Labor Day Part 2

What a fantastic weekend!  It was really sad to see it come to an end and have to join the "real life" again.  

Part 2 of our Labor Day weekend included a Dutch Oven dinner at my Grandma & Grandpa's house and then a BBQ at Mark's parents house.  

It was so much fun to see family that we haven't seen in a while.  I love being able to see my cousins and play with all of their cute kiddos.  It's hard to believe that we are the grownups now with kids of our own.  I still remember going to Grandma and Grandpa's house and having adventures of my own.  Now my kids get to do that and it's so fun to watch them.

We ended the day at Mark's parents house to play with more cousins. :)

All in all, a very good day.

I just want to share a kind of "before and after" picture...

 Here I am with my beautiful Aunt Cheri who went through cancer and chemo just before me.  The last time we had our picture taken together we were both baldies.  Now here we are almost a year later.  What a difference a year makes.  I still remember the day I found out that she had cancer.  I cried and cried until I couldn't cry anymore.  I love this lady so much and she has been through so much in her life.  I watched her go through treatments with grace and beauty and an attitude that was outstanding.  She always had a smile on her face and a happy story to share.  She is a runner and was still determined to keep running through chemo.  It did slow her down a bit, but she still did what she could.  When I found out that I had cancer, my thoughts were directed to her.  I knew that I had to follow in her footsteps.  I had to keep a smile on my face and a positive attitude.  It was the only way to survive.

And survive we did.

Love you Cheri!  Thank you for your amazing example of strength and courage through your battle and thank you for your love and support through mine.