Sincerely, Ronda

I lie in bed, in the arms of my best friend and partner for 27 years.  It's been such a routine thing for so long we often don't even acknowledge the moment. It's just another moment in time.  I have found when we are threatened with a terminal illness these little moments become everything!  As I lay there embraced in his arms, my husband drifting off to sleep I listen to his breathing, I feel his heart beat and I can't help to wonder how many of these moments I have left and how many moments like this I have taken for granted over the years. I take a deep breath, I feel my heart...

Is it odd to think you are the lucky one to be fighting Stage 4 cancer? Most days this is how I feel. You see... If I'm the one fighting, I don't have to watch you go through it! I've watched too many times the ones I love in this fight and it's painful! I feel lucky to not have to watch it this time! I am a huge empath, when GOD was building me he provided me a heart two sizes too big (I literally don't know how it fits in my body). As the years pass my heart grows bigger and so does my worry.

Growing up my mom told everyone she saw that she loved them.  I would roll my eyes and a...

Today is the first day of MY new year. Yesterday was my birthday and just like many years in the past I was mopey. I am really not a fan of birthdays probably because its a huge reflection day for me and If I didn't do something AMAZING like hike Mt. Everest I can't help but feel like I wasted yet another year. I know it sounds dumb but I go through this every December 21st ever since I was a child. Today is the first day of MY new year and I am NOT going to waste it! So what did I do? I set out to tackle my first hike of my new year.

I didn't tell anyone I was going other than my...

Today is my birthday!  I am 45 years young and love every year I am given to spend here on earth with my family, my children, my husband, and my friends.  Having watched my parents die so young of cancer I have always been in a hurry to get things done and to live life fast and to the fullest.  I know all too well how life can be cut short in just a blink of the eye.  I have had a beautiful fun filled life and in an odd way I owe it to cancer.

This year has been incredibly difficult with my own diagnosis of stage 4 Colorectal cancer that has metastisized to my liver...

I've heard it over and over again, almost as if it were a broken record spinning non-stop on an old antique turn table.  The words fall from the lips so easy and natural like water over a waterfall.  "You've got this!", "you're strong!", "You're a warrior!" There is NOTHING easy and natural about finding out you have cancer, much less Stage 4 metastasized. I haven't even begun the fight yet, and I'm already exhausted.  Each day that passes, each Doctor's appointment, each scan that comes back I feel less and less "strong", less and less like "I got this" and more and more like a w...

The 24 hours before I heard the news, I was prepping. I went to work started on an all liquid diet, after work began drinking magnesium citrate to clean out my system and was actually kind of excited to have an early morning appointment so I could then get onto a three day weekend. In all honesty even after having red flag symptoms for the last seven months I was not expecting terrible news. I thought possibly an ulcer. I awoke at approximately 3:30 am to begin my last bottle of prep, my appointment was set for 7 am. We drove to the hospital, got checked in. I was taken back to th...

I first heard of Patagonia Lake State Park as I sat In an REI camping basics class a couple years ago.  I was immediately intrigued and have been waiting for the right opportunity to check it out.  That right opportunity came about this last weekend.  The park was all I imagined and more, and I am already planning a return trip!  Here are my five reasons Patagonia Lake should also be on your list of travel plans.

1. The Campground!

Patagonia Lake State Park, was established in 1975.  The campground overlooks a 265 acre man-made lake filled with crappie, bass, bluegill...

I cleaned up a table in the playroom today.  It's a quiet Sunday morning, a little dreary outside so I decided to do some cleaning.  A coffee table sits in the middle of our playroom, it has always been covered with random toys and role playing scenes.  Today as I was clearing it there were littlest pet shops sitting around a tiny table covered with tiny little food.  a small police officer standing guard on the balcony of a small Pet Shop cafe.  There was a toy German Shepard dog sitting on a carpet sample from Lowe's. a little rocking chair sitting with a tiny piece of fabric fr...

 If you are looking for a festive getaway this holiday season I would highly recommend LegoLand® California where you can experience the magic of the holidays!  Every year my family makes a trip to kick off the holidays and get our spirit in high gear.  The last few years we embarked on a trip to the North pole via the polar express, but this year decided to try something new and visit LegoLand® for the holidays.  

Upon entering the park you can already feel the magic enter your being.  From the decorations and music to the twinkling lights, to the worlds l...

I believe there is nothing better for your heart and your health than getting outside and enjoying nature, fresh air, and sunshine!  Whether you adventure around the globe or in your own backyard, letting the sun kiss your skin and fresh air fill your lungs as often as possible is something we should all live by.  My family recently took a day trip right here in our own backyard to Mortimer Farm In Dewey, Arizona.  We try and make it every year to their annual sweet corn harvest festival and this year was no different.  The day of the harvest party we hopped in our car and headed...