A Year Later

So we are here.  We made it.  We made it to a year!  November last year swallowed me up, changed my life forever, and it didn't want to let me go.  I have spent a year holding onto all of it.  The good, the bad, everything.  When I entered the GMA makeover contest, I did so during a week that brought with it a feeling of pending doom.  A heavy feeling from things like the time changing, the cold weather, the sun setting so early.  All of these things happened just as Josh had driven himself to the emergency room last year.  It's wild how certain feelings can be brought up from just a change in the temperature outside or the lack of sunshine.  I'm not kidding when I say all that happened was the hardest that I've ever been through. 

When one of the GMA producers called me and told me I was one of 12 finalists and was being considered to win this contest, it couldn't have happened at a more perfect time.  It happened just as that heavy feeling was taking over.  It happened when we all had in the back of our minds (and the front!) all that played out last year.  One of the best things that came out of this for me was the ability to focus on something for the future as opposed to concentrating on how things were.  For some reason the whole experience has given me this clear head to focus on the now and the future.  We made it to the one year mark, Josh is as healthy as he can get, we've made the lifestyle changes, there isn't any reason anymore to wallow in what was.

It also turned into a week full of signs and goodness.  I don't consider myself superstitious, but I do notice repetition of certain things that happen or things in nature that just make us feel better.  For me, I've ALWAYS had ladybugs come to me at certain important moments.  ALWAYS.  Well, on Sunday (Josh's actual surgery anniversary day and the day the film crew came over).  I was sitting with my friend out on the back patio and before I knew it a little black ladybug with two red spots landed in front of me.  I have always wanted to find a black one, but never have!  She got on my hand for a while and then I tried to get her on the basil plant and she was one in an instant.  I haven't seen another nor have I seen any ladybugs since.  She was magical!  I have had two different people at two different starbucks locations this past week buy our drinks in the drive through.  I also bought a couple of lotto tickets today and won $100 on a $1 (I rarely ever get scratch offs and when I do I only win a dollar here and there).  Everything that could have gone right this week, has.  A motivational gift in a way.  There is always more to things than they seem-I don't have any question about that.  I just go with it and never doubt that we are blessed.

A Whirlwind Week!

My apologies for being the worst blogger ever.  With a two year old, the energy is such in this house that sitting at a computer to type out posts just doesn't happen anymore!  I have to keep her mind growing and her energy burning.

So during one of Matilda's naps (I guess over a week ago) I was on facebook and saw that Good Morning America had posted a contest called an Instaglam Makeover.  How much fun would a makeover be?  I've never even had my makeup done at the mall!  So on a whim I entered it, never expecting to actually win a makeover.

Last Wednesday a producer with ABC & Good Morning America called me about the contest and asked me questions.  They wanted to know all about Josh and I and Matilda.  They wanted to know about what had happened to Josh and how we dealt with that.  They wanted to know all about Matilda and the things we do.  I thought it was amazing to even get a call back!  We talked each day last week.  She told me that there were 12 other finalists and that the lucky winner gets bombarded one morning with a makeover at their home.  I loved all my friends had some amazing comments and questions about this.  Like, "Do you have to stay home every single day, just in case???"  "OMG, so this means you are going to have to keep your house spotless for months, you know, just in case!"  They wanted to know if you really get a heads up and it's pretend.  How does this all happen???

On Sunday we had a film crew come video and interview Josh, one of my good friends Jessica, and I.  THAT was such a fun experience.  I've never done anything like it.  They spent a good part of the day with us.  They wanted to hear our stories, they wanted to see our lives.

Then yesterday happened.  Matilda got up early and so did Mitzu.  Well since it was so cold out, Josh offered to take Mitzu outside (which was nice, but weird because he never does that!).  Little did I know, there was a film crew, full hair, makeup, wardrobe crew, producers, and anyone needed to pull off something like this.  Also,  Josh's medical team from The Heart Hospital were there,  our local High School's marching band and cheerleaders. Family, neighbors, close friends.

Josh made pancakes and we were hanging out watching The Gruffalo and the doorbell rang.  REALLY EARLY IN THE MORNING.  So I answered it in my pajamas.  There were cameras and people ready to go to make me over! It was a huge surprise.  I really didn't think I had won this!  An entire crew came in, shuffled my furniture, set up cameras, and then got to work.  It was so nice to just sit and have my hair and makeup done and have a pretty outfit picked out for me.  It was amazing to just sit there and not have to do a thing.  I am so appreciative of that time!

After the makeover part was finished I had to reveal my new look.  They had a carpet set up in our front yard!  Everyone was out front clapping and cheering.  The new look was amazing and so fun, but what meant the most was just having everyone out there.  I LOVED seeing Josh's medical team, our family, neighbors, community, the band, cheerleaders.  The craziest thing was knowing good friends, coworkers, family all over the country was with us watching, and celebrating.  This time this year compared to last was so different but to again have friends and family AND strangers rooting for us felt really special.  What a gift!

 I feel like this time of year, because of what happened to us last year, should always be celebratory.  I am so so so happy we got to celebrate with all of you.  Thank you!

I will try to collect some of the video and photos for you all to see---

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/lifestyle/2013/11/instaglam-makeover-contest/

If you check Good Morning America's Instagram, they have so many posts about it! http://instagram.com/goodmorningamerica

(I will try to add more later)  Thank you all again!!!!

I'm seriously the worst blogger ever!  The Fall has come to North Texas.  We dipped into the 50s during the day this weekend (back into the 80s this week!).  The cooler weather has brought more activities than just our normal swimming and storytime.  I'm brainstorming more indoor learning activities for me to pursue with Matilda.  We are ready for some amazing holidays----Matilda is really going to remember everything this year!

So we are here at the beginning of October.  We are almost exactly a month out from Josh's one year anniversary of heart surgery.  ONE YEAR.  Mom is at her 1 year of her Breast Cancer surgery anniversary too.  It was a busy year last year-----we are thankful to still have our loved ones!

October is Breast Cancer awareness month----please stop by my Etsy shop----I have many pink ribbon notecards for sale!!! https://www.etsy.com/shop/zenmasterlauren

Thanks for stopping by----I promise to be more active here!  Thank you

Out and About

Hall Cemetery

Where We Life

We went on a little drive yesterday, down a road we hadn't been down before, and it was only 3 minutes from where we live.  Here are a few things we found.

Waiting for Gertrude

Every year our glorious Elf on a Shelf, Gertrude, comes for a visit.  Last year, she had major heart surgery (like Josh did), so she stayed at the North Pole to heal and get ready for this year.  We are prepping for her arrival this year by finding special little treats for her---like this Elf Dust!! We are so excited for her to arrive at our house.  Just a few months to go!