Yesterday we left Skype on all day hoping that Meg would call us. Finally at midnight we got to talk to her. She looked good, she had showered and gotten some sleep. Because they don't heat the inside of their buildings we could see Meg's breath as she spoke to us!!!! She said it is very cold. She was wearing two jackets and her gloves, she said that she wished she had brought more warm clothing especially socks. She said that it seemed warmer outside then in the building. There are 17 adults in Meg's group so odd number Meg got her own room. She said the beds are hard but that she got to make hers a little softer because she used the pad from the other bed and comforter. Megs BIG complaint is that she "thought" that the teachers would have an "American" bathroom- but NOPE!! Poor Meg has to use a squatter there are no toilet seats to sit on and NO toilet paper!! Good for the thigh muscles -lol. She showed us pictures from her camera (how fun is that?!!) of the building, the city, the pollution (said it smells like car exhaust fumes and you can't see the blue sky or the mountains) she tried to email them to us but it wasn't working so hopefully soon will have some pictures to show you. She told and showed us all the things that they had been fed. She tried bamboo shoots but said they are gross. Nothing on the plate looked good - poor girl. She did eat the rice, she said that she is going to come back skinny:) They went to a store to get some supplies had fun trying to figure out what the items were. She said that people stared, pointed and followed them around. Some Chinese people had their pictures taken with the girls. Two blonds and a fair skinned brunette:) She said on the plane ride over they watched lots of movies. When they got to Shanghai they took a four hour bus ride to Changhzou. They will start teaching on Monday. They have had meetings and one of the head teachers won't call Megan - Megan. She says her name is Maggie. Megan tried to correct her a couple of times but gave up:) She said she doesn't know what they will do this weekend. They will try to go to church but it is far away. She hopes that she can find a place that sells hot chocolate and oatmeal:) They do have a microwave and washing machines (yeah). She also said that it was cute when they went out of the teacher building the kids would call "Hi teacher, hi teacher" This weekend kids get to go home and visit their families so she was greeted also by parents who said "hi" in Chinese (so she now knows how to say "hi":) It was wonderful to talk to her. She seemed happy. she did do alot of comparing America/China - but hey, there's alot of new stuff to get used to, especially the toilet - or lack of!!! For those of you that know Megan she can't do outhouses. She will hold her pee for days if she can. So we had a great time teasing her last night. She showed us a picture and told us it could be worse. Very proud of her:) Don't know when we will get to talk to her next but now I can finally eat - the knot in my stomach is a little smaller:) Won't be completely gone til she gets home. I am sooo proud of her, so excited for her adventure and all the things she is learning. All the new friends that she will make, and the children that she will teach and grow to love. To see places that most of us just see on tv. (yes, I'm crying:) I shall miss her tons but am very excited to hear of her adventures.
Love, Ricki
P.S. Appraiser came out last night to look at van. Now it goes to the shop! Rental car here I come - hope I don't like you, hee, hee:) I hadn't noticed that the trailer hitch is bent!! I'm taking it to the same place that fixed it last time - they did a great job. Hit twice in less then TWO years!!!
In case you are keeping score: Megan 4 accidents. Ricki 2 accidents. (in 2 1/2 years!!!) LOL LOL LOL LOL

Just got a message from ILP. Everyone and their luggage have arrived safely:) My Megan and her friends are in China.

As of Friday Chris isn't allowed to pass away until July when Megan gets home. I told him it is now to late!!:) Can't throw a funeral together by tomorrow afternoon and don't want to pay for Meg to come back from China. She leaves tomorrow night. Crazy to think that tonight is the last night we have with her for awhile - can't go and visit her when I miss her like I did when she was at BYU and the most disheartening thing is that this could be her last few hours with Chris. The next time she might see him "in a box" (according to Chris:) Yes, the next few days are going to be filled with lots of tears. I am excited for her. So proud of her. Especially for being so "brave" I don't think I would have ever done it and the things that she will learn and see - priceless! Something to remember forever. Packing has been a BIG job. Mostly just having her pack up her stuff from college and empty her car (so we can get it fixed) and running around making sure that she has everything. She isn't taking a lot of clothing because she wants to be able to leave it there if she needs to (suitcase to full:) somethings that she will need they don't sell there for example contact solution - and boys turn your heads - tampons!!!! Can you imagine??!!!!! So if anyone checks her suitcase they will get a good laugh tampons and contact solution hee, hee. Meg and I were laughing in the store about are cart items, we took half the shelf:) Ahhh to be a girl:) So, basically my life has been very busy thanks to Megan:) Today my mom is being kind enough to run her around so that I can get other things done that I need to. Water proof mascara tomorrow:)

Ha, ha it is now Wednesday morning. Tuesday was soooo, sooooo crazy finishing up all the last minute things before Meg left. At 5 pm my mom came over so she could come with us and take pictures and video. Whole family went to the airport. Meg had two big suitcases one weighed 48 lbs the other 42 lbs. and a 20 lb carry on:) Oh, and a purse:):) Where you check bags in is where we met the ILP people and Meg was given her flight info and her passport. We took lots of pictures of family and with her friends that are going also. After checking in we walked them to security where we said "good bye." Meg's friend Kenzie cried but Meg just kept saying "I want to go, I want to go!" she was wayyy excited and I'm sure "a little" tired of us. Her other friend Tressa was fine also:) We did find out that Meg didn't get the visa that would allow her to go back and forth. I'm going to contact them today. When we found that out a very large lump welled up in my throat. I don't want Meg to have to make a decision between China and her dad's funeral. I had a very hard time in the airport knowing that this could be the last time that Meg sees Chris alive. I just have to have faith that the Lord knows the "big picture" and won't give Meg or I anything that we can't handle. I've come to realize that this isn't just my trial. It feels like it but this belongs to all my kids. Having Meg fly back alone would not only be my trial from here wondering if she was safe but also hers. I haven't been able to eat since yesterday morning I'm afraid I will throw up. Such a big knot in my stomach. It is a total of 33 hours to get to where Meg is going. She flew to LA and then to Seoul Korea. Seoul Korea to Shanghai. Train or bus from Shanghai to Changzhou. ILP has a website to keep us up to date on where they are. Meg last texted (she's in trouble!!) Korea. She said that it smelled like "dirty feet" and that she couldn't understand anyone. There are 17 of them along with guides.

As you can see it has been a crazyyyy week. It is now Thursday morning and I haven't finished this blog:) Meg still isn't in China (well maybe she is). I received an email from her at 3 pm yesterday saying she was in Korea and that it was Feb 9th. Tressa, Kenzie and Meg have also put pictures up on facebook. I was laughing so hard because they look exhausted and nothing like when they left. Kenzie left with beautiful curls in her hair (now straight). Meg was wearing her glasses and Tressa had a ponytail that had strands of hair sticking out everywhere. Thanks for the laugh girls. I'm sure I wouldn't be looking to good after that many hours either. I hope they take a picture of themselves before they bathe:) I called ILP yesterday and they gave me the "low down" on what happened with Meg's visa. They said that the visa had been denied, sooo the process will be as soon as Meg arrives home have someone drive her to Provo to get new passport pictures and drop off passport and pictures at ILP. They will take the stuff to the consulate to have it expedited. It will take about four days. That's about perfect. It will just have to be one of those things that becomes a top priority (along with everything else:). When we came home Tuesday night Katie found somethings that Meg had not put away and poor Katie was running to us yelling that Meg had forgot these things and that we needed to take them to her. Sooo cute.

After we said goodbye to Meg we drove right to the church for Tay and Rye's Court of Honor. Thanks to amazing leaders Rye received a bronze palm, Tay received his On My Honor award, 10 Merit badges and his Star, and Chris was surprised by receiving his On My Honor award and a special religious knot. Verrryyy cool!! I did have a hard time concentrating - kept thinking about Meg. She texted me during the meeting - said that they were closing the doors of the plane. Headed to LA. Yeah, I started crying. Between the awards and Meg I was a mess.

Feb 1st was the one year anniversary of Chris quiting work:( Can you believe its been a year?! It has flown by.

At the end of the month Tay AND Jacob will get their braces off!! How exciting. TWO retainers to keep track of. LOL. Jacob gets his off Feb 27, have to go twice in one day because his retainer will have a tooth on it:) and Tay is Feb 28 and 29. Braces off the 28th and then come back for his retainer on the 29th. It will be very weird not to go at least once a month!! We've been going for at least 5 years!

I realized this month that I am now a mother of 2 teenagers and 1 adult!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Where has the time gone???!!!

Yesterday, we took Meg's car into be fixed and not even an hour later . . . . are you ready?. . . . Can you guess what happened?. . . . . . The van. . . . . . was . . . . . REAR ENDED!!!!!!!!!! I was stopped at the stop sign and she hit me. If you remember the van was rear ended before it was even a year old and received a new door. Well, the van isn't even TWO years old is now going to need a new door!!! It was just Rye and I and we weren't hurt. The funny thing is that it happened very, very close to where I was hit a year ago at! What's funnier is that Wed. I was driving home and I have a tendency to do "California stops" at stop signs. Little did I know that are friend who is a police officer was behind me in an unmarked car as I "rolled" through the stop sign. He gave me a warning:) Sooo, after I was rear ended I called him and told him that "If I hadn't stopped I wouldn't have been rear ended -therefore I am justified in rolling through stop signs!!:)" and will tell any police officer who pulls me over that I have found that stopping just gets me rear ended:) I'm sure that will go over well - hee, hee.

Katie has been sick the last two days - fever and cough. You wouldn't know it if you came to our house:) Chris is also sick - cough and sinus'. No matter how hard you try to keep germs out they always find you.

I have had a crazzzy week (did I mention I've had a crazzzyy week?!). Meg was all my time Monday and Tuesday. School started Monday for Jacob and Katie which is always an adjustment. Tues. sold candy grams at the middle school, court of honor and airport (exhausting day).

Wednesday, breakfast with books at the elementary, orchestra practice, Katie sick, PTSA meeting (thank goodness I have Chris:), Rye had a job interview (we were just coming back from it when we got hit), and a car accident. I took the boys (Katie and Chris ill) to the fitness center so they could swim or play ball while I attended a Kick Boxing class. I ssooooo needed it. Let a little stress out:) Still can't eat much. Just enough to not pass out but not enough to make we throw up. China is soooo far away. I will be ok soon - five months from now!! LOL.

Today, Katie is sick - I was suppose to work in her classroom. We have "bring your family to lunch day" at the elementary school (Jacob wants us to bring Del Taco), Tay has CAP, Jacob has Jr. Jazz practice, and Chris has ward men's bball game (that boy causes me stress!!!). Since it starts out mellow and most people know Chris is dieing I remind them that if my husband ends up on the floor they will be dealing with me!!:) Last game Chris ended up on his rear. After the game I gave the guy grief.

Tomorrow, we need to be at the elementary school at 8:25 for Soarin in the Mornin news. Then the boys will get together - like every Friday and play Dungeons and Dragons. They continue to enjoy it til Oh, 12:00 - 1: 00am. Fun for them they are learning to use their imaginations:).

Next week is Valentine's Party - I am doing a center for Katie's class and the chocolate fountain for Jacob's class. He is wayyy excited. Also starting to think about what I am going to feed the teachers for SEP dinner.

I will TRY to write to let you know Meg got there safe. If you have facebook you can click me as a friend and see what's happening. See pictures of Meg, Kenzie and Tressa.

Don't have a quote to end on - too tired and just trying to keep my own head above water.

Thanks to r friend who fixed are garbage disposal, my dad for fixing everything else and my mom for helping with whatever I need.

(sorry for the mistakes but if I work on this any longer it won't get done til - - maybe tomorrow, hee, hee)

Love ya, Ricki

So to start out, Chris is doing about the same. He hasn't lost anymore toe nails and his hair isn't falling out as much.
Chris, Tay and I went to Tay's CAP banquet last week it was very nice. Tay looked so nice in his uniform.
Chris and Jacob went to the Jazz game (for Jr. Jazz) Tuesday night where later I heard from friends that they were pretty sure that even though Chris and Jacob were sitting in the "nose bleed" section that the Jazz players could hear Chris. One of are friends said "That they couldn't see Chris but they could sure hear him." After the game they got to meet Matt Harpering and he signed Jacob's jersey (thanks to a neighbor who works at Energy Solutions).
Chris' mom and dad came into town this week. Nice to spend time with them. They were on their way up to Oregon to see Chris' brother Dave (38 years old) who is dieing of cancer. Their family has only known for about 3 weeks. Today they meet with Hospice.:( Crazy to think about. I have tried my best to lend a hand from here but it is sooo hard. As soon as they talk to Hospice they are one step ahead of us. His wife (Marla) will then know more then I do, and because she is such a kind person will someday turn around and help me. Makes you wonder about life. "Why has are family been so blessed to have Chris here for so long?" And of course we don't know the ending to Chris' story yet but Dave has suffered a lot. I am soo proud of Marla she is amazing. If you want to know how Chris' brother is doing you can follow her blog "Adventures in Wachland" If you do read her blog just don't compare the two:) she is much better at grammar, and paragraphs (I don't put paragraphs just because it drives people crazy LOL) and she is much funnier.
Last Sunday we celebrated Meg and I's bday. Had family and friends over for cake and pie. Meg had banana cream pie and I had 3 different types of cake from Nothing bundt Cakes. Mmmm.
Monday was Meg's bday. We went to Chick-fil-a and embarrassed her by bringing her balloons and a banana cream pie - and of course we sang - she was taking orders:) Oh, how she loves us!! We picked her up from work to take her to dinner and a movie. She asked me to bring her a change of clothes which I forgot (accidentally) and so she ended up wearing my coat (she hadn't brought one) to cover up her uniform. Of course it was cold outside! We saw War Horse. I couldn't stop crying!! Tay sat next to me and he kept rubbing my arm and telling me it was ok. Katie later came and sat on my lap, at the end of the movie I was sobbing and Katie said to me "It's ok mom, it's just a movie." over and over again to me (as Tay was rubbing my arm). What sweet children I have:) It was a beautiful movie just hit to close to home. I would love to see the show about the Twin Towers but if I can't handle War Horse I don't think I would do well in that movie. We ended up not eating out - to full from popcorn:)
Thursday, we met with the DMV for Meg's License hearing. We went to the same place where she got her license - how ironic! She gets her license at 16 and at 19 gets it taken away:) For young adults the point limit on your license is 69. Meg had 115!!!! They gave us two options. 1- probation for a year, you can drive but if you get any citations license is gone for a year. Year would have started Dec. 20 (day of accident). 2- suspend license for 30 days. After 30 days take a defensive driving class and pay $30 to get your license back. We took option 2. We have already been driving her everywhere what's two more weeks? then she will go to China. When she gets back she can take care of everything. The hearing officer said that that would take her close to zero points and might help with insurance. Ahhh. I feel like we are learning so many things about "the world." I didn't even know there was such a thing as "license hearings" Meg was also lucky enough to go to the dentist that day. No cavities:) And we did a ton of shopping to get her ready to go - she has to take enough contact solution to last her six months - that's not something they sell there. Toys for the kids, hand sanitizer, etc.
We were in the mall and I had my wedding ring cleaned. The jeweler told me that I had 4 out of 6 prongs missing on my ring (you could tell it was true). He advised that I get it fixed before I lose my diamond. I told Chris and he said "We aren't spending the money to fix it because soon you won't need to wear it." It was hard but I took it off after Meg and Chris' mom got after me:) The diamonds belonged to Chris' mom's mother. And since life threw me a curve ball I had decided to let Meg have the diamonds for her ring someday. It has felt very weird not wearing it. The bright side is that now I don't have to take it off after he dies (I've heard that's hard to do). My finger will be used to being "naked." hee, hee.
Tay spoke in Sacrament meeting yesterday. Did a great job. Spoke nice and slow:)
Today Tay and Jacob go to the ortho. Jacob's teeth look great so today maybe the day they decide that his braces can come off. Look out Twix bar:)
We have scouts, Jr. Jazz, driving Meg around, CAP, orchestra and I have my literary committee meeting for the middle school. This time I had to read 4 books. One of them was The Help. Ya, NO!!! No way would I have Tay read that book!! Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul (to many girlie stories - otherwise ok), Eighth Grade Bites (vampires of course), and Shipwrecked at the Bottom of the World (true story about Antarctica expedition - really interesting). Glad to be done reading these books so I can start reading what I want. Right now I am reading some parenting books and some on grieving (hey, I have time I should prepare:). Anyway, I have to tell you my funny story (I told a friend and she laughed so hard that I have to write it down). I was laying in my bed at night reading my parenting book. Kids kept coming in and bugging me. Finally, I yelled at them to get to bed, "Stop bugging me, I'm trying to learn how to be a good mother!!!" Ha, ha, ha it was a funny moment. Yeah, I'm not any closer to being a better mother. LOL.
"Love the people God gave you, cuz one day he will need them back."
Love ya, Ricki

Last night Chris went and played "ward basketball" with the (old) men. He did well, only landed on the floor once (which Taylor held me back for- lol "don't embarrass dad!") He was in pain after the game but just wants to be able to play because he loves it. He told a man after the game that in a few months when he is bedridden he wants to be able to look back and know that he tried to play (he doesn't play for long before he comes out of the game) and he'll have something to replay in his head.:(
We got some terrible news this week about Chris' younger brother. He has cancer in his back and is terminal. The doctors are giving him a year to live!!! Right now he has been in the hospital for two weeks. He is paralyzed and in tons of pain. From his wife's blog they are going to try and start radiation and chemo next week. How sad. How crazy. He has a wife and a soon to be thirteen year old son. I read her blog and I feel like I am reliving my life. Things are breaking in her house, doctors can't give answers, feeling guilty about dividing your time between home and hospital, tired of hospital, worried about finances, worried about how kids are coping, feeling like you're letting others down (she's heavily involved in her sons school), overwhelmed, exhausted, want your old life back, and the worst part is watching the one you love with all your heart in TONS of pain and not being able to help them. You want to make the pain stop, you want answers, you want the doctor's to help him (even though you know they are doing all they can). What a whirlwind of emotions she has entered. I feel so blessed in many ways as are circumstances are different. Count your blessings. This makes three out of four of Chris' siblings with cancer, one in remission and two dieing!!! My heart breaks for Chris' parents. Parents are suppose to die before their children. Chris' brother is tough like Chris so . . . . he could live for a lot longer then the doctors say. LOL.
Last week we got a new "case manager" from Metlife and Chris was talking with her on the phone telling her how much he wanted to work and of course about his health. It makes one really ponder knowing that Metlife and the government (social security office) that we haven't had any problems receiving the help that we need. You hear of people who struggle getting what they need but "Chris must really be dieing" (I guess I have to believe it if they do!!) because we've only had tons and tons of paperwork but no one has ever accused us of trying to be deceitful.
Chris and I have decided that this is are "retirement" time. Couples usually get to experience retirement around 65, ours is just happening early. We had planned on going on a mission (or two) and playing with the grand kids but it's wonderful that he is able to have this time with his kids. He spoils each of them rotten and insists on being hugged often by each child (even the "big" ones:).
I had a nice birthday I went out to lunch and dinner and went shopping for my bday present (you get what you want that way:) Meg's bday is Monday (16th) the big 19! She wants to go to Red Robin for her bday so will work around her work schedule. On Thursday, Meg has to appear in License Court at the DMV. Poor girl will probably have her license suspended. When I was talking with the lady on the phone to make the appointment she said that they usually suspend the license for a YEAR!! We will be able to plead are case. Which as parents we already handled by taking away her license and just plain not letting her drive any car. Maybe they will offer driving classes. Only problem is that Meg leaves February 7th (new date) for China so she won't be able to do anything until she gets back.
We go off track today. I now teach Katie's class in Primary and we moved to a new (old) building for church. I've been having sugar cravings lately. One day I made banana bread, sugar cookies with REAL butter cream frosting (Paula Deens recipe - two sticks in the cookies and two sticks in the frosting:), chocolate chip pumpkin cookies and chocolate chip cookies. Mmmm... I could go for some more. Are shower was broken for a couple of days - what a pain!!
Chris' mom and dad are coming this weekend to see us on their way to see to their son in Oregon.
As always we continue to be busy. Soooo, grateful.
"To hope and trust in the Lord requires faith, patience, humility, meekness, long-suffering, keeping the commandments, and enduring to the end." Elder Robert D. Hales
Love ya, Ricki

Christmas was wonderful. No one sick. Lots of family and food:) New Year's Eve not so lucky. . .two sick people (stomach flu) so we had to cancel all the party plans we had. Chris had the stomach flu during the week. He was extremely sick, he was in tonnnnsss of pain. I rarely see him in as much pain as he was in. Thank goodness it only lasts 24 hours. For New's Eve we did are traditional family "fry everything." Cheese sticks, won tons, corn dogs, chocolate in won ton wrappers, onion rings, pizza rolls etc. etc. whatever you can think of and won't burn down the house. The draw back to "frying everything" is that you and the house smell bad for days:)

Megan has us running her around places, especially to work. Her car requires $4,000 worth of repairs. $500 deductible. Will take it to be fixed soon (after she leaves:) The owner of Chick-fil-a in Jordan Landing (please eat there, if you live close:) hired Meg to work there for a MONTH!! What a nice guy. Answer to my prayer. Meg is funny she compares McDonald's to Chick fil a. One is Chick fil a is cleaner and they use fresh chicken:) (that's a plus, hee, hee) She misses McDonald's fast pace and their never ending menu - she used to be able to make her own concoctions and she wants to put a drink machine by the drive up window of Chick fil a to make it more efficient. Chris and I are soooo grateful to the owner. Really, who would hire someone knowing that they are leaving for China in a month? Can't say enough nice things (ya, I'm crying:)

Last Friday Tay had something very, very, very exciting happen to him. Tay's Lieutenant from CAP called and asked him if he could be at the airport in an hour to fly a plane!!!! Of course we hustled and got Tay there. After flight instruction, picking the route and then checking the plane he, and another cadet and the flight instructor took off. The first cadet flew the plane to the Logan airport and then Tay flew it back to Salt Lake. It was wonderful! There was NNNOOOOO way that smile was coming off of Tay's face. He smiled, and smiled and smiled. He wasn't scared or sick. Chris and I learned while there that if you do get sick in the air and there is no bag you are to open your shirt and throw up in it:) It makes for easier cleanup. LOL. At high speeds I guess it gets all over. The flight instructor has family in Logan so he had them fly over their house - his grand kids were outside waving as he and the cadet took the plane in circles. What an awesome experience. Tay definitely wants to be a pilot:)
Took Meg to get a physical and to the International Travel Center to get four shots. Poor girl. We learned a lot. A nurse talks to you for about 45 minutes and goes over all the lovely germs that you could get and what to do. She also gave Meg a prescription that she can take if she drinks the water etc. etc (gets sick:) Also gave her the phone number and address to the embassy and told her to put it in her phone, suitcase, purse etc. I was feeling "a little" panicky by that time. I know she's going to have a ton of fun and learn lots of things. But hey, I cried when she went to Provo!! Boy, am I in trouble!
Katie has been asking to get her ears pierced for awhile so during the holiday break we took her to the mall and got them done. We told her it would hurt. She didn't even cry!! And they did one at a time. She was sooo excited about picking the pink flower earrings. She hasn't screamed "much" since:)
Today, was such a nice day outside that Chris took down the Christmas lights. He has been taking the boys to play basketball at the gym for the past two days and has again been helping with Jr. Jazz. We are now back to being busy:) Today, I worked in Jacob's classroom and then Chris and I both worked in Katie's. She wanted "Dad" to come. Meg is in Provo for the next two days learning about China. She is leaving either Jan. 30 or 31st. We go off track soon which will make things easier - except Jacob still has early morning orchestra and of course I still have a high schooler and middle schooler.
Last night we found out that Chris' younger brother has cancer:( They are doing tests and determining what they will do. Chris' older sister had colon cancer a couple of years ago! Gotta find a cure!!!
Here's my new quote that I hope to live by:) "Patience means active waiting and enduring. It means staying with something and doing all that we can. Working, hoping, and exercising faith; bearing hardship with fortitude, even when the desires of our hearts are delayed. Patience is not simply enduring; it is enduring well!" Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Love ya, Ricki

We've done a lot of fun things this past week starting with last Wednesday when Aunt Wanda and Uncle Ray (are favorite aunt named Wanda and are favorite uncle named Ray- hee, hee) from California came and visited us. When they came over to visit little did they know that they were going to be going on a road trip to Provo. They were so kind to drive down with us to Provo so that we could help Meg load up her stuff to bring home. We ate lunch in Provo and then headed back home with little room to move:) Meg is done with finals and living in Provo. We now get to figure out where to store all her stuff.

Tay did a fantastic job at his band concert playing the trumpet and Jacob did a great job with his orchestra concert - he had 3 of them. Chris made it to both Tay and Jacob's concerts. The night of Jacob's concert Chris was soooo tired after putting together and hosting he and Katie's hot chocolate party. We had 11 girls here (age 4-5). Chris decorated the kitchen and living room with lights, wrapped the kitchen table with Grinch wrapping paper, made hot chocolate, put plates, tea cups (I had real glass Christmas ones), spoons, cupcakes, cookies, gift bags (that he and Katie put together), crafts and got the movie ready (the Grinch - of course:). Chris had the boys put on white shirts and ties and had them help serve and help with the craft (gingerbread houses out of foam) and I video taped. What a fun time. What a fun dad. What a fun memory. Sooo precious.

Friday night the guys got together and played Dungeons and Dragons kids sure love playing (don't think the adults mind either:) Meg and I went to the gym - it was fun to have her along, it's more fun to go with someone.

Saturday, Katie, Jacob, some of Jacob's friends (couldn't get the older kids to come:) and I went and saw Chipwrecked for free (we won tickets to see it). We had a great time. We even won a Chipmunk movie, tshirts, balls and Jacob won a Play dough dentist kit. After we went to the music store to get Jacob Book II for his violin. I went up to Park City to play with my friends who have moved all over the state and even Florida (her husband flew her here for her bday and another friend set up the rest:) We ate, talked and shopped at the outlet mall. It was sooo much fun to hang out with them, boy do I miss them. While I was playing Chris took care of Jr. Jazz games for Tay and Jacob.

Sunday, Katie was suppose to give a talk in primary - which I forgot about until someone reminded me in the hall on the way to sharing time. I ran for Chris - he's soo good at coming up with talks quickly. He ran to the library and got a picture of Christ. Then he whispered "the talk" into Katie's ear and she repeated it. Ya, I'm crying!! It was such a beautiful, tender moment. I wish I could have video taped it. A father whispering words into his daughters ear and she repeating them, about Christmas and Christ's birth and how we can all be resurrected someday. What will I ever do without him?????

Monday, Chris worked in Katie's classroom (he did that last Monday also:), Jacob "played sick," - "gold bricker" as we call him. For FHE we did our family tradition of seeing the lights on Temple Square and of singing Christmas carols in the Energy Solutions building. We took friends with us and met friends there. It was a lot of fun (like always) singing Christmas carols, listening to the orchestra (trumpet and violin the most, of course), being with friends (seeing friends there that have moved) and family, seeing the Jazz Bear and Alex Boye (he was a hoot). After the lights we needed something warm so we went to Crown Burger (9:00 pm) and had dinner (hee, hee) and met my friend from Florida so that she could come home with us and we could take her to the airport Tues. (her brother lives in Provo and they all came down to see the lights and then "hand her over":). We finally got everyone in bed by 11:30!!! yikes!! I kicked Chris off his side of the bed and had him sleep on the couch so that my friend and I could stay up talking (and of course the bed is more comfortable then the couch- hee, hee). We stayed up talking til 3 am!!!

Tuesday, 6 am comes quick. I had to get Rye up and then myself because I had to be at Tay's school at 8:40 for a SEOP meeting with the school and Tay (Student Education Occupation Plan)

Before Tay left for school we said a prayer (like always) and in his prayer he thanked Heavenly Father for my friend and for "letting his mommy have a sleepover with her friend" (ya, I'm crying again:) After the meeting I ran home and helped (ok laughed at) my friend packing her stuff (she had to much fun shopping). We went to breakfast and had the "to die for" syrup at Kneaders. Oh, and some french toast:) and a Dr. Pepper. Needless to say I then went and bought a sandwich to counter act all the shaking I was doing from having to much sugar, hee, hee. After breakfast/lunch we went and saw some of her other friends. Time goes fast and it was time to take her to the airport. It was soo much fun having her. I have always felt like we knew each other before this life. We get along so well. She is amazing. I am verry, verry blessed to have her as a friend (ya, crying again). Oh, and for Christmas she brought me a "stick of butter" Christmas ornament from Paula Deen's restaurant in Georgia. Sooo funny. Our family laughed so hard. They know I am a Paula Deen fan and I LOVE butter!!! Story is when I was a kid I would eat sticks of butter just for fun and keep some under my pillow (hey, I don't remember this but my mom does:) When I got home Katie came up to me crying because she had gotten in trouble at school (Chris took care of it). A boy called her a name so she pushed him:( I went and picked Tay up from school to take him to the ortho., he had broken off a chain in his mouth. Made dinner before Jacob went to scouts, got my pj's on after I took him to scouts (I could barely function - soooo tired). I had Katie in bed by 7:30, told each kid what time they were to be in bed and then by 8:40 I was in bed. I was awakened by the phone ringing at 9:20 pm to hear Chris saying to the person on the other end of the phone "Are you ok?", "What happened?", "Do you need me to come and get you?" Heart pounding I come out to find out what happened (Meg worked today and was suppose to be home at 9). Dear, sweet Megan was in yet another car accident!! This time her fault. No one hurt. It was in the round about up in Park City on the way to the Outlet mall. It was driveable, at least to home. Meg also said that the girl that she hit and her mother were very nice. I looked at the car last night when she came home, it didn't look to bad. Then this morning when I went to take kids to school I saw it and started crying. It's not pretty. Even my dad said that he wouldn't work on it - she "shifted" everything six inches, too much work needs to be done and not sure if the frame is bent. (ya, crying again:) Called the insurance company to talk with them about this being Megan's second ticket (last one was speeding) and now an accident. How much is are deductible and how much are the monthly payments going up to? It's a $500.00 deductible on Meg's car and we won't see an increase in our insurance until August. Insurance agent told us also to let him know when Meg leaves for China then he can take her off for six months. So, when she comes back we will reevaluate what we are going to do about her and insurance. Meg no longer works at McDonald's. Chris and I will drive her to wherever she needs to go. Thank goodness she has a job interview today with a friend who owns a fast food store. Meg is sad but with our families situation things are different. She just needs to earn money and will soon be going to China. We keep telling her to keep her goal in sight. Things will work out. We love her soo much and are sad that she has to learn things "the hard way." Just another bump in the road:) I told her to look on the bright side - she can now spend more time with her dad while he drives her places - hee, hee. Everything will be fine as soon as she and I stop crying. LOL

Chris and Rye are at the Jazz game right now. Fun for them:)

Tomorrow (Thursday) I get to chaperone lunch at the middle school and Friday I feed the entire elementary staff (60 people) breakfast. I'm being lazy this year and buying french toast and "to die for" syrup and a fruit tray from Kneaders and serving drinks. Not to hard:) Then finally it will be a week of being lazy, lazy, and more lazy. Only a week - rats!!

"When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on." -Franklin D. Roosevelt

Merry Christmas. We love ya all, Ricki