SNOHOMISH — They’re making this Christmas count.
Heather and Josh Phillips this year took their children, Corbin, 5, and Keira, 4, to a farm to pick out their tree. They cut it down, brought it home and decorated it with white lights and red ornaments.
Heather saved the fancy, fragile decorations for another year, when the kids and Lily, the pug, are older and not so rambunctious.
The family is spending their first Christmas in their new home, a spacious four-bedroom house with a yard, outside of Snohomish. They see the holiday as a chance to make memories together.
“My kids have grown up with me being sick. It’s all they know,” Heather said.
The 31-year-old is tethered to an oxygen tank, dependant upon it for each breath. She doesn’t get out much because she has to plan trips carefully to make sure she has enough oxygen to last until she gets home.
Doctors can’t explain why she woke up struggling for air during her second pregnancy, in 2011.
“It’s like I’m breathing with a bag over my head,” she said.
The Phillipses expected the lung transplant Heather received in 2013 to bring their battle to an end. Instead, Heather’s body attacked the donated organ.
She has since undergone several bouts of chemotherapy and blood transfusions to stop the rejection. She gets sick often but has enjoyed a few short stints of feeling well. Occasionally, she’s able to work as a cocktail server at Seahawks games.
Heather’s body is slowly giving up the fight against her lungs. There’s hope that she will someday be able to breathe on her own again.
Each day brings a tough choice. The couple is never sure if forgoing time together so Josh can provide for the family’s future is the right thing to do.
The 32-year-old spends most days installing and repairing doors to earn money to pay their mounting medical bills and other expenses. He worked another 30 hours a week for almost two years, building their home as part of the nonprofit Housing Hope’s sweat-equity program.
Josh didn’t let his wife’s lengthy hospital stays or caring for the kids on his own stop him. In August, they moved into their first home. Now, they know their neighbors and can let their kids play outside without having to worry.
“It’s a blessing to have a roof over the family’s head and have our first Christmas here,” Josh said. “Everyone has a tough time so you have to focus on the beautiful things in life.”
They keep each other centered by letting go of fears about the future and focus on enjoying each day as best they can.
For one, their daughter Keira likes to help wrap gifts. She doesn’t care that Christmas presents traditionally come in red or green packages. She opts for pink paper with Minnie Mouse on it instead.
Her brother Corbin is the family movie buff. He finds favorites, such as “Ant Man” or “The Avengers” for them to watch together as they sip hot cocoa and eat popcorn.
Heather and Josh started their family soon after they married in 2009.
They met at Mountlake Terrace High School, but didn’t get to know each other until Josh went to work for Heather’s dad. At first, she said, she despised him.
Her distaste softened when Josh offered support as she grieved the loss of her 18-year-old brother, Justin Rima, who died after a lung transplant in 2003. The two became friends, often talking late into the night.
Two months later, Josh’s brother, Adam Phillips, committed suicide at 19. Heather was there to see Josh through it.
When Heather got sick, they faced that together too.
Now, simple things, such as spending Christmas at home as a family, are what matter most. It’s not easy, but they choose to count their blessings, instead of losing sight of them.
“I have a home and a good family to love,” Heather said. “That’s more than a lot of people have.”
Amy Nile: 425-339-3192; anile@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @AmyNileReports
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