In my life this week…

Its been a tough week. I found out that one of my long time twitter friends (@TheDaddyYoDude) has been diagnosed with cancer. He underwent surgery to have parts I won’t mention on a family blog removed. Next up is Chemo followed by radiation. He is a Stay at home dad (SAHD) to two beautiful young children aged 3 and 5. He also has no medical insurance. I’m Canadian I can’t even imagine fighting this beast with money worries as well. When my son was in treatment we had so much support and it took so much of the load off our shoulders. I’m planning on writing a post on this so I will just ask for prayers for him, and his family. (Note: His language can be colorful)

I noticed this afternoon that my son was looking sad. Without me knowing the cause I asked him which got the standard “I’m fine”. I pushed a little harder telling him that I could see that something was bothering him. He told me he was missing Connor. At this point I could see tears welling up. Connor used to play with Philip in the hospital and passed away soon after Philip finished his treatment four years ago. He had mentioned missing Connor before and has lit Lanterns at Relay for Life in his honor but this was the first time I had seen such sadness. I got us home as I was driving at the time and this conversation was likely to leave me in tears. On getting home we sat down together on the couch. Having had time to think I asked him how often he missed Connor. He told me that it was almost every night. I’m suddenly realizing just how deep this wound goes. I ask if it is causing him to lose sleep and it is. We talk about Connor being up in heaven, healed, health and happy. We talk about it being ok to miss him down here on Earth and that his family certainly misses him as well. I tell him its ok to cry and he collapses into me and I in to him. He has fought so many battles and been tough through them all, needles without flinching stuff I can even imagine I think he needed permission to cry. Tomorrow we are going to write a letter to Connor stating how we miss him. I’m not sure were this is going but at least me now know and can work through it.

In our homeschool this week…

We are still way ahead in Math and Chinese but I decided to focus on the Social Studies that we are the farthest behind on and that seem to have worked. We are going to do the same next week and then probably switch to Science.

We also had to change tracks on his math. He was working on geometry and was on area. He was struggling and I realized that it was because he didn’t know how to multiply multi-digit numbers together. So we put area aside a started the section on multiplication.

He is flying through Rosetta Stone Chinese. He is really enjoying the program. I going to need to find someone local to check his language skills but that can wait a while.

He is still working through Student Writing Intensive A and liking it. It is still not his favorite subject but at least he his getting words on paper.

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…

To quote Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy “DON’T PANIC”

I am inspired by…

All the great idea I am finding through all these linkups. Although they are becoming quite addictive. Also all the comments I have received. I feel quite welcome in this community.

My favorite thing this week was…

Was going to our Church’s Fall Bazaar. Great time for the kids.

I’m cooking…

Its a bad week when I serve Hot Dog Hash. Fry up small cubes of potato and onions until browned. Add in sliced up leftover hot dogs. (Slice thin if you are short on hot dogs. Add Frozen veggie cubes, salt and pepper cook about 5 minutes. Grate some cheese in at the end and eat with ketchup. My kids love it but my wife hates it. She was out that night.

I did make the S’mores on the stick from last week. They were great. The kids were able to help make them and they sold well at the Bazaar.

I also made some No-Bakes for the first night of Catechism. Is it a good sign or a bad one when it is a SAHD that gets volunteered to bring the first night snack?

I’m praying for…

John Taylor (@TheDaddyYoDude) I know the fears, the 1001 what ifs, the anger, sadness… It is a tough battle but my son is proof that cancer can be beaten.

For my son to be able to now mourn his friend and move on to the next stage of grief.

Linking up at: