Serve...Spike...Set

It's volleyball season and that's where Mari really shines. She's the captain of the varsity team this year. Nobody and I mean nobody can jump like this little brown girl! She amazes everyone with that ability. The not so good "picture" is actually a picture I took from off the front page of our daily paper...Mari looks like she's in pain...but actually they had just beat another team!

The last day!!!!!!

Yoo hoo, we are done and back home in Jackson now. Kirk's last treatment was on Thursday morning at 5 am. As we were coming out of the hotel and crossing the parking lot to the car, another car came out of nowhere and was coming towards us and flashing their brights--I honestly thought they were trying to run us over! NO.....it was Mark and Francisco and they had driven from L.A. (yes, they got up at 2:45 am to do this!) to take us to the hospital for the final treatment! The party was on with balloon hats, cards and flowers. We had quite the party waiting for Kirk to get his treatment and he surprised us by modeling his gown before he got his balloon. Mark, it was so thoughtful of you and Francisco to come and bring the party. I get a lump in my throat when I think about it. You were there for the first balloon...and the last. We love you and will always remember your thoughtfulness.

Our last week...

We drove to Malibu on Sept. 11th to have a fun weekend with Mark. On the way there, we passed Pepperdine University which had a touching tribute to the victims of 9/11. There was a flag placed for every victim on the large grass lawn in front of the University. It was quite a sight to see. We also enjoyed a dramatic sunset over the Pacific. Other things we did our last week there was to visit the Nixon Presidential Library and Birthplace in Yorba Linda, CA. I found these statues quite amusing...I was taller than most of them! We also visited an orange grove in Redlands and bought the sweetest oranges ever. Incidentally, this grove is kitty-corner to the Redlands Temple.

Two more balloons...

Just two more balloons for Kirk! Yep, only 2 treatments left to do. About 10 days ago, he became the #1 guy in gantry 3. That means he is the first guy to get treatment for the day...at 5 am! Which means we get up at 4:15 am so he can drink his water in time for treatment. Which also means we go to bed at 8:15 pm every night, so he can get a full 8 hours of rest. It is exhausting to get up so early...after treatment, we head to the gym...if we're lucky it's open (5:30 am ) or else we wait with the masses to go inside. Then to Jamba Juice for his wheat grass shot and then back for breakfast. By this time, we are ready for a nap...ok, I am ready for a nap.

We've had a great time while here. Loma Linda was definately the right place for us. Southern California was the BEST. I will admit, I love being close to all sorts of shopping and cultural experiences. The produce here is so fresh and good. Can't beat the weather either. We've met some wonderful people that have become good friends through this experience. We've cried, complained and laughed together. I will miss my gaggle of girlfriends I spend time with each morning while waiting for Kirk. I do not believe that Kirk will miss any of the technicians he spends time with each morning! (don't get me wrong...they are unbelievably kind and compassionate...but you know what I mean) And I don't think he'll ever let me buy another balloon...

Final countdown...

Kirk and I are headed back to Ca today after he came home for the weekend. He has only 8 treatments left to do! Let's hope for the machine to work everyday... The girls are all back in school and everything has gone very smoothly. With a senior, three freshmen and one new middle schooler, I am amazed at how nice this school year has begun. Join that with 2 volleyball players and two swimmers and it makes for one very busy household. Ty and Kara are back at BYU, where Ty is set to graduate this coming December. Lea is working full time now five days a week, three hours a day.