My [Other] Birthday Today

Yesterday was my birthday and it was amazing. I will share more about that later. But today is another big day for me....

One year ago today I received my last chemo treatment. 

Wow. 1 year has gone by? Really?

I have a ton of emotions today. I am so grateful first of all. There are just really no words that will do this justice. I am grateful that I am still here. I am grateful that I am not in treatment anymore. I am grateful to be a survivor.

I feel an excitement that this is REALLY behind me. Sometimes it is hard to believe that I am really past this and sometimes I am scared to believe it. Like if I really believe it and then I find out it isn't real I don't know if I can withstand the heartbreak. But, that is where faith comes in.

I also feel sick to my stomach when I think about one year ago today and what I was doing. I really do. I honestly hate thinking about it because it brings back how awful I felt. I can even smell and taste how it felt - yes, chemo has a taste - and it is terrible. So, I really try not to go back there for long. However, it does enhance my joy and appreciation of today to do so.

Anyway, I know that many of you have walked along this journey with me. Some in the flesh and others by reading my blog. I appreciate you all. For if it weren't for your prayers and support I know that today could have been very different. And not just for me - but for the four little precious people who call me mama and the one big precious person that calls me wife.

I think I rejoice mostly for them.

Can You Believe it? ~ Nearly 10,000 Pageviews!....+ Giveaway!

So, I was looking over the blog today and saw that we are very close to having 10,000 total pageviews.... I just checked it like  2 seconds ago and it was sitting at 9,900 so we should be hitting the 10,000 mark here very soon - unless you all decide to boycott the blog and then you could leave me stuck at 9,999. And just so you know, that would drive the "Monk" in me absolutely crazy!

Anyway, I wanted to find a way to celebrate this little milestone for the blog. So, I am going to do my first giveaway! I was going to wait a bit longer to let you all know what I have been working on in between my chemo treatments but I might as well let the cat out of the bag. I have been working on a series of devotionals that you will actually be able to download from here and use in your own personal study time. The first couple I am working on are like 7-day devotionals and then we will see where it goes from there. Once they get done and I get them listed on here it will probably make more sense.

But as a way to celebrate I am going to give the 10,000th person a sneak peek at my newest 7-day devotional. No one has ever read it - not even Jason! So, all you have to do is take a peek to the right when you visit and if you are the 10,000th visitor leave a comment below and I will send you the devotional. It is as easy as that. Oh, and I lifted all of the pesky log-in requirements to leave a comment so it should be super easy. I have never offered a give-a-way before and I may never do it again (LOL) depending on how this goes. :-) You all may be saying "thanks but no thanks" right about now. We shall see....

Anyway, thanks to all of you who keep supporting and keep reading. I am very excited to see what direction this blog takes me in. It has already been a huge blessing to just be a part of and I have loved every minute of it. Thanks everyone and I can't wait to hear from the 10,000th pageviewer!