2009-01-19T07:36:00.000-08:00

The tree that never had to fight

for sun and sky and air and light,

but stood out in the open plain

and always had its share of rain,

never became a forest king

but lived and died a scrubby thing.

The man who never had to fight

who never had to win his share

of sun and sky and air and light

never became a manly man

but lived and died as he began.

Good timber does not grow in ease,

the stronger the wind,

the tougher the trees.

(author unknown)

This was such a great poem and it made me think of the times we are living in now. If you recall Elder Dallin Oaks talk in the last conference. He began his talk with "These are the perilous times that Paul spoke of..." I know there are perilous times for each of us. More sacrifices, more opportunties to stand tall in a world that believes that "good is bad and bad is good".

Yesterday, I had a class at the hospital on "Open Heart surgeries and after." It was very intriguing learning about the hemodynamics of the medications given and how they change blood pressure, heart rate and urine output. I learned about this a little bit in school. Its fun to refresh the brain again on all the heart stuff that's easily forgotten when its not used daily. The heart is the most amazing muscular organ. Later....

2009-01-13T18:13:00.000-08:00

Our family motto for 2009 "Live so that those who know you, but don't know him, will want to know him because they know you..."

"Blogging is a great idea," says Ciji. So we will give it a try. I think it is a great way to let family and friends know how we are doing. Time will be the tricky part to keeping up with it. I can't even keep up with my e-mails!

New this year....

Cindy, an RN, will be transfering from the Med/Surg Floor at the Hospital to ICU, beginning February. She is a little more than nervous! Cindy teaches "Teaching for our Times-4th sunday lesson in Relief Society. Loves it...

Kevin is looking for new work after building a bank from dirt, designing and building the building, to making it the best bank in the Western division. Serves in the High Council and is over Seminary and Instutite. It goes with the steel-grey hair...

Ariel, 18, is a sophmore at BYU, majoring in Molecular Biology. Yikes! What an over achiever! This degree will prepare her for a career as a Physicians Assistant. Serves as a RS teacher, 2nd sunday, in her College Ward. Sweet, sweet girl, inside and out...

Sam, 13, is an eighth grader, reading and comprehending at a post high school level since 5th grade! His teachers say they have to work real hard to keep ahead of Sam and if they don't know the answer, they just ask him! Sam has been an avid reader since he could hold a book. He reads everything from Black Holes to Quesars! Loves anything to do with Science, History, shooting, archery, swimming and computers! Sams a deacon and a scouter and holds out the chair when his mom sits down in the formal dining room. Handsome young man, but hates to hear that...

Duke, our very beloved yellow lab retreiver, 3 years old, is happiest if he is fetching balls, swimming or chewing on a bone or devouring our digital camera! Unfortunately, Duke recently collided with another dog at the dog park and knocked 5 bottom front teeth out! He's such a handsome dog; we told him, "just don't smile and no one will every know!" Maybe this will slow the undesirable chewing...or maybe not...

Kevin and Cindy Cannon Family