We would like to introduce you to another of our new contributing authors. Laurie Kingston whose blog, Not Just About Cancer, is a great read. We are thrilled to have her join our ranks.

Here is a little bit about Laurie so you can get to know her better.

I am the mother of two beautiful boys, aged four and nine, who are a source of endless joy and amusement. They are also very different from each other and provide great blog fodder. My spouse and I have been together for 16 years. I adore him. In January, 2006 I was diagnosed with breast cancer. After a mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiation, I finished treatment and returned to work. Within two months, I discovered that the cancer had spread to my liver. I have been in remission since July 2007. I continue with treatment, parenthood, writing and living a very full life.You can find my blog at Not Just About Cancer.

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The following essay was written by our new contributing author, Laurie Kingston.

I was reminded recently of a conversation I had when my youngest son
(now four) was still a toddler. Someone commented on how much he looks
like me, to which I replied, “He looks like me so that I don’t kill him.”

Daniel and I are both incredibly headstrong and it is not uncommon for
us to lock horns. But when I look in his little face and see myself
reflected there, I often feel the anger dissipate.

My second-born is a supremely confident child. He goes through life
secure in the knowledge that he is interesting, charming and beautiful.
People respond to him in kind.

When he was a baby, I would often carry him in a back pack as I did
errands. Every time, I would see even the most preoccupied strangers'
faces break into smiles, reacting to my engaging child.

Daniel loves to play dress up, picks out his own clothes and cares
whether his socks match his shirt (a concept that is foreign to his
father and brother). Yesterday, he asked if I would buy him a tie. My
husband didn’t wear a tie to our wedding.

His first complete sentence was, "I'm Daniel and I'm cute."