Catching Up

This evening's dinnertime was filled with laughter.  Meals like that, with everyone gathered around the table, are the best.  Everything everyone did or said happened to be hilarious!  After the past two weeks of craziness it was needed.  We all hung around the table and reconnected, just the nine of us. It seems as though all our meals recently have been consumed with thoughts and conversation of important, more weighty matters.  How precious life is and how often we take it for granted.   

Auntie Theresa is doing well at the moment.  She is on her second round of chemo, as the first one did not work.  It seems as though this one is more intense. 
There were a few days where much needed platelets could not be located and our hearts were heavy.  It is during times like these that my heart swells with pride for my family....every last person. 
My children so generously not asking for time to themselves, knowing that Mom is barely making it through the days with all the phone calls ~ not complaining at one more call to prayer when they'd much rather be inviting a friend over ~ going to Grandma's so they can hold Theresa's babies close ~ helping one another more. 
They genuinely want to be involved, not some obligation that I guilt them into....like, say, washing the windows because it makes me so happy to have clean windows!  It is such a blessing to see them grow in generosity and love of others. 

And my brothers, sisters and parents.  There are just not words to describe their magnanimity.  I watch as Mom runs and runs and runs (though she does handle busyness much better than the average duck!) giving everything to ensure the health and happiness of Theresa and those sweet little babies of hers.  And Dad, gently cutting up sandwiches into tiny pieces as the girls wait expectantly for someone to feed them, giving up his workouts so Mom has time to accomplish a few things. 

Then, my bros...oof...okay so sometimes they drive me nuts, it's just a fact.  But, wow!  They have risen to new heights supporting John and Theresa as they navigate the hospital and its shortcomings.  Loving Theresa in every way they know how.  Finding platelets for her when the future looked bleak, if not nonexistent.

Last, but certainly not least, our wonderful community has shown us how blessed we are.  From close friends that we just drop our kids on so we can buzz up to the hospital to everyone storming heaven, I feel enormously blessed!

This week has been filled with anxiety, but also has shown us how mighty God is.  The verse that has been filling my heart is Psalm 139.  "You formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother's womb, I praise you, so wonderfully you made me; wonderful are your works!............................
How precious to me are your designs, O God; how vast the sum of them!" 

We do not know what the future may hold at this time, but we do know that we are precious in God's sight.  He created us for a specific purpose; we often do not recognize what that is until much later.  Despite not understanding what our life may hold and why we are suffering, He makes all things good.  Sanctification occurs through suffering, not through the good times, as difficult as that is to understand. 
Gold is tested in fire, and Theresa, you are gold!  What an example of virtue you are to me.


Even though our week was crazy, we did squeeze some goodness in!  We celebrated Eric's 10th birthday with his friends.  There was a Kung Fu Panda cake, casting contest, balloon toss, balloon shoot, darts. 

For the record, I have absolutely no idea where Eric got the dorky smile in the first pics....had to be his father! 

I'm still trying to figure out what was going on here....only boys!

Dude, that balloon is gone!  There is no chance you'll hit it now! 

And now for, the real fun....water fight!

This next week is looking peaceful, no swimming lessons, not too much extra stuff, just Daddy's birthday...which is a national holiday in our house!  He's wondering what kinda loot we have stashed away for him.  What a little kid!