My Blog is Back

So, things been rough, so I haven't posted in a while, but I feel like it's time to get some stuff off my chest. Since I last wrote--wow, it's been since September-- life at my house hasn't really been the easiest. When I left off, my mom had just come home from the hospital with her broken leg. Since then, she is walking better and doesn't have to use her walker as much. She has been getting chemo every week since school started. This is tough because she's really tired afterward, but it's at least  better than the radiation, which was everyday.  She isn't losing  her hair, which I guess is better, since she doesn't look sick with her hair. We were managing pretty well, up until just after Christmas when she became pretty sick with what we thought was the flu, she had a high fever, but eventually it went down, but her cough persisted. She went in for chest x-rays and was hospitalized. After being in the hospital from thursday to tuesday, she is home now. She is doing better, but has to be on oxygen for at least the next few weeks. It was her birthday yesterday (Happy Birthday Mom!) and she was overwhelmed with support. Our house is packed full of balloons and flowers. We really appreciate all the support from our friends and family, we wouldn't have been able to get through this without them.
I have to say, dealing with this as a teenager is much different than dealing with this as a six year old. When you're six, you don't really understand what's going on, and all you know is how much you miss spending time with her. At 15, you can really understand what is going on, and have more stress and worry, and less confusion.  This week is midterm week at school and trying to deal with the pressure at school and the stress of home is really difficult. I try to block it out at school, and use that as a release from worrying about my mom, but it's really difficult. Sometimes I just feel so physically exhausted from cramming for tests, and emotionally exhausted from worrying, it feel like I could crumble. I try to put on a brave face and not let things get in my way, but sometimes it's really difficult. But, I just keep going.
Right now, I'm trying to focus on the positives. My mom is home, which is the greatest thing of all. I'll be 16 in April and can get my learner's permit. Ross is doing well and even has a little girlfriend (don't tell him I said that ) and is taking an interest in tennis. I am learning to take small blessing when they come, and not to let little obstacles get in my way. Honestly, life is too short and too important to waste stressing over little things. Smile at the little things- a new episode of modern family, a question correctly answered at mathletes (that kinda only applies to me), a favorite food, a cute thing my brothers do. I feel like this applies to everyone, no matter what the situation, anyone can take a moment to just enjoy the small blessing in life.
I know this was a really long post, so if you've made it to this point, thanks for sticking with me through this post. Thank you to all my friends and family for helping us through these tough times. I love you all!