Living, Loving, Learning

As I was getting ready to head to the hospital today Bruce called to tell me that his radiation treatment is on hold pending approval from our insurers.  Arghhhhhh.  As of now we are still waiting.  Basically they will fit him into the schedule as soon as the approval goes through.  From what we understand at this point it's not an if, just a when.  If I let myself I could get super amped up and frustrated this afternoon but I'm not going there.  It must be thanks to all the love y'all have been sending us today!  I am trusting in the perfect unfolding and that everything will happen when it's meant to, be that this afternoon, tomorrow or Monday.  On to more fun subjects!  We have been reading this book to Lucy the last few autumns.  This year she was really excited about making a pie using the recipe in the book.  Of course, this is just the sort of project her Mama can get into it.  I've never actually made a pie from...

Wow, wow wow, we feel soooo supported.  Thank you all for the myriad of wonderful ways you have shared your love and light and support since we have decided to go "public" with this.  It truly means so so much to us!!!     This morning was kind of stressful.  I had the kids dressed, lunches packed, backpacks ready, walking out the door to school when Lucy throws up...twice.  Yuck, I know, but this is real baby.  Of course, I felt terrible for her but also a little panicky because this morning was Bruce's appointment to get set up for the radiation treatments and I knew he really wanted me to be there.  ARGHHHHH!!!!  Pretty tough to be in two places at once.  Thankfully, my friend Hilary was willing to rush right over and sit with Lucy while I went with Bruce.  I wanted to let you all know that Bruce and I were able to read many of your texts, messages and emails in the waiting room and he was really feeling boosted when i...

So, when deciding on a parenting technique waaaaay back in the beginning of this whole child rearing experience, Bruce and I decided on a technique based on fierce love, routine, high expectations with the support to reach them and mindfulness.  I will, immodestly perhaps, say that we are pretty pleased with these 2 young ones that we have the privilege to parent.   There have been many, MANY, difficult times, epic parenting failures, and a constant adjustment of our technique to meet the kids where they were in the moment.  But somehow, having this conversation felt bigger, more important, more significant than any that had come before.  I usually rely on my gut instinct when dealing with any important subject but on this one, I went to the experts.  I did some reading and gleaned a few tips on talking to kids about a parent having cancer.  The most important thing I read during my research was that most kids don't know what cancer is or means.  ...

This is not the way in which I imagined getting the blog going again.  Bruce and I try to live a pretty authentic life for the most part.  We believe in relationships, we believe in community and we believe in the power of positive energy.  We are beginning an unknown path, a journey we never asked for, never dreamed we would take.  I write to you now, inviting you to join us in this sacred space.  We need your encouragement, your wishes for health and strength and vitality, your healing prayers, your spirit and your energy.  We need to call upon our tribe, far and wide, to join us in this battle to stay positive and beat cancer.  In return I will do my best to keep this blog updated with reports of how Bruce's treatments are going and tales of what life is like right here, right now.  It may not always be pretty, but I will strive to keep it real. OK, motives revealed, y'all ready for the nitty gritty? Bruce has cancer, single plasmac...

Happy Father's Day to all those Papa's (and all those outstanding men who love the young 'uns in their lives as if they were their own) out there.  I am so thankful for this amazing man and so so thankful to have him as my co-parent.  His love, commitment and attention given to his children is rivaled by no man.  From building a special play list to listen to every time they make his homemade pizza together (my kids will never hear Purple People Eater without their mouths watering) to hours of playing Pokemon and Lions to making sure he is involved in every aspect of their care on a daily basis, my children have an extremely blessed relationship with their Papa.  And to celebrate how much we love this dude, we headed down to the W.C. Handy Blues Festival in Henderson, KY last night.  It was an awesome night filled with great live music, much bouncing, glowing, dancing and picnicking. Here's a glimpse.

We had the Lowbridge/Solise clan (minus Josh, lucky dog is at Bonnaroo) over last night for one our favorite summer dinner parties, a kebab bar.  Of course we had to have some good drinks, I made this delicious strawberry basil sangria . Everybody had a great time putting together their perfect kebab.  The offerings were marinated chicken breast, pork tenderloin, red, orange and yellow bell peppers, mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, red onion, zucchini and squash.  Madeline was especially stoked...little chef in the making! Bruce was an amazing grill master and they were perfectly delicious! Add a super yum fruit salad and we were all happy that the summer produce is rolling in. After dinner we took a walk downtown where there was a little city event happening with live music, food booths and a few (very few) kids activities.  We decided to bring little Omar since he is finally fully vaccinated and we need to concentrate on socializing him....

We spent yesterday in Chattanooga.  It was an awesome day at the TN Aquarium.  It was made even better because my Dad was able to spend the day there with us.  Lucy especially was so excited to check out all the animals. The highlight of the day for Bruce was the incredible collection of sea horses there.  Such amazing little animals!

First thing on Sunday morning, we headed over to Mammoth Cave National Park . Their beautiful visitors center made it so easy to figure out which tour would be right for us and to buy tickets. The Rangers stop you at the door to ask if you have been in caves within the last 5 years. There is a virus going around that is killing bats in high numbers and they are trying to prevent the spread into the caves there. I was the only one wearing the same shoes as the day before so I was the only one that had to disinfect myself. Anything to help the bats!! You walk out of the visitors center and down a steep path through the woods. You can feel the cool air before you even see the mouth of the cave. We had chosen to take a self-guided tour. Our kids were exhausted and we weren't sure how long they would last. Especially Lucy, when her Papa is around she suddenly loses the use of her legs and needs to be carried. Hmmmmm , who's got who figured out around here?? It's too bad she is...

We had an AHHHMAZING Memorial Day weekend! We packed up the Suby and headed out to the big cave region of KY. We got Griffin out of school a bit early so that we could get to the campground with enough time to set up and build a fire to cook dinner on. Of course, we were hardly settled in when Griffin managed to get himself stuck in the cooler handle. We were tempted to leave him there, but mercy prevailed and after I snuck a photo, we helped him out. HA...even he doesn't realize how tall he is getting!! Of course, every camping night has to include s'mores, which I suspect might be Lucy's favorite part of camping. She actually ate it pretty neatly the first night! As you will see, she got a little wilder each night. The kids got us up pretty early on Saturday morning, so after breakfast we headed over to KY Down Under . What an awesome place, I totally recommend it. A perfect place for families with small children. They have two bird enclosures that you can go into, arm...