Thursday, was a veryyyy exciting day for our family. Megan was accepted to BYU!!!! and . . . asked to Prom!!!! What a day to remember!!!
Friday, we went to Chris' appointment and Chris decided that he would like to hold off on making his decision for another month. He feels pretty good right now and would like to continue to feel that way for awhile longer. We will see the doctor again March 22. Doctor does want to do a PET scan before starting chemo (if Chris decides to do it) so that we will know if it's working or not. Chris continues to walk every day about four miles. He doesn't make breakfast every morning like he used to because kids waste it. I've trained them yogurt, fruit, toast. . . anything simple is good (and a lot less work for the chef:) He continues to spoil me by taking care of Katie while I run errands, meetings, work in kids classrooms or go running. He asked me what I would do if he died. I said "same thing I've been doing for years." Take Katie with. Friday morning Taylor and Jacob were on the morning announcements broadcast at school and it was fun for Chris and I both to be able to go in and watch them (Tay was interviewing students and Jacob was one of them that he interviewed). Not something dad's usually get to do. Friday, Meg and I went out looking for prom dresses. She chose a pretty black and silver dress. She looks beautiful!! Prom is March 12th.
This week is another crazy week, thank goodness last week was slow! Monday, FHE and I help in Tay's classroom. They have been working hard on preparing themselves to perform a Shakespearean play. Tay has been working hard on the scenery and is in charge of lights. They will be performing twice Tues. Once during the day and then at night. Last week I ironed costumes for hours. Chris and I got a good laugh out of it. I ironed more last week then I have in the twenty years we've been married. It took me awhile to find the ironing board that we got when we got married (same pad on iron board:) when I did find it I had to move a lot of stuff to get to it. I didn't iron Chris' shirts because I didn't want him to look to good at work. He's always worked with a bunch of cute girls.:) (You thought I was going to say "lazy" hee, hee). Tues, Jacob scouts. Wed., Tay play, PTA meeting, scouts, and Rye has his SEP (parent teacher conference). Thurs., Jacob has a book report due (biography). His is on Milton Hershey. They are having a "wax museum" that day so that parents and students can come and see the 3rd graders dressed up like the person they did their report on. Jacob is excited to wear a mustache. Friday, no school for Meg and Rye. I'm sure things will come up that I forgot to write down (like last week). Last night I was up with Katie who decided to be sick (throw up), Chris slept on the couch. I don't think that there is anyway to keep germs away from Chris since he is here now 24/7. But will try:) He went to church with the boys. It is sooo wonderful to watch Tay pass the Sacrament. How time has flown. So, many proud, wonderful, exciting, moments. Makes my heart swell with joy:)
Love ya, Ricki

Yeah, we made it through the week (just barely-by Thursday I was dragging:) Monday, Chris was a lot of help at the Valentine parties, he helped with the games:) I must have looked really tired because he took us out to dinner at Famous Dave's (his favorite restaurant) and our families traditional Valentine dinner spot (just not usually on Valentines - too crowded) but because he isn't working we were able to go right after school. Then he took us to Target where each child got to pick out his own Valentine's Day present. Kids loved it. Tuesday, I ran around town doing lots of errands thinking how lucky I was that Katie could stay home with Chris. Not only did I have a lot of errands but it was soooo cold outside - no fun!! Tax lady came and then Taylor and I headed to middle school orientation. He has decided to try playing the trumpet next year - he'll be good at it. Wednesday, I picked up the food for the teachers dinner (Rumbi Island Grill). It was sooo windy that while attempting to get the food into the school we lost a dinner. Flew away!! Thank goodness it landed upside down in the lid. Friends inside the school saw me struggling and came outside and kept the rest from flying away:) I was lucky it was Jacob's teachers meal hee, hee (way to make brownie points - NOT:) Next time I am buying an extra meal just in case (next one March 16th). My friend and I made them homemade crepes and they filled them with all kinds of yummy stuff. I ate two! My favorite combo - apple pie filling, sliced bananas, whip cream and caramel sauce. I made a roast for my family which Chris was in charge of. Came home and piled everyone in the car so that we could go and see Taylor receive scout awards. Thursday, I was suppose to work in Tay's classroom but I just couldn't leave my house, it was a disaster!!! Laundry as tall as me. I cleaned and cleaned all day. I also made play dough for Katie (what was I thinking?! LOL) Tay and Jacob are doing well in school. Jacob's teacher rewarded Jacob for reading so much on his own with a gift card to the book fair. So, of course Chris spoiled the kids and let them each pick two books (buy one get one free). After that we were headed home and Chris decided that he had a craving for Olive Garden!! We stopped at home to see if Meg and Rye wanted to come, they said "no." Crazy kids. Food was yummy, we had fun and we got to see my step-brother and his wife who happened to be eating there also. Friday, was an emotional day. About 9:00am UPS man delivered a letter to us. It was Chris' life insurance money:( I cried and cried - not with happiness. I would rather keep my best friend then pay my house off!!!! It makes me feel sick inside knowing that other people (doctors, insurance company) realize that he is going to die. I was hoping that maybe we just hadn't been listening correctly to the doctors, bad dream - when am I going to wake up?! I went running to try and lessen the pain. Some days I feel like I just get slapped in the face and this is real and other days it just seems like everything is ok. I feel emotionally drained. And to add to my pain- my curling iron broke!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL I really did scream after that!! I wasn't to happy going to the store with straight, straight hair (not even my bangs curled!) I tried Megan's straightener but just burned myself and made weird kinks in my hair which I then tried to straighten. Luckily, I didn't see anyone I knew:) So, needless to say I have cried too much and have given myself a headache:) Tomorrow, Chris is speaking in Sacrament meeting - should be wonderful, he is a great speaker, and our family is singing a musical number - "I Love to See the Temple." So, if you feel like you need a good cry, church starts at 11:00:) That is Katie's favorite song. We are putting her close to the microphone so she can be heard because she sings it sooooo cute.
This week is not going to be as painful as last week. No school Monday and FHE. Tuesday, work in Jacob's classroom, Jacob scouts. Wednesday, scouts for Tay and Rye. Thursday, dermatologist for Meg, Me hair coloring (LOL) and we feed the missionaries (no clue what). Friday, doctors appointment with Dr. Whisenant - Chris will tell him his decision. Overall a very relaxing week:)
We are also working on Rye's Eagle project. Thanks to Harmon's Grocery store we have the bags to put the items in for the "Newly diagnosed cancer patient kits." Now we just need to get the posters and flyers done. Chris wants us to get permission to set up a booth outside of Walmart and Harmons to ask for donations. People see us and what we need, go inside, buy it and then hand it to us. Sounds good to me.
"It is not the design of heaven that we be rescued from all difficult situations. Rather, it is the Lord's will that we learn to handle them." Joseph Fielding McConkie
Love ya, Ricki

Chris has been spoiling us this week. He has made us a fancy breakfast every morning this week. Pancakes, waffles, french toast . . . (I make toast, fruit, yogurt easy stuff:) and he walked the kids to school. Yesterday, he went on the 6th grade field trip with Taylor to Clark Planetarium. He has also taken Katie out to lunch and done some Board of Reviews for scouts. Monday was a little rough on Megan, the boys got up earlier then they usually do because of Chris wanting to walk them to school so there were bathroom issues. Shouldn't three bathrooms be enough?!:) Boy, can girls be mean when they need their stuff in the bathroom:) Also having Chris home after school has been different for the kids because dad doesn't take any gruff about getting homework done. Usually someone is complaining and trying to get out of it. It's been nice to have him help me with individual reading, spelling, math papers, and disciplining.
He is very tired after walking the kids to school. He usually comes home and takes a two hour nap and then another nap later in the day. I'm OK with that because then he is ready to help when all the kids come home. Also been nice to leave Katie at home with Chris so that I can run my errands (I know she likes it also). When I come home from errands I usually find the two of them laying on the bed watching TV - very cute:)
Monday, Megan had a doctor's appointment with the neurologist (because she has been shaking a lot - and we have Parkinson's disease on my side) so it was nice leaving Katie home while we talked to the doctor and Meg had a CT scan. Doctor called Tuesday to let us know that results looked normal - Yeah!!! She did mention when she was examining Meg that stress can cause shaking. She asked if Meg was experiencing any stress. Ya, I started to laugh!! Meg just has to adjust to the shaking - happens to some people.
Last night Rye and I went to High School orientation!!!! Boy, am I getting old. It felt a lot different last night then it did when I took Meg. I cried and cried with Meg - I was scared for her:) Because Rye has been on the cross country team and we have "social Megan" he knows a lot of the high school kids. Hard to believe but Rye will be 16 when high school starts!! He will probably take drivers ed during the summer so that he can fit in everything that he needs to do to graduate (Graduate!!!!!! -Ahhhh). Next Tuesday I take Taylor to Middle school orientation!!! I think that he'll be OK because he has helped me a lot over the years with activities in the school. Big thing of course will be keeping track of homework.
This week we still have ortho appointments, Rye bball and math lab, Tay last Jr. Jazz bball game, YM activity and Meg has Sweet Hearts dance.
Next week we don't slow down at all. Monday, 3 valentine parties- only one am I in charge of (other 2 just there to help) - 6th grade we are having my famous "chocolate fountain" mmmmm.... For dinner my traditional valentine dinner were everything we eat is either pink or red (including milk and rolls:) and FHE. Tuesday, work in Jacobs classroom, Rye bball, Tay middle school orientation, Jacob scouts, and the "tax lady" comes to do our taxes (we've been in trouble for doing them wrong before so now we hire someone - she does all the work and if they are wrong she answers to the government:). Wednesday, Court of Honor for Tay and Rye and. . . it's that time of year again when I feed the teachers (SEP-parent teacher conferences). I had a lot of money left over in my budget so I am taking the easy route and buying them dinner, I still need to come up with dessert - something chocolaty. Thursday we will have Tay and Jacobs SEP, work in Tay's classroom, and Rye bball. Man, am I tired just typing this!!!:) Thank goodness I have Chris to help me. Life has changed again - new phase. We are adjusting quickly and I know that I will be way sad when this phase comes to an end. So I will enjoy every moment of it:) Happy Valentine's Day! Love ya, Ricki

Yesterday was much rougher than I thought it would be. Chris texted me all through the day telling me how hard saying "goodbye" was. Chris is a very loyal employee. He loves his job and the people he works with. He loves knowing what's going on in the company, especially statistics. He came home a lot and would tell me how much better Verizon was and how they are everywhere. He yells at other companies cell phone commercials on TV, and tells us all about the miss information they are giving. We can't go anywhere without Chris talking to someone about their phone (even on the cruise we took last year!) He can be found helping someone in the hospital with their phone (especially nurses and other chemo patients/family members). He would show them features that they either didn't know they had or didn't know how to use (lots of us don't read the instruction manual - hee, hee) or which phone they should buy. When Chris was having his port put in he and the doctor talked phones during the whole procedure (most people are knocked out:) His enthusiasm has of course rubbed off on the rest of us. He also enjoys solving problems/making things run smoother. Always looking out for the customer and employee. This morning Katie showed me how she could make a V with her thumb and pointer finger. She said it was for Verizon (the check mark). It will be hard for him not knowing what is going on in the company.
Chris seemed so sad that I thought that our family would meet him at Verizon after work to help him with his stuff. No one is allowed inside of the building except employees, so I had are friend Nate (from the cruise) help me with my plan. I parked the car in front of Verizon and we all got out. I positioned my camera and camcorder ready for when he came out. I'm standing there when a large security guard comes up to me and asks "What's up?" I tell him that it is my husbands last day of work and we are here to support him. he asks "Is he moving up? Going out?" (I'm thinking in a way "yes") I told him that my husband was dieing of cancer. He swore, then said sorry. He reminded me that I'm not suppose to take pictures of the building but as long as I didn't post them on the web then he'd let me do it. (sorry, you'll have to come over to see the pictures:) During that time Nate came out carrying Chris' personal items and a gift from Verizon. Chris came out a little bit later - later we would find out that he was talking to another security guard who was not happy with me. He was telling her that I was his wife and that it was his last day and that he was "going home to die." Told ya, we love to shock people:) She told him that he had better be lieing to her. Nate would tell us later when he went back into work that she was crying. I think she was crying because of the beautiful moment that she saw outside the building. As Chris walked out of the building the children ran to him with their arms wide open and they all embraced. I have it on video and will watch it many, many times. It was an amazing sight. There is no way you could have seen it and not cried. Verizon has been such a part of our life for seven years. They have been so good to us that I want to always have those memories. I video taped Chris walking to his car, driving in front of building and waving "good bye" and then exiting the parking lot. As I'm filming Katie can be heard in the back ground yelling "bye, bye Verizon I love you" then she says "Is daddy going to die now?" (all on video) I turned off the camera and told her "no, not yet." It hurts to close this chapter in our lives. If you didn't love your job than this would have been a blessing, but for Chris it hurts. Now we begin another chapter - "Chris bugging Ricki:)" He already has plans for us. I guess he didn't get the memo that says "Chris' to do list" I plan on having him help me in the kids classrooms (I work Tues and Thurs) and babysitting Katie so that I can run errands alone, or he and Katie can come along. Always easier to handle a four year old when there are two adults hee, hee.
I cancelled hospice yesterday because Chris decided that it was his last day so I didn't want to add another thing onto him. Hospice will come to our home Tuesday instead.
Ryan's Eagle project has been approved!! The project that he picked is helping the Huntsman Cancer Institute (where Chris goes). We will be collecting items for the bags that they give newly diagnosed patients. The bag includes: chapstick, lotion, puzzle books, water bottle, card game and a fleece blanket, all in a fabric grocery bag. We will also be collecting soda and individually packaged snack foods (chips, oreo cookies, gold fish etc.). By the end of the month they usually run out of these items. If you are interested in donating items or money we would love it. More details as to dates of collection soon coming. Ryan is having a meeting today to delegate responsibilities to his fellow scout friends:)
All I can say is "What a journey!!"
Love ya, Ricki

Tomorrow is Chris' last day of work. We met with the doctor today to discuss the PET scan results. The tumor in Chris' neck and back are bigger and there is new cancer growing where his surgery was (whipple) where they put together the stomach and intestine. He also has a large blood clot in his lung which gives him a great deal of pain. There is nothing that they can do for this, he is already on lovenox (blood thinners). The tumor in his neck/back (especially neck) is giving him a great deal of discomfort. Dr. talked about perhaps radiation to help alleviate some of the pain/pressure in his neck and back. We talked about the other chemo but decided that we would like some time to think about it. Chris would have to have the port put back in his chest. He would carry around a pump like he did before. The treatment would last 48 hours. He would be sick, tired and he would loose his hair. (he has already talked our boys into shaving their heads if he does the treatment:) Dr. said that he would not add the medicine that would give him a rash and make him itch (thank goodness!) Dr. also referred us to HOSPICE:( Tomorrow is r first appointment. When speaking with lady on the phone I told her that I needed someone who could deal with five children and would be LDS. We don't want anyone coming in here talking doom and gloom. We have been dealing with this for two years. We know where Chris is going thanks to the Plan of Salvation and that we can be with him again. I am sad about what has happened today, but I have known that this day would someday come. I am most sad about Chris quitting work. He enjoys his job and the people he works with, and I think he will get bored at home (and drive me crazy - hee, hee). So, here we go on a new journey. We appreciate all the prayers. Love, Ricki