Arboretum

Today we celebrated this special day exploring nature with a trip to the Boyce Thompson Arboretum in Superior, AZ......only an hour drive southeast of our home.  Lots of spring blooms, butterflies, birds and bees.   So much to celebrate today.......a friend's son went home from the hospital after a 2 month stay and another friend had a post cancer treatment scope with good results.   Splendid!!!!  Blessings abound! 



Here's what cancer-free looks like! 





Team Brodnik on the Suspension Bridge at arboretum.

 

Inspecting a butterfly.

 

Will you be my friend?

This green color is amazing!  Beautiful succulent!

Nature is stunning!

Gorgeous desert flowers.

Arizona's version of a pumpkin patch!



This cardinal was flirting with us.



TWO YEARS CANCER-FREE

March 25, 2011..........Today is my 2 year anniversary being cancer-free!  Praise God!  Two years ago today I had a bi-lateral mastectomy that removed all the cancer.  What a journey it has been.    Today my family and I will celebrate with a trip to an arboretum.  More on that in another post....with photos, of course! 

It would have been tough to face this fight without the love and support of my friends and family.  I am beyond grateful for your love and wonderful acts of kindness. And most of all your prayers.  I am so blessed.  It takes a village to beat this......thank you for being my village.     Love, srb

Tri for the Cure

On Sunday, March 20, I competed in the 5th annual Tri for the Cure.  This was my 4th time out.  It was a month earlier this year and the cooler temps played a role. It was also during most school's spring break which kept many of my Team SOS friends away becaues they were out-of-town with their families.  Despite all that, it was still an amazing race.  I had a goal of coming in under 1hr.  I was 8 seconds over......finished in 1hr and 7 seconds.  I was so cold on the bike and had a cramp on the run.  I'll get it next year.   This event means so much to me.  It was and still is a big part of my recovery and healing.  The year I competed after I was diagnosed in 2009 was overwhelming to see how many women got out of their comfort zone to show their support for me by racing with me.  That's the kind of love that heals and changes people forever.  Your actions spoke so loud to me and still lives in my heart. I get teary thinking about it.  I am grateful to Team SOS and the love you still openly share with me. I am a stronger, healthier person for it.  Love you!  Hope to see more of you out there next year!!  Keep swimming, biking and running!! Your body will thank you.  

Two dear friends before the race.

Misty Hyman and her VIP relay team.  Together they finished the race in 38:26.  Wow!

Ready, set, GO!!

I was strong on the bike, but freezing!  Could not feel my toes when I got off.

Coming in the field getting lots of high fives!

Two VIP women.....elite athletes and mother/daughter team.  They continue to inspire & support me.  They finished in 43:44.  Love them!!!!

More fabulous friends!!  Love you guys!

Love this photo.  Go Barb. 

Now that is quite the support crew!  What a wonderful family!

Team SOS rocks!  Thanks, Anne!

We rocked!! 

Team Brodnik

Wearing the Olympic Gold with Misty.

Another great race!  Can't wait for next year!



CA Trip

 Kids are on spring break for two weeks so we drove 5 hrs west to San Diego to enjoy some of the sights.

We arrived in SD on Saturday evening so we caught mass at this historic mission.



Beautiful architecture. 



Toured the ships at the Maritime Museum.



We sailed in the bay for 3hrs on a tall ship named Amazing Grace.  Very fun.



This is similar to the ship we were on.  We engaged in a cannon battle with this ship. LOUD!

Our capitan and his wife. 

Some of our favorite animals at the zoo.

Ocean Beach



Birch Aquarium in La Jolla

La Jolla Shores Beach

Great trip.  Hope to return this summer. 











End of Q3 at school

The 3rd quarter of school came to an end with summatives for all 3 kids.  Our 1st grader studied the pioneers and the Revolutionary War.  She performed a skit with classmates where she played Paul Revere. 

Our 4th grader learned about the scientific method by conducting experiments. His team worked on land erosion.

Our 5th grader learned about the body with a team of classmates.

Yippeeee!!

Just picked up my PET scan report.......no evidence of disease! Yippeeee! I love NED! I'm feeling 10 lbs lighter right now. Praise the Lord for his continued grace to keep me healthy and strong. Thank you for your prayers and reassuring words. Love you all!! It's a beautiful day! Go out and soak up the wonder and awe of God's beautiful creation! I'm going to replant my geraniums......freezing temps have claimed my first planting. I LOVE red geraniums. Reminds me of my childhood in Germany and summers spent with relatives in Minnesota. I even love how they smell. Aaaaaaaaah!!! I think cows and hogs would smell good right now! Ha!

Have a great day! Love, srb