Our Trip of a Lifetime ~ Day 1

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Wilmington, NC . . . 2,554 miles! Living in southern California, this is not a sign typically seen on our congested highways. Only having been gone now about an hour, and at this point on the journey, this truth seems rather daunting when North Carolina is one of our most eastern points of destination.


Today’s departure didn’t go exactly as the months of preparation were gearing toward. As Mother Nut (the nickname of a dear dear friend) feared, the “gathering” of our life proved to be an arduous task. Many many late nights preceded the exit out of the driveway. You’d think we were going to the middle of the Sahara Desert with the amount of “stuff” we packed. Thankfully, as my dear husband reminded me, if we did forget that needed “something”, it’s a certainty we’ll come across many Targets, Wal-Marts and Costcos . . . perhaps even a few mom-and-pop shops during our travels. Whatever we may have forgotten, we’ll probably be able to find! So, with the “rig” packed with stuff and people, down the road we headed on the biggest adventure our family has yet to experience.


Four hours in, we found ourselves in Needles pulling off the road to enjoy a Blizzard at Dairy Queen! The Master Maneuverer needed a stretch and a stop. His happiness and comfort is critical to the success of this endeavor! Considering his passion for ice-cream, all “received” while participating in his “need”! The “secret” we came away with from this stop . . . ask for your cone to be double-dipped. The “California Hot Rod Man” promised us it was unbeatable! Wonder in what city we’ll try that out?


At 270 miles thus far, the scenery is an endless display of cactus, rocks and sand. In many ways, it seems as though we’ve not covered much ground, yet there is the realization that this will be our life for the next four states . . . Arizona, New Mexico, a wee bit of Texas, and Oklahoma. By Friday evening, we ought to be seeing some trees and greenery as we hope to hit the Arkansas territory.


The “mood” in the rig is chipper and excited! Boys are taking turns “assisting” the Master Maneuverer in the co-pilot’s seat. The chicks are realizing the great length of patience they have already gained in their short lives. Of course, this Mama attempts to keep ‘em all contented with nourishment, as well as surprise treats and activities. There is such joy to be with each of them!

And the journey continues . . .

Here Comes "The Trip" . . .

Yes, four months later, I'm ready to post about our fantastic "Trip of a Lifetime"! Don't know why it has taken me so long. Daily, during the trip, I wrote about what was happening. And, daily, during the trip, I organized pictures dowloaded to our laptop as we finished each day. You'd think that putting these two items together for a post wouldn't take me so much time, but alas it has! Hopefully, I'll be able to put up several days of the trip each week, but we'll see how that goes now that we're getting ready to start school again! (I'm not like some of you out there . . . I have always started school AFTER Labor Day! It's just a little homeschooling "perk" I really enjoy!)

Hope you enjoy what I can share with you about our trip! We spent our dinner conversation tonight reminiscing . . . the children want to go again!!

Triple Scoops

First, let's start with something funny . . .

Tonight, my six-year-old chickie was playing with my hair. My girls love to "fix" this Mama's hair into fantastic stylish "do's" . . . too bad we're fixed up with nowhere to go! Anyway, during the brushing stage, she comments, "Mama, you've got all these white hairs in those holes on your head." I reply, "Yes, there are a lot of them these days!" She says, "Well, we should get them out of there!" With a smile, I say, "If I take them out, they'll just come back." Her reply, "Oh, so you're getting really old!" Then she kissed me!

Now, for an update on the tests of this week . . .

After a lengthy procedure at City of Hope, thankfully not involving any radiation from the likes of CT or PET scan, ultrasound was able to clarify several things. The summary from my doctor was stated in red letters "no definite evidence of return cancer". While these words are cause for celebration, the jury is still out regarding an MRI for futher certainty. Tomorrow, I will go elsewhere to seek a second opinion.

Today, we are rejoicing that "spots" were not obvious and clear! Today, we are rejoicing that the technician "broke" the rules and told me what was on the screen in such kind fashion! Today, we are rejoicing that what Satan meant for bad, our precious Heavenly Father protected!

Steadfast, I remain focused upon Him. Without this, I become a viable target open for much unnecessary suffering. Focused, though still a target, I am protected, guided and led by the One who chooses to give me breath for this very moment. What a privilege to be called His!


P.S. Remember those dollar scoops at 31 Flavors? Our oldest thought the test results justified triple scoop cones for all! We did do cones, just not triples!

Just When . . .

. . . I was beginning to relax.
. . . my mind wasn't wandering into dangerous territory.
. . . I was purely enjoying the moment.
. . . the "C" word was something I wasn't thinking about.
. . . my children could keep my attention all day.
. . . "plans" were starting to brew in my head.
. . . I was happily just living.

Just then . . . is when I got the call.
Got the call back from City of Hope
to clarify a question
I had about my June CT Scan.

Then . . . is when all of my "just whens" went.
How can there be a mistake?
You read the scan wrong?
There is evidence of highly suspicious spots?
How can this be?
You're supposed to be the specialist, not me.
Doctor, how will I ever trust you again?

Now . . . I sit in shock.
. . . I try to once again regain composure.
. . . I ponder a fourth round with cancer.
. . . I have a whole new set of questions.
. . . I again battle thoughts of me in my children's future.
Now . . . well, now is a whole different now than last week.

So, tomorrow, I go again
for more testing
to gain further understanding
about this possible mistake
on the part of City of Hope
OR
face a new battle,
a fourth battle,
with cancer.

My Lord, He is with me.
My Lord, He is the rock upon which I stand.

"Stellar!"

In turning the calendar page today, I was greeted with shock! How can it be August? We just started summer vacation . . . didn't we? August is when Mr. ABeka comes to town for which to collect a big fat check from me . . . also reminding me of the impending end of "freedom"! While I really enjoy being the "teacher" to my blessings, I rather don't enjoy the "cloud" of responsibility that hangs over me during the 180 days of school. (Actually, it tends to "cloud" the weekends as well since we are usually some behind -- but don't tell anyone!) Don't get me wrong, I'd have life no other way. Sometimes, though, I tend to think of homeschooling as the lesser of three evils -- public vs. private vs. homeschool. By nature of who I am, we are learning at all moments of the day. The "officialness" of school bogs me down at times, and I can be a bit rebellious. And, the cancer journey doesn't help either. How do you answer the question of whether or not this Geometry stuff really matters, when you know in the scope of eternity, it just plain doesn't. So much of our schooling has been pushed aside during the five-year fight for my life, the loss of two babies during two separate school years, and the intense pre-term labor experienced in welcoming our two sweet daughters. Someone I once knew, commented to me about the end of her school year . . . "Well, we've just finished another stellar school year!" That stinging comment came as I was receiving my second of twelve chemo treatments. Our school year wasn't complete and wouldn't be so until two weeks before we started the next year! As a matter of fact, I've had yet to experience a "stellar" school year of her referenced fashion!

What I have experienced, however, is an undeserved amount of the Lord's precious mercy upon me and my family as we, in our weakness, attempt with all of our might to keep our focus upward. He leaves me breathless when I think of where He's "met the mark" in the needs of our children. I see myself as having fallen short in that I literally have not been here so many many days or have been too sick to "do". He has given me wonderful "treasures", however, in the midst of treacherous terrain! So clearly, I see His hand in the lives of my cherished babes . . . He loves them more than I and has seen fit to cross the "t's" and dot the "i's"! Trivial concerns really for Heaven-related issues, but quite important for this earthly Mama trying her best to train, equip and prepare these dear souls for service to the Lord.

So, perhaps I have experienced that "stellar" school year! Perhaps I've experienced 11 of them already! Perhaps my goals have been a bit off base and He has stepped in to prevent catastrophe! Perhaps what I really know in my heart is what is really true . . . He is the director of my path, the author of my days and the completer of my efforts. He is, has and done such miraculous things for this Mama!