6th Grade Science Camp

I had the opportunity to go to Science Camp with Torie this year. We had a wonderful time! We took off on Wed. morning and headed up to Prescott to the escape the heat and to enjoy a terrific camp in the Prescott Mts. called Friendly Pines. We slept in cabins, ate good food, and walked a whole lot (I wish I had a pedometer to keep track). Don't get me wrong there was some learning as well. Cherai and I were chaperons of the "Pink Panther" group which consisted of Torie, Sadie, and 6 other girls. We were a little worried at the beginning about some of these girls, a little to spoiled and pretty affected with themselves (so we thought), but we were wrong. We learned a lesson, as well as our daughters, that you shouldn't judge others by the way they look you may miss out on an opportunity of friendship.

I was very impressed with how well everything went. There were close to 100 students, about 10 school teachers, and 20 parent chaperons. Were were there for 3 days and 2 nights. We had a schedule we had to keep with sessions that we had to attend. Some sessions were...rock wall climbing, obstacle course (with team building strategies), hiking, using compasses, owl pellets, and a few others. During our free time we had to come up with a cabin cheer, a flag, and a skit. The girls did a great job working together coming up with their cheer and their flag. While we were there Cherai came up with a clever skit about the "Pink Panther" and the girls did a great job acting. By the time we got home I was exhausted, but glad I went. Only 3 years till I get to go with Kymber and she is already counting down the time.

The Hot Pink Panthers
Cherai and I and our girls
Torie competing in one of the obstacle course games. It was a hilarious game whoever came up with it was very cleaver! The kids had a ball with it! If you look close, you can see the kids are standing on a log that is suspended in air by 2 chains on each end. The object is to balance on this log for a few seconds by working together as a team. It is very difficult because when one looses it's balance everyone begins to fall. It was fun to see the kids come up with their own way to make this happen.
I had to take this picture because in 6th grade girls and boys are just starting to discover each other. In this particular game the kids had to hold hands which meant at least 1 boy and 1 girl would be touching. If you look closely, their hands are not clasping but just barely touching. It cracked me up.

My Dad Is Still A Mystery!

Once again I got this off of Cassie's Blog...

"Today I went up with my parents to Huntsman Cancer Center to meet with the tumor doctor. Well after the biopsy last week they have determined that he will need a total hip replacement because the cancer has eaten away at the bone. He (the doctor) said it looked as though there had been termites in there. The bone is so bad that they have to create a new part out of cement and something like re barb but not. The Hip Replacement Surgery will be on October 15 up at the Huntsman Cancer Hospital. He will be admitted there for about 5-7 days. At that time they will also remove the tumor. They also discovered that the tumor is not the source of the cancer and so they are passing him onto a new doctor. A "Gut" doctor. They believe that the cancer is somewhere in his GI tract. But are still unsure where it is. So next Monday he has an appointment with that doctor and a possible scope that will go down his throat and check all through his GI tract from above. So here we go again...Hurry up and Wait! We are still feeling positive, this appointment today went well, we feel like they are at least narrowing the search down. But we are quickly beginning to dread Mondays since that is when every appointment is. My dad is recovering pretty well from his biopsy, still pretty sore because where the tumor is they had to move around some muscle and make a great big incision. It is located near his Sciatic Nerve which makes that nerve "angry" and causes some pretty bad discomfort. But he is off his pain meds and is looking better"

I am grateful that Cassie is able to go to the Dr. Apt. with Mom and Dad. It is nice having another set of ears when we are dealing with something so complicated. Once again thanks Cassie!

How Cute Is That?

How come Baby Fat is so CUTE! Now that Taralee is walking (she prefers walking to crawling) we got her some shoes to walk in. These HOT PINK sparklie crocs fit the bill not only the bill, but her little fat feet as well. I loved the way they looked I just had to share so enjoy!

Happy Birthday Kymber!

Happy birthday Kymberlie! I can't believe you are 9 years old. Kymber is a very creative and passionate little girl. When it comes to creativity, there isn't anything she can't do. She is a wonderful artist, she writes amazing stories, she tells amazing stories off the top of her head, we like the ones thatare ment for entertainment and not the ones trying to cover something up. :o} She is passionate about what she believes in. If she gets something in her head there is no changing her mind. Kymber is also very musical. She is always singing and has a pretty little voice. She also loves the piano. Not necessarly practicing, but making up songs and playing them for her family. She does a pretty good job too. Here are some pictures of Kymber this past year...

When we went to Disneyland she got up on stage and danced and sang with this group of performers. Notice she is the only one of my kids up there. The others would not be cought dead up there, but Kymber ate it up.
Kymber and Minnie Mouse!

Taralee loves Kymber! And so does the rest of her family! Happy Birthday Kymber We love you!!

Update On Dad!

I took this info off Cassie's blog, it pretty much sums up what is going on with Dad.

"Today I went with my parents up to Salt Lake to the Huntsman Cancer Center. It really is a big, beautiful facility. After finally seeing the Dr (we only had to wait 4 hours) he has decided that he will do an open biopsy on the tumor on my dad's pelvic bone this Wednesday. He (my dad) continues to be a mystery to the Doctors. Because they found cancer in my dad's lung but it is NOT lung cancer they have traced the cancer cells to his liver. But his liver looks clean and healthy. Then they find this tumor (11 centimeters long) on his pelvic bone. So the doctor thinks he needs to go into that tumor and get some tissue from it and see if they can trace it to the lungs. I think they labeled him "super complex". The doctor/surgeon he is working with now is the best. He is the number one tumor specialist for Huntsman. So we feel he is in good hands. After the biopsy then the surgeons and doctors will meet on Monday and have a "Treatment Planning Conference" where they will discuss his case specifically and see what they think the treatment and plan should be. So we know nothing more now but feel very confident in who is working with him. Now we are on to the waiting game...again. Thanks for your prayers and support...Keep them coming! "

Thanks for the info Cassie!

EXCITING NEWS!!

Taralee walks and Ellie sits on the "Big Girl Potty"! Life is exciting at the Derrick House!
Just this last week something clicked with Taralee and she just started walking. The kids act like she is the only baby we have had in the house they are so into her and her accomplishments. Maybe it is because they know she is our last one. Anyway we are all enjoying her and the fun things she does.
Don't you just love the panties hanging out of her gym suit. Just like Taralee with walking something just clicked and the rest was history. I guess we can't hope for free preschool anymore.

Bryndee's First Game!

Bryndee cheered at her first high school game tonight! It was so fun to see her out there on the side lines. She looked really good, the whole squad looked great tonight! I know she was not thrilled with her mom taking pictures of her so I sent Torie down to the side lines to be my photographer. Oh and by the way our school won! 34-6

Bryndee waiting for direction from her coach.

Look how happy she is. She actually called out some of the cheers and I could even hear her. She is coming out of her shell and becoming a great teenager!
I know this is a terrible picture, (I don't know what happened) but I wanted a picture of Bryndee and Lexi being flyers. I though I would be nervous having Bryn balance on girls hands and then be thrown in the air, but it was so neat seeing how their hard work has paid off.

How Would You Like Hair Like This!

My Nephew Jake (the one on the left) is serving an LDS mission in the West Indies and this is a man he and his comp met on the street. Jake informed us that this man is not interested in religion he is happy with his own beliefs and his pot. Go figure!

This Really Stinks!!!!

As some of you know my parents returned home from their mission in New York in February of this year. Since they have been home my dad has had numerous health issues. A blood clot in his hip, constant coughing, weight loss just to name a few. Well this past week his Pulmonary (lung) Dr. requested that he get a biopsy on his lungs to find out what was there, she had seen some unusual spots and wanted to check them out. After a biopsy of the lung (from what I understand this is an awful surgery) the report is in and the spots are Cancer. Not lung cancer but another form that is coming from another source in his body. So this next week he will be undergoing some more x-rays as well as more testing to find the source of the cancer. He is scared. I am scared. My dad has always been very healthy. He exercises, eats right, he has never let anything "harmful" enter his body. He has come from healthy stock. His mom just died earlier this year at the age of 96 she was healthy, her body just quit. His dad was 82 when he left us and the only thing wrong with him was he was hard of hearing. I guess I just always thought he would be just like his parents. I guess I was naive. I hate that he is going through this. My mom is being strong. He has always taken care of my mom and now it is her turn to take care of him (she had a really good teacher).

I have always had a strong testimony of our Heavenly Father's Plan, but I don't think I was truly grateful for it. Being "thrown" in this situation has really made me ponder His plan and I am going to rely heavily on it to get me through this next phase in my dad's life. I am grateful for my Father in Heaven who knows me personally and is aware of what my family is going through. I can't even imagine going through this without this knowledge. I am sad, but I feel peace.