Currently & Answer Me This: Tragedy, Trust & Tahoe

By bobbi
July 14, 2014
2 Comments

Moments of Gratitude…

Today I am especially thankful…

For a wonderful trip at Lake Tahoe with my family and my parents and a safe trip home.
That Brian only has one chemo round left to finish.
For my life and the life of my husband and children.
For the love and support of family and friends – during the good times and especially bad times.
For the warmth of the sun after days of chilly fog.
For the peace and solitude of the night after a hectic day.

Beauty in the Ordinary…

When I was younger I disliked the color purple. Now I love to see the color in nature.

In the Kitchen…

Monday – Chicken tacos with 5 minute salsa and veggies.

Tuesday – Turkey meatloaf, baked potato and broccoli.

Wednesday – Moroccan-style chickpea chili with brown rice.

Thursday – Breakfast dinner

Friday – Veggie pizza and Greek salad.

Saturday – Leftovers.

Sunday – Dinner wit Oma & Opa.

Praying…

For my sister and her family as they prepare for the funeral of their baby.
For all those who have lost loved ones.
For Brian’s chemo and continued recovery from cancer.
For those who are suffering physically, mentally and spiritually.
For some special intentions.

On the homefront……

Those of you who have read my last post or have seen on Facebook already know that our extended family has suffered a great loss. My sister Elena went into labor on Friday but Baby Joan did not make it. She was called back to God. We were all filled with shock and sorrow. However, there has been an outpouring of love and support for Elena and Vinnie and their family. People have offered prayers, words of encouragement and even money towards the Joan Iris Fund to help pay for funeral expenses. If you’d like to offer your prayers and such, check out the post Goodbye Baby Joan Iris for details.

In our own family, on Monday Brian started his last round of chemo. This has been the most difficult one so far and the side effects have been the hardest but as each day passes he gets a little better. Also on the positive side his bloodwork and levels look good and the doctor is pleased with his progress. We just pray he continues to get better and that the cancer stays away.

Pondering…

We all go through peaks and valleys in life and my family seems to be going through a deep valley right now. First we had Brian’s cancer returning, which resulted in another surgery and chemo. Then my sister who got married last year conceived her first child but lost the baby in miscarriage. Now my other sister lost Joan. It is times like these that I am extremely grateful for my Catholic faith because we know that life does not come without crosses. We each have our own passion and road to Calvary that we must climb. But with each passion, there also comes the joy of the resurrection. There are many moments of happiness and love when we receive a taste of heaven on earth. It is never easy to live that faith when you are in the midst of heartache and pain but God is always there as our stronghold. No matter how dark it seems, we know with certainly that the sun will rise once again and bring a new day.

Reading…

I finished Don’t You Forget about Me, which I’ll try to review later this week.

I am just starting Danielle Bean’s book Momnipotent.

I like to read on fiction book and one non-fiction book at a time so next I have to choose a novel but I’m not sure which to read next. I’m leaning towards If I Stay since I will see the movie next month and I like to read the book first OR…

Wearing the Cape by Marion Harmon

Listening to…

Silence. Everyone is sleeping and nothing else can be heard besides the clicking of the keyboard and the owl hooting outside my window.

Watching…

Brian and I have been watching Masterpiece Mystery – Endeavor (one of our favorites even if it is bit dark at times) and The Last Ship (not bad for TV summer viewing). We recently rented Non-Stop (both really liked it) and The Source Code (both thought – meh.) On my own I have been enjoying Pretty Little Liars and Switched at Birth. (I know, I know. Guilty pleasures. ;-))

On my last Mama’s Movie Night Out I saw Begin Again. It was the only movie showing at the time I could attend. (Other than Tammy. No thanks. Every MC movie I see is the same thing.) I enjoyed Begin Again A LOT more than I was anticipating. The story line tugged at the heart and there were a number of (intentionally) comedic lines. I enjoyed watching the creative process and seeing the “vision” of a song before it was fully created. I assumed KK’s voice was dubbed but she actually sang. It was a sort of a quiet shoe gazer style but I downloaded the soundtrack. Half the songs I love; the other half, not so much. Lastly, I also really enjoyed the fact that although the main characters were attracted to each other, they didn’t automatically jump into bed together and I liked the ending. One note though, there are a lot of F-bombs so if you can’t stand that, skip it.

On the blog…

I’ve taken some time off so since my last Daybook and I’ve only posted three times:

The Top Ten Theme Songs of My Life

Pinterest Party & Link-up (Vol 25): How I Use PicMonkey on My Blog (This link-up is open until Friday so add your links!)

Goodbye Baby Joan Iris

Today I am also linking up with Kendra for Answer Me This

1. How did you get your name?

My dad is named Robert, although he goes by Bob, and the first born child was going to be named after him, boy or girl. The name on my birth certificate actually says Bobbi. It’s not a nickname. However, the priest who was going to baptize me was not pleased by such a wordly name so my mom added Ann to it. Growing up I was called Bobbi Ann. Eventually I shortened it to Bobbi. Nowadays I only get called Bobbi Ann by my mom if she is upset with me. 😉

2. Do you have a set time for prayer in your day?

I start the day off with the morning offering and on a good day I do a short morning meditation after breakfast. However, during summer it has been hit and miss. I usually say my rosary (or at least a decade of it) in the car while I am shuffling kids around or running errands. I also have my phone alarm set to go off throughout the day to turn my mind to God.You’ll hear the church bells go off at 9 AM, 12 PM, 3 PM and 5 PM and whatever kid happens to be closest to my phone (even if it’s in my pocket) will yell out, “It’s time for you to pray, mom!” So I do get a lot of reminders. I used to say a little longer prayer but these days it is a short invocation. On a good day, for my evening prayer I try to listen to the Divine Office prayers while I am making dinner. (You can hear the podcast at Divine Office.org.) I do need to work harder at saying my night prayers earlier. I tend to say them in bed before I fall asleep and so far sleep keeps winning out.

3. Did your mom work or stay at home or both?

She was mostly at home although there were times when money was really tight and she had to work. She worked at a bank for awhile but I remember that the bank was held up. I think at that point she decided to stay at home and figure out a way to make ends meet.

4. Do you vote?

Not as often as I should. We vote for the big ones but we tend the skip the smaller elections unless there is a really important bill.

5. What’s your favorite drink?

Okay, this is where I admit what a nerd I am. I don’t like coffee and I don’t like tea. I used to drink alcohol when I was in my 20’s but after making some really stupid mistakes while drunk and then cleaning up my act, I swore off the stuff. I have since lost all taste for alcohol. So 75% of the time I drink ice water. The other 25% of the time I drink milk. (I love milk.) When I am feeling really wild and crazy I splurge and have a diet orange crush or diet root beer. Yeah, I know. Nerd.

6. How are your photography skills?

Hmmm, what would I call it? An amateur with a nice camera and a photo editing program. I love photography but don’t know anywhere as much as I wish I did.

In the blogosphere…

I am just now catching up on my reading so I am still behind but I did catch these worthwhile reads so far…

Why What I Wear Matters – Catholic All Year

Encouraging Boredom in Your Children – Letters from the Nest

The Secret to Happy Relationships – Slow Mama

Pinned…

My pin of the week – I am going to be trying this recipe from Whitney at Framing Cali next week. 🙂

Photo credit – Framing Cali Blog

Plans for the Week…

We have swimming lessons all week, dentist appointments, an ortho appointment to see about Bella’s new braces and we’re attending a family gathering at our local church where the dads take the kids to a summer matinee movie and the moms meet at the church hall to chit chat and make lunch. After the movie the dads and kids join us for lunch. When we first heard about it Brian and I were tempted to skip it but we also realized that we need to make a greater attempt to attend Catholic family functions like this. It’s good for us and good for the kids to spend time with Catholic peers. Plus, he should be feeling better by the weekend.

Also this week (Wednesday at 11 AM eastern time to be exact) is the funeral for my niece Baby Joan Iris. I’m conflicted inside because my heart aches for Elena and Vinnie and I feel guilty having fun with my family. But if Joan’s short life taught us anything, it is that life is precious and goes too fast. We need to cherish the moments we have together and spend our days in the company of our loved ones. I know Joan will be watching us and sending us kisses from heaven.

Captured…

Here are some shots from our trip to Lake Tahoe.

Lake Tahoe at Pope Beach

Matthew playing in the sand. Although I love the ocean, the lake is so much better for my nerves. I’m not constantly worried about the kids being pulled into the sea. 😉

Enjoying the walking path behind our hotel.

The view on our walk.

I love the smell of pine. 🙂

I’ll post more photos of Lake Tahoe later this week when I do a post about our favorite spots to visit in Lake Tahoe with kids.

Linking-Up with…

A Mama Collective’s Currently

Kendra’s Answer Me This

PS – You can follow RoL on Bloglovin, Feedly or another news feed. If you are a social media fan like me, we can stay in touch through Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, GoodReads, Letterboxd or Instagram (It’s set to private but I’ll approve you.) 😉

PPS – This post may contain affiliate links.

Goodbye Baby Joan Iris

By bobbi
July 12, 2014
10 Comments

photo credit

As many of you may know, my little sister Elena is also my blogging buddy over at Barefoot and Sometimes Pregnant.

Elena and her husband Vinnie were expecting baby #6, a little girl they named Joan Iris. Yesterday (7/11/14) Elena went into labor but the unimaginable happened. Little Joan died within the comfort of her mama’s womb. Words cannot express the shock and sorrow we all experienced knowing that Elena and Vinnie were asked to carry this cross.

However, I am heartened to know that Joan’s short life has touched the hearts of family, friends and even strangers on Facebook who have joined in prayer for Elena, Vinnie and their children Edith, Frank, Greta, Harriet and Ike.

My heart goes out to my sister and I desperately wish I could fly the 3,000 miles to be with Elena and Vinnie so I can give them a hug or watch their kids or make them a meal but I can’t. In the meantime, I was talking to my mom and she told me that she and my dad are trying to get enough money together to go see Elena and attend the funeral. However, last minute tickets from CA to VA are not cheap. Then it clicked, if I can’t do all those things for Elena, I can send my parents to help them instead. I know when I had my first miscarriage, I desperately longed to cry in my mother’s arms, even if only for a few moments.

I have had a number of Elena’s friends ask me what they can do for Elena and Vinnie. Here are two suggestions.

In Lieu of Flowers…

Knowing how practical my sister is, I can safely assume she’d give up a house filled with flowers for a simple bouquet delivered in person by our mom and dad. With that in mind, I have set up a donate button for family and friends to give to the Joan Iris fund. Money will be used to buy tickets and also to help cover the funeral cost.

Spiritual Bouquet/ Memorial Book

I would also like to put together a small memorial book/spiritual bouquet for Elena and Vinnie. The book will have a list of prayers being offered for the family. (ie. a Mass, rosary, holy hour, day of sacrifice, or a simple “I’m praying for you” etc.) Secondly, I will also have a section of the book with personal messages from family and friends. Just email your message to me and I will add it to the book. (If you are donating through the pay pal button, you can leave it in the message section.) It can be one sentence with your name or a personal letter. Whatever, you’d like. It will be a physical reminder that although we are far away, we love them and unite our thoughts and prayers with them.

Whether you’ve prayed for them or donated physically or spiritually, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I know it means a lot to Elena and Vinnie to have so much love and support during this difficult time.

UPDATE: It hasn’t even been 24 hours and already an extremely generous group of friends have donated two plane tickets for my parents to fly out to VA to attend the funeral and spend a week with her and the family. All further donations will help to cover the cost of funeral expenses. Thank you so, so much!! 🙂

UPDATE #2: Elena posted this message on Facebook. Thank you for your continued prayers and help.

When tragedy struck after being consoled by my husband there was nothing I wanted more than to receive a hug from my parents and to have them here for the funeral. After looking over ticket prices, I assumed that wouldn’t be the case. Then I was told through the generosity of friends, my parents would be here Tuesday. The tears flowed, however, this time it wasn’t due to sorrow, but at being overcome by the love of those around us. The words “Thank You” do not seem like enough. Know from the bottom of my heart what this means to me and our family and know that you will always be in our prayers. Also, those who have sent us words of encouragement, please know that we read everyone of them and are thankful for them even if we do not respond personally to them. I am blessed to know that our little Joan Iris touched the lives of so many people.

God bless you.

Pinterest Party & Link-up (Vol 25): How I Use PicMonkey on My Blog

By bobbi
July 8, 2014
No Comments

Sorry that I missed the last Pinterest Party. I have been on a blogging break but the party is back! This week I am sharing about one of my favorite blogging tools – PicMonkey. 🙂

Welcome to the RoL Pinterest Party. Join me every 2nd and 4th Tuesday as we link up and share how we made, cooked, baked, crafted, planned, organized, followed or created one of the pins on our Pinterest boards OR share something original that others can pin onto their boards.

Not on Pinterest? No problem. Link-up your own creation to inspire us so we can pin in to our own boards. It can be a recipe, sewing project, Catholic craft, homeschool project, organizing/ homemaking tip, themed birthday party, whatever you’d like.

Don’t have a post ready? The link-up will be open for 10 days so there’s still time. Plus, feel free to link up a new post or an older post that hasn’t had much traffic lately. 🙂

* * * * *

A fellow blogger was asking me how I liked PicMonkey and since I’m a big fan I thought a quick post about how I use it blogging would be fun. Although I have Photoshop, for my everyday blogging I use PicMonkey 99% of the time. Here are the top ways I use it.

Crop & Edit

This was the original photo I took. I wanted to crop out the telephone wires and excess background.

I cropped it out and changed the color to black and white for a more classic feel.

This is my original photo.

I cropped the photo, lightened it a little and used the Urban filter to get this.

SIZE NOTE: I usually post my regular phot0s to be 640 in length.

* * *

Add A Copyright

It is super easy to simply add a copyright using your choice of font.

* * *

Word Memes

Like adding a copyright, PicMonkey makes it easy to add verses to your photos.

* * *

Make & Add A Watermark

Do you prefer to make a watermark? Here’s how I made a quick and easy one. In PicMonkey, I clicked the Design Tab. Then I clicked the Font tab and wrote Revolution of Love Blog using my signature font. Next I cropped it. Lastly I clicked the Canvas tab and clicked Transparent canvas. I now have a watermark.

To add that to a photo, I followed PicMonkey’s directions found here. It says:

1. Open a photo in PicMonkey.
2. Click the “Overlay” tab on the far left side of the panel (it’s the butterfly).
3. Click “Your Own” at the top of the list of overlays.
4. A box will pop up that allows you to select from the files on your computer. Select your previously created logo or watermark.
5. You can change the color, fade it, erase parts of it, and select one of the preset Blend Modes, or rotate the overlay.

Here is the final result.

* * *

Blog Post Buttons

I am reworking my blog’s side panel and I thought I’d make buttons for the Background Posts.

I chose a photo, resized it, cropped it, added the title, then rounded the corners using the Frame button. Done and done.

SIZE NOTE: My side bar buttons are 300 x 125.

* * *

Facebook Cover

Making a Facebook banner is super easy. Here’s how I made mine. I clicked the Collage button then the FB Cover button. I chose my photos that I wanted to drop into the collage cells. (There are a number of different preset styles you can choose or you can change the cells to make your own style.) Lastly, I edited each photo until it looked right. Viola.

There are lots of ways you can design your collage but instead of giving you detailed instructions, just go to this PicMonkey tutorial page How to Make a Collage for details. 😉

* * *

Fun for Font Fans

Photo Credit – PicMonkey

When I browse Pinterest I get giddy when someone posts various free fonts that can be downloaded. I love cute fonts! So I was excited when I found out that I was no longer limited to using the fonts offered on PicMonkey. Any font you have on your computer can be used in PicMonkey. Get the instructions here.

* * *

Making Invitations

Besides blogging, I have also used PicMonkey to edit my personal photos and to make crafts such as this birthday invitation from Bella’s last birthday. Bella wanted a Newsies (the musical) party so I took a copy of the handbill and using the overlay button (the butterfly) I added the banner and typed in the words “You Are Invited.” I also added the comic bubble and the “Extra! Extra!” bit.

For the inside of the invitation I used as my foundation a photo of various newsprints. I placed the overlay “Paper scrap” over it. I enlarged it and tilted it. Then I typed out the party details.

When we were done we printed them and mailed them out. They came out really cute. 🙂

* * *

So these are some of the ways I use PicMonkey. I am such a fan I signed up for their affiliate program. Go check them out. You can use their basic features for free. If you want the extras and no ads, the Royale features are available for a monthly fee of $4.95 or $33 a year. Right now they are offering a week of Royale for free so you can give it a test run. Enjoy!

* * * * *

Now it’s your turn.

1. Choose your creation, share about it and snap a photo if you can.

2. In your post, link back the original blogger/idea, rather than your Pinterest pin. That way credit goes to the proper person. 🙂 (But feel free to add your Pinterest profile link so we can follow you!)

3. Add a link back here so others can play along.

4. If you want to use it, here is the html code for the logo:

5. Link up below. Make sure you’re sending us to your actual post, and not to your general blog address.

Lastly, you can follow me on Pinterest here: http://pinterest.com/rol_bobbi/. 🙂

The link up will be active for 10 days. Have fun!

PS – You can follow RoL on Bloglovin, Feedly or another news feed. If you are a social media fan like me, we can stay in touch through Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, GoodReads, Letterboxd or Instagram. (It’s set to private but I’ll approve you.) 😉

PPS – This post may contain affiliate links.

An InLinkz Link-up

The Top Ten Theme Songs of My Life

By bobbi
July 2, 2014
2 Comments

Hey guys. I feel like I haven’t posted in ages. We had a great time in Lake Tahoe and I was not online much and that spoiled me. We’ve been home for a couple days but I still haven’t touched my computer . However, I thought it was time to get back into it, at least a little bit. Last night I went to go see the move Begin Again and it got me thinking about music. Then I saw that Jen asked us to share the theme songs of our life. Anyone that knows me well, knows that I love music and I always have mental soundtracks that accompany the memories of my life. So here are my Top 10 theme songs that hold meaning to my life.

photo credit

~ 1 ~
The Childhood Years

Ain’t No Mountain High Enough by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell

When we were growing up, my parents liked to listen to the oldies station that played a lot of motown. I remember my mom telling me this was one of her favorite songs. I like this one because it seems to represent my parents early years of marriage. Barely 20 years old (or so) they had rough childhoods and their own demons to fight. Being the oldest, I best remember the early years and the troubles they faced. God was not an active part of their lives then and you could see the effect. They struggled. But as the song says…

Listen, baby
Ain’t no mountain high
Ain’t no valley low
Ain’t no river wide enough, baby

If you need me, call me
No matter where you are
No matter how far
Just call my name
I’ll be there in a hurry
You don’t have to worry

God was always there beckoning them, calling them, ready to fly to their sides if they called out to Him. Thankfully, they did. God’s grace healed their relationship, healed the issues they were facing and breathed new life into our family. God became the center and we slowly learned to live for Him. As the years passed and more babies came (eventually 9 kids) mom and dad’s love grew even stronger. There was no valley low enough to keep them apart from one another. After 45 years of marriage, they are going as strong as ever… still loving and still feisty. They are a living example of how God’s grace can completely transform a life.

~ 2 ~
The Teen Years (TIED)

Love Song by The Cure

Suedehead by Morrissey

You get two songs for the price of one because I had a ridiculously difficult time narrowing it down to one song since there were numerous tracks dominating my headphones. Runner ups were The Smith’s Ask, New Order’s True Faith, Depeche Mode’s Policy of Truth and Psychedelic Furs’ Heartbreak Beat. Back then these songs were the soundtrack of driving around So Cal. Now they are the playlist I use to scrub toilets, do laundry and wash countless dishes. My how times have changed. 😉

~ 3 ~

Young Adult – The Dark Years

Head Like A Hole by Nine Inch Nails

The song itself is not really bad but the memories that come with it are not good. They conjure up the years I fell away from God and into sin.

~ 4 ~
Young Adult – The Reversion Years

Confession by John Michael Talbot

I think the lyrics say it all. (I started crying again just posting it here.)

I see a struggle now within
Alive in my soul
As I’m dying to sin
I do the things that I hate
So I hate what I do
Who will deliver me?
But thanks be to God through Jesus Christ
For there is no condemnation at all

This is the message we have heard
We have seen with our eyes
We have touched with our hands
The Word of life appeared
The Word became flesh
The Word dwelt among us
The Word of life
The God of light
And in Him there is no darkness at all
If we claim to have fellowship with Him
Yet we walk in the dark
We live in a lie
If we claim to be without sin
We deceive ourselves
The Word is not within us
If we confess our sins and cry out to God
He will forgive and purify our human hearts
For those who are in Jesus Christ
He has given us of the Spirit of God

I see a struggle now within
Alive in my soul
As I’m dying to sin

~ 5 ~

Young Adult – The Discernment Years

Dreams by the Cranberries

As the song says…

Oh, my life is changing everyday,
In every possible way.
And oh, my dreams, it’s never quite as it seems,
Never quite as it seems.

My 20’s held the most changes in my life. After my reversion and coming back to God, He completely changed my heart. I then contemplated a religious vocation. It was very difficult for me because my dream was to always be a mom one day and to give that up was almost more than I could bear. However, I knew that I owed everything to God and if this is what he wanted of me, than I would follow. Like Abraham, God only wanted my willingness to sacrifice my Isaac. In the end, I realized I was called to the vocation of marriage. This song represents those years of waiting and yearning for The One. I never thought my dreams could be so completely fulfilled until I met Brian. He was everything I dreamed of and then some.

~ 6 ~

The Dating/Long Distance Relationship Year

Return to Me by Dean Martin

Brian and I met online in November of 1998. We met in person in April of 1999. We were engaged a few months later. Up until one week before the wedding at the end of that year, we were separated by 400 miles. It was very difficult, to say the least. Brian sent me a cassette (remember those?!) of a Dean Martin album with special emphasis on this song. 🙂

~ 7 ~

The Honeymoon Years

What A Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong

I was finally married to the man of my dreams. Need I say more?

~ 8 ~

The Motherhood Years

Hey Mama by Mat Kearney

Motherhood did not come easily for me. After we were married it took us a year to conceive Bella. The next six years brought us secondary infertility and two babies lost in miscarriage. Thankfully, we found out about The Creighton Model of NFP along with a great NFP teacher and doctor who helped us figure out the problem and a solution. The result? Three bouncing bambinos within the next six year span. God is good.

This song fills me with nothing but good memories because we listen to it all the time as we are driving in the car or when I am cooking dinner and they are “breakdancing” on the kitchen floor as they yell, “Hey mama! Look at me.” Happy sigh. “I’m looking, sweetie. I’m looking.”

~ 9 ~

The Cancer Years

Hold You Up – Shane Harper

I’ve posted this song on the blog before but it still means a lot to me. Here is a portion of the lyrics:

When it’s coming apart, you had it all.
It wasn’t enough. No, it’s not enough.
They tell you it’s not worth the price, so just let it go.
But you know you can’t. You know you won’t.

It’s not easy, no.
Finding the words to say.
When you’re feeling lost, you’ll find your way.

The world is so broken and sometimes it leaves you cold.
At nighttimes you can’t feel the fire to guide you home.
The demons will harm you and try to steal what you know.
But the angels, they brought you, and they’re gonna hold you up.
They’re gonna hold you up.

They see the fear in your eyes, heart sinks like a stone.
‘Cause when you’re afraid, it weighs on your soul.

It’s not easy, no.
Finding the words to say.
When you’re feeling lost, you’ll find your way.

* * *

I love the lyric “The demons will harm you and try to steal what you know. But the angels, they brought you, and they’re gonna hold you up.”

When I am feeling overwhelmed and am stressing out I am tempted to lose it, I can give into my weakness and the negativity in my head and allow the demons to steal what I know – that God is with me. That he is strongest when I am weakest and He can accomplish amazing things. If I am docile in the hands of God and surrender to him in the little things, as well as the big things, He will hold me up and carry me through. That is especially timely these days. 😉

~ 10~

Modern Day

Pompeii by Bastille

The current soundtrack of my life is the entire Bad Blood album by Bastille. I’m addicted to every song but the one that touches me the most right now is “Pompeii.” When we found out that Brian’s cancer came back in January, I felt just like this…

And the walls kept tumbling down
In the city that we love
Great clouds roll over the hills
Bringing darkness from above

But if you close your eyes,
Does it almost feel like
Nothing changed at all?
And if you close your eyes,
Does it almost feel like
You’ve been here before?
How am I gonna be an optimist about this?
How am I gonna be an optimist about this?

Our life has been turned upside down with his cancer, but there are moments when we are lost in our love and we forget what we are battling. It has brought us closer together and with only one chemo cycle left, I am optimistic about our future.

PPS – Some of the links on this post may be affiliated links.

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Online Daybook (6/23/14): Lake Tahoe Edition

By bobbi
June 23, 2014
5 Comments

Moments of Gratitude…

Today I am especially thankful…

From the drive on Hwy 50 just before you reach Lake Tahoe.

That we are on vacation for a whole week at Lake Tahoe.
That Brian was able to make the trip. (He was still feeling ill from his chemo last Monday and we weren’t sure if we could make the trip.)
That Brian is feeling better each day.
That my parents could join us on the trip.
The beauty of God’s creation.
Family time, despite the boys noisy energy when you just want some quiet. 🙂

Beauty in the Ordinary…

This little guy.

In the Kitchen…

Luckily, Brian’s parents have a time-share they let us use and the hotel room is like a fancy apartment (with a separate guest room for my parents) and a kitchen so we can make our meals. Woohoo!

Sunday – Eat out since we arrived at our hotel late and there was no time to cook.

Monday – Paleo taco salad. My mom cooked this yummy dish and I made a quick 5 minute salsa to go with it.

Tuesday – Beach day! Hotdogs over a camp fire and smores for dessert.

Wednesday – Spaghetti with ground turkey marina and salad.

Thursday – Breakfast dinner

Friday – Tuna Melts and minestrone soup

Saturday – Road trip home so not sure yet.

Praying…

For Brian’s chemo and continued recovery from cancer.
For all those who are fighting cancer and other illnesses.
For family and friends who are pregnant especially my sis who is past her due date.
For those who are suffering physically, mentally and spiritually.
For some special intentions.

On the homefront……

On Monday (6/16) Brian started Round 5 of chemo. (His second to the last round!)

The next day Brian celebrated his birthday with his dad whose birthday was a couple days before.

On Thursday a sweet friend brought us a meal and beautiful flowers for the table because she knows things are always a bit tougher on chemo weeks. Love her.

The rest of the week I packed clothes, supplies and food for the trip.

On Sunday we were scheduled for our road trip but Brian was feeling too ill to go. He wanted us to go as planned and then he’d join us later in the week if he felt better. I told the kids and they were so sad (and some in tears) that dad would not join us. Thankfully, at the last minute (literally!) Brian decided he wanted to try and make the trip. Today (Monday night) he is feeling better and was able to join us on the outings we had planned. He also had time where he just slept and recuperated so that’s good. He is dealing with all this like a trooper and I am so, so thankful that he is here with us and enjoying this time with us.

Pondering…

The need to rest and regroup in order to properly function and handle the crosses (big and small) of life.

Reading…

I haven’t had a chance to read lately so while I am on this vacation I really want to finish Jen’s book’s Something Other Than God: How I Passionately Sought Happiness and Accidentally Found It. She is such a great writer… the way she can describe a scene or abstract thought until you can picture it in your mind’s eye always amazes me.

Listening to…

Silence. Everyone is sleeping and nothing else can be heard besides the clicking of the keyboard. Well, that and the noisy air conditioner. My dad walked into our room and said, “Wow, it feels like Carmel in here.” (Cold.)

Watching…

In the theater – Last week Bella and I went to see Maleficent. Like most movies, there were some that loved it and some that hated it. Personally, I thought it was well done and found the story of healing and redemption to be uplifting.

At home – Did you catch The Escape Artist on Masterpiece Mystery? I saw part 1 last week and I was on the edge of my seat. I missed part 2 on Sunday with the trip but we DVRed it so no spoilers!

On the blog…

Tomorrow is the next Pinterest Party and there was a recipe I was supposed to have ready but i never got a chance so it’ll be a quickie archive post instead.

In the blogosphere…

I am just now catching up on my reading so I am still behind but I did catch these worthwhile reads so far…

God’s View Of Love {Teaching Our Children About Their Bodies and Sexuality} – Saint Affairs

Hearing the Voice of God in the Midst of Chaos – (Best) Bib and Tucker

Real Food – PSA #3 – The Littlest Way

Pinned…

I haven’t pinned much lately (as witnessed here – pinterest.com/rol_bobbi/pins/) but I did pin this one. Yummy!

Best Whole Chicken Recipe – Erring on the Side of Love

Plans for the Week…

Tomorrow we have some water fun at Pope Beach (photo from last year’s trip.) Later in the week we have some nature hikes, mini golf and if Brian is up for it, a date night while my parent’s babysit. Yay!

Captured…

I didn’t have my real camera with me so this is a phone shot but this was taken at our favorite nature trail to take the kids.