Update on Mom's Cancer

Dad, Cori, and I went with my mom to Kaiser last week while she had her lumpectomy. She was such a trooper. It took about 3 hours. My dad's friend Kenny Martin came to support my dad, which was really sweet. We read magazines and anxiously waited for the nurses to let us know when they were done. When she came out of surgery into the waiting room she was still a little loopy and she was trying hard to show us she was fine so she starting smiling and waving and saying, "Hi Guys!!" It was cute.
Since then she's just been recovering. The doctor called and let us know it looks like they got all of the cancer and now she just has to follow it up with radiation. Hopefully everything will be fine now! Thanks for all your prayers and well wishes!

Gardening

There can be no other occupation like gardening in which, if you were to creep up behind someone at their work, you would find them smiling. ~Mirabel Osler

One of the most delightful things about a garden is the anticipation it provides.

~W.E. Johns, The Passing Show

The kiss of the sun for pardon,
The song of the birds for mirth,
One is nearer God's heart in a garden

Than anywhere else on earth.

~Dorothy Frances Gurney, "Garden Thoughts"

Breast Cancer

For those who haven't yet heard, my mom Kari was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Fortunately, thanks to the cutting edge technology of a digital mammogram, it was caught in it's infancy and so far it looks like she will need only one surgery and radiation (not chemotherapy).

My sisters and I are running with her (well, probably just walking) in the Race for the Cure on May 9th in Sacramento if anyone wants to join our team which we are calling, "A Breast of Fresh Air."

Emma's Interpretation

This a drawing Emma did last year and I just came across it again and had to post it. She said it's daddy when he's mad. (He's on the left).

Ricks College Roomies

I got my hands on a super amazing photo scanner this week and was able to scan about 550 of my old photos in about 1 hour. I thought it would be fun to post this one of my first roomies at Ricks. That was one of the funnest times of my life. Love you guys!

(Megan, Me, Robyn, Vicki, Cassie)

Money Isn't Everything (but it's still very important!)

Today I had an epiphany. I'm sure you've heard the old adage, "Money Isn't Everything." It seems I've heard that message from movies and music and people in general over and over since I was little. As a result, I subconsciously decided that it didn't matter if I had money or not, and that too much preoccupation with it would mean I was selfish and worldly. Saving and planning for the future would take care of itself when it was meant to be.

Well, I moved out of my parents house 8 years ago and I've learned some very hard financial lessons since being on my own and married. Some of the best ones:

-Avoid unnecessary debt like the plague
-Save for rainy days (because they ALWAYS come)
-ALWAYS HAVE HEALTH & DENTAL INSURANCE (doing so could save you THOUSANDS of dollars and years of monthly payments. you may think you'll be one of the lucky ones who never needs it, but you chances are you won't be)
And my personal fav:
-Don't buy a house you can't afford just because of the killer incentives like 0 money down and a 40" plasma TV

Faith without works is dead. Money won't just come your way because you think or hope it will. It takes work and planning and discipline. The way you manage your money greatly affects your family's quality of life and level of stress, your opportunities for education, and your ability to serve others. Sure, money isn't everything, but for our children's sake we should add-- it's still VERY IMPORTANT.

P.S. And that other one, "Money is the root of all evil." Maybe for some. But it's actually a great tool when used properly.