1. Out with the old, in with the new. Happy New Year! I am looking forward to 2011 and all the possibilities. Hoping this 10 on tuesday will explain my lack of blogging...
2. The last 3 months of 2010 were full of stressful, wonderful, difficult, take your breath away moments. The biggest moment :To make a long story short - I was diagnosed with stage 1a1 cervical cancer- but it's gone. I didn't know I had it, until I had outpatient surgery to remove all those bad cells in November. So the next plan of action - a partial hysterectomy in 6 months. This brought on so many bittersweet emotions. We were done with having kids, but when that option is taken away from you, it makes your heart heavy. And suddenly everyone around you is having babies. My wonderful doctor called me the day before thanksgiving break to give me the results of my surgery and diagnosis and a brief next step. I went into the thanksgiving holiday with a full heavy heart.
3. The next biggest moment: While away at our traditional thanksgiving getaway in Hocking Hills with wonderful friends, our dear friend JD called home to talk to his parents, only to receive the devastating news that his father suddenly passed away hours before from a major heart attack. JD is the only child of Big Joe and Helen. And Big Joe was simply a gentle, kind man that took care of his family. He will be missed.
4. I spent the first week of December in a blur. Just wanting to hibernate with my little family. But it didn't last long, thank goodness, with the holidays right around the corner, it forced me to move and cross things off my list. But I wasn't fast enough - I was out shopping on Christmas Eve morning at 6:30 am to finish up. My christmas card barely made it out in the mail.
5. We no longer have carpet in our kitchen! In it's place - 4 inch all wood planks of birch or maple. I love wood floors. Now I can't wait to tear the carpet out of the whole house- but don't tell Eddie. No more paneling, nice walls covered in drywall and paint. New windows and beautiful white trim with shelves on top. Eddie amazes me with his home improvement skills.
6. We did the Polar Express this year with the D'Amicos. When we pulled in the train station - Riley's response when he figured out where we were - is this for real? I hope he still believes a couple more years. I don't want him to lose the magic and wonder. Brady was happy to see Santa.
7. I was surprised with my very own Kitchen Aid Stand mixer on Christmas morning. (Thanks to call from my mother in law to my husband months before - you need to buy your wife this - and she used a coupon and got a rebate!! yeah!!) Now it's official, I am really a grown up.
8. So glad that my sister missy started me on this wellness journey. Working out is good. And even better we can do it together. Everything is better with friends. I love you girl!!
9. My word for 2011: Breathe. Breathe in life, friends, family. Breathe out: negativity, bad thoughts and stress. I need to remember to breathe. Sit up straight, inhale and exhale. Notice what it brings to my body, listen to my body. I might have to make a post it note at work - so I remember to breathe - work is one of my biggest stresses right now. You know you are stressed if you upload the same pictures to 2 different photo sites (because they keep sending you coupon codes) and don't realize it until you receive double prints in the mail!! Breathe. Just breathe.
10. I thought about shutting my blog down, but realized this is the closest record I have of my life right now, details I don't want to forget. I had to get this 1st post out of the way with all that heavy stuff. Sorry for being so blunt. (PSA: Ladies, don't skip your annual gyno appointment. If you notice anything or just don't feel something is right - call your doctor today!)
Now that I have gotten past this post, I hope you will come back and read more. Lighter subjects: pictures of the boys, kitchen pictures, Riley stories, Brady is potty trained! coupons deals (recent deal: 7 loaves of Roman meal bread for $1.00 at giant eagle) and other stuff...
Oh Rach - I realize that we haven't talked at all about #2; Mom gave me an update about all of this. I want you to know that I've been holding you close in my thoughts and prayers. Breathe indeed. I've been doing a lot of that, too this year! Congrats on your new work out-wellness routine with Mis! I also am hopeful that 2011 is brimming with lots of good possibilities.
Posted by: rebecca | January 12, 2011 at 07:22 AM
So very sorry to hear about the cancer. I hope that it was found / treated early enough and that all is well for you.
Posted by: Kim Zepp | January 12, 2011 at 09:50 AM
Oh Rachel.
Posted by: Marie Taylor | January 12, 2011 at 02:29 PM
RACH!!!! I am so so sorry that all of this heaviness has been surrounding you!!!!! Praying cancer is gone forever. I. HATE. CANCER. Praying that 2011 brings you lots of positive easy breaths! I love you and I can't wait for this weekend. I'm glad you're blogging again. Hugs and happy energy coming at you.
Posted by: Cassie Jebber | January 12, 2011 at 02:39 PM
Love you!!
Posted by: Nancy | January 14, 2011 at 05:10 PM
I love you too.
Posted by: Missy | January 16, 2011 at 11:11 PM
I haven't stopped by your blog in a while. I didn't know how crappy things were. I'm sorry...but glad that you are ok. This just means that I need to see you and hang out. Hope all is well.
Posted by: shelly brewer | January 21, 2011 at 08:24 PM
Hey Rachel. I'm so sorry for all you've been going through. I'm so glad the cancer was caught early and is gone. I think we need a girls night with all of us, scrapping or no scrapping. :) Thinking of you!
Posted by: Erin | February 04, 2011 at 09:57 AM