Pell Grant

So I got a blessed email today stating that I needed to check my online financial account to accept or decline an award. I went and checked it and the picture below is what I saw. That will pay for tuition and books for me for all of next year. We feel so blessed. Life has been super great lately what with the show, callings, free money, and just life in general. I'm excited to begin school again though. I feel so fulfilled while I'm learning. P.S. Come see our show!

Showtime!

Well, the time has come! "Joseph" opens this Friday, with shows every M, Th, F, and S through the 15th, with another week of shows at BYU Education Week, ending the 21st. Rehearsals have been a blast and we just can't wait to perform! Jason does an excellent job, and I can't wait to show him off. I'm turning into a soccer mom already :) If anyone has interest in 2-for-1's or $3 off coupons, let me know. Bring a blanket to sit on, and munchies to snack on, and see you at the show!!

Reason #47 Why I Love my Husband

My Role Model

Evan's healed scar from brain surgery 10 years ago, and the new one from last week, which had to be cut open twice because the surgeon missed the tumor the first time. As my mom put it, we're not out of the storm yet. Evan starts radiation this upcoming week, and with such courage, I really think he's one incredible kid.

Family Reunion

(my family is on the left side)

My family held their bi-annual reunion this last weekend in Mesa. We debated back and forth as to whether we could go because of missing rehearsal (which is a big no-no when you open in a week), and pleaded with the director, but Jason had to stay to rehearse. I SO enjoyed being with my family, and getting some time with Evan, healing from his 3rd brain surgery, and my grandpa, who is starting to show signs of alzheimer's disease.

(on the left side, standing with Evan) There were 85 immediate aunts, uncles, and cousins in attendance! Crazy, no? I LOVE my big family! What a strength they are to me.

Evan Update from my Mom

Evan has had a very good recovery from his surgery. He seemed pretty stable this afternoon when the doctor made his rounds in ICU. So, instead of sending us to a regular room on the floor, he decided to send us home with detailed instructions on his care. Evan was so thrilled to get to come home!! The MRI showed that they got the tumor and pathology confirmed that it is ependymoma cancer (the same type he had 10 years ago). With this information, we can now proceed with radiation, after a few weeks of healing. The "suspicious" area on the MRI is still possibly present, but hopefully can also be treated with the radiation. The doctor cleared Evan to travel to Arizona on Friday to attend my parents 50th wedding anniversary. Of course, we'll use our best judgement and see how Evan is doing by Friday. We are so very thankful for the good outcome of this surgery, for Evan's speedy recovery and for the great outpouring of love we have felt from our family and many friends.

Update on Evan from my Mom

This has been a very tough day. The good news is that we are now home from the hospital with Evan. The bad news is that we have to go back on Tuesday to do the surgery all over again. We met at length with the neurosurgeon and oncologist today to discuss the results of the first surgery. Unfortunately the tumor was missed. There are some plausable reasons for this that we won't go into here, but after much discussion, consultations, and prayer we still have confidence in the surgeon and feel that he should be the one to complete the job. We do know that Evan will start radiation treatments several weeks after surgery and possibly have some form of chemotherapy. There are still a lot of questions to answer, but we're moving forward in faith. Evan has been a trooper through all of this but he did take the news of a second surgery quite hard, which is perfectly understandable. He has definitely enjoyed being home this evening and we hope to have an calm and relaxing weekend so he can get his strength back before Tuesday. Thanks to all of you for your continued love and support. So many people have stepped up to watch our little boys, bring meals, visit Evan in the hospital, etc. We're so thankful for such a great family and friends. Robert and Joann

Now on Sale!

I was going through a bunch of clothes I made in high school, and thought I'd see if there's an interest, so that maybe I could sew more, sell more, and make another hobby out of pleasure sewing. Take a look! Its all on my other blog: www.dearmistergable.blogspot.com Just contact me through email, facebook, blog messages, etc. and I can ship these out as soon as I get some payment, FREE SHIPPING. Have fun looking!