Easter!

A little too much sugar this weekend, perhaps?

I slept in late today because Mat is so awesome about getting up with the kids and taking care of business.  He finally came to get me and told me I needed to get up and come downstairs for the Easter pageant.  We've never done an Easter pageant before, but I thought it was a great way to start our day.  Mat was the narrator and Peter, Maddie and McKinley were the angels, Brooklyn was Mary Magdelene, Isaac played Christ.  I was amazed at them all!  They had practiced their parts well enough they had it memorized.  Mat read the story from the bible about the resurrection and they all did their thing.  It was awesome!  It was a great start to a great day of conference.  I felt so uplifted listening to the messages and the kids did remarkably well listening to all 4 hours.  I only slept through the last hour, so I felt good about that too.  : )

Yesterday morning we went to the Easter Social at the Cancer Wellness House downtown.  It is a great place where they offer support to anyone that has been affected by cancer.  They have groups for the kids and Mat and I (not to mention free massages).  I was able to connect with a woman who is the mother of a girl at Mat's school.  She also had breast cancer and was instantly supportive when I told her what I was doing.  We had a great morning and will continue going to the groups and getting support there.

I was able to reconnect with one of my cousins last night.  It has probably been close to 10 years since we really talked.  I have pictures of us "walking" together at graduation from the U in 1997--great memories!  I can't believe how much Jennifer has been through in the last few years.  I just wanted to get in the car and drive to Cedar City so I could give her a great big hug.  I regret letting life happen and not being around to help where I could.  You know what?  That is one of the great blessings in all of this.  Cancer has caused me to slow down, examine my life and my priorities, and do away with those things that don't really matter.  Jennifer, be "steadfast and immovable" as you work toward your goals and always remember our only true source of strength, OK?  (Mosiah 5:15).  I love you!

I called my friend, Heather, who is a photographer, to see if she would take my picture while I still had a few eyelashes and could put on make-up.  I hate putting on make-up because then I have to wash it off and more falls out!  She, of course, was willing . . . but I was reluctant.  I struggle with this "hairless" identity of mine, and frankly, just want it to go away.  I am not sure if this is an identity I want to embrace, but it is a part of my history, so I did the pictures.  I will look back in a few months or years and be amazed at what I've accomplished with the help of so many!  Maybe then, I will have a picture printed for my scrapbook.  : )