LOVE is Round!

The only love which has lasted
is the love which has
everything,
every disappointment, every failure,
which has accepted the fact that
in the end there is no desire
so deep
as the simple desire for
being with each other.
-Graham Greene

A week in the life of...

well, it is here, the much anticipated BUSY SEASON!

Although Rich and I are no longer in "public accounting", we definitely see our business spike the first of the year and anticipate the push to be for a few more months!

We've decided to help us stay sane through this time and to try to remain us...

we are to follow some simple rules!

1. 
   
   Don't stress over things that you can't change...you definitely can't please everyone!


2. 
   
   Make sure that we still have our special "family time" in the morning before we head out for the day and also in the evening. Even if it is only 15 minutes...those minutes and seconds are very important.


3. 
   
   Work hard, play hard! We are going to try to make sure we get out and explore on our weekends (hikes, dinners out, fun with friends & family)!

Pretty simple, yet sometimes, so easy to forget!

Try to remember the GOOD STUFF and what all this hard work is for!

*TIME OFF*TRAVEL*NEW ADVENTURES*NEW EXPERIENCES

Plain, simple, easy! Take each day as it comes, give it our best! Rinse and Repeat!

Last weekend, we were able to divide and conquer! Rich took Chukar for the last weekend of upland game and I hung out with the family and went to Rene's first basketball game. Plus, I was able to celebrate my Mom's birthday with Lori, Rene, Avea and my Dad! So fun! Sunday, was full of work and getting things ready for this crazy week (and SNOW)...but we did find a little time to enjoy ourselves and went to the UW v. WSU basketball game! I won't rub it in since we know how that one ended...which meant I was treated to a cheeseburger and cocktail! I'm pretty easy to please...plus, I had the best company in the world!

Onward and Upward!

A Sunday in the life in...

we went to Church, had a little couple's therapy and even got a workout in (ALL IN ONE)!

Well, that's what Rich and I call it at least...when we get a beautiful Sunday, like we had today!

We headed out early to get a little fresh air, spend some time with one other, do a little cross-country hiking, talk, listen, enjoy one another, and even get Chukar on some birds!

One word...HAPPINESS!

It was everything we could have asked for and more!

A little shot of my boys...with the 2 Quail!
Yes, 2 QUAIL!
Way to go Chukar on the point, Rich on the shot and me on the flush!
Our proud pup after a hard days work!

Here is to a great start to January, Dick's continued recovery, and a little quiet time together, as a family! We may not be perfect, but we are pretty happy!

Out with the old...

Life, where do I begin...it changes, it is not stagnant, it moves like the tide.

Sometimes it brings in things you want, sometimes it takes away things that you think you can't live without...but somehow, you wake up each day, take a deep breath and decide to keep moving forward.

We are excited for 2012, the new changes. A healthier lifestyle for Rich and I both physically and mentally. A great chance to learn new things about ourselves. A time to grow. A time to love.

A time to be THANKFUL that we are on this crazy ride together!

A reason to celebrate!

Great news came from the hospital front yesterday where Dick responded to Denise, Shawn and the nurses. When Rich and I were there in the morning, there was no response to the questions, but as the day progressed, he not only open his eyes, but squeezed hands and nodded his head! Such a huge blessing and reason to celebrate! We hope that the good news and progress continues!

A celebratory sparkling cocktail!

Cheers!

Mama D with the ELF of Christmas spirit...it is in full force at the Meyer Casa!

Rich and I even were able to enjoy ourselves at a Christmas Dinner with Friends...

Keep the small miracles coming...

Cookie time...

This morning we were able to have a little fun and make Gingerbread cookies with the kiddos...

Rene and Avea were BIG helpers bringing in wood with me to help build a fire.

Avea was loving on Lexi and loved to cuddle with her.

The first cookies were made and devoured faster than I could even get out of the kitchen to see them.

Working hard on the cookies...

The whole team at work..

Rene made a special cookie for Shawnee!
And also a SPECIAL cookie for Dick!

It's been a busy morning with all the elves and lots of laughs were had! Prayers for Dick!

An update on the week that was...

The week...as many of you know, was a week that we would not like to repeat, relive or EVER have happen again. It started with a phone call on Tuesday from Rich's mom (Mama D) that Rich's Dad (Dick) was not doing well. All we knew was it was something with his lungs and they were going to take him to the hospital. Jump forward 2 hours and we find out that Dick had a heart attack on Monday (over 18 hours before). I'm not even sure how to explain the next 72 hours...but to give a breakdown of what happened and when...emotions are on high alert now as we still wait for surgery on Monday.

• 930 pm Tuesday - Dick gets to Kadlec Hospital and we find out he had a heart attack and gets admitted
  
• 4am Wednesday - Rich and I head to Kennewick
  
• 12:30 pm Wednesday - Dick goes in to have a Heart Cath to find out more about the heart attack and to find out more
• 4 pm Wednesday - we find out that Dick has serious blockages and find out options for what needs to happen
• 4:30 pm Wednesday - we are advised to find a case worker to help us make decisions
• 7 pm Wednesday - find out that the case worker has gone home for the day and we will not be able to find anything else out until Thursday
• CONTINUING WAITING ALL NIGHT
• 10 pm Wednesday - Denise, Shawn, Rich and I (DSRS) arrive back at Meyer East and let the dogs eat, run and we all try to get some sleep
  

Here is BABY Lexi and Chukar eating from the same dish...so cute!

• 6 am Thursday - Back to the hospital to watch for the case worker and find out how to get Dick moved to Virgina Mason in Seattle
• 12 pm Thursday - Still waiting...but have a nurse come into the room to let us know the severity of the blockages and we decide that we must get Dick to VM ASAP
• 1 pm Thursday - Shawn decides to take action and we start to find out info about moving
• 330 pm Thursday - We get the call that the ambulance from VM is on the way for transport

We headed back to pack and Lexi wanted to make sure she wasn't forgotten....

We were able to bring Lexi and Four Low in to visit Dick before we transported to Seattle.

• 7 pm Thursday - We leave Kadlec and head to Seattle
• 11 pm Thursday - Arrive at Virgina Mason, get Dick settled
• 1 am Friday - We leave to head home and get some sleep
• 3 am Friday - Dick has a lung attack
  
• 9 am Friday - DSRS is back at VM - meet with nurses, doctors, etc. during the day and find out that if all things remain the same, Open Heart Surgery will be on Monday.

Of course, there are many more details, but this is the long and short of it. Please feel free to call any of us if you have questions...we will try to update as we know more, but we would appreciate your prayers in the mean time.

Friday night...play time with the dogs...here is Chukar trying to get Lexi but she is smart and hid where he can't go!Last playtime of the night....Chukar is a Gentle Giant while Lexi attacks!

Dick is in HIGH spirits and we know that things on Monday are going to go AWESOME! We appreciate the love and support through these trying times.

Hugs from all of us!