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

Chris continues to lose his hair and very strange he is also loosing his toe nails!!!! He says that it doesn't hurt - which is good. He has also had cramping and swelling in his right foot. We are curious to see what will happen next:) He took Meg out shopping Friday afternoon, went to Uncle Bud's party (which we had a great time at - fun to see all the relatives). Saturday Tay's bball game was at 8 am. Chris didn't make it, he was very sick all night (didn't get a lot of sleep) thanks to all the good food he ate Friday night (taco soup HATES him). He went to the ward Christmas party Saturday night (fun to see and talk with ward members), played Dungeons and Dragons with the boys - who had been begging and begging to play. Tithing settlement and church Sunday and we celebrated Jacob's 10th birthday with cake, presents and family. Monday, for Family Home Evening we drove around and saw the Christmas lights. Went to two streets that are known for their lights and having Twas the Night Before Christmas story boards in each yard. Saw a reeallllyyy cool house that was decorated and had music to it. You tuned your radio to the station it had posted in its yard and then watched the lights dance with the music. Soooo cool. We then headed to get scones at Winder Dairy but we were to late so we are going to go tonight after school.

Jacob was suppose to get his braces off yesterday but the dentist decided that the front teeth weren't close enough together. 3 more weeks and lots of pain. They put bands on to pull them closer. Poor boy! He was sooo sad. When we got there he ran into the dentists office yelling that he was going to have a Twix bar soon and he stood by a poster on the wall that said "bye, bye braces Jacob" to get his picture taken (without complaining:). Are tradition is to take the child out to lunch to have ribs after they get their braces off. Jacob was sooo sad and in so much pain that we took him to get noodles for lunch before returning him to school.

A couple of times during the day I thought about all that happened three years ago and how are family has changed. What's important and what's not. How we've grown and how grateful I am that Chris is still with us. How nice this time of year feels thanks to him being here.

They changed the city that Megan is going to in China. she is now going to Changzhou. She is still verrrryyy excited. Changzhou is bigger and is closer to a lot of other cities so she will be able to travel more. It is also warmer. Most of the year it stays around 60 degrees. We are now in the process of getting her her physical and extra shots:) she's not worried she gives blood all the time. She has five finals this week and then will move back home and start working again so she has spending money in China.

We again have a busy week. Right now I have two sick kids. Tonight is bball practice for Tay (which Chris will help out with). Wednesday, orchestra for Jacob, scouts, and Tay has his band concert. He loves playing the trumpet and he is doing a great job.

Thursday, Jacob has three orchestra concerts. 9am, 2pm and 7pm and Tay has CAP. At 4pm Chris and Katie are having a "Hot Chocolate Party" with 9 girls from the ward. Chris made invitations and he and Katie delivered them yesterday to each of their homes. Hot chocolate, food, watching the Grinch movie and a craft. What a fuuuuunnnn dad:)

Friday, we get to breath:)

Saturday, we have a Jr. Jazz game at 11am and 7pm. And are family won tickets to see the movie "Alvin and the Chipmunks." Chris, Tay, Meg and Rye aren't going. Jacob is going under protest so I told him we'd find some friends of his to take. Hey, we never win anything!! I'm all about a free movie and free popcorn. Then if the movie is lame I don't feel bad - I didn't pay for it.

Hope ya all are almost done shopping.:):)

Love ya, Ricki

Meg is headed to China next month!! Weihai. Just saw a video of it from a guy who is there now (he was eating scorpions). Oh, Meg is going to love the bathrooms:) Makes me soooo grateful for what I have. Last week when I called the ILP (we gave Meg a "loan" - if she paid full amount by a certain date she got $300 off) I told them about Chris and if there was going to be a problem with her coming home for a (if there is one) funeral. They told me that it was a good thing that I said something because now they could get Meg a special visa. If she came home she wouldn't be able to go back until she paid for a new visa and she would have to wait for that visa. They also said to call their office and they would have their travel agent help me so that I could get a better rate on airfare. She is sooo excited to go.

We continue to have a broken washing machine. 12 days later!! We went to the laundry mat last Thursday and did 13 loads of laundry! 2 hours and $45.00 later.

The repairman came and decided what he thought was wrong. We waited for parts to come. He installed them, still doesn't work. Try replacing more parts ($162.00 later) or buy new washing machine? Today we are going shopping. And today, we had better come home with a washer!!! Soooo, grateful to have a washing machine in my own home. Wash when I want, what I want, and not have to sit there and watch my laundry - and Katie crawl all over the dirty floor looking for money - as I yell at her "Get up, we can't wash the clothes you're wearing at home and take off your coat you're getting it dirty!!" Grateful knowing that "this isn't a forever thing." Nice to get it all of it done at once instead of doing it for hours at home. Chris, Katie and I ate lunch, talked, did homework (with Katie:), and read the newspaper. I will say folding 13 loads of laundry at once "is not fun!!!"

Chris continues to lose his hair. He says that "the roots of his hair hurt." He doesn't have any side burns. His foot has also been hurting him for the past couple of days so he has been limping. He wants to put one more string of lights on our house and he finished putting the lights on the tree. He has been busy coaching Jr. Jazz practice. Last week both coaches (and tonight Tay's coach) need him to take over practice. Which he loves:) He has also been busy helping with homework (typed up a big assignment for Rye) and helps Katie everyday with her alphabet sounds and sight words. Still craves Slurpees. He also loves beans and mexican food from Del Taco (went there Saturday) and you can always find a bowl full of mint M&M's on the table.

Last night we celebrated Jacob's birthday. His bday is December 24th - to hard to do anything. We had a great time playing laser tag, go carting, bumper cars, bowling and playing miniature golf. Oh, and eating the buffet dinner:) We will have the family bday party on Sunday. Poor Chris was totally exhausted after that. What a trooper:) Crazy to think that two years ago we were celebrating Chris being able to baptize Jacob. He was baptized on his bday and a luncheon and bday cake were provided by a special family for us to enjoy afterwards.

This week is moving fast. We are very busy. Jr. Jazz practice for Tay and Jacob, pack meeting, orchestra practice, I have two PTA meetings this week, work in Jacob's classroom, CAP, we have are favorite Christmas party - Uncle Bud's party (my dad's brother) we eat, Santa comes with presents and the kids play games and make crafts (I'm in charge this year of the crafts:) and the adults talk. Tons of fun to see everyone. Then Saturday morning Tay has a bball game at 8:00am, scout service project at 9:00am, Chris will take Meg out to eat and shopping (last kid) and then we have are ward Christmas party. Tis the season for fun:) No resting until after the new year.

Last Thursday was Civil Air Patrol's 70th anniversary celebration. It was neat to see all the cadets in Air Force uniforms and marching. Tay did a great job.

Loved the First Presidency Christmas Devotional. Can't wait to watch the videos they are producing. Feeling very happy and blessed.

Love, Ricki

Chris is doing O.K. It's been five weeks since he had chemo. Last week his hair started falling out by the handfuls. He has very thick hair so it might be hard to tell but it is alot thinner. He wants to shave his head. We find his hair in the food and on the kitchen counter etc. First I thought it was the cat. His fingers are almost healed and he has been able to do things that he wants to do. He put up Christmas lights on our house (he was to sick to do it last year). He has taken Ryan, Taylor, Jacob and Katie each Christmas shopping and out to eat (he will take Megan next weekend when she comes home). He pulled my washing machine apart to see what was wrong (with the guidance of "British James" on u tube) - we are going to the laundry mat today, we've been without a washing machine for a week!! The repair man said the part will be in on Friday or Saturday. It was cheaper to repair the old one then get a new one (darn it:) I wanted a pretty red front loader) And he is helping coach Tay and Jacob's Jr. Jazz bball teams.

Katie and Jacob have been sick this month. Jacob will get his braces off on Dec. 12th at which time he will get a retainer that will have a fake tooth on it. He is missing a tooth (just like Chris). When he is older he will have braces put back on but for now the dentist was fixing his bite. He is excited to get all that metal out of his mouth:)
Took Rye to the foot doctor. He hurt his foot during cross country and it has been hurting him a lot. Thank goodness nothing serious was wrong. They took xray and found that he isn't done growing - he was very excited. His foot was hurting because he is growing and needed some arch support. Easy to fix. We also enjoyed going to his cross country banquet. We also celebrated him receiving his Eagle Scout award. Chris was ill that night and we started late so we could wait for him. It was a wonderful evening. Rye gave one mentor pin to Chris for being a wonderful father and scout master to him and the other mentor pin went to the young man that helped Rye with his Eagle - the young man is on his mission right now (in Brazil) so we asked his family to come so that Rye could pin it on his mom and we would send it to him. Chris worked hours and hours on Rye's video. It was sooo much fun to watch. Chris did a great job - like always. I must say I am sooooo glad to have it all the way over.
We had are Primary program this month. It was wonderful and we were soooo blessed to have a special visitor "pop" in to see us. Dallin H. Oaks came and watched. He was so fun to watch. He smiled at every child after they finished their line. He also spoke to us. Katie and Jacob both had their lines memorized - so proud. After the meeting Chris, Meg, Tay, and Rye went and shook his hand. Very cool. I know we live in Utah but we really don't get many opportunities to shake a General Authorities hand and sit so close.
We had a very nice Thanksgiving. Chris wanted to have a real tree for xmas so we went and bought one. Tay, Jacob and Katie have never had a real tree before. Smells so good. It's tall and bushy.
Meg got her passport last week and is still very excited about going to China. she moves back home Dec. 18th. She will work, work and work so that she can pay for her trip and extra spending money there.
Chris and his two friends decided that they wanted to teach their sons how to play Dungeon and Dragons just like they used to play as kids (get them to use their imaginations:) It's sooo fun to watch and listen to them play. They are having such a good time. They have been playing once a week for the past month. Nine people total - makes for a lot of noise:)
Can't believe it's December!! On December 12th it will be 3 years since the social worker came out and took me into a room with him, the doctor and a large box of kleenex to tell me that Chris only had 6 weeks to live. I can still remember the whole thing as if it was yesterday. My how our lives have changed!! We just keep adjusting to the different situations that come at us. Sooo grateful to still have Chris with us. Life will be sooo awful when he is gone. I've gotten used to having him around 24 /7 (I didn't think I ever would:). I know he would rather be at work but sure has been nice to eat dinner as a family at 5:00 pm if that's the only time we can eat because of everyone's schedule or eating lunch with one of the kids at school, Katie and him going and getting a Slurpee, helping with homework and typing projects, making an Eagle Scout video for Rye and many other things.
Oh, and he learned to appreciate me more this week!! LOL When he was taking the washer apart he kept telling me he was "sorry that I had to work in these conditions" You know how it goes all around the machine is lint, lint and more lint. No matter how often you clean it, it comes back:) and mounds of dirty laundry all around. I couldn't stop smiling, he had such a good time watching those videos and then going downstairs and doing what the guy said. He was like a kid in a candy store. And he and the appliance repair man "talking shop." I did video tape him. It was fun to see him having fun. Oh, how I love him:)
Love, Ricki

Sorry, been crazy. Chris finished his chemo. Only took one poke:) Lost 2 lbs. Chris was sick Friday morning so we didn't go to all of Megs classes. We made it for her afternoon classes she gave us a tour of campus and then we took her and our nephew out to eat. Saturday, Chris was a real trooper. He didn't feel well but he came with us to the Idaho/BYU game. We were seated wayyyy at the top and it was extremely hot!! I went and bought sun screen and a hat for Chris. After the game we took Meg to eat then headed home. I drove home Chris was sooo worn out poor guy. We didn't end up going to church with Meg on Sunday - she had regional conference. She said all they talked about was "marriage." "So boring"

Lots has been going on since then. Chris' fingers are so badly split and bleeding that he can't even hold a piece of paper. Hard to watch him be in so much pain. He puts neosporin on them and band aids and he feels like his face is going to fall off - it's so dry. Even after lotion. His stomach seems to be getting worse. Food digesting in less then 24 hours. He eats constantly but doesn't gain weight. Friday, night (Nov 4) threw up. Food not liking him. He's tired usually takes a nap during the day. We've had fun with Jacob and Katie off track. Don't know what Jacob is going to do without a Slurpee everyday:) (this is the last week:(

Ok, now it's Monday morning:) Chris took kids trick-or-treating on Halloween. He "drove" them but that was better then last year when he couldn't go at all. Katie was Bell from Beauty and the Beast, Jacob was a pirate (shocker:), Tay was a Utes fan - ha, ha, and Rye was just Rye (he went to a party and then went trick or treating to a few houses, people still gave him candy - people way to nice or just scared of teenagers. Lol). Meg came up and her and I handed out candy.

On Friday, (Nov. 4) Meg decided that she's going to go to CHINA for five months to teach English to elementary students!!! She leaves either January or February. When we talked she had some hurdles- like, getting rid of her apartment contract and money. Meg has a job interview today in Provo so that she can earn the money to go and she had her interview with her Bishop yesterday and is getting a letter of recommendation from her high school coach. And as of yesterday her best friend from high school is going also. Until she leaves she will now take a class a couple times a week on the culture, what to expect, etc. While there they will get to travel. Meg is sooooo excited!! Chris talked with her yesterday telling her that if he dies while she is in China that she isn't coming home (that's when I like to remind him that he doesn't have a say, hee hee). Too much money and "she doesn't need to see his dead, cold body in a box." My dad told her "he'll tape it." Kind of crazy how she has done a 180. Just a couple of weeks ago she was begging to come home to be with him - now she's off to China. Chris has been having a great time with this - all weekend he looks at me, says the word "China" and I start crying!!!! Funny boy!! I know she will have fun and learn a lot. A friend told me "that we should all go to a third world country so we can be grateful for what we have." I did tell Chris that I should go with her. He can hold down the fort:)

Tay and Jacob are doing Jr. Jazz again this year. Ahhh, I was hoping that they would forget:) Chris is signed up to be the assistant coach to Tay's team -the coach is a good friend who knows that Chris may or may not be able to help.

We continue to keep busy. This week FHE, orchestra, Rye driving with his driving instructor:), orthodontist appoint, scouts, relief society, ptsa meeting, feeding the teachers - thank goodness my assistant isn't sick (quick knock on wood:), CAP, and Tay and Rye have a scout campout - Turkey Shoot. Chris said he will try and go. last year he went for a while and then had to come home. Hope he can go:) Chris is also starting to take kids out to dinner and Christmas shopping. Because Katie and Jacob are off this week he is going to take each of them separately during the day - should be easier on him:) So much to do:) Bought the Michael Buble Christmas album love it:) Tis the season. Sooo grateful.

Love ya all, Ricki

Chris had chemo yesterday. Weight again stayed the same. White blood cell count 2.7 - that's still ok but blood cell count going up also means that your body is trying to fight something. ahhh. The nurse finally got the IV in on the third try but after just one bag (he gets five today) his vein decided to close. Chris was in a TON of pain. He has a very high pain tolerance so it must have been just awful. It was hard watching him. They took the needle out and found another vein. A smaller vein that we monitored closely and Chris kept a warm rice pack on his arm the whole time to keep it open. He slept the whole time. My dad came at 12:30 and stayed with Chris, took him to eat and then home so that I could help at the middle school. When I got home he was resting. He told me that "he wished he hadn't done chemo today." He was very sick all night (I can hear him throwing up right now), he is using a wet washcloth on his forehead and drinking a lot (one of the medicines gives you dry mouth).
So glad we had SEP's for Katie and Jacob yesterday so that he could attend. I'm sure other parents think I'm crazy taking pictures of the kids with their teacher and Chris but I want the kids to remember how important they were to him - that he came to everything even if he wasn't feeling well. Chris bought them books at the book fair for doing well in school:)
Jacob came and helped me with the teacher dinner. I had him place the bread sticks in the oven to keep them warm and he burned his arm on the top of the oven!! My poor boy. It still looks bad. He was a big help.
Yesterday, Tay and I did the fun run at the middle school it was fun but crazy - 1400 kids walking/running a mile and a half through the neighborhood. The kids did a great job. We had three policeman at different locations, lots of teachers and parents and a school bus all helping contain the kids:):)
Later I had Rye drive me to do my errands. He did a good job I just wish i would stop holding onto the door handle so hard - it's not going to save me:) Tay went to Civil Air Patrol for the first time alone. Tomorrow we will go and get his uniform - Blues - just like they wear in the Air Force.
Glad it's Friday. The next couple of weeks will be much slower. I would love to sit down:) Saturday, we have a primary activity, and get Tay's uniform. Sunday, are friends are blessing their baby (hopefully Chris will be well enough to attend). Monday, orchestra, FHE, and I work in Katie's classroom. Tuesday, Jacob scouts and Rye goes driving with his driving instructor (Ahhhh). Wednesday, orchestra, scouts for Tay and Rye and early out day for Jacob and Katie and. . .. we go off track Yeah!!! I say it half happy - I still have a high schooler and middle schooler that I have to get up for school. But, I will make every attempt to get back in bed after I get them out the door:) No school Thursday or Friday for anyone:) Next Frid, Sat and Sunday are parents weekend at BYU. I bought us tickets to the BYU vs Idaho football game. Tay keeps saying he's "wearing his U of U shirt" to the game. ha, ha that's what he thinks:)
"The Lord does not always heal the sick, nor save those in hazardous zones. He does not always relieve suffering and distress, for even these seemingly undesirable conditions may be part of a purposeful plan." President Spencer W. Kimball
Love ya, Ricki

Chris had chemo Thursday. Weight stayed the same. White blood cell count 2.4. They only had to stick him three times to get the IV in. He has sooo many bad veins:( They talked about him getting a port again but Chris doesn't want to. We spoke with the doctor this week and he would like to continue to do the Erbatux (which is the drug that doesn't make Chris as sick but gives him a rash) every Thursday til "he dies." Chris said that he would "think about it." Chris has two more weeks. Next week is the long day, realllllyyyy bad drug (Eraniteacan) which we are sooooo done with. Makes him soooo sick and exhausted. Sooo glad this is almost over. But then what?

Meg came home Tuesday to say "hi." She kept crying. I asked her "what was wrong?" and she told me that she didn't realize how bad Chris was. I guess when you are away for awhile and then come back you see things differently. For almost three years Meg has denied that he was going to die. She would say to me "stop saying that, he's not going to die!" She felt differently when she left.:( I had to kick her out at 11 pm. She did the same thing on Thursday. Ditched her class and came home to be with us. She met us at Rye's cross country meet. Chris had just had chemo an hour before. He ran all over that field yelling at the team:) I had either Meg or Rye stay up with him in case he needed anything. Rye, came in 9th in region - go Rye!!:) Meg asked if she could quit school and come home. I told her "no way." It's very difficult - we've been dealing with this for almost three years. she gave up Disneyworld and being a princess because she was worried Chris would die while she was gone. Guilt of not being there when he dies or living. It's hard. I feel guilty running around doing all that I do while Chris stays at home - sick. And the crazy thought of "will he be alive when I get home?" Wayyyy to many emotions. After the meet Chris was exhausted. We came home and he slept. Pizza was brought into us (thank you), my mom watched the kids and my brother took Tay to Civil Air Patrol.

No school Friday because of SEP's for Tay and Rye. They are both doing well in school. We just stuck around here because the other two are in school and Chris was sick. Saturday, Chris and I went to the Temple to watch are good friends have their adopted daughter sealed to them. Veryyy cool. They had a luncheon after for everyone but Chris was to tired and sick to go. He made it for the most important part:) Then we had a family bday party. Meg called later crying. she got a speeding ticket coming down Provo canyon. I still don't know exactly what she said she was crying to hard. I wanted to go and see her but Chris said that we needed to let her work it out herself:( (This is when a mother is on bended knee begging Heavenly Father to send someone to help her daughter.) So, Sunday we took a drive to "see the leaves" in Park City (where Meg works - hee, hee) and we checked on her.

Ok, so now it's Wednesday and I am now going to finish this post hee, hee. It has been a crazzy couple of days. Monday, I went on a field trip with Taylor and 500 other 7th graders to This is the Place Monument. While poor Chris stayed home with Jacob who had stomach flu - later I would find out that Chris didn't even realized that Jacob was home because Jacob is pretty independent and he just took care of himself!! Stayed in his room - didn't want to get Chris sick. For FHE we went and picked pumpkins. Chris felt realllly sick but he still came. Tuesday, I took care of Chris' speeding ticket that he got in Missouri this summer - we forgot about it until the State of UT said that if we didn't pay it by Oct. 24th they would suspend Chris' license. Ahhh!! Went shopping and started cooking for the teacher SEP dinner later today. My co partner called yesterday and told me that she couldn't do anything because she is way sick. so, I called Olive Garden to help with one of the soups and the bread sticks. Today, PTSA meeting, cooking, running around (went to the closet and found only three bowls - good thing I looked!!!!), feeding the teachers, Jacob and Katie's SEP's, YM's, cross country,orchestra, driving practice, . . . . . Tomorrow, Chris has the long chemo (Erbatux and Eranateacan). I will stay with him until 12:30 and then I have to leave. The middle school is having a fun run (1 1/2 miles) that I was asked to help with so my dad is going to come and hang out with Chris and drive him home afterwards.

Chris has had a hard time walking. He has a lot of cramping in his muscles. Tuesday, he had a hard time getting in the car. Tay and Katie are almost over their coughs. Just in time to give it to me:) Gotta go. Life is crazy but good. I'd fall apart if I wasn't busy. Don't like to have time to think:)

Love, Ricki

" Years ago we had Ronald Reagan, Johnny Cash and Bob Hope. Now we have Obama. No Cash, and No Hope." Love it!! Chris and I heard it yesterday in the hospital from the nurses and then I saw it this morning on face book. It was great to see everyone in the hospital laughing - doesn't happen to often. Chris gained 2 lbs. White cell count 3.5. His potassium was low so he is now yet on another medication. They gave him half the Benadryl and he slept. They also had to only poke him once today instead of like last week when they poked him five times (two different nurses). Chris teases about his veins knowing that they are going to get chemo so they hide:) Because it's a long day I go and get us lunch from the cafeteria which he usually downs. Today, he could hardly eat. He did well last week. Was tired and a little wobbly but nothing like the week before and not nearly as bad as he is at this moment. He threw up most of the night!! He has leg cramps, his mouth is sore (wonder if that could be from him eating sooooo many pickles?!) the skin at the tip of his fingers is splitting, face is "falling off" it's so dry and very red. Nurses gave him a lecture about using lotion on his face. I think he just doesn't want to use lotion because he wants sympathy:) He continues to crave Swedish fish, Slurpee's, Panda (yuck!), hamburgers (went to Apollo burger 3 times last week), pickles, and chips.

This week I was reminded that "I never want to be pregnant again" and reminded of the things that Chris is going through. Sometimes I forget how awful it is to always have your stomach swirling, smells and throwing up. Well, the Lord was kind enough to humble me:) I got reallllyyyy sick Monday morning 6 am while trying to get Rye to school. Got everyone school, barely. After that Chris took over. He took them to their ortho appointment, picked kids up, fed them, helped them with homework. . . . Tuesday afternoon I could at least move enough to do laundry- couldn't vacuum got queasy (moms can't be sick to long:) etc but food is still "gross" to me. I haven't run all week, just can't get my stomach to stop screaming at me. Now, my left ear all the way down to my neck hurts (especially my throat-no fever) Grrr. Grateful, that Chris wasn't chemo sick to badly and was able to take over and again grateful for the "gentle reminder."

Loved Women's Conference!! President Utchdorf's talk was AMAZING!! He started talking and I started crying. He so nailed me. Especially, about family home evening. hee, hee. Afterwards my mom, sister, Megan (Meg came up) and sister-in-law went out to eat. We had a ton of fun. They put us in a room all by ourselves. We laughed soo much. Thanks girls!!

Can't wait for Conference tomorrow and Sunday. I am once again grateful that Chris is here to take our sons and the other boys whose fathers can't take them to the Priesthood Session and out to eat. I'm sure that it will be hard on Chris tomorrow but with his adult friends a long to help him and his determination he'll do it. What an amazing man!

Today, Rye has a cross country meet (which we will be going to even if Chris is sick - can't keep him away from the race:) We continue to do pretty much the same thing each week. Orchestra practice, math lab, scouts, fhe, PTA, chemo, cross country practice, Civil Air Patrol (Tay is enjoying it - went last night. Thanks again Bro for staying with him:), teaching Rye to drive and homework. This week Tay has parent teacher conferences at the middle school and next week I feed the teachers. Have no clue what I'm feeding them (there will definitely be chocolate somewhere in the menu). I guess I'd better start planning:)

"I testify that the Atonement of Jesus Christ covers all of the trials and hardships that any of us will encounter in this life," he said. "At times when we may feel to say, "Hope you know, I had a hard time," we can be assured that he is there and we are safe in His loving arms." -Elder Quentin L. Cook

Love ya, Ricki

Chris had chemotherapy yesterday. Lost 3 lbs. White blood cell count 3.6. Still good but going down:( He had a verrryyyy difficult week. He was extremely exhausted, threw up, could hardly walk at times without tripping and craved Swedish fish, Noodles and Company, mustard, rice krispy treats and Slurpee's. I have also been cooking dinner out on the deck. Either barbecuing or using the crock pot. The smells make Chris very sick. I laugh lifting the lid to the crock pot outside. Thank goodness it has a locking lid. Hee, hee. Because he was soooo weak this week I asked them to run a potassium test on him to see if it was low. I remember something similar to this happening one of the many other chemo times and it was because his potassium was low. Hoping that's it. It's an easy fix. It takes 24 hours for that test to come back so will know later today. If it is low they just prescribe medicine or he would go in and do an IV. Yesterday, was a shorter day due to doing only two drugs. He has to have a bag of Benadryl first to help the itching that the other drug causes and it usually puts him to sleep (in May that's how it was) but these last two sessions have made him very restless and agitated. I spoke with the nurse and asked what was happening she said that she would put a note in his chart to only give him half the Benadryl. Thank you to the two different families that have brought us pizza for dinner the last two Thursdays. Helps a lot. Thank you, thank you.

Even with Chris ill we still had some fun:) We had a BYU vs UofU party here. Katie and I were the only BYU fans and Chris wore yellow so that he could be "neutral." Sooo much screaming!!:) The last part of the game I went upstairs and cleaned the kitchen. Just couldn't take anymore of their razing. All in good fun.

Sunday, Chris' Mission President from Brazil came over and spoke with Chris. It was very nice of him and his wife to stop by. They were in town visiting family. Kind of crazy how we found him. . . at back to school night for the middle school Tay, Chris and I were standing in line waiting to talk to the band teacher. The people in front of us were speaking Portuguese so Chris had to speak to them and come to find out the lady that we were speaking to was Chris' mission presidents daughter-in-law. How cool is that????!!!

Meg is still struggling with getting a balance of school, work and play time. Hates chemistry. She came home one night this week to say good bye to a friend entering the MTC and to say "hi" to us:) Meg received a calling - - ward missionary. hee, hee in Provo??!!:)

Rye, had his 24 hour cross country fundraiser. They ran over 200 miles. He also had a cross country meet Wednesday. Chris was very weak and sick and he exhausted himself even more by yelling at Rye at different spots in the course. Can't keep the boy down:) Rye, is also learning to DRIVE!!! I must say, and don't tell Meg but Rye is a better driver!! He doesn't swing the wheel into the curb as we turn:) He knows his left from right and he listens, doesn't argue. Meg used to tell me all the things I was doing wrong when I was driving. Thank goodness Rye hasn't gotten to that point yet. Poor boy, he looks so small behind the wheel. He has to lift the seat all the way up and forward.

Tay, went to his first meeting last night for the Civil Air Patrol. He has told us for years that he wants to be a pilot and we've told him that it cost a lot of money to learn to fly. I happen to be talking to a friend and he told me about his son being in CAP and how on his 15th bday he got to fly a plane!! They have scholarships they give out to members for flying lessons and if Tay wanted to someday join the Air force he would be a higher rank because of being in CAP. Because it was chemo day I knew that I wouldn't be able to go with him so I asked my brother if he would take him. Come to find out my brother was in CAP when he was younger. He used to go and rescue "dumb snow mobilers." Lol. Tay has to go for a month before he can join which is good. He needs to see if he wants to work and learn. It's a lot like boot camp. Last night they practiced drills, had a lesson on Job, learned about fire extinguishers . . .next Thursday they are doing an obstacle course relay. Should be fun:) and he continues to enjoy school.:)

So.... we can now say that we have had a child in the principals office for bad behavior. Child number FOUR (can you believe it - Not Ryan:):) decided to get angry at something someone said to him and he let them have it. He feels badly for how he acted:( We had to talk with the principal (who is wonderful), he had to write a letter saying he was sorry, and miss Fun Friday. Poor boy. still loves playing his violin:)

Katie and I started putting up Halloween decorations yesterday - are favorite holiday:)

Tomorrow Rye has a school alumni 5k that he has to be at. Sunday, Chris will ordain one of Ryan's friends a priest. Tay, will have a board of review for scouts. Thanks to his determination and his leaders hard work he is getting closer and closer to his Eagle. I look forward to Women's Conference tomorrow. The "girl's night out." This time the girls will eat out and watch conference in Provo so that Meg doesn't have to come here and so that her roommates can come also. Fun. And, of course excited for General Conference next weekend.

"We can't predict all the struggles and storms in life, not even the ones just around the next corner, but as persons of faith and hope, we know beyond the shadow of any doubt that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true and the best is yet to come." Elder L. Tom Perry

Love ya, Ricki

Yesterday Chris had chemotherapy. He weighed in at 188 lbs. White blood cell count 4.3. It will be interesting to watch that number, see what it does. So, please NO sick people near Chris:) It was a long day - six hours!! Five different drugs. Back to the drug being in a glass bottle because it would eat through the plastic bag!! This will last for five more weeks, every Thursday beginning at 9:30 am. My mom has kindly volunteered to pick Katie up from kindergarten and then take care of the other kids after school. I made my "medicine charts" yesterday to keep up with times and doses. Just like last time he has to take an antibiotic twice a day to control infection. He will soon have a rash all over and possibly lose his hair - he was suppose to last time but it just became thinner and right now it is nice and thick again and less gray!!! He also needs to take his lovenox shots twice a day to keep those darn blood clots away. I have done wayyyyy to much crying the last couple of days (ok, the last month:) knowing that I am going to become a single parent and caregiver to Chris. Not quite ready to do this again but I know that it's really the only way to keep Chris here longer. Just sooooo hard to watch him suffer. Last night he slept sitting up on the couch. It has already started!! My heart aches knowing that there is nothing that I can do. If only I could take a little (only a little - I'm not good with pain, hee, hee) of his pain away. And knowing that his pain and suffering are only going to get worse and that he at any time could end up in the hospital with an infection or blood clot. 14 years ago on September 18th we found out Chris had colon cancer. One of those days you remember just like December 12, 2008 we were told Chris only had 6 weeks to live.
Meg is adjusting to school, working and being away from home. She came home last weekend for two of her friends farewells, to do her laundry (I mean have ME do her laundry - she was off playing:) and raid the pantry. Rye, got his learners permit. Now we just need to take him out driving Ahhhhh. Anyone up for a challenge?? Tay, still loves school especially Friday late start. He gets to stay up late Thursday night and play the computer with Chris while everyone else has to go to bed. Jacob has started playing the violin. Monday and Wednesday morning before school he has practice. He loves walking around the house "playing it" and Katie she is NOT a morning person so every morning is a struggle to get her out of bed. Loves school once she gets there.

Chris went to the doctor Thursday. Dr. couldn't believe how great Chris looked. He told us that he expected Chris to be much thinner but instead he had gained six pounds since his last visit. Dr. was very excited:) Chris has decided to do chemo again. He will start on Sept 15th. He will have the same chemo as he had last round. Maybe this time he will lose his hair. It seemed to work. It made the tumors smaller. Right now he has three tumors that he can feel and they are big. He has been having a lot of trouble with his stomach. Chris told the dr. that he didn't want to do any scans so we are just using his neck as a guide to what is happening. I wish that he would do a scan just so that we knew where else the cancer has spread. Might give us another time line - that Chris can out live - hee, hee:) So, soon I promise to keep the blog up to date:):)

It has been a crazy, crazy month. Did lots of playing at the beginning and then BAM! Lots to do to get kids ready for school. Took Meg to BYU Provo (Go Cougars:). She has three roommates all sophomores who roomed together last year. She has had a hard time. Been homesick and been sick. She came home last Sunday sick so I took her to the doctor - thinking it was strep. Dr. thought it was meningitis and so he sent us to the ER where they did a CT scan and a Spinal tap. thank goodness no meningitis. But the whole thing was scary. She is going into nursing, wants to be a Physicians Assistant. Oh, and she found out the day she started school that she is a SOPHOMORE!!! Thanks to her hard work and the high school offering college classes. Way to go Meg!!

Rye, started 10th grade - High school. He has struggled this week. We let him drop his AP classes. I was sad but "he's not Megan" and so what if it takes him a little longer to get through college. Better to change classes then he and I being at each others throats all year:) And of course who knows when Chris will die, those classes would be hard on him during that situation. All week, every day I have had at least five people crying.

Today, Rye will have his Board of Review to get his Eagle. I know it's about time!!!:) He is running cross country - which he is good at and enjoys. He had his 16th bday. He blessed the Sacrament last Sunday. I couldn't stop crying seeing him and Taylor blessing and passing the Sacrament - makes a mother soooo proud. He hasn't been interested in getting his license but he is taking driver's ed so he needs his permit. We are doing that Tues. He went to his first dance Friday night. Can't believe he can date if he wants to:)

Tay, started middle school and loves it. He can't wait to learn how to play the trumpet in band and his favorite class is math ( he is in Algebra). He's one of the two that didn't cry this week. Chris was the other:) I've been a blubbering idiot. I am just sooo proud of my children and excited for the things that are going on in their lives.

Jacob started 4th grade. He's cried because before all the rest of the kids went to school he kept getting left out of the "Slurpee run" or the "Chick fila run" and of course having to go to bed earlier then everyone else and having homework. Poor boy. He wants to play the violin in the orchestra at his school so we are in the process of finding him one. Ahhh, what music will be filling our home, hee, hee.

Katie, started Kindergarten!!!!! That was tough one. Last child entering school. Wow!! what am I going to do with 2 1/2 hours to myself, five days in a row?!!

Chris, painted the deck and made a fancy pad for the trailer to sit on. He goes slowly and he gets frustrated that it takes him so much longer then it did when he was healthy. But, hey the rest of us are just so proud of him and so grateful that he is still around. It was neat to have him here to send off each child on their first day of school. I am not looking forward to having a very sick husband again. The throwing up, nausea, rash, possible blood clots, loss of appetite, and just plain tired/sleeping all the time.:(

We do continue to count are blessings. Life could be sooo much worse. We love you all and are so grateful for your friendship.

Love ya, Ricki

This Summer

Yes, Chris is still "on this side of the grass":) We have been verrryy, verrryyy busy. Meg graduated from high school and then we took her on a seven day cruise to the eastern Caribbean and then spent two days hanging out in Miami seeing friends, going to the Keys, riding an air boat, and going to the Everglades. Chris left with a blood clot in his lungs and stressed me out the whole time. I spent a lot of time listening to him breathe at night. I also know what they do if someone dies on the ship - just in case I needed to know. He didn't get to snorkel much because of not being able to get enough air. We did have a lot of fun. Two other families and their graduates came with, made it even more fun:) Thanks to my mom for babysitting for nine days and others who helped her. My mom got really sick after we left, poor girl. Grateful, we didn't have phone service or I would have come home.

June 26th Chris decided that we were going on a road trip to play at four Six Flag Amusement parks. You could buy a season pass for $49.00 a person and go to any of them in the United States. So, that's what we did. We left June 28th and headed to New York. We saw Mt. Rushmore, Wind Caves National Park, St. Louis Arch, Six Flags, Nauvoo, watched fireworks in Washington DC sitting at the feet of President Lincoln, Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island (made me want to do my geneology to see if I had any ancestors come through there), Lincoln Tunnel, Ground Zero and my favorite Cake Boss' bakery- Carlos Bakery from TLC (Chris wouldn't let me out - the line was tooooo long and he had had it with New York), Six Flags, ate at a restaurant that was owned by a woman who was Bill Clinton's White House Chef, Palmyra Pageant, Joseph Smith's home, Sacred Grove, Niagara Falls, Six Flags, Kirtland (saw School of the Prophets), then we went to another Amusement Park (change of plans suppose to go to Six Flags in Chicago but changed) called Cedar Point suppose to be the "Coney Island of the West" surrounded by Lake Erie on three sides. It had a indoor water park at the hotel we stayed at (seen it on the travel channel:). Nauvoo again (didn't have a lot of time the first time got there to late at night), Carthage jail, Winter Quarters, and I'm sure that I forgot a few places:):) We camped some in a tent and other times (like in New York, Washington DC and New Jersey:) we slept in a hotel and one night we slept in the car - they forgot to tell us the campground was closed. We had a wonderful, wonderful time. Lots of driving. 6,251 miles in 18 days. Some fighting among siblings but for the most part kids wonderful, no one likes to sit in the car for 12 hours:) Tay and jacob were in heaven being able to play their DSi and watch tv (remember they are still grounded from those things). Chris did really well. At the parks he would usually take a one hour nap on a bench while I took the kids to the line to ride the rides:) Hee, hee I HATE roller coasters!!!!!!!! I really did enjoy seeing everyone else have fun going on the scary, scary rides. In New Jersey they have the tallest roller coaster in the world and the fastest roller coaster in North America!!!! I felt sick just watching them ride it. Katie and I had a good time. They always had plenty of rides for her to go on. Chris had his ups and downs on the trip, and I had my plan ready to go if he decided to die on the trip:) I am soooo thankful to know that I have a "church family" anywhere I go. (I would have called them for help while I waited for my mom and dad to fly out). How grateful I am to have been able to go on this trip with the kids. We saw soooo many things. We did sooo many things. Wonderful memories. Only took a thousand pictures. hee hee.

Got home July 16th just in time for Tay to go to scout camp for a week and Jacob to go to cub camp on Monday and Tuesday. Chris went with Jacob to cub camp Monday. They had a great time but Chris came home verry tired and his legs were swollen. Jacob wanted him to go Tuesday but Chris just didn't have the strength so I went. Wednesday, Chris went up to scout camp to hang out with Tay till Saturday. He looked exhausted when he left but he knew that Tay needed him. Tay has cried quite often about "not getting to have daddy as his scout master" The Lord has let Chris live a lot longer then expected and hit mile stones with his kids. Tay will always remember being with his dad:)

Since coming back from scout camp Chris has had a hard time breathing. His shoulders hurt really bad and he has a spot in his back that he says feels like someone is stabbing him with a bunch of needles. He has been taking pain medicine. He believes that it's just from being at such a high altitude (9,000 feet). Who knows. I told him he has made it this far that he has to keep going. Meg goes to BYU Aug 24th, Rye turns 16 Aug. 2 and will be ordained a priest and goes to high school, Tay goes to middle school, Jacob to 4th grade and Katie to kindergarten - can't miss sending them off for their first day of school:) Such excitement at are house:)

This week we head to Bear Lake for Chris' family reunion and then we are headed to Yellowstone. Chris has informed me that we will be sitting and waiting "hours" for some of the geysers that are not predictable. He loves the place:)

One of these days I will finish all the projects that I started this summer. Painting the deck, painting the inside of the house. My bathroom is half painted and I've been doing the base boards. Ten years we've lived here. Walls looking loved:)

Thanks for worrying about us. You all are to kind. We love you tons.

Love, Ricki

Thursday, (May 19th) Chris had his last chemo for awhile. He continues to have a rash on his face, verrryyy dry finger tips (bleeding), but still has hair:) Other chemo patients didn't think that was fair:)
That night after chemo Meg and I headed to BYU where we had tonnss of fun. Learned how to register for classes, sang the fight song so that we could get free t-shirts for her and her room mate (room mate lives in New York), saw Meg's dorm, went out to eat, got warm Krispy Kreme donuts (no store by us) and just got excited about school. My mom was kind enough to stay with the kids so that Chris could rest.
Friday, we went and saw Pirates. Sooo good. We have to go and see it again. Tay's camp out got cancelled because of mud (been raining here a ton). Rye, went on his. Tay and Jacob stayed home while Meg, Katie, Chris and I went to are brother-in-laws mother's viewing. I don't do viewings. I refuse to go and see the "body" in the casket. When I go to a viewing family members are always so kind to come and visit me out in the hall:) Viewings bring up a lot of emotions for me. Seeing funeral homes. Cemeteries. Too much. After the viewing we went to Rodizio Grill (Brazilian restaurant) because we were close, fewer of us, and Chris had a craving:) We told them it was Chris and Katie's bday. They gave them each a piece of flan (yuck!)
Saturday, Tay went to scouts and worked on merit badges (thanks leaders:). Meg and I went shopping and got her her graduation dress (I got one also- hey, I had to put up with her, hee hee). Then off to Chuck E. Cheese for Katie's party. We had lots of fun. Chris' sister from AZ was in town running a marathon so her and her friend came - good to see them.
Sunday, Chris' bday. Rye spoke in Sacrament (he remembered that morning after helping prepare the sacrament:). He did a fine job for about 10 minutes of preparation. We had carrot cake (Chris' favorite) with the family. Celebrated another year:):)
This past week we had FHE, did some spring cleaning and I worked in the HS selling Senior Sunset tickets, putting labels on yearbooks for MS, making phone calls for volunteers, . . . (end of the year). Tuesday, we went to a special senior dinner for parents and students that have excelled through their high school years. It was verryy nice. Chris was extra tired but made it through. Wednesday, Rye had a choir concert and Chris' mom and dad came for a visit. Friday, Katie graduated from preschool:( Hard to believe that's the last child to go to preschool. After Jacob and Taylor got home I immediately put them to work. Cleaned inside of fridge, washed blinds, windows, folded clothes, . . . (alot of work for me:). Oh, and sorry to all of you who got a naughty email from me - someone hacked my facebook account. I'd like to speak to the people who have nothing better to do then wreak havoc on other people. I have plenty of chores for them to do!!!!!!!!!!
So, this week is CRAZYYYYY!!! Tomorrow, Meg speaks in Sacrament. Monday, FHE and hanging with family (and eating). Tuesday, handing out yearbooks at the MS and helping with the 9th grade dance during the day. Jacob has scouts and that night and Meg has yearbook signing, Seminary Graduation, a viewing for a member of are ward who died this week and we have the Track banquet!!!!!!!!!!!! Not sure how that will all work out:):) Wednesday, Rye goes to Lagoon for his 9th grade graduation and Meg graduates!!!!! WOW where has the time gone???? I will be like a leaky faucet this week!!:) The faucet started leaking at preschool graduation. No, it started when I took Meg to BYU. OK, I can't remember when. Hee, hee.
What an exciting time in our lives!!! Fun, fun and sooooo happy and grateful to still have Chris with us to celebrate these times. Chris will sometimes say "Why am I still here?" Don't know but I'm glad the Lord is letting him stay here and drive me crazy for awhile longer:):):) Chris had something weird happen to him the other day. He was drinking soda and took one of his pills. Then awhile later he burped and smoke came out his mouth and nose!!! Not sure what happened. Scary!! But not scary enough for Chris to let me call the doctor.
"My plea is that we stop seeking out the storm and enjoy more fully the sunlight. I am suggesting that as we go through life, we accentuate the positive. I am asking that we look a little deeper for the good, that we still our voices of insult and sarcasm, that we more generously compliment and endorse virtue and effort." Pres. Hinkley
Love ya, Ricki

Chris had chemo Thursday. Lost 2 pounds. White blood cell count 1.8. After chemo Chris and I headed to Megan's track meet. For once it was a warm day so I had Chris sit under an umbrella as he cheered for r school (not suppose to be in the sun). He lasted four hours. We watched Meg run one of her races, the other she called and told us about. While there I got a parking ticket - I swear I was parked in a legal spot on the street but I guess a police officer felt differently. (I dropped Chris off then parked farrr away). Chris' hands are verry dry - bleed at the finger tips and his face continues to be red and have acne. He has been tired but he couldn't resist helping us clean the yard on Saturday:) Rye mowed the lawn and the rest of us weeded or cleaned out the garage.
Friday, Meg had her Senior Ball she looked gorgeous. Sunday, she had her interview with the Bishop for Seminary Graduation!!! Time is going way to fast!! Sunday, Chris also found that when he washed his hair he had a lot come out in his hands. His hair is thinning you can see his scalp but he still has some.
Sorry, it's now Tuesday morning (started writing Monday morning) life got crazy-no time to write:) For FHE are cousins came over. They brought us Grandma Wach's famous tamale pie. Chris ate a ton!!:) So much fun to visit with them and Meg practiced her seminary presentation on us, we learned about Pres. Kimball and Rye taught us about Pres. David O McKay.
Today, we are going to go and get Chris' new driver's license. He wants to get it before all his hair falls out. Expires on his bday May 22. Crazy to have to pay to get a license for a guy that isn't going to use it long:( We also have a JV Region track meet for Rye. It is raining and cold. Going to be hard on Chris, and not fun for the rest of us.
This week feels extra, extra crazy. So many errands. Tomorrow scouts for Tay and Rye. Thursday, chemo and Meg has BYU orientation. I asked my mom if she could stay "a long time" on Thursday so that I could go with Meg (poor mom - dealing with homework:) Friday, Tay and Rye each have a camp out for scouts, and I'm going to be a "bad mom" and let Jacob and Tay stay home from school so that we can go and see one of the first showings of Pirates. We are way excited!! We also have a viewing that night for my brother-in-laws mother. Saturday, is Katie's birthday. Princess cake and Chuck E. Cheese:) and Sunday, is Chris' birthday. The big 44. We are very blessed to still have him around.
Love ya, Ricki

Chris didn't have his chemo on Thursday. Toooo sick. Chris barely had enough energy to walk into the dr.'s office. When we got there we met with the dr. Poor Chris threw up several times in his office. Dr. ordered labs to be drawn, fluids and Zofran in IV form, and to wait on the chemo. He said that Erbitux the one that he would have received that day (short day) wouldn't have made any difference in his white blood cell count but because he could see that Chris was miserable he said that we would wait. Chris dropped five pounds. White blood cell count 0!!! For the first time in two-in a half years Chris had to sit in the "quarantine" room. Chris is on Levaquin (the verrryyyyy expensive medication- no generic). We are waiting for lab tests to come back. While Chris was getting his fluids I ran to Costco and finished spending the last of the cash from Rye's Eagle project (or so I thought - Rye's ym's leader told me yesterday that at his work he had collected $400!!! Back to Costco I go - smiling all the way. Veryyyyy cool!!!)

As of Saturday he is doing much better. He was still tired. But he had enough energy that we took the young man that helped us a ton with Rye's Eagle project and got his mission call to Brazil out to lunch at Rodizio Grill (Brazilian food). We had fun listening to Chris' mission stories (I told him to keep the scary ones to himself:) and watching Meg, and the young man eat a chicken heart (Rye claims to have eaten one the night before when he came with his school:). After that we went to IKEA (that place is HUGE!!) to get a dresser and then another store to get a computer desk. R furniture is showing it's age. Hee, hee (thanks to five kids). Sunday, he went to church where he, Ryan and Taylor sang a song (other priesthood also) in Sacrament meeting (Katie and Jacob also sang), helped Katie give her first talk and helped in Jacob's class so that the mothers (me -I'm Jacob's teacher:) could go to Relief Society as a Mother's Day gift, made mac and cheese for lunch and put the dresser together. Thank goodness he is feeling better.
This week we have FHE, orthodontist for Tay and Jacob, scouts, working in boys classrooms, Relief Society, track meet, chemo and Meg has Senior Ball. Will pick up the fancy dress on Thursday. The biggest challenge of the week is cleaning up the boys bedroom so the new dresser can fit in, and I think it's that time of year where we change winter clothes out for summer but I'm not quite sure!!!! (rained yesterday and suppose to rain for the next two days!!) Ahhh.
Tay and Jacob still have about 500 chores to go. Any time they whine we just remind them "15 holes in my back fence" that quiets them up:)
"Often, the answer to our prayer does not come while we're on our knees but while we're on our feet serving the Lord and serving those around us. Selfless acts of service and consecration refine our spirits, remove the scales from our spiritual eyes, and open the windows of heaven. By becoming the answer to someone's prayer, we often find the answer to our own." - Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Love ya, Ricki

Chris had chemo Thursday. They said he needs to start drinking Ensure (or something like that) because he is loosing to much weight. He hates that stuff, we've tried all different kinds but Chris says that they all taste awful. His white blood cell count was at 1.3. Not good. Anything below 1.5 they have to go and talk to the doctor to see what he wants to do. He said to "go for it - full dose." He has been verrryyy sick. Thrown up alot - even with having taken anti-nausea pills. His face is getting redder and drier. Still has plenty of hair:) And veryyyyy tired. He was only able to come to Ryan's Eagle project for a few minutes and then he just didn't have the strength to come with us yesterday to deliver the stuff to the hospital.:(
Which takes us to Ryan's Eagle project. . . . Friday, we collected the stuff and organized it at the church. Tied blankets, sorted, put boxes together, ran to the store for things we were missing. Had to run to Harmon's and ask for 100 more reusable grocery bags. R goal was that we would make 100 kits then the goal was we would make as many kits as fleece blankets that came in. They just kept coming:) We had lots of great help to get us ready for Saturday. Saturday morning we started making the kits. Had lots of helpers. We finished making 200 kits in 45 minutes. We still had stuff left over soooo my mom ran to Harmon's and asked for 50 more bags. A friend was kind enough to let us use his truck and trailer. There was NO way 250 kits (40 boxes) and 100 (12 packs) of soda (100!!!!!!!!) were going in my van:) As of today we have made 271 kits!!!!!!!!! Items just keep coming. R friend and his family came with us yesterday (Chris stayed home he was reallyyyyy sick and tired) and helped us unload. I called the hospital earlier in the day to warn them to find room and see if there would be some people that would be able to help us. Also if they could round up any carts. We arrived at 4:00 and started unloading. My dad organized all the boxes as the rest of us carried them in. One of the nurses organized the 100 cases of soda and all the snack foods that had been donated and we gave the secretary at the front desk all the hard candy that had been donated (the sweet secretary has been using her own money to buy candy since their budget got cut). It was exciting bringing it all in. Gave the patients something to watch (hee, hee). They are on the second floor so they watched us out the window. We had some extra kits that we had made since Saturday (had to go back to Harmon's and ask for more bags:):) and Ryan walked around and gave those out to patients having chemo. I hope the kids will remember what they saw and heard today. It was verry touching. One man that we gave a bag to had been a scoutmaster for years and he told the boys how proud he was of them. That Rye needed to remember to "pay it forward" to his brothers when they work on their Eagle projects and how much the kit meant to him and the others. Two ladies cried and hugged Rye. We had r doctor sign Rye's eagle paper to say that he had completed his project. Usually, the manager would have but I asked if Dr. Whisenant could do it. Now the paper has r doctors signature on it and it has Chris' (he being on the scout committee). Cool paper to keep forever. Thank you. Thank you to all those who donated, whether time, money or both:) We have to thank also the family who tied 40 blankets for us. As we received them we would take them to their home and they tied and tied and tied. And a big, big thank you especially to r friends that let us use their truck and trailer. Couldn't have done it without you guys!!! (the dad took off work early and man did he have that trailer protected from wind and rain:) Taylor says that he wants his Eagle when he's thirteen. He told me I have ten months to recover:) What's crazy is that now we have to make more then 271 kits. Will probably put fliers on every door in the community and start asking companies for donations earlier (I mean Tay will delegate this to someone - hee, hee).
After the last two weeks this week is a piece of cake:) Today, I take Meg to the dentist (she has a cavity!!! naughty girl). Lunch with my brother and sister-in-law to celebrate their bdays, pack meeting, track practice and a meeting about Senior Sunset - the after graduation party, I'm on the committee:) Tomorrow, PTA meeting, and Tay has scouts, Thursday, chemo, track practice and math lab. Friday, Rye gets to go on a field trip to Rodizio Grill (a Brazilian restaurant) and eat and eat and eat:) Lucky him. May is always a crazy month. All the schools are doing fun things before letting out. Can't believe Meg is almost done with school.
Thank you also to those who have mowed my lawn, fertilized it. The beautiful blanket that was sent to us from all over the United States (very cool!!). Brought us dinner . . . always one less thing off my shoulders. I think today I can finally stand up tall - the Eagle has taken flight:):) (just have to do paperwork - which will be like pulling teeth with Rye)
Thanks again for the wonderful memories that so many of you helped create. We love you!!!
"Though it is often difficult to endure, truly, we ought to rejoice that God considers us worth the time and trouble to correct." Elder Christofferson.
Love ya, Ricki

So, first r internet is down. We get a new provider. Then, r computer decides to freak out. We have been without a computer for a couple of days. Thank goodness Chris is still around, he fixed it. If it breaks again I won't know what to do. Told him I'll just buy a new one:)
Chris had chemo on Thursday. Only four drugs so it didn't take as long (four hours instead of seven). One of the drugs that Chris receives comes in a glass bottle instead of a plastic pouch. I asked them "Why?" They said that the drug would eat through the plastic pouch!!!! Yikes!!! Kids were off for spring break so they came for awhile and then my mom took them home. Katie was sooo cute with all the "grandma's and grandpa's" she sang songs to them from Tangled and played "guess which hand the item is in." I enjoyed watching people smile who usually don't smile because the chemo room just isn't the "happiest place on earth." We colored Easter eggs Wednesday night thinking that he would be to sick to do anything after Thursday but, he hasn't been sick. (even went to Meg's track meet on Saturday) Just tired and his face hurts. He is beginning to get acne. He has fun squeezing them and watching the puss come out (ohhh, Ricki you are so dead for telling!!!) He of course doesn't care about scaring up his face like he would have if he was younger (and of course not dieing:) His face is splotchy red and he says it hurts:( He continues to take antibiotics twice a day for infection and for itching. He also CRAVES things!!! Right now he can't get enough PICKLES!!!! He eats an entire jar in two days!!! He also can't stop eating Taco flavored Doritos chips!!! (the ones they brought back from r childhood). He eats a bag or two a day (depending on how many helpers he has). My food storage is now stocked with jars of pickles and Doritos:) Chemo, again this Thursday. Seven hours!! Pizza for dinner:) Grateful to my mom.
Jacob and Tay r still punished but I would have to say "I'm punished also" I hope that I can endure this and follow through. It is sooooo hard having to stay on top of them - no tv is the worst. Sometimes you just sit down and watch out of habit (Rye is really good at making sure that I know if they r watching tv - hee, hee). Having chores ready for them to do and of course listening to them whine about how they have nothing to do "We're bored" especially over spring break. Ahhh, I wanted to pull my hair out!! I don't know how we will make it through the summer. They have only completed 25 since last Saturday. I am even giving them an easy one - bring your scriptures to the table when we read and follow along (earns them a point-which is something they should be doing anyways- I'm such a softy). I was worried about them going to friends houses to play electronics but I called parents and told them. They have all been wonderful to uphold the punishment also:) All I can do is pray that this always stays with them. That they learn from it.
This week is crazy. We r finishing up Rye's Eagle project. 13 wards. Friday, we will collect the stuff and take it over to the church. Saturday, we will assemble the kits. A very sweet young lady and her family in r ward have kindly volunteered to tie the fleece to make it into a blanket. So far, they have done 11. It has been really helpful. Other wise the scouts would be doing it on Saturday. Thank you. Thank you to all of you who have donated to Rye's Eagle project. What a great cause. Can't wait to see the faces of the people who work at the hospital when we bring in the kits and the soda pop (you should see my living room!!!). And of course I will smile really big when I see a cancer patient with a kit (I will also be sad - bitter sweet).
Don't forget Wednesday, April 27th is Baskin Robbins .13 cent scoop night starts at 5pm -10pm. We usually travel around to each of the BR stores in r area until we make ourselves sick (that's dinner and dessert-sometimes they have limits on how many scoops. I'm a chocolate fudge and bubble gum-yes together:). Tons of fun!!!:)
Love ya, Ricki

Sorry, I know many of you are wondering how Chris is doing but r internet has been down for four days (we are getting a new one on Thursday:) and I have been verryyyy, verrrryyy busy. (and we went to Disneyland and the beach for 7 days - one last fling:) Chris had chemo last Monday (April 4th). Chris lost 7 lbs since the last time he had been weighed. Saw the doctor. He gave Chris antibiotics to take twice a day to help with the itching from the rash and also to prevent the rash from getting infected. He is suppose to look like a teenager with bad, bad acne. It will take about two weeks for his hair to fall out. First he will notice his hair thinning. We were at the hospital from 9:30-4:00. It was a verry long day. Every other week will be like this. Chris will have treatments every week for six weeks. One week he will receive 3 drugs. Next week 5 drugs. Chris has had a very hard time with this chemo. He has thrown up a lot and been nauseated the whole time. Wednesday, he had me call and get him anti-nausea medicine (which he hasn't ever taken before). He has stopped walking - to tired. Sleeps. Plays computer - when it's working. It was hard watching Chris not have an "outlet" for his pain/boredom and to help him keep his mind off of the nausea. His face is splotchy and red. Hair feels a little thinner. He is almost completely gray:( Soon bald:( He is also very weak. Stumbles a lot. He hasn't been able to go to Rye and Megs track meets, too sick and tired. Rye has officially started his Eagle Scout Project!!!! We put posters up Saturday and Sunday. We are doing 2 stakes. 13 wards!!! Rye spoke in 7 wards. It has been a crazzzyyy couple of days. I keep reminding myself two weeks of utter craziness and then we will be done. Rye, delegated the posters to different women (and 3 to Megan's guy friend:) in r ward. They did a fantastic job. Thank you, thank you. They looked incredible. We passed out sign up sheets (Rye, had Meg make them) yesterday. Items r to be taken to ym president's homes, we will pick up on the 29th and then assemble kits on the 30th. I made A LOT of phone calls this weekend (Rye delegated this part to me:) to YM leaders (and their wives - so they would know to expect stuff coming to their homes) and RS leaders (I can always count on the RS to go above and beyond to help:) If any of you want to donate we'd love it. We r making kits for the newly diagnosed cancer patients at Huntsman Cancer Institute (where Chris goes). We r needing: bottles of lotion, purse sized Kleenex packages, card games, chapsticks, adult puzzle books, reusable water bottles, and fleece blankets (50"x60") or fleece material to create blankets. We hope to make at least a hundred kits. We r also asking for donations of soda pop. When Chris was there on Monday they ran out of soda. No big deal for us, I was there and could go to the vending machine down the hall but for others who don't have someone with them, "what do they do?" Broke my heart:( Chris doesn't have chemo until Thursday of this week. I asked to change it back to Thursday because that is a better day for my mom, and since we need her help, which we appreciate soooo much. Especially with the chemo treatments being so long. Thank you. Thank you. Last Friday, Katie had kindergarten orientation:( Am I really getting that old???? Chris was able to come. After the orientation the three of us went out to eat to celebrate. We tried to make it really special knowing that Chris might not be around when Katie actually starts school. Saturday, Tay, Jacob and some friends decided to play golf in r backyard. 15 golf ball holes in r vinyl fence!!!!!!!! Punishment!!!! We had Tay give us his $100.00 that he was saving. No electronics until they pay back 600 chores (each equally $1.00). Tay and Jacob have it figured out that if they do 5 chores a day then they can be done in 3 months. Also, chores done on Saturday and cleaning the cat box don't count towards the 600. We think they did about $700 worth of damage. Neighbor boy who also helped (Chris saw him) said that he didn't do anything. Parents believed him so Jacob and Tay r wayyyy mad at him and of course he isn't welcome at r home (for awhile). We weren't asking them to help pay, just wanted him to know that what he did was wrong. Chris and I r still trying to figure out "WHAT WERE THEY THINKING????" You would think that after the first hole in the fence you would stop - knowing that you were going to get in trouble!!! Meg, has decided to not work at Disney World. She is afraid of missing Chris, not being here when he dies. I told her we would fly her home if it looked like he was going. She said "no." Mixed emotions - want her to live her life and enjoy opportunities that come along but I also understand her not wanting to miss "the end." She is going to get a job in Provo so that she will have it when school starts. (haven't heard if she made princess yet). Chris and I celebrated r 21st wedding anniversary on April 13th. Chris has been to ill to do anything but that's ok we had a ton of fun last year and just still having him here is good enough. Thursday, Friday and Monday the kids r all home for spring break. You all know how it goes the last two months before school ends becomes verry, veryy busy. This year especially with having a senior. Can't believe that school is almost over!! Life just goes way to fast. The ancient Roman philosopher Horace admonished, "Whatever hour God has blessed you with, take it with grateful hand, nor postpone your joys from year to year, so that in whatever place you have been, you may say that you have lived happily." Love ya, Ricki

How about a recap of last week?:) Monday, for FHE we went to see Tangled at the dollar movie (comes out this week:). Katie and I have seen it three times. Still love it:)
Tuesday, Jacob and I went to the eye doctor. No glasses for Jacob. We just wanted to make sure that his eyes were OK since when he reads he gets the first part of the word correctly but not the last. Now, we will "keep on him" and have him slow down. Later, Jacob had scouts.
Wednesday, Meg and Rye were suppose to have a track meet but it got cancelled. Tay went to scouts and passed out bags to every home in r neighborhood for the annual scout food drive. We also got to hang out with two of Chris' sisters sons. They came down from Oregon for spring break. It was fun seeing/talking with them. Crazy to remember when they were little, now they are so grown up. We took them out to eat, where they got to see "bad manners." Katie was all over them. They spoiled her with attention. We also had them help us look for trumpets (for Tay) on line. One of them plays the trumpet so I knew he'd be able to help us:) Also found out that one of them is going to BYU Provo this fall just like Meg. So, now Meg knows two people:) (the other is the girl she is rooming with - have to pay that fee next week.)
Thursday, Jacob and Tay had ortho appointments. Rye went to math lab and Meg track practice. I also called about a trumpet I saw on line for $45.00. Called and spoke with owner, asked the questions r nephew told us to ask (big one- "Does it have a mouth piece?" - kind of important:). We decided to go and look at it. I bribed one of Rye's friends who plays the trumpet to come with us (hamburger:). He said it was a good one. We paid for it and left. When we got out to the car Rye's friend said that it was a better one than his. I feel very blessed to have found a trumpet for so little money. Don't know if Tay will stick with it for more than a year but if he quits "no big deal." Tay has had a great time "blowing it." He has done everything Rye's friend said to do to take care of it (including cleaning the mouth piece:) We might have to start lessons before school starts because Tay is so excited. Came home and finished watching BYU game:(
Friday, everyone was home. I took kids to trampoline place for awhile to play. Chris wasn't feeling well so he stayed home. After trampoline place we went to an ice cream shop (Chris met us there) called Sub Zero. They put ingredients that you want in a bowl then add liquid nitrogen to it. Kids loved it. Comes out like Dip-n-Dots. Yum!! Poor Chris still wasn't feeling well so he just watched us:( Chris' shoulders aren't hurting as bad anymore (thank goodness). But he still feels weak and tired. He needs a haircut but says he isn't getting one because he wants to watch it fall out. Rye said that he would shave his head and give Chris his hair so that he could glue it on:) Ahhh.
Saturday, tonight is my last YW broadcast (trying not to cry) for eight years (when Katie turns twelve). Meg and I always go out to eat before conference and then to broadcast. I know, I know I can still do that just when it's the Women's broadcast but that will just remind me that I've gotten older (it's all about me:).
I got my list of books that I have to read for the Middle School Literary Committee that I'm on. Not to crazy about two of the three books. One, called Last Child in the Woods. So, far is about kids not playing outside, not in touch with nature. I don't know what 9th grade biology student is going to want to read it, I'm bored:) Tomorrow, Tay speaks in Sacrament on honesty.
Next week, pretty much the same as last week. Will just add a few fun things in because Tay and Jacob are home.
"Never give up, Never surrender!!"
Love ya, Ricki
Do you know what movie this quote is from? Hee, hee