Old Song, New Book

This weekend I watched a great special about John Denver on PBS.  What a gifted artist he was.    I like to imagine him enjoying heavenly nature walks with St. Francis and Rich Mullins.  They each had such a profound appreciation of God's creation.    So, I am now on an all-out John Denver kick. :)   His voice had such a pure, often melancholy tone.    I ran across this old gem too. 

What a pair!

On the new book front, I just started reading "Jesus, The Final Days," by Craig A. Evans and N.T. Wright. It's very good so far, and especially relevant during Lent to contemplate the Passion of Jesus. Dr. Evans will be on the morning show with us on Thursday.   It's a quick read which is also nice.

That's about it on our end.  Just plugging away with homeschooling and enjoying the daily adventure of learning...most of the time.;)  We have had some challenging days, but overall, it has been a blessing on many levels.     We are also still waiting for news on the adoption front.   I hope to have something to report soon!  

Bike Riding, Bubble Blowing, and a Birthday!

This has been another eventful week, but thankfully in a good way.   It started with our big bike rider Garrett!  He likes to top his brothers (youngest to be potty trained) and now the youngest of our boys to learn how to ride a bike.   Although he is 4, he rides like a man of 7.   Lol.  

"Look mom, no training wheels!"

In addition, he also learned how to blow a bubble!   What a week!:)    Grant just learned last October and it reminded me of a video I recorded the day he figured it out.   I don't think I posted it before, so here is a little peek into Grant's attempt.  He is an old pro now, but it's fun to look back (I love how hard he is concentrating).  Priceless. :)


Finally, happy belated birthday to my dad!   We celebrated his return home from the hospital with a humble birthday bash.   Thankfully, the swelling in his face has gone down, he's breathing better and noticing the effects of radiation (in a good way) which is already shrinking his tumor.   He started chemo this week too and is doing well.  Thanks be to God!

Dad

I am usually not at a loss for words, but this post has been especially difficult to write.   The past week has been a blur as we have been rotating shifts at the hospital, waiting for test results, and praying for good news.   A week ago Saturday, my dad was taken to the ER, then later admitted.   He has felt under the weather for about 6 months.   He had seen his doctor who tried changing his medicine and guessed it might be an allergy.   So, he has been trudging along until recently when the symptoms became more severe, and disturbing.   His face was swollen, he had mysterious bruises on his chest, he couldn't stand without becoming lightheaded, and even blacked out while shoveling the driveway.   To make a long story short, the doctor discovered a mass in his chest and he has been diagnosed with lung cancer (SCLC).   The news was shocking, to say the least.   Small cell lung cancer is particularly aggressive and the survivability statistics are frightening.   It's always amazing how much life can turn upside down in a matter of minutes, or days.   We are not promised tomorrow, but it doesn't make it any less painful to let go.  

We don't know how much time my dad has left.  It could be months, it could be years.  God willing there will be a miracle and it will be decades.   My dad has shown such strength and grace already, and it makes me  proud to be his daughter (although I've always been proud of him). :)    In the meantime, I have been spending hours on websites like Cancer Grace trying to become an expert on SCLC, finding out what questions to ask and digging for a secret loophole or clinical trial that might offer hope.   I realize the most important component is God and I'm also spending hours with Him too.     I don't have any spiritual insights or wisdom that I've gleaned from the experience just yet.  At the moment we are all still trying to process it and focus on each day.  I know people get cancer every day (his roommate was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and given 4 months to live-pray for him).  This is just me, sharing my hurting heart as we begin the battle. 

The Lord is my shepherd,

I shall not want;
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters;
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for His name's sake.

Even though I walk through the valley
of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil;
for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the house of the
Lord forever.

-Psalm 23

Bloom Where You're Planted!

I'm jumping up and down with excitement with GREAT news!   Today, we announced the 95.5 The Fish Mom Squad Mother's Day Dinner!    We are grateful and glad to invite you to Hartville Kitchen on Thursday, April 28th.   The theme is "Bloom Where You're Planted," featuring the amazing, blessed,  beautiful Nicole C. Mullen!    It's a dream to have such a gifted artist and speaker join us.    The event includes a relaxing meal, shopping, prizes, music, prayer and fun!  We all need a little retreat sometimes,  and our prayer is that you will join us for an evening away from the grind to be with God and great girlfriends.  You can get an early bird discount from now until March 31.  Click here for more details. 

Here is a brand new song from Nicole C. called "Thy Kingdom Come."   With the earthquake in Japan and the tsunami's in the news, I think this song offers much to contemplate and pray for as we lift up those are suffering . 

Almost Ready

Happy Ash Wednesday!   We've been busily preparing for Lent and I wanted to post a few of our recent projects.    The boys did a beautiful job coloring this printable Easter countdown calendar.

We have also been working on Stations of the Cross on votive candles.   You can print out the stations and glue them, and we also added purple tissue paper to the back.    We are only about halfway done now, but here is what they look like so far:

You can print out the stations of the cross and instructions here.   I have to wholeheartedly thank my friend Jayme for introducing me to the amazing world of  CatholicIcing.com.   Every possible craft and activity imaginable is listed for feast days, holidays, learning the liturgy, growing and faith and even learning the alphabet!   Lacy is a very gifted artist and it's been so much fun to sift through the goodies on her website. 

I am still working on my own goals for Lent but I think I have a good idea of what my hopes are.    I am going to completely give up chocolate on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sunday's.   I want to do a few specific added prayers during Lent, and read the Dolorous Passion again (one resource for Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ".)    We also have some special family things planned and I am VERY MUCH looking forward to the warmer weather when we can pray the stations outside at the Little Flower grotto nearby.     Please spring, come on already!:)    Overall I think we are set, I just need to load up on our supply of fish sticks. :)

Ash Wednesday Craft

Today we did a little art project to prepare for Ash Wednesday.  

 I found a great printable template here.   On the back we printed and glued Ash Wednesday prayers.    The plan is to keep this Ash Wednesday reminder on the kitchen table and rotate the prayers as we gather for dinner.

The prayers are from the book "Celebrating Saints and Seasons," by Jeanne Hunt.   We are counting the days until Lent begins and I can't wait!  I am excited to incorporate our homeschooling lessons into such a special time.