Not so great news

We went in for Kevin's biopsy results this morning, and he does have cancer. it didn't come as a shock at all, we were fairly convinced that he had it before he we went in. It is a huge relief to have the " waiting to hear" part behind us though. Kevin immediately wanted to hear our options for treatment. Kevin was so incredibly informed that the doctor didn't tell us one thing that Kevin didn't already know. I even looked fairly intelligent ! So it is off to Detroit in sept./October (sometime) to have this robotic surgery preformed.

the real lesson to be learned here is early detection. Kevin felt so strongly about having a colonoscopy done back in may. And although the colon part came back clear the doctor said that something looked amiss with his prostate. He is so good about having his PSA taken every 6 months, but the cancer wasn't even registering in those numbers yet. And there are several men in our ward ( in the High Priests group don't you know) who have had this cancer as well and found this new laproscopic approach back in Michigan. They have been So good and helpful and positive to Kevin..well, it has made a World of difference in our facing this cancer.

The support we are receiving has been so sweet, and totally appreciated. We turned our fears and concerns and outcome over to the Lord and we have already felt His blessings.

More later.

Summer 2011

Ok, this summer isn't as "bad" as I made it sound in that last post. In fact, I realized that it is like a LONG girls camp ( 15 weeks ?) for Kerriann and I. We live outside ( even sleep under the stars when tile is being laid ),we go on excursions, we eat fun and oft times "themed food", craft time is simply on going, instead of skits we watch movies ( lots of those ), we have our spitual thoughts, literally we hang out 24/7. Lucky girls !!

Waiting to see if Kevin has cancer or not..well, that is obviously a strain on our life. Kevins responds to it by meeting the enemy head-on and finding out ALL there is to this war. He also keeps himself super busy with projects. Our lives have never been so organized, our home has never been so clean. We will finally hear the results tomorrow.

It has once again been a summer of simplifying, paring down. I LOVE living out of a suitcase, having one Sunday outfit for everyone, doing a lot of wash - but wearing the same favorite outfits over and over, seeing just how little you can really live off of. it is very liberating. meals have gone in that same direction. I will admit - and it is embarrassing for me - that when we moved most of our stuff down to Phoenix and then came back to Alpine for the month of July, we are totally functional in our "empty" home. last night Ihad to borrow a bunt pan from a neighbor but that was the first item I have thought, uh oh that's down in Arizona. It is a real nice way to live.

kick..and push..and coast

I miss last summer. It really was the greatest. I ran across k-ann's pictures and it almost made me cry. Thought I would throw in a few "favorites".    My tree-hugging Dallin. Those Huge trees made us all smile.

It's not that this a bad summer..it is just different. Full of boxes to pack and then unpack.

 I liked when kevin was between jobs and with us all the time. This year he is all business again. he tries so hard to work fun in...but he is very busy and it just isn't the same.

A "moving" summer is what it is.

It definitely is gone before you know it.

 No Chelsie hitting the wall at girls camp.

 No more Cindy..sad.


I miss Maine.

Her hydrangees.


Lobster everything.

 Darling stores..beautiful places that I simply wanted to move into.



With sweet little ideas - like twinkle lights in glass bottles - that kerriann and I couldnt wait to try at home.

 Ahhhh, the shades of blue in Maine.

Harrison thrilled to be at a red sox game.

 Denver always thinking and doing outside the box. ok, that hasn't changed.

Not going to Tahoe is a hard pill for everyone to swallow.  Bo just loved crawdad fishing.  We all simply thrived on hanging out by the lake.  I miss going out on the kayak..big time.

Kelly isn't pregnant this summer  (are you?!!!) but the good news is that we have that precious little Cooper with us this year. There are many things to be grateful or enjoy this year. It isn't that I don't appreciate them all..I just miss last summer.

A desert storm ...amazing.

The heat, although not as sky rocket high as it has been was just oppressive today. Denver and Kevin flew back to Utah early this morning. This was our day here to pack up and leave the house " nice" before we drive tomorrow. But Devin had a hard day with Jane whose " waste products" were chalky white. Devin took her into the doctor who sent them off to get lab work done at the hospital. Long story - but it took all day and well into the evening. We were all concerned ( especially when you look the problem up on the Internet - yikes!) The tension only built as the hours past and the air grew heavier and heavier.

Around dusk, I sat outside with my feet in the pool and watched the most AMAZING storm barrel in across the valley.It was such a thick dark cloud ( a 30 plus mile across cloud!) Very eerie but cool. Harrison was both mesmerized and scared at the same time. perhaps that is what a plague of locusts or flies would have looked like. It looked a bit like a firestorm to me.

Then it hit and was full of sand. Like out of the Sahara. it blew fierce. The palm trees were doubled over. It did an incredible number on our pool ( will the filter be able to handle it ?!!) The walls of the house ( we had to retreat inside ) were shaking with the power of the wind.

Then the rain came..pouring rain and the oppressive heat broke. As I stood outside and the low rumblings of thunder and lightening flashed down the valley - and felt an actual " cool " breeze...I sure felt like lighting up a cigarette..ha.

more smiles..despite the heat

Denver just gets better looking by the day. He is about 2" taller than Bo now. Speaks fluent german. Has his own investment portfolio. Enters high school next month.

Aunt Kerriann is "ON" this summer. Jane sporting a patriotic look for July. Darling !!!!!

Preston turned 4 ..and Loved the concept of birthdays and celebrating !!

Devin made this fun robot cake...lucky little guy.

I made these bookends for Preston's room.

It was a really fun day for Pres..despite the 120 degree heat. Record breaker. And I am not exaggerating. That was a HOT one.

Let's see...I thought of a few more items to add to my,"things I like about AZ" list.

* our mail comes before 9 am. I love that. I am serious about this.

*the freeways don't allow billboards. it is so refreshing and clean. every city should .

*Bo got himself a push mower. The lawn is so small, this works just fine. But our baby going green (albeit light green) makes me tear up!!

*lizards eat scorpions and are now on my,"to be tolerated" list.

Have a Great 4th !!!