Phantom of the Opera

Chris really expressed an interest in going to see the Phantom. This...coming from a kid that usually just has baseball on his mind. So, we jumped at the chance to add a little culture to his life. So, we got all dressed up and headed to Spokane for a Tues. night show. We had the best seats I've ever had in that theater. We were just eleven rows back. When the flames shot up....we could actually feel a burst of sudden heat. Chris couldn't believe how quickly the phantom got from one place to the next. I have seen it three times and I enjoyed it just as much this time as I did the first time I saw it. Maybe even a little more. I liked seeing my son enjoy it. The music is so haunting. The set is amazing. The guy that had the lead was the best of the three times I've seen it. It was a wonderful evening. I think I am having empty nest syndrome and it hasn't even hit yet....but I want to do as many things as I can before it does.

Thank You God

We all have those "Stop and Smell the Roses" moments in our life. Those times when we just need to pause from the hectic pace of our lives and enjoy the little things. I had one of those moments this morning. I woke up late and was rushing around getting Chris's lunch packed for school, answering a couple emails, and trying to get out the door to meet Val for our walk. As I hustled by the kitchen window I could see the glow of this mornings sunrise on the horizon. I stopped everything.....grabbed my camera....and went out on the back step and enjoyed the precious gift God had given me this morning. It was just beautiful. I am going to try and take more of those moments. We are so busy that we often let those moments pass and then regret that we did. I am going to try to learn to savor those moments.

Family update

I'm exhausted. We had a wild week around here. So much going on. Chris went to the Homecoming dance a week ago with a girl from our ward. He had a lot of fun. He was in a large group with his friends. They arrived at the dance in a motor home and Chris thought that was 'sweet'. They had a nice steak dinner and Scott provided dessert with his delicious cheese cake. He borrowed Tyler's sunglasses that matched Kelcey's dress and he thought it was so cool.

I taught seminary for Bro. Welty on Thursday. I love teaching seminary. It always puts a smile on my face to go in and teach the youth. I always come home feeling like I have had my battery charged and I can take on the world. The youth in the Moses Lake Stake are great kids and they have such a desire to learn. It really is a great opportunity when I get to go and teach.

Carolyn has been pretty sick the last week. She has had an awful sore throat and sinus cold. She loves Brent so much and she likes to share with him so he has come down sick too. They are both very busy with their classes. They aren't working as much as they would like. Staples has really cut back on their hours. This economy is hitting everyone.

Carolyn is really enjoying her classes for her special education major. She is going to be so great at that. I know she is looking forward down the road to graduating and becoming a teacher.

The newlyweds are enjoying life as a married couple. They went on a beautiful hike up in one of the canyon's. They are both very busy with their classes. Kevin is loving his shakespeare class. I think he has really found his niche in all of these literature classes. He gets to use his gift to write and I think he enjoyes it.
Kevin ran the 5K Cougar run at BYU this weekend. He still enjoys getting out and pounding the pavement with his running shoes.

Chris has been training with the local fire department. He helped this weekend with their "fill the boot" fundraiser. We stopped to see him and we couldn't find him anywhere. Then we spotted the dog and Scott said "I'll bet you Chris is in the dog suit" Sure enough....there he was. Chris got to be Sparky for the day.

We had a very busy weekend. Scott and I ran over to Spokane on Saturday to catch my nephew's soccer game. He didn't know we were coming and he was quite surprised. Caitlyn was happy to see us arrive at the game with hot chocolate. There was a bitter cold wind and it was freezing. We spent Sunday in Bainbridge Island enjoying Canadian Thanksgiving at our friends. I've never seen so much food. It was just delicious. Turkey and ham....and more side dishes than you can count. Thank you Drew and Ross for inviting us and for your hospitality. We had such a wonderful time. Carolyn told me I was an awful blogger because I never took any pictures with Drew. Left my camera in the car....oops. I also forgot to take a picture of the cheesecake Scott made. Everyone at dinner raved about it. It was delicious.

Chris and Scott on the way to Bainbridge Island

You can see from my hair it was a tad bit windy outside on the ferry

Seattle skyline from the ferry

Headed back to Seattle after a wonderful day on the island.

HEY DANE....THIS ONE'S FOR YOU

It is spirit week at the highschool. This weekend is the big homecoming game and dance. So....all week long I get to watch Chris leave for school in some fumky outfits. Yesterday was toga day....I wonder how that went since the last time it was allowed was Kevin's senior year and then it was banned. Well today was color wars and the seniors were wearing blue and pink. Chris went all out. Last week my friend Melanie posted the cutest picture of Dane as he dressed up for RED day at preschool. He was decked out in a red shirt....red shorts.....a red cape...and a red mask.....but he wouldn't wear red socks.....he thought that would look dumb. Well......Chris not only wore the socks.....but he wore Carolyn's pink toe socks....and her pink and blue flip flops....with a flower on it......that kid must have a ton of self esteem. I totally cracked up when he walked out the door today.

Chris update

Chris's knee is looking so much better.....so that should put a smile on our faces right? NOT. The antibiotic that they put him on cleared up his knee infection.....but he had a very bad allergic reaction to it. He is completely covered in an itchy rash. Thank heavens we have a Doctor in the family. I don't know what we'd do without uncle Tom. He helped us on a Saturday when Chris's knee was all inflamed and tonight after hours he took time to see Chris. His rash looks so bad...and I was a nervous wreck but Tom called and reassured me that he would get better. He put him on some prednisone to try to help it heal faster. Poor kid.....In a years time he's had shingles.....this weird rash that appeared on his abdomen and arms that was very painful....and now this.

Chris has been friends with Carly Noyes for years. She is six foot five and towers over Chris. She just signed a full ride scholarship to WSU to play for the cougs. Part of the deal was she got 5 VIP tickets to each game and Chris is the happy person that gets to benefit from these tickets. The funny part of this story is that this summer Chris and Carly played basketball and since Chris lost he has to wear this shirt to school today that Carly made for him. He wanted to wear a UW sweatshirt over top.....but he knew Carly would beat him.

Bring on the Turkey

I am so excited. We have been invited over to my friend Drew's for his annual Canadian Thanksgiving celebration. Drew is one of my best friend's from highschool. He lives out on Bainbridge Island. He and Ross just bought a home out there. I will finally get to meet their girls and I'm so excited. I've seen lots of pictures but I haven't met them yet. It will be nice to meet some of Drew's other friends. I wish I was able to see Drew more often. Afterall, he only lives about three hours away....but I don't like to cross that pass in the winter and we are always so busy in spring and summer. Last fall Val and I went to the scrapbook convention and we had dinner with Drew and we got to meet Ross. Very nice guy. It will be nice to go and celebrate with friends. I haven't celebrated Canadian Thanksgiving since I went away to college.....and I'm not saying how long ago that was.....dang I'm getting old. Drew is a very good cook from what I understand so I'm looking forward to the feast. I have had some of his candy he's made at Christmas.....and he is a whiz in the kitchen. Drew is one of those blessings in my life for which I am so grateful. He has been an amazing and supportive friend. I love him dearly.

OUCH

Well, twelve days post-op and just when everything looked like it was going smoothly Chris has developed an infection in his incision. He had been doing so well and we were excited about his recovery process. He was only on crutches for three days. He had weaned off the pain meds within the week. When he woke up yesterday he said it hurt more than it had....but everything looked okay. When he unwrapped his bandage lastnight he had redness and swelling. A quick trip up to see our family doctor, which happens to be Uncle Tom, and YES.....he has infection. Scott went up to fill the prescription and the power was out at our pharmacy and they weren't filling any scripts. UGH!!!! So, he brought Chris home and tried a different pharmacy. After two doses of antibiotics his knee is more red and inflamed this evening. Tom drew the outline and so far it hasn't spread any....which is good news. We will keep a close eye on it. Hopefully we caught it soon enough that it won't enter the bone. He gets his stitches out on Tues and we should know more then. He's been so good at keeping it dry and covered....just one of those things I guess. Hope it looks better soon. I didn't sleep much lastnight....to worried.