A new beginning

It's a new year (and well into it I must say) and a new chapter for myself as well as some loved ones.

I started this year out hoping for change and happiness with myself as well as my surroundings; knowing that the only thing that can really change is within myself.  I still need to remind myself of that often. 

Here is a quick re-cap of what has happened so far this year:

In January we learned that Blaine's mom has a brain tumor and unfortunately it is an agressive one.  She had 2 operations to remove the tumor in mid January; the first one took place and she seemed to be doing well but 9 days later she was back in the OR getting the same tumor removed that seemingly grew back as quickly as it was removed.  This surgery unfortunately left her paralyzed on the right side.  She has recently completed radiation and her first her round of chemo and was able to go home after nearly 3 months of being in the hospital/rehab.  She was just put back on seizure medications last week due to the seizures returning and will be starting back on the chemo treatments soon.  With each passing day I pray that she will find comfort and that some sort of remission or cure will come her way.

For myself I set a goal to take off the weight that I put on the previous year by the beginning of summer, I am happy to say that to date I have taken off 25 pounds!  My goal has not yet been reached but all in time.

Blaine and I celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary March 2nd.  I cannot believe how quickly time goes by......15 years - wow!  Who would have thought that the person I took lunch breaks with back in 10th grade driving around Grand Forks looking at all the old houses and picking the ones we would like to live in would be the person that I would be celebrating 15 years of marriage with.  He is my one and only love and truely my best friend...I'd be lost without him!

Makayla was invited to represent the "North" in a hocky tournament (yes she joined hockey this year) called the Minnesota Super Series this spring.  We have been told that this is a great honor for anyone to be invited to.  The kids that get to play in this tournament are recruited or referred by coaches.  Makayla was referred by her coaches.  She started out the hockey season as a newbee but by mid-season her coaches had moved her to center and were calling her one if their super-stars.  One thing I can always say about her is that when she sets her mind to do something she gets the job done and uses every bit of energy she has.  This spring she will be playing soccer again, she was asked to join the summer league but after talking with a few other parents that were involved last year we decided that this might not be the best option at this time.  Maybe next year as the Soccer association is starting some new programs and have new staff heads that might make the program run more smoothly.

Mid March I thought I had pulled a muscle in my leg helping move a large television, two weeks later I was being admitted to the hospital for a 7 day stay for an abscess and large infection in the right hip and leg - oops guess it wasn't a pulled muscle.  I am still carrying around a PIKK line to take antibiotics at home, but I am hoping for a good doctor visit tomorrow where I can have it removed.  Most of my pain is gone and I am left with a slight limp but that too is slowly going away as I gain muscle strength back.  The PIKK line....what can I say...it doesn't hurt but it's a large pain to have it; I try to hide it as much as I can but man does it itch!  Blaine has been such a trooper through all of this, he sat by my side as much as he could that entire week; he took care of the kids, paid bills, did all the house work, went to work, made all the phone calls, setup our house for guests to stay 2 different nights as they were traveling through town and found time to console his mom as she struggled through some recent changes...he amazes me how he does this all without complaint, still has a smile on his face for me and the kids, and is so gentle when it comes to helping me do what ever it is that I need to do.  I also want to thank all my friends and family that came to see me, sent flowers, sent prayers and get well messages.  I was very touched that so many people cared and took time out of their busy days to check in on me.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.


Justin is currently working on building up his guitar playing hours to earn the guitar that he really wants.  Oh how I love to listen to him play!  During my hospital stay Blaine and the kids were walking through the building and found the piano that is on 1st floor; Blaine was suprised to learn that Justin knew how to play it...something that neither of us have ever heard him do nor had he mentioned that he has had opportunities to even tinker with one.  Odd how kids don't talk about those kinds of things.  Trying to be funny, Blaine asked him if he could play Beethoven5 and to his suprise, Justin blasted it out - not all of it of course but none the less it was Beethoven!  Wish I would have been there to see the look on Blaines face!  This spring he will be trying Lacrosse, he is pretty excited about it and has even gotten a few other friends to join with him.  He just purchased his stick so he has been practicing outside when he has time.

Sadly a very dear friend of mine was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer in March, I was none the less speachless when I received the news and could not even move from the shock.  I sat their wishing there was something that I could do to make this all go away for her.  For now I will pray, hug, love and do anything she needs until she is completely healed.  I am so thankful for the Hockey Family that I have been blessed to be a part of.  Many are gathering to put their heads together to find as many ways to help out as possible and planning events, meals, errands really anything.  Thank you to everyone, you make me proud to just to be a part of it all.

After reading through many of Vicky's blogs (again) and seeing what a trail of memories she has been creating through her wonderful words and pictures and then talking to her and finding that you can actually have someone print out your blog into a book, I decided this is a great way to provide memories not only for myself but also for Blaine and the kids.  Again Vicky, you inspired someone by just being you; your a very special person!  Love you!

As for April, so far it has been quiet and I am eagerly waiting to see the tips of the Tulips I planted last fall break through the soil ensuring that summer is on it's way.  Please old man winter...do not send the snowflakes or send the cold that is being predicted for the next few days as we all need some well deserved sunshine, fresh air and a nice relaxing sit outside.

Thanks to you all for being a part of my life, till next time,

Becky

"Laugh as much as you breathe and love as long as you live!”