A lot can happen in a year...

I've been away from the blogosphere for a while so here's a recap:

June 2012
- Go out with friends after blowing off a date
- Meet a guy who proves to be "the one" 

January 2013
- We move in together (We have 5 kids between us, all girls)
- We go on an amazing 10-day vacation to South America

April 2013 
- My oldest (early 20s) moves out of state 
- I have a breast cancer scare (Get your boobies checked, ladies!)

May 2013 
- We head to East Coast for work/vacation 
- Three weeks after moving out, oldest wants to move back in 
- I say no, tell her to put big girl panties on, she stops talking to me
- She moves back to town without telling me, lives with a friend  

June 2013 
- Oldest kid still not talking to me, but shows signs of responsibility (Yay!)
- Drama with boyfriend's ex ensues (Does it ever really go away?)
- Above drama causes his oldest (teen) to move in with us  
- Oldest kid finally starts talking to me, relationship on the mend 

That's just a brief snapshot of my life this past year. What I left out are all the meaningless battles with the exes that, in the end, don't really matter unless it directly affects the well-being of our kids. 

What I also left out are all the private, intimate moments that my man and I have shared since we met a year ago. Moments I thought I'd never have again. Moments I really never had in my marriage, to be honest. 

Get your heads out of the gutter, I don't necessarily mean "intimate" in that way. I'm talking about those moments when you're lying in bed and you both reach out for each other in the dark and your hands connect. Or the moment you get that text message and it says, "Just wanted to tell you how happy and thankful I am to have you in my life. I love you." 

And then there are those moments when you simultaneously look at each other from across the room and you just... Well, you just know. 

Anyway, it's been great catching up with you guys. Until next time... 

My boobies and me: A breast cancer scare

I recently found a lump on my breast and endured one of the most agonizing weeks of my life. On the day of the biopsy, I took to twitter to over share in hopes of bringing just a little more awareness to the importance of self exams and mammograms. The following is what I posted via @twokidsandafish on April 13, 2013: 

8:13 AM - 11 Apr 13 
Hello world, it's been a while. Don't have much time so will use a few tweets to catch up because my life may never be the same after today.

8:17 AM - 11 Apr 13
See, I found a lump on my breast last Friday night which sucks because it's not like you can go to the ER for this.

8:19 AM - 11 Apr 13
So over the weekend I had the unfortunate pleasure of waiting for 9am on Monday to "get here already!" so I could schedule a mammogram.

8:21 AM - 11 Apr 13
Well that didn't turn out so hot either because today is the biopsy. And like I said, my life may never be the same after today.

8:25 AM - 11 Apr 13 
Why am I grossly over sharing such personal info?

8:26 AM - 11 Apr 13
While this may cause some to scream "TMI!" I'm hoping this sounds the alarm for those who don't do self exams or have annual mammograms.

8:28 AM - 11 Apr 13
I just had my yearly mammogram in January and here I am four months later... That's how fast things can change!

8:32 AM - 11 Apr 13
After sharing this with a few close friends and family members, I learned some hadn't had exams in over 5 years. Unacceptable!

8:34 AM - 11 Apr 13
So think of this as a not so friendly PSA and get your damn boobies checked!!! Monthly self exams! Annual mammograms!

8:36 AM - 11 Apr 13
The past 7 days have been hell but I've found comfort in the fact that I've had my annual check ups and have stuck to my monthly self exams!

8:38 AM - 11 Apr 13
So if this turns out to be "something," (God forbid), then I know I've caught it early. 

8:38 AM - 11 Apr 13
If this turns out to be nothing, then I can look back at all the tears I've shed this week and laugh my ass off!!!

8:44 AM - 11 Apr 13
So long for now. I'm going to spend the morning with my man. He's amazing plus he makes the most decadent desserts. I think I'll keep him. 

And finally, at 2:48 p.m.: 

More information on breast cancer, mammograms and self exams:
BreastCancer.org
NationalBreastCancer.org
PinkRibbon.org