Wow! It's been a year.........

 It was about this time last year that I was sitting in bed trying to go to sleep but couldnt due to the million thoughts running through my head. The head I just let several of my friends and family shave clean. I figured I had plenty of time to sleep over the next month. Poor Nate was so tired as he just got home from the rig and had been up 36 hours from working then traveling home, I am sure had a million of his own thoughts running through his head as well. I just laid in his arms feeling like all was well but that I probably had things that still needed to get a few more things done. We prayed and finally fell asleep for what seemed like a minute and off to the hospital we went! Before I knew it I was singing "Fa ra ra ra ra, ra ra ra ra....." while being wheeled into the operating room. (for those that don't watch "A Christmas Story" every year, it was the scene at the chinese resturant).
My journey this year has taught me so much about myself, I found an unexpected strength that was different then I expected. I have always thought of myself as strong but in a different, more defensive way. The strength I found on this journey was more that of embracing my fear and vulnerability. I have never been one to lie down and be sick, in fact my first response to this tumor of mine was "I don't have time for this!" Well I was taught a lesson now wasn't I? God took this opportunity and showed me that slowing down and listening was a must. I was given 3 years to figure this out and probably in the last couple months before my surgery did I really listen. I have always held out my hand to help my friends, but this time when I held out my hand it was grabbed and I was shown amazing love. Thank you to everyone who embarked on this journey with me. I feel like I am accepting an award, but I truely want everyone to know how much I appreciate the support given to me and my family during this time last year, and through all of the events the rest of this year.
So many people made my recovery so easy, with bringing yummy meals to feed my family, and friends popping in to enjoy a good laugh at whatever I might be saying due to the amount of drugs I was on. I admit the first few weeks were pretty foggy, but I felt the blessings that were upon me for sure!
So like brain surgery isn't enough for one year, I felt the need to add a move across the country into the mix. Yep, 6 months after brain surgery we hit the open road with 3 kids, a plan and a map. So sometimes plans change and we were a bit frustrated by that but kept thinking, we have been through worse and God will guide through this as well. So 3 houses later, He did of course and here I sit in a home filled with love and happiness beyond belief. I am surrounded by the most important people in my life and wouldn't change a thing. I miss my life in Texas and I miss so many faces, but this is where we are supposed to be and this year with all that led to it, I can say that with confidence. I absolutely love the town we are in, the kids are doing so great in school, Nates job is still going strong, and yep we have a puppy! So I just wanted to give a little update from a year past and reflect a minute on how blessed I really am. Wow it is so weird to think that I had brain surgery just a year ago......and by the way I can almost get a pony tail in! The other day I had Cindi Loo Hoo piggy tails on top of my head!

Well take a few minutes and read my blog if you haven't already, there is quite a story in there! I have re- read it and laughed and cried and laughed some more, mostly at my hair pics! I particularly liked the wheelchair story! I tried to get Nate to give a note to sum up the year, but he simply said, "this was your year, so you write" So to him I say it was "our" year, but thank you and I love you! So what's in store for 2011?