The latest

I can't believe September is more than halfway over.

Time is a strange thing. Sometimes it seems to stand still and moments last forever, and other times it seems to fly by and you blink and whole days or even weeks have passed.

We ended the month of August with a week long visit from Jacob's parents. They came to help us during his radiation treatment and were wonderful in every way. They took care of the kids, made dinner, helped with the cleaning and house upkeep, and watched BYU' first game with us. They were great company to visit with. We are so fortunate that they are in a position where they can and will come down to help us whenever we need it, and we don't take that blessing for granted. I am so grateful for my in-law parents and consider our relationship one of my great blessings.

Three generations of Cougar fans

Jacob took his chemo the first week of September, we went to Austin for the BYU game, my sister came into town to help babysit, and we got caught up on "regular life." Aside from cancer life, there are things like paying bills, mowing grass (which our neighbor, St. John has completely taken over), cleaning house, grocery shopping, etc. that need to be done and it has been nice to have a few days and weeks to take care of that business.

Elsa and Anna

Last weekend was great and we got a visit from my oldest younger brother and his sweet family. They were in Utah for a month long visit (they live in NC) and popped on down for a week to visit their family in AZ. We loved having them here and appreciated the chance to get to know their kids a bit. Dave attended ASU's MBA program, so he and Courtney lived here for 2 years and we got to know them really well. They have always been so good to our girls, and taken such an interest in their lives, and it was sweet to see those special bonds renewed.

Tommy and his new cousin Margaret

All the cousins. Not a great pic, but you get the idea.

My brother Dave playing Legos with the girls

Me with my SIL Courtney and her new baby girl

I guess that is a bonus of brain cancer- you get to see a lot of your extended family. We usually see family members a few times a year, but I feel lucky that I got to see all of my siblings in the last month at my own home. I really love my siblings (And their spouses. And all my in-law siblings. And their spouses too. Lots of love here). We are different from each other, but we also have many commonalities that bond us a siblings and they are definitely some of my very best friends. I can say that, to myself, and to others who may get bogged down in the trenches of lots of little kids life- the payoff will come when those little kids learn to love and rely on each other and have good relationships that will be a strength and blessing to them their whole lives. Thanks parents for letting the younger ones come. :)


Two weeks ago we were gifted tickets from a friend at Jake's work to attend the Cardinal's Monday night football home opener and loved seeing the NFL. In just a week we saw football played at highschool, college, and professionally and it was cool to see how players mature and advance and their skills are honed. Ellie lost her first top tooth on Labor Day and we got to dog sit for our neighbors over the weekend. Our girls (not Tommy, yet) have an inherent fear of dogs (they get it from me), but they have all done so well to brave their fears and live with a dog in the house. They even thanked Heavenly Father in their prayers that the dog could come and stay with us.

He's watching the game....Cards won!

Dog sitting. Tommy is in love.

Dog sitting experts. They had to overcome some major fear on this one.

Love that gap toothed Ellie

Ada has Jake's cheeks and chin

We are still working out the details of Jacob's next oncology visit(s) and MRI. I'm not going to lie- we don't look forward to any of that, so for now we try and not think about it too much and just get on with things. Somehow, we are able to live normal life. I know that we are sustained through the prayers offered in the temple. The other day I was explaining to someone how we are able to enjoy our days and not be sorrowful and despairing all the time (which, I have learned, is a heavy and horrible way to live). I was saying how time, being grateful, and living in the moment have really helped us cope when the thought occurred to me that a large part of our ability to live with peace day to day is a blessing granted through the prayers offered in temples throughout the world. Thank you again and again for keeping Jacob on the prayer roll. I know that those prayers lift our spirits in a way I didn't comprehend before.

Life really is a test. We are here to prove if we are willing to be obedient to our Father's commandments and follow the example of our Savior. I am grateful to know that He does walk with each of us through our trials, and that we can still have joy and peace in the midst of affliction.

John 16:33...but be of good cheer. I have overcome the world.