My Friend

One of my best friends from high school and college was diagnosed with a brain tumor about 3 weeks ago. Mary Ellen has 3 sweet kids, a cute husband and way to much good stuff going on in her life for this to happen. Mary Ellen and I became friends in middle school, mostly because we both played sports. That friendship has lasted through high school, Snow College and beyond.


Mary Ellen had a biopsy about a week and a half ago. The doctors were very positive and told her they thought it was benign and should be easy to treat. Of course they had to wait until the official results came in from the biopsy before they would know for sure. Well, this past Tuesday, Mary Ellen went in for a meeting with the doctor. She called me after. They pretty much told her that she had a tumor that could not be cured.

"How many kids do you have?" the doctor asked her.
"Three" she said.
"Don't have any more" he replied.

Wow. I didn't know what to say to my friend. They didn't give her any estimates on time, he just told her that he's never seen anyone live longer than 20 years with this type of tumor. They can't operate. That scar is from the biopsy surgery.



As I talked to Mary Ellen, I was amazed at her positive attitude. She said they went to get ice cream after the doctors appointment. Live it up, right!

So Mary Ellen is doing just that. Our friends from college all got together yesterday to spend some spiritual time at the Women's Conference at the Conference Center. We had so many friends there, some LDS, some not, but they all came together for Mary Ellen. We went to dinner afterwards and Mary stood up to thank all of us for our support. It's amazing and unfortunate that sometimes something so tragic has to happen to bring us all together.


With this happening to Mary Ellen, it has made me reflect on my own life. How would I live my life differently if I knew my time was limited? I hope that I can look at myself and improve my life. I hope I can be a better mom, better wife, better friend, daughter, etc. My friend Mary Ellen is a great example. I've never known anyone who enjoys life more. I hope that she can enjoy life for a long time to come.

What a Bunch of Posers

I don't know why we attempt to take a family picture every Fall. We seem to wait too long to catch any of the colors and then we settle for taking pictures where ever we can find parking. Such was the case yesterday. We actually thought we could still get the Fall leaves in the photo, but we were too late. The cold temps from earlier in the week had finished off the brilliant trees, and we were left with the same yellow as last year.

Color was really the least of our troubles with family pictures. Any of you who've taken pictures with small children know that it's about the same of trying convince a bunch of teenagers not to take their cell phones with them - anywhere. Kennedy has decided that she really doesn't want to smile in any picture she's in. She'll look at the ground, stick out her tongue, cross her eyes, anything but smile. Alex has a little case of distracted toddler and he can't sit still long enough for any kind of photo.

When it was all said and done we took 74 pictures yesterday and ended up with 2 family shots that are usable. The rest of the photos will make a blooper reel someday, but for now, here's the latest look at the family.

G 59

I was so close to redeeming the anniversary that wasn't yesterday. It was annual Employee Appreciation Day at the U, which meant another round at BINGO. Last year, you'll remember that I won a huge prize - Buy one get one free at the RV Park in St. George. I don't think I could top that, but I made a gallant effort. It was a blackout game for one free night at the Park City Marriott. The numbers kept coming and I was right on the cusp of a weekend getaway for Tara and me. B 2 O 74 I was in the zone. Only one number left G 59, come on G. The pressure mounted, then fell as I 19 was called and Blackout came from the crowd. Needless to say, no trip to Park City and I went out dejected over my loss at BINGO.

Change of Season

I know that I'm as ready as anyone for the weather to get cooler, but when Tara came back from the canyon and showed me the pictures a cold chill went down my spine. I don't want any part of the summer heat anymore, yet I don't think I'm prepared to see snow on a regular basis. Good thing we don't live at 7500 feet!

Precious in his Sight

Tara and I have been working off and on at teaching our kids about about the Gospel. Sometimes it works better than others. Last night we were having a short Family Home Evening (I know, I work late on Mondays) lesson about how Jesus loves little children. We used the painting, Precious in his Sight, as the object of the lesson. While talking about the picture Alex kept jumping towards at the image saying "Da-Da." I guess it's a good thing that Alex thinks I look like Jesus, but perhaps it's time for me to get a haircut.