Breast Cancer Awareness

I can't let October end without a plug for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. All women, whenever they hear it, know they should be doing more to prevent Breast Cancer. I know I do. Of course, I have a reason to worry, more than some others...

My Mom is a survivor. She found out in the summer of 2006 that she had breast cancer. She had found the lump herself, had a biopsy, and was told she had a 9 cm tumor. She found out right before Jeremy came home from his mission and right before Desiree got married. She waited to tell us until we were all together for the wedding in Tahoe. Everyone seemed to have taken it well, but it was waaay difficult for me to hear and comprehend. While in Tahoe, though, we had other things to distract us. When we got back to Provo, I fell apart. For the first couple of months, I really couldn't think of anything else. The first baby blessing I was at after we found out I fell apart big time. Thinking about how my mom might not be at any of my baby's blessings was a nightmare for me.

Time passed, chemo came and went, her hair went, and she survived. After only 6 months of chemo, she was cancer free in December 2006. Her hair came back and she was healthy again and back for a long time. Since then, we have found out that the cancer that took my grandpa was the same genetic strain found in my mom. My mom's cousin, on my grandpa's side, had the same cancer as well. My mom's brother had cancer years ago, but I'm not sure if it was the same strain... My grandpa's dad also died from cancer. Oh, and my other grandpa was diagnosed with cancer a couple years ago as well. (I think my chances of getting cancer sometime in my life are quite high).

Anyway, my mom has recently found out that she's not cancer free anymore. It came back. It's not as bad as it was last time, but that doesn't make it any less stressful. So, she's back on chemo and back in a wig. BUT, she's not letting life pass her by. She spent almost the entire summer with her children and grandbabies, she's back at Desiree's for the third or fourth time. She goes out with friends all the time. She and my dad drive all around San Diego county whenever they have time. She's not letting cancer stop her from doing anything.

The first time, it took me a while to except that she had cancer. Everyone else "knew" she would be ok. It took me a while to feel the same way. This time I think I'm taking it for granted that she did well last time. I don't like to think about what might happen. I just need to focus on today and make sure I don't let life pass either. But, I also need my mom to know that I love her. Sometimes Mike will tell me that I'm turning into my mom. But, that's ok. I don't mind. I like the person my mom is. She's crazy sometimes, and I say that with affection, but I'd like to be like my mom. And my dad needs to know that I love the support he has shown my mom through this time. He has been to every chemo session this time so far and plans on being to every one she has to go to yet. He's a good husband. And a good dad.

Women--you know what you need to do. Cancer can be treated ONLY if found!

Birthday Dinner

It's my birthday today, but I enjoyed my Birthday Dinner yesterday (so I could fully relax, lay back, and enjoy!). I hope everyone has this tradition of either going out to eat wherever you want on your birthday, or making whatever you want. We did growing up, and Mike and I have been continuing the tradition.

The budget's been tight, so we don't go out to eat often. I'd say maybe once every two weeks and we spend less than $5 on the two of us. Did someone say "Dollar Menu!" I chose to make one of my favorite, cheap, easy, calorie rich meals that is soooo delicious!

I open a can of Hormel Tamales, drop them into the pan and unwrap them.

I then open a can of Hormel Chili-No Beans-and spread it around the Tamales.

When it's hot enough, I pour it all into a bowl and spread cheese on top. DELICIOUS! It looks about like this:

By the looks of it, you would think it's not appetizing. But believe me. It's so tasty! And if you would like to know where I got it from, you can talk to my Mom or Dad. I'm not sure which one did it first, but they both love it too. MMMMMMMMMM.

p.s. Just to stop anyone from asking questions, I'm NOT getting paid to advertise!

Totally Random

So, I have to take a class at UVU this semester. I was there tonight, and this girl, who I've never had a conversation with, asked, sweetly and matronly...

"Are you pregnant?"

"Noooo..."

"Oh, not that you look it, but you've got saltines. You definitely don't look pregnant."

"Ah, gotcha."

My Hero

Mike is my knight in shining armor. Not only is he amazing, but he kills spiders for me! See the post below for the worst of all spiders that we have had in our current place. But that's not the first time, and it won't be the last, that he'll kill a spider. All I have to do is call out his name and he comes to my rescue. And most of the time he knows what I'm calling him for based on the tone of my voice. It's amazing!

And, my family already knows this about me, but I HATE and DESPISE and am deathly afraid of spiders. Really. I hate them. My heart pounds, my breathing stops, and all I can think of is how it better not touch me. I have the worst experiences with them too! They'll come out of nowhere and want to eat me. It's dreadful. My parents can attest to this, but I used to have nightmares about spiders and wake up hyperventilating. Luckily I haven't had dreams like that recently. It's probably because I know Mike will always be there to kill them for me. And I know he loves me because he hates spiders just as much as I do. (He just isn't scared of them).

Oh, and as a side note. I got shivers every time I looked at that black widow. Dreadful.