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

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

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

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

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