Relay for Robert, Alayna and all the others

Once again this year, we are helping save lives from cancer by taking part in the American Cancer Society Relay For Life, and I'm hoping you will support us. This year the Relay is July 15-16 at Elk Ridge Park in North Logan. This year Kyle and I are dedicating our walking to my Uncle Robert who is battling bladder cancer.  He is doing well and we are expecting him to beat this disease.

Each of us has our own reasons for caring about the fight against cancer, but it seems that we all know someone who has personally battled this disease. Just a few weeks ago I lost my friend Tish Reynolds after she fought a valiant 8 year battle against this horrible disease.

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life is more than just an event to Kyle and I. It is our personal opportunity to help save lives from cancer by supporting the American Cancer Society.

My family originally started participating after the Petersen's lost Vone and then Claude to cancer.  Since that time my sister Janalee and best friend Britney have both become survivors of thyroid cancer and my Grandpa Farrell suffered from prostate cancer which contributed to his death.  My friend Karen is a survivor and my friend Alayna is currently battling brain cancer and just had a 2nd tumor removed. Kyle's aunt Peggy and Grandma Willis were also victims of this horrible disease.  Craig's brother Bruce is currently fighting against cancer.  Unfortunately these are just a few of our friends and family who are winning or have lost the fight to this disease.

It's horrifying to think that millions of people will be diagnosed with cancer this year. Somebody close to us may be one of them.
 
I know times are hard right now financially. They are for us as well, but if there is any way you can please support our efforts by making even a small donation it will make a difference. Together, we have the power to help create a world where cancer can no longer claim another year of anyone's life.  Kyle's and my goal is to raise $100 each, hopefully more.  It seems to becomes a competition to see which of us can raise the most.  If you would like to donate you can do it on either of our web pages. 

My Page:  http://main.acsevents.org/goto/KamiWillis
Kyle's Page: http://main.acsevents.org/goto/KyleWillis

If you feel more comfortable you are welcome to mail a donation to us at:  4365 S. 3080 E., Salt Lake City, UT  84124.

We are also looking for donations of merchandise or services for the bucket auction we hold during the relay.  Last year we were able to raise quite a bit of money with it.  Your business name will be on a sign hung next to the track.  Any craft, service, gift certificate, promotional item, etc. is a great addition.

All By Myself

I am home all by myself. As in there is not one other human or dog in the house and won't be until tomorrow night. I couldn't be happier about it. I don't remember the last time I had 24 hours by myself. I almost forgot what total silence was like. Being alone has never been a problem for me. I love to have time to myself and it so rarely happens anymore.  Back in my single days I even use to go to the cabin in Bear Lake for a weekend alone, especially if I was having a hard time with something.

There are those of you who are currently thinking I am crazy. Unless you are someone who is comfortable being alone you will never understand what I am talking about. Kyle is one such person. He doesn't get it, and I have come to realize I can try to explain it in a million ways and he never will. He is the type of person who likes to have people around him. He doesn't necessarily want to interact with them, he just likes someone around. I on the other hand am antisocial and have no problem with it. I love Kyle to death, but I can survive for a night or two without him. If he is away from me he acts like it is a huge tragedy. I don't think he appreciates it when I tell him that I really love him, but I think he will live for a day or two without my amazing presence. I know I'm wonderful and everything, but it's not the end of the world. I certainly think it is very important to do things together as a couple, but I also have no problem with dividing and conquering. If there are conflicting activities in our families or one of us has the opportunity to go do something fun and the other can't make it, I think going alone is just fine.

This "me time" came at a good time because it has been a long week and I had a really crappy day and somewhat of a meltdown on the phone with my Mom earlier. So it's good there wasn't anyone here who had to deal with me. After our phone call I discovered a great deal on Defense flavored Vitamin Water and it went a long way to helping me recover my composure. Someone brought a case of it to Deer Camp last October. Thank you to whoever that was. I finally found something I could enjoy drinking that wasn't carbonated or chocolate milk and I have been looking for somewhere that sells it by the case ever since. The Defense flavor is hard to find, which I don't understand because it is by far the best flavor (and I have tried them all),  Finding a case of it has been impossible until today. Not only did I discover cases of it tonight at Harmon's, but it was on sell for $.50 a bottle. Best deal ever!!!  Interesting how something that is actually really insignificant could make such a difference in my mood.

Grandma Ila's Birthday

Grandma Ila
Memorial Day 2003

Yesterday would have been Grandma Ila's birthday. We always had a cookout to celebrate her birthday when she was alive. Uncle Steve and Robert usually made an appearance and I know she enjoyed the fuss we made about it. I think about her often, especially this time of year. I think maybe that is because of Memorial Day and how important it was to her.  She trained us well on how you place flowers on a grave. In case you didn't know you spread the flowers out and remember to stake them down so they don't tip over. Grandma taught us the importance of respecting our ancestors and the sacrifices they made for us.

Grandma graduated from college when there weren't many women who pursued and education after high school. She always called USU "The AC" (Agricultural College), because that's what it was called when she went there. She lived in Logan and would ride the train home to Wellsville on the weekends to see her family. Her family couldn't afford to make the trip to Logan to see her graduate so none of her family was there to see her graduate. After graduation she went on to teach elementary school for years. Grandma Ila taught us about service and the importance of helping others. There was a guy here in town who had some issues and he would walk all over. Grandma would always pick him up and give him a ride and $5.00 even when Mom and Susan would ask her not to pick him up. Grandma often volunteered for projects with no intention of doing them. She was actually volunteering for us to to do it and knew we would come through for her. We put on funeral dinners for several of her cousin's families when they brought them home to Wellsville for burial after living and dying in other places.

I really enjoyed living in her home for several years. I felt of her presence several times when I was having a hard time. It was really hard to move out and see someone else move in. It's been nice to have Robert own it for the past 7 years and it will be hard to see it be sold to someone else now.

Grandma was a major influence in my life and with her living next door she was like a second mother to me. We butted heads more than a few times, but she loved me so much and was my greatest cheerleader. She was so proud of all of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She celebrated all of our achievements. She loved having Brooklyn living in her basement the last year of her life. I think she lived longer because of the joy Brooklyn brought her.

It was a privilege to care for her in her final years. She did so much for all of us over our lifetimes and it was an honor to return some of that to her. It was a great experience for us and it brought all of us closer together as a family. I love you Grandma and I miss you everyday! Thank you for the lessons you taught me. I've thought of your "Life is Hard" lecture you loved to give several times over the last few years. I wish you could have been here for me, but I felt of your love and support even though you were only here in spirit.

Kyle & Kami Go To The Zoo

Friday was ARUP's summer party at Hogle Zoo. So Kyle and I went to the zoo. In case you weren't aware of it the zoo is much funnier when you have a child or two with you. I wanted to borrow some of the kids, but I didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings by taking some and not others and it was $18 to get a ticket for an additional person. Not that Kyle and I didn't have a good time because we did.

Kyle took a picture of every animal we saw, but couldn't come up with a reason why or tell me what his plans were for them. I love digital cameras, any bad pictures-Deleted!

We sat and watched the elephants and monkeys for awhile. The one elephant is the oldest one in North America at the age of 52. Suri the youngest elephant is 2 and she acts like a human 2 year old. It was fun to watch her play with her ball and other toys.

 

The giraffe's fascinate me. How can something with that long of a neck and legs even function? They sure are cute though and they have the longest eyelashes.

The gorilla was right up next to the glass and was entertaining to watch. Most of the animals were asleep so that was kind of disappointing.

We were in line for a drink when Kyle was attacked by the cutest boy. Surprise! It was Bryson. As we rarely (like never) go to the zoo it was a surprise to see Kat and the boys there on the same day. They are so cute and we love them very much. It was the start of a great kid weekend. We saw them Friday afternoon, Garrett and Abby that night and Em's girls on Saturday. Who could ask for more? They are all just so cute and each one has such a fun personality.