Mason Prepares for His Mission

On the 21st of February Mason Craig Paxman went to the St. George Temple in preparation for his mission to the Chile Antofagasta Mission.  He and Katelyn will both be speaking Spanish. He is so excited and will be a great missionary. Chantel came from Rolla, Missouri, of course, but we could not be with them. I know he understands how much we would like to have been there.

Isn't he good looking!

Angels Among Us

28 February 2013

What can you say about the day you lose your daughter. I know it is not an eternal loss, but the hole that is left with us now is so very deep.

Each day we watched Cherie become weaker and weaker. Last night I prayed that she would be taken home to our Father in Heaven today. When we knew that her quality of life was gone, the most merciful thing for her and her family was for her to be released.  Now she was sleeping almost all of the time. The powerful drugs kept her from feeling pain or anything else. We knew the time was close and I did not want her to die tomorrow, on Kari's birthday.

Vickie, the hospice nurse from Intermountain Home Care, was like an angel among us. She helped us understand what was happening, what to expect, and the best way for us to be supportive and express our love for Cherie and her family.

Cherie passed away at about noon on Thursday, the 28th of February 2013.

She did not want to leave her family and fought to the end. 

Now she too is an angel among us.

After Cherie's passing, Kari came into the kitchen to talk to his children and to all of us. The things he said were just right. He took the long view and talked about the eternal nature of our relationships and the family.  

I like what Julie wrote about that experience:  "I went back down to the kitchen where Kari talked to his kids.  It was great and helped.  One thing that stuck with me was when he said that because they had just experienced the most exquisite pain, they would also experience the most exquisite joy in the future.  I liked that thought and believe it's true. Something else that helps so much is knowing that all that is unfair will be made right through the atonement. How grateful I am to know that my brother Jesus made it possible for wrongs to be made right!! I treasure so much the gift of faith that I have been given. It helps me keep life in perspective and my eye on the eternal goals."

A Time of Caring and Sharing

25 February 2013

Kim made an amazing number of trips up here to help Cherie. They had developed an unusually strong bond through Cherie's last battle with breast cancer and all the surgeries that followed. There was hardly anyone who could comfort her as Kim did. Kim sacrificed much to be with her whenever she was needed. Cherie loved the joy that Julie brought when she came every day after work, and was so happy when Chantel came. I love that my daughters love each other. 

Katelyn and Jazzmin were two great comforts for Cherie. Dogs seems to have a sixth sense and knew just when Cherie needed her most and just how close to get to her without hurting her. Cherie had so many friends who came by. Flowers, food and presents were brought by neighbors, ward members and others.  Kari took great care of her in the evenings and the nighttime. He did more for Cherie than we will ever know.  

Spencer, Hayden & Paige reported the day's activities to Cherie 

and were more than willing to help in any way possible. 

People in my ward were also loving and supportive of us.

These beautiful tulips were given to my by Arlene Alvey.

Katelyn asked me to go to the Salt Lake Temple with her. That made me happy.

Paige and Spencer just hanging out in Cherie's bedroom. 

Cherie & Kari have great children.

Bountiful Temple with Katelyn

1 February 2013

Kari essentially had to carry Cherie down the stairs and to the car, then to a wheelchair at the Bountiful Temple, but Cherie was able to go with Katelyn when she went to the temple for the first time. Kari's family and Cherie's family who could be there, were all there.  Julie, Chantel and Kim were there with us and it was wonderful to have all our children in the temple together. After the session, Cherie wanted us all to eat together at the cafeteria in the temple. She didn't eat much but she was so happy to be there.

Millie is Born

30 January 2013

Great happiness at this Uriona home.

T.J. and Jill have a baby girl, Millie.

Winter Hits Hard

24-27-28 January 2013

Kim was here, as she has been so many times during Cherie's illness.

The snow was so deep we couldn't get back up the hill to our house.

So, cute Kim and I walked.

Three days earlier we had snow and ice.  I couldn't drive to the end of our driveway so our new

neighbors, Leanna and Cort Stewart, came and chipped the ice away for me. The bus was stuck as well and had to be pulled out.

We breaded our cat.

Kim and Kari helped shovel our snow.

On the 28th I took Katelyn to UVU to withdraw and in doing so, try to save her scholarship for when she returns in a couple of years.  She is delightful to be with and everything worked out.  She carries a feeling of happiness, love and caring no matter what is going on.  I love this girl. We brought more of her belongings home from her Wolverine apartment in Orem.  

My Church-service Mission Ends

27 January 2013

One year was what I signed up for, but Rick Parry and Joel Moriyama extended me by six months twice.  Now was the time for my mission to truly end.  I needed to be available to Cherie and I wanted to be there all the time.  It has been an unequaled privilege to serve in the Church Office Building with some of the best people on earth.  Another reason I loved serving is that I am thrilled every time I go to downtown Salt Lake, and I especially love Temple Square.

Yes. That is the moon at the end of Angel Maroni's trumpet.

Turn of Events

16 January 2013

Katelyn and Brooke Wilcox

About the middle of January, Cherie's oncologist let her know that the treatments were no longer working and that she should go on hospice.  We were shocked!  Kari called Katelyn and asked her to come home from Utah Valley University, they needed to talk.  Katelyn immediately knew the worst was happening.  She caught the train, to Bountiful, ran all the way up the hill from the station in Woods Cross in the cold and snow and rushed to her mother's side.  It was decided that she would drop out of UVU to be home with Cherie and help all she could, but Cherie said she still wanted Katelyn to go on a mission as it is something she always wanted to do and they both knew it was what Heavenly Father wanted her to do.  Katelyn's call came on the 16th of January 2013.

Katelyn had all her family and friends come to the house to watch her open her call and find out where she would be serving. Such excitement, anticipation and joy.  Cherie was able to be there to see her open her call and she was thrilled for Katelyn.

Katelyn started crying even before she opened her call.

TEXAS HOUSTON EAST MISSION - SPANISH SPEAKING

A big hug from Mom.

Love from friends.