Dad

When we were young... (Dad, Mom, Sarah, Phillip)

Where to begin? My dad was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer this past January. What a shock to us all! The next few months flew by with many phones calls and a couple of visits home. Overall, dad was doing great. A little over to weeks ago he started having more severe stomach problems. A CT scan was obtained and the results showed a complete bowel blockage two Sunday's ago. This is not good news. After a long night of decision making (final exams were starting that week), Rachel and I both agreed we should go home. We were able to spend a few days with my dad in the hospital. He then decided that he would rather be at home, so arrangements were made and he got a ride home in the ambulance. The next few days run together, but I'm so grateful I made the decision to come home. There were many family members & friends that stopped by to express their love and concern about my parents. All of us kids were able to be home for one last special night with my dad. He passed away Friday May 16, 2008 in the morning. Over the next couple days the funeral arrangements were made and decisions about my mom were determined. There was a viewing the night before and I was amazed at the many lives my dad has touched. The memorial service the next day was wonderful. Many great stories were shared by my brother, Phil, and my uncle Earl, my dad's elder brother. The musical numbers were divine by uncle Stewart, a younger brother, and his daughter, Brianna, and John and Linda Larson. Other kind words were shared by the stake president, Brother Killpack, and Bishop Remp. I still feel like it's a dream, that my dad is off on a trip or busy at work, even though I was home through it all. I have been touched by the many emails, phone calls, and cards given by all! I have been deeply blessed by the spirit with peace and comfort. I'm so grateful for the time to be at home with my family. It has been nice to share stories and reminisce about my dad. I love you dad!

Dad and Mom

Fourwheeling in Richfield last August

Doing what he loved!

Parents Courtship

Family Photo

Who loves sports analogies?

I don't typically enjoy much about sports, unless it's tennis. I don't mind watching or hearing about it to an extent, but when it become a person life, that's pushing it! There is so much more to focus on.

Tonight I went to our Stake Combined Humanitarian Project. I think I was the most blessed out of the opportunity. First off, I went with a hunk. Secondly, I was fed. Third, Sister Holly Mendenall and Coach Bronco Mendenhall spoke to us about education and perspective (remember you can only take your intelligence, spirituality, and your testimony to the next life). Fourth, we packaged half of a newborn kit (there wasn't any material left after we'd finally talked to the Mendenhall's). Fifth, we flew an airplane and it went round and round and round.

After the service project (that we didn't really help with), we went on an adventure to Josh's house with Matt and Esther. Continuing on with my blessing....Sixth, I won at Apple's to Apple's (one of my least favorite games). Seventh, I played a stellar piano duet with Esther. Eight, I enjoyed some friendly conversation about the mean things we did to siblings growing up or the trouble we go ourselves into (I'm perfect, though, so that was really hard for me to come up any good stories...most of them I had to make up! Like the time I was so mad at dad and I punched the door in...oops!). Niner, I got to go on a moonlight walk because the car was blocked in my the renter, who was having a "moment" with his girlfriend. It was fun playing a practical joke on the neighbor, though. Ten, I got a stomach work out from laughing so much, and I lost a few pounds from shedding some water weight (through my laughing tears!).

Tonight I learned more about the importance of my education and remembering to keep the right perspective. I'm in school to better myself so that I can serve others! It was great hearing some stories from the Mendenhalls about their experiences growing up and then experiences of when they first were married until now. Life doesn't always work out the way you planned. But keeping the faith will guide you in the direction you should be headed.

It's been a good day, even if I don't love sports analogies! I relate better to school oriented scenario's. I got a hundred on my pharm quiz. I talked to dad and mom. I had a lot of laughs. What more could a girl ask for?

Birthday Weekend

I thought I'd write a quick post about this past weekend. It was Rachel's birthday last Friday. Happy 22!!!  We celebrated with another friend for their birthdays by having a "Dynamite Birthday Party!" We played some Rockband, swung at a pinata, ate some food, and hung out. Killer party!

Then Sunday JP and Mary Ann invited us over for a birthday dinner party. Mary Ann decorated with super cute Martha Stewart-like designs! Such talent! We also celebrated Cinco de Mayo by having tamales, chips & fresh homemade salsa, beans, and salad. Delicious! For birthday dessert we had some yummy rice krispies (which I've continued to enjoy this week at lunch time!).

My favorite present for Rachel was her "It's a great day box!" I've been asking her what she wanted for her birthday, and she'd say "Oh, nothing, just get me a card!" Since we had that duel birthday party and I was taking a present for Josh, Rachel said "Just bring me a wrapped up box with a saying inside like - a kiss from me whenever you need!" So for her birthday, I did give her a box for herself!  It has kisses, feel good sayings, serve opportunities, and other miscellaneous thoughts.  Probably not what she expected, but will be enjoyed!!!

Max and Ian were adorable when we got out there. For some reason, Max is excessively shy until almost the end of our visits. After dinner, JP was like "You want to see Max get excited? Max, you want to watch tv?" Max about flipped out, twirling around, chanting "Yo gabba gabba, yo gabba gabba!" Apparently it's his favorite show. He ran over to the couch and got ready to watch the show. It was so dang cute! This is a picture of us trying to get Max to look at Mary Ann. He's so shy, though, and just kept looking at my hand instead. I'd whisper in his ear and he'd get a little smile on his face. I love having family so close!

Can you see the true camels? It took me a little while to realize that the white spots where the actual camels and the black spots are the shadows! Pretty cool!

Fourth quarter finals are starting next week. It seems like I'm always in midterms or finals. Do they ever end? I was calculating how many exams I will have taken over the 14 months and figured out that it would be between 85-90. That's a lot of tests! No wonder why I feel like I'm always taking tests. That doesn't even include quizzes, papers, case studies, or presentations. My life is busy! It's amazing I manage to find time to have any social life. Good thing Rachel is here to help me remember that I need to have down time as well. She's been known to help me ditch class or procrastinate my studies for a little while, right Rach?

A few weekends ago, I was able to help with TOPS physical exams at Gilbert High for the surrounding high school students. Here is a picture of some of us students from the ATSU Sports Medicine Club (both PA's and DO's). It was a fun experience, even though, I only stayed for half of the day. It was great to get a little more clinical experience and learn more about how to talk to actual patients. Only one more quarter and I'll be on rotations. It's crazy to think that a year ago I was getting ready to start school, and Amanda was thinking about starting rotations. Now Amanda has moved back to UT/WY to finish her last two rotations up there and I'll be finishing my didactic phase of school. I will miss Amanda but I'm so excited for her to be with her husband and family. I was able to go out last Friday and help her get ready to move. It was great reminiscing and joking around. Thank goodness for great friends.  It's been a fun couple of weeks.

Kkkkrista's Korner Tagged Me

A - Attached or single: Single

B - Best Friend: Kristen

C - Cake or Pie: I love blueberry pie!

D - Day of Choice: Sunday is the least stressful

E - Essential Item: phone

F - Favorite Color: green

G - Gummy Bears or Worms: worms

H - Hometown: Delta

I - Indulgence(s): Brownies & Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream, curling up in my bed & reading a good book

J - January or July: January in AZ; July in UT

K - Kids: Someday...hoping for five

L - Life is incomplete without: family

M - Marriage Date: 2008 is the year to find my mate, if that doesn't work I'll go online in 2009

N - Number of Siblings: 3 brother, 3 sisters

O - Oranges or Apples: Oranges before apples

P - Phobias or Fears: Failing school, public speaking, spiders

Q - Quote(s): "Hope is tomorrow's veneer over today's disappointment." -Evan Esar

R - Reason to Smile: It's a new day - anything could happen!

S - Season: I love spring, summer, and fall. Not a big fan of the cold winter weather.

T - Tag Eight: Amie, Rachel, Emily, Stacey, Kristen, Rustin, Phil, Marlene

U - Unknown Fact About Me: I hung out with Andrew Keegan at Sundance Film Festivals

V - Vegetarian or Oppressor of Animal: I love meat!

W - Worst Habit: procrastination

Y - Your Favorite Food: anything Italian

Z - Zodiac: Leo, beware of sun power!

For Josh

Sunday night my Knight in Shining Armor, Josh, came to rescue me, the Damsel in Distress. At least that's what I'm letting Josh believe. He did save the day by coming out to fix my flat tire. i gawked at him while he put my spare on. Obviously, the whole getting a flat tire thing is new to me since I didn't even know I had a jack, and it definitely hadn't been used. He informed me that I probably put the nail in my tire on purpose just to make him feel strong and manly. I agreed! I spent hours concocting my plan to have him come and rescue me from the dogs. Oh, wait, we already had an adventure planned! Silly Josh! At least he's an Eagle Scout and came "prepared" with his tire gage and helping hands. I probably would've been stuck there until the Rhey's came home.

After Josh fixed my tire and we put some air in it, we played some amazing games...like California Speed and Jenga. I'm sure most of you know the rules to Jenga. Well, it had been a while since either Josh or I had played the game. He set it all up and asked me the rules. I stated that we each took a turn pulling out a block until one of us caused the tower to fall over. Josh repeated back to me "So if the tower falls while you are taking out a piece, then you lose?" I readily agreed. He encouraged me to go first. So I went ahead and started to pull out the first block. Much to my surprise, Josh knocked the tower over and said laughing "Ah ha, I guess you lose!" I was laughing because I totally fell for that trick! I should have known better. After the giggling subsided, Josh stated "Now that is something you can blog about!" So here I am blogging about Jenga just for Josh!

Josh always has some hidden agenda up his sleeve. There were a few other things that he had lead me to believe throughout the night, that weren't true. He has that innocent believable face that throws you off guard. I told him I just wasn't going to believe anything he told me anymore. He told me that might be wise since 90% of the time he probably isn't being serious. That gives me a lot of encouragement to trust what he's telling me, eh?

It was an amazingly fun night! We laughed, we cried, we shared stories, we laughed some more...
that's what friends are for!

Adventures...

Mark, Josh, Sarah, Arm - Killer Tats!

Who doesn't love a great adventure?  I sure have had a few of them this weekend.  First off, I helped with TOPS physical's for Gilbert and surrounding areas high school students yesterday.  That was a great learning experience.  We didn't have quite as many students come through as expected, but it definitely helped me practice my physical exam skills.  And the students were so cute.  They were all nervous about getting a sports physical.  I'm sure it's daunting to have providers ask personal history questions and then get into their personal space.  I know I would be stiff as a board and unresponsive.  There is something about sharing intimate details of your health with a stranger.  There was some pathology that come through, and it was striking to see a few cases of scoliosis, murmurs, and joint injuries.  It helps put into context the things we've been learning in class. 

Rachel carrying Mark

 Second adventure, I went to the stake fiesta activity with a guy from my ward.  We spent most of our time with Rachel and Mark, and their friends.  There was dancing, pictures, and food.  Afterward, we went to Rachel's place to play games.  If any of you know me, you know how much I LOVE games!?!?!  It turned out fine, except for the fact that we played "funny bones" and that is a little awkward with someone you don't know super well.  You draw a card which states something like "funny bone connected to the knee bone" or "nose connected to the nose."  You get my gest?  It is totally a cool game and I'm sure I'd love it if I was more comfortable with the person.  Maybe not so much on a first date with me (since I have considerable space/touch issues).  I'm glad I got to spend some time with Rachel before she went to Disneyland with Phil and family.

Sarah & Rachel

Third adventure, I decided to go to the Valencia ward since I was already out south dogsitting for the Rhey's.  What a great choice!  I met up with Kari and Skyler and Trisha and Danny at church. I even saw Daina last night at the Fiesta party.  I love those girls!  Going into the old church building brought back many memories!  We had some great times together.  It is interesting to see how our lives have changes over the year.  Kari & Trisha are both getting married in June, Kari & Daina are going to Thailand, Trisha & Danny bough a house.  I'm excited to get the five roommates together again before they get married.  We contemplated the future events of our lives - we're going to have our own little cul-de-sac!  It will be quite the good times.  I loved seeing old faces and my old Bishopric.  What great men!  Kari, Trisha, and I were a little giggly during RS...sometimes I just can't help it when I'm around them.  I mean, we are so funny!  I loved seeing everyone!!

Sarah & Rachel

Fourth adventure, this wasn't quite an adventure I really wanted to take.  I got home from church and played catch with the dogs for a bit.  I looked over at my car & thought "Hmm...my tire looks a little low.  I better take that in tomorrow."  I walked closer just to check it out and realized that my tire wasn't just low, it was flat.  How did that happen?  I gazed over my tire and sometime I didn't want to see.  A nail.  There is construction being done out by the Rhey's house.  I must have driven over the nail coming home from church.  Lovely.  I was going on an adventure with my friend Josh tonight, but instead we are going to be fixing my tire.  Doesn't that sound like great fun?  It's a little annoying because I don't have any of my stuff for the night here or clothes for tomorrow and I don't want to buy new tires.  I just bought some last year & in order to replace one, I get to replace them all.  All-wheel drive.  And who wants to fix a tire on a Sunday night?  That is not how I have envisioned the evening.  At least I have some help.

Friend, Mark, Josh, Sarah

Adventures!  You never know what you'll get with them.

Rachel jamming to Rockband!

Harvey

Last weekend I met my dream man.  His name is Harvey.  He sends off the most interesting heart and lung sounds and doesn't talk back.  It's hard to find a man like that these days :)  Today he came to class with me.  He was very patient with me while I learned, and he even let me practice my Cardio exam on him.  Isn't that so thoughtful?  Ok, Harvey is a simulator machine so that we can learn how to recognize different heart and lung conditions.  He lives on the third floor of our school with our other friend, Tex!  Tex is even more high-tech.  We will learn our ACLS class on Tex over the summer.  He can simulate 125 or so different medical conditions, and we have to learn how to correct the problem.  There is a person in another room monitoring what is said for our treatment plan who can changes the stats on the Tex.  He connected to an EKG screen and other medical information.  Harvey and Tex belong to the DO program so we don't have access to them very often.  But they are definitely useful in our education.  I look forward to spending even more time with both of them.