Dear Online Diary...

Wow its been awhile since I posted in here.... probably because all I ever do is math anymore.... Being in grad school pretty much takes up all of my free time... but I do love it... its a kick... I am doing Discrete Geo and Advanced Modern Algebra... the latter is no problem... it normally takes my group and I about 2 hours of work each week to get it done and thats combined... Discrete however is pain.. but a good one... its basically combinatorics of polytopes and it pushes my mind in ways that haven't been pushed in a long time. I am making new friends there as well and I def have a niche of people. I am just very happy to be doing something that I love again and being bogged down with the non-profit world.

Jen is well. She has her energy back and is running around as per the usual. School, work, home, etc repeat, and all while being pregnant.... Its pretty amazing. She is amazing and I cherish her and our little one inside of her.

That being said, we recently found out just how much family means and why we need to cherish it. Steph, our compadre, the mother of our god child Miles and Malia was diagnosed with breast cancer, stage 3. It has already passed into lymph nodes. She just started chemo the other day and isn't feeling well. We went down the other day to spend time with the family and basically we hung out and watched football. I figure anything we can do to make it seem normal the better. I am worried for her, I am worried for her family, I am worried that she wont make it. This hits close to home for me. 4 years ago my father died of cancer and I haven't dealt with a lot of the emotions around that. That combined with the baby on the way and I am kind of emotional... but this isnt about me... I honestly dont know how to help Steph and Chris and the kids. I would do anything to take that pain away from them. Steph is ONLY 31. She is strong and healthy and beautiful and has a beautiful family... this isnt fair... its frankly bullshit.

I know Jen and I will be there for Steph and her family. We love them, they are family and I have learned to love family no matter what and keep them close because you never know whats around the corner. You never know when someone will leave and you will never see them again.