Thankful Thirty-Two

Hello friends! Happy Monday!

And HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!

I am so thankful for today. For the opportunity to have another birthday and enjoy another year, another day, with my family. None of us are promised tomorrow, but when you have had your tomorrow directly threatened, each and every tomorrow is that much sweeter.

So on my 32nd birthday, I am looking back at where I was a year ago: I had completed 5 out of 6 chemo treatments and still had what seemed like an eternity to go. 6 weeks of radiation, and Herceptin treatments every 3 weeks until October...gosh. This one year almost seems like forever ago now. God has, and continues to, guide each and every moment. I am so thankful for His mercy and grace upon my life. I continue to ask Him daily to guide my life and to make me a blessing to someone. I don't want to waste a moment of my birthdays. They are truly a gift.

I had the best pre-birthday day ever yesterday. We went to Springfield and we met my parents, my sister Layne and her family, and my sister Jessica and her family at Red Lobster (my fave!) for a birthday celebration! It was the most perfect day. I am so thankful that Layne and Brett and the boys came down and sacrificed their sanity (because of sweet Caleb's dislike for his carseat) to be there. I am so thankful that Jessica and Jason and little Brayden were able to meet us as they were on their way home from a bull-riding competition in Iowa. Missing was our little brother Matt, his fiance Charli and little Mason. The day was great and I love my family so much. I don't know what I would do without them.

Another highlight of my day was my birthday present from my hubby and kids:

AHHHHHH YES!!!!!! My wonderful new BFF, Garmin Forerunner!!! I have wanted one of these for so long and I cannot wait to take her for an outside run! C'mon snow...MELT!!!

I did take for a long run this morning, but it was on my TM so I didn't do it to look at distance, obviously. I was more interested in my heart rate. LOVE this feature. I ran 12 miles in 1:57:36 and my average heart rate was 173, max was 188. Like I said, I can't wait to take her on an outside run and put all the numbers together. Ahhhh, I reeallllllyyy like it!

The kids are still out of school today, so they have been busy soaking up all the snow time they can. They have been sledding down the driveway on pool toys, and anything else they can find...having so much fun! I remember sledding down our hill when we were kids and our Papa would sled with us...I was always so afraid that he would break something jumping on that sled and zooming down the hill! But he was the biggest kid of all and he never missed a moment to sled with us. Miss you, Papa!

The boys also made a huge snowman this morning! Check "Bob" out:

I will leave for you to imagine what the circle area is on the lower, um, area... Lemme just say they are BOYS and they get their orneriness from their dad. Of course. I'm sorry to say that Bob didn't make it very long...there is way too much ammunition in this house for that to happen;-)

Have a great day and a great start to February! Love y'all!

xoxo