Fashion Statements

For the next 7 weeks, my mom is going to be sporting this lovely fashion accessory:

We, will be wearing our hearts on our sleeves.

Today, as I type this, my mother begins 7 weeks of radiation and chemotherapy as part of her treatment and survival plan against Stage 3 throat cancer.

Prayers are appreciated as my mom begins her battle. May she have the strength and perseverance needed to be victorious. May those of us around her offer the love, support and assistance she needs. May the talents, knowledge and expertise of the medical team successfully treat her. May God know that our faith is strong, our hearts open and our love pure. And may this cancer be GONE, and may our fashion statements go out of fashion VERY SOON.

(Love you Mom!)

Nonchalant, I am not!

Today I ran into an old friend.

We exchanged pleasantries, and I asked her what was new. Following her heavy sigh and declaration that "not much is new, same old, same old, she asked me the same question.

I joked about my weight loss journey, proudly stated my accomplishments, and with much excitement told her of my upcoming half marathon. I smiled ear to ear while I told her that we drove all the way to BC for a summer vacation, and how the entire experience was super-wonderful. I told her how excited all three kids are for school. Then I told her my big news.

She looked at me - kind of scrunched up her face - wrinkled her nose, looking down at me, she blinked her eyes a few exaggerated times and replied, "You're sure being a bit nonchalant about the whole deal aren't you?"

"Huh?!??!?! Nonchalant?!?!?!?"

"Ya, nonchalant. You know: Hey, I've lost 80-something pounds, I am running a half marathon, we drove to BC, had a camping trip, kids going to school, life is great, and oh, ya, my mom has stage three cancer. Jeez, Laura, that seems a bit nonchalant to me..."

I was awestruck. It felt like I was just sucker-punched.

Oh, the reply I wanted to scream back at her. But I was speechless.

No, I am not being nonchalant. Not at all. Life goes on, life has to go on. But while life is going on, every moment and every second of the day, I am thinking of my mom, the battle ahead of her and I am feeling a million, trillion emotions.

I am not being nonchalant.

I am sad. Scared. Hopeful. Upset. Faithful. Cheerful. Tearful. Supportive. Angry. Positive. Nervous. Numb. Trusting. Spiritual. Foggy. Steady. Fearful. Courageous. Terrified. Confused. Caring. Stunned. Loving. Helpful. Inadequate. Empathetic. Anxious. Sympathetic. Shocked. Concerned. Optimistic.

I am a million emotions all wrapped up.

I pray and hope and know that everything will be fine.

I am anything, but nonchalant.

I am anything and everything I can be and I need to be to help and support my mother, my best friend.

Nonchalant, I am not.

Before...Before...After...After!

Everyone keeps asking me for a more before and after shots. Well, I call this my

before, before, after, and after shot!

This is me BEFORE I began my weight loss journey. (Dec 2007)

This is me BEFORE my run this morning. (Notice the nice new water bottle holder belt-thingy! - I just may be turning into a serious runner!)

And this is AFTER I finished 21.6km run....notice the smile! I DID IT!

I ran 1.4km to the Running Room, then joined my clinic group and we ran 18.8km, then I walked 1.4km home.

My race day is September 20th, I am getting excited!

And here is another AFTER shot, after my shower and freshen' up! Showing off my new hair colour! (It is a bit darker than I thought it would be - the box said Light brown! I wanted a change!!!!)

I had a follow up with my doctor last week

- my BMI went from 44.6 to 30.1!

- my fat mass went from 115 pounds to 49 pounds!

- too bad his little scale cannot measure how much higher my confidence, pride and desire to live an active, healthy lifestyle really is - cause, it is THROUGH THE ROOF!!!!!!

Let's get this GREAT party started!

On Sunday we had an anniversary celebration for my in laws, who were celebrating 40 years of marriage.

As the guests were arriving the kids were running around and greeting everyone.

DJ saw that Great Grandma (91) just arrived, with her boyfriend Herald (93).

All excited, DJ yelled out to everyone, " Great Grandma and Great Herald are here, let's get this party started!"

The two love birds (party animals) enjoying the BBQ.

Yep, in all our minds, they both are GREAT!

Private Parts - Priceless

While driving through Alberta, Canada we stopped at Drumheller - Dinosaur land! No trip to this dinosaur discover meca is complete without visiting the WORLD'S LARGEST DINOSAUR.

After we safely parked our van far enough away from the enormous T-Rex (and Madigan was sure he would not eat our van!), we paid the wallet-gouging, tourist-grab admission price to hike up the stairwell, to look out the observation deck.

As we climbed, and climbed, I pointed out interesting parts of the wall murals. Oh yes, the innards of this giant depicted many dinosaur scenes. I also pointed out all the dinosaur bones embedded into the walls.

"Look guys! There is a T-Rex thigh bone! Oh, look, a brontosaurus foot, and a wing from a archaeopteryx, wow, a skull of a triceratops! Cool!"

Then Anderson suddenly piped up and excitedly exclaimed, " And I see his penis! I see the dinosaur's penis!"

GULP! What did my son just yell out loud enough for everyone within 20 feet to hear?!?!?!?!

"Um, Ander, what do you see?"

"His penis. His penis! Look - right there!"

Do you see it??? Ander could be right! (which might explain why they went extinct) It does LOOK like a penis! But...

... it is actually an emergency light fixture!!!!

Oh, the snorts, laughs, giggles, and snickers that were caused by this observation! I thought the mother ahead of us was going to pee her pants, and the man behind David commented it was too bad that was not caught on video!!!!

My son, Anderson - future paleontologist? Who knows!!!!!

WW - David X 4

Four generations!

David, David, David and David

My 4 Davids!

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The Great BC Trek 2009

Having WAY

too much FUN

to blog!

We have DRIVEN over

3500km

and I do not want this

ADVENTURE to end!

Having a BLAST!

Will share lots of

GREAT stories SOON!

XOXOXOX

laura