Thursday, July 9, 2009

Love & Marriage

If you are a wife or a husband, then you should really this post over at Mom-O-Matic. It will make you want to awwww and maybe a little more....

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Life Lessons

My good friend Jeri sent me this list in an email today. I like this a lot. It's one of those things that you should probably print out and put on your fridge or cubicle or wherever to remind you that life is good and worth treasuring.


1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's,we'd grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

42. The best is yet to come.

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

Monday, June 29, 2009

Master Bathroom

We recently finished painting & decorating our first room in our house. (We've only lived here for 4 years, shhhh.....) Sorry the photos are grainy. Our camera is really quite temperamental as of late. Here's our master bathroom:

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This is where we keep all of Abby's hair pretties.

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Remission Anniversary

My remission anniversary is coming up on July 13th and I would like to do something special to celebrate being alive. Originally we were going to be on the beach that day, but our vacation plans had to be changed after the expensive surprise of needing to buy another car.


I still want to do something fabulous but I can't think of anything. Last year we went to the Japanese Gardens in Rockford. The year before that, we went to the butterfly exhibit at a museum in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago. Any suggestions? A great place that you know of that celebrates life?

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Relay For Life 2009

Last night was my 3rd time participating in Relay For Life. Not everyone who joined my team was able to make it but most of the team showed up. It was super hot and muggy which made it hard to feel excited about walking. Despite the heat, we had fun. The opening ceremony was very moving and inspiring. It felt good to do something to help kick cancer's butt.


Here's the team:

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Celebrating (nearly) 3 years of being a survivor. That's my handprint.

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Survivors on the field during the opening ceremony.

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Doing my survivor lap!

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My babies.

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Friday, June 26, 2009

Friday 5: 5 things cancer has taught me

Tonight is Relay For Life. It will be my 3rd year going to Relay and I really enjoy being a part of this cause. The first year I went, walking that survivor lap with my good friend Amanda was especially memorable for me. It truly felt like my victory lap, especially when Josh and the kids joined me to finish it. Cancer is truly something that we battle as a family. Even now in remission, we have to deal with the after-effects. Like the fact that I experience hypothyroidism sometimes or have to have expensive tests to make sure I'm still in remission.

For me, being involved Relay is about support. It's about having my friends and family there to celebrate life with me. It's also empowering to be involved in Relay. There isn't a whole lot we can do about cancer once it touches our lives. But being involved in Relay, raising money for the American Cancer Society makes me feel as though I can do something to help fight back.

It's not too late for you to donate to the American Cancer Society on behalf of my Relay team. You can do so buy clicking HERE. I am looking forward tonight to celebrating life!


This week's Friday 5 is about cancer. I could definitely list more than 5, but it's a good start.

5 things that cancer has taught me....

1. Scars can be beautiful because they are our war wounds. My scar is my reminder that yes, I had to have surgery to remove a tumor and my thyroid. But it also reminds me that I beat that tumor.

2. People are capable of so much more than they realize. When my oncologist told me that I'd have to spend 2 weeks away from my family because my radioactive body was dangerous to them, I thought "I cannot do this". But I got through it. So did my family.

3. Your friends and family will surprise you. Not always in good ways. Cancer makes people uncomfortable. They may want to reach out to you but not know how. Other people will be afraid that your bad fortune is contagious and will slip out of your life or do things that hurt your feelings. Some people will rally around you that you never expected. They will let your spouse work from home, visit you, cheer you up and just be there for you.

4. Cancer changes you. I'm not the same person I was before cancer but there are positives to that too. I realize that life can change in an instant and that makes letting my loved ones know where they stand more important to me. Don't be surprised if you get a random "I love you" or sappy monologue about how I feel about you.

5. Cancer can create a strong bond between survivors. I have made some wonderful friends through cancer support networking. I treasure those friendships and I probably wouldn't have met these ladies if not for cancer.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

My new mom-mobile

I am so excited because this afternoon I am going to pick up my new car. It's a 2010 Kia Soul. Pictures (borrowed from dealer's website) below:


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