications that breast cancer has, I was overwhelmed. I'm not sure how she and Micah are still functioning, but as my mom reminded me recently God gives us grace to deal with the unthinkable. The thought struck me this morning that as horrific as the next...

It was actually yesterday, but all the fun gifts I received just didn't quite cheer me up. Today, I can appreciate them a little more! My boss gave me some great goodies from L'Occitane that I'm very excited about as well as a box of truffles from Godiva. I also received a gift certificate for a fun sandwich place that also has great little desserts. Today the head honchos are taking us all out to eat at J. Alexanders so I'm looking forward to that. I think Camden being with my parents this week might have been all part of God's plan. Camden is probably good for some fun distraction. For example, on one of the MANY phone calls to my mom yesterday, I could hear Camden just singing away at the top of his lungs. Mom said that he got an American Idol microphone with his Happy Meal and hadn't stopped singing since. I told her to feel free to ask him to stop singing if it got to be too much! He'll keep them hopping anyway!

I've struggled all day with how to write this next sentence, and there's just no good way to say it, so I'll just let it out. We found out today my sister has breast cancer. It is very tough news to hear, and I'm full of tears, but Becky is an amazing, strong woman, and somehow after talking to her I feel better. I should have been the one to comfort her, but instead, she comforted me. She will begin chemo in May and then have surgery once the chemo is over. I have faith that everything will be all right, and while this won't be easy for her, she will make it through. I am reminded over and over that God is good to us, and while we may not understand everything that happens in our lives, He is always there to walk with us. I've scrapped this picture before of me and Becky, but came home from work early today and scrapped it again.

I hardly know what to do with my time! Brian is off at class tonight and tomorrow night. Camden is with his grandma and grandpa; my house is clean, and laundry is done! I came home, worked out, and am now headed off to watch Dancing with the Stars (does a workout count if it's followed up by popcorn and a Diet Dr. Pepper?). I'm so tired these days even though life has slowed down quite a bit. I'm a but OCD when it comes to bedtime and sleeping, and if things aren't just exactly right, I don't sleep well. And I'm still adjusting to the new house, bedroom, etc. One of these days I'll adjust! I have done some scrapping! I've got a ton of pictures to get caught up on, so I'm planning to use some of these child-free nights to do it. Here is an Easter page and a page using a picture of the 4 cousins in February.

Well, after a week of ups and downs, we finally closed on the house last night! And even that was a surprise! They told us to go ahead and come in to sign our portion of the paperwork, but they didn't expect the buyers to finish until next week. But when we arrived, what a great surprise to find that the buyers were signing at the same time. It feels so good and is such a relief to have it over and done with! Thursday was Camden's last day of school. They had a fun party for him and the kids all brought gifts for him. His teacher crocheted him a blanket, and it was very sweet. Friday I spent the morning cleaning and doing laundry getting ready for our caseworker visit. I think we're finally at the end of the our paperwork. After we closed on the house Friday afternoon, we went out to eat to celebrate. We also ordered Camden's bed and my dining room set! I am so excited for it to arrive, but it's going to be a couple of weeks. This morning we met my parents and grand...

Today is Camden's last day at his school. He started here when he was 12 months old. I can remember going to the parent's night the day before he started and thought, "I just cannot leave him yet." They had cute little tables and chairs where they ate their meals instead of high chairs; little mats on the floor for their naps instead of baby beds. But he quickly adjusted and has loved it there. He has had wonderful teachers and has made lots of good friends. Most of the boys and girls in his class have been with him for the past 3 years. He doesn't realize, of course, that he'll never see them again. We've tried to gently prepare him, but in typical 3 year old fashion, he can't really wrap his brain around that and when he says goodbye today, I'm sure it will be very casual. They're planning a big party for him today. Brian just called me and said he saw gifts and cameras in several of the kids' cubby holes. I'm much more sad than Camde...