A week in review

It has been a good week.

On Monday we went to each library for our reading programs. We do two. The Kirkwood library is the best around. St. Louis county libraries are good. Hey if you read - might as well get the credit for it. The boys enjoy the treats they receive. Carter had a big game that night as well to which they lost. The opposing team is so polished that they literally practice at least 3 nights per week. They have an "A" & "B" team they rotate. Tournaments galore. Too serious for us. I am grateful for the team Carter plays on. The coach plays to win but, it is graced with grace. The body language of the other head coach was Horrible(with a capital H). When a player struck out, he would be so disgraceful to the player. Whatever... They are ten years old. Get a life! Sorry for my tangent. Priorities!

Tuesday proved to be a great one of fellowship for me. The boys and I went to a friends home to play and eat lunch. Stuart had a delightful time in the backyard looking for/avoiding bugs while his buddy Ryan was doing the same. A fly was a spider. Hmmmm. Three year olds are so fun!
Stuart fell asleep on the way home. So much for my quiet time. (That's another story for later.)

On Wednesday I awoke to not liking my hair and called to see when a next available appointment would be in a weeks time. Tonight at 7. Yeah! It is remaining short till the surgery hair/bangs to grow back in. I am at a good 3+, 4 inches. There is freedom in telling your hairdresser to do whatever she wants. Within reason. Dave complemented the hair when I returned.

I seriously did not shower on Thursday for my hair to look decent. I received an email that I was reading at 7:45 am so... Spur of the moment literally at 8am I decided we would go to see a free movie. We had to be at the movie theatre by 9 for the10 showing. Free tickets "sell out". The boys had fun watching Charlottes Web. Yes, it was fun although locking the keys in the van was a sight to behold. Yes, the Chesterfield police came to the rescue. I was too excited in seeing our friends that I totally left keys in the middle console. Cole needed to put his lovie- Super Junior back in the van prior to the movie starting. So it was good to not linger in a hot parking lot after the movie. Yes, my car alarm went off after the cop was able to manually unlock the van. Look everyone at the lady with the cop! A good laugh was had. Cole had a ball game later in the evening. They hadn't played in about a month. His team was a little rusty. All in all they had fun. When asking Cole "What was the score?" He replied "I don't know." He has had a good season. A totally different response than what Carter would give. I love that they are so different. They both are having fun. Carter more if he wins. He is just like his mother. Cole on the other hand has fun even if they lose. Good job, Cole.

On Friday the boys were a hoot to watch while cleaning the play room/ basement to party music (Thank you Aunt Sherri) Stuart joined in. I have to say it was good to listen to when I had a vacuming break on the second floor. Loud and fun. By the noon hour we ended up at the pooland stayed till two. I forgot to put sunscreen on my face. So welcome to racoon face for the weekend. A BIG announcement here! Stuart has been swimming off and on without his life jacket. Today he officially jumped off the diving board and swam to the ladder. This pool is a small one so a life guard allows me to be in the deep end to be there for him. He did great! We also tested to see how he did with the slide. He mastered that as well. My little swim bug. I knew last year that this would most likely be the year he swims. Whopppeeee! I will still need to be close by to monitor his progress. Crowded pools will not be my thing. Too much of a risk. When jumping anywhere into the pool, he has been instructed to curl your toes and jump straight out! This has been engrained into his little mind. At the slide he asks "Are you ready, Mommy?" He cannot come down if he doesn't hear a response. He obeys well. Thankful for that! I am serious about the pool and kids behavior. The older boys know I do not tolerate monkey business. They are disciplined accordingly. Stuart knows as well.

Saturday was so much fun. I decided I needed some more shorts to help end the summer. Carter and I went to Goodwill among other stores on a search. We found at least 5 shorts for Stuart less than $2.99 each. Some were $2. None for me. Carter was thrilled to find madris plaid shorts for him. Two dollars as well, can you believe it? I will need to find someone to take in the waist. He doesn't mind that his underwear line shows but Mom and Dad do. He is just too cool for words. The afternoon was spent at the ball field. Coles team had a forfeited game to which we as families played against the Eagles. Everyone had a blast! You should have seen the moms and dads along with siblings play. Aunt Jeanie even joined in the ball game fun. She stopped by our home so she was invited to play. She is a great third baseman/ woman. That pitching machine is so fast. My word. Another mom and my friend, Melissa and I were chanting a cheer. Carter had a home run while I was in the outfield- WAY over my head. I think it was totally intentional. He ended up playing with the Eagles which was good. Dave had one as well on a half swing with Carter's new birthday bat. I think he hit the bats sweet spot. He even batted left which is not normal. I personally was thrilled to be able to run and catch a ball. I was thankful to be reminded of late December 2007 where I have come from since surgery. God is good. After the family game an end of season BBQ was held at a players home.

This morning was a great time of worship. After a good lunch a long nap was overdue. I was reminded that it is only by God's grace that I am here. No headache last night after a long day. Praise God! That is big!

Along those lines... Stuart is cutting out his nap which is making it hard for me to rest during the day. Please pray for me to be able to have some down time. I used to do mandatory quiet time with the older boys in years past yet find it hard to do for my energy level is lacking. Once the two o clock hour comes around here comes the draining of energy. Not to leave out the chemo days... I have bits of energy at spur of the moment times and yet draining moments as well. I look forward to my mom helping out at the end of this month as she has been away. Chemo starts on Friday, July 25 for five days. My MRI is on Tuesday the 22nd.

Thanks for praying. God clearly has blessed our week with so many good things - Thank you for being one of those blessings!
k-