Life's a Beach

One week ago today, fair warning went out to teachers, doctors, neighbors and relatives. The Mommies were heading out of town for a much needed break. Dad's were fending for themselves and we Mommies only had ourselves to worry about. We all did a great job, had a terrific time, and loved life a little more when we came back to reality. All the girls at one of many good meals, although any meal uninterrupted, is a good one for me.

Shannon, Rachel, and I shaking a leg on the beach. We had been there for twelve hours at this point!!

Carrie, Jeanie, and Tamara sharing one of a thousand laughs shared that weekend.

Me, doing what I love to do best at the beach, having an ice cold beverage with my toes in the sand.

Rachel and I getting our sun on, and on, and on.....

Tracey and Carrie kicking back.

Thanks to everyone who had a part in this trip. It was perfect, rejuvenating, and tons of fun.

My stomach still hurts from laughing so hard. To my friends whose bathing suit shots I've posted, I think you all look terrific and I hope you're happy with my pics.

There's a Wocket in my Pocket

I'm not going to say much , other than, Camryn loves pockets. Her leotard doesn't have a pocket. She found some pocket worthy treasure (muddy rocks). She improvised. Sometimes you just have to laugh .... and grab your camera!

Easter Aftermath

Thirty-seven jellybeans, hundreds of rainbow colored foil scraps, a handful of half eaten candy bars, and green plastic grass stuck on my feet later, I think I've taken the upper hand on Easter.

Last year I wrote a letter to the Easter Bunny asking him not to bring all those little cheap toys next year, and thank-you, he listened. One big toy each kid has been begging for. He didn't get the memo about the candy though. Don't get me wrong, my kids love candy and I have no problem with them eating it. The problem is, I love candy too. I never buy it for myself, but for some crazy reason that Easter Bunny brings all my favorites. Thanks Easter Bunny.

All in all, it was a beautiful day. My kids have grown so much since last year. I couldn't get them to care about coloring eggs last year and this year, they fought over who got the last one in the dye. Camryn looked for her own basket this year and Aidan seemed to tower over all the little egg gatherers at the egg hunt. He's almost as tall as the Easter Bunny.

As we were getting ready for bed Sunday night, Aidan wanted to know what the next Holiday was. Something to look forward. For some reason, Memorial Day didn't thrill him. I know my vacuum is happy, although there's something to be said about smelling cotton candy every time you turn it on.

Letting Go

Two years ago today, I woke up in a surgery center in Indianapolis without my thyroid. It was filled with cancer that had been growing slowly "for years". Cancer had a lot of time to get used to living with me, but I barely had time to digest the word before I knew I had it.

Camryn was seven months old, when a routine sore throat resulted in weeks of tests and the eventual diagnosis on my fortieth birthday. I was one of those cases that went against the odds. Thyroid disorders run in my family. It was very unlikely anything but benign growth, easily controlled with medication. I had never felt worse in my life. Always tired, moody, dry skin, brittle hair, bloated, always thirsty, achy joints, sore muscles. Looking back, I can't believe I was able to get out of bed in the morning, let alone care for an infant that had been conceived while I had cancer. I just pushed through every day thinking it was all post par tum symptoms and it would get better.

The first week I was given the synthetic hormone to replace what my thyroid wasn't doing, I felt like a new person. I didn't know I had cancer yet, but I did realize just how exhausted I had been. The pounds (about 8) fell off in days. It was all water that my body had retained due to the wrong message from the thyroid. Goodbye to what I thought were those last "baby pounds". Suddenly all those moisturizing creams were actually working. My parched skin started to look healthy. My body stopped hurting. I was happier, better prepared to face my fate, when it was delivered a month later.

Yes, I did get the news on my fortieth birthday. The Dr. didn't really know me. He had just been assigned my case to regulate my Thyroid, not thinking he would be passing me off to a cancer team within the month. Unfortunately, he was given the task of breaking the bad news to David and I.

The last two years have been a whirl wind of Dr.s, hospitals, treatments and tests. What was started in Indiana, continued here in Alabama. I have had an appointment pending for two years. I've been waiting for some test, a scan, my next radioactive treatment since January of 2007.

Today, April 14, 2009, I am cancer free, but I will always be a cancer patient. I don't have an appointment scheduled for follow-up, but I need to call and make one. I ran out of the EAMC Cancer Center last month without stopping at the appointments desk. I just wanted a brief reprieve, nothing looming in the future. I've decided to officially let go of my cancer, let go of thinking it will come back.

Good-bye damaged me. I'm fixed and fixed up.

I have never been stronger, never happier, never more sure of my faith than I am today. This journey has taught me a lesson in God. I was never scared. I wasn't sad. I never saw my kids without a Mother. I found an incredible opportunity to see life in a way most people only imagine. It truly is a gift from God. Cancer planted my feet firmly on the ground and lifted my faith to the heavens. I had a peace and calm I couldn't explain. My life is divine.

This is why...when I sing, I do it at the top of my lungs, when I run it's full speed ahead, and when I jump, it's to the sky.

It's because...I can.

Sweet Zane

After my previous post, I realized I had forgotten to include this picture of my nephew, which led me to remember a conversation we had while my family was visiting.

Zane is the middle child in my sister's family. Then I realized he's also the middle Grand child.
Basically, Zane just hangs in the middle a lot. He's so sweet, mellow, and content.

I think he deserved his own spotlight, since he's often standing in the wings, watching the show.

I also wanted to highlight the only brunette my sister or I managed to have.




Playing squirt gun tag.

Quietly playing airplanes.

The only one smart enough to call it a night.

Happy Chaos

Three kids in a car for four days- crazy!
Ten people under one small roof for six days-chaotic!
Great times with our family-priceless.

I'm sure my sister and her husband thought many times "What are we thinking?" when they made the decision to drive from Michigan to spend their Spring Break with us. I hope they thought it was worth it. It helped to have my Mom come along, for all our sakes. Grandma was kept busy having all her Grand kids in one place.

One thing was clear, the bonds of family withstand distance and time, and grow stronger with every memory made, as well as shared.

Thank you for blessing us with your visit, your laughter, and your love. We can't wait to do it again this summer!