It’s Goodwill Wednesday!  CureSearch style!

I wanted to give everyone a reminder about a great opportunity to help raise funds for a worthy organization. If you’re in Evansville, come out and join the fun. If you’re not local, you can help from wherever you are located because CureSearch is a national organization! 

Evansville area friends, please check out the following link! This fundraiser on August 6th at Wesselman Park is in honor of a friend/classmate’s daughter Sydney. 

Sydney was diagnosed in 2014, at the age of four, with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. She has been undergoing treatment and has proven to be a rockstar! She is currently serving as the ambassador for her local chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. 

The goal of this specific Sydney’s Surfers CureSearch event is to raise $10,000 to assist in the continued research to prevent and treat childhood cancer. 

There will be games and activities for the entire family. You can purchase a wrist band or choose to pay per game. 

Many of us, too many of us, have been impacted by pediatric cancer. According to the CureSearch data, 43 kids are diagnosed each day. Come out and help Sydney’s Surfers as they work to raise their $10,000 for research to end this awful diagnosis. 

Check this link out for full details on the Sydney’s Surfers event!! 

Happy Goodwilling, friends!

E

Many of you know I recently left my full-time job in an attempt to create some balance in our home and spend more time with our kids.

Whether they like it or not.

After several weeks of at-home training and LOTS of togetherness, I am second guessing my decision.

I kid, kid.

The summer schedule has been up-ended with irregular work meetings and training. The addition of summer camps combined with vacation has left us in a bit of a ‘controlled chaos’ type summer. It has been a wonderful few weeks but I’m finding, like many of you, we thrive with a structured schedule. 

And structure is one thing we currently do NOT possess. 

Last week I spent a few days volunteering at the amazing, week-long Art Smarts camp our local church offers every summer. It’s unlike any church camp I knew as a kid.  The premise is that God has given each of us a unique set of talents, be it cooking or writing, painting or dancing. This camp focuses on allowing these kids an opportunity to explore a variety of creative outlets to determine where their own talents exist.

The camp offers legitimate cooking, painting, dancing, writing and jewelry making classes. To name just a few.

I remember attending VBS at a tiny church near my home when I was five. We filled tiny communion cups with tinier fuzzy craft balls to make a fake ice cream sundae. Slightly different level of crafts going on this week as kids made self portraits and learned how to do improv.

By slightly different I mean vastly different.

I was about an hour into the first Art Smarts morning and was designated to chop vegetables. I love simple tasks because I can execute efficiently and not look like a total fool. I hate simple tasks because they allow my brain just enough time to focus on other impending to-dos.

In this particular veggie chopping instance it was the laundry list of upcoming events, tasks, duties and worries that coincide with laying out our schedule for the remainder of summer.

My chopping led to a bit of anxiety as I tried to figure out how we’d navigate the childcare for the next month. The ‘controlled chaos’ is managed fairly well but kid coverage is difficult when a consistent schedule remains a moving target.

I mulled options over and over in my head. The flexibility of my schedule is a definite blessing. However, I’m hopelessly indecisive so sometimes one choice is best for me. As I’m working out the details in my head (and in complete honesty….maybe for a split second questioning if my new work life is going to be the right fit for our family……) I see a little blondie running towards me!

Our youngest daughter was with her class heading to their next adventure and she spotted me as she passed my class. She was SO excited to see me. Much more excited than when we’re at home and I’m asking her to help with chores. Surprise.

We exchanged hugs and kisses and I got a brief update on her cooking class that was “soooooo good….because we cooked strawberries and cookies!”

Sounded amazing. (God grant strength to anyone kind and patient enough to teach the preschool ‘cooking’ class!)

A few minutes later my youngest child wheeled by me in a huge, six-kid buggy/stroller contraption. I watched as he enjoyed his ride amidst the classes of older children. (I also became acutely aware that he IS able to sit in a stroller without making high pitched shrieking noises. Valuable information!)

About two minutes later a voice rang down from the balcony above. “Mooooooom, whatcha doing?!” My oldest daughter waved excitedly from her classroom above. Again, MUCH more excited to see me in this setting. Apparebtly we need to be at church more often.

Three kiddos seen in a matter of ten minutes. Only one to go.

We had a quick break in our preparation for the class where I was volunteering. I took the opportunity to check the master schedule and locate the last child. Who is actually the firstborn. The kid who started the onslaught of babies in our world. The boy who turned from baby to big guy in a matter of eye blinks. The munchkin who would be having another birthday in a matter of days.

I hustled to the gym but slowed my pace as I caught sight of him. His eight year old frame wrapped in a painter’s apron, working diligently. I could sense the concentration because his tongue was sticking out of his mouth.

(He inherited this particular trait from his mom. Apparently my dance teachers felt this outward expression of concentration was less than effective……or feminine…. during my adolescent ballet class years. Whatever.)

I was able to watch as he finished his painting. When he caught sight of me, he was excited rather than annoyed. Huge success when you’re a mom and your boy child is precariously perched on the edge of ‘my parents aren’t cool anymore’ status.

I spent several minutes with him as he updated me on his projects and how much he was enjoying the class. He even allowed me a quick pic. Likely only because the photography class students were making their way through the room and snapping photos of the painters…..but I’ll take it as a win.

As I ventured back to my class, it dawned on me that it was 10 AM on a work day. I had just seen each of my children in the span of ten minutes. On what would have typically been just another manic Monday.

After years of desiring a better schedule and more time with the littles while they are just that, I felt grateful. The stress subsided a bit. I reminded myself why we are navigating the new schedule and controlled chaos and long trainings and weird limbo career feelings.

Because of four little artists.

A painter, a chef, a jewelry maker and a buggy rider.

E

A tremendous, heartfelt thank you to each and every person who made this camp happen. I witnessed the most passionate, creative, selfless individuals giving of their time and talents. My kids enjoyed their week immensely and I felt incredibly blessed to serve (in a very minor capacity) alongside these Art Smarts rock stars!

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Happy Good Will Wednesday, friends! Recently I shared a brief story about my life-long friend Sarah and her sweet, three year old daughter Phoebe. If you didn’t catch the previous Good Will Wednesday Special Phoebe Edition, you can read about it here. 

Sarah and I go way back. Back to days where I had a terrible perm and was even less confident in my clothing choices than I am now. In the midst of my pre-teen awkwardness, Sarah introduced herself and we became fast friends. We’ve stayed close despite moves and distance and busyness with kiddos. Sarah is part of my circle and I am part of hers.

I received an unexpected phone call from Cole, Sarah’s husband, in March.  He broke the news that their precious daughter Phoebe had been diagnosed with a rare, terminal brain tumor called DIPG. Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma. This is a tumor present in the middle of the brain stem, an area responsible for controlling breathing, communication between different parts of the brain, and sensations such as hearing, taste, and balance. Surgery is not an option. The statistics are not good. Take a few minutes to click the link below and gain a brief understanding of this tumor.

(Wikipedia DIPG information.)

Sarah, Cole and Phoebe, along with extended family and friends have handled this unbelievable trial with a strength I can hardly comprehend. I’ve been amazed at Sarah’s resolve as she treads this unknown path. They have asked for nothing outside of prayers until just a few days ago. When I received a request from Sarah in the form of an email sent out to a group of friends, I was anxious to act. When a loved one is hurting and there is little to do in the way of tangible actions, you jump at the chance to help in any small way.

The message read:

Hello all,
Sorry for the group email. A huge issue with DIPG is that since it is so rare , there is not only an lack of awareness about it but also a lack of funding for research.
I don’t usually do this type of thing , but I am asking you to take a few minutes to click on the link below to contact our congressmen about this issue. Please tell them that DIPG is killing too many helpless children already,  and we desperately  need to find a cure. We need to increase awareness and increase funding for research to find a cure.  It is very easy and takes only a few minutes.  This horrible monster needs to be stopped. Please help us out if you can. We appreciate it ! Please feel free to forward this to anyone else on our behalf.

http://contactingthecongress.org/

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
Sarah , Cole and Phoebe.

 

Everyone is polarized in regards to politics this year. In my adult life I have never witnessed such a divisive election. Let me state from the start, what I’m about to share and request is NOT a Republican or Democrat issue. This is also NOT a political post. I am married to a government teacher, I am the daughter of a retired government teacher and I am the sister of a government teacher. I would rather have to endure the ‘birds and bees’ talk again with my parents than discuss politics one more time.

What we have here is an opportunity to, regardless of party lines, unify our efforts to fight an ugly monster. In a matter of moments you can make your voice heard regarding an increase in funds to attack this hideous disease. Democrat or Republican, I hope you will take a few moments to engage your congressman regarding this issue and other issues that speak to your heart.

Simply click the link, select your state, select your desired congressman/woman and follow the drop-down arrow to select the appropriate topic. I included a personal message regarding my request and why I believe it is necessary.

Please know your efforts are most sincerely appreciated by my family and Phoebe’s. 

E