We had a lot of fun this week.  Left Tues afternoon and arrived home Sunday morning - I said Sunday morning. lol.  We were suppose to come home late Saturday night but the plane filled up soo we had to stay later.  Fortunately it all happened early Saturday morning so we asked the hotel if we could stay another night.  They didn't have any room at either the Disneyland Hotel or Paradise Pier.  The guest service gentleman then said he would check at Grand Californian for us, he also said that he would give us the same hotel rate as we had at Disneyland Hotel.  They had room, we had a very cool view of the California Adventure park.  I must say though that I would not have been able to stay there long thanks to music playing all night.  I am a light sleeper and i like it totally quiet.  The Grand Californian is a very expensive hotel because you can enter from your hotel room right into California Adventures (and of course the view:).  We had fun during the day entering and exiting from it - just to say that "we had done it"  Crazy to say but we won't stay there again because it just wasnt' "that cool of a hotel"  we loved the Disneyland Hotel and its pool/slides.  Everything is Mickey - bed spread, carpet, cold and hot water handles for the sink and bath tub, lamps, etc. etc.  Most amazing thing ..... the Castle over are beds with LED lights like fireworks and when it is lite up it plays "When you wish upon a star"  Sooooooo cooooool!!!! 
We were able to see lots of family.  Aunt Wanda and Uncle Ray took us to the Rain forest Cafe where we were able to hang out with cousins and the next day Chris' cousin Mike and his wife Maria and their children came down to Downtown Disney and we ate at Tortilla Joe's.  Great food, wonderful family!!! (Thanks for treating us:).  It felt good knowing that we had soooo much wonderful family around us that if we needed anything we could call on them and they would be right there.  I didn't worry like I did this summer on are trip across America:) 
Tues, Wed and part of Thurs weren't to crowded.  It was Frid and Sat that were crazy, crazy, crazy thanks to all the graduation parties happening.  We still rode everything at least twice (some more).  Katie rode Splash Mountain.  She got a pillow pet for that one and a stuffed animal for Space Mountain and a Mickey Mouse ice cream for Big Thunder Mountain and the Ferris Wheel in CA.  She sure knows how to play it so she gets something lol.  Boys not to happy:)  We celebrated Chris and Katie's bday alllll week.  So spoiled.
On Friday we watched the 20th anniversary show of Fantasmic.  Chris and I realized that we had been here for the first showing of Fantasmic!!!!!  I had brought him here as a surprise for his bday 20 years ago.  I had talked to his boss and got him some time off, packed his bags (we only had one car) and picked him up from work and headed to Disneyland where we stayed with Aunt Wanda and Uncle Ray.  Pretty cool!!!! the 1st and the 20th.
 If your wondering-- they didn't have the exact cup that Jacob got last year.  It's close but not the same:(  He was sad but he got over it. 
Chris did ok.  He was verryy tired.  We rested in the park or went back to the hotel and he would take a nap while I took the kids to the pool or explored the hotel.  Food was not kind to him at all.  At one point in the trip food was going through him in less than three hours.  He was taking his pancreatic enzymes and other medicines but none of it seemed to be helping.  We are bad when we go to Disneyland - Dole Pineapple Whips, freshly made hand dipped corn dogs, Bengal barbecue, ice cream, Pizza planet, Blue Bayou (monte cristos -mmmm), allll fat!!
Funny thing happened to us on the way to the airport- ok, it could have been really awful.  I felt like I should look at Katie's carry on while we were driving in the car.  She had packed the longest, sharpest scissors we have!!!!!  Wouldn't that have been fun at the security check point???!!!
We also forgot about the red car being in the shop until we came home and had 3 messages from the shop telling us that we could pick up are car. lol
I was a little stressed out about having to take a different flight because we had signed up to feed the missionaries Sunday night.  It all worked out.  My family is wonderful!!!  Everyone brought "their assignments" plus more and my sweet sister ordered a bday cake for Chris and Katie.  I had said that I was going to make an ice cream cake for them Sunday afternoon but instead my sister took that pressure off of me so that instead I could take a much needed nap.  We had only slept 4 hours the night before.  Played in the park til midnight then got up at 4:45am (everyone slept in their clothes:) to get on the plane - for sure - shuttle picked us up at 5:30am.  We sat at the airport til 8:30am until the plane left.
I finally got to skype with Megan this morning.  It sounded like she had sooo much fun.  She stayed in the city of Wu Qing and ran in the city Tian Jin.  It took over 10 hours to get there from Changhou.  The five of them that ran the marathon took the fastest train in the world it goes 180 miles an hour.  They only had 4 hours to run 26.2 miles in.  she said that she ran along side a Chinese man for the first 13 miles of the race and they cheered each other on.  She had fun high fiving people on the side lines and "teaching them how to cheer"  I guess they just stand there as the runners run by.  I called her the "Princess in the Parade"  She only had 2 miles left when the race ended. They "herded" everyone on the bus.  Meg started to cry and the "bus mother" came over and told her it was ok that she was still going to get a medal.  Meg didn't care about the medal she had wanted to finish.  Tressa, was still running she could see the finish line and Meg kept yelling from the bus to keep going.  Amy finished the race before the time.  Kenzie and Kelsey also "got picked up."  Four of them received medals.  Meg said it was sooo hot 95 degrees and 50% humidity.  She loved every minute of it:)
She also had a Home stay with other students the weekend before.  She said it was the best one yet.  They went fishing, made rice something (can't remember what she called them), they bought her wax berries (her favorite fruit - taste like raspberries), ate quail eggs (which she loves), ate lunch at a 400 year old table and sat on 200 year old chairs.  The students family owns an antique shop.  also saw Titanic in 3D - she said that she covered the kids eyes for most of the movie. lol and ate at Pizza Hut and played at an arcade.  She has another Home stay this weekend.  After that they travel every weekend until they come home.  Can you believe it - ONE month til she comes home???!!!  I must say that "I am a very proud mother!!"
School ends this week for Tay and Rye.  Today, I went to physical therapy where they snapped my ribs back into place.  crazyyyyy noise, crazzzyyyy pain!!  I was kind enough to kick the therapist - Not my fault he forgot to warn me it was going to hurt!!!!  It's amazing my hand feels soooo much better!!  After that I went and picked up 1400 Popsicles from the store and put them in the big freezer at the middle school.  Came home and called all 28 volunteers to remind them of the various activities this week.  And we picked up the red car, hee hee.  Scouts, Rye working.. .
Ran across this scripture tonight while we were reading Alma 36:3 "for I do know that whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day."
Ha, ha see what happens when I learn how to put pictures on the blog? lol.  Chris said "that was tooo many."  I have atleast 300 more!!!!!
Love ya, Ricki

I'm HAPPY to report (and so is my hair - hee, hee) that Meg received her package yesterday!!  A Tuesday for her.  Call it cutting it close, she leaves Thursday to run the marathon on Saturday!!!!!  I'm just sooo grateful that this "ordeal" is over.  I still dislike FedEx and will NEVER send another package through them and not to crazy about customs either!!  I need Meg to skype me so that she can show me the contents of the package so I can make sure everything is there (not that I can do anything if it's not - lol).  Nah, she probably shouldn't show me.  Just grateful, grateful that it's over.
Yesterday, was Katie's bday.  She took popsicles to school for her bday treat.  We went to Chick fil a (shocker:) with cousins and grandma for lunch then came home and waited for everyone to get home so that we could go to Planet Play and celebrate.  We ended up taking neighbors, friends and family.  Quite the crowd:)
Today, is Chris' 45th bday!!!!:)  And to celebrate we are headed to DISNEYLAND!!!!!  This is one of those crazy, spontaneous things that Ricki Wach doesn't do.... I like things planned but hey, sometimes I have to shock Chris:)  We decided yesterday at about 9 am.  We have a cousin that works for Jetblue and offered us her tickets that were about to expire last week but I told her "no" because "I don't like my kids to miss school (especially at the end of the year)."  What changed it all was ---- Sunday, I broke Jacob's FAVORITE glass that came from Disneyland last year.  He uses it ALLL  the time, no other glass will do.  It is (was) a heavy crystal glass with the castle, Mickey Mouse and his name engraved on it.  He cried A LOT.  I felt sooo bad.  We aLL know how much that glass meant to him:(  So, I told him "we are going to get you a new one."  No one believed me but I set to making my mistake --right:)  Plane leaves at 11:55.  We come back Saturday night.  We determined when we left by how many seats there were.  Didn't want anyone being left behind. I was soooooo busy yesterday.  Cancelled physical therapy, eye doctor appointments, . . . .  big ones, the schools.  Tay gets out next week so they went ahead and suspended his grades.  What he has now is what he's getting:) He turned in his books and cleaned out his locker.  He will also miss his orchestra concert that is tonight.  Rye, isn't coming.  We asked him over and over again if he wanted to come. He decided.  He wanted to stay home, go to school and work.  He works Tues-Sat this week.  I'm sure that he could have gotten off.  Everyone is soo nice there but it was his choice.  Grandma will be staying the night with him and "totting" him to and from work.  Call me crazy!!  We are way excited.  This is sooo not like me - lol.  Look out pineapple Dole Whip and hand dipped corn dogs hereeeee weeeee come!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So, needless to say "My week has been cleared!!!"   I gave a grocery list and money to my mom so that she could help me out for Sunday's meal because last week I signed up to feed the missionaries on May 27th Sunday.  Hee, hee.  I assume I  will be tired and it will be late and grocery shopping will not be on the list of things I want to do.  Thanks mom.  Hee, hee.  Oh, and thanks for "totting" Ryan around:)
"Be cheerful in all that you do.  Live joyfully.  Live happily.  Live enthusiastically knowing that God does not dwell in gloom and melancholy - but in light and love." -Ezra Taft Benson.
Love ya, Ricki:)

Note:  I started this blog yesterday - hee, hee. 
I know.... you all want to hear how the package is coming along:)  Saturday, I didn't call and yell at FedEx (I'm sooo nice).  Are friend Summer who is from China came over Sunday for dinner and while we were talking (she has been helping Meg with the paperwork that is in Chinese) mentioned that she called her mother for Mother's Day.   Mmmmm.... so being the forward soul that I am I asked her if she could call the customs office.  Such a sweetie, she called but at first the office was still closed so she hung out for a while and then tried again.  She had to push a lot of buttons to finally get a live person.  Summer was very smart she went over everything that I wanted her to say and ask about before she got on the phone and we went over the situation of "why the shoes were sent to China."  Soooo, Meg needs to fill out paperwork (which Summer helped her with since it was in Chinese), fax all of her passport over to customs, pay 70 rmb ($10.00) when the package arrives at her school and wait 7 days.  Now Meg needs to get someone to help her talk to the guards so they know to sign for it  and she can leave her money somewhere safe.  After the first time she spoke with customs I asked her if she thought they would send the package sooner if they got rid of the food.  She's sooo nice she called them again and they said "no" it would take two weeks because they would have to separate the two items.  Summer explained  to them about the marathon and that's what the shoes were for and that she needed them as soon as possible - yeah they don't care.  Today, I will call FedEx and make sure that customs received the paperwork and is sending it (Shanghai is only 4 hours away!!! 7 days??!!)  Then, I will sit patiently (LOL) and wait to hear from Meg.  We skpyed this morning and she had gone to the night market last night to buy food and get the money for the package.  Thanks Summer for your help, we couldn't have gotten this far without you!!:) love ya.
This week Rye starts "his real job" lol.  Usually he only works about 4-6 hours a week.  This week he is working 18!!!!  At times he is still the cow and other times he is being trained to do all kinds of things.  He got his shirt and "visor:)" Go, Rye!!
Thanks to my dad we now have two cars:)  I need to take the car in for safety and emissions (it's past due), pay taxes, get four new tires and an alignment!!!! Grrr..  Today's job is also calling for estimates on the red car.  Oh, and on Saturday we were driving on the freeway and a rock hit are van windshield.  BIG ROCK.  BIG ROCK CHIP!!!  Grrrr.... Just another errand!!!!
Hee, hee it's now Tuesday morning:)  This may sound dumb but I have to thank Heavenly Father for a much better outcome of yesterday then I had imagined.  I was stressed out Sunday night about all that I needed to do. Then Monday morning I was stressed trying to figure out how to get it all done (the list is very long) I know stressing doesn't accomplish anything - ya, ya:P  So, we took Meg's car in to the shop and had them put 4 new tires on, alignment, safety and emissions and paid state taxes.  Now it's ready to drive:)  I'm excited Rye now has a car to practice driving - don't tell Megan!!!!!!  While that was being done Chris, Katie and I went and had the rock chip fixed in the van windshield.  I called around and got estimates on the red car and called the insurance company about towing.

Rye worked from 4-9:30.  He was exhausted.  He thought it went ok.  He was only .16 cents off on his drawer.  When I went in to pick him up the other employees were saying he did a great job but that he needs to smile and not be "so stressed out"  LOL.  He'll get it.  Always a little stressful working with money.  Tonight he works 5-9:30.
Yesterday, a dumb/silly thing happened to me.  I decided to walk up to the school to get Katie from kindergarten (it's almost a mile there).  When I get there the teacher hands me a large piece of poster board and a Rubbermaid container bigger then a shoe box - for her spotlight stuff.  I laugh - the only day I don't drive.  It's a little breezy so I'm having trouble with the paper.  Katie decides to run so I run after her - I drop the paper and trip - stepping on the paper and tearing it (ha, ha).   Katie comes back to me and I tell her we should probably walk so I don't ruin her paper more.  Then she says "but mom I have to go potty reallllyyy bad!"  (the day I don't drive).  A friend drives by and asks if she can take the paper and box for me.  I ask her if she can take us home because Katie's doing the "potty dance."  Serves me right for wanting to get some fresh air and exercise. lol. 
Chris worked very hard on Katie's poster.  He went through are hundreds of pictures and picked some to put on the poster and then I took the disk he made to Walmart to be printed.  He cut out the pictures and decorated the poster- he did a great job.  Teacher also had a spotlight box that you put something that is special to the child in, we put Katie's pink blanket in.  You also have to give three clues for the kids to guess.  And finally a "love note" from mom or dad.  I of course had Chris write it - pulling "my cancer card" on him (hee, hee) letting him know how special it would be from him and that she will treasure it always.  (yes, I'm good at getting out of things lol).
This week is just another crazy week at the Wach household.  The month of May is always crazy!!  I work in Katie's classroom in just a little while.  Jacob is "sick" today - no, he really is.  I'm pretty sure he has what Katie had last week.  I have physical therapy - I didn't do very well on my homework. oops., Rye works and Tay has scouts.  Tomorrow, Rye works, Tay speaks at a Priesthood Preview for the new young men turning 12 next year (because he's Deacons president), Jacob has scouts, Chris has his league bball game (Grrrrr).  Thursday, I have an In and Out luncheon for PTA that I am helping with, and Tay has a leadership training meeting for church.  Friday, School fun Run at the elementary school, Tay has a scout camp out and I would like to take Jacob down to Temple Square to hear the orchestra play to keep him excited about playing the violin.  Saturday, Rye works.  And of course somewhere in there I should do some laundry etc. ....  Good times:)
"As daughters of our Heavenly Father, and as daughters of Eve, we are all mothers and we have always been mothers.  And we each have the responsibility to love and help lead the rising generation.  How will our young women learn to live as women of God unless they see what women of God look like, meaning what we wear, watch, and read; how we fill our time and our minds; how we face temptation and uncertainty; where we find true joy; and why modesty and femininity are hallmarks of righteous women?"  Sheri Dew
Thank you, thank you to all the wonderful women I know!!!!!  Love ya!!!!
Ricki

Meg still hasn't gotten her package!! Still stuck in customs.  Customs emailed Meg and asked for passport info.  Meg emailed them her passport but didn't include the page with "the stamp" on it so now she has to fax them that.  They also sent her some paper work to fill out but most of it is in Chinese, will cost $15 to get it out and will take 7 days to get to her!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Needless to say she was sobbing when we skyped:(  The shoes just might not make it to her in time.  I called Fedex again they said that I could have the package sent back to me but at my expense!!  We are just about to tell customs to "Keep the package!!!"  This weekend Meg went to district conference she stayed at a families home in Shanghai, the husband was the American Conuslate General to Shanghai she said that they weren't very friendly so she didn't ask them for help.  She said their home was beautiful, she got to sleep in her own bed:)  but had to do dishes - even though they have a maid:) and she complained that they used to much water to wash them. lol. They did a service project for the church making Humanitarin  Kits and heard Sis Allred (from the former General Relief Society presidency) speak.  She is now back in Changzhou and her package is in Shanghai!!! If she could've looked up her email account she might have been more aggressive and asked for help. Meg told me that she needs to get some "worm medicine" when she comes home so that she can kill them.  No one washes their hands and in the night market she doubts that they clean the food throughly (a couple of Americans that live in China told her this).  She is also drinking soda again!!  After 5 years of not drinking any. When she gets home she will stop again she said it's hard to get water there because they don't have water fountains and you can't just drink the water from the faucet. She also can't wait to stop carrying around toilet paper in her pocket and one of the first things she is going to do is put her head under the faucet for a drink of water:)  Oh,.... and CHEESE!!!  She misses cheese sooooo much. and butter - which she had for breakfast (on her french toast) she was tempted to put the stick in her pocket and take it home:) (that's my girl).  They don't use butter.  Jacob would hate it he always puts butter on his rice.
Sorry, but those of you who read the blog should probably pray for the package to get to Meg so that you don't have to hear about it anymore, because until that package gets to her.. . . here I sit "stewing!!"
Love ya, Ricki

Meg still doesn't have her package.  I called FedEx 3 times yesterday.  Meg and I emailed all day and then at 9pm (11 am her time) we skyped.  I told her what they said that she needed to call on a land line, gave her the number again.  She called them.  skyped us back crying and upset.  She couldn't get the email of her passport to go through and when she called that number she couldn't get anyone that spoke English well enough, so she doesn't know what's happening with the package.  She is very concerned that she will have to pay customs on the package.  Chris kept telling her to tell them "that it was for personal use, that she was going to run a marathon there in China."  I told her to have them open the package - who cares nothing bad just LOTS of junk food (Hershey's kisses - which Chinese hate - they think American chocolate is gross), shoes, some energy gels and some love notes and pictures drawn by Katie.  I say "let them have a cherry Pop tart if they want one!!!" (just not the shoes -lol). I did smile (ONCE- only once:) she said that she wished she had peanut butter and crackers - ahhhh, I should win mother of the year (lol) because I sent her some.  "I'm good, I'm good, I'm really really good."  Last night she was headed to Shanghai for a District church meeting and was going to a members house so Chris and I begged her to ask them for help.  I sure HATE being 33 hours away!!!  Today, I will call FedEx cs department again.  Squeaky wheel gets the grease/oil (whatever!!). Ha, ha.  Hey, y'all know me I can be a rather big pain when I want to!  (I hope you all are saying "not Ricki!!")
My dad looked at r car and found that the head gasket has "blown." LOTS and LOTS of money.  The head gasket is at the bottom of the engine. Grrr. Soo, now I need to get some estimates and then have the car towed to a shop.  You know it's just one of those crazy things that shouldn't happen to people who don't have jobs.  LOL.  My dad also said that he could have the other car put back together in two days.  We hadn't been worried about putting it together because I was having him keep it at his house til Meg got home it was safe in his garage:) 

Yesterday, Chris and I went with Katie on her field trip to Thanksgiving Point.  We drove there instead of riding the bus.  Katie wanted to ride with Chris so I asked the principal if that would be alright.  I must say "we have the best principal in the world!!" (not just because of yesterday:) We had Katie and two other girls in r group.  It was sooooo windy, we had dirt, hay and poop hitting us alll day:)  Chris did great!!  He had those girls wrapped around his finger.  He kept teasing me about "so this is what you do on a field trip (hee, hee)" I was mostly just along to make sure no one got lost and to take pictures:).  Chris did everything else.  Poor Katie did get hurt.  We should have had the video camera going we could have been on America's Funniest Home Videos.  Katie stuck her head inside the cow pen.  The cow decided she wanted to play/be petted something.  The cow came up to Katie and started butting her head with its head which kept hitting the metal bar. Katie's head went back and forth from being hit by the cow to hitting the metal bar (like a bouncy ball). I grabbed her head and turned it so I could get her out.  Poor girl, she cried for a long time and has bruises and scratches from the whole ordeal.  Chris said "it looked funny!"  (what a brat!)  Yesterday, was my last field trip ever for kindergarten - never to go on another one:(  I have been on every field trip since Megan started kindergarten.  Bitter sweet.  I know... I have a lot more to go on:)  It's just another one of those "this is the last one." I cried when I changed Katie's last diaper.  "Never to change another one."  OK, I didn't cry at that:)
Chris is coughing a lot and grabbing his chest.  I want to take him to the doctor because I think he has pneumonia but he says he "doesn't need to go"  (Katie has been sick this week - missed school-thinking Chris got sick also) So, we just watch him in pain as he coughs or sneezes.  He did say that the chest pain from being hit at the bball game is gone.  The other day he asked me "What are you going to do with my stuff after I die? My clothes?"  In the three years that we have been dealing with this he has never asked me that question!!  I have thought about it.  Most things we will keep.  His shaver will go to Rye.  Will keep his mission stuff etc so we can always remember him and his clothes- move over!!! I'm getting  MORE space in the closet:)  Which means I need to go shopping so I can fill it up:)  Don't worry I told him- hello, he knows "it's all about me:)"
I lived in the car last night.  Running everyone to where they needed to go.  ONE car STINKS!!!!!  Rye was the cow at an elementary school carnival in South Jordan.  One of the managers drove him and food to the school and then I picked him, the cow suit and all the containers (that they use to keep the food warm in) back to Chick fil A. When I got there YMCA was playing and "the cow" was doing the moooooves:)  (you know you love me-hee, hee) I watched all these girls dance with him and  have their picture taken with him.  He's a great cow, he reallyyyy gets into it.  Sooo proud:)  Monday, he starts learning how to be a cashier.  He is excited.  Sorry, to say he is tired of being the cow. He is also excited because that means a pay increase:)  He's moooooving up the ladder.  (ha, ha Who loves me???!!)
One more LAST.  Wednesday was my last PTA meeting at the elementary and my last PTSA meeting for the year at the middle school (lucky me both on the same day:).  May is always an overwhelming month for needing volunteers for activities and as volunteer coordinator I have to find 28 volunteers to help out with various activities.  Sounds easy but everyone is busy this time of year.  I asked the middle school to put out a school wide email asking for volunteers so that I wouldn't have to make sooo many phone calls begging people to help, leaving messages that will never be returned. . . . . ahhh, and yes I'm doing it again next year:)
Soo, needless to say - I'm still a mess. Until that package gets to Meg.  And a second car would be nice (so Rye can practice - so he can pass his test - so he can drive himself - and do errands for me).  I'm just a busierrrr mess trying to keep up with extra things that need to be done and all the things here at home (laundry? what's that? - Tay had to wear a pair of Rye's shorts today to school - I guess I better do laundry:)
"Have faith that life's path will lead you where you are supposed to go.  You will meet those who you are supposed to meet, you will learn what you need to learn and you truly can enjoy the journey."
Love ya, Ricki

Ok, so at this moment I am trying NOT to throw up!  Meg's package is sitting in Changzhou (where she lives) but is in clearance delay.  I called Fedex the customer rep read the notes it said  that "they tried to contact someone" but haven't received a response.  I told the csr that Meg can't talk on the phone (which I know they don't have her phone #/ or her email address) so I have noooo idea who they "contacted" they need a copy of her passport before they will give her the package!!! Sorry, but next time I use the good ole postal service (no problems last time:) It is 9 pm there so the store is closed til tomorrow.  Csr gave me a phone number for Meg to call, she has to use a land line and she said "yes someone will speak English" lol.  Sooo, just one of those things that makes me want to cry.  Oh, and I was on the phone when Tay needed to go to the bus.  He walked to bus stop but I noticed he forgot his breakfast but most importantly his TRUMPET!  So, I got in the car and raced up to the bus stop.  I'm trying to tell myself that "it's NOT going to be one of those days"  (yeah, right!!!)
Also yesterday, are red car died.  Chris had taken Rye to work and on the way home he smelled something burning.  Luckily he was only a couple of blocks from home.  As soon as he got it in the driveway anti-freeze came spilling out all over the ground.  My dad is fixing Megs car.  I told him to take his time in February but last night I called him and told him to work harder and faster on it:)  We need it now.  :)  I need the red car to work so that Rye can continue to practice driving - his test is in a few weeks.  I'm sooo not into letting him practice on my van. (Meg has never driven my van - that's how mean I am:) Annnddd.... at Chris' basketball game he got hit hard in the chest so he didn't play much because he was in a lot of pain. 
I'm done!!! for now.  Going to get ready to go on a field trip. 
I won't cry, don't cry, don't cry. . .  oops.  I am.  Everything is more dramatic to me than it should be.
Love, Ricki

So, a couple of days ago I got a call from the funeral director that helped me purchase Chris' funeral package. It was cute (hee, hee), he started out saying for me "not to think him morbid" but that he was "just wondering how Chris was." I told him "we still didn't need his services" lol. It really was nice of him to check on us. I don't think I've ever heard of a funeral director calling to see if "someone is still alive" and hey, he already has my money so it's not like he's trying to get me to buy anything:)
Took Tay to the foot doctor, he has a bacterial fungus on his foot (oh, yeah!!)doc prescribed a cream to be put on Tay's foot twice a day. He also said that Tay has "extra sweaty feet" so he needs synthetic socks (expensive), shoes that breathe (also expensive) and Tay's favorite part:) he needs TWO pairs of shoes (expensive!). Tay has been asked to be an Ambassador for school next year. He is very busy with scouts. They are going to Bear Lake for scout camp this year for a week. FUN!! The leaders asked if Chris would like to come. They are going to bring their trailer for him:)
I had a physical and found that I have high cholesterol - have NO idea how. I exercise 3-5 times a week, eat lean meat and I eat oatmeal EVERY morning for breakfast. Grrrrr. I had physical therapy yesterday and found out that I have a rib out of place so now I am doing exercises (yes, I have homework)to help my arm so that I can hopefully loosen up the nerve/muscle enough that it can be put back into place. I also have to practice my posture - I have bad posture which probably contributes to the problem. If I sit down I have to have a rolled towel between my shoulder blades (also driving). It was nice to have someone give me solutions to my pain. She (Leisha the physical therapist) also gave me ideas on how to keep my arm from hurting so that I can sleep. She also gave me a neck/shoulder rub, she found some very large knots in my shoulders and she asked me if I was under a lot of stress. Hee, hee. I didn't mean to but I then started crying (dumb me). I go once a week for a month then will evaluate the progress.
Chris went to his oncologist to have a check up. Chris will have a pet scan at the end of June - mostly just to shut the doctor and I up:)Dr. Whisenant said he looked good and his lungs sounded clear. He continues to play bball on a league team and is planting a garden for us. We are just about to hit another mile stone (last one was r 22nd wedding anniversary) next one is Chris' 45th bday - May 22. (Katie's in May 21)
Megan and her friends are counting the days until they leave China. Friends are counting the time till they come home and Meg is counting down to being sad that she has to come home:) 50 days left!! They went out to celebrate by watching the Avengers. I sent Meg running shoes for her marathon. She says that running shoes cost around $200 a pair. People don't run there. Meg and her friends are running about 13 miles every other day. The marathon is May 24th.
Ryan had a BIG presentation in one of his classes today so he dressed up and asked the teacher if he could get extra credit for being in cake. Soo 2 BIG five pound chocolate cakes from Costco went to school hoping to win the teacher over. lol. He is soon to be learning to cook at Chick fil a. He is getting tired of being the cow - and soon it will be toooo hot to be outside in it:) I forgot to mention that last month Rye went to MORP. The girl decorated his room (which I cleaned first:)with decoded messages.
It's teacher appreciation week for Tay and Rye. Thank goodness for pinterest hee, hee. I got some great ideas that "make it ok for Rye to give his teacher's something" (and the bus driver)(he's toooo cool).
Jacob got a new teacher starting last week. We went in and met her. She seems very nice (young - 21:) she is just going to keep things the way we've been doing them. Thank goodness:) Jacob's arm is still sore but he's done wearing the sling. lol. He had his orchestra concert last night. Poor boy the whole evening was 4 hours!!! They had all of the orchestra kids from the whole district playing. For dinner I brought him McDonald's and afterwards we went and got yogurt to celebrate (Chris ended up being to ill so he went home - just glad he made it for the concert:)
  Katie has a field trip on Thursday to Thanksgiving Point. If Chris is well enough he is going to drive there while I ride the bus (lucky me).
Again this is an EXTRA BUSY week. yesterday, was the worst. One of those were every minute is full. Can't shove one more thing in. Sitting down, what's that?! I fell into my bed and was out the second my head hit the pillow:) Today, I passed out teacher appreciation gifts at the middle school and then met Chris and r friends that we went on the cruise with for breakfast. Sooo, much to do:) "Do your best and leave the rest to Him" Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin. Love ya, Ricki

So, I guess Chris isn't going to write about his trip.  Lol.  I asked him to "write for my anniversary present" well, it's come and gone:)  He did have a wonderful time in Peru.  Come on over and you can see the hours of video and hundreds of pictures.  My favorite was how he got to be a missionary to two different people (taxi driver and guide).  We gave their names to the missionaries.  Makes you grateful for the gospel. He also met a missionary from the US there that had been in a bad car accident and was recovering.  He got the missionaries home phone number so that he could call his mother and let her know that he was recovering nicely and the missionary asked Chris to also please tell her that" he loved her" - I couldn't stop crying (as he was talking to the mother).  A mother's heart.  He and my dad had a great time, things worked out nicely.  Chris brought home a blow dart gun (from the Amazon) for Jacob - they were told not to shoot each other because of the point.  Ughhh, Tay only bleed a little:)  Katie a Peruvian dress and hat and some llama earrings:), Tay a chess set (he LOVED it), Rye a sweater from an alpaca and me a magnet to add to my collection.  He slept a lot after he came home but other wise did great.
It's been a busy month. Chris and I celebrated are 22nd wedding anniversary on FRIDAY, the 13th - always been a good day for us.  We've been off track so we did lots of activities and laying around.  I finished my last Literary committee meeting for the year - only had to read one book, and it was good:)  I also had an MRI for my arm.  I am verrryyyy claustrophobic so I got to have some valium.  Doctor thought that I had a pinched nerve in my neck.  Not so.  Now we are going to try physical therapy if that doesn't work then onto another test.  I had my ulnar nerve put back in place 7 years ago.  The doc says that if it's come out of place again it will be a much more difficult surgery and take longer to recover.  Ahhh.  Hoping physical therapy helps.  Chris made his grandma's "secret" recipe tamales for the ward Men's cook off.  He won most difficult to make.  He did a great job.  Tasted wonderful:)  Chris' mom and dad came and visited us.  Always fun having them around. :) Meg, has decided to run a marathon in China.  New goal - run a marathon on every continent:)  and she signed up to be a head teacher in Russia in January after she goes to BYU Provo for the fall (and gets a job so she can earn some money - hee, hee!!!!)  She loves China and is not wanting to come home:(  Tay, went on a scout campout that was wayyy to cold for me.  Can you believe school is almost over??!!  Soon I will have a junior in high school and an 8th grader!!! (Katie and Jacob still go to school until July 1- then I can start crying:) Jacob has a new 4th grade teacher, his other teacher decided to stay home with her new baby.  Speaking of Jacob...... he fell of the tramp on Monday (April 30th) onto his shoulder/back.  He was in tonsss of pain. We iced it, gave him medicine and babied him.  Tues, morning he could hardly move his arm.  I let him stay home from school because I knew he hadn't gotten much sleep and I didn't want to have him be in pain at school.  I left him with Chris so that I could go on a field trip with Katie.  Poor Chris was sooooo sick himself that I told Jacob he was going to have to take care of himself:(  While on the field trip I called the doctors office and made an appointment for Jacob to see him and get xrays.  They did a lot of xrays.  After three doctors looked at the film they decided that the arm is ok.  They were concerned about the scapula.  They say that it is verrryyyy bruised and will take weeks to heal. They gave him a sling for his arm.  Pooooor Jacob.  At least we know that he is going to be ok - in a while (lol).  Ibuprofen and ice/heat.  His big orchestra concert is next Monday.  Not sure how that is going to go.  He can't play right now (even after I yell at him, hee, hee).
This week we have a full schedule.  Scouts, CAP, Rye working, orchestra (maybe:), Chris has a basketball game (he's on a league team - I swear he's trying to kill me!!) Tay goes to the foot doctor (his skin is peeling off - gross), we meet Jacob's new teacher, it's teacher appreciation week, I've gotta get my hair colored - thanks to my family (lol), homework and a baptism to attend. . .  all good stuff. Glad to be busy again.  For three weeks while we were off track we rested now it's time to stress out - hee, hee.
Last week a good friend of mine lost her six year old son.  She is amazing.  I love her sooo much.  She is always thinking of are family.  We have had a lot of great times together - especially doing field day at the elementary school.  "Diet Coke snow cone" for her and Dr. Pepper snow cones for me.  I can't imagine her loss.  I pray that I can handle all of the things that she has had to do this week with as much strength and courage as she has.  I watched her thinking "this is how I want to be when Chris dies."  I'm borrowing a quote that she put on her face book page.  I love it:)  It's from Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin in a talk he gave (you can see it on mormon message). "Come What May and Love it" "The Lord compensates the faithful for every loss.  That which is taken away from those who love the Lord will be added unto them in His own way.  While it may not come at the time we desire, the faithful will know that every tear today will eventually be returned a hundred fold with tears of rejoicing and gratitude."
Love, Ricki
P.S. Any errors I blame on the new blog format.  Don't they know I'm not to good with computers??!! Oh, and I don't like change!!!!!