Rolling with the punches!

You know what is awesome?  Its Thursday!  And even though it has been a really rough week, Im going to 

roll with it.  

Sunday I actually went for a run before noon!  And Monday I made 3 miles, pain free!  That was the highlight of my week so far.  I may have been slow, but I got there and I didn't feel like my insides were beat up afterwards!  

Tuesdays I had a follow up with my hematologists.  My labs have been all over the place but yesterdays results are in and my INR is on its way back down.  She also put in an order for a home testing kit for me.  If it all goes through, my veins are going to be very happy.  I can handle a weekly finger prick!  One less needle and bruise, Ill take it!

Yesterday was bad.  My meds sucked all the life out of me.  And I could not hydrate myself enough.  I didn't keep any of my food down.  But it made me angry and managed to clear up a few piles of paperwork and mail that had piled up on my desk.  And God bless left overs.  Man am I glad I made that big ole lasagna Tuesday night.  No cooking meant I could get some rest. David ran out and got me some Gatorade after dinner which seems to be helping!

And now its Thursday.  I crawled back in bed after dropping Ant off at the bus stop and sending David off to work. My sister was up early, so I crashed.  Didn't wake up till noon.  I had a sandwich for lunch and its staying down! Knock on wood.  

I had planned on running 6 days this week, but since I'm rolling with it, I've knocked it down to 5 days and yes I know that means I will lace up for the next 3 days.  I got this.  Right?  

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After 3 years, I am done waiting!

Today marks my 3rd year listed for a liver transplant   I have been dreading this day, well maybe not dreading but I have been well aware of it creeping up on me. I didn't know quite how I would feel about it, but I am OK with it.

Still listed!

The last 3 years have brought so much joy and so much pain in my life.  I found strength in myself that I didn't know was there.  Life was turned upside down and shaken, but today we are all right where we need to be.  My boys are healthy, happy and thriving.  David and I have never been better.  I can look forward and see a future with me in it.  I found friends I didn't know I needed.  I was able to get over a lot of the pain and guilt that held me back all these years.  I have had more good days than bad.  I spent less time at the doctors and more time with my family.  There were lots of tears.  The hardest part was saying to say goodbye to my Dad last July.  But a promise to be strong and knowing that he was proud of me and had faith in me has been a constant reminder to me to keep my head up.  Even when I am at my worst, I can feel him helping me breath and wiping away my tears.

This morning when I jumped online the first thing I came across a video on Your Sassy Self and I realized that I have still been letting my illness hold me back.  Yes I have big hopes and dreams.  There are things I plan on doing, but there was always something keeping me from taking that first jump.  I think I am ready to go now.  This week I will be going over my lists and trying to figure out where the heck I am going to start.

So, Happy 3 years on the transplant waiting list to me.  For the past 3 years I have been doing just that.  Waiting.  Its time to start living.  Really living.  I thought I was, but its clear to me now that I have been holding back so much.  Time to jump!

Do you have a bucket list?  What are some things you want to do before your time here is over? Have you crossed anything off yet?

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Happiness is________ {week 11} #happinessis

This week has been full of all sorts of surprises. Most which were good ones :)  This week happiness is....

New books.  All I have read in the last few months have been cookbooks, but nothing looked good, so back to some good reading it is.  I started with a book about a man in prison whos last wish is to give his heart to his victims dying sister.  Right up my alley :) 

And how can these sweet faces not make you happy?  My friend is fostering them for the next 4 weeks so If you or anyone you know is looking to add to the pack, let me know!!  They will bring you a life time of happiness!

Speaking of the pack, here is how we spend our afternoons.  This dog has brought so much happiness to our family!  Nothing makes this kid happier than a cuddle with his dog!

Happiness is finding this very cool guy that kept us busy for a few hours.  Time freezes for caterpillars   The boys and I can watch them wiggle around all day long.  My son was more than happy to explain the whole process of becoming a butterfly!  I love that he loves nature as much as I do!

And the greatest happiness this week was watching this guy win a good behavior award at school. He was so nervous but her earned it!  And I am so proud of him :)

What brought you happiness this week? Leave a link in the comments to your status updates, tweets and Instagram photos that make you happy! Or tag them with #happinessis! I would love to see them!  And don't forget to stop by Crazy Adventures in Parenting and see what is making others happy!

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Menu Plan Monday: May 19/26

I'm pretty sure the weekends are getting shorter.  Or maybe I am just aching for summer break. It was a pretty laid back couple of days for us.  But tomorrow it is back to grind.  Backpacks are emptied, clothes are laid out and lunch is packed.  Now to focus on this weeks dinners.

I'm keeping it pretty simple this week.  And cheap.  Breakfast is usually toast and eggs.  Lunches are leftovers or sandwiches.  Here is whats for dinner. 

Monday -  Spanish rice w/beef, beans and tortillas. 

Tuesday - Lemon pepper swai, roasted potatoes and salad.

Wednesday - Spaghetti, salad and garlic bread.

Thursday - Pork chops with leftover spaghetti and salad.

Friday - Baked chicken quarters, stuffing and broccoli.

Saturday - Homemade turkey sloppy joes and roasted cabbage.

Sunday - Fridge sweep.  Mix and match of leftovers to clean out the fridge.

When ever I make spaghetti I always make enough to stretch out between two days.  The next day it is a smaller portion served with a meat and some sort of veggies.  There is usually lots of leftovers come Sunday, so its kind of a fend for yourself kinda night.

Quick question for yall.  How much do you spend on groceries?  I will be getting this plus some staples on a $100 a week budget.  Is this crazy? I have talked to quite a few people about this and get such mixed reactions.  I don't use coupons very often.  We don't eat super healthy, but not very unhealthy either.  David takes leftovers to work for lunch.  And I usually buy lots of fruits for snacks, dessert and Anthony's snack for school.  So what what is your grocery budget? Do you shop weekly?

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It takes 5 minutes to save a life!

Last week I was honored to have the chance to talk with David Fleming.  For anyone who doesn't know, David is the President and CEO of Donate Life.  And organization very dear to my heart and liver!  May 25th will mark my 3rd year on the liver transplant list.

Most of the conversation was based around the results of a survey taken recently to help determine just how well the public understands organ transplantation.  When broken down in numbers, the results are unbelievable.  I will have to cut this into a few post, but I just have to start with this!  Do you know how to register to be an organ donor?

Sixty percent of the respondents were familiar with their state’s donor registry. BUT... 48%  agreed that they really don’t know how to register.  Forty Eight Percent!!  Almost half of the people!  So to keep this short and sweet, here is how you do it!

First go to the Donate Life America website here -----> DONATE LIFE and you will see this!

It will take you a whole second to push Register Now.  And hopefully only a few more seconds for this page to load! All you need to do is select your state from the drop down menu or just click on it!  Easy stuff here right?  

Just hang with me for a few more minutes.  After you click you will be brought to your states Donate Life page.  For Texas we get straight to the point.  Some of the other states you have to look for the "Register Button"  But you have come this far, don't let that extra step stop you now!  Click it!!  Fill in your information and submit it.  I promise you that the chance at saving a life or 8 is worth the few minuets it will take you to fill it out and become an organ donor.  

Now that you have done this here are a few more ways to make sure your wishes are carried out.

• Talk to your friends and family about your decision to be an organ donor.  And encourage them to register too!
• At the DMV, let them know you wish to be an organ donor.
• Let your doctors know that you wish to donate your organs.
• Make sure and include your decision to be an organ donor in your advance directive and or your wills. 

Please share this if you get a chance. The 118,102 people on the transplant list would be very grateful!  If you haven't registered yet, could you tell me why?  There are so many myths about the whole process so I would love to help clear them up for you.  I have a new post coming soon on all the reasons people don't register.  So I would love your input!  

Big shout out to David and all of the people at Donate Life who do all that they can each day to help support and grow an organization that is saving lives.  Thank you for reaching out to me and giving me this opportunity.  I look forward to talking again soon!

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Lets go to the Zoo!

What is it about the Zoo that turns me into a child again.  It might have a lot to do with the memories of going with my family when I was little.  I have only one memory of the Albuquerque Zoo.  That one involved a huge snake that followed me though the glass of its enclosure as I walked along the ledge.  I remember feeling much better once I was back in Dads arms.  I'm pretty sure that started my fascination with the slithery kind.

 

The San Diego Zoo was next.  And many of trips to the Honolulu Zoo helped strengthen my love. We visited one in Massachusetts one Summer.  And we have taken the boys to The Brevard, Houston and of course The San Antonio Zoo.  The boys love Africa Live.  The Hippos and Giraffes are always favorites of theirs.  Me, I could spend an hour in the Snake House.  I love it.  As terrified as I am that one of the glass windows will pop open and a snake will fall at my feet, it is my favorite part of the whole zoo.  That also explains why I have hundreds of pictures like these on my hard drive. These were taken this weekend.  The boys bought me a family pass for Mothers Day.  Perfect!

Did you make it this far?  If you did, what is your favorite part of the zoo?  Did you go there as a child and do you take your family now?  Be back soon with more pictures of the legged animals! Happy Tuesday!

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