Grateful in this Village

My TX sister, aka Sally, has decided to stay another week with her Peeps! YaY!! I'm very thankful for the extra days to spend with all of them.

I'm also thankful that my sister and I have the special kind of relationship that allows for honesty. After the decision to stay was made I sat down with her and expressed how important it is to me to eat healthier/cleaner and have time to continue my Shock Training System rotation this week. She was wonderfully understanding and supportive, and it meant the world to me! We've written out a family schedule and plan for the week including my workout times. I love being organized, planning for fun and striving for balance! It's a family thing. ;)

I felt deeply loved this morning when I came downstairs and the Peeps ran in from outside and gleefully smothered me hugs and kisses. I realized in those bright moments that my latest cancerversary funk has lifted. These Peeps are sure good for my soul...

That schedule worked beautifully today! I did STS's Disc 20- Meso 2 Week 3 Legs (tri-sets!!!) this morning. My oldest Peep came in halfway through and wanted to watch me. She asked very sweetly so, of course, I let her. She sat on my bed, watched me work out, colored pictures of me and then taped them all over the walls.

She draws me a thin person, and I think that's awesome. I hope and strive to be an example of excellent health, humble self-concept, respect and love of your body, balance, and unconditional love. These drawings showed me that the Village of my family that is raising this beautiful tender-hearted young lady are doing lots of things right. I'm grateful to be a member of this Village...and for sisters who welcome me in.

Tomorrow morning we're taking all 5 Peeps to a new and very cool park, and then my sisters and I are taking the boys to lunch and shopping. It's sure to be wild and crazy fun! I wouldn't be anyplace else....

Baby Peep's 1st Birthday & Cancerversary

A year ago today, at about this time, I was almost finished with my very first chemo treatment. This cancerversary is hitting me hard today. I don't really understand why. I've felt overwhelmed with raw sadness and fear a few times today. I had a few hysterical crying meltdowns, even.  I got crabby with the fussy birthday baby boy, and then felt like the worst person on the planet for doing so.

I've come such a long way since chemo, but it feels like I have such a long way to go to earn the title 'fully healthy' again. I don't LOOK like I'm cancer-sick anymore, and that's awesome. However, I still don't LOOK healthy either and that's frustrating. I get angry with myself- with my body- over it sometimes. I do my best to replace that anger, frustration and sadness with thankfulness, peace, and self-love. I kind of forgot about those replacements this morning, but now I remember.

One of the many things I'm thankful for is that the baby Peep of my family was born today. I'm thankful for it because it brings happiness to a day that otherwise wasn't very happy. I'm thankful that I felt good enough to go from my chemo suite directly to the women's hospital. I'm thankful that my sister, Heidi, shared her precious new baby boy with me. I got to hold him very soon after he was born which was a very special treat.

And so did Nana...

I'm thankful for all the time I've gotten to spend with JJ. It was a wonderful gift to have a sweet baby to snuggle with through treatment and these early months of remission.

We've grown hair together, too!

I let his Mama have some snuggle time, too. 

And his Daddy and sister, Kallie, too. 

I've thankful to be able to watch him, and my other Peeps, grow up. 

I'm thankful the laughter and joy my Angel Fish brings to my family.

Happy FIRST Birthday, JJ!