Rhett's Make-A-Wish Star Raising

After Rhett's wish was fulfilled, we were invited back up to the Utah Chapter Make-a-Wish Foundation home in Salt Lake City. We left poignant messages for Rhett in one of the scrapbooks on display there. 

Rhett is an inspiration to so many. He doesn't let his Cystic Fibrosis keep him from achieving his goals and pursuing his dreams. We are grateful for the opportunity his "wish" gave us to celebrate him and his outstanding attitude and life.

Rhett carved a message onto his own star, which now hangs from the ceiling with the many others that have been raised in hope, healing and celebration.

Gloria, Grandma P., Rhett, Mom and Drew 

exploring the beautiful, serene grounds of the Make-a-Wish home

Rhett's wish first came about through his wonderful social worker up at Primary Children's Hospital who submitted his name to the Make-a-Wish Foundation in response to some difficulties Rhett was facing. Two awesome wish granters, Mary and Jessica, came to our house and worked with Rhett on selecting just the right wish. Next, we were invited to the foundation's home to see if the wish would be granted. It was! After securing passports and letting the wish granters take care of ALL of the rest of the details, we were off to spend an amazing week in the Bahamas. The photo above is of us reconvening at the foundation after the wish was fulfilled.

-Mary, Melissa, Gloria, Rhett, Grandpa, Grandma, Amber & Drew

Where Rhett's star hangs today...

Rhett's Make-A-Wish Trip to the Bahamas

Overly prepared, as usual, mom had us to the airport with plenty of time to catch a few zzzz's before our plane left (the sleep wasn't sound, but it felt pretty good after waking up at 4 AM!)

Glory Girl, Mom and Drew in what we called the sun pool, which we could look down at from our hotel rooms at the Atlantis Resort (2 gigantic suns were painted on the bottom of the pool, thus the name).

Drew making a splash...

Amber and Rhett enjoying the warm ocean water....It looks so peaceful, BUT watch out for those jelly fish! Unfortunately, Amber got stung and had some nasty welts on her forearm. I (mom) sent her to the lifeguard, who, in turn, told her to buck up, and then he showed her his own chest and stomach riddled with jelly fish scars! She asked him if there wasn't anything to take the pain away. He offered to pee on her arm. Needless to say, she declined. The lifeguard chuckled and then gave her some cream, which really did relieve the intense stinging. Gloria and Mom were the only ones who didn't end up with a souvenir of jelly fish stings.

The girls: Amber, Gloria and Mom

Rhett paragliding -- he said it was fun but not as daring/thrilling as he had hoped. He thoroughly enjoyed the jetskiis, though, as he was able to create his own dares and thrills!

Dad tackling Drew -- where's the football, boys?!

Goggle girl (Gloria) floating in on a wave...

Rhett, do you hear me...ipod and Bahamas...it doesn't get any better than this!

I love how cute Amber looked in her bug-eye sunglasses. She was the first to discover the yummy Pina Coladas. Mom, Rhett, Drew and Glo soon followed suite. Mom even got a taste of the "real" deal -- she had to politely tell the bartender she had ordered a "virgin" daiquiri.

The view from one of the terraces at the Atlantis Resort

-Rhett, Mom, Glo, Drew, Amber and Dad

Mom and Rhett looking into one of the many large aquariums at Atlantis -- the magnitude and variety of sea life in the lakes, pond and aquariums on the Atlantis property were incredible!

Gloria and Drew with their "virgin" drinks that were so refreshing on those warm, sunny Bahamian days...

Grouper kiss (Rhett)

Fish-a-plenty...

Gloria and Mom

Drew being buried by Gloria and Dad -- we've noticed in our family photos that Drew gets buried a lot (in piles of bark, fall leaves, sand, etc.). You're a good sport, Drew!