Change...

Those who expect moments of change to be comfortable and free of conflict have not learned their history. ~Joan Wallach Scott

Guest book

I have added a guest book to the blog so if you would like to give a friendly "hello, I was here" note please do so. We will see how this works.

Cheers!
A

Uniquely Beautiful

I had a very nice visit in DC with my family for Thanksgiving. The dinner at the Army Navy Club was fabulous to say the least. Good wine, good food, and GREAT dessert! Dressing up, which I love to do but unfortunately don't get to do enough of. The weather was great for the whole trip. I was even able to get a couple of 4-6 mile runs in. Very nice. The last run I decided to do a different route that would give me some hills for some tush work. Of course the day I did that one the wind decided to kick up so I was suckin' wind for a good part of it but I did finish it out. Good for me.

So now I am back in the midwest. I have done my 6 miles the last 2 days and am proud of myself for not slacking on that regime. As I have said in earlier posts I really do enjoy that time out, it truly helps clear the mind. Today was a bit cold but it was snowing, gently. Even though the day was gray I really enjoyed the snow and cold. I was warm enough of course with my running gear but the air was so crisp and smelled so clean. The snowflakes were soft on my face and it felt good. Every now and again I would turn my face upwards to try to catch one on my tongue as most of us do as children. You are only as old as you feel right?

So as the 2007 Thanksgiving season comes to a close officially starting the 2007 holiday season I have to wonder what is in store. This season will more than likely prove to be a bit difficult at times and certainly it will be different than in the past. I guess however it will be what it will be. And just as each snowflake is different, unique, and beautiful in its own way so will be each day of this season. I just need to make sure I embrace each day and appreciate each one for its own beauty and uniqueness. Some days I am sure will be harder than others but again, they will be what they will be.

Cheers!
A

The Corrs - Canto Allo Vita (A Duet With Josh Groban).

When all else fails, SING!

Great Falls!

Cathartic to say the least. Just what I needed. I am enjoying my time here in the DC area. Sleeping in, relaxing, went on a hike with my father, step-mother, and sister today. Great Falls is fabulous. I could have just pitched a tent on one of the rocks and stayed there. The sound of the falls while loud was very soothing. Not unlike the sound of waves coming up on the beach. I highly recommend a visit to the falls if you happen to be in the area.

The colors are absolutely fabulous also. Nothing short of amazing. Makes me hope that everyone can start thinking about our planet and how delicate it is. People, please take pride in what nature has given us.

Tomorrow we will be venturing into the city to see the cathedral and other sites. While I was just here in June I am back with a different mindset and agenda, all good I must say.

Cheers!
A

Taking Control

I am finding myself in a position where I am questioning a lot: I am questioning people's motives, questioning people's statements, questioning the future. There are a lot of unknowns and that is a very scary thing but sometimes if you face it head on the known is even more scary. When I force myself to face the known that is very scary I know I am doing the right thing, I can only get stronger from facing a scary situation head on. Running away or turning away from it is no longer an option.
While I am often scared I also know that I am getting stronger. I am regaining control. All I can say about that is it feels really good even if it is scary.


A friend of mine told me not too long ago that as scary as the situation may be and as strong as I may not feel trudging forward is the only way to go because in the end I will have gained much more than I have lost. I am beginning to see his point.

Beginning the War on Leukemia = STRENGTH

There are days when I feel like my strength to deal with whatever life is throwing at me(and there is usually something being thrown)is dwindling. Today isn't necessarily one of those days but I did have one on Sunday. I also know there will be others in the future. I have several ways I deal with the feeling of dwindling strength; think of how many people love and care for me and want only the best for me(and there are many). I think of what chaos is going on in our world and know that while I may have a tough situation there are others who are having a tougher time. And of course I think of my warrior son Connor. He had to fight the fight for his life and he didn't even know it. The strength he showed through it all was nothing short of amazing. I decided to put in the beginning of his fight journal entry. These were the days that started 3 1/2 years of the most strength I have ever seen in a human being. My hope is that maybe knowing how one 2 year old can fight the fight for his life will help one of you fight whatever fight you may have going on in your life. I copied this from Connor's Caringbridge journal. I posted it in 2005 but the events actually took place March 7-10, 2002.
***********************************

Three years ago yesterday Connor was running a low grade fever. It wasn't even high enough to keep him out of daycare. I wasn't alarmed nor was Rex. He had been battling RSV and asthma since January. The temp wasn't very high and it kept going away on its own. We went about our usual routine deciding that IF the temp got to 101 we would take him to the doctor. We put him to bed that night as usual. Read him a story, kissed and hugged him, covered him up, said good night-we loved him, and shut the door.

The next day I got a call from the daycare provider that his temp was up to 101. I went to get him and made an appointment for him for the next day, as per the decision from the day before. I took him home and noticed that he really was A LOT sicker than he had been the day before. Still, we weren't too alarmed. RSV probably again, maybe pneumonia. We had been down this same path many times, we knew the drill.
So, Friday came and I took him to the doctor. We were sent home with an antibiotic and a recheck appt for the following week. Saturday I took him back to the doctor to get a cough medicine so he could sleep through the night.

Saturday night I put him to bed thinking how thankful I was that it was March and warmer weather would be coming so we can get passed all of the upper respiratory issues he has in the winter. I was completely unaware that my life was less than 24 hours away from being forever changed. My life of being blissfully ignorant about sick kids was about to come to a screeching halt.

Sunday, March 10 I walked from the University Hospitals and Clinics parking garage into the hospital. Little did I know that I would never again walk outside with the words childhood cancer having nothing to do with me. My son was about to become 1 in 330 for the year 2002.

Be Careful...

"Children seldom misquote. In fact, they usually repeat word for word what you shouldn't have said." ~Author Unknown

Giving Thanks

It is a beautiful day outside. A little chilly but not like it has been the last couple of days. The sun is shining brightly. One of those days I like to stand in the sun, shut my eyes and turn my face up to the sun and feel its warmth. Today is a good day to smile.

I know that there are some people out there who sometimes have a hard time finding reasons to be thankful. I admit that on some days I am one of them. Today however I know I have many reasons to be thankful. Here are just a few:

I have 3 beautiful children
My 3 beautiful children are, for the most part, healthy
I am the mother of a cancer SURVIVOR!!
I am the daughter of a cancer SURVIVOR!
I get to teach 7 & 8 year olds.
I have many, many, friends
I have many, many people who love me.

These are just a few reasons I am Giving Thanks today. If you get a moment I would love to hear why you are thankful.

Cheers!
A

From the Corner of State and Sick Kids

State: Congratulations to the Keokuk Chiefs football team on their victory last night over Central DeWitt. This victory sends them off to the UNI Unidome next Monday night for their first game in the Iowa state football tournament. Very exciting especially since we will have a late start the next day due to the distance needed to travel and the lateness of the start time. GO CHIEFS!!! You make us proud.

On the Sick Kids side of the street we have Cameron, aka Cassanova, who hasn't sounded like himself since starting Kindergarten. He rallied there for awhile but now sounds as if his voice is failing him once again. One of two theories could be at play here. 1) His poor sinuses just can't keep up with the changing climate and never ending growth of molds and such here in this not so quaint river town or
2) He can't keep his little mouth closed in class and must be talking all of the time.
Had I not just been to his conference with his teacher I would normally say number 2 definitely however we did get a very good report from Mrs. Quinlan. Along with the fact that he constantly sounds like he has cotton stuffed up his nose we must go with number 1 to be fair to him.
Then there is Kyla. She seems to be dealing with yet another sinus infection. She sounds terrible and her voice is hoarse. She is coughing and running a low grade temp. Poor baby but still laughing and winning hearts where ever she goes.
Connor ended up at the doctor's office last Saturday for the first time in a long time(knock wood) and on an antibiotic. He is doing much better and has yet to miss any school.
So there you go. We had Parent Teacher conferences last week which made for a very busy week for me, plus the sick kiddos, plus the fact that I really haven't been "inspired" to write too much. Writer's block? Not really a writer but I guess maybe.
I don't usually blog about my kiddos here but they are on my mind so....

I was going to go to Italy but the trip had to be cancelled at the last minute(bummer) but I did receive my updated passport in the mail the other day so at least now when I feel the urge to jump this ship for sunnier shores I will be able to go. Until then I will head on over the DC way and do some "girly" things with my sister. Will the federal government ever be the same? Doubtful!

CIAO!!!!

My Heart...

...will mend.