!!!! Happy Birthday Munchkin !!!!

I hope that all your Birthday  wishes come true

Let's see, by your way of counting it would be the 20th. anniversary of your 28th. Birthday !!!

I asked the Kids if they wanted to post, but they are not ready yet. Give them time.

It's been a tough week, emotions running pretty high in all of us.

!!!! We miss you so much !!!!

My biggest struggle is talking to the Kids about their feelings over loosing you. I think we're still all more comfortable just not bringing it up as far as that last year goes. We do however say a lot of : Remember, how Mom would like this or that, or things like that. Luke a lot less, but you two were exceptionally close. And while Anja is still pretty attached to me, I  think she is struggling more right now. But then I have been wrong before.

The new Dog Luna has been settling in all to well, but since I can't let her offleash I ended up taking to going Jogging with her ( Yes, I know, I always said I only run if something is chasing me but I needed to get off my Fat Butt) I think the cats are plotting something though.

We have been to Hoodoo a lot this winter, Luke can almost keep up with me on his board. Anja's last Volleyball tourney will be on Sunday she has quite the talent and I hope she keeps doing it.

Give Jesse a hug !!

WE LOVE YOU

 Here's a link to a song that I love to listen to when I'm a liitle down:

http://www.dailymotion.com/cluster/music/video/x1m46o_garth-brooks-the-dance?from=rss

THANK YOU SWEETHEART FOR THE 18 YEAR DANCE, WE 'LL CONTINUE IT IN HEAVEN!!!

Today would have been 20 Years !!

The only thing better than a catnap, is taking one with your friend !

No, I have not been napping ( well maybe a little here and there ) I am aware that I'm way overdue for an update.What a slacker I am, but since I still employ the hunt and peck system typing isn't really one of my past times.

The Kids are still attending the Christian school here in Town, they seem to have adjusted quite well. Class sizes are small and the staff is great.  

During the Sommer they spent time at Camp and with Godparents, Friends and Auntie in California before coming back with Grandma. "A" tried Softball (sooo Boring to watch), Soccer, Tennis and Volleyball while "L" enjoyed Tennis, lots of X-Box and read the whole Harry Potter Series.

Thanksgiving was spent with some good Friends in Mammoth,CA . It was a great diversion for all of us. No snowboarding though, Bummer.

Well it's been a year since Lorries passing and we would like to extend a  big

THANK YOU !!!    

to everybody that has been there for us and helped, it has been a blessing and I am still amazed at the impact that Lorrie had all around her. I'm sure she would give you all a thumbs up and tell you to keep us in line.

I'll will try to give an update more frequently and maybe have the Kids do it too.

There is one Family member who's life has slowed down a lot in recent weeks.

While everbody else has seen an increased level of activity poor Jesse has been forced to be inside looking out.

One of Lorrie’s passions, besides her Kids, was taking pictures. There must be about a thousand just of our first dog, Rolex. She took more pics on our trips to Switzerland in two weeks than I did in twenty years of living there.

She created Scrap booking!

My profession lends itself to moving, so Lorrie made sure that I would think really hard about it each time by having about three thousand pounds of books and pictures. I am thankful for digital photography.

We tried the Midwest and while we made a lot of friends and had a great homeschooling network, the west coast was calling so we ended up in Eugene, OR.

“Jerry Garcia Lives!” appears to be its motto. Quite the change from the conservative farming area we moved from.

So, when the opportunity came to relocate to Central Oregon we took it. And so we moved again, all box-o-rocks (Books) and cats and dogs and whatever else we accumulated and settled in Sisters, OR. Population 1800. Where Lorrie proclaimed: “I am NOT moving again!”

(This from a woman who did not want to leave Southern California) And what a great community it has been to us.

So we both seemed to have found a place where we could grow old and ornery together.

I was pondering my life one day on the drive to work and was thinking how good I have it, a beautiful wife that’s devoted to her Family, two good kids, a job I like most of the time and a home in one of the best places to live on Earth, what else could I ask for!?!

That’s when Lorrie got diagnosed with the Stage 4 Cancer.

Life has a (not so) funny way of handing out setbacks.

At first it was pretty much a denial, how could that be? The blood tests were negative just a couple of months ago.

Then it turned to pi***d off, why her? Why not me? The children need a Mom more than a Dad. I pleaded with God and the world to give the dang cancer to me, I have life insurance, and they would be OK.

Well, that wasn’t going to happen, so the next plan was to kick the cancers butt and get another ten years together.

She did it once before she’d do it again! And we had what seemed half the world praying for Lorrie.

There were fires right around Sisters, so I was able to be home at night a good portion of the summer, I was watching Lorrie struggle with the treatment, yet there is nothing you can do other than comfort items, quite frustrating.

By mid October we knew that the chemo was not working.

I spent the next five weeks at her bedside alternately praying for a miracle and for her suffering to End.

We would talk about all the things that needed to be done and then hold each other and cry.

So you sit there at all hours watching your loved one lying in bed deteriorating and you think that if she quits breathing it will be all better for her and the next minute you’re in a panic because her breathing has stopped for a moment.

And of course with all that time to spare you’re starting to think that you should have done things differently, you should have been a better husband, should have kissed her goodbye and hello every day, told her you loved her more often, laid that tile in the entryway etc.

You’re dog-tired but you can’t sleep.

On Wednesday we were standing there during one of our “dances” to the commode. Her strength pretty much gone, but she wouldn’t let go! So we just stood there a few minutes both knowing it was near.

By Thursday morning she was in the arms of her Savior.

Dear Lorrie

As you watch me struggle from above just know that I am trying my best.

The Kids are in School. Luke is struggling with the new Math; he’s had a few meltdowns not wanting to go to School wanting you back! He appears depressed at times, sleeps more, not his jovial self.

Anja seems a little less stressed but you know how she is, keeps it inside till it boils over. Hates her homework. The teachers say they’re doing OK.

I’m having my moments, too busy doing things. They talked me into going to LA for Christmas, I’m dreading that.

I just want to thank you for everything and let you know that I love you more than ever.

Save a spot for us!

Dessert will never be the same!!!

The Following is my attempt at reflecting my life with Lorrie. I was unable to speak at the services,so I'd like to make it up. It will be a multipart deal as I still suffer from being overcome by emotions and holding the handicap of the hunt and peck system when it comes to typing.

Who says it doesn’t pay to eat dessert first.

19 Years ago I walked into the Kitchen of the family that housed me as an exchange student. And in that Kitchen were the three kids that belonged there and this beautiful Blonde that didn’t. And her first words to me were: “Hi, we’re making Ice cream Sundaes. Would you like one too?” I had never seen a sundae quite like this; it had sprinkles, nuts, cherries chocolate and caramel syrup and heaps of whipping cream, my eyes popped out of my head .

Not being one to argue, I went along with the strange custom of consuming dessert before the main meal.

Well, I might have started with dessert but I ended up staying for a full course meal.

As you probably guessed by now the beautiful Blonde I was referring to was Lorrie, and the meal was almost half my life that I got to share with her as my wife of just about 19 years.

Yeah there has been some Broccoli and the occasional Brussel sprout mixed in but for the most part it was good food and lots of dessert.

We got married three month later (Ice cream melts ya’ know) and started our wonderful journey together, we always were a little opposite in our approach to things but ended up balancing each other out.

 I found that out in our first attempt at parenting (The Dog). With Lorrie it was; on the Leash, wear your Doggie seatbelt and “Oh you poor thing you got all wet and dirty!” Whereas with me it was: “What Leash? Dogs need wind in their noses during car rides. And smelly and dirty Dogs are happy Dogs.” So we ended up with a happy AND safe pet.

(Note: The current Canine residing with us appears to have a genetic predisposition to reject all guidance coming from Bipeds.)

When it came to cooking in the kitchen it was a watch out situation when Lorrie was on the controls. “Why not leave eggshells and flour and what have you not on the counter!” My kitchen manners are more you clean as you go, almost obsessively so.

Like I said, we balanced each other out we just changed sides here and there.

By the time the children showed up we had a pretty good system going. Lorrie was in charge of all the good manners and the education and I was saddled with the task of teaching them how to make farting sounds with their armpits and: You indeed can eat worms!

As your looking down upon us you probably noticed our 'teething' problems, but I promise I trying my best.  School has been an adjustment and as I watched and helped the Kids do homework til 8PM, the thought of how wonderful  homeschooling is has come up often.The chores get done, lunch is an actual meal and not wolfing down a sandwich so we can play basketball for ten minutes. 

Memorial services will be held on Monday, November 27th, at 3:00 p.m. at Sisters Community Church, 15220 McKenzie Hwy, Sisters, OR.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:

Gnos Family Tuition/Care Fund

Bank of the Cascades

272 East Main Ave

Sisters, OR  97759

(541) 549-2061

We have so many things in our lives to be thankful for that hardly grab our attention during our busy lives.  A phone call from your sister, right in the middle of dinner; Christmas with everyone together; discussions about politics and left-wing media;  praying together; filling her hot water bottle, again.  Sometimes it is the loss of something so dear that reminds us of all the details that mean so much to us.

Lorrie Ann (MacKenzie) Gnos, wife to Swiss hubby, mother of two practically perfect children, master to one needy dog and rescuer to three stray cats, daughter to parents married over 50 years, dedicated daughter-in-law, grand-daughter to 95 year old grandmother, only sibling to devoted sister, auntie to beautiful niece, best friend to so many and many more she never met, Homeschooling advocate, staunch Republican, lover of HGTV, and blessed to finally be in the loving arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Lorrie peacefully passed away in the early morning hours of this Thanksgiving day.  She left without fear or regret and was surrounded by loving family and friends in her final days.

I give my deepest thanks to all those who have blessed my sister’s life with your love, kindness and friendship, big or small.  Every one of you made a difference in her life.  She will await our arrival into heaven with open arms and a big smile.

We have had several discussions with the doctor and have come to the conclusion to stop all treatments altogether.  It just was not working in my body.  Sadly this means I am now officially on hospice care.  I am comfortable and not in much pain.  My doctor said I would have one to six months; however, we agreed in reality it would be more like 1 to 2 months.  Last week they didn’t think I would make it through the week-end.  I have surprised them all.  I still have my stubborn streak! 

My children are my biggest concern.  They will be signed-up for private Christian school.  Because we are in a small town, our school is really intimate.  The kids have expressed some interest in school, but regret that by doing so it means mommy has passed away.  Wow, that is so hard to say.  Please pray for a smooth transition from homeschool to private school.

I ask that the Lord cover them with His hands every day they are there.

As for me, I ask for a peaceful passing.  I love you Jesus, come quickly.

{Words by Lorrie Gnos; blog updated by Karen Hayden, Lorrie’s loving sister.]