Thanks you guys!!

I REALLY appreciate your outpouring and love for my mom and her situation. I just got an email from her, and I wanted to tell you what she said:

I have loved reading these comments, it is very strengthening, and unbelievable that people could be praying for me. I love it when you tell me who they are, do you think you could tell me if there are some of these that I might know but not recognized their name.

So I have told who how I know every one of you, and even if she's never met you, she still is so grateful that you would keep her in your prayers. Thanks again everyone, of course we'll keep you updated on her status.

Well, on a lighter note, there are a few things on my mind lately. Separation anxiety, my human vacuum, and DVR.

Kalia is at that age where she starts hyperventilating if I leave her sight. Then, at other random times, she's fine. How long is this going to last? (I know, I was just blogging about what a fun age it is...)

I'm also getting a kick out of the treasures I'm finding in her diapers. Her little fingers are getting good at picking stuff up...and putting it right in her mouth. I've found a peanut (just like the song says), a piece of green pepper, and a a piece of aluminum foil in her diaper. Today I rescued a sharp object from her mouth when I noticed bloody drool. At least she didn't swallow THAT one. MAN, I've got to keep my floors cleaner.

We now have cable and DVR for the first time. I am in LOVE. And I am SO NOT GETTING ANYTHING DONE. I'm barely making time for blogging! What a TV junkie! I need to get control of myself.

You know I'm distracted by all the shows I'm watching, because I found this little surprise yesterday. Apparently she didn't feel any separation anxiety as she went into the bathroom to entertain herself. I do not get the award for world's best mom this month.

The Bad News

Our family has had some bad news in the last few weeks. I think I am feeling a little bit numb, but maybe that's also a blessing of peace. Of course I do feel some fear, but also hope and faith too. I don't feel like I can do a very good job of writing about it, so my sister, Krystal, is letting me use her post from her blog. I know some of you have read it...but she put it just how I wish I could have. Thanks for letting me use it.

Killer
I think we were all expecting something big to happen.
A year ago, my mom cut off all her hair, a year earlier than she planned...
My dad was released from his calling as a member of the bishopbric of a young single adult ward..
My mom was released from her calling as Young Women's president...
We all wondered, what was coming? A call to the Stake Presidency?
But Stake Conference came and went and that wasn't it.
Wayne and Tara decided to stay at Dixie for a few years instead of moving...
Heather and Samuel decided it was time to move closer to home, and relocated from Hawaii to Las Vegas, much closer to the family...
Jeff will be finished with school in 3 months and we will be living in Utah for the first time in six years...What was coming?

We found out a few weeks ago. My mom has breast cancer. Even typing that makes me feel like I swallowed a rock. She found a lump, had it removed, and heard the bad news about what it actually was. She had a second surgery where 20 lymph nodes were removed from under her arm. It was in 2 of the 20. Now she will have to go through chemo as well as radiation, which could put her out of commission for the next year. She'll lose her hair and won't be able to take long trips to see her grandkids. Wait, she already parted with her hair (most of it) and soon none of her grandkids will be more than 4 hours away...isn't that interesting?

We all feel that this is the Lord's will. It's serious, as all cancer is, but everyone is hopeful that she will make a full recovery. And maybe we have been prepared for a while now, as it hasn't been much of a shock for any of us. My mom admitted that she knew she was going to have to have chemo from the very beginning, knowing that anything else would be "too easy." She is already talking about how much she has learned and how tender her heart has become. It's just a bump in the road, something that will enable our family to become closer to each other and closer to the Lord.

We all made our picks for March Madness this year, and we named my mom's team "Kancer Killer." As of today, Kancer Killer is in first place in our league. That makes me smile, and also makes me think that she is going to come out on top. Where she belongs. Love you mom. Thanks for being such a fighter.

7 Months Old

I can't get enough of this little stinker. 7 months is such a fun age! Her favorite game lately is standing on the couch and trying to find me as I crawl around it. She loves it when I pop up and say, "RARRRRR!". She's making some new funny faces too. I can't believe my baby is growing up so fast.




And, as a lovely treat, she is finally sleeping through the night, thanks to a lot of advice, good books, and trial and error. Let's hope it lasts.

Happy Easter

Hope everyone had a Happy Easter! We had 40 family members together in St. George and we had a great time. (Easter has always been a huge holiday in our fam. We always got a new dress, and presents!)

DOWN! SET! HIKE! (I think she learned this from Wayne)
We didn't get a very good "Easter Dress" picture. Oh well, carrying on the tradition.

Chills

David Archuleta ROCKED last night! I totally got chills, and I absolutely LOVED his song. I watched it at least 5 times over. How can you not love this kid? I liked Carly's song too.

Connections

So, I told you how a friend of ours ended up fixing our computer for free? What a life saver! It got me thinking about how nice it was to have friends who can help you out. They might be family members, or a friend of a friend, but here are the connections I am SO glad I have!

CPA Friend - My uncle Lee does our taxes every year. All we do is fax him our Tax info. So nice.

Nurse Friend- I love these knowledgeable and helpful friends. If you're lucky, you'll have one who works in labor and delivery, and can "check you" when you're dilating, at least, that's what happened with my sister Krystal. I love it!

Hairstylist Friend- Man, the upkeep for blonde highlights is SUCH a pain. I want to go dark just for that reason. I am happy to be back near St. George, where Robert Evans, family friend and owner of Evans Hairstyling, does my hair for $15.

Masseuse Friend - This is my uncle Daryl, and he is SO good at what he does. I request a massage every time he's around. I would get weekly massages if I could. That would be the life.

Babysitter Friend- The friend who cheerfully watches your kid(s) so you can go to a doctors appointment, to the temple, on a date, etc. etc! Grandmas are awesome at this too, if you're lucky enough to live close to one.

Computer Friend- The one who can help you out in a computer jam. I just left this friend behind in Hawaii. Boo.

Brutally Honest Friend - The one who will tell you when you're being stupid and dating a guy even though you know you'll never marry him (remember that letter you wrote me Lara?) I have several friends like this, and I am REALLY grateful for these friends, because they'll also tell you not to buy certain clothes when you try them on. (Sidenote- this friend needs to be a female. It's harder to swallow when it comes from your husband, example, "Yes, this dinner DOES taste terrible!"

Generous Friend- Hey it never hurts to have a friend who offers to buy you dinner or help out with college education, or a trip to Europe. I hope to be this friend for someone else someday too.

Party Planner Friend- You know the one, they plan parties, the get-togethers, the girls nights out....and lots of people come and have a great time. I prefer sitting around until someone does the work. Mel, you were so good at this in Hawaii.

Airline Friend- The one who gets you buddy passes! Or better yet, free companion passes. My aunt just started working for Jet Blue, and a friend of ours works for Delta. Bless their souls. We love you. Also, rental cars fall under this category, and Ambur's hubby Nate has hooked us up with a rental car from Hertz at LEAST 8 times!! Thanks Bundys!

That's all I can think of for now...am I forgetting anyone?

Temple Ridge Apartments

Okay, everyone, in case you were wondering, this is where we're living and what we're doing.
http://templeridgeapartments.blogspot.com/

(and that is NOT our apartment interior that you see in the pictures. It's the previous manager's unit, and it's just a one bedroom.)

Let me know if you guys have any suggestions for an improved blog...I have very little experience in advertising or sales.

Thanks.

Settling

Well, as you may have noticed, our computer arrived and all is well. We were in fact hit with a virus before we left, and miraculously, a friend of ours was able to wipe our system clean (AND save all our pictures, music, and documents.) It feels good to start over fresh-- in more ways than one. I am slowly getting boxes unpacked, and trying to find a place for everything. I REALLY REALLY REALLY want to turn over a new leaf, so to speak, by not allowing our new place to be cluttered. It's going to take some effort, but I believe it can be done.

By the way, I love this new Maroon 5 song. But if you don't want to hear it repeatedly, scroll down to the bottom righthand side of the page and hit the pause button.

So...decorating. I'm terrible at it! We got all our major pieces of furniture, but the little details and colors that match, well, I don't know what to do. I wish we were rich so I could just pay someone to do it. I know a lot of you have the gift...can you please come visit me??

The apartment is nice- we doubled our square footage. A SEPARATE ROOM FOR KALIA! A separate bathroom too. Hallelujah.

Also, our car is a 1998 Toyota Camry. A nice darker red color. Not the Accord I wanted, but actually better than any Accord we test drove, and for a better price. Only 80k miles. The bad news is that 4 days after we bought it, I got a flat tire. Samuel, being extremely busy at the property, put on the spare and sent me to get a new one. I came home with FOUR new tires. Heehee.

Last but not least, Kalia is adjusting well. She had a rough first week. All the changes really threw her off. Speaking of the cute little tike, she is doing that syllable babbling thing. My Hawaii pediatrician kept asking if she was saying syllables, and of course, being a first timer, I began to worry that she would never talk. Ever. Haha, you all are laughing, because I'm such a first timer. I thought I'd share a little video clip-- is this as cute to you as it is to me? Or is it just me being enthralled with every little thing she does? I just liked it cause it sounded a little like she was singing.

Okay, time to hit the google reader. See what's been goin' on with you guys!

Life without Internet...

Hi everyone! We have been here for almost two weeks, and STILL no internet! Ok, let me correct myself, our internet is ready, but our computer hasn't arrived yet. Maybe tomorrow?
Luckily I have an aunt who lives about 30 minutes away. I stop by every now and then to check my email and look for items on craigslist (still in desperate need of a microwave.) ANYWAY, I know I have lots of catching up to do, on YOUR blogs. Hope everyone is well. Things are going good, we got a car, and the apartment (and decor) continues to improve. Those gift cards I mentioned? Long gone. Anyway, hope to be back online soon.