An Answered Prayer and a Trip to the Desert

Prayers have been answered.  God lead us directly to a hospice with amazing Christian men and women who have a heart for our family.  We interviewed a couple of different agencies but God made it very clear to us that First Choice Hospice was the right one for our family.  In less than a week hospice has already been a huge help and taken a lot off my plate.  Hospice provides immediate care 24 hours a day, a personal pharmacy that is delivered straight to our doorstep and individuals who can now fill roles that I grew weary of.  

As an early Christmas present from my mom, Zach and I flew to Tucson last weekend to see his his brother Ben and Jenny.  Ben coaches basketball at the University of Arizona and Zach really wanted to see a game.  It was a wonderful time away with family and we loved every minute of it.  We had long, full days of shopping, eating, basketball and exploring.  First Choice Hospice contracted with a hospice in Tucson should we need anything while we were away and that was very comforting for me. I knew if anything happened that I couldn't handle, we were in good hands away from home.  Traveling took a lot out of Zach and he relied on a wheelchair when necessary.  We now have a wheelchair at home that will help him conserve his energy when we are out and about.  

Zach's pain has continue to increase so the decision has been made to start him on methadone.  It is no longer a good idea for him to drive.  I don't know how much longer he can work.  But he still enjoys teaching and coaching and having a reason to get up each morning.  Christmas break will allow us to reevaluate things and see where he is at.  

Thank you to everyone who shared a message with Zach for his Christmas surprise.  Between the videos that Kevin Plew and I filmed and the ones people sent me, there are close 70 clips and 100 people.  I know Zach will be very touched and will enjoy hearing your stories.  

Breakfast with Santa at Chik-fil-A!

Oliver was glad to have a break from the traditional breakfast of eggs and oatmeal that mom makes :)  

Max ate everything in site!

Zach's childhood friend Jon Latta flew up from Phoenix to visit.  I have heard many stories from Zach over the years and it was fun to finally meet Jon.  

Jon also brought his son Tristan who was a very sweet little boy.

Oliver loved having a playmate!

We cheered the Wildcats on to a victory over Michigan.  

Selfie with 2 of my favorites!

Easily the cutest Cat fan there.

It was such a treat to see Ben on the sidelines, doing what he loves!

Spent our last day at the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum.  

Don't let the sun and blue skies fool you--it was cold and windy.  It even poured rained one day.  But we didn't let the weather get us down and explored nonetheless.

Riding in style! The wheelchair was a lifesaver.  Zach was utterly exhausted by the time we flew home that night.  It would have been impossible to visit without the wheels.