Happy Anniversaries!

It's been so long since I've written, I'm not sure anyone will even see this.  I've needed to put all things "breast cancer" on the back burner for a few months.  I guess not focusing on it was what I needed to do, dealing with the emotions privately and getting back to normal was what I needed to do!  I even skipped Race for the Cure this year, which is the funnest, most inspiring race out there.  I admit I had a tinge of regret when I saw so many friends post their pictures on FB, but it was what I needed to do.

So, my happy anniversary is that one year ago today, I was sitting in a recliner getting my LAST chemo treatment.  I can't believe it's been a year!  It has really been a crazy ride, but I wouldn't trade it for anything.  I've learned so much, gained so many friends, and seen so many amazing things come together for our family. 

One of the coolest things came out of a half marathon I did last October.  The race was put on by the Pink Series (breast cancer) and was held up in Park City.  Naturally, I felt like I needed to do it and had a couple of the teachers at the kids school do it with me.  Before the race, they sent out an email with some information about the race, including a request for survivor stories.  One of their sponsors, MGS by Design, wanted to donate granite kitchen countertops to one survivor.  They said they would announce the winner at the finish line.  So, I submitted my story.  I'm a postive thinker (attitude is everything!), so from that moment on, my thoughts were about how cool it would be when I got my new kitchen.

I ran the race, all the time thinking I need to hurry to get to the finish line because they were going to make the announcement.  Well . . . they didn't.  They finished up and people started to disperse, and I was thinking, "What about my granite countertops!"  Weeks went by, in fact, it was February 14th when they called to tell me they had picked my story. 

Since our kitchen was the original 1954 completely disfunctional kitchen, we tore into everything and began the long process of redoing everything.  It took 7 weeks from start to finish, but it is the most amazing and wonderful gift we could have received!  I've realized that I really don't mind cooking, when I can spread out and have the room I need to prepare our meals.  I have a desire to have the kids in the kitchen with me, maybe I'll even teach them some things!  I realize now how centrally important the kitchen is to the home.  I'm so grateful to the Pink Series and MGS by Design for making all of it possible.

There is so much to catch up on, I won't remember all the things I want to say.  But I will say that cancer changed me, for the better!  It really makes you realize what is important, your family becomes everything!  I remember after I was diagnosed, I was so overwhelmed.  I just didn't have the energy to worry about "stupid" stuff, like the kids messes, or what I looked like, or how much I crammed into my day.  I remember hoping that when things settled down, that wouldn't change.  I think for the most part (maybe we should ask Mat!) I have been able to keep my priorities straight and stay calm in times I might have lost it before.

Last year, on May 15th, I ran the Ogden Half Marathon.  I'm running the same race this Saturday.  I'm not sure how well I'll do, I haven't trained much for it, but it is so great to be doing it again and remembering the progress that has been made in the last year.  YEAH!!!