Good Things

More good news. When they checked the cells from my latest lumbar puncture, there were less cancer cells. So I guess that means the chemo is working. Praise God! More details later when I'm awake enough to get them!

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Speaking of Praising God! Being positive and seeing His glory in our lives is something I have been trying to focus on lately. I need to get better...much better...especially with my kiddos and my husband. And I am not preaching, or being righteous, as I am so guilty in this area of my life. But here I sit at 3 AM, saying that maybe this weekend we can all take a little time to be a little extra happy, a little extra patient with each other. I'm going to try.
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It seems to be movie time lately around here. With unbelievably bitter cold temperatures, is there really much else to do!?!

Tonight I went with a couple of my girlfriends to go see Revolutionary Road with Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio. I thought it was an odd combination at first, considering their Titanic connection, but the acting was so good, you never connect the characters to the old film. With that said, it was a long, drawn-out movie. My husband would have hated it. But I think it brings on really good discussion...especially with girlfriends. So if you see it, allow time for coffee or something afterwards. But if you're looking for a happy flick.....this is not the one. I'm still trying to get someone to see Bride Wars with me. Why not...need a little fluff from time to time.

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Job 8:21
He will fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with happy shouting.

Another full day ... feeling good

The lumbar puncture went fine. I'm still feeling a little soreness from the procedure, but I'm sure that will go away. I was able to walk for 1/2 hour today on the treadmill. And my day has been pretty full with the kids and such. If you live in the area, here's a fun place to let your kids run: Little Kids Big City

My husband and I did get to see the movie Slumdog Millionaire today. According to a radio show I listen to, it was an uplifting movie. It's not. It has a "happy" ending. But if you're looking for a movie filled with cheer, this is not it. It IS a really great movie though, and one that you should go see. I highly recommend it. FYI, a companion Young Adult book to go with the movie would be Sold, by Patricia McCormack.

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This is the day which the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

Fatigued

Usually Sunday is one of my better days. Today it didn't seem to be. I did get to church, but that was about it. I'm just so weak and lethargic. The thought of even walking anywhere to try to get some energy up just seems like too much work. I was reading about the Blood Brain Barrier procedure today with the computer on my lap and fell right to sleep like that.

All this weekend I find myself just drifting off in a daze a bit. I think the radiation is starting to have a negative effect on my cognition a bit. I only have 3 more days of the brain zapping, then a few more of the spine, and then I should be done with radiation. Woo hoo!

Right now I'm just so frustrated that I can't do the things I want to do or that people want me to do. Cameron had a birthday party to go to. I wanted to bring him and take Max and Ella some place fun while the party was going on. At the last minute I backed out and let my mom take them. I was just too tired. Today my friend Libby took the boys after church, and then Melvin took all the kids to hangout at an arcade/bowling place downtown where they like to go. I wanted to be there with them. I should be trying to have fun with them. I don't want them to remember me as being too sick to do anything with them.

At the prompting of my husband, when he had the kids out, my mom and I went to a movie. As long as I'm not too tired, or in pain, or dealing with stomach issues...then I can watch a movie. I like losing myself in the storyline, momentarily allowing myself to forget about all that's medically happening right now.

But movies are only temporary, and I gotta get a grip on all that's happening. Here's to a more energizing and uplifting day tomorrow!

Staring in her own film

Some people have a lot of nerve.

Some of the movie theaters around here offer free kids' movies once a week during the summer. Free! That means if you can get past the concession stand without opening your wallet, then you don't have to pay a dime to see the movie.

But really, just because it's free doesn't mean you should let your little toddler just wander around the theatre, climbing up all the stairs about a dozen times, running across the front, hanging upside down on the railings and sitting in the aisles.

Get control of your kid, will ya? So the rest of us can actually try to enjoy the film without all the distractions.

Oh wait a minute, that was MY kid causing such commotion.

Well, it's not like you paid for the damn movie...so deal with it!

Speed Race right on by

I don't know what I was thinking when I decided to take my 3 kids and a neighbor to the movies today.

Actually I do know what I was thinking. I was thinking that I couldn't take another destructive moment in my house. I couldn't handle picking up any more messes, or dealing with any more tantrums. It was raining, so I couldn't take them outside. Speed Racer got good reviews in the newspaper, so I thought it would be a good alternative to my shortening temper today.

I was wrong.

Despite what the newspaper says, Speeed Racer is not for young kids. Max and Ella lasted as long as their popcorn did, and then they were ready to leave. Although it was PG, I was suprised by the "token" swear words...Ass was used a lot when it really didn't need to be, and there was a lot more violence..some a bit bloody...than I think would be appropriate for a kids' movie. Plus, there were so many flashbacks in the beginning, even I couldn't follow the plot line.

And that was only in the first 30 minutes. Because the rest of the movie I spent out of the theatre trying to keep Max and Ella entertained. And that was long time, because the movie lasted 2 hours!

Cameron and his friend Ethan said they liked it. Although Ethan did comment, "There were lots of swear words and guns and stuff. " I'm sure his mom will be thrilled I took him to such a flick.

Close enough

Today I had the opportunity to chaperone a trip to the Science Museum. The first graders were to see a movie at the Imax and then visit the different galleries. Cameron told me that the movie we were to see was about Apes.

At breakfast, we were discussing what we knew about apes (basically that they have no tails). And on the bus I was asking all the kids if they were excited to see the movie about the apes. "I'm sure the movie about apes will be really cool." Most of the kids were excited about seeing the furry creatures.

As the movie began, however, the huge dome screen was filled with nothing but snow and mountains. Now I may not know too much about apes, but I was pretty sure that they lived in the jungle, not in frozen climates.

It was then that I realized that we were about to see a movie not about apes, but about the ALPS!

The only primates in the film were the crazy ones scaling those dangerous cliffs, but the kids and I enjoyed the movie nonetheless.