People are good!

Another thing that was beyond therapeutic, and supportive was being asked to a BBQ that his friends have every year. It is a BBQ cook off, and let me tell ya, they take it pretty darn serious. So many friends were there, and Rich was healthy enough to go. It was such a fun time! We stayed for hours. He got to see a lot of his friends from the police  department & their families. They were all so supportive, and cared about what he was going through. They basically rolled out the red carpet. His good friend John gave a little speech, and included some pretty amazing and inspiring words about Rich. John won the BBQ cook off and donated his winnings to Rich. He also passed around a bucket asking others to donate as well. It was suppose to be for our family to go do something FUN, not for bills. Up until this point Rich had held it together. In fact, I don't think he had shed a tear. When we left he was on such a high and felt so loved and supported. Like Rich said, it wasn't about how much money was inside that bucket, it was about the friendship and support we had just witnessed. He loves his county boys! We got home and he began to count the money... $100...$200... $500.... $700.... over $800 was in there. Rich cried & cried, and cried. That is an experience we will never forget. Thank you Morrow family & everyone else that had a hand in that experience. We both truly are blessed by all of the wonderful people that are in our lives.

You would have thought that after this fun, hot, busy day that Rich would have been exhausted. However, we were able to continue the fun! We had friends come over for a little fire work show. It was last minute & a blast. It is the little things in life that is so easy to take for granted. It doesn't seem like a big deal to attend a BBQ, or have friends over for fireworks, run errands, mow the lawn, go to work, go camping, bike ride, etc. These things are so easily taken for granted until it becomes an issue. I remember reading on FB how the one of our friends were enjoying their fire pit and roasting marshmallows in the backyard. Something so simple, but that week that would not have even been an option for our family. Savor the time you have with family! Spend time 'doing', on the days you can! Family & friends are what matter! Spend time with them when you can! I say this, however, I must confess that for the past 6 months I would rather just stay home... with my family of course. We have had a lot of fun days, on Richs' healthy days though!

We love our friends! All of them! They really are what has helped us remain so positive! You hold on to the hAppY, FuN days. It reminds you why you continue to stay strong. Don't go away~ this will be a long journey without you! I would say the first three months of this experience were the hardest. Chemo was the worst. Pain was the worst. He had lost 50 pounds and had a heck of a time gaining any back. He looked so sick, and frail. He is stronger now. He isn't in any pain. He struggles during chemo week.

Another haPpY moment was when Wendi (my cousin that has supported him more than imaginable) surprised him at Averi's birthday party with a signed Seattle Seahawks Football! Talk about spoiled. I tease him and tell him to stop pulling the cancer card to get cool stuff! He loves it!!

Keaton had his b~day celebration at the house. We had family over, and Rich did pretty well. We just had to keep the noise level down. Noise chaos drives him nuts. It is too much for him. He can handle noise, but not the noise confusion from a lot of kids in a closed space. Hopefully that will get better.

Averi  had prayed and prayed that her daddy would not have cancer by her birthday. Even though he still had cancer on her birthday, he was able to join the party, that we did the day before, because he was suppose to have chemo ON her birthday. :(  She was heartbroken about this, but understood and was happy he would be at his best on her pre~birthday celebration.

On her actual birthday, he headed out the door with his mom for chemo. I stayed home so I could spoil her rotten. She had a few friends over and we had big plans. But the poor thing didn't feel good, at all! She tried to be OK, but wasn't. We stayed home relaxing and the she got a BIG surprise! Her daddy walked in the door, he didn't have to have chemo after all! Funny~ Looking back I can't remember the reason why. I just know that I never realized how sad she really was about her daddy having chemo on her birthday until he got home. She grabbed onto him and cried! Tear jerker for sure! Heavenly Father couldn't cure him before her birthday, but he made sure he was with her for it.We ended up going bowling, but had to leave early. Even though she wanted to fake healthy, she couldn't pull it off.  Although she ended up with a fever of 103, and was beyond sick and miserable she had a good day. Her daddy was with her. It really is all about the people that surround you in your life. What a good day.           Also~ We have some amazing neighbors. Not only have they fed us, done yard work, etc for us during this time, we had a certain couple that went to Javiers to get Averi her FAVORITE dinner, brought her balloons, cheese cake with candles, etc. It made it perfect! I had planned on spending the day out and about and had nothing for her. No cheesecake (she hates cake) no candles, no balloons, no special food, etc. They (the Coles) made that day easier for me and better for her. We are such a blessed family!

Misti gave this to us.

Another thing, as I am speaking about friends and family helping and being supportive.. Our neighbor Kyle did most of our yard work this summer. Such a load that was lifted. I don't know if he will ever know how much that helped. Rich didn't have to worry about it & I didn't have to do it. Ryan & Kyle got things going for our backyard to be better than it was too! They were able to lay sod, get a big kennel up , etc. It was wonderful! It is wonderful! We also had a few other fundraisers given by friends. One gal, that I have NEVER even met before did a scentsy fundraiser.She donated all profits to us. It was $500. Kyle did a golf tourney! Our friend Paula did one, and made $800. She also told a friend about it and he offered Averi the opportunity to sell his frank formers. She has had good luck with it, and it makes her feel helpful. Another friend did a ZUMBA fundraiser. People are amazing. We are so blessed! Someone made a birthday cake for Averi (some one we have never met) and people from our ward (and old ward) made us dinners, dropped by flowers, cookies, cards, and bigger than all of this we have had a TON of people offer prayers! A bunch of people donated to the Anything For A Friend Fundraiser. One gal (again, never met her) even helped Averi sell Frank formers. She sold 100! A little girl Averi's age made friendship bracelets and wanted to give the money to Rich to help him fight. She said Rich needed the money more than she did. We had never met her, we only knew her daddy from high school. One of Keaton's friends, Tucker, was a HUGE help. She volunteered as a summer camp helper. I could not have done it without her. She also helped me with soccer, again she was a LIFE SAVOR! A guy with his own carpet business came and cleaned our carpets for FREE!  Another guy took our family pictures, for FREE!  A friend of Heidi's donated a family 4 pass to Boondocks so we could go have a fun family day, and we did. It was a blast! I told you that learning to say THANKYOU was such a great lesson for me to learn early on in this journey. We have been given so much love and support through this. It makes it easier to stay positive & appreciate all of the good in our lives, and we have sooo much to be thankful for! If you have offered prayers, support, etc in anyway I thank you! My family appreciates you!

He is a cRaZy driver....

Family time at Boondocks

Rich, winning of course!



Mini Golfing at Boondocks



Another awesome gift/experience we were given was from a friend that Rich works with in South Jordan. He invited us up to his cabin for the weekend. We only went for one night, as we were worried about him over doing it. MISTAKE! We should have gone for the entire time. It was unbelievable.

Nice. Relaxing. Enjoyable. It was just what the Doc ordered. Thank you soo much Pat & Donna. We loved our time there.

BIG MONEY!

Daddy pushing Averi on the rope swing, this place was huge, beautiful, and simply awesome!

This is a picture of Rich with his friend, Pat. They worked together at SOJO. Pat and his wife have been up to visit a few times, it means a lot to Rich to have the support of his friends. Our family had a blast at the cabin, thankyou!