LIfe is there for the taking...these days!

Almost 4 years later after being diagnosed (3/08)...

I suppose 4 years ago, my mammogram was done and they wanted me to do a repeat and check out a few things...I was without insurance and didn't see the big deal in waiting...oh I had no idea what was in store for me?!

But that was then.

Amazing things are happening to me, now...to my life...for the girls...I can not thank the Lord enough..thanks aren't what He wants though...but to be glorified...as without Him...none of this wonderful life could be taking place. I have an amazing job, coming up on my year anniversary (2/14/11)...a wonderful man has entered my life with his children and together we make 7...time will tell what the future holds...but for today I will soak it up and breathe it all in!!!!

In reference to this past post...

These days I say, "my life is full of Love, Prosperity and Abundance!"

I'm still here...REALLY!

Wow...has it been since january since i last posted? I guess it's the ebb and flow of illness...i retreated to a solemn place...a place to let my brain catch up with the world and what became of my body. I nested with my kids all winter as I was laid off and could hold them again...what a joy it is to hold my (now 4 year old) baby!!! For 2 years she couldn't be picked up by me...and now she can...as long as i sit down real fast...she has gotten soooo big!

My weight dropped quite a bit this past winter, down to about 115...but it's July now and I've put 10 lbs back on :)

I'm back at work at the golf course...working over the grill...oh the heat...these 90 degree days are taking their toll. I have less energy but really don't mind too much...it makes me slow down and appreciated the kids more. Those days with sprinklers and slip 'n slide and friends to share them with.

I listen to Air1 quite a bit now...and my favorite singer these days is Francesca Battistelli.


I am attending Soulfest this year with friends...and I am soooooooooooooooo excited! I hope we can make it through the day to see kutless.

This song is awesome! (Find more info about the song and band here)
5. What Faith Can Do
Everybody falls sometimes
You gotta find the strength to rise
From the ashes and make a new beginning
Anyone can feel the ache
You think it’s more than you can take
But you’re stronger, stronger than you know

And don’t you give up now
The sun will soon be shining
You gotta face the clouds
To find the silver lining

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end
Even when the sky is falling
I’ve seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That’s what faith can do

It doesn’t matter what you’ve heard
Impossible is not a word
It’s just a reason for someone not to try
Everybody’s scared to death
You may decide to take that step
Out on the water
But it’ll be all right

Life is so much more
Than what your eyes are seeing
You will find your way
If you keep believing

Overcome the odds
When you don’t have a chance
(That’s what faith can do)
When the world says you can’t
It will tell you that it can

(Repeat Chorus)


So knitting has slowed down a bit but I will get back to it as the days grow cold again. Now I'm trying to have fun being a craftysoul and practice my golf game.

I have been having an awful time with my elbow/arm (left side) and lower back pain. So Dr. Kaufman wants to run some bone scans and an MRI of my spine to rule out bone cancer. He x-rayed the elbow...wish it were something simple...cuz it really hurts...it wakes me up and the numbness does too...will sleep ever just be the wonderful slumber it used to be...ever???

My life is getting along...moving into the next phase of Survivorship...side effects...gratitude and moving on!

Blessings,
Jodi

A Beautiful Life

My mom gave me a great card, from Hallmark, for my birthday. It reads....

How to make
A Beautiful Life
reflections for a Daughter on her birthday

Love yourself.
Make PEACE with who you are and where you are at this moment in time.
Listen to your heart.
If you can't hear what it's saying in this noisy world, make TIME for yourself.
Enjoy your own company.
Let your mind wander among the stars.

Try.
Take chances.
Make Mistakes.
Life can be messy and confusing at times, but it's also full of surprises.
The next rock in your path might be a stepping-stone.

Be happy.
When you don't have what you want, want what you have.
Make DO.
That's a well-kept secret of contentment.

There aren't any shortcuts to tomorrow.
You have to MAKE YOUR OWN WAY.
To know where you're going is only part of it.
You need to know where you've been, too.
And if you ever get lost, don't worry.
The people who love you will find you.
Count on it.

Life isn't days and years.
It's what you do with time and with all the goodness and grace that's inside you.
MAKE A BEAUTIFUL LIFE...the kind of life you deserve.

RIP Randy Pausch - The last lecture and how it can impact a breast cancer patient.

Being Earnest...every day of your life! I want to be like Randy!



I have done a similar metaphor of the "brick wall" in Art Therapy sessions with patients in the past...and it's all about visualizing your obstacles, whatever they may be...for me it's breast cancer...drawing the problem or sculpting them...and then generating new solutions to overcoming them...either with an eraser or more clay and creating a way to work through them...this is what life is all about...it's about the journey not the destination...because, we are all going to die some day...most of us just don't know when or how.

BTW...I'm definitely a T-I-double ggh-er