Here's What I Haven't Been Telling You

For the past nine weeks, my life has been in turmoil and I haven't known how to verbalize it to anyone. When I wrote my Recalculating post, I alluded to some detours ahead, but that's all I've been able to say on the subject.  I feel like now is the time to come out and inadequately say what has been happening in the past weeks.

On April 11, my mom was diagnosed with recurrent uterine cancer that was inoperable and incurable.  At the time, I was 6 months pregnant and faced with losing my mom before my baby was born.  Nothing is more heartbreaking or unfair or terrifying than that type of news.  I've thought over dozens of different ways to tell this story, but I can finally tell it now because I have a silver lining.

Mom's abdomen was a mass of cancerous tumors.  I can't get into the medical-ness of it all right now because I don't totally understand it, but what she has is very rare.  It's a type of cancer that is more commonly found in the ovaries, not the uterus.  That she had it at all was rare, that is came back is even more so.

Right after her diagnosis, she starting taking a treatment that was meant to slow the progression of the tumors.  We weren't given a lot of information at the time because this was a new drug and the doctor did not know if it would be effective.  We just found out that it has been effective.  Incredibly so.  Mom's tumors have shrunk 80-85%.  This drug only has a 30% success rate.  If it hadn't worked, mom would likely not be here today.  But since it has worked, she'll likely meet my daughter, see her baptism and sneak in thousands of kisses.

This is still not a cure.  The end result of this disease will still be the same.  Mom will never be cured.  But, we've been given so much more time.  Time that we can use to be together, have more laughs, make more memories, share more stories.  It's still hard, but when she told me yesterday that she likely has six months or more, I cried knowing what that will mean for my family.

I still feel like a tangled mass of emotions, pregnancy plus family hardships will do that to you.  It's difficult working through this type of anticipatory grief, but I'm not grieving today.  I'm rejoicing!  This news is so incredible that I can't believe how we've been blessed.  I still need to focus on everyday and be happy for every opportunity, but it's great to know that I'll have more opportunities with my mom than I first thought.  It's so wonderful to have her with us.

Deep breath.  Today is a beautiful day, today we are thankful.  Today I know that my mom is doing well, that my daughter is kicking, and that near future is bright.  That's good enough for me.

5 Things: Peace and Quiet

5 Things to Brighten Your Day

Despite the BS that May Get in Your Way

1. With this week's storm outbreak, I'm really thankful for our finished basement.  We just slept down there rather than try to listen for sirens and storm warnings.  

2.  Where would I be without online shopping?  I'd probably have more money and less random stuff, but buying baby shower presents would be a lot less fun!

3.  It's so quiet around here!  I need to soak it all up because it won't last for long.

4.  Today's Thursday and that means Resistance Band Workout Day!  I like doing resistance band training at work, mostly because it gets me out of my chair, even if it kinda makes me feel like a little old lady to do it.

5.  When you're pregnant, you're not allowed any vices so you have to find a way to splurge when you can.  My latest obsession-lemonade!  I usually water it down so I'm not shocking by baby with sugar, but it's still great after a long day.

Read-a-Louds for a Zany 6-Year Old

Now that Anthony is a big time Kindergarten graduate, he's ready for some more serious read-a-loud books.  He wants action, adventure, humor, and his mom would like some things that are not totally formula fiction.  Aunt Lou the librarian to the rescue!  Put down your Magic Tree House and pick up something else!

Not that there's anything wrong with MTH, quite the contrary.  However, if the only book that your child's teacher or librarian can recommend for your reader is MTH, suggest they spend a little more time hitting the books--or that they check out this post.

I've taken the liberty of breaking this list into three categories as defined below:

Stand Alones-books that either have no sequel (and in some cases, no equal) or books that really don't need a sequel.

Super Series-okay it's a series, there's a formula, but it's a darn good formula!

Maybe Give it a Year-books that Anthony (or your zany child) might like today, but might like more tomorrow.  You know your kid and what they can handle.

Also, I'm not including some basic parent/child read-a-loud favorites like HP, Narnia, Percy Jackson, so on and so forth.  I'm here to tell you about the hidden gems!  You are here for personalized book recommendations, if you want generic info about bestsellers, go to Amazon.

I give you Read-a-Louds for a Zany 6-Year Old!

Stand Alones:

Bunnicula by James Howe.  This is required reading in my world.  I'm guessing that Anthony will love the animal narrators and strange action.  Yes, there are more books in this "series" and there are newer versions, but stick with the original.

The Dunderheads by Paul Fleischman.  A caper for the youngest readers, with pictures!  Quick and satisfying, and there are a couple more of these as well.

The Whipping Boy by Sid Fleishman.  A Newbery!  For younger readers!  It's a great adventure story that's funny too, and Newbery-approved.

Mammoth Academy by Neil Layton.  This short, illustrated chapter book has a little mystery and a lot of laughs.  Also a few of these, but really, stick with the first.

The Boy of a Thousand Faces by Brian Selznick.  This book is beautiful, a perfect Halloween read-a-loud, or a great read-a-loud for a boy that thinks dressing up for New Year's means wearing his pirate costume.  Again, it's short, but wonderful.

Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar.  You have to be young with a weird sense of humor to get this book.  It's one of my top expiration date books, but 6-year old boys have a bizarre sense of humor, so I'm guessing this will be a hit.

Toys Go Out by Emily Jenkins.  This book always struck me as a weird sell, but this might be the place for it.  You need a reader that likes longer stories, but still believes in the magic of their toys, and six might just be the perfect age.

Kenny and the Dragon by Tony DiTerlizzi.  Anthony loves good dragon hunt, and might appreciate this little book about saving, not slaying, a dragon.

Half Magic by Edward Eager.  Nothing like the classics!  A family of children find a magic coin, but their wishes only come half-true.  It's gentle but engaging.

Ginger Pye by Eleanor Estes.  This gentle classic is about a great little dog that goes missing, but all's well in the end.

Super Series:

The Time Warp Trio by Jon Scieszka.  Start reading these about these time-travelling adventurers today, then read Scieszka's biography Knuckleheads in a couple years.

43 Old Cemetery Road by Kate Klise.  This book is full of puns and word-play, plus it's written through notes and letters, which will provide a great teachable moment about narration.  And it's funny.  Like snort-Sprite-through-your-nose-funny.  Not that I've ever done that.  Or can tell you how much it hurts.

The Knights' Tales by Gerald Morris.  A very light-hearted looks at Arthurian legend complete with illustrations and harrowing battles, perfect for my little knight in shining armor.

Mercy Watson by Kate DiCamillo.  Mercy Watson is a pig that just can't stay out of trouble and it's all really, really funny.

McBroom by Sid Fleischman.  I mostly recommend these because I remember finding them hilarious in elementary school, meaning that these books are old.  Really old, so good luck finding them!

Maybe Give it a Year:

The Magician's Elephant by Kate DiCamillo.  Really everything by Kate DiCamillo is beautiful and adventurous in it's own quiet way, but this book might be especially great for bedtime since it's magical and quiet.

Swindle by Gordon Korman.  Another great caper book, and several others that follow, but the group of kids are older, and there's more talk about school, which a six-year old wouldn't have a context for just yet.  But a great adventure none-the-less.  Also, maybe talk to your child about when to involve a parent in their capers!

The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place by Maryrose Wood.  Three adopted children that act like wolves--does that sound at all familiar, sister?  This book is a little snarky, so some of the humor will go over Anthony's head, but make you laugh.  That's why I say give it a minute.

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin.  Like the Magician's Elephant, this is a quietly beautiful quest story.  Might be good for bedtime now.

What did I miss?  What did I get right?  Was this at all helpful?  Are questions annoying?  Hopefully this list will help you out when picking books for your reader, or read-to-er, this summer.  And parents, just because your little one can read on their own doesn't mean you have to stop reading to them.  It's such great bonding time!  It's one of the things I'm most looking forward to about being mom!

Happy Reading (to your zany child!)

5 Things: Found It!

5 Things to Brighten Your Day

Despite the BS that May Get in Your Way

1. Great long weekend in Chicago.  Doug's grandma turned 100 years old on Thursday and we helped her celebrate.  Then we stayed in Chicago and enjoyed the weekend with plenty of good food and family time.

A sidenote about the above picture:  it's hard to get everyone to look great in one photo with five cameras running at the same time.  Also, I'm not that pregnant.  The camera adds like two babies.  

2.  After two short work weeks, I'm back to a five day week, but, I do have three various appointments this week (I'm trying to fit everything in before the biscuit comes) so I have three shortened days.  I'm easing back into this full time thing!

3.  Is there any better feeling than sleeping in your own bed after being away?

4.  Yes there is!  It's sleeping late in your own bed after being away, even if only for a little while.

5.  I completely thought I'd lost my summer story time booklist this morning, which would mean starting over on my story times that start next week, but I found it all tucked away in my wallet, by really important things like the business cards I never hand out and store loyalty cards for places I never go to.  You have to keep the important stuff safe!!

My First Baby Shower

More baby stuff.  Sorry for those of you that are still somehow under the impression that this is a book blog.  It will be again someday, but first, let's talk baby shower!

It's fitting that I spent my first unofficial Mother's Day weekend at a baby shower.  It was held at my parent's church, my home church, where I was baptized, confirmed, and married, and we had quite the turn out as you can tell from the table full of gifts in the above picture.  The women in attendance were mostly women that I've know all my life.  This is small country church where I'm related to practically everyone by blood if not by bond.  And they've been my parents lifelong friends and support, so it was very special.

It was a celebration of all things pink!  Little Ali Rose never had a chance at being a tomboy (although if my dad has anything to say about it, she will be!), and we received several darling outfits that will make her a very well-dressed baby.  Thankfully there was nothing too over the top, like some crazy ruffly dress or giant, flowery headband.  Mostly it was very practical and adorable stuff I can't wait to use.  

Here's a basic run down of what we received:  lots of diapers of varying sizes, safety equipment like latches and such, health products like wipes, lotions, detergent etc., several nice baby blankets, a Noah's Ark quilt, handmade afghan, play swing, two bathtubs (apparently she's going to be a dirty baby), changing pad, a manageable amount of toys, likely over 20 outfits (I'm going from memory here), diaper bag, and lots of love!

And this is what our car looked like for the drive home.  There's no doubt that we are having a girl!

I'd like to point out a couple of things here.  First, we didn't bring our Lucy beagle on this trip because we thought we might need the cargo space--we were right!  Second, I don't look pregnant in this picture at all!  And third, in the back of the shot, you'll see a pink bucket sticking out.  That was likely my husband's favorite gift.  It's actually from my dad.  There's a store called Rural King down home and the week before, you got 10% off everything you could put in that pink bucket.  Doug is already looking forward to a photo shoot with Ali Rose in the bucket.  And that's going to be her bucket, because apparently every baby needs a bucket.  

Now for a before and after of the nursery:

Before the shower:  Simple gray and purple walls, curtains that really need to be switched out, handmade rocking horse.

After the shower:  Holy Pinkness Batman!

By now I've cleared out the bags and boxes, washed and put away all the clothes, and made up the bed.  I still need curtains, art, and a chair, but it's getting there.  I'll likely put up a picture when it's all finished.  

Here's a picture of the growing, multi-generational family:  Doug and I, my parents Keith and Diane, and my mom's parent's Ray and Janet.  This will be my parent's second grandchild and first granddaughter, and my grandparents sixth great-grandchild and girl number 4.  We like the ladies over here!

Thank you to all of the loving families at Augsburg Lutheran Church!  Thank you for being so supportive of my family through the years, and thank you for always welcoming us back.  A church is more than a building, it's a community and family that you are always a part of, and I'm so blessed to have been raised at Augsburg.

5 Things: Baby Stuff

5 Things to Brighten Your Day

Despite the BS that May Get in Your Way

1. Baby stuff!  I apologize if this blog spirals into non-stop baby mode for the next few weeks--like eight weeks!  But I'm getting really excited for our little biscuit.  This weekend we bought this little bouncer and put it out in the living to start acclimating Lucy, the beagle, to the idea of a sister.  Lucy will sniff it almost every time she comes back into the house, and she's only tried to eat the animals once.  I imagine that for the first few weeks, she'll sniff the baby ever time she sees her and wonder when we're going to get rid of her, but they'll be best friends.

2.  More baby stuff.  We picked up a crib mattress and made up the bed this weekend too.  So, the nursery is coming along, if by "coming along" you mean sorta ready with the stroller box sitting in the middle of the room.

3.  Only a two day work week!  I'll only log 15 hours of work this week, thanks to Memorial Day and a vacation, so I'm practically done already.

4.  We had a great Memorial Day Weekend.  We accomplished a lot of work around the house, mostly Doug, but I cleaned, then we hung out with friends on Sunday and napped a good portion of Monday.  

5.  Lucy had a great weekend too, judging by how exhausted she is.  It's hard work keeping track of all these people.  She was one busy beagle this weekend, and is now one tired puppy.

I hope you had a wonderful weekend too, and maybe you're also enjoying a super-short week!

5 Things: Eat, Drink, Read

5 Things to Brighten Your Day

Despite the BS that May Get in Your Way

1. It's Friday.  And better yet, it's a three day weekend, followed by a two day work week, followed by a four day weekend.  Why can't every week be like that?

2.  When you're pregnant, it's all about breakfast.  And I decided on two breakfasts this morning.  First cereal, then a yogurt parfait on the way to work.

3.  I've pretty well given up all coffee, but on a sleepy Friday like this, I went for the decaf this morning, even though decaf just makes me more tired.

4.  Sleepy Fridays mean reading Fridays!  Today's selection is a review book about the Orphan Train.

5.  I also have a mid-day library trip planned to pick up a bunch of summer reading program books.  Storytime at the local library where I'll be volunteering will start in just a few weeks and I need to be ready.