I know that I have been neglectful of this blog lately. Halloween came and went. I made a cute little tutu and was a pretty pink fairy. That was huge foe me because I haven’t dressed up for Halloween for around 10 years. We had a great time getting ready. Melissa H, Beth L, and Breezie and I all met and got together to get ready. We all had a blast. I will try to post pictures soon.

Thanksgiving also came and went. I was pretty under the weather the entire month of November so I didn’t do much for the annual feast, but my great in-laws did and it was awesome. I had lots of hospital visits that month so I had plenty of time to reflect on my life and what is important. I have an older brother, David, he is 10 years older than me and we were raised in very different ways. I have been feeling sad because he has  a son that is, I believe 8 and I have not seen them since the early spring of 2004. I am making it my goal to make it to where they live in the coming year so I can bond and get to know my distant family.

I also have been going through radiation treatments for my second round of Ovarian Cancer. I am almost done with and have high spirits that I will conquer the second round with the same cancer. If this fails I will be having a complete hysterectomy, and I have not had children so we are really praying the radiation works.

As the Christmas season comes upon us I am reminded of what the true meaning of the season is. I challenge you all to look deep inside yourselves and search out what is missing in your life, or what you are struggling with and work on those things. Happiness is the greatest gift of all. Please know that as long as the good Lord allows me to be on this earth I will be here for you. I will listen, let you cry on my shoulder, anything I can do to help you. I am also here to celebrate your accomplishments. Just call. Life is there for us to live and make it into what we want. I love you all and want to wish you all the Happiest of Holidays!!!-Derin

Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand
Six Hundred Minutes
Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand
Moments So Dear
Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand
Six Hundred Minutes
How Do You Measure – Measure A Year?
In Daylights – In Sunsets
In Midnights – In Cups Of Coffee
In Inches – In Miles
In Laughter – In Strife

In – Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand
Six Hundred Minutes
How Do You Measure
A Year In The Life

How About Love?
Measure In Love
Seasons Of Love

Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand
Six Hundred Minutes
Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand
Journeys To Plan

Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand
Six Hundred Minutes
How Do You Measure The Life
Of A Woman Or A Man?

In Truths That She Learned
Or In Times That He Cried
In Bridges He Burned
Or The Way That She Died

It’s Time Now – To Sing Out
Tho’ The Story Never Ends
Let’s Celebrate
Remember A Year In The Life Of Friends

Remember The Love
Measure In Love
Measure, Measure Your Life In Love

Do you ever feel like no matter what you do you keep hitting the same road block time and time again? Well that is how I have been feeling for the last few weeks. I finally found a job, though not a glorious one, it will do for now. Phil is still searching for a job. We are still living in Santaquin and are trying to make the best of our situation. I got to see my nephews twice in the last month so that was awesome. They are now living back at my parents house with my sister so I hope to get to see them more often now. I have fallen in love with the music from RENT. The message that is shown is AMAZING!!! Here is a couple of the song lyrics. Read them and listen to what they are trying to say.

The heart may freeze or it can burn
The pain will ease if I can learn
There is no future
There is no past
I live this moment as my last
There’s only us
There’s only this
Forget regret
Or life is yours to miss
No other road
No other way
No day but today

So anyone that knows me know I LOVE to take pictures. I have begun to learn more about it and am working on building a portfoilio. Please check out my new blog and leave me a comment good or bad, with tips or encouragement. I am learning and I want to take the best photos I can, but I can’t do that without support from you. Please check out this site. www.derinharvey.blogspot.com

We have been somewhat busy the past few weeks. I have spent 90% of the past 2 months either traveling back and forth to my parents house in Colorado, or there was a whole month that I just stayed there to take care of them.  While I have been away my sweet in laws have stepped in to be with my husband and keep him occupied.

I am so excited for the upcoming girl/cousins party next weekend. Last time we had a wild and crazy, fun time, We love you all and hope all is well in your lifes.  Please let us know if there is anything at all we can do to help out, babysit for you so you can take a night off. Live, Laugh, Love Always and forever.-Derin

I got this from one of my friends blogs. It’s amazing what we as Americans are capable of.

“Killed in action the week before, the body of Sergeant First Class John C. Beale was returned to Falcon Field in Peachtree City, Georgia, just south of Atlanta, on June 11, 2009 . The Henry County Police Department escorted the procession to the funeral home in McDonough, Georgia. A simple notice in local papers indicated the road route to be taken and the approximate time. Nowadays one can be led to believe that America no longer respects honor and no longer honors sacrifice outside the military. Be it known that there are many places in this land where people still recognize the courage and impact of total self-sacrifice. Georgia remains one of those graceful places. The link below is a short travelogue of that day’s remarkable and painful journey. Click here to have your faith in the American people restored.”

http://blip.tv/play/AYGJ5h6YgmE?

Yeah, so I have been so busy the last little while so this is a big revue of the past few months. My dad has been pretty ill and is deteriorating rapidly so I am traveling back and forth to Craig about every week to 2 weeks. It is a 5 hour drive one way so needless to say I AM SICK OF DRIVING!!!!! Phil has been doing great in school and just finished another term at the high end of his class. He even won a contest at school where he had to design an ad for the Olympic Park in Park City. They are going to use the flier he made for their brochure. I will add a picture when I get back home. Phil is also beginning to put some of his art on deviantart.com Here is a link: http://superphilh.deviantart.com/ Check out his work and leave him some comments. He could use all the encouragement he deserves. I know this is short but I need to get back to taking care of my dad. Love and Hugs-Derin

It seems that no matter how much I try to keep updating my blog, something always comes up and I forget or get too busy. So on Friday night Rachel invited all the women cousins over for a “girl’s night”. We had a blast. Leah, Holly, Angie (who I met for the first time and love her), Vanessa, Sarah, Rachel, and myself were all there. We tattooed ourselves (temporary of course), ate lots of junk food, and best of all……… Played Rock Band and American Idol til the wee hours in the morning. I had no idea how fun rock band was. If I may toot my own little horn for a minute….. TOOT TOOT!!!!! I rocked the guitar and drums for my first time playing!!!!!! I am working right now but I will be posting pictures and videos as soon as I can.

I was able to take a trip to Colorado and visit my parents. I spent a bunch of time with my old friend Heather. We grew up together and were great friends, then I moved away and now we have reconnected!!! Yeah for Facebook!!! It was a relaxing trip but stressful also. I took my baby nephews with me, and between taking care of them and my parents, I was tired. My dad has been getting sicker and starts Radiation treatment in less than 2 weeks. That is a scary thing for me to see him go through. Most of you know that I too went through a cancer treatment. I chose chemo for my treatment and it was a terrible experience for me. Please remember my dad as you say your prayers.

On the way back from Colorado I stopped at my sister’s house in Vernal. Life is a completely different world for me at  at her house. Between the 2 teenagers and the 2 babies there is never a dull moment. I am grateful for all the time I am able to spend with Devin. She has been my sister for nearly 28 years now but only my friend for about 2.

As I close this long boring post I want to leave you with a little quote that I read everyday and try to use.

“Watch your thoughts, for they become words.
Watch your words, for they become actions.
Watch your actions, for they become habits.
Watch your habits, for they become character.
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.”

Remember to check back because I am going to post a bunch of pictures from my trip and from our girl’s night. With love-Derin

At the begining of this month Phil’s brother Jesse went on a mission. He will be serving in the Cinncinati Ohio Mission. The weekend before he left we did some family pictures at Vanessa’s house. Rachel did a great job taking them and we are thankful that she did them. Here are a few of my favorites.

Last night we were able to enjoy a fun time at cousin Rachel’s in Santaquin.  We were served a variety of soups and bread bowls. I played Rock band for the first time and held my own. We didn’t end up staying very late only until about 10 because I had to work early this morning. Thanks to Phillip and Rachel for such a fun night!!! Here are a few random pictures from the night.