Update on my dad

Since I facebooked almost everyone anyway, I'm just copying and pasting my mom's email she sent to family and friends. (Minus the funny story at the end)

Today's appointment was a little crazy. Scott's surgeon kinda threw us for a loop by giving us an alternative to surgery to think about. He said a radiologist could insert a needle and just burn that area. It would be a very quick in and out for Scott, compared to the surgery. Only problem is they might not have been able to fit us in right away, with the upcoming holiday. He also said with surgery there is a 5% chance of the cancer coming back to that exact spot, with the radiation there was a 15-20% chance. He left us alone for awhile to talk things over, while he checked the the schedule of the radiologist. We were pretty torn. Scott definitely liked the idea of an easier procedure. I liked the better odds of the surgery, but felt it had to be Scott's choice.

The surgeon made it easier for us when he returned. The radiologist had pointed out that Scott's appendix had doubled in size since we were here in 2008. Dr. Kendrick thought that really needed to come out, so it doesn't cause problems down the road, and to rule out that cancer has anything to do with its increased size. He pointed out later that the option of burning the tumor turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Without it the radiologist would have never looked at the scan and noticed the enlarged tumor.

My dad has had the same complication with both surgeries so far, and has been pretty nervous about the recovery for this one, knowing it could very well happen again. So, he was really getting his hopes up about the possibility of them doing it laparoscopically, and was even more excited today about the option of burning it because there wouldn't be that risk. Needless to say, he is disappointed that it will be a full blown surgery, and even more complicated than we were anticipating. But I am admiring his positive attitude and sense of humor about everything. He has had my mom and I laughing ever since my plane touched down. Love that man.

Yesterday my mom was filling out some of his paperwork and one of the questions was "Do you ever feel afraid at home? Are you ever fearful for your safety?" Without missing a beat, he answered "Yes, about once a month."

We are checking in tomorrow at 5:45 am and his surgery would be around 8:00! Keep praying! We feel them helping already.

The best things last forever.

I have heard my boss say on many occasions, "Good things always come to an end." She said this to me personally when I gave her my two weeks notice. I suppose it is an ending for her, as her steady flow of money from my eyelash extensions will come to an abrupt end. For me, however, it is the start of something great. And I know that it doesn't matter where I am, or even what I am doing, as long as I always keep the relationships I have with the people I love.

I would be lying if I said that Kyle and I have been equally excited about this move. Not because I have had reservations about Utah. I love Utah and I LOVE our family and friends there. However, unlike Kyle, I am leaving a job and coworkers that I have come to love here. Not to mention our ward and friends in Yucaipa. We were both sad to leave them. While I have liked every ward I've been in, I don't know that any will ever compare to this one. They have truly been our family away from family, and as cliche as this sounds, there will always be a special place in my heart for them. These were both on my list of "cons" (yes, we really did make a list), but the #1 is leaving my friend Lindsey.

To say that we "click", or even that she has become one of my best friends is an understatement. She and I use the acronym LYLAS lightly, but I really do love her like a sister. I can be myself around her 100% without worrying what she's going to think of me. While my mom and sister were only a phone call away, Lindsey made up for those times I needed a physical shoulder to cry on about silly things that only girls understand. She makes me laugh without even trying to. She's there when I need someone to watch mindless TV shows like the Bachelor with, and for (many) times I need someone to eat Cafe Rio with. I can admit that I'm too lazy to go to the store and ask for a stick of butter, and she'll give me a whole box. I can rely on her to help me with anything, and believe her when she says she wants to. She truly could not be a better friend and I will miss her and her family more than words can say. But no matter the distance between us, they will always be a huge part of my life. A life that is better with them in it.

The best things in life don't end, because the best things in life are the people we can count on and the experiences and memories we gain because of them. For me, those people are my family and my good friends. While moving was one of the hardest things I have ever done, I know it will be okay because I will always have a part of Yucaipa with me. We have made friendships that will last forever. I also know I will be okay because I have the best darn husband in the whole world and our marriage is going to last an eternity. When I have bad days (and I have had a lot of them lately) I think to myself, "But I have Kyle." It's hard to keep feeling sorry for myself when I remember that I have him forever.

This is old news, but for history's sake I will put it in writing.....

We are moving to Utah!!

(I wrote this before we moved but never posted it)

I like to think that I deal with change well. I've always been the fairly laid-back, go with the flow kinda girl. When I plan on spaghetti for dinner but then realize I have no ground beef in my fridge, I try shredded chicken instead. (Ew.) Or when I go to the pool with friends but forget half of my swim suit, I stop and buy the cheapest one I can find whether it matches or not.

But when my whole world changes in a matter of 3 days, I think I'm entitled to a slight meltdown, yes?

About 2 months ago we put an offer on a house that we were very excited about. It was a short sale, and we were warned it would probably take months to hear anything. I was patient, but eager for an answer. In the meantime, Kyle's boss/good friend/mentor/reason he loved the office left the company, leaving Kyle wondering if he wanted to stay. Realizing it would give us time to make a decision, we decided the waiting process on our house would be a good thing. Surely we wouldn't hear back in just four weeks.

Wrong.

Our realtor called the very next day with "good news" that the bank had accepted our offer. We had to tell her we weren't sure if we wanted it any more, leaving her waiting on us instead.

Our goal has been to move back near family when the opportunity arises, so we decided we better take action. Kyle called the Merrill Lynch office in Salt Lake and asked if he would be able to transfer. They had him fly there a week later to interview. Kyle's family thought he was just there for an appointment, so it was fun to call them later and surprise them with the good news. It is also fun to see my husband so excited. I want him to be happy, and this is definitely where he will be happiest. Don't get me wrong, I am excited! But I'm also overwhelmed. In the same week we turned down the house (really not a big deal, just stressful) and decided to pursue a move to Utah, we found out that my dad's cancer was probably back. That was devastating in itself, but what made it worse was that we didn't know where it was located or how bad. Between that bad news, and packing up and leaving a job, town, and friends that I have come to really love, poor Kyle has had to deal with a pretty emotional wife these last few weeks. I may have had to leave church early one day because I couldn't stop bawling....

As for my dad we finally have results. The cancer is back in his liver, where it was the last time. Although we were hoping for better news, it could have been much worse. We are grateful it is localized in his liver and it looks like they are able to operate. His surgery is set for July 1st at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. I am flying there the 28th and then will be driving to MI with them after. We are praying that the surgery will go well and that they will be able to remove all of it.

As for leaving Cali.....I'm not sure yet how that's going to happen. You know when people ask you what kind of super power you would choose? I used to say that I would want to be able to eat whatever I want without gaining weight. But I have a new one. I wish I could live in three places at once.

:( :(

The life we have.

After Sacrament meeting on Sunday neither Kyle or I rushed off to Sunday School right away. Too lazy to get up, we kicked back for at least a good ten minutes just watching people move around us. Finally, a lady who had been sitting in front of us and was in and out of the chapel during the meeting chasing kids, turned and faced us with her hands on her hips and said, "You guys. The life you have."

It made us laugh. We really do have it so good. We usually sleep in on Saturdays, and in the evenings we like to watch movies or play games at our kitchen table, just the two of us. We're able to spend lots of time together, and can take off whenever we want without much planning and packing. I have even learned to appreciate the capability of going shopping alone, because everyone warns me what it will be like down the road. (Yesterday my sister went to the store without a diaper bag, for what she thought would be a quick trip, and her baby had a blowout that got all over both of them. Hahaha.....)

Don't get me wrong, as much as we enjoy our "quiet time", we love being around our friends and their children. In fact, we have become pretty attached to their kids. They are the highlight of our Sundays.....we even bring toys and food with us to Sacrament meeting to ensure that they sit with us. But I'm not going to lie...as much fun as they are, sometimes it's nice to give them back. Yesterday I tended two of them for about 14 hours. Kyle even went to work late so that I could go to the gym in the morning, and then played with us all evening after work. We had a lot of fun. We took them to see Gnomeo and Juliet. (Stop laughing-it was the only one available at that time. But guess what? It was CUTE! Right up my cheesy alley.) The girls are adorable and sweet and had me laughing all day. But I was ready for bed at 8:00.

Right now I am debating whether to take a nap, or watch my netflix while I clip my coupons. Maybe both?

Of course, I'm so excited for the day our lives change and we become parents. I even hope it comes soon rather than later, but for now, life is good....

Some words of encouragement that we all need

Elder Holland came to our Stake Conference this weekend! Apparently Southern Cali is really struggling right now, at least that is what we hear. Another apostle is going to another stake conference in the area next week, which is pretty uncommon. Elder Holland said that he was really happy to get to come, that he only makes it to 2 or 3 stake conferences a year because they usually keep him busy with other things. He said with how many stakes there are in the world, if they distribute the apostles to each one evenly, we wouldn't have another apostle for 29 years! Crazy. Needless to say, we were very excited to have him here. We were encouraged in January to read as much of Matthew, Mark and John as we could to prepare for this weekend. His talks were so great. I especially enjoyed the session last night. With the economy the way it is, and with all the terrible things and illnesses that are happening in the world, it was just what we all needed to hear. So, I wanted to share some of my favorite quotes of his with you. I know when we take notes like this, we are encouraged to write things the spirit prompts us with, and things we learn for ourselves personally, but his talk was so great I wanted to write every word of it. I figure I can go back and add my inspiration later. :)

He started out by telling us that he knows we are all struggling with things in life. That he knows life isn't easy. He reminded us that we are not alone, and even used what I consider a High School Musical line, "We're all in this together." :) He mentioned the economy, illnesses, hardships in marriage and with children, and many more things. Referring to the premortal life, he said, "We shouted for joy about coming to earth and now sometimes we wonder what all the shouting was about!" (He was very animated which made it more fun). His main focus was no matter how tough our trials are, we need to endure. Although I feel like I'm in a really good place right now, and don't have anything weighing me down, I know those days will come and I hope to remember his encouraging talk. (Hence, the reason for this post. Someone remind me to refer back to it the next time I'm complaining.)

He compared life to a play. He said that we are in the 2nd act, which is the worst because that is where the problems usually are. But it always gets better in the 3rd act. As much as we may want to leave, we need to remember we signed on for the whole "evening".

"It takes broken soil and broken clouds to make grain. Broken grain to make bread, and broken bread to feed people. It is the cycle of life. Everything broken gets restored, just maybe not during the "act" we would like."

Sometimes it is encouraging to know that the Apostles have struggled also. He told us that he knows what it's like to walk the floors at 3am and wonder if he will ever be happy. He knows what it is like to wonder why the sun comes up for everyone else and not for him.

He said, "If we are gonna learn patience, we are gonna need to wait and wait and wait. And wait. In the middle of trouble, endure. WAIT for happiness because I promise, in the name of the Lord, it will come."

"This is the church of happy endings. It is the church of Jesus Christ. So BUCK UP!"

He told us the word "restoration" occurs more often in the scriptures than the word "resurrection". He said for every crucifixion night comes a resurrection morning. Everything that we think we have lost can come back.

He told us one thing we should not do, and that is to shake our fist when we are suffering and say that the Lord doesn't love us. He said that this is blasphemy (was funny because he seemed hesitant to use that word) because the scriptures are filled with righteous people who suffered greatly. He talked about the Savior suffering most of all, and it was done for us. He also mentioned Peter, whochose to be crucified upside down so not to be equal to the Savior.

He ended by saying, "I can't guarantee anything about the economy, politics, or problems in your individual lives, but theone thing I can absolutely guarantee in this world is that the gospel is true."

The first rule of seamanship is if, in the middle of a storm, STAY IN THE BOAT. Put on your life jacket, and pull all other safety features near to help protect you, and stay in the boat!

Finally!

I was feeling caught up after I did 5 posts in one day last month. But it is now March and I realized I haven't even done Christmas, let alone everything in between. Our camera was dead when we were in Utah and instead of charging it I just kept trying to take pictures on my phone. Which, of course, never turns out that great. Needless to say, I am disappointed in the lack of pictures we have of Christmas. I will post the ones we do have once I figure out how to upload the pictures on my camera. But we did have a great time. I definitely had the post-Holiday blues after being with both sides of our family. Kyle helped cheer me up by booking me a short trip back to MI in February. I am lucky to have such a sweet husband who understands my need to see my family. I can tell he has been a little homesick as well. We both had President's day off last month so we decided to surprise his family and head to UT for a long weekend. I think we ended up being a little bit of a disappointment, however, as most of them thought the reason for our unexpected trip was to announce we were pregnant. Sorry....

However, I do have some good news. I am officially certified to do eyelash extensions! An Eyelash Extension Specialist is what they call it. It may be a long while before I don't feel guilty calling myself that-I am hardly a Specialist after applying only one set of eyelashes. After about 15 minutes, however, I did stop wanting to pull my hair out and actually felt like I was getting the hang of it. It's pretty intense-you have a long, sharp tweezer in each hand, and with one you single out an eyelash by separating other eyelashes and holding them apart for several seconds, while, with the other hand, pick up an extension, dip it in glue, apply it to the eyelash, and wait for it to set for a couple seconds. In the beginning, it will take me about 3 hours for a full set. The goal is to get down to 2 hours. I am still trying to decide what to charge. The place I went for training charges $220 for a full set.

As most of you know, my sister-in-law Stacy has been doing this from her home for about 6 months now and she's a rock star. She put them on me in November and I loved loved loved them. I started checking into doing them myself, and got really excited about the idea of having something new to do. Long story short, (because I am not a licensed cosmetologist or esthetician, I was told I may not be able to become certified) I found out a couple weeks ago that I could, and went to training in Orange County on Friday so I'm all set. It was really fun and I can't wait to start. My plan is to practice on most of the girls I work with (there are about 15) and hopefully start booking appointments in a couple weeks. I feel like this could be my big break. It has been over a year, and although I have several returning clients at work, they haven't kept me as busy as I would like to be. I am really excited about eyelashes and have just the motivation I need right now.

Kyle is doing well, he is still enjoying his job. Our annual Disneyland passes expire in a few days and we aren't planning on renewing them (unless anyone is planning a Disneyland trip this year, and then surely we may change our minds!) so we are going tomorrow night for one last hurrah. They have an amazing Aladdin show that is comparable to Broadway and Kyle hasn't seen it yet so I'm excited. I could watch it every day.

I've started training for a 5K. Running is not on my list of favorite things to do, so we'll see how that goes.

We love and miss everyone!

One Year Anniversary

In a way it seems hard to believe we have been married one year, until I think back to that cold, but wonderful week in Boston and all that has happened since. It has definitely been an amazing year. We are enjoying the time we have now, just the two of us, while we can spontaneously leave for a day or two. Cali is a fun place to live as newlyweds because there is so much to do. We haven't been bored and probably never will be as long as we live here. People often say the first year of marriage tends to be the hardest but I wouldn't label our year that way at all. We have made a happy home in California together, and aside from missing our family, things couldn't get any better so far. If anything, moving away has brought us closer. I couldn't ask for a better husband and friend.

The highlights of our first year together:

Making new friends that are our family away from family

Kyle's new job with Merrill Lynch and passing two major tests that secured his new career

Kristen building a clientele at work that is (finally) continuing to grow

Having my parents, all of our siblings, nieces and nephews, and some friends come to visit us

Our annual passes to the happiest place on earth (aka Disneyland) and being able to experience that with our nieces and nephews

Several road trips to Utah and lots of time with our family there

2 trips to Michigan

A week (late honeymoon) in Cancun!

For our anniversary we went to the temple in Newport Beach and then stayed at the Hilton Suites in Anaheim so we could watch the Christmas fireworks at Disneyland. People rave about how great they are and I was so excited because we were supposed to be able to see them from our room on the tenth (and top) floor. And then it rained. A lot. So there were no fireworks. Not outside at least. ;)

We brought 2 of our favorite games to play. Is that lame? We played while we watched movies. We don't have cable at home so it's always a treat for us to watch TV at hotels.