Elder Esplin is HOME!

Have I talked about my SON?? I don't think I have, at least lately, but he has just returned from his two years spent in San Diego, California on a mission for the church. He had to learn Spanish and mostly preached the gospel to Spanish speaking people who lived there, and in close by surrounding areas. He arrived home last Tuesday, at 4:15 and many of you were there and saw this silly reaction from me when I saw him get off the plane. If you weren't there, you should get a good laugh out of this, I couldn't hide my emotions.
This is the video that Tara's husband took of all of us at the airport. I was SO EXCITED!!! Not just because Eric was coming home;
but because of what's happened while he's been gone, it was a moment that I wondered if I would get to see.

It was a little over a year ago that I was faced with the dilemma of how to tell Eric that I had breast cancer.



My own mother died with breast cancer that had spread to her liver about 12 years ago, and Eric was all too aware of that. Telling him was not something I wanted to do. I did not want him to worry, or be interrupted in any way while he was serving. I did not want him to feel like he needed to come home. At first I told everyone, "Don't let Eric know, I will be all better when he gets home and I will tell him then". That idea lasted a few days, until everyone convinced me that sooner or later, someone was going to leak it to him, and he would be hurt to think I didn't tell him. I realized all of a sudden that I NEEDED his spiritual strength and PRAYERS. Who better is the Lord going to listen to than someone who is giving his full time attention to serving HIM......... yes, Eric needed to know...



Dale came up with the idea to call the Mission President and let him tell Eric. That's what we did, and it went pretty well. Eric did tell us later that his heart sunk to his toes, and of course he first thought of my mom and a dear friend of mine, Kim Judd, that had passed away from breast cancer that spread to the rest of her body in 2004. He remembered all of that and did feel some fear. He said he started to fast immediately, and then felt peace, that all would be well.




I felt that it was the right thing to do when I told him in a letter, "Elder Esplin, this is what I need you to do, I need you to stay on your mission , be very obedient, and work extra hard, and pray for me, and I know that by the time you get home, I will be 'as good as new', I promise you that I will be here when you get back." I have thought about that statement so many times over the last year. I hoped and prayed that my feelings and thoughts were inspired, not just wishes. I couldn't sleep the last few days before Eric came home, overwhelmed with what has happened over the last year or so. I worried that I wasn't as good as new because I am so not cute anymore. (is that vain to think I was ever cute?).
(This is just a nice way of saying I feel like I am ugly, but my breast cancer support group teaches us that "berating ourselves is more damaging to our health than almost anything else", so I know I shouldn't think things like this)
I know the truth is that I am "as good as new", or even better on the inside, even if my outside is not what I would like it to be. I heard Elder David Bednar speak Sunday night, and he cautioned everyone to NOT diminish our bodies. God made them and doesn't like it when we don't like ourselves, or abuse ourselves. I never thought about it that way. I will do better.



Thank you all for coming to Elder Eric Esplin's homecoming party, whether you were at the airport, or at the pizza factory, or even if you were there in spirit. It was such an uplift to me to see so many of you rejoicing with me that I am still alive and well, and got to enjoy the sweet gift of seeing my son Return with Honor. When Eric left, I had long blonde hair, so he has a little adjusting to do just when he looks at me, besides adjusting to everything else.
He is doing great. The biggest difference I have noticed is he doesn't seem to like too much noise. I have heard him say several times this week that he would like it if we all would talk and scream (some of the grandkids) just a little bit softer. I hadn't even noticed how loud we were.




Two days later, I was privileged to be invited to witness the birth of my youngest brother's new baby son in Las Vegas. This is little Beckett Charles McKnight. He weighed 6 lb, 8 oz. I love his mother, my sister-in-law, Heather McKnight. (Some of you might remember that I went to their wedding in between chemo sessions.) In case you think my skin looks good here, Eric is very good on the computer and showed me how he can "touch up" pictures, so he erased my wrinkles..................ooohh, if we could only do that in real life. :)

It is great to have him home, and I am back home now too.
Today we spent some time in the temple together. We had some family names that needed to be baptized, so Eric baptized Kimberlee and I in behalf of 7 of our ancestors, it was a great experience. Afterwards, we went to a bank, where he applied for a job as a teller, and then on to the Spectrum to put his announcement in about his homecoming.

If you are anywhere near the St. George area on Sunday, May 10 ( what a nice mother's day present for me :) ), he will be speaking in Sacrament meeting at 1222 East Brigham Road in Bloomington Hills at 1:30, and we are having a dinner buffet at 3:00 at our house afterwards. You are all invited, and if you really want to , you could bring a side dish to go along with shredded seasoned beef that I will make in the crock pot for the entree. We will see what else I can cook up besides that too.

Thank you all for you loving support. Hope to see you all soon. Love, Karen

Easter brought Gratitude

Here's grandma Karen on the porch after church on Easter, so it's not a surprise that everyone is not feeling their best, maybe too much candy and church services that wear kids out. (But grandmas enjoy) You can tell my age when you look at my oldest and first grandchild, Damon. He is 6 and in the first grade. I love to talk to him, he is very attune to what is going on with me. Next is Annaliese, then Kenya , Kalia, Kyla, and Allie. Hey, where are the twins, MIS and CHIEF??





Oh, here they are with the rest of their cousins BEFORE church. Grandma Karen had gone to practice with the choir for the Easter program and she was so hoping that the mothers of these little ones would remember to get pictures before they got messed up. Notice MIS (Malakai) has a new haircut, (much to mother's dismay)

I have so much to be grateful for this year. I had all of my grandkids together for Easter, and 4 days later I learned that my PET scan for this year was COMPLETELY CLEAR of cancer.

What more could I ask for?

This is Kenya, now 9 mos old, in her Easter dress, still a delight to be around :)

This is Kyla, she is almost 2 and she is a spitfire!!! She was so quiet the first year of her life, and now she is making up for it. She lives in Springville. My favorite thing about Kyla is that she will lovingly come to you and immediately put her head down on your shoulder. It touches my heart.

I am so amazingly blessed to have FOUR daughters, and now they are all about the same size. they can all wear each other's clothes and shoes
Tara, then me, Kimmy (now 15),Krystal, and Heather, (yes, Heather and Tara traded hair :)

Two of my son in laws with their little ones, Wayne is Tara's husband with Malakai on his lap just a day after Malakai (age 2 1/2) shaved his own head with electric clippers (Tara had to finish the job) Then next to him is Jeff (Krystal's husband) with Kyla on his lap. The couch is an old one from my front room and we put it on the porch for a while, (nice temperature this Easter Night)

Here's my 4 daughters again, (honestly, I can't get over Heather's hair)

This sweet one we haven't had many pictures of her. Maybe because she was usually crying the first few months of her life. This is Annaliese, Heather's 5 mo. old. Heather had a hard time trying to figure out why she cried so much. After MANY doctor visits to MANY different kind of doctors, many things were ruled out, and after a LOT of prayers, Heather felt that she needed to be on a formula without any corn in it, very hard to find by the way. After a week on Aliemuntum sp? ready to feed, little one started to calm, eat, not have rashes, and get some sleep. Heavenly Father always knows what is wrong, He is just letting us find the answers when we are ready to listen to Him. This is a bubble one of the kids blew her way, what a sweetie!

This last one is Kalia, Heather's 17 mo. old, (yep, she had them close, taking after her momma.) I guess something has made her cry on this easter morn..... (certainly not her naturally curly hair after her dad and her great grandpa Bama.)

Yes, I have MUCH to be grateful for.

This morning, I attended a meditation group for cancer survivors. It has taught me to relax, and not let the stress of the word "cancer" get to me. Each time I am learning more how to control my anxiety. Today we went to a place that we love (in our minds), while calming our bodies with deep breaths. I saw myself with long blonde hair again in the celestial room in the temple. Then we were to focus on gratitude. We would breathe in gratitude and feel it in our hearts, and breathe out and away all negativism. I can't tell you how much this helped me today. I started off the day feeling VERY anxious. I was overwhelmed with love and gratitude for these grandchildren, my own children, and a son that will finish his mission next week and arrive at the St. George airport after 2 yrs of being away. Then the grateful feelings expanded. I am so thankful for a great husband, and the priesthood, and His blessings that he gives me when I ask. I felt so amazed at how much my heart has changed over the past year. While I was in this celestial room, I saw lots of things in white, representing so much peace and purity to me. I could almost see the Savior walking in to the St. George temple in that sacred room, all in white of course. I could almost feel my mom and dad near by.

I felt loved. I felt grateful.

Yes, Easter brought Gratitude this year.

Something Wonderful is Happening

I would have done this post 2 weeks ago, but I kept worrying about what pictures to put with it.
Finally I have realized that the feelings of my heart can put pictures in your minds. I am working very hard to stop worrying so much. I have worried myself into so many emotional fits, it's really ridiculous. I have learned firsthand that worrying only creates havoc with my heart, soul, and especially my body.
I have been seeing a counselor about my anxiety and she gave me a paper with "self-defeating' beliefs that many of us have.
One was, "IF I WORRY ENOUGH, EVERYTHING WILL TURN OUT OK". I have accepted the fact that I have had this belief safely(that's an interesting word) tucked away in my brain and have made it part of my life for the last 30-50 years. It IS SELF DEFEATING ! This is war, I have to destroy the enemy!!!

Worrying creates anxiety, and that is my enemy!

My Stake President told me once this last year that feeling guilt really is an enemy to the mothers and women in general. He said "Godly sorrow" helps us to CHANGE. Feeling guilty just makes us feel sick all the time. I am trying to recognize when I feel guilty and when I feel Godly sorrow and need to make a change.

Let me just say that feeling "concerned" about something helps us to solve problems, but 'Worrying' is to let it consume you.

Now, to the Happier News:
It's Easter Time, I have always loved Easter, but this year is ENTIRELY different for me.
I set a goal after I was finished with my treatments that I would take an institute class on the New Testament, and I would join the ward choir, and read everything I could possibly read about the Savior. I truly desire to get to know Him. I need to develop a PERSONAL relationship with Him and feel His Reality. I know I have never done that up to this point. I have had faith about Him, but have not KNOWN.

I started the institute class and immediately felt the Spirit. It was on the Four Gospels. Last week it ended, and it ended with the last week of the Savior's life, and His resurrection. How perfect was that?? It's Easter, HE IS RISEN. Also, guess what songs we have been singing in the ward choir? Easter songs about THE SAVIOR!! Could I have planned this any more perfect myself?? NO, it is put together by a MASTER CREATOR. I feel the spirit so strong when we are singing those songs, I can imagine the Savior himself standing at the back of the chapel, up high of course, that causes me to LOOK UP to see Him and to greet Him.

What else would He want to do , except check in on His loved ones,..... US!.......Especially those who have "Chosen Him", over the world. I am in awe of all He did for 3- jam-packed years, (and this being His only chance at being mortal), and then ending it in such a dramatic way, that it even made HIM shrink and hesitate to drink the bitter cup; yet HE STILL TELLS US WE ARE FREE TO WANDER WHERE WE WILL, he has no demands on us. He has invitations for us, and promises for us, and blessings galore waiting for us. We just need to become one of His partners. It is SO much easier than I have ever made it out to be. It's as easy as loving a member of your family that you adore, and that adores you back.

I am coming to know HIM personally, I am believing in HIS REALITY. I am feeling it. What a gloious way to feel at Easter time. I am SO grateful. I have been shown so many tender mercies from Him and Heavenly Father, and YOU, Their earthly angels. I know my mom is aware, and I will know in the future of her involvement in my life. Can I say THANK YOU again?
I KNOW that YOU were inspired to help me. It all starts and ends with His love.

I wonder sometimes why I am so lucky. I heard a song this morning sung by Jeff McLean, and it said ,

"A tender mercy

has come to me..

It came from heaven

I do believe

Maybe why I was chosen

is because I CHOSE to see

God's tender mercies

are for those who believe

His tender mercies

are for you and for me"

I was puzzled about being humble and knowing it at the same time, but I heard my answer in Conference when President Monson said, "I am your HUMBLE servant" That struck me hard! He is humble, and he knows it, and it does not make him PROUD at all!

I can say now, I am humble, I know it, and I feel tender, grateful, meek, and teachable. I am thirsting for more. I think I have been blessed because I CHOSE Heavenly Father and HIS SON. I have asked for their guidance every step of the way. I can see now there is NO BETTER WAY than THEIR way.

I just thought of a perfect picture when I think of the Tender Mercies I have been shown, you have seen this picture before, but I will keep it in my mind forever.

I love......so much,........all of you......everyone.......everything,...........what a tender mercy to be blessed with LOVE, CHRISTLIKE LOVE.

Love 4-ever, Karen

More on Humility

I was looking through my Scripture Journal, something I haven't picked up for over a year, and found some wonderful things. (my scripture journal is a bunch of scriptures that I have read on one certain topic and written down the ones that I felt I could learn from) In the fall of 2001 I studied the topic of Pride, and I forgot all about it. Not only did I find scriptures, I found a talk by the prophet Ezra T. Benson (conf. report April 1989), and even though it's 20 yrs old, it still applies.

This is a quote from that talk,
"Most of us consider pride to be a sin of those on the top, such as the rich and the learned, looking down at the rest of us, (2 Nephi 9:42) There is however, a far more common ailment among us, and that is pride from the 'Bottom looking up'. It is manifest in so many ways, such as:
Fault finding
Gossiping
Backbiting
Murmuring
Jealousy
Being Unforgiving
Living beyond our means
Envying
Coveting
Withholding gratitude and praise that might lift another."
He goes on to say that the antidote for Pride is Humility.........we all knew that, didn't we?
He then pleads with us to "CHOOSE" to be humble. Here are his 8 suggestions on what to do to become humble.
1.Conquer Enmity (a state of opposition towards God and others)
2.Receive counsel and chastisement (Oh that's a fun one)
3.Forgive offenses and those who offended
4.Render Selfless Service
5.Preach the Word (missionary work)
6. Frequent temple attendance
7. Confess and forsake sins
8. Submit to HIS WILL in all things.
Sounds so easy, doesn't it? (no, not easy at all)
I have collected over 40 scriptures that talk about Pride and Humility. It's 16 pages long, (handwritten) so I will NOT include it here, but I do think I will type it up on Microsoft Word and I could email it to you if you are in need of such spiritual counsel as this.
But, a few things I learned (and forgot, boy am I glad I wrote it all down) were that Humility and Pride are really a "CONDITION OF THE HEART". So, I ask myself, "How's your heart condition, Karen?" Here's just a few scriptures that I loved.
Proverbs 18:12-"Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility"
James 4: 6 & 10 (Really the whole chapter is good) vs6 "...God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble" vs 10 "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up" YEAY, that's what I want, grace (which he has given me already) and to be lifted up, (spiritually, physically, emotionally, etc.) everyday.
Thank you all so much for getting me back into the scriptures!! I loved all the comments on humility and I would like to hear more feedback on how you feel about this stuff.
I do have to add here that one of the comments talked about gratitude, and I whole-heartedly agree, I can feel it when I start to think I am not humble, counting my blessings does bring humility. The one thing that is wierd about that is I didn't find any scriptures or quotes from Pres Benson that mentioned gratitude. If you guys could find me some, I would be most appreciative.

Now, I need to make one more comment about something I said last entry. I said I may have cracked the code on why I am so wierd. That was not a nice way to talk about a daughter of God, so I repent about that, but as far as "the code" goes, what I meant was that an answer came to my mind while I was having a LONG prayer and some meditation (listening). The answer was that I have some "beliefs" on my belief window that affect me greatly, but I have supressed them so deeply into my subconsious that I don't even realize it. And they are FALSE, not truth. For example, the first belief I realized is that I believe that if my life is going along great, and I am happy about everything, then I can't be humble, or acceptable to God. I HAVE to have a problem or challenge at all times. When things are going good, I think I make myself anxious so that I can have a problem. Is that ridiculous? But remember, I don't consiously believe that. Heavenly Father DOES want me to be happy, and He and The Savior DO NOT want me to feel fear. THAT IS A TRUTH. So I am working on all these things.
I physically am feeling pretty good, I got my sling off my arm and am going to physical therapy 3 times a week for 4 weeks to get my arm back into shape. (it does ache alot) I have so much to be thankful for, but now that I have started "cleaning out my closet" (see post about 5 months ago :), I still am rearranging everything that goes back into this closet, and still chucking anything that is worthless. It looks like just because my test results say I am all better for the time being, doesn't mean that my soul is all better yet. Thank heavens we have a lifetime to work on these things. In my case, I don't know how long that lifetime will be, so I need to keep on working now.
Love you all,
Love, Karen

One Year Ago Today

Today is a remarkable day for me.
On February 24, 2008, I found a lump that felt the size of a quarter.
That was the beginning of an amazing journey for me. Most of you have followed me on this journey, and for this I will be forever grateful. I thought it fitting to see what I look like today with about 3/4 inches of hair. You will be able to tell in some of the other pictures that my hair came back in gray, but recently I had Robert Evans pull it through a cap and highlight the ends, and it feels much better. It is very curly, I don't know if it will stay that way. I have always had some natural curl in my hair, but never any thing like this.
I am holding my granddaughter, Kenya, who one year ago was only a wish for Tara and Wayne. She has been every mother's dream of a perfectly happy and calm baby that sleeps and eats, but hardly ever cries. She has uplifted my heart so many times over the last 7 or 8 months, as have all my grandkids.

Remember that I invited all of you to a celebration luncheon after my last clear lab report. Only about 10 of us ended up at Fairway Grille, but it was still an emotional lunch for me. I wanted to pay all of you back by buying your lunch. I would have loved to made the food and had a big celebration, but my arm in a sling has been a great hinderance. It had helped me to appreciate my right hand and arm and I don't ever want to go without it again. Tomorrow is 6 wks after surgery and the Dr should release me from the sling and send me to physical therapy. Here is my cancer buddy Paige, her hair growing back too.

This is one of my LONG time friends, Dixie Ferguson, she came to see me almost once a week for the last year, I love her very much.

This mother, daughter, and granddaughter have been a part of my family for over 15 years. Betty Wiltrout, her daughter Amy, and her daughter Jaxan have been a HUGE support to me over this last year, besides the last 15 years.

These last two pictures touch my heart. Grandma Ruth , as she is lovingly known, is Dale's mother. She is over 75 years old, and a breast cancer survivor of 25 years. She has known exactly how I have felt through all of this, and been a FANTASTIC source of encouragement, as has been grandpa in the background. His faithful obedience in the Priesthood, and his willingness to share the blessings with me has meant more to me than words can tell.
This looks like a professional photo, but no, this is Tara taking pics of her "3 kids in diapers" as a happy memory for her. It looks like the boys already know that they will be protecting their little sister.
I have found a whole bunch of stuff about humility that I can hardly wait to share, but I will do it later this week. This is enough for you to have to read right now. I am amazed at what I have learned over this past year, and what I continue to learn everyday about myself. I have spent a lot of time praying and meditating to figure out why I am so wierd, and I may have cracked the code!!

Luckily, I have been so blessed with so much love from you in spite of my "Frailties". I loved all the conversations about humility on the blog, and so I found some stuff that goes right along with what you all said.

I leave you my love, Love 4-ever, Karen Again, Thanx for reading :)

Tuesday, February 10th is the DAY!!

I hope you can come because I want to give each of you a hug for helping me get this far in my recovery, the celebration luncheon (1st annual) will be at Fairway Grille on Tuesday, February 10th at 1:00 pm. This is a lunch outing for my blog readers , you have all been so devoted to me and so faithful, so tell a fellow blog reader in case they don't see this. LOVE YOU ALL, Karen
Ps It might be good to have a count of how many by Tuesday morning, so let me know :)

Still trying to figure out LIFE

I am on some heavy drugs here, I had just barely woken up from the anesthesia, and I'll tell you, the first thing I thought of when I saw this picture was, "Oh my gosh, I look HORRIBLE" My next thought was, "I am SO VAIN", and of course that led to ," I am so not humble after all". Why do I lead my thoughts right down the path of despair?Thank you for your thoughts about humility, I am still looking for more advice, so please comment on the humility one, or here, it's making for a very good Sunday School lesson for me!!

This sign is made the old fashioned way of wood burning, anybody remember those days? A couple of years ago, I was with a friend at a gift shop, and we laughed so hard when we read this, and I said "I have to have that, that is so me!!!" I want the Lord to lead my pathways , but I talk ENTIRELY too much, and say things that I should not say. Now that I have had this shoulder surgery, I had to let you see a picture of it because it applies more than ever now.

For instance, just Friday I went to see the cancer Dr. to check on my lab work, etc. and after I asked how I was doing,(referring to the blood work results), he said , "You're like Mary Poppins",and my mouth said, "why, do you think I am a phony?", he laughed and said, 'NO, remember when she measures the kids and herself, and she is "practically perfect in every way"...............oh my heck, I am such a ding dong, why did I call Mary Poppins a phony? What's up with that?" He is trying to say something positive and nice, and I say a stupid thing like that. A few years ago, my mouth was getting out of control, and I started praying at the beginning of each day that the Holy Ghost would warn me when I was about to say something stupid, and help me not to say it, and it worked. Obviously I need to start praying for that again.

This is after I woke up and got dressed one day, which WAS NOT easy, but you can see my hair is starting to grow even thicker and curlier now, but my VAIN side cannot stand it, the little Jay Leno gray thing in the middle, and the DARK salt and PEPPER haircolor. I am disappointed in myself that I even care, I am so thankful to have no cancer, and any hair at all, I need to be more grateful. That was one of my bits of advice last post, and I love it. Focus on what you DO have, instead of what you DON"T.

We have to have a quick peek at Kenya, now 6 1/2 months old. We found this darling dress at the Dickens Festival and gave it to her for Christmas, but this is the first day she wore it.....she is a dream baby, another "Mary Poppins" if I do say so myself.

I have been called to teach Primary and I had to show you some fun things (so I could cheer myself up). The kids are 6 turning 7, and just darling, I already love them so much. I have had to have Dale and Heather help me since the surgery, but today I did it all by myself. Heather gave me some good ideas on getting their attention, and they turned out so cute, you have to see them. One funny story I have to tell you first is the first week the lesson was on the war in heaven and how we all fit into this plan, I was explaining to the kids about voting for Jesus, and how we know that because we have a body, and the ones that voted for Lucifer didn't get a body. One of the children (who will remain anonymous) insisted that one of their parents had voted for Lucifer. I tried my hardest to convince them that wasn't possible because they were here on the earth. The child continued to tell everyone in the class that their parent HAD to have voted for Lucifer because that parent drinks alcohol, takes drugs, and smokes "smoke sticks". I could just see this child going home telling this parent that they learned in Primary about the vote in heaven and who voted for Satan. aaaahhhh! I did my best to convince the child that their parent indeed to vote to follow Jesus, but they forgot, and maybe that child could pray for that parent. "WHEW" This could be a tough class.

One of the next lessons was on the boyhood of Joseph Smith, and Heather suggested that I show them how his family had to clear the land, and then built a log cabin when he was a boy, so she and I made little trees out of large pretzels and broccoli, and we let the kids stick them in green styrofoam, and then we let them knock them over and pull them out to 'Clear the Land". Then we built a log cabin with precut pretzels, supposedly from the trees they knocked down, and then I gave them some farm items (from the grandkids toybox) and they turned that place into a "FARM" They loved it. If there was enough time, I was supposed to tell the story of how Joseph almost lost his leg at age 7, but I didn't want to scare them, so Heather suggested we play "Pin the leg on Joseph Smith", emphasizing that he DID NOT LOSE his leg, it just was a little handicapped. Dale could NOT BELIEVE we would think of such a thing and practically forbid me to do that. Oh well, we were just joking. But it would have kept their attention, don't you think?

OK, now on a more serious note, I wanted to show you something and tell you another neat story. The whole last year, (I found the lump in Feb of last year....wow) I have been wearing a necklace with the word, "Trust" printed on it 3 times. We had purchased them for Young Women birthday gifts the year before. We told them that they could remember the 3 times meant, "Trust the Father, Trust His Son, and Trust the Holy Ghost" Well, once I started my journey of trials, it was a perfect reminder to me, so I wore it pretty faithfully. Recently, I went to my jewelery box and went to get it out and put it on. I saw the silver circle and grabbed it, but much to my surprise it didn't say "trust", it said "Remember". I felt chills down my spine, Nothing could have been more appropriate. I have gone through so much, yes, but I have learned so much more, and the ONLY way that this experience will benefit ANY of us, is if we "REMEMBER"..................remember what we've learned, I especially need to remember all of the feelings I have had, and the awesome spiritual experiences, and the love I have been shown. I knew this is what I am supposed to wear around my neck now, when I go to put on any jewelery.

I believe it was a message from Heaven. I "remember" now where that circle came from; a YW activity with the stake, but I had put in in my jewelery box and hadn't noticed it for over a year.

Now , the last item of business for today. I want to go to lunch and celebrate my "Mary Poppins" lab report. I will have a PET scan (an 11,000 dollar test) to look for any cancerous tumors in the body, but that is not until April 15th, and I feel that it will show that I am clear for this year, so................where do you want to go? I love the Fairway Grille because it's a slower pace restaurant, and we can go in the back of it, and I feel relaxed enough to be able to sit a while and talk. If there are no objections to that, then we need to pick a day. Heather will be here next Tuesday to help pay tribute to her basketball coach from High School, we're hoping to get Krystal here too. That would be Feb 10th, if not then, possibly the end of the month when I could get K & H here together. Tell me what you think. LOVE YOU ALL, Karen