Getting Away

Some of our friends invited us to go up to Star Valley, WY this past weekend to go snowmobiling. What a blast! There were three families that made the jaunt, and we had so much fun! After dealing with the arctic weather that has been freezing us inside here, it was amazingly warm (a whopping 40 degrees!)

Since Brian and I don't have much family around to get together with and go on vacations, it was just what we needed! I love to vacation with people. Some people are so lucky to have cousins and family at every turn. This truly makes me jealous! The absolute joy that exudes from my kids when they are surrounded by other kids for "sleeps", and meals is hilarious! The day we got home, Max said in his prayers to "bless that we can go back to Jace's grandmas house with our friends". This doesn't say much for my entertainment value in the home I guess :)

Because we don't' have much family in the area, I am so grateful for the people in our lives that have become like family to us. The people who let us in and love us unconditionally. The people we can turn to in good times and bad. This was a good time! I hope to have a year filled with good times, big or small. Shouldn't we all?

Time flies!

WOW! I had kind of written off keeping up with my blog. As the reason I did it in the first place was to sort through my feelings and keep my mind clear. But as I read back through this past year, I am so grateful that I have written and kept track of all the happenings. I honestly read some of the entries and say to myself... "really? that's how you felt?". Its strange to see now how much of the past year is a blur. And how happy I am for that! But in the same sense, really happy to have experiences and feelings written out for me to remember.

I can say this... I have been looking forward to the year 2011 ever since 2010 began! I knew that most of this last year would be doctors appointments, surgeries and chemo...and I couldn't wait for that to be behind me. And it went by so fast!

So here we are...January 8, 2011 - YIPPEE!

Am I myself? Physically...absolutely not! I am reminded every day as I work out that my body is still ridding itself of the drugs, and the actual physical toll from surgeries hinders much of what I do. The real difference for me here is letting go of my competitive self. Realizing that I probably won't be the strongest, the fastest and the best at what I'm doing. But I'm going to push for that...it's gotta get better :)

Mentally...probably not back to my old self, but getting close! I am technically one year out this next week. I only have eight more Herceptin treatments! That's great, considering there is a total of 52. The weekly treatments are not so bad for me anymore. I actually look forward to going to the cancer center and visiting with my new friends. I used to shy away from the patients and try to keep to myself. What a waste of time that was for me. I have learned so much about life and perseverance from these wonderful people!

I hope and pray every day that the cancer is gone. That what I experienced this past year will never be brought back into my life. BUT - on the flip side...if someone could guarantee me this - that the rest of my life would be cancer free...I say thank you for this past year! I am a better mother, wife, and friend. I am stronger in every way! And the empathy I have gained for the people who go through this similar trial is more than I could ever imagine.

I have a good life. I am lucky to have caught this early. Moving on :)