Happy Easter

Sitting here thinking about this evening's events.

It appears the magic of childhood believing has died an untimely death here at our house.

It all began with me. I procrastinated a bit getting ready for the holiday.
I didn't consider that I'd get sick and spend two days in bed.
Thanks to some kid named Jack, a doubt had been placed in my son's ears.
And a husband who "thought" he had hidden the candy he'd helped to buy.
Then there's the older child who didn't think to try to preserve the myth when little brother noticed the bag in Mom's closet.
Who offhandedly mentions that the jig is up as they head to bed.

Desperate to salvage the situation, I concocted a semiplausible story.
My little guy doubtfully went along with my tale, after asking enough pointed questions to show me how smart he is.

After I tucked him in, I cried and drowned my sorrows in jelly beans and malted milk eggs.
I remembered that Easter is really not about bunnies and eggs.
It is not about my need to have my baby stay little.

It is about forgiveness.
Happy Easter.

A Prayer of Thanks.

Thank you, Lord, for Dad's scan results today.
Thank you for leading him to Sloan Kettering Hospital, because I now believe he is getting the best treatment available.
Thank you for giving him a few more months to feel strong enough to do the things he enjoys.
Thank you for the gift of time to spend together, because I now understand how fleeting it can be.

A Day on the Road

To Manhattan with Dad today.
Traffic was sketchy in the morning, but we made it in plenty of time and were called in to seethe doctor ahead of our appointment time.
The cycle of liver pump infusions is over for now - he was able to complete 3 of the 6. One more systemic chemo, and he will be officially "OFF" chemo for the first time since his diagnosis four and a half years ago. Dad was very excited about a break. He admitted today that he is really feel worn down lately, and the years of chemo have had a cummulative effect. He's looking forward to his hair growing back a bit, time to golf, and maybe even a getaway with Mom. I'm so happy for him.
Still, there is a quiet worry in my brain that maybe no chemo is a bad thing. After all, he's still here, beating the odds.
I decide to bury that worry and choose to embrace this moment of victory.
After all, happiness is a choice. Why not see the glass half full more often?

Time Keeps on Slippin'

slippin', slippin', into the future... (Remember that Steve Miller Band song?)
That's kinda how July was here.

Last week we celebrated my Dad's 68th birthday. It was a great day, with sunshine, blueberry cookies and smiles. I wish I would have taken more pictures on this day, but I had fun helping my mom get the food ready. I think Dad had a good day.

What else did we do?
The big kids stayed a week in Ohio with my in laws. They had a great time. The rest of us back home had fun together , going to a Rock Cats game and building forts in the living room. We were happy once we all were back together, but that was only for a few days.


Then C, R & J went to their respective scout camps, and Mike volunteered a few days.

I made a trip to NYC with Dad. Things are going well for him in the chemo department. I just have to figure out a way to get down to Manhattan without sitting in traffic for hours.

I began the process of organizing and redoing my scrap space. Too chaotic to share yet, but I'm plodding along. I'm trying to do it on a limited budget, so I'm buying odds and ends each week and repurposing things I have around the house. Stay tuned for pictures.

I've made a few projects here and there, but I am really trying to finish up my room before I get too crafty. Here is one layout I did for a July HMITM challenge. I brought some scrap stuff on vacation with me. Love Echo Park.

A Welcome Pause

Finally catching a moment to breathe after a whirlwind month of June. Summer has arrived amid a month filled with...

baseball games:

Brenna's dance recital:


school functions, like Kindergarten Step Up and Colin's Class Night





a graduation:


Father's Day

Lots of opportunities to take pictures. I've taken hundreds this month. Wow!

I've started to step back into scrapping after spending weeks rethinking how I want to store my supplies. I've been organizing away, and still have a long way to go. This is the first layout I created in my new space, and it was for challenge 174 at How Much Is Too Much?

Talk about a challenge! It requires you to use light colors with yellow, 1 circle, 7 kinds of flowers, 7 stamped images and 24 other items.

Here is my interpretation:

I misted over the background, then layered Thickers on top of washi tape. The rest of the title was stamped with my favorite Studio Calico alphabet stamps. I outlined the letters with a black Signo pen.

I used some October Afternoon Ducks in a Row papers as well Making Memories. Both were perfect to evoke some of the nostalgia I felt when looking at this ten year old picture. Time flies!

So that's what I've been up to. Looking forward to sharing some more inspiration soon.