State of the House ~ March

First, while its still March (colon cancer awareness month) I wanted to bug you to take action. If you are due for a check-up or screenings, MAKE IT HAPPEN! Get the appointments booked and just get it done. If you have suspicious symptoms, ask your doctor. You think you are too busy now, but a serious illness would stop you in your tracks...catch it early!

So the state of things around here? If I had written before yesterday, I would have talked about how March was such a hard month while I recovered from surgery and Shaun worked his way through tax season and dealt with a $7,000 apartment sewer issue. Or how when I (separately) told the girls I was going to Sloan for the day, neither could hold back their tears because they didn't want me to go, afraid I wouldn't be able to return the same day.

Instead, I purposely waited to post until after yesterday so I could give a report from New York City, where we spent the day. We saw three doctors...my plastic surgeon (most recent surgery), oncologist and surgeon. They are all pleased and had GOOD REPORTS!! The March 1 surgery is nearly healed and did its job of healing the surgery from last July. The scans are clear and show no signs of cancer. Wonderful, truly miraculous news!!

We've walked out of the building on 53rd Street dozens of times but never with good news. But yesterday was different and there was great excitement, relief and yes, disbelief.

I don't know what life will look like now. Our family has been irreversibly touched and changed from the last 18 months. I feel like Jacob in the Bible. Morning has just dawned after wrestling with an angel all night. My hip is permanently dislocated, but I know my very strength is going to be in that limp. It will be a constant reminder that God is in control, a testimony of His faithfulness and trust-worthiness.

Once again, thank you for joining us in our mess. We are grateful for the love and encouragement you've shown every step of the way.

Project 365, Week 13

This week was all about Passion of the King, with performances Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday and Good Friday. We're also closing in on the last couple weeks of tax season!

March 21

We had just enough snow to cause a school delay, which allowed the kids to sleep in after the previous day's performance. By mid-afternoon it had disappeared. Perfect timing!

Just in the last couple weeks Aiden has been doing his homework independently and of his own initiative. Much preferable to the daily whining!

March 22
Amanda loves to create in the kitchen.

March 23
Beautiful day to play outside and do homework!

March 24
Doing the "whipping scene" on his sister with his school tie.

March 25
"Mashages".

March 27
Getting-ready-for-Easter work day.

March 28
Easter! Celebrating a risen King and the gift of family.

He's Alive!

O Death, where is your sting?

O hell, where is your victory?

Our God is not dead, He is ALIVE!!

The glory of God has defeated the night.

Grateful

Signs of Life

Real, beautiful LIFE.

Project 365, Week 12

I lift up my eyes to the hills, where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 121

March 14

It was a random day off of school and it rained all day....they were happy to get some screen time.

When Shaun came home, he and Avery had a mock spelling bee...

March 15
...in preparation for the spelling bee at her school. She was selected to represent the 5th grade and competed against six other Catholic elementary schools.

She didn't get very far, but we were so proud of her being brave enough to get up there in a high-pressure situation. We talk a lot of about "do it afraid" around here and she did!

I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave [girl] is not the one who does not feel afraid, but [s]he who conquers that fear. ~Nelson Mandela

March 16
See how dutifully my children are working on their homework and with such willing hearts? ;) We are making progress but it is hard-fought. When he has a diploma in hand, it will be worth it.

March 17
Looks like a fun game, right? These two will be fighting in five, four, three....

I so enjoy heart-to-hearts with my little guy. It is fascinating to hear the thoughts churning in that brain of his and also secretly humorous to me how well I know and understand him, in large part because he is wired just like Shaun. {heart}

Sweet girl.

March 18
Post-school, pre-show nap. Tough work being in show biz. ;) Opening night was incredible!!

March 19
Ray came over and the kids decorated eggs together.

Photos by Amanda before and during the UCONN game.

March 20
He kills me in his robe and slippers.

So Amanda. I hope she always does life big (and a little wild).

Snow Descends

Even though my ideal place to live doesn't get snow, ever, I enjoy the snow that we get here because it brings so much joy to the kids. Mercifully, we had storms in moderation this year and the kids made the most of each snowfall...their excitement is infectious!

These photos are from our February snow and since spring is this week, I'm hoping they are the last white pictures of the season. 

We were shoveling at one of our apartment buildings and an old-fashioned, neighborly snowball fight began in the back yard with a group of kids we didn't know. So fun!

“I don’t think the way you think. The way you work isn’t the way I work.” God’s Decree. “For as the sky soars high above earth, so the way I work surpasses the way you work, and the way I think is beyond the way you think. 

 

Just as rain and snow descend from the skies and don’t go back until they’ve watered the earth, Doing their work of making things grow and blossom, producing seed for farmers and food for the hungry, So will the words that come out of my mouth not come back empty-handed. They’ll do the work I sent them to do, they’ll complete the assignment I gave them.