First and foremost:  I would like to thank God for bringing me to where I am today - and for giving me the strength to bounce back from cancer and treatment so quickly.  Thank you for blessing me with renewed health!

Today marks 5 months since I finished treatment.  I can't believe my one year mark is approaching since "D-DAY" or in other words, diagnosis day -  that's crazy!  September 2, 2008 is a day I will never forget, but we'll cross that bridge when it gets here.  For now, I just wanted to give you all an update on how I'm doing.  In one word...FAN-FREAKIN'-TASTIC!!  I'm 100% back to my old self.  A few things are forever changed in me, that's just part of a cancer diagnosis.  But, I feel like a million bucks on most days - and I find that some days I have so much energy that I can barely sit in my chair to work.  Now of course this depends on how well I sleep, but on most nights I sleep like a baby.  I have been going to the gym 3 times a week for an hour each time, and that is a huge help.  I feel so much better now that I work out on a consistent basis.  My Lhermitte's Sign is getting better, but I can still feel it.  Now if I can just get these last 4 pounds off!

Ben and I have been grilling out A LOT lately, and really just hanging out at our house.  We hang out with Kristen and Matt a lot, and also our neighbors Bernie and Jody because they live right next door.  We had everyone over this past Saturday night for a "rib off" between the boys.  Well, we think they all won.  They all had such different flavors and textures - but were all really good.  Ben's had a rich smoky flavor, Matt's had an asian sweet-hot taste, and Jody's had a nice barbecue flavor to them.  All were really good.  So, it was a tie.  We had fried green tomatoes, squash casserole, homemade cole slaw, freshly picked boiled corn, and bread.  It was a rib feast for sure.  YUM!  We all played ladder ball after dinner and just had a great time.  Here's a pic of Ben and Matt before the rib off started - it makes me laugh, look at those faces!  HA!

I have also been enjoying my hummingbirds.  I only have 3 so far this year, but hopefully I'll get a few more in August.  Here is a picture of my ruby-throated hummer, isn't he beautiful?  He's a feisty one - he dive bombs the other ones when they try to get nectar, it's funny!  I love them!

Our summer has been a blast so far, and we've still got a month to go!  Next month is going to be busy, there are so many family members including Ben and myself that have birthdays in August.  It's a great month!  

We are headed to the lake this weekend for an oyster roast - we are so excited!  I hope all of you are having a fun summer so far - love to all!

Kerri

PS - see below right, I now have a "follower" section...please sign up!

For the 4th, we went to my family's lake house to spend the weekend.  The weather was beautiful, and we actually got to go see fireworks on the boat this year!  We have tons of water!  The 4th is always a great time and we enjoyed spending the long weekend with my fam.  We made a mexican feast Friday night, and had the traditional chicken quarters Sat night.  So good!  We sat around and sang "Salty Dog" as we do every year and had a blast.  The 4th is probably my second favorite holiday besides Christmas!  

This past weekend Ben and I traveled down to Jekyll Island, GA for the Santora-Hagy wedding.  Jenny Santora is the older sister of my best friend from college, Kristie.  We got to the Jekyll Island Club around 3 on Friday and from there on out Ben and I had an absolute blast.  Friday night was a "pirate" themed rehearsal dinner - it was SO MUCH FUN!  A boat picked us up and took us to Sea Jay's not far from our resort.  They served low country boil and everything was wonderful.  Saturday we took a walk on the beach, hung out at the pool, and went and ate oysters at the "Rah Bar" right on the pier.  This was one of the most beautiful and fun weddings we have ever attended.  I will let the pictures speak for me.  Thank you to the Santora's and Hagy's for such a fun weekend, we won't forget this one!  Congratulations Jenny and Chris, hope you have a fabulous honeymoon!

Love to all!

Kerri