happy thoughts and silver linings

This is Sandy and Ray (Cori's mom and step-dad) during our great Northern Michigan fall tour a few years ago. Recently, Ray has undergone a battery of procedures and tests. At first look, the pulmonary surgeon prepared us for the worst. Inoperable stage four lung cancer. But the biopsy offered much more hope. His diagnosis is papillary thyroid cancer. Still advanced and so serious. But the survival rate and treatment courses are favorable. Dear Papa Ray is pleaded for in every prayer as is his no.1 caretaker, Grandma Sandy. There is still an intimidating road ahead. But we are so grateful that it is the better of the two cancer possibilities. We continue to channel our happy, positive thoughts and all our prayers to Utah!

I knew it was a risk putting glass lamps in our front room. Add to this that they live on tables that are not the sturdiest of stature. One table was no match for Grant deep in a game of Wii basketball. I was in another room when I heard the crash. I found him huddled amongst the table cloth, broken table leg, and fallen table. He survived unscathed. Miraculously, so did my glass lamp! And, cheap tables are really easy to fix. 

Our bush of basil is still growing strong. I've been making pesto multiple times a week. Grant will eat just about anything as long as it has pesto on it. We put it on sandwiches, in smashed cauliflower, mixed with chopped tomatoes, all over any kind of pasta... or, in my case, directly into my mouth from the bowl. 

The pilot light on our water heater went out a week or so ago and we were unable to get it lit again. We didn't even really notice for the first several days. This is perhaps the only advantage to the extreme summer temperatures here that we have been able to note. Our tank is in the garage which maintains a balmy 110 degrees or more. So we always had warm water, just not hot. Naturally this would happen just days after we closed out all of the 12 month warranty stuff. But, happy day! The water heater is still under builder warranty and a plumber was lined up to get things going again. Other good news: the faulty part was a gas valve, not the Honeywell electric regulator. 

My London buddy, Natalie, celebrates a Woman's Day every year. As part of her celebration, she sends an uplifting note with a little something attached. I have been the fortunate recipient of her thoughtfulness these last two summers. Last year's gift was the iconic World War motto in the form of a little magnetic button. I keep it on my bedside lamp and it gives me a bit of zen every morning and night. This year, she sent the cute stationary tablet pictured above. But what meant more to me was her simple message about finding happiness in the little things in my life, here and now. It was something I needed in the very moment it arrived. Cheers, Natalie! You are fabulous.

And then just days later, I was doing some personal research whilst preparing for the Stake Auxiliary Training meeting we have coming up.  I was reading through my high school journal and I came across an entry written to me by my long time friend, Heidi. It brought back great feelings and happy memories. I am blessed with such lovely friends in my life.