Re-Energized

An absolute beautiful Tuesday spent outdoors soaking in the warm sunshine and blue, blue skies!!  Gratitude for a west coast that can be fairer then them all!

The bright blue sky looking out our front door!

Often grey skies are more prevalent then the blue skies as pictured above.  If there is one thing I miss in other parts of the province and our neighbouring Alberta province is the seemingly huge and never ending blue skies enjoyed regularly.  However, where else in Canada can one find nearby mountains, an ocean and 11 degrees in February?

Warm Fuzzies

 Gratitude for thank yous.  I don't think I ever realized how much a 'thank you' means to me.  Funny don't you think?  Whether I'm the giver or the receiver they are like a beautiful smile that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy! 

I've always tried to make sure I say thank you to my children for whatever task big or small, expected or unexpected.  I guess subconsciously I knew how it always makes me feel and I want them to feel it too.  Today's thank yous seemed to be that warm fuzzy I needed to lift my soul.  So thank you my dear sweet family for showering me with thank yous and for graciously accepting mine!

He's Still King!

Freddie enjoying his new scratching post!  Gratitude for the care Grandma and Grandpa give him.  Id' say he's definitely still king of the castle in that home!!

Friendships

What seems to keep me out of the funk I find myself in and out of lately is gratitude.  Gratitude  reminds of how blessed and great things really are, gratitude is thankfulness, thankfulness is gratitude.  When I think of those two words I think of sunshine, smiles, kindness, thoughtfulness, service and friendships. 

Today's gratitude is for a friend that simple stated, "you're stressed and need a break get on a plane in February for a weekend getaway!"  Gratitude is also for a husband who agreed and simple said, "go."  Les's days off are booked, the flight is booked and that means I'm going to San Diego next month for a weekend getaway - whoot, whoot!!!! 

Okay so it's the backside of us but Robin & I April 2011

Healing

Gratitude for a faith that helps me heal!

Snow, Chores & Loud Music

We're not a family that has to run out the door to a million and one activities on a Saturday, sometimes I kind of wish we were but for the most part I'm glad we're not (dad works most Saturdays).  Part of the morning is spent doing the bigger chores of the week.  Over the years doing chores together mother and child has become great bonding time working side by side talking about recent going ons.  Just as long as I don't become a crazy person (admittedly happens once in awhile) its pretty fun!

Today my gratitude is for my children and their willingness to contribute to the family without any complaint.  I love how we can work as a team or solo and I especially love how we all have our own ipods blaring some form of music throughout the house and nobody cares!

However, this fine morning also had us wake up to a bunch of snow.  This meant shovelling and a whole lot of fun!  We definitely made sure that was done before anything else!!

Love That Touches My Soul

Gratitude for 14 years with the most loving and patient man and for the two beautiful children we created.  HAPPY ANNIVERSARY Les!

Realization

My heart is so full from all the kind emails from family and friends.  You've all brought smiles to my face and tears to my eyes. 

One particular sentence out of all sentences jumped out at me.  She wrote, "Don't be mad at your body for too long, it's got you this far. And it happens to house someone very, very important to me."  Such powerful and touching words that made me realize something.  I said I'm really mad at my body but in fact I'm SO mad at myself for not treating my body the best that it should be treated.  Have I done all the best things to keep my body healthy and spry?  No. 

What I've realized is that my body hasn't failed me it in fact has saved me. My body warned me that something foreign was attacking me and I have the proof!!  Breast cancer - a lump was found, endometrial cancer - I was bleeding to the point of hemorrhaging.  Maybe my body and I aren't as off track as I was thinking and you know what I listened!  I went to doctors, I stood my ground and I believe the best treatment in both cases was given to me.

Thank you friends and family for all your encouraging words it helped me realize I'll be just fine after all!  There is still a lot of work to be done to get the full me healthy but it's something I'm ready to face.  Gratitude for amazing friends and family in my life - thank you!

Drummer Boy

Eli Christmas 2006

Gratitude for a sweet boy that is so willing to share all his emotions (something I wish I could do more freely).  We signed Eli up for drum lessons and he's so excited, I mean beyond excited which makes me excited! 

It's such a good feeling when you know you've made someones day.  His first lesson is today!

Feeling Too Many Emotions At One Time

I don't deal well showing my emotions ESPECIALLY in public!  So when it's one of those days that a simple touch, smile or questioning look brings me to tears I don't do so well.  Today's emotions were so EXHAUSTING one minute laughing and the next minute running to the washroom in tears.

Definitely not a 'feel sorry for me day' just one filled with gratitude, love, heartache, worry, exhaustion, calmness, joy, stress and a great desire to become a hermit.

Have you ever experienced a moment in your life where maybe it's time to reevaluate and recenter?  I'm SO feeling that!  Funny how cancer a second time smacks you harder in the face than the first.  SO many things to do different.......maybe not different but better.......be healthier, love harder, concentrate more on giving service to my family.

Jen's 2012 Bucket List

Not great at new years resolutions I've been thinking for sometime what I'm wanting to accomplish in 2012 and how I was going to label it. Maybe a bit odd but sadly true.  With the health issues I've had of late its made me realize even more that we really don't know what the next day is going to bring so with that thought in mind my list is tittled Jen's 2012 Bucket List. Definitely not with death in mind but with do ability in mind. Things I want to have accomplished throughout the year and be proud to have accomplished.

Jen's 2012 Bucket List (in no particular order)

Read 24 books

Go to the Temple at least twice a month

Complete the quilt I had started for Adrianna

Train for the 2013 Weekend to End Breast Cancer (5 year celebration)

Play a solo on the oboe

Do a 40 km bike ride

Complete a particular cross stitch (I know which one I'm thinking of)

Got to Hawaii for my 40th birthday

Stick to a monthly budget

Get my bike trainer to the highest incline

Do the Grouse Grind with my family (aiming for September)

Record gratitude regularily

HELLO 2012!!!