Easter

After surviving Ovarian Cancer, Easter means so much more to me this year.  I've never understood as much or been as grateful for the Atonement and the Resurrection as I have come to learn this past year.  I'm ever so grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ, His Birth, His Life, His Example, His Atonement and His Resurrection.  If there is one thing I've learned this past year it is that the Atonement is real and is more than just for sin.  In the Garden Of Gethsemane our Savior suffered for our pains, our sicknesses, our heartaches and our disappointments.  In those moments of illness and pain when I felt no one could possibly understand what I was going though, it was then that I felt the sweet assurance and peace that the one person who did know exactly was my Savior.  In those moments when I felt I couldn't take anymore I felt Him lighten the heavy burdens from my shoulders and shower me with peace and love.

With the Passing of my Grandpa this past year, I've reflected on the Resurrection a little more this Easter Day.  I'm grateful to know that I will see him again someday.  That his body will be reunited with his spirit and that he will be the same person as he was when he left his mortal journey.

Today as I skyped my parents my mom said that she was grateful that I am alive.  It brought tears to my eyes, knowing that in my darkest hours of pain and illness that Heavenly Father could have easily taken me back to Him.  How grateful I am to have life and to be living in this moment.

We had stake conference today which was a neat way to spend Easter Morning.  One talk stood out to me so much about how we do everything in the gospel 1 time, baptism, blessings and such, but we partake weekly of the Sacrament to remind us of our Savior, the covenants we have made and to be a witness of Him in our daily lives.

It was fun for me to spend from sun up to sun down with Mr. J and his little A's.  Easter is even more fun with kids!  I enjoyed teaching the little A's a little about what the true meaning of Easter is and sharing my testimony with them.  (I'll fill you in all the rest of the day's event on FF; and yes I know I skipped this weeks, but I'll catch you up on Friday, so stay tuned!) Oh, and yes I have the best Aunt Leslie and Uncle Gordon ever.  Happy Anniversary to you love birds.  So grateful for them and their grapefruit tree's!

CA 125 Update

I forgot to mention last week that I got my CA 125 results from when I was home:  less than 6!  That is less than ever!  It means that is is basically 0.  Yesterday I was thinking about how so so-real this past year has been.  It's crazy to think that I went through cancer, chemo, surgeries and am now back to working and my normal life.  I'm happier and feel healthier than ever before!

Now if this hair would just grow quicker, that would be nice...

I'm feeling like my hair looks like the teenage boy who is being rebellious and doesn't want to cut his hair, because that is exactly what my hair looks like; bad.  But it also has the older man look too, curl that is slightly wavy/frizzy; ugly.  If I don't have gel in my hair it's a bad thing.  I'm going to try the Emma look today (fohawk like), her hair always looks cute, we shall see what happens...ok so I don't have a close up of her hair, but this is what I found of you Emma, including one of my favorite RS activities(last one)!

Monday, Monday

You know the song, Monday Monday by the Mamas and the Papas?  I've got the tune in my mind.  It is a beautiful day here in Phoenix, low 70's, wind blowing and I'm sitting out on the swing listening to the wind chimes, which I love the sound of.  I'm glad it is cool, because Mr. J works outside all day and it was a very hot day on Friday when he pulled a 15 hour day.  Mr. J....ahhhhhh! We had a great weekend!  If I'm not working or he isn't working we are together.  I love it!  I said to him on Saturday, "I've always wanted to find a man who wanted to spend every moment of every day with me, even though I didn't (because I need my space).  I've found him.  But we both agreed that we have enough space when we work and then we want to be with each other when we can!  I'm pretty sure we will be just fine come Summer when I go to MVY, because I just got my schedule unbeknownst to him yet and I have an entire week off in July, which means I will have an entire week with him either in MVY or Utah!  Mom and Tenielle are already planning on me coming to Utah.  We shall see.

In other news...I am developing an awful chest cold, which I'm afraid is going to develop in to pneumonia.  I'm hoping not, but it is totally in my chest and it really hurts to cough.  Yes, I still went to the gym and did cycle this morning and yes Mr. J and I are still kissing.  I mean really if I have it I'm sure he will get it, even though I hope he doesn't.

I'm excited for Easter Weekend!  I got the cutest yellow dress for Little Girl A and a matching yellow and navy blue tie for Little Boy A.  It's going to be such a great weekend!  Let's hope this week passes quickly!

There is a fun run in Boise called Boise's Got Faith, to support 2 sweet girls who have had cancer on May 4.  This was started a few years ago by a guy I went to High School with because his niece Faith fought cancer and won!  I wish I could be there but I can't.  They are ordering shirts today and I love what they say, "It takes Faith to conquer Cancer."  If you can go, sign up and run for me!

Homage FF

1.  It was so good to be home last weekend, to be around my siblings, sister-in-laws, nieces and nephew's and my parents.  It is always crazy loud when we are together, but we always have a great time together!  Look at this hair!  It's coming in!  I'm so ready for more of it!

Aidree and Bridget's way of watching General Conference.  We do a lot of dancing and putting on makeup when we are together!

2.  Saturday after the first session of conference we had a girls lunch with Grandma Betty, Grandpa Randy's sister, Tanner's girl and her mom. We always go to Cafe De CoCo which is in downtown Nampa, where Grandma Betty and I always get the ever so unhealthy, but delicious oatmeal with gelato!  Tristen ordered us desert, 5 different ones and we passed them around so all could partake.  Grandma Betty is the best and we always enjoy our time with her.  We went around the table and said one thing that we were looking forward to.  I of course said I was looking forward to my trip to Europe and the future.  Mom said she was looking forward to a wedding.  I wonder who's wedding she was talking about.  I sure love these women in my life.  I'm so grateful for the relationships that we have.

3.  Saturday afternoon I made Gumbo!  It was yummy, even though I wasn't really hungry.  That evening I spent time with my swimming sisters.  One will be moving to Texas this Summer which will be so sad, but we will stay in touch of course!  It was so fun to sit and chat for over 2 hours!
4.  While I was in Idaho Mr. J and I skyped for 3 hours.  I can't get enough of that handsome man, even when I'm in Idaho!
5. I have always loved rain boots and was so happy that all of my nieces and nephews got a pair this season.  Had to take some pictures with them!

6.  Monday evening I was so happy to be home after work to spend time with Mr. J.  I really did miss him.  How we will be apart this Summer for 3 months is beyond me.
7.  Yesterday when I got home from the gym I had a text from Mr. J asking me if I wanted to do lunch (We had to forgo our Wednesday hike and lunch because he had some work to do). Of course!  I was ready in 20 minutes. We only had an hour, but we made the most of it!!!!
8.  I love Pandora Radio.  I put in Philip Philips this morning because I like him.  It's a great station.  I also like Today's Country.  I'm always looking for new songs to add to my workout regimen.
9.  Speaking of working out, this morning I ran 4 miles because I woke 10 minutes too late for my cycle class, which means I'll do cycle at 8am tomorrow.  It was super hot outside, but at the park that I run in the sprinklers were on, so I cooled down by running through them!
10.  As I type I'm sitting in my bathing suit in the backyard getting some rays...It's April folks and it's in the 90's.  I love it!
11.  I'm so excited for this weekend to spend with Mr. J and his Little A's.  I'm falling in love with these 3 people and I couldn't be happier!  I feel like I'm smiling all the time because of them!