Graditutde in my attitude

Being able to be thankful is one of the greatest gifts God has given us.

So many things have gone right in this world, it's hard to focus just on the bad stuff.

Sure, in every life there is some rain. In some lives, it's a rainforest of rain- but in that rainforest there is still such beauty- I guess that's what I'm trying to say-

It's not the actual situation and circumstance, but one's perception that makes all the difference. Pretty big concept for a 5 year old, like me, but my mom is trying to teach me to be thankful for what I have- and not to focus on what I don't have or the things that haven't gone my way.

In this last month- I have had a lot to be thankful for...

My friends, my family, my health, my ability to see and hear (I passed my hearing test with normal scores! My eyes are giving me a little trouble and I have an appointment next week), my teachers, my school, my hospital, my house, my garden, my faith and the ability to see the good in others. It was really easy to see the good in others this month, because so many people came out to my blood drive. Thanks to each of you who could come out, and thanks to those who shared the promotion and who prayed and rooted for a successful drive. We did it again! THANK YOU! 

I have a pretty long list of thank yous.
I hope you can make a list like mine- and that you can pray with me for people who are struggling to see the blessing in their lives. It's not always easy- sometimes it's easier to focus on things like disabilities, feeling lonely, being unhealthy, struggles in school, drug abuse, hunger, feeling safe, fights with friends or family, not having big things, not having even little things. I think God wants us to focus on the good things that are interwoven in the unpleasant stuff- the more we focus on those things, the happier we can be. 

I'm blessed to be happy, most of the time. They say that kids and individuals with Down Syndrome are happy all the time. Well, that simply isn't true- I threw a fit just yesterday- but for the most part- I try to see the good.  Join me and spread the joy.

Here's what I'm thankful for- gratitude is my attitude!

Thankful for a new hat!

 

Thankful for my cousins!

 

Thankful for my mom on Mothers Day.

 

Thankful for my Aunties.

 

Thankful for my teacher and my school!!

Thankful for my garden.

Thankful for my friends!

 

Thankful for my grandparents. And thankful for planes.
I get to see my Texas grandparents soon!

Thankful for my friends!

Thankful for my siblings.



Thankful for Nicole.




Thankful for Smiles and volunteers!

Thankful for my big brother on his graduation day!

Thankful my school allowed me to be fully included!

THANKFUL for BLOOD DONORS. 

Thankful for volunteers and friends who came to my blood drive and helped promote it!
Without blood products, I wouldn't be here today.
Thanks to the 78 people who game to the party, because of you lives will be saved!

Thanks for friends and pool parties!

Thankful for my hearing and my audiologist!

Thankful for the MACC Fund and Children's Hospital of Wisconsin!

Thankful for your friendship and your prayers! Because of you, I'm here and able to share the good news that having a good attitude starts with gratitude.

THANK YOU!

Had fun, then fever

Boy, did Mom keep me hopping yesterday-

I went to school, then a visit to Dr Burke at Children's Hospital, then the Zoo, then Occupational therapy, then a big dinner with Grandma and the family.

 

    

    

    

      

Busy day- must have worn me out- then again so many public places in one day is really not good for someone with my history.

I was up all night, fever raging, but this morning, I'm back to a normal temp. Hopefully it was only temporary.

Pray for me and other people with illnesses. It's no fun to be sick in good weather.

Keep my blood drive on your radar- tell your friends who donate- even if you can't. We want to try to get 80 donors this year. We need your help.

Thank you!!!

 

Happy Easter

    

This Easter I'm celebrating new life, and even though my new life is one free from cancer- it's also new life for everyone- if we think about what Easter really means. I love church, always have. Really. It was the only place my parents would take me, other than the hospital, when I was sick. I like the Mass. I like the repetition and the consistency of Mass. I'm lucky that I like church and that even seeing pictures of my church makes me happy. It's my second home- and it is for all people.

Each Easter we celebrate at Mass with family and then are blessed to celebrate with family and friends over lunch.  Easter is a happy time. 

Here's what we did the day before Easter this year- lots of fun preparing for Easter Bunny and for the family meal. I did do some cooking- as always. I also colored eggs and did an egg hunt with Wisconsin Upsidedown and I even dressed up as a bunny with costume pieces from Grandma. 

May you and yours have a joyful day!

 

    

Happy Easter! 

 

 

A Little Luck on St. Patrick's Day

 

It's hard to believe, but cancer for me ended 15 months ago- it's been 15 months since my last chemo dose. It's been 12 months since they took my port out.

I had my last surgery March 17, 2016. My nannu had heart surgery this March 17, 2017. St. Patrick's feast day is a day of celebration for my family, for sure!! 

  LAST YEAR St. Patty's Day

 

This month's visit to the Oncology clinic was monumentally uneventful! I think I spent more time putting donated books away in the borrow-and-take bin than I spent with my favorite doctor and nurse combined. The take home message is- I'm doing great, my numbers look swell and I'm getting heavier and taller, just like healthy kids do. 

 

 

 

 

Mom and I had a really busy day the day of my hospital visit. First, I had school in the morning. Then we went to the Zoo. Then the trip to the MACC Fund clinic.  After that, I had an occupational therapy appointment where I am learning to zip a zipper, button buttons and walk with better balance. I also took a ride on the zip line! 

 

This time of year is so silly in Wisconsin. It's too cold to play outside, and there have been too many months spent indoors to feel like staying inside just one more day. Boy, am I looking forward to a warm spring. It can come any time now. 

I hope your spring is simple and safe. Stay healthy and tell your friends and family you love them. 

Thanks so much- be well!

Much love, Katherine

Also- happy belated World Down Syndrome Day! My friends and family celebrated by wearing silly socks and my school even hosted an all-school assembly! It was a special day! March 21.   

Hope Springs Eternal

 

It's almost time for the groundhog to see his shadow and grant us 6 more weeks of winter- or maybe he'll not see it and we'll get an early spring. Either way, hope is in the air.

 

I went to the oncology clinic last week- hoping to hear nothing- and I did. No news is good news. No rise in my WBC, no drop in my platelets and no sign of cancer coming back. But, it's not true for all of my friends and the reality is- it's not true for all of us. Cancer is just a part of life on Earth and all the hope in the world won't keep it away. So, what's left to do? Well, hope is still a great place to start. We sure hope it won't return for me and we hope it doesn't come to anyone, but mostly we'll just focus on prayer- that's what's left to do- we'll pray- that if it does come, we have the strength to carry on.

We'll pray and hope for all people to find peace with what's been dealt to them and that somehow we can all find a way to handle getting bad news, a bad diagnosis or just plain a perceived short stick. Learning to live with disappointment is the best way to stay truly happy. It sure beats the alternatives. I hear sow ear purses are coming back in style anyway.  (My mom thought that was funny- I don't even use a purse yet!) 

 

          We donated more books- thank you! 

So, that's what's left to do - when handed an extra chromosome, a cancer diagnosis, a speech impediment or a slew of other shorter than desired sticks-- simply carry on. 

So, here's how I've been carrying on. I'm having a great time in school, busy times with family fun, birthdays and board games. I'm cooking all the time. I'm learning to read. I love to do paintings and watch Blues Clues. I'm still busy with my therapies and as much always, I like prayer. I make sure we pray before every meal and I like to pray before bed too.  Mostly now- they are prayers of thanksgiving. I may pray that the groundhog doesn't see his shadow. I kind of want to play in the snow just a little bit more. 

 

Keep yourselves healthy with lots of hand washing this winter. 

God bless and keep praying. 

Happy Valentine's Day, too.