Speaking of thankfulness, for the entire month of November, I am going to write something I am thankful for each day. It's something I see people do on Facebook, but I'll just keep it here on my blog instead.
1-Today I'm thankful that I am somehow able to juggle managing my bills, my mom's bills, my career, my family and everything else in between. I loathe the 1st of the month, especially now that I'm working on fewer brain cells. But I'm thankful that I'm still able to get it done.
2- I'm thankful for my husband. I came home with a headache and went to bed. He cooked dinner, cleaned it up, and took care of me and the kids. Thank God he is working closer to home now so this is even a possibility.
3-I am thankful for my sweet students who continue to shower me with gifts and kind words. One girl got me a necklace with a pink ribbon and a cubic zirconia heart. A boy got me a pink ribbon pen and pencil. Another girls got me a pink ribbon beanie. I love my classes this year, I have the best students ever!
4- I am thankful for the weather getting colder, because that means snow season is coming! It was freezing today! Time for snuggling by the fire and warm, pumpkin spice lattes. Even with my laryngitis and cough today, I'm still happy!!
5- I am thankful for Don't Worry Be Happy shirts, who continue to bless our family. They found sponsors for us, so we don't have to worry about Christmas gifts for the girls! They are buying them all! Isn't that awesome?! They are amazing. They are also sending us gift cards for gas and groceries. We are so thankful for them. They are a true blessing in our lives.
6- I am thankful for Bria's hilarious personality. She thinks 6:45 am is a perfectly acceptable time to eat cheetos. And when she falls on her face, she laughs and gets right up again. She just gave me a random kiss on my cheek. I love her.
7- I am thankful I decided to write this blog. I heard that it has recently helped someone young, like myself, get through her diagnosis. It means a lot to me that I am able to help someone by simply being myself. So if you're reading this- thank you. And remember, happiness is healing!
8- I am thankful for my iPhone because I am totally dependent upon it! For everything! lol How pathetic, but it's true!
9-I am thankful for my first born baby girl Jenna. She has the best intuition. When I'm sad, she gives the best hugs that cheer me right up. Her parent/teacher conference was today, and she scored all 4's and 5's (proficient and advanced) in every category on her report card. She also knows more words than any kid in her class! Smarty pants!
I also had a herceptin infusion today, and an echocardiogram. I am thankful I've never had to go to any doctor appointments alone. I have the best friends, ever. I am also thankful that we drove to Mammoth today! What a full, busy day!
10-I am thankful to have spent the day snowboarding in Mammoth. It was a gorgeous day, and I was in great company! I love snowboarding.
11- I am thankful for our family. They continually support us and love us. I couldn't survive without them. I love you all.
12- I am thankful to have gotten my hair trimmed and colored today. Hopefully it helps me gain some more self confidence with this pixie style that I'm having a hard time getting used to!
13- I am thankful for my EHS family. I work with some amazing individuals ;-) I'm also so fortunate to work in the same school district that my daughter attends. When she is off, I am off. I love it!
14- I am thankful for our friendships. We really have the most awesome friends! To our friends, old and new and everybody in between, we love you.
15-I am thankful for the upcoming holidays. It means much needed days off work, and a time for everybody to get together. That's what it's all about.
16-I am thankful the American Cancer Society just mailed me another $39 gas card! Thanks to Debbie for telling me about the transportation assistance program.
17- I'm thankful that at dinner time, I hear Jenna say things like "more fish and veggies, please." You don't hear those words from a kid very often. My kids are great, healthy eaters, and I know how lucky this makes me.
18- I'm thankful for my 11th grade class. Even though I am super stressed because having 3 preps is a LOT of work... they are worth it. I really enjoy that class, and they make having 3 preps worth it.
19- At the risk of sounding cheesy, I'm thankful for food. It brings me comfort and that probably doesn't sound healthy, but I don't care. I love to eat, and am fortunate that healthy food is always available for consumption around here. This isn't the case for everybody, you know?
Rest in peace Rebekah Sharp, who at just 30 years old, lost her life today because of her eating disorder, anorexia. I am praying for strength for her family, including her husband and 4 year old daughter, Emma that she left behind. May God be with you at this tragic time.
20- I'm thankful I got a new hybrid car yesterday. Hello eco-friendly and money saving!
21- I'm thankful that even though the Tamoxifen I am taking makes me go in swings from wanting to murder to wanting to cry, I am cancer free. I also don't have a period anymore, even though there were not supposed to be any side effects. Weird. 5 years with no period is a good thing, right? I know my CT scan isn't until January, but I am confident that this is all almost over, for good!
22- I am thankful that I easily no longer eat red meat or sweets (but I did make an exception for Five Guys burger and fries and it was DELICIOUS!)
23-I am thankful that with a little nail polish and hair gel, I'm able to look "normal" and not like anything is "wrong" with me.
24- Thanksgiving day. I am thankful for the gift of life, and plan on enjoying and appreciating each day I am blessed with. I am thankful God has given the Gilbert family strength during their time of loss. Just one month ago today, Jennifer Gilbert passed away at just 29 years old. She left behind her 3 small children and fiance. Do not take life for granted, because it is truly precious.
25- I am thankful that I don't shop on black Friday (haha jk). I'm thankful that Chris and I are gainfully employed in this awful economy and that we are able to provide a warm, loving home to our children in this beautiful neighborhood. We are so fortunate.
26- I am thankful for the anonymous donation of $350 to my DWBH account. There truly are guardian angels in this world!
27- I am thankful for our dog, Caleb. He has given a lot of love to our family in his 11 years of life. We pray he makes it to 12 years, but he's not doing so well right now.
28- I am thankful to our service men and women, firefighters, and police officers who risk their lives to save ours. They are truly heroes doing a thankless job!
29- I am thankful that my follow up appointment with Dr. Washington went well today. She said my skin looked great, and that my healing was coming right along. She also referred me to a lymphedema specialist because it looks like my left arm is a bit swollen and under my left arm as well. I made an appointment for Friday.
30- Today was another Herceptin infusion. I am thankful that there are only 2 left and I am done with having my veins poked! I am also thankful for all of the prayers that have gotten me through my journey with breast cancer. With love and support, I made it from "victim" to "survivor!"