Spring on the Ave Spokane

Did you know there are FIVE Thursdays in April? Seriously, that’s not an April Fools’ Joke even though April 1 was on a Thursday this year. What I am trying to say is that this isn’t the last Thursday Rundown of the month…you will get a “bonus” one next week.

Sloan’s Surgery Anniversary – I want to start with one of the most important anniversaries in my family. Yesterday marked nine years since Sloan’s successful pyloric stenosis surgery. An extremely rare condition that occurs mostly in newborn boys, Sloan’s gender led to her misdiagnosis and a few really tough weeks where she threw up every time she ate. Dr. Robert Cina, the rockstar surgeon who saved Sloan’s life, is in our prayers on a nightly basis. You can learn more about Sloan’s battle by watching this video I made or by reading one of the several blog posts I have written about it. Thanks be to God!

During Sloan’s bout with Pyloric Stenosis and for over a year afterwards, we kept it between immediate family. Sidney and I are so thankful for the support of our parents. This photo shows our moms and dads with Sloan at MUSC on surgery day.

Family Faith Night: SCIENCE – Speaking of God, it was a coincidence that I wrote about the harmonious union of science and religion last week. Why? Because this past weekend my family attended the latest St. Mary Family Faith Night that happened to be exclusively about science, God, and the Church. Our kids had the opportunity to perform a lot of cool experiments and learn how God and science are complementary of each other. The major takeway was that science is not the Church’s enemy, it is actually one of her children. You wouldn’t believe how many of the prominent scientists who made some of the most groundbreaking discoveries were Catholics. If you only watch one thing on YouTube this entire week, please watch this five minute video—it will blow your mind!

It was another fabulous Family Faith Night at St. Mary Catholic Church (Spokane Valley). The topic was how science and the Church are harmonious. Thanks to Marie Bricher for putting so much thought and work toward this event.

Have a Picnic! – Today is National Picnic Day but in my opinion I think it should be pushed back to May, June, or even later in the summer. If there is one thing that can ruin a picnic it is rain and we all know what April is synonymous with (April showers bring…). But I digress. I LOVE picnics. One of the best things about moving back west was the opportunity to have more of them. When we lived in South Carolina, the humidity and high concentration of bugs discouraged eating outside but the state of Washington provides perfect conditions for constant picnicking. Nearly six years ago I provided five tips on how to have a perfect picnic…hope you reference it as you start to plan your summer activities.

The Inland Northwest is perfect for picnics. This is Sloan and her cousins enjoying lunch at one of Spokane’s many parks in 2020.

Face Paint Season – But picnic season isn’t the only season right around the corner. With festivals and outdoor events about to enter high gear, keep your eye out (and your cheeks ready) for face painting opportunities! We entered into the fun this past weekend at the Spring on the Ave event organized by the Sprague Union District in east central Spokane. Although face painting does have many drawbacks for parents (as I wrote about a couple years ago), you can’t deny the happiness it brings to kids.

Beau and Sloan each got their faces painted at the Spring on the Ave event that took place within the Union District in east central Spokane.

Answer the Phone – It has been too long since I shared a meme from my friend Lindsi so let’s put an end to the dry streak. Back in the day, answering the phone was an anxiety-inducing affair and the Russian roulette comparison has merit. Even when Caller I.D. was introduced, my parents naturally refused to invest in it so whenever the landline rang at the Reser household it truly was a major gamble to answer it. With the precision that I screen incoming calls these days, I can’t believe I had the guts to blindly answer the phone back in 1999.