Winter 2016

I have a ton of stuff to catch everyone up on, I hope you can stick with me until the end.  It's been a surprising and challenging year so far and we're still trying to take it all in.  We have also experienced some really fun and wonderful things so here we go:

Agnes and I received tickets to a John Denver concert as Christmas gifts so in January we attended that.  No, John Denver has not returned from the dead.  Jim Curry is an entertainer that performs the music of John Denver.  Their voices are almost identical.  It was super fun, especially if you are HUGE John Denver fans as both Agnes and I are.

 

Also in January, Scott and I went to another performance at the Phoenix Symphony featuring Jason Alexander (George Castanza from Seinfeld). He is a great performer, funny and talented. 

We were on the back row, but that's him with the bald head.

Then there is always the inevitable early swimming in February by the kids in the neighborhood.  We had a little bit of a warm spell in February and they assumed the water would be as warm as the air and were dying to try out the pool.

Hmmm....colder than we thought....

....we'll just play on the inner tube and try not to get wet.

Yep, just playing on the edge.

Malia gets the prize for bravery.

In February we went to Utah to visit family, see the Provo City Center temple, and have fun in the snow, which there wasn't much of.

Fun day with Jo Ann shopping at City Creek.

Always the kitty cat.

Temple open house with my nephew, David, and his grandma.

My little boy is all grown up! It was so good to see David.

Game time with Grandpa.

Love that smile!

Pre-birthday celebration with Wesley.

He was a little fixated on the card.

I CANNOT get enough of that smile.

Now for the event of the season.....Cori and Jordan's wedding.  That was a super fun day and full of joy and happiness for the smiling, elated couple.

Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Rogers

So happy.

Bridesmaids having a blast.

First dance.

Father/daughter dance

Each layer of that cake was a different and deliciously scrumptious flavor.

We are sooooooo happy for the newlyweds and grateful to have Jordan be a part of our family.  They had a fabulous honeymoon and are now back to real life, busy with school and work. Congratulations Cori and Jordan!!

As you all know, I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the end of January.  I had a lumpectomy, a lymph node dissection and am now scheduled to begin chemo treatments this Monday.  It is not even close to what we were expecting for this year and it has been hard to take in at times, but we feel very blessed that the cancer was contained in a small area and the chemo and radiation treatments are for prevention purposes only.  We have also been blessed with an amazing support system of family and friends that have given us an indescribable amount of strength and love that has carried us through this. My testimony of the atonement has grown so much that I have become grateful for this experience as I have grown closer to my Savior each day.  He hasn't just taken my hand but picked me up and carried me. There are times I wonder how I get through some of the things I have been asked to endure in the last couple of months and then I remember that the Savior already went through it for me. 

I have had my "down" moments and I have done a lot of crying.  I have never dealt with pain very well and I have had a lot of it from the surgeries and now the port and it doesn't seem to be going away like they say it should be.  It's very tiring and so I am praying for patience and peace about that.  We both appreciate your prayers and concern so much.  I know I will get through this and kick cancer's butt, as they say!

There have been so many people who have shown SO much love it is overwhelming!

Nicole sent this Willow Tree doll called "Courage".  I look at it a LOT.

Flowers from Cori.

And Malia.

The Martinez's peppered our house with hearts.

Malia spent her spring break making me this quilt to take to chemo.

Several people have sent me things to do at chemo.

A chemo care package from Karina who has done so so so much for us that I can't name them all.

We are so grateful for our family and friends.  We are overwhelmed at the love and support. For all the prayers, meals, gifts, cleaning, hugs, phone calls, emails, etc., etc., etc., we thank you and love you all.  Life is good and hard! We can do this!