May is My Favorite Month!

May 16th--a birthday celebrating day for Mary Hauschildt, my niece Julie, and Lisa's mom. This month/day usually has much going on, especially since it's a Friday, too. Trevor's first May Day Festival was held. His Bright Beginnings preschool danced two numbers. I hadn't seen a May Day in YEARS, so that was special to attend this one in the BYUH Cannon Center. Lindsey has already posted the videos online. She is the Blogger Queen!! Other events for me today were teaching a family history workshop for IAAP on campus. It was well received, with about 22 or so attending. A quick trip home to change, and back to the FHC for my Friday shift until 4 p.m. The day isn't done yet!!

Just one more quick trip home to change into walking clothes for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life at Laie Elementary. Lindsey and Kyle joined me for my first celebratory round [dedicated to survivors and caregivers]. How special it was to have this representation of my life these past eight and a half years--a married daughter [I have 4 grown daughters, 3 now married] and a grandchild [I have 3.7]. To me, being a survivor means having a "birthday" every day! I cherish any day I live without cancer even though cancerphobia will always remain with me. Too hard to get over that, but I'm grateful for all in my careful, compassionate medical team who keep me keeping on. Tonight I walked 10 rounds, as I'd hoped to do--one for each of the 8.5 years I've lived since I was diagnosed, and 1.5 to grow on. Nice people to visit with were there, and it had always been a wish of mine to participate in one. It's nice do what I need to do to make my wishes come true and it was great to share it with my loved ones.

More birthday news...My baby Megan celebrated her 18th birthday in some unusual ways on Wednesday, May 14. We started with a "b and b style" breakfast...loved those beautiful, ripe strawberries and fun things on fancy dishes. We've moved past donuts, I guess?? since that was being served in seminary that day anyway. A Subway was requested for lunch, so I took that to her at lunch time on the short day. There was a new "Guitar Hero" cd added to her collection from Christen so those two enjoyed some time here playing that while I ran some errands. Fun until time to go to the KHS awards night at Hale Kuai. Megan received an English class award. Her teacher was there to present her with a journal; mom gave the lei for the combined birthday and award. A box luau was Megan's dinner at the PCC where the event took place. I helped her eat the lomi lomi salmon.

May was memorable for Mother's Day and travel, too, and temple time--with more celebrating in Pennsylvania for Jenny and Aaron's special graduation and luau. We really loved the time with them in Lock Haven. Even though we were 5000 miles from Hawaii, a yellow carnation lei was made for me to wear on M. Day and precious emails were shared! Many sweet memories and moments were spent with the Jensen Ohana East. Lock Haven is a special place, for sure. The Palmyra days, temple time, road trip to Fabius and back, with some unplanned adventures --like smelling lilacs and seeing gorgeous tulips--made this a great time away from the usual. Megan was in good hands here with Aaron and Erin Nelson.

Visiting my mom and seeing cousins and Mary and Gaylord started the month off well. It's a shopping haven in DM, so now baby Howe will be dressed for the season when we get that far in July. Visiting with people, special ladies, from my growing up years was a treat, too. Mom is looking and acting really good--such a great thing to witness compared to her recovering last time I visited.

And then there are the mIlestones...Life doesn't usually have this much variety in it for me. This May, special as it is, is indeed unique. So many "one last time" events will be passed...seminary has already ended, graduation for seminary is coming this Sunday [Megan speaks], then the last day of class, then graduation, then our life involved with Kahuku will end after 16 years. And I smile, because in the fall, Trevor begins kindergarten. One Christmas letter of ours said something like A family is a circle...it never ends...we truly we are! And THAT is what is JOY.