More from Phoenix; Sunshine!

We are having a great time with G&G and Rick&family. Sunday we all went to to the Chicago Cubs / Cleveland Indians Spring Training Game. Sat out in Left Field where there is bound to be a home run ball. There was but it was for the visiting team, the Indians. Indians won 7-5, we were rooting for the Cubs. The kids enjoyed the crowds, the excitement of a big league game, and hanging out in the sun.

Monday we went to the Phoenix Zoo. This is NOT a real elephant but a static display of an African Elephant that the kids gathered around. It was a cool day at the zoo. Very nature exhibits for the area. Had a really good time, but we were exhausted by the time we headed back. Also, took a video of the baboons getting a snack.

A picture of blossoming cactus. This is an incredible time to be in this area because the cactus are blooming, bushes are in bloom, trees are budding.

Last day at the community center pool.


Update on prayer requests:
1) Jason is doing well. The antibiotics took to the cellulitis infection that he had. Things are back to normal.
2) Sarah had her two wisdom teeth out and is doing well. She will return back to Spokane to work as a nanny later tonight.
3) Leah had her interview down her for a teaching job. She was shown around the new school where she would work if she gets the job. She will attend a Job Fair in Bend Oregon this coming weekend.
4) Pray for Gail Smith who is battling cancer. She is currently in the hospital unable to eat. She is in a lot of pain and being attended to in the hospital. Pray for comfort from pain and a clear understanding of her condition. Pray for wisdom for the doctors treating her. Pray for Mike and the kids.
5) We are traveling on Wednesday back to snow and cold. Maybe we can get stranded here by chance. Probably not.

Basking in the Sun

We made it to Phoenix with no problems. Good thing we didn't go through Denver (big blizzard shut down the airport for a couple of days). Good to see Grandma and Grandpa, and Rick and Cheryl. The girls had a great time on their first plane trip. We have been doing some hikes and hanging out at the pool. Just relaxing and having a great time. Here are some pictures from our hike today up to the Hieroglyphics Hike area.

We hiked into the Superstition Mountain Area northeast of Mesa, AZ. The girls did pretty good. Hike was about 2.5 miles in to a valley with carvings in the rocks around a pool area where ground water comes out of the mountain valley. The native people would hang out at these pools of water, possibly living around them and carved their pictures into the rock.

A green lizard, not sure what type, but it was a first for Uncle Rick to see in this area. Pretty green with a Red Neck! We were able to see several types of lizards, butterflies. We ate Jojoba nuts from the native plants along the trail.

Here are some of the carvings in the rock dating back??? Taking it easy with my girls.

The Saguaro cactus is a popular site around here. These were big, big ones. Protected in this wilderness area. Uncle Rick tried to get us and the cactus in one picture.

"Do not fear, for I am with you" ; one year later

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am you God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

It has been one year that Susan came home from the hospital, after being in the Circle of Life room on the Oncology ward for several weeks. Those are rooms that people will go to when they only have days to live. NOT SUSAN. I am still amazed at Susan's will to live. We thought we had lost her on several days in the hospital (like March 19th, when we all danced with Susan) then she came back strong. And then to come home in Dalton Gardens. She had such a big smile on her face. Can't you just picture it. It still is ingrained in my mind. Dawson (our black lab) brought such joy in her life at home. That all was such a blessing to Susan, I am glad we brought her home. This is what was written last year:

FROM THE BLOG LAST YEAR:
Monday, March 24, 2008
Susan at home on Hospice Care
Over the weekend, our family started talking about bringing Susan home for her remaining days. Everyone seemed to agree including Susan. The trips to the hospital and coordination of care sitting became a little draining emotionally and physically. Susan came home Monday evening! Hospice has taken over with all her meds and equipment at home. She has enjoyed the familiarity and closeness to kids and the pets. She will remain on the same dose of morphine and ativan medicines as she was in the hospital. Susan continues with long naps and periods of time when she eats and talks a bit. This morning she ordered up a cheese omelet, pancakes and juice for breakfast. She nibbled on it and ate some of it. She still has a desire for food. So now that we are at home, we still need to request no visitors at home. Sorry but it is just too hard to determine when her awake times are and how much energy she has to communicate. Thank you. And thank you all for your prayers that have sustained us. It has been through the grace of God that keeps us going. You all are such a blessing to us in these tough times. God Bless!


This past weekend we went to watch Laura compete in the AWANA games in Spokane. Here is a video of Laura running a marathon relay, three times around the circle after two other team mates did the same. She was the anchor leg. Laura is FAST. Just missed getting the pin. What an amazing day. Hannah and Sarah even watched. They have so many good memories of AWANA and the games from years past.



Wednesday morning, I fly with Leah, Mary, Laura and Kayla to Phoenix to visit Grandparent Jack and Mary Carol, and Susan's brother Rick and family. Spring Break for a week in Phoenix. Bring on the sunshine and warm weather. Will be exciting and relaxing. This will be the first plane trip for Laura and Kayla.
Prayer requests:
1) Jason came down with this boil/infection behind his right ear. He is on antibiotics and some pain meds. Pray for healing. This could be serious if not treated properly.
2) Sarah gets her two wisdom teeth out on Friday. Should be routine but.....
3) Hannah has been doing real well on her tests of late. She has more tests and will eventually finish up with her nursing in July. So pray for focus and strength to finish strong. Susan would be so proud, since she was also a nurse.
4) Leah has been sending out her resumes to schools districts around the country. When we go to Phoenix, she will have an interview with for some positions down there. Also, sent to Bend Oregon and up in Alaska. She is looking forward to settling into a teaching position and getting into some teaching for about a year before she gets her Master's degree.

We will write from Phoenix in between pool time. God Bless.....

More Birthdays

On March 4th, we celebrated Mary's birthday. Mary is now a TEENAGER. Wow! She is turning into a very beautiful young lady. Mary had a birthday with the family and then got to sleep over where Leah is house sitting. So here is a picture of Leah and the three young girls on Mary's birthday.

Kayla asked why we have so many birthdays at the beginning of the year. There are 2 in January, 3 in February, 3 in March. I told Kayla that it was all God's timing that you all were born. Each are a blessing and each one so special and unique. April is actually on off month.
Then on March 8th, we celebrated Michelle's birthday. We had another Fear Factor competition. The final competition was Kayla and Doug, Hannah and Leah. Hannah and Doug had to start the final race with ice cubes in a bath of blood looking liquid (actually red punch koolaid). One of the ice cubes had a key frozen in it. We had to find the one ice cube with the key using only our mouth, break it open with a hammer. Then run downstairs, where the partner was locked up with a lock and chains. Once the partner was free, both partners then raced up stairs to eat a jar of bland, liver and spinach Gerber's baby food. It was a race right down to the finish. Leah and Hannah won. Here is a picture of the new champs, at least for this round. It was totally a blast. We like to have fun in strange kind of ways.

And here is the birthday girl. Nathan totally made the cake for Michelle, and did a pretty good job. He also planned a lot of the games for Fear Factor.

Then tonight, Doug, Mary, Laura and Kayla went bowling. Monday night has been our bowling night. Half Price, so it is a pretty good deal. The girls are getting pretty good. The second game, Mary and Laura beat me. Kayla would have beat me but I managed to get a strike on the last frame to overtake her by 9 pins. Here is a picture of the three girls in action.