Kons Family Chaos

This is the first year in quite some time that we sent out Thanksgiving Cards without a family "newsletter" or "update" or whatever you would like to call it.  There were many reasons it did not happen, mostly related to running out of time before the cards needed to be sent, but now that Thanksgiving is here I am sad it didn't happen.  We have so much to be thankful for.  So, I have decided to just write this year's Kons Family Chaos as a blog post.

The Kons Family Chaos  Volume 10 (I think)

Twenty-thirteen has not been the easiest year in the Kons Family.  It has been wrought with new challenges and obstacles.  But, despite these challenges, we have never felt so blessed.  So, without further ado, here are the top thirteen things I am thankful for in 2013.

1. My husband.  As you know, in late September, I was diagnosed with breast cancer.  During the most frightening week of our lives, Matt kept a calm demeanor, made countless phone calls, sat in on disturbing appointments, held my hand, and was just truly my rock.  Now, two months later, he continues to be my champion - he has stepped up, doing lots of the housework, more of the mom-duties, and just generally taking care of all of us.  He is amazing and I couldn't be more thankful that I have a partner in life who is the definition of what it means to be a "good man".
2. My Mom.  When we found out the bad news, my mom went into church the next day (where she worked) and quit her job.  She has been at my house every weekday since.  Her new job, apparently -- taking care of me.  And, wow, has she.  Actually, she mostly takes care of our children, but that is what I need the most right now, in order to be taken care of.  Many people have referred to my mom as a saint, but I don't think they truly know.  She really is.  I am so thankful to have her as a role model, care taker, and friend.  She is amazing.
3. My kids.  Oh boy, these kids are challenging.  Some days, I wonder if they caused me to lose my hair.  But, geez, do they make me laugh and smile.  The thing they give me is the drive to fight this thing.  It was never an option not to, but they make it all worth it.  I want to be there for every ridiculous moment of their lives.  I can't wait to move past this challenging time so I can focus more on just enjoying them again.  I am continually filled with a sense of wonder at their individual personalities, quirks, abilities, and gifts.  I thank God for trusting me enough to be their mom.
4. My family.  Everyone in my family has been so great.  Baby-sitting.  Making soup.  Going to Chemo with me.  Giving me encouraging words.  Giving me all kinds of stuff.  Perhaps the greatest thing they give to me is how they make sure that everyone continues to pray for me.  They share news with their friends and mine, with people I've never met and who have become a part of "Kelly's Army".  They have been there for me every step of the way and I am so grateful that Matt and I have such amazing siblings and parents.  We are so blessed.
5. My friend, Beth.  Beth lives all the way out in Sacramento, CA, but has found ways to be there for me, always.  In this instance, she has organized meal-bringing for our family.  This has been such a blessing.  My energy levels are not what they used to be and I am so grateful that so many people have brought us such delicious, nutritious, allergy-free, food.  My jaw drops three times a week.  Not only that, Beth flew to WI last week just to go to Chemo with me.  She is amazing.  I am so thankful for her love and support.
6. My book club.  How can I describe this group of women?  They are so much more than just a book club.  They are movie-buddies, and travel companions, prayer warriors, and technology geeks.  They are like my second family.  When we started this group over five years ago, I had no idea if it would even last.  Now, I don't know what I do without these ladies.  They keep me sane and real and feeling alive.  I never have as much fun as I do with them.  I am so thankful we all met and that you all brought others into the group and that we have expanded into such an unlikely bunch of friends.  It is really the coolest thing to me.
7. My husband's Sheepshead group.  I am so thankful that Matt has such wonderful friends.  Honestly, I don't think everyone can say that.  These guys give Matt the outlet he needs, while supporting him in a lovingly, yet manly manner.  All of these guys have such great hearts.  And great wives!  Though the wives of the BS Club do not regularly get together (hey, why don't we?!), we have some kind of bond via our husbands.  We roll our eyes at them and laugh at their good-naturedness.  It's lots of fun.
8. My church(es).  Because our kids are still pretty young, Matt and I have not had as much of a chance to get as involved at ECUMC as we were at our old church (OLUMC).  Naptimes and bedtimes seem to get in the way of Bible Studies and social groups.  But, we make it a point to be there almost every Sunday and our children are in the choirs and attend Sunday School, so I suppose we are involved via them (as opposed to on our own as we used to be).  I guess this is why I feel so amazed at the amount of support they have given to us.  Meals and cards, gift baskets, phone calls, visits...so much!  If I don't know them personally, my mom does, and because they love her, I guess they love me.  Wow!  But, not only have the people of ECUMC stepped up to help us out, so have the people of OLUMC, and BDUMC, and...church friends from these older churches who have also moved to new churches have gotten their churches involved in praying for me.  If I had to take a guess, I would say that there are at least twenty churches praying for me, quite possibly many more that I am just not aware of.  Sheesh, that is amazing and so wonderful.  Thank you all for every moment spent asking God to heal me.  He is listening and you are magnificent!
9. Matt's job.  We are so blessed not only that Matt has a good job, insurance, and a place he likes to go to every day, but also that he works with my father and brother.  As far as co-workers go, they could not be more understanding about his plight.  Matt now makes the kids lunches in the morning, and gets them to school when their cello needs a ride or they have early morning Spanish class.  This tends to make him late for work.  I am so fortunate that my Dad and brother are okay with this.  It makes my life so much less stressful.  Not only that, Matt likes where he works and who he works with and the people he works for.  That makes such a difference in life.  Thank God for "The Berrall Kons Group", Bill Berrall and Casey Berrall, and all of their clients!
10. Medical professionals.  I am not going to limit this to just my medical professionals.  Our family had another health crisis(? that may be a bit strong.  I am not sure.) earlier in the year when Hugo spent two days in the hospital for asthma.  I kid you not, at one point I felt like the two nurses looking over him and then at me gave me the sorrowful eyes of death.  I felt like they were giving up on him and were trying to find a way with their eyes to show me sympathy for his eventual demise.  Thank God for people who don't give up and helped Hugo to fight his asthma.  It was a very scary two days holding my normally super-active child who had become very still in his effort just to breathe in and out.  I don't think he was out of my arms during that time for longer than 10 minutes.  And, thank God for miracle medicines; steroids, and inhalers, Chemo (ugh) and antibiotics.  Thank you for superb pediatricians, funny oncologists, smiley surgeons, kind lab people, and nurturing nurses.  You all amaze me.  Thank you for putting up with us crazy mothers and patients.  It can't be easy!
11. A warm house.  Functioning vehicles.  Food on the table.  Books to read.  Toys to play with.  Clothes to wear.  Coats and hats and boots and more hats.  Pictures to smile at and cameras to take them with.  A pretty Christmas tree and soon enough, presents to go beneath it.  A snuggly comforter, and pretty duvet cover to beautify it.  Water to drink and refrigerators to keep it cold.  Ice and ovens and microwaves, computers and iPads, and iPhones and things to keep us entertained.  Pajama pants and silly socks.  Have I mentioned hats?  All somewhat simple.  All, I am profoundly grateful for.
12. My TV.  Yup, this gets its own category.  We have never had a TV in our bedroom before, but Matt went out and bought one the week after my diagnosis.  Almost every night now, we try and watch a light-hearted comedy before going to bed.  Believe it or not, I sleep better with this laughter on my mind.  And when I don't feel good, I have somewhere to lie down and just veg for a few hours.  I still love to read, but more often now when I am a bit dizzy or just plain tired, reading is not the thing to do.  I love my TV.  I love the husband who bought it for me.
13. And finally, I am, of course, thankful for you.  Do you know that I have had a family blog for well over 8 years now?  In that time, according to the site statistics, that website has had a little over 20,000 pageviews.  In the two months that I have had this blog, I have received almost 15,000 pageviews.  Holy moly!  That's insane! Who are all you people?!  Thank you so much for caring about me, my family, our health, our fight.  Thank you for your prayers and your support.  I am so thankful for you.  (And, by the way, would love to know who is all visiting this site.  Why do you not make comments?  You do not need a Google account.  Just choose "anonymous" but then sign your name at the end of your comment.)  Thank you all, so much.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.

With all our love and gratitude,
Kelly & Matt
Kyrie, Lariska, Declan, and Hugo