The Lee Fam

Happy Valentines to you all!

2011-02-04T11:56:00.000-08:00

It has been months since this blog was updated, guess it just shows how boring we truly are, boring is good tho when we have been thru way to much the last 4.5 yrs.

Stone turned 8 and was baptized, Kyla turned 4, Scott 18, Sam 15 and Danny 26 since the last post. I turned another year older also as did Jim last week. As a surprise our taxidermy guys hung his elk and the two moose up on the dead head wall on his birthday. I got him a Zune and made his favorite meal of fried chicken, his dad came over and Aunt MaryAnn along with Sarahs family then Gma Helen came for cake. Yes he is spoiled. I don't know what this house will sound like once all my grandkids are together but just having two it is ear piercing.....But Jim seemed to have a great birthday. I put on all 58 candles and Kyla said "Towering Inferno Gpa" the news feed was fed into her ear of course by her ever so funny father.

We've been canning/pressure cooking up a storm. Scott Jim and I put up 51 quarts of venison in the fall, this week Benji and I put up 38 quarts of chicken and 14 quarts of fish probably 14 more today with the last huge Canada Salmon we need to do. No more fish tho, the smell won't leave the house. If our 3 freezers were to go out we will always have meat to eat with the years supply of food.

Josh is about the same, hoping for a kidney. Scott's year mark was in Dec for his last chemo. Benji now is having health issues with his rings on his esophagus and now allergic to almost everything he loves eating. He leaves tomorrow for SLC and hopefully will be getting a job there with the church very soon as he figures out what he can eat so he doesn't stave to death.

We have been enjoying our Kroc Center membership. Now I have tendentious of my knee from Zumba and had to stop my classes working on a new plan to keep this stupid body working. I have really enjoyed it.

Other than the health issues our family is doing pretty good. Enjoying the blessings and tender mercies of everyday life.

Happy Valentines to you all!

Fall into Summer/Fall

2010-10-01T15:28:00.000-07:00

Time slips away on wings of lightening......never to call it back. School has begun but before I know it will be next summer Scott will be preparing for his mission and Sam will be going into 10th grade. But for now I have caught the tip of summer/fall and can bask in the summer temps, enjoying Scotts one year left at home, Sam's beginning of his high school experience, senior picture nightmare with the weapon issue, watching Sam run with his cross country team. Being woke up at 4AM every Fri and Sat as Jim heads to the woods....oh so much to look forward to each Fall. But I really think it is my favorite time of year. My sunflowers are as big as plates and as tall as the house. I love the sun but love sweaters.

Clinic and labs continues for Scott, his labs had some issues last month but all looks good this last trip. Josh continues to need a kidney. Benji was home for a few days. Kyla is in dance and preschool, Sawyer is walking and Rusty started kindergarten. Stone will be baptised in a few weeks and Jim and I get to go be with him. Gpa Lee had back surgery and came home yesterday. Aunt Mary Ann is in a care center now she will so miss her home.

Thats about it from the Lee's homeland!

Home!

2010-07-31T11:31:00.000-07:00

Time for updating our blog even tho probably I am the only one to read it and maybe a couple kids and Briettney, Mari and Gwen and a few friends!

Sadie and I arrived home from our trip on Wednesday evening. We had a great time a growing time with unreal temps and sweating more than I have ever sweat in my life even thru childbirth, it seemed like we were gone forever tho and happy to be home. I think Jim missed me and Sarah and Booboo. We saw so many things, more than I can reel thru my brain but will catch up with ya later with details and pictures. I haven't seen Scott or Sam as the went on a High adventure Wed morning. They will be home this afternoon then fly out tomorrow for EFY in Provo. Sadie came back for a few days and will fly out with them as far as SLC on her way to Denvver. My niece Mari and her family are coming for a week visit and will be here tonight. Never a dull moment at this house so maybe that makes me not so dull.

We just got word a member of our ward and neighbor passed away a couple hours ago. He went to school with Jim before he became a member of the church. He was doing a family reunion Tri-athalon with his sons this morning and suffered a heart attack while swimming in the lake. It is just unreal. Life is precious, life is sometimes to short life is meant to be happy but we must have sad times to know happiness.

Fly like an Eagle!

2010-06-25T21:59:00.001-07:00

Scott and Sam are EAGLES NOW (scott earned his 15 months ago actually just didn't get the award) their Eagle award ceremony along with 4 of their friends were attended by around 100 people on the 12th of June, in our back yard. It was much like a wedding reception but on a smaller scale of course, it was a perfect day. It had been raining for days and days, Sat ended up being 80 degrees and just beautiful. The flowers and bushes were in full bloom, the grass is the greenest ever proud of my 5th a 6th Eagles! Scouting has been hard on their mother way to many ditches, mountains and tears I hope it was all worth it.

Sam started drivers education this week. My babies are growing up. Sam and Scott are now both 5 ft 11in. Scott isn't to thrilled, we knew it would happen from all the poison he has been on. Good thing he is buff, buffer than any of his bros at this age!

Sawyer turned 1 this month, Danielsoninlaw and Luke turned 32. Gpa Lee 86! He and Helen celebrated their 4th anniversary, still acting like newly weds! Danny in Brasil working on his internship, will be here for a few days in Aug then back to BYU for his last semester. Sadie is loving CO and working hard with Luke. Loving being around Janna and her niece and nephews.

Well almost time to leave again. Blackburn reunion is in a very few days. Lists are made, some packing done. Cedar Mountain is a beautiful place, the only place we vacationed as a child and that wasn't very often. Excited to be with my siblings their spouses, all grandkids and all the rest of those I love and miss. We pick up Sadie at the airport and Benji somewhere in Provo on the way. A few days after returning Sadie and I go on our big trip. Tickets bought, motels and hostels in place, traveling books bought with maps of course, my blow up pillow in my pile and lists made. I am a big list maker, makes packing a breeze!

It has been 4 years since we lost our niece Tera, Gary has remarried and the children are doing awesome and love Sidney. Two months since we lost Gayle. her Gary is coping as is the kids and grandkids they just all miss her so much. Gary came up for a few days this month. He is going with Jim, Sam and Gpa to Canada fishing iin Aug. It will be a great time for them all. They pick up gpa and Gary in Seattle at the airport as they will just be coming back from Bronson and head to Canada. My mom is coming back to visit in Aug. Scott and Sam have EFY in Aug. Sadie will come back with for the weekend the end of our trip.

We have had the most rain on record EVER! Things have not only been gloomy gloomy but GREEN GREEN and oh so beautiful. The garden has had a hard time getting a good start but the last few days the sun has begun to pretend it is summer and my personal flower/vege garden has broccoli ready to eat! About 30 plants came back from last year if anyone needs a plant to put in their over watered vege gardens.

Life is good, life is grand, life is short, be happy!

Lets wash some windows!

2010-06-04T11:05:00.000-07:00

Just writing the new post from Las Vegas, Sin City, Satan's Playground or whatever you want to call it. Jim is in dental meetings. It is at or close to the 100 degree mark today. I so wish I could take home 10 degrees of it and add it to CDA's 50 degrees ok 20 degrees then if I could make a wish why not go big. CDA has been nothing but rain, more rain then some rain. Monday it rained 2/3 rds of a inch...a record! Seattle has nothing on us for moisture. So glad green is one of my favorite colors for that is what I see outside my every window!

Last weekend was our yearly Memorial day campout. The trailer is still in the driveway waiting to be unloaded but we had to come to Vegas the next day. Ya think the boys will have it unloaded and everything taken care of? YEAH RIGHT! Some of the party actually rafted in the rain and cold. I watched a movie, did hand sewing and read for hours. The furnace didn't work the whole 4 days so it was one cold weekend I was one happy momma arriving home!

Health updates, nothing new. Scott is good, labs are good numbers. Josh is same waiting for a good match. Benji back in CA, Danny in Brasil till the first of Aug, Sadie is still in Colorado working with Luke. Luke and fam good, Sarah and fam good, Sam and Scott get out of school for the summer next week so they are good. We hope we get some summer temps soon or it will be one long vacation. The boys both want to make some money washing windows, I remind them they must learn on our windows over and over again.....good idea don't you think? Just if it can stop raining so they can practice.

Headed back home tonight, 3.5 weeks till the Blackburn reunion then Sadie and I are headed to Italy and Ireland. But being home is still best!

Families!

2010-05-03T14:33:00.000-07:00

Our little girl Sadie graduated from COLLEGE last weekend, yes she is still our little girl but I hear she is really 23 now. It went way to fast way way to fast. She was first to do that little marching at the beginning since she was Valedictorian of her dept/ Anthropology and it does begin with an A. We are so proud proud proud! Jim Sam and I flew out for the big day, Don and D'anne, Pen and Ben, Luke Janna and the kids all attended, it was a special day. The night before we flew out we got a call that our sister in law Gayle was taken from us while doing service in Tonga, just under 2 weeks ago, Gary, Jim's brother is strong, he has been holding us all together. He is amazing. Their children are strong. I am proud of them all. It is so surreal, but we know where she is. Life is so fragile, life is so beautiful, life is hard....why don't we try harder while our loved ones are with us? Why do we have to have a death or sickness to remind us? Last Monday Gary was given a special gift of a grandson. He is so precious and I have given him the name "Silver" for the Silver lining that we all needed. His name is really Kole tho.......Gennelle and Aarons baby. Gwen and Ted had their beautiful little boy Gavyn sealed to them on Friday and Gayles memorial was Sat. it was a tender, bittersweet time with all the family. We spent alot of hours visiting with Jimmy and Nina and their boys. We don't get to see them very often. Fun to get to be with Gwen. Ted her husband is such a wonderful man. Seven of our kids came, my son in law and two of my grand children. We missed Josh and Chiu-yi, Janna and the grandkids but happy to have so many come. Gayle was loved by our kids.

Families are forever, we need to live and do all we can to make it happen in our own lives by living and loving right......

This is a wonderful news article about Gayle, Gary gave the information so it is actually the correct information. Amazing how many wrong quotes and stories and information appear after something like this. We hope if people have questions they will ask the correct source for answers.

http://cdapress.com/news/local_news/article_3816885c-eb61-5080-a1bf-28f00fbb00be.html

Happy Spring to Ya All!

2010-04-20T08:10:00.000-07:00

Has been a month since I posted, so hoping someone in the family would do it to get some spice in this but no one is a taker!

Much going on in our little world. Sadie graduates on Thurs. she is the Valedictorian of her department, she graduates in Anthropology! Then packs up her car and takes off for Denver working with Luke helping to manage parking garages. Danny takes off for Brasil the first of May till Aug. Sam has his final Eagle board tomorrow night. Jim's moose is ready and will be hung on the "DEAD HEAD WALL" in the Great Room. I will change where I eat at the dinner table so I don't look at what I am eating. Didn't think they'd be hung so no worries, but it is my fault gave them permission if I got my perfect kitchen! Jim got a Turkey on Sat. Scott got 2 Turkey! Hope these don't get freezer burnt as the last two did and have to be thrown away. Plans to smoke one next week. And we all were so good at quiting the habit.

I have been quilting up a storm, got 3 pieced together in 6 weeks time and took a vacation for 11 days in the middle. I love doing Log Cabin but will soon stretch to learn a new one. My girfriend quilts them on her big time machine so save my fingers from carpel tunnel! On a roll for Christmas gifts....

Spring Break was a blast, we went to Maui for 11 days. The Humpback whales were still there visiting, delivering their young and match making. We saw some beautiful match making dancing. Saw my nephew Matt that works and lives in Maui! Took a 8 hour boat ride, I was sick 7 of the hours. Left the fish plenty of food. Snorkeled a few times and even got sea sick snorkling. Would of been nice to just have a 3 hour cruise and ended up on our own island with evening wear, food and friends like Gilligan and Co. did! I did play Mary Ann in our class assembly back in High school tho! Sam started track and has his second meet tonight. The weather was wonderful for his first and hope it is for the one tonight.

So if all goes well with Sam's Eagle Board I will be the proud mother of 6 Eagle Scouts. Getting those 6 boys finished up was just a few steps down from having a child with a life threating disease. I so hope other towns Scout offices are better suited at scouting than ours. Just watch now the church will stop the scouting program just as we finished!

Gpa Lee has been sick with pneumonia and just got out of the hospital yesterday. He is looking better but still coughing allot. We are just happy we have him a bit longer, he will be 86 in June, Gma Helen turns 87 next week. She is a ball of energy.

We have the missionaries moving in for a couple weeks starting tomorrow. No one seems to want to house them in the ward since the change happened. We will guilt someone into it that has no children at home and no daughters. We do need the blessing for now tho. Benji will be home this week for a few days and we got two new fish so the house will be full of noise again and people eating all my food..........

We have mowed twice already, got my flowers bought and ready to go into my hanging baskets!

So Happy Spring to ya All!

Live it up!

2010-03-18T08:04:00.001-07:00

Spring spring spring! Love love love it! The bulbs are up, peaking up thru that gray blah soil giving it color. The sunshines lots of hours and the sky is blue. I know we needed snow but so love not having winter this year.

Hope you all had a great St Patty's day! We had a green supper and made lots of yummy cookies.........

Not much different going on with the fam, so just a few boring updates! We ordered new doctor, & assistant chairs for the office in Salt Lake at the dental convention, along with warm patient towels. Now just wish we had new windows, flooring to match. I had to buy 6 new choir chairs, a choir member broke another chair and really dinged my new floor bad bad so those wedding chairs will only be used OUTSIDE! Scott made it to Boise and home again last weekend for DECA, he doesn't like that city, he missed Uncle Steve's "Hunters Party". Sam is enjoying not having to do a sport everyday after school and enjoying playing outside, riding bikes and learning about old cars and how to get them running with his friend Matt. Maybe Matt can get the 72 pickup running! So hate it setting in the front yard. Sam got his phone taken away until he has every stupid last piece of paper work done to turn in his Eagle packet......project was done Aug 1st. He is now 1/2 in taller than his father. Sarah will now be the shortest in the family. He has the normal Lee boy figure tho, Scott doesn't something in his favor when his younger brother will soon be taller. It seems he has more doctor appointments than he has the last year. Trying to figure out some rash and hoping his white blood count remains normal. His osteoporosis is in the normal range now. He is happy and is off the last medication this week, has been 3 months since the end of treatment. Now just vitamins and calcium. Nothing new with Josh. Luke and family are good. Benji will be home for a couple weeks to finish up some projects and take care of the animals while we are on our spring break trip. Sarah and fam are great Carson is talking allot, really developing a personality. Kyla is the queen of the world especially when she is at gma's. Danny is headed to Brasil in a few weeks for an internship. Sadie is preparing for graduation. Jim is good, planning on hitting the "Big Horn Show" the next 3 days in Spokane. Paula is good since the tax info is into the accountant, first time in years we won't have to file an extension. Busy sewing quilts again and spent a few days at a Quilting retreat and had a blast with her side kick Karel. Bucky our cocker spaniel is getting better still loving tearing up things in the yard tho. Ms Kitty is queen of the house when Kyla isn't here. The fish are good, I got a new tiny one that eats algae but "Professor" must of taken a big gulp and swallowed him because he is gone and not floating. Fish are so much easier to take care of than dogs, cats and kids!

So "Go live it up" as Dalton Garrett told us to do for years!

Lee's

New Post

2010-02-26T09:18:00.000-08:00

Ok so I am not a very exciting title/post person so this one is "New Post" blah I know.

Spring continues here in God's country. I purchased 6 blueberry bushes to put in, with the sunshine it seems like April, and that "gardening bug "has hit. Well in the mind mostly.

Yesterday was a clinic day. Scott had a bone density test and his osteoporosis is in the normal range so it truly can be reversed and a great blessing. His blood work looked good, his first one out of chemo was a bit scary but good now. She is testing it every two weeks for awhile on him.

We had Booboo and Butters while Sarah and Dan got to take a working free vacation to Vegas but first we went to CO for the weekend to visit the other grandbabies, I hugged and kissed Sawyer so much we now share the family cold. I picked up the other two in Spokane coming home from the airport then took them back to Spokane on Wed and flew out to SLC with Jim to dental meetings. We spent Wed and Thurs nights in SLC attending meetings then Friday the college coed and her brother come up to eat at "The Roof" to celebrate her birthday then spend the next two nights with Don and D'anne. Pen and Ben, Don and D'anne, Sadie, Dan, Jim and I went out to eat where my nephew John Boy works and spent Sat evening talking and laughing and celebrating yet another birthday celebration for our spoiled but cute daughter and nearly COLLEGE GRADUATE! So fun to be with my family I miss my siblings allot and their families. I told Sadie we are done with her birthday celebration for another year!

Danny is going back to Brasil in May for an internship so he won't graduate till next December. Looks like they both will leave without true love from the university. It takes my children time to find the perfect one, marriage is for eternity so take your time chillins! Well, for some of you it is ok..... you now can date, hold hands and EVEN marry!

Spring break is around the corner, Scott only has two left! After having a search in for a year and not getting what we wanted I spent days looking at discounted places and flights till my head and finger tips are blistered. We finally have a trip! It is a fun time we spend with the kids each year that are still at home, and in school. Danny did work it out to meet us in Mexico a couple years ago. Money is tight but squeaking money out of our savings is always worth it. We can live on our food storage!

No new updates on Josh, Big D 3 times a week 4.5 hours each time.

Spending time working on family search and attending the temple, something I didn't think I'd get to do till I was an old lady, (NO I'M NOT NO I'M NOT) I am going on a Quilting retreat soon, will be good to just work on projects and not get interrupted for 3 wonderful days! Plugging along on getting paperwork figured out for taxes, something I so hate to do.

So enjoy your time with your family and friends, each day is so unsure, the only sure thing is we can be together forever with our Savior and family if we live right, any of us can be taken any second, any time.

So I love you guys whomever is reading this!

Today's Message of the Day is:

Life is short, Break the rules, Forgive quickly, Kiss slowly, Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably, And never regret anything that made you smile... (from a email I received)

Slow days of Winter!

2010-02-10T20:29:00.000-08:00

Has been a month plus since the last post. Not much happening in the family, and that is a good thing. Benjamin has gone back to CA, Sadie and Danny back at school, my mom back home and I so love the quiet days alone 4 days a week. I so love Monday mornings.

We are heading out to CO to visit the other grand babies and Luke and Janna for the long weekend. Then next week Jim and I going to SLC for dental meetings and spend the weekend with the college kids.

Scott had his first non chemo appointment 2 weeks ago and labs but has to return tomorrow for more labs making sure his ANC is going up. His doctor and all his nurses sang a song for him and gave him a basket of huge cookies to end his treatments, it was so sweet. He has broken out with a bad rash since he has been off treatment so they want to keep up on it and we keep trying lots of different medicine and nothing is helping. This is the easy stuff tho. Being a red head doesn't help.

Scott and Sam's two friends, and also brothers have both been in the hospital the last 3 weeks one with a staff infection in his shoulder and 2 days after he got out of the hospital the other brother got strep throat and had kidney issues. Heavenly Father so blesses us with these trials with our children.........we just don't see them as such for awhile.

Our Josh turned 33 on Sunday and Sadie 23 tomorrow. I can't believe I am old enough to have a 33 yr old son. Josh and Chiu-yi are doing fine, just hoping and praying for a kidney miracle.

We have had the warmest winter on record so far, last year we set records in the snow fall. It has given everyone spring fever, looks like the tulips will be popping up their heads any second.

I bought a basket full of tulips & primroses for the house just so it looks like spring inside. I really wouldn't mind a good snow storm tho to cover up the ugly grass.

So life is good for the Lee's, it is a great time of our lives enjoying watching Sam play basketball and being able to eat nearly every dinner together. Not many conflicts in the schedule anymore. Life is slower and we are truly blessed. Jim turned 57 last week so good to have things slow down a bit.

I cry the day I take the tree down! Except this year it was really DEAD!

2010-01-03T19:06:00.000-08:00

The holidays are over, company is gone, tree outside ready to be burned, and decorations put away. And back to only feeding 5! Tomorrow is Monday! School begins and work!!!!! It has been a great month but very long.

My mom was here almost 6 weeks, she was very ready to hit the road yesterday and be able to be in her own four walls. We enjoyed her, sad to see her memory escaping tho, so sad. She stayed busy crocheting things for people and reading and asking us questions we'd just answered. She got to enjoy Kyla and Carson and help babysit them. Kyla will always be in her heart they really got along. Kyla's middle name is Joy after her mom and grandma. I want to add Joy to my name some day. Wish my dad would of given it to me years ago.

Jim and I head out the end of the week to celebrate 34 years together. I will need a vacation from all this vacation......We hope to not get sunburned and when we are asked what we are going to do in the Bahama's I say "WHATEVER WE WANT"......

Sadie wrote a wonderful tribute to her brother Scott last week, if you are interested in reading it get a kleenex and visit her blog http://sadiesstory.blogspot.com/ I won't post it on this blog since that is a very big big big pet peeve of hers! She is so talented in many areas but her writing is incredible. Her brain never stops. I am so proud of her.

Happy 2010

A Wonderful Christmas....

2009-12-24T08:29:00.000-08:00

Yep, port came out yesterday! Scottie Pottie is no longer a cancer patient. Once a month labs for a year, 2nd year every 3 months, 3rd year every 6 months and not sure after that. He will get to go on a mission but will need to be state side because of the labs. Having his port out was a bit stressful yesterday more so for his father that worries more than anyone on planet earth. When Dr Thorn his wonderful surgeon came into the waiting room with his thumb up, Jim I can broke into a cry/laugh. Different things can happen with that port being in there so long but it came out perfect. We got booklets to help us with the transition learning how to go from a oncologist full time to a regular MD but I seem to know more about ALL than he, but he is learning. (MD) But the oncologist will still see him while doing labs once a month and I can talk to her personal nurse Mary 24/7, she promised me. I have grown to love those two ladies Dr Angelia Trobaugh and Mary and all the others in the clinic. I so appreciate them not only for their years of schooling and practicing but they actually care, really really care for Scottie and for me. I so appreciate our 3 pharmacists at the CDA Kmart store. They made the insurance and the /Katy Beckett medicaid process actually easy. Costco was horrible and I told them I wouldn't spend one more cent on medicine at their pharmacy and I haven't. (The store a different story) Teena Roberts, Sara McLain and Paula Conley at Canfield, Penny at CHS and our wonderful Patty Humphries and her hubby Mark. Jennifer and Mike James along with their sons Josh and Matt were incredible and nearly adopted Sam during our first two years. Mike helping us get passed red tape and also the help he has given us with our own Josh's kidney issues. They all have gone way beyond their jobs to a lasting friendship. And most of all my other children that stepped right in when mom was living at the hospital to deal with the millions of phone calls, prepare food and remind the wonderful church members we didn't need anymore food that they were adults and could prepare the meals and we were out of room in the fridge. It is amazing how people step in, you really know your friends. To my sister in law Jean that also dealt with phone calls, Gpa Lee for his prayers and blessings. And to Kim Beckman that would just drop off frozen lasagna to go right in to my freezer for those long days at the clinic and Julie Crandall and Emily for those wrapped up tight Papa Murphy's pizzas that would appear in my freezer. When people asked what they could do for us I'd say just bring over leftovers so we can freeze them for our long days at the clinic those two heard my plea and a few others, Kim kept it up for months and months and to this day she drops off her wonderful spaghetti sauce if she hears I even have had a bad day as she is dealing with her own daughters horrible health issues. And for those long conversations Angie my YF friend and I continue to have, for Capri and Judy W and those helpful things they learned down their tiny children's cancer struggles. I so appreciate my good husband and putting up with my psycho person many days and letting me handle things my way. I seemed to know what Scottie needed and begged him to listen. And mostly for my Scottie for pulling thru, he is my superman and just putting up with his mother, I so tried not to go over the top with him, and not letting him see me cry, I tried alway to be softly tough. And to you my family and friends just thanks.

Have a wonderful Christmas, I know I will.

Four days then it will all be over, so sad!

2009-12-21T08:22:00.001-08:00

I so love Christmas but it is so sad to think it will be over in a few days. Basically things are in order, just taking it easy and trying to enjoy the days. My mom is here still since before Thanksgiving. She is amazed at the gifts under the tree, parties and busyness of our household. It actually is quieter and slower than when we had a few more at home. She will be spoiled this holiday. We hope it takes her hours to unwrapped her gifts. She has been busy making gifts for her grand and great grand kids for several weeks. Jim and I got each other a new tread-mill for our Christmas to each other. Jim got it all set up and walked on it this morning. Hoping we can bury the old one soon.

Scott's last chemo and doctor appointment were last week. He is totally done with the poison but not with labs. He will go in once a month for a year, then every 3 months for a year then twice a year after that. These are no big deal appointments and hope he doesn't have to miss any school. Jim and I threw him a "I am going to live" surprise party last Friday night. He was very shocked and surprised once he figured out why 15 of his friends jumped up from laying on the carpet after I had counted to 3 took him about 10 seconds to understand what was going on. I invited adults that had been such a influence and help for our family the last 3.5 years. Mostly Scotts first year. They showed up a few minutes after the kids surprised him. His two tutors and their husbands came, his councilor Sarah from Canfield Middle school, and many friends and family came to celebrate, about 50. He got the most awesome gifts and I told people to bring silly things but they didn't listen. I had way to much food and the family is still enjoying the leftovers. Benji and Sarah helped me throw together the salads and trays in about 15 minutes time while Danny kept Scott downstairs, at one point Scott came upstairs and didn't get a clue, took a piece of cheese and went back downstairs. I had things hidden in sacks and cupboards and out in the garage for a week, oh and had my trusty list, it saves me. I had a huge cake made. Karel, Rod, Benji and Sarah cleaned up while I was able to just set and visit friends. Then my family helped put down tables and put things away after everyone left. Something I don't get to do because I am preparing and cleaning up for hours then once it is done everyone goes home or to bed because they are exhausted visiting. Thank you thank you that one of the greatest gift anyone has ever done for me. And it only costs time. Jim had to leave to go pick up Sadie in the middle of the party. Danny had flown in a couple days before. Sadie got in on the very tail end. It was a fun night and Scottie seemed to really love it. We both got hugs and a thank you! I even got more hugs yesterday.

Glad you're still alive Scottie Pottie! Mom

Website for the business!

2009-12-09T07:21:00.000-08:00

Check out our dental business website. We now are on superpages. We have finally moved up in the world of cyperspace.

www.cdasmile.net

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas!

2009-12-06T15:30:00.000-08:00

Ok it has begun to look alot like Christmas waking up to a inch of snow yesterday AM. Christmas cards have been sent, all pkg sent. Office party behind us, Scott smoked us some delicious chicken.......Christmas parties end this week. Tree and decorations up music blasting thru the house (when Jim isn't home)!

Thankgiving was a success. 22 for dinner. Sadie Danny and Mom came in on Tuesday and Penny my sis and Ben her hubby flew in Thanksgiving day. Spike my nephew returned home from his mission on Wednesday and spent Thanksgiving day with us.

Mom will be with us thru Christmas, hope she can put up with all the noise and parties and fun she isn't use too so much excitement.

Not much to write about tonight. Things are good, Scotts last orals are the 14th, Dr appointment on the 18th and port out on the 23rd. He went to Prom on Saturday. 3 years ago we didn't know if he'd get to go to a prom. Life is full of lots of tender moments sprinkled with miracles.

Merriest Christmas.

Christmas in 47 short days!

2009-11-08T17:10:00.000-08:00

So it must be that time of month to update the blog! Not much to report about if we post sooner than a month.

Jim I and two employees headed to San Francisco on Wed. returning last night. They were there for dental meetings I was there to do whatever I wanted. I did go listen to two different speakers. Nice sleeping in, exercising for hours, walking along the bay, reading working on New Family Search in the lobby and watching the news. But all good things must end! When we flew into Spokane and walked off the plane (Horizon) it was one arctic blast and we wanted to turn around.......it is so winter already. We took the BART system into the city, took a cable car to Fishermans Warf. That was something Jim and I have wanted to do since we were small and watched the "Rice a Roni" commericals walked to Pier 39, smelled and listened to those noisy Seals looked at Alcatraz's lights in the distance, ate at a greasy soup but it was quaint. I got the entire cable car people singing "Happy Birthday" to Susie our assistant she loved it and started leading us. It was fun. She has been with our office for 20 years and chose to be at the seminar on her 62nd birthday. Cathy our other assistant started with us 28 years ago, left for a few years to raise a daughter then returned. We don't know what we will do when they retire. They are wonderful, dependable honest and truly kind women. There are few people like that out there.

My Christmas lights have been up two weeks, Dan the light man and son in law does it for me, second year now as my Christmas present. Nothing like perfect lights, only have to plug in one extension cord or find the timer the electrician lost. Cards are addressed, Christmas letter written, can you tell I love Christmas?

Thanksgiving is in 18 days. Sadie and Danny will be home in 16 days. Penny my sis and her hubby Ben are coming in Thanksgiving day. I have never had my anyone on my side come or a holiday before. I am soooooooooo excited. And Kyla turns 3 that week!

My nephew (Pennys son) Breck gets off his mission next week from New Zealand. John got home three weeks ago and Spike gets home the day before Thanksgiving. The next to go will be Scott in 2 years then Sam in 5 yrs. Wow 2 and 5 so strange that it is just around the cornor. It just hit me.

Life is good we are good, Josh said if you want to know how he is, look up Kidney Failure on Whikipedia and you will know. Scott is good, 40 days till his last chemo! neither of them like people asking how they are. It wears on me also, average 10 times a day but I know most people really care, some just are nosy.

So get your lists going for the holidays, don't put things off so you can enjoy the season!

That is it from this keyboard!

Yep Hamthrak has hit!

2009-10-17T15:09:00.000-07:00

Hamthrak (name given to me by Josh) has hit yet another person in the family. With 20 days down since being exposed to Jim Gary and Scottie Pottie I became another victim of "Ms Piggie's Flu" I have heard all the jokes and saving them for the day my sons and son in law too become her victim. Has not been a real good week here. When I think I am doing good I shower and wala break into a sweat and back on top of the bed can't stand getting into the bed anymore. 3 days in a row thinking I am better........several friends/sister in law friend came down with it same day or with in hours of when I did. We are connecting on facebook feeling sorry for each other. Ok at least we aren't out spreading it around to all of you! Someone has to feel sorry for us husbands don't. I was prepared tho have meals prepared in the freezer and have used a couple of them. My friend and also sister in law Kim brought us spagetti by, it is so so good.... My family hardly misses me. I am pretty sure I am going to live, rather or not the family likes it............................

One thing I so hate, want to know? that stupid song "Safelight window repair" I hear it in my dreams. I do love the DVR and stopping the show then bringing it back live without the 15 ads in between scenes. Haven't just laid down and watched TV for so long, it is as stupid as it was last time I was sick with something.

Josh is the same, waiting for a match, he is tired of people asking.......Luke and family I think are good, Stone will be 7 in a few days and Janna another year older. Benji's B&B isn't happening, property sold, Sarah and family don't have the flu, Danny and Sadie are coming home for Thanksgiving Sadie Christmas, Danny is being a adult and doesn't have a ticket home. His bike got stolen so he won't be riding it home, and just bought himself two scooters I hear one will be sold, yeah right this family doesn't sell anything we store it for a rainy day......wow he can pay for next semester!!!! Since we can't claim him anymore ...not a tax rightoff anymore big guy! Scott is good, clinic next week then only Nov and Dec and he is done with chemo FOREVER! Can't figure out how to get that last test done tho on his online course so his laptop and phone are laying here close to me just waiting for his return. Sam is a teenager, turned 14, has a cell phone and an attitude but I am curbing it with leverage/cell phone. He is about done with Jr Tackle football just a couple weeks. He will be in high school next year and will play for the school if he wants to continue I will not be sad if he doesn't want to play. Jim is looking for a second hygienist if my sweet nieces have any contacts that need 2 days a week up in God's country.

My nephew John got home from his mission last week, this weekend is the family gathering in Mapleton Utah. Missing out on yet another family gathering not to many in the Blackburn familygatherings sort of things. Happy to have another member of the family born this week "Gage Gatten" born to Dusty and Angie, well born to Angie shared by Dusty.......Why is it in the scriptures the men get the credit for having the kids? Never figured that one out. So thats the updates from a top the sage colored bedspread in this room with 4 walls..........that are getting smaller and smaller!

Love ya

Auntie Piggie!

Frost on the pumpkins!

2009-10-08T10:04:00.000-07:00

The pumpkins are orange, apples are red and school has been in session a month today. Boys and parent are in a routine. Seminary starts at 6:30 AM so a 5:30 wake up call is hard on Scott and his mom. Junior year seems to be the hardest on students and throw in chemo in the mix and try getting up at 5 30.....He had his last spinal tap EVER a few days ago and I made his last 3 chemo appointments. The count down is on!

Scott turned 17 and Sam 14 since I last wrote. They are growing up oh so fast. Time seems to be going by so much quicker than when I was in my 30's and 40's.

No new meat in the freezer but not because of lack of trying. I got a Hickory rocking chair for my hunting trip I always get something! Swine flu hit Scott, Jim and Gary while they were headed to the woods. Scott came home and ended up in the ER for a few hours. Jim and Gary spent many hours sleeping it off in the trailer away from civilization. No one else has gotten it in the family and it has been two plus weeks. It didn't seem any worse than the regular flu/cold and there wasn't any nausea. I got my regular flu shot. People are saying the swine flu shot isn't going to be safe, will still listen and figure that one out.

Not so sure anyone reads this blog anyway but just in case I will try updating a bit better than I have been doing it. Nice when life is slower and there isn't much bad news to report. Could you imagine if for just one day all the news on TV/Radio and newspaper and the net was all good news? What a day that would be. With so much good why do we focus on the bad?

I am finally learning New Family Search with the help of Josh. I have a page of names ready to take to the temple something I haven't done before in the family history department. It is very time consuming rewarding and fulfilling.

Happy Fall to All!

2009-09-14T19:34:00.000-07:00

School has begun! Second week. Sam's first game was Sat where they won by way too much. Jim and Scott were hunting and missed it. Sam got lots of hits lots of sun and by evening heat stroke. He was feeling much better Sunday.

No elk yet for the 2009 hunting season. Jim and Gary will go out next week for several days hunting. I will be a hunting widow yet again. 8 years ago I was almost a permanent widow glad things turned out in my favor!

Today Carl, our sheetrocker/painter/door installer/handy man started putting in the double doors for the hunting room and storage room. The last thing for the finishing of those rooms. So awesome to have so much room.

I went to my class reunion last weekend in Hurricane UT. It was a blast seeing my good old friends, the hardest thing was all those people looked so old! I brought back my mom to visit us for a few days/weeks/ who knows playing it by ear. She is already homesick and she lives alone, can't figure that one out. We are such exciting people here I don't get it!

We are still experiencing great weather but by the time I post again it will be cold and Fall so...........Happy Fall to all!

Fair is over YEAH!

2009-08-31T20:04:00.000-07:00

School starts in 8 days! Bittersweet for everyone, hope summer temps remain thru Sept. Sept is my favorite month, I love fall the indian summer, I love school starting and I love quiet days and I love the fall colors and wearing sweaters. We love watching Sam play jr tackle. Jim and Scott love putting on the camo makeup and going to the woods and playing with their bow and arrows

I am glad the County Fair is behind us the Elephant Ear saga is over whelming for me and the contention but it is just helping our family learn to get along and preparing us for that very long eternity......... All and all it has been a good summer. Even the new grass is filling itself in, by next summer it will look like the old stuff. The basement looks great Danny did a great job of getting his parents orgainised and finishing the new room. Sadie worked hard for the dental office and is missed especially this week with our receptionist taking time off to be with her sister with cancer. Danny and Sadie started their first day of Seniorhood at BYU today. Benji is still waiting for word to move to Montana and frustrated it is taking so long. Luke and Janna have made a couple trips to CA and glad to be home I think. Stone started 1st grade several days ago. Rusty turned 5 in Aug and will start school next year. Sawyer is gaining and smiling. Van is just a sweetie. Sarah said Carson walked 3 steps today, he turned one last week. Kyla continues to keep us all entertained, we don't need a television. Josh had to get a new Hickman a few days ago and said it is working much better. Chiu-yi loves taking care of him and they both have such wonderful humble attitudes thru this growing time. Yesterday in Stake Conference Bro Oyler said "our trials are worth more than gold" true but some times it takes time to appreciate the growth.

I am headed back home to my class reunion in a couple days and hopefully bring my mom back with me for a few weeks, she is getting real forgetful and I want to get her busy and spend some time with the great grandbabies. Should be a fun trip seeing all my friends that show up. Life is just to short! We need to take time to enjoy the people in our lives we have to many distractions!

August is here with 100 degree temps!

2009-08-02T20:23:00.000-07:00

Summer is just about gone, a month till school starts already. Fair starts in 25 days and will be time to roll roll roll that dough. We have been experiencing hot temps for the last month I have had to water plants 3x's a day to keep things alive. Benji headed back to CA last week after completing our southside patio and hours working in the yard the last two months. Just wish we had a wedding reception or something to make it all worth it...... He is headed back in a couple weeks and working in Montana, a dream he has had for a long time. More info later. Josh is about the same, just waiting for a kidney, working out of his home and doing dialysis 3 x's a week. I did the blood test but only 2 of 8 tests that showed I was compatible with him Luke will do his soon.

Sadie is working for the dental office and is a real help. Danny just about finished the new basement just waiting on flooring and a couple of doors. We wanted to turn it into a workout room but it turned out so nice it will be a family/game room for now and turn the family room into a workout-TV room. Fun to have so much room.

Scott just returned from his Scout high Adventure he biked the San Juan Islands for 5 days. Check his facebook pixs.

Sam's Eagle Project was Friday and Saturday of last week, he now has 3 merit badges to complete and the paperwork to write up and he then the dreaded interview and he will be done. Hopefully have it done while he is still 13, youngest in the family even if doesn't finish till 14. 6 out of 6 boys. Great accomplishment and a couple tired parents.

Jim's vege garden is having success we have been eating the zucchini and green beans. My flower gardens are beautiful and my vege plants in the middle of my flowers are having success also. Time to make zucc bread. They grow about 6 in a day!

Luke and family are headed back from CA. Janna fell and broke her elbow so she and the kids have been in CA for 3.5 weeks while Luke flew home. He flew back this weekend to drive them home. Sawyer is growing and finally in new born clothes out of premies.

Jim is busy working and putting food on the table. We took off last weekend to camp at his hunting area. We had a bull moose share the campsite with us a couple times. He was right outside our tent door for a very long time where we got many pictures. He also came down to the water while Sadie and I were in the pontoon boats and kayak, it was pretty fun to watch him. The huckleberries weren't quite ripe as we tried picking some. The mosquitos were in full force and loved eating up Sadie and myself. Several fingers and toes doubled in size on me by the next morning. Much easier tent camping then trailer camping you take less junk take only what you need.

PS Ok so I forgot Sarah, I knew there was someone missing from yesterdays post.....Yes Dan, Sarah, Kyla and Carson are great! Sarah and the kids are spending lots of time at Silverwood, Dan is trying to drive his mother-in-law to drink and Bamma is just about Kylas favorite and Carson is sweet and always hungry! Sorry Ross' hope to be forgiven soon!

Reunion behind us.....

2009-07-12T19:03:00.000-07:00

Summer is flying by. Lee reunion was last week, everyone was here but Josh and Chiu-yi in our family. Nearly 100 family showed up. Happy to have Leo with us another year. Enjoyed having my 6 grand kids around me. Next reunion maybe the number will be doubled maybe not ! I spent the 5 days cooking and cleaning and cleaning and cooking was pretty tired and next reunion there will be a job chart. Everyone seems to think they are on vacation. No one died on the river lot of flipping rafts, lots of stories to talk about for the next two years. Jim lost yet another pair of glasses to the river, water loves eating his glasses and hats. Sadie's cousin (no name cousin) tried killing her and Brett faking a finish line with ropes that didn't come down on the families Marathon. She still is struggling to heal her knee, many bruises and a rope burn on her face. Brett didn't complain but we know he was hurting. It was very hot and I was glad to be home. Sawyer gained some while she was here. 5lbs 5oz. Her father weighed her on Scotts fish scale. To bad we didn't get a picture. She is so so tiny and sweet. Stone is going into 1st grade. Rusty will be 5 in Aug. Van is now 2 and such a cutie pie. Kyla is the center of the universe and knows how to get Bamma to do anything for her. Carson is trying to walk and is such a cute little boy.

Josh is out of the hospital. Started working today and continues with dialysis. He is on the list for a transplant. We are starting the matching process in the US. Everything is so complicated and not quite sure what we are doing. Still asking lots of questions and visiting with doctors and going online to find out what needs to be done. Hard from the other side of the world. My stomach is in knots all the time. Looking for the blessings in the trial. Just understanding why is so hard. Tired of people giving me advice for Josh tho. People need to think before they speak. I am sure it has made Josh and Chiu-yi very tired.

Scott just had a spinal tap. Only 2 more to go and 5 months of chemo and he will be finished with this part of his life. He will be a JR in high school. His illness doesn't seem quite so bad anymore. 3 doctors all within a phone call. 45 min to the hospital if we need to get him there. People I have been able to ask a boat load of questions to understand it all. People keep giving us advice when they have no clue also so learning how to smile and be kind but knowing they have no clue. People care they just don't always know how to care.

Danny and Carl got the sheet rock up and taped and Danny painted last week. Carl used the extra wood and did trim on the main room downstairs. Figuring out flooring now and doors. Benji is making another brick patio on the South side ran out of bricks and waiting for more. We are getting a little more curbing for the back this week...The hydro-seeding grass is hit and miss. I have tried hard to keep it wet but looks like we will need to seed it again in many areas. Taking forever to get the yard back but it is coming. Many of our potted plants died while we were at the reunion. The yard looks like a constant yard sale not being able to put trailers back because of the new grass. Benji is trying to haul off junk from the shop but keeps getting stopped in his tracks and it isn't from me.....hummmmm He was suppose to fly back to CA last week but changed his flight till the last two things are finished up. He and his dad went camping to the St Joe over the weekend. I was still to wiped out from the reunion to do another camping trip did not seem like something my brain to even put together. I love being home. Love hot water and flush toilets

Getting a degree without going to medical school!

2009-06-18T22:22:00.000-07:00

Sadie is headed home from Orderville this weekend. I am so so happy. Gma won't be coming this time possibly later in the summer. She isn't real thrilled to be coming and now isn't a real good time anyway. Possibly later in the summer. They finally checked her thyroid and she is very very low but they won't start medicine yet until she sees a Interilist. I am so frustrated. I live with hypothyroid and it is a very easy cheap fix just takes time. (Gma not Sadie) Sadie is exhausted and time for a break. I am so happy she has been there to take care of Mom. Not all 22 yr olds could do what she has done. She has grown up and grown.

Josh and Chiu-yi moved to another hospital one that is the top hospital for Taiwan and very good, I feel much better knowing he has moved. I have been in contact with the churchs people over the Churchs insurance, just in case he comes home. Benji calls me "A Mover and Shaker" nice to have family that works for the church and has good friends. Please keep them in your prayers.

Scott is doing well especially because school is out. He cleaned up his bass boat and he and his dad and Sam took it out last night and got up at 5 to go out this morning. Sam's Eagle project packet is ready to be turned into the scout office by this afternoon just trying to get approval. Then the work starts. July 31 Aug 1st is his scheduled Project if any one out there is interested.

We are getting hydro-seed this afternoon for the big bare spots (hired help anyway) Benji has worked endless hours preparing and digging and hauling in dirt and sand to get it ready. He is putting in another brick patio on the southside of the add-on somewhere to put the back up propane tank Jim is putting in and Scotts Smoker and a picnic table. Exciting having things look nice again except for the white trash look of the 10 trailers and boats in the yard and left over building supplies. Someday maybe the shop can be used for what it is intended until then I want to plant trees to hide it all. Danny along with our sheet rocker Carl have worked hours on the sheet-rocking, that is done now, doing the taping and sanding. Benji and I have been working in the garage and now I can park one car, progress progress. Hey we need a wedding this summer to make it all worth it.......I told our sheetrocker Carl he could use the place if he'd marry his live in girlfriend! He might take me up on it!

Baby Sawyer is having jaundice issues but she is 8 days old and doing wonderful. 4lbs 11 oz is all but she is eating and sleeping and doing well. Janna's mom Elaine took over as Gma and will be with them for a few more days.

So that is this weeks updates. Didn't think anything would come close to the horse kicking you in the stomach feeling for a parent in having a child with cancer but we found out different. Here we all speak English, have a hospital in the top 5 for kids cancer, and just a few minutes from our front door not on the other side of the world, I can call and talk to a doctor or the nurse 24/7 and ask questions. As you can imagine I have been on the phone 8 hours a day or learning online learning learning learning asking hundreds of questions. Joshs name is in 11 temples at this point. We are praying for windows and doors to be opened for his care. After this I could be an Nerpholigist (if I could spell it) and a Oncologist without the degree or thing on the wall.

Happy Fathers Day or Someday to be Fathers!

Life is a rollercoaster

2009-06-13T22:10:00.000-07:00

Just got home this evening from CO. Janna and Luke are the parents of a daughter, Stone, Rusty and Van now have a sister. She came into the world only weighing 4lbs 15oz. Her name is bigger than she is Sawyer Jade Lee. She is beautiful and it is pretty exciting having another grand daughter in the family. This makes 4 boys 2 girls. Funny how so many of us have had 3 boys then a girl. I was the first girl after 3 brothers, we had 3 boys before Sarah, Jean and Steve, Craig and Janet, Brent and Jen and many others. Sawyer had some low glucose issues and had to go on a glucose drip for awhile but is great and she and Janna came home this afternoon from the hospital. She is just so so tiny.

Last weekend Josh checked himself into the hospital with horrible pains, he had been to the doctor for two months trying to figure out what was wrong and they found nothing. He now has found out his kidneys aren't functioning at all and he has gone on dialysis. Any more news I will post again. He needs your prayers. They won't be able to come home this year. They had tickets to fly home the 24th. Chiu-yi hasn't ever seen it summer here only winter. That will have to be another time.

I am happy to be home but miss Stone Rusty and Van and little Sawyer. I only got to hold her for a short time in the hospital. They are coming for the Lee reunion in July. I took boy and girl clothes in my luggage again but then my luggage got lost and ended up in Portland 24 hours later I got it and everything was in tact. In have been saving girl clothes and took the dresses I had aquired the last 7 years. It will be so fun to spoil another girl we so need to catch up on the girls in this family. But we love our little boys. It was fun to see Van as he has become such a little smart toe headed loving boy. He so loves his mom and doesn't let her out of his sight much but he did warm up to Gma after an hour or two, you can't tell him you are showering or the diaper and clothes gets ripped off and he climbs in.

Jim, Scott and Sam are gone fishing in Montana with Gattens and sons. Benji put the house back together before I got home from the airport. The long grass was waiting for me so I mowed the front we miss Scott and Sam my favorite lawn mowers. Benji kept the yard green and the flowers alive. Life is sure one big rollercoaster.

Schools out for the summer!

2009-06-08T22:01:00.000-07:00

School is out for the summer! Sam's last day was today, a talent show and a wasted day just to call it a day. Scott was finished last Fri. We have had wonderful hot summer days for much of May but today it turned spring with rain and 50 degrees we turned on the fireplace, they day before we had on the AC. Such confusing weather but we so needed the rain.

Wed we will become grandparents yet again. I am headed to CO tomorrow afternoon to be a full time Gma for a few days then Gma Hart will be there Sat. So excited for the new one, my luggage is packed with pink and blue things since we don't know what it will be other than a human. Scott has his chemo/doctor app/blood work tomorrow morning just before I fly out. He Sam and Jim are headed to "The Big Hole" in Montana with the Gattens on Thursday. Benji is staying home to keep the yard alive and he has be on crutches due to falling out of the raft Memorial weekend hurting his leg then hitting it again on the car door. (Ask him how that happened jklol)

Yesterday we hosted Gpa Lee's 85th birthday we had 47 in attendance. We bbqed hamburgers and everyone brought salads so great being able to use the new bricked patio. Aunt Jean made two huge birthday cakes. Our little fairy nieces and grandaughter and nephews made their way thru the gardens digging out plants and flowers and sand from the pots and dancing amongst the plants and had a wonderful time. We drug Aunt Mary Ann to the celebration, I think the loud voices made her a bit nuts but that is life here and hope she forgives us someday for making so much noise.

Josh let us know he is having health issues in Taiwan, he hasn't felt good for two months and has seen doctors but they said nothing was wrong, his kidneys were shutting down and he and Chiu-yi went into the ER 2 AM Sat. he now is on dialysis, the doctors are still trying to figure out the reason, so for now we just know it is "Acute Renal Failure" many have been fasting and praying for the doctors to find the reason why and for his full recovery we thank you all for keeping him and Chiu-yi in your prayers. Life is so full of blessings isn't it with all these trials.

Benjamin has been whipping the yard into shape, I have been his assistant. Danny is working hard sheet rocking the new basement with Carl our sheet rocker from the upstairs last year. We are hoping it can be done by the time everyone comes home this summer. If not life goes on.

Happy Summer to you all

The Spring Post!

2009-05-27T15:12:00.000-07:00

Well, has been a month since last post. Our life just isn't that exciting most of the time but we like it that way actually. The days are warm and beautiful. The flowers and allergies are out in full force. Track season is over with and the freezing temps. School is coming to a end just 4 more school days.

Danny was sent home from Mexico early because of the swine flu scare, he stayed down stairs pretty much his first week home and only came up to feed. Once he went back down I pulled out the Lysol wipes. He is washing windows and helping his mom get the house back in order from our wild year. Benji also returned home last week to get the outside of the house back in order and will be home till after the family reunion.

We went on the Memorial campout Fri thru Mon. Benji was our "Real Man" rafter and has a pretty bad injury to prove it. Danny and Scott did a run or maybe two but Benji went on all runs. Jim hit most of them also but was smart and didn't go on the wild runs. Kyla got to go on her first "little kid run" and loved loved loved it. When her parents told her it was time to leave after our camping was over with she cried pretty hard and didn't want to leave, she is hooked! Carson wasn't a camping fan and spent most of his nights screaming and part of his days. Sarah was glad to get back home to sleep.

I made two trips to Utah during the month of May. I surprised my brother and showed up to his last concert he is retiring from teaching after 30 yrs from Lakeridge Jr High in Orem. Four days later I flew into Vegas headed to St George for my great niece Teryn's marriage and hung around with my sister, her new hubby her new and old kids, my mom and Sadie. It was hard to leave, especially leaving Sadie behind, Gma will really miss her when she comes home hopefully Sadie can bring her up for a few weeks if all goes well. In between I got sick with allergies which turned into ear and sinus infections but didn't die too bad flying. Scott got a bad cold and it seems to keep hanging on. He has only had 3 or 4 colds his entire "Cancer rollercoaster" so that is good.

Scott and Jim both got their turkeys, Scott one Jim two. Glad that is over with. As long as we have electricity we could survive for a year on just meat alone and my food storage to suppliment.

Janna is due in 9 days with baby number 4 either a Jade or a ? Haven't asked name if it is a HIS. Excited for another baby in the family and I bet the boys are also. Luke seems to really like his new job and glad they can stay in Centennial. Josh and Chiu-yi will be here in 4 weeks to visit. Life is full of blessings.

Improving the Blog

2009-04-28T10:43:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I am finally improving our family blog! You have to go on facebook to view the photo now. I haven't learned how to put them back on this site yet....Sadie helped me add some music hope you like John Rich, Diamond Rio and Barbra Streisand (wierd combo but that is just me wierd). Sadie is so darn smart. She has moved in with her grandmother till the end of June and has begun working on her senior project, first by installing her printer and ordering her digital player and both are having its issues things are so exciting in Orderville! Well they are now that Sadie lives there.....

Josh and Chiu-yi had a wonderful exhausting and uplifting week as Josh was Elder Bednars translater for 5 days while he held meetings in Taiwan, Chiu-yi was able to be part of it and shared some of her feelings. We are excited Luke begain his new job this week and seems so happy and excited about the change. Janna and the baby are doing well and expecting he/she birth in 6 or so weeks. Benji is moving back to Pasadena from Stevenson Ranch and will be able to move forward on his movie distributing. Sarah and fam are great, we didn't see them for over a week and both babies grew, honest I could tell. We measured Scott and Dan R and Scott grew since they were here last YES taller than Dan now! Just imagine Stone Rusty and Van when we see them next. Danny's college in Mexico is shut down for a week due to the Swine flu he is suppose to come home in just a couple weeks we hope the boarders or airports aren't shut down and he is still able to head home the scare with the swine flu seems to be overboard but it did start in Mexico. Scott is planning on driving to school tomorrow for his first time now that dad got the Caddy working again and got oil added to the engine that some how leaked out without a leak. He smoked two wild Turkeys for Uncle Steves family last week and they turned out wonderful other than he ran out of propane in the middle of the process, then the smoker didn't heat up enough and he was up all night watching and getting it up to speed so it would turn out perfect for Uncle Steve which it did. He got first place in the CDA Bow Club he and his dad are part of. One of the youngest or probably is the youngest. He is Mr Deadeye. Sam is down to only 2 track meets left, his season is very short. His last meet was so cold I thot I'd freeze plum to death. Two blankets, and 3 layers of jackets wasn't enough. But I said last post I wouldn't complain......hummmmm he did the 4x2, hurdles and long jump. When he does the hurdles he looks just like Luke perfect form, just like a gazelle.

Dr Dad/Robin Hood is good, busy sacrificing for his family and dreaming of going turkey hunting on the weekends. He got the fruit trees prunned this weekend. The lawn needs mowing if it would quit hailing/snowing. This yard is a very sorry sight. I have worked for hours and you can hardly tell. Thanks to those precious deer I didn't have to thin out the ivy on the house just trim it down. All deer should really be in freezers, they are back feasting on the Lees buffet and doing just outside our bedroom windows......stupid 4 letter I mean 4 legged animals....

Bucky continues to be a dog, new name Buckless. He still won't let me out of his sight as he does his outside chores. He does love his walks each morning and sleeps a good couple hours afterwards but continues whinning the minute Jim walks thru the door. They both are such whinners, cute whinners but still whinners...

I am headed to St George/Toquerville to my great niece Teryns wedding the middle of May. When she has her first child. I will be a a very young great great aunt and mom will be a very young great great grandmother in her 70's. It will be great seeing all of my blood relatives and getting caught up on their lives. Hard to be so very far away.

I am planning my next trip to Ireland a year from July just told my sweetheart and hoping he is supportive and counts this as my hunting trip for 2010. For you interested in going to this Ireland reunion let me know, we need a number of those going soon .....so start saving up the bucks. This is a reunion of Gma Blackburns Blackburn family and seats are limited. We fly into Dublin, spend a night and day there then head to Belfast where we stay and do day trips. We went a few years ago and it was such a wonderful experience.

Yep,it is!

2009-04-20T12:24:00.000-07:00

Yep, I believe it is spring! Here is Booboo wearing her Easter dress day and night....Spring is so welcomed, we all are so sick of the snow and rain and wind and whinny people! Oh yes I am one I admit it no more whinning on this issue.

We have been home from Hawaii 2 weeks and it now seems as if we never went. It was a great time, finally downloaded my pictures today to remind me . Planning our next spring break the day after we got home.

I hope today we can remember those that lost their lives 10 years ago in Columbine High school. We need to remember their families and friends that are still dealing with that horrible day.

Not much new happening at the house. Bucky is doing good until Jim comes home. I am walking him 40 to 45 min each morning sometimes at night. (not Jim but Bucky) He is jealous of Jim and whines when he is around. Still peeing on the boys shoes/socks when they take him out, not sure how to work on that one any ideas? Sadie is headed to Orderville to work on her paper/project and living with her grandmother for a time. Danny will be headed home from Mexico if he doesn't get employment there for the summer. Josh and Chiu-yi will be here in June for a short time. Janna and Luke are due with baby number 4 the first of June. Luke quit his job and is now training for his new one but still living in CO. Scott takes the driving test today and hunting for Turkey Toms that don't fly away. Sam is doing track and had his first track meet last Thurs. Benji is in CA working on his projects, he found out they did show his Christmas movie 12 times on PBS last Christmas season. They weren't going to till this Christmas. He sells them on his blog. Sarah had a birthday and loved her gifts! Pink Nano and my cousin Bryon made her a violin, yes a violin to keep in the family for hundreds of years. It is just incrediable. Brought some tears to a few of us when she opened it up and began playing it. I have been looking for one at a garage sales that people didn't know was precious and worth alot, never found one but this is better than I ever could of found. Yes my girls are spoiled. But so are the brothers in different ways. Hope I updated all the kids, I have so many I sometimes forget someone. Oh Jim is good, turkey tom looking with Scott ALL FRI and SAT.... working hard and thinking of doing yard work one of these days. Paula, (me) is great, I judged a Jr Miss on Sat. so hard but a blast, great way to keep Alzhimers away! Enjoying reading again with my Kindle!

Time to get the yard into shape and it will take many weeks, fertilizer and blood sweat and tears today is a beginning.

Home again Home again

2009-04-06T21:56:00.000-07:00

We made it back to Spokane at 8:00 AM this morning, the only thing lost was sleep, that red eye is a killer but no luggage lost, no delays (hardly anyway) no airplane crashes no sicknesses, no ER visits this year and the sunburns were slight and gone by day two. The weather wasn't hot but nice, wet, sunny, and windy, changed about every 2 minutes. It did seem to rain chickens tho where ever we went, not cat or dogs. I yet again marked off another bucket list entry this one was "Doing a Zipline" not only one zipline but 7 that day. It did get easier but wow that first walk off was a killer, it took me several minutes of deep breathing to let it loose but this old lady DID IT! What have I got to loose but my life? Tomorrow with some help we should upload some phone video of the big day! Well 10 days actually. Now it is time to try and get caught up on those missed hours of sleep.

I am thankful for many things tonight. My husband and our children, our parents, siblings and grandchildren. For Dusty and Angies wonderful news. For Kyla that missed her Bamma and told me over and over again, for our home that didn't burn up tonight (ask Jim about this one he has issues with pyramainia) for the Savior and the Atonement, for his birth (happens to be His birthday today). For Sarah turning 27 tomorrow and how exciting that birth was. For Conference we were able to see and hear at the strangest hour and wearing the strangest clothes in the church but we heard it, for good friends and good neighbors. For the warm sun that shone its face on Dalton Gardens today after it has been gone for months it seemed. I told ya all I'd bring it back from Hawaii even tho I sent it back a day earlier than we returned. Just a few of the things I am thankful for tonight.

The Bucket List

2009-04-02T12:36:00.000-07:00

Wow, what is that white stuff in the photo? We haven't seen it for a week and forgot the name oh SNOW! I remember now....we are suffering in Kauai HI on spring break without that white stuff, I know someone has to be on vacation. I don't quite understand while the rest of you aren't here but I am glad you're not! Well I do miss Booboo and Carson and Stone Rusty and Van would make this trip a hoot but maybe someday they can join us and maybe even their parents....

I have been marking off some of my bucket list this trip. I actually went scuba diving with the boys. Well I think I made the instructor nervous so he didn't leave my sight. We saw lots of fish and turtles and I lived. One you get the breathing pattern down things are enjoyable. We kayaked 2 miles up the river yesterday with Landon Cox then walked/hiked and slipped 1 mile to a "Secret Falls" we swam in the cold pool and went under the falls. On the way back we kayaked to "The Fern Grotto" after the Hurricane 17 yrs ago it took all the ferns so now there are only a few left in the grotto but it was still beautiful....wished I'd gotten to see it 17 yrs ago...hummmmmmm Today or tomorrow is the "Zip line" if I can let go and take the first step. At least "Chicken Paula" is willing to try rather or not I let go. We saw a Monk Seal on Poipu beach, not many of them left. We see millions of chickens and roasters so sick of them, after the Hurricane 17 yrs ago they went wild and multiplied and replenished. Even at church one old prideful roaster went walking by the outside doors thinking he owned the place. I don't think you could go hungry on this island. We met up with our friends the "Bob and Darla Cox's" that live here. Bob hooked us up with Kayaks yesterday and lent his son Landon for the day. We have missed them allot after they moved. We met their little girl, she is beautiful and looks like her mom and dad with curly blonde hair. The boys are all grown up. They are grandparents now, Chris has a beautiful little girl.

Well off the PC, back into the condo for pineapple and juice, have been sitting out on the huge desk listening to the birds and smelling the smells and catching ya all up on the Lee happenings! Hope you appreciate the sacrifice.

Sunshine, Snow or Rain........hummmmm

2009-03-24T16:54:00.001-07:00

It is snowing again! good grief! March 24th and snowing with rain intermixed! We are headed to Hawaii for spring break YEAH... For us to make it to summer our family needs a vacation (to get us thru this tough time)!!!! We've been planning this one since last spring and it is finally happening so don't be to jealous.

Sam is working out daily for the upcoming track season, Scott has gotten out his bow and practing in the back yard, we smelled our first skunk of the season last night so spring is coming! Scott has made two long bows in his shop class and they really work! These aren't ribbon bows folks but bows that use arrows.

I will make sure you all will be seeing our pictures on our return from Hawaii! Maybe even post a few while we are there, just want to share with ya all.

We the People!!!!

2009-03-24T16:50:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeYscnFpEyA&feature=channel_page

Amazing Grace

2009-03-16T14:52:00.000-07:00

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid271552717/bctid1913313052

Happy St Patricks Day!!!

Christmas in March

2009-03-09T19:34:00.000-07:00

Yes folks it is beginning to look alot like Christmas but then it has been this beautiful picture of white since Dec 17th. It is the longest winter I ever ever remember. The gloomy days will never go away. We did have a spring day last week and one the week before. The people were happy, some were in shorts at Costco (48degrees) I ran and bought my primroses and a couple more plants, well then it snowed the next day. I have my 12 primroses in our little red wagon in the garage, I pulled it out a few hours of above freezing days and they are just beautiful and so want to be planted. I go out and look at them to remind me "Spring is coming, someday".

Scotts steroid week began last Friday. He sleeps alot, doesn't smile and we stay away, well all but Sam this is his week to get even. Someday I so hope those two learn to get along before they leave home.

Green Acres is the Place to Be!!!!

2009-02-24T15:48:00.001-08:00

Jim and I have been gone again, Salt Lake this time for the Utah Dental Meetings. We left the boys home alone for the first time. They survived and had many others to take care of them at a moments notice. I was a wreck the first day but finally calmed down. They didn't seem to fight to bad and didn't miss us that I noticed. Sadie drove up to spend Fri night from BYU with her old folks, my brother Don and sister in law D'anne met us for dinner to celebrate Sadies 22 bday. Wow, she is 22 Josh 32. I am a mother of a 32 yr old I am but a 39 year old myself.

Dan and Sarah moved into their new home in Green Acres. (Yes that is the name) ....... They went on Craigs list and got the same front loaders as me for cheap cheap and they RUN RUN. Sarah has become a coupon queen learning from her sister in law not her mother. Something I haven't done since dental school. She is teaching her mother!

Josh and Chiu-yi are planning on coming to the states this summer. Everyone is so happy they get to come Chiu-yi hasn't been here only during the winter COLD months. I was thrilled to say no this year to girls camp leader because that is the week they are here! Well thrilled isn't a good word but close! They don't get to stay long. We will have a new baby by then in the family Janna is due June 5th. We are hoping Danny is tired of Mexico and drags himself back to the states for the Lee reunion to be with ALL his siblings. No pressure there, yes bring Melissa with you if you haven't broken her heart by then.

Scott and his meds are good, Sam is great basketball season has come to a close and he has been busy lifting weights at the high school to get ready for football next summer and to beef up a bit. My sons we all born with a perfect tall skinny frame! Hang on to that boys it disappears once you hit 35.

Our great niece Teryn is getting married this spring. When she has kids I will be a great great Aunt in my 50's. My mom will be a Great great grandmother in her 70's.....well that is if she has kids in the next few years. She has been the mother & sister of 4 the last 2.5 yrs and probably tired!

The office seems to keep plugging along with the country "Out of sorts", people needing their teeth cleaned, fixed or mouth inprovements of some sort. We are blessed to have a dad/husband take such good care of us and good patients. We love our office staff and thankful they like us (we hope).
So on that note ......remember to brush, and floss, but only the ones you want to keep!

Aloha!

2009-02-02T14:57:00.001-08:00

Jim and I have been to Hawaii and home again. I added some new pictures in the albums of winter and Hawaii. We had a great time, shopped, snorkled, swam, shopped some more, went to the Polynesian Cultural Center, ate and slept in every morning. Being gone a week is just right after that we getting missing the boys and know it is time to come home. The flight back was a red eye and took a few days to get caught up. Sarah and Dan did a great job of taking care of their siblings and Bucky and the house. We so appreciate them doing that. They will be moving into their own home in just a few days. We are so thrilled it is really going to happen. They have not had real good experiences with certain realtors. Jim and I have had much better luck in not going thru realtors but doing it ourselves when we bought and sold. Hope the sale goes smoothly kids! Carson is now 5 months and growing so so fast. Kyla learns new words by the hour. They will be so happy to be in their own house and a yard...

2009 Will Bring Peace and Joy!!!!!

2009-01-15T13:18:00.000-08:00

Things have calmed down and 2009 can really start. The kids are back to their other lives, tree down, decorations and lights are all put away, snow has melted (allot but not all the way) we can get out of back doors almost! Temps are in the 30's now, that 3 and 5 degrees was horrible.

Jim surprised me and bought tickets to Hawaii three weeks ago, just the two of us, we leave tomorrow. Celebrating 33 yrs together. I finally got a place for us to settle for a few days, Sarah and Dan are watching the house boys and animals. Bills are paid and in the mail, paper work is about done, W2's in the mail, I am packed, my lists are made for Sarah, and I really need a nap.

Scott had a spinal tap last week, just finished steroids and he should be perking up. Got a headache but it seems to be gone. Eleven months left of this and no more!

Dan and Sarah FINALLY got a house of their own this has been quite a learning journey for them they have learned patience and whom they can trust. We are so thrilled for them!

Luke and Janna gave us a picture of their ultrasound for Christmas, announcing the birth of another grandbaby in June. This will make 4 for them 6 grandbabies for us. WE love everyone of those precious babies. Maybe it will be that sister Stone so wants this time. Our niece Brynne had a sweet beautiful baby boy yesterday, we so love watching our family grow. So far I think Janna is the only one expecting in 2009 on both sides unless someone hasn't announced yet. Add on: Sadie reminded me of Brent and Jen Davis expecting their first girl after 3 boys in 2009! So it is the year of the girl 2009! Well maybe!

That is just about all the updates from Paula's desk. I hope the new year finds you happy and happier!!!! We all need to cut back the spending, cut back the calories, cut back the wasteful stuff of life, but don't cut back on the peace and joy that is out there for us to find. I had this impression a few weeks ago. " To find peace we must be peaceful, to find joy we must be joyful."

P

The Holiday comes to a close......

2009-01-02T11:57:00.000-08:00

Christmas has come and gone, it is all over to quickly. Sadie flew out this morning returning to BYU, Benji flies out to CA on Monday and Danny flies out on Tuesday for Mexico. Jim returns to work on Monday and Scott and Sam to school. Life will get back to normal, what ever normal is for his family. We had a great holiday, didn't spend time outside the house except for Jim and the boys, shoveling, shoveling, shoveling snow, it has snowed continuely since the middle of December. They are getting pretty sick of it. They shoveled our roof yesterday, and Gpas shop roof. The day before that they spent the day shoveling Gpas old house roof. Many business roofs have caved in yet again this year, so gpa and Jim are the resident worriers even tho our roof is suppose to withstand 4 to 5 ft. But you never know. We can only get out the front door since the roof snow is up to the windows and doors all around the house. It sure is beautiful but winter is going to be very long and cold. Sort of like living in Alaska without moving.

Happy 2009 everyone!!!!!!!

It's Beginning to Look alot like Christmas!!!!!

2008-12-23T20:47:00.000-08:00

Wow, tomorrow is Christmas eve! Sort of sad when it is so close because all the sudden it is over with. What I love mostly about Christmas is the before it comes, it is such a magical time.

We will have 5 kids here for a couple weeks, 6 of the 8 kids here for the day and Gpa and Helen Kyla Carson and Dan for our dinner, small this year but that is ok small and sort of quiet is good. Sadie left on Thursday from Salt Lake and got as far as Seattle before she found out Spokane airport was closed. She was blessed enough to get a ride with Angie Gatten her cousin the next day to Coeur d Alene or she'd not possibly get out for two or three days. Danny made it home this afternoon from Provo driving, glad to have them both here safe and sound. Icy roads make a mother a wreck. Luke and his family drove to Salt Lake for Christmas and Josh and Chiu-yi are staying in Taiwan we will miss ya all and wished you could be home. Josh and Chiu-yi want to come when it is warm, she has never seen it any time but winter.

We have had the most snowy in one dumping storm so far in the history of Coeur d Alene ID. We in Dalton got 30 in in less than 24 hours and it has continued off and on for days. There is an ice build-up under the snow. Traffic is moving very slow all over town, I have been stuck in grid-lock twice just in the Target parking lot 45 min on Fri and 20 min today. So unreal for our little area, it is growing and growing way to fast.

Well Merry Christmas ya all and I hope you get all that peace and joy all year long you so need and want.

The Lee's.....

Peace,Joy and lots of Fun!

2008-12-07T18:29:00.000-08:00

Wow, Christmas is just 18 days away, how does the time go so quickly? We had a great Thanksgiving "BIG FEED" 30 total here. Scott smoked a turkey and 2 chickens for the dinner and did a great job. Benji is letting him do much on his own so he can do it by himself when Benji isn't around. Scott says Benji will always be around! I made a huge turkey and blended garlic and butter into a sause and Scottie injected into the turkey till it was plump it was wonderful. Learning allot from that kid! There was plenty of food and plenty of leftovers which we will be needing to throw away since we couldn't eat it one more meal. By the end of two days cooking, setting and cleaning up, I could hardly walk by Thanksgivings end and glad to see it come to an end.

Jim cut down a Charlie Brown tree last Friday while hunting and brought it home, I told him he could bring one home if it was perfect well not even close. After a few tears I went to Costco and bought 9 boxes of LED larger lights and Benji wrapped them around each branch giving the effect it was branchful! Once it was all decorated it fell over, yes one gallon of h20 all over our new cherry floor and many decorations the branches could hardly hold up a fly. We ran to pick it up and mopped mopped mopped, cry cry cry and laughed laughed laughed. Jim proceeded to tie it up with dirty rope (hunting rope) from the new window frames. After a quiet suggestion and "that look" he went to the store and bought heavy fish line and replaced the rope the next day. From a distance the faults disappear especially when all you see is 900 LED lights. I love perfect trees but figured it is only a tree. The stockings are hung by the chimmey with care, cedar boughs on top of the doorways looking like a "Little Women" Christmas. I so love this time of year.

We FINALLY got a new furnance in the old part of the house on Friday. It is so wonderful to have the house warm. We found out the new furnace on the new part was never fired by our furnace guy, the heat pump would work during certain temps and then we kept the fireplace on and couldn't figure out why it wasn't working right. I had called the guy so many times I was embarrased but was sick of it by Friday morning. He didn't admit it was his fault as most construction workers don't do and just blamed everyone else. The electrians were here also on Friday and put in a few more outlets for me and got the basement ready for inspections. In the mean time they have done something and the gas fireplace WON'T turn off I flipped the breaker and NADA! So we have a call into Justin. 75 degrees in this house, hot hot now and NICE but can you imagine what our Avista bill will be this month good thing the Christmas lights are LED and cheap to run. These workers will be so glad to be rid of the Lee's, hopefully it will come to an end soon in our 8th month.

Christmas cards are sent, packages just about ready to send, a few things left to purchase and ready to start wrapping. I hosted the Relief Society Christmas dinner here on Thursday we had 50 ladies and a few men and we seemed to have plenty of room. The office party is suppose to be here this week and Jim and another High Priest are trying to pressure the High Priest group leader to have a Christmas get together this month and if so it will be here. People will be sick of our gather place by seasons end. Choir is going great here each Sunday especially when treats are served Jim and Sam have even joined us for the holiday singing, we can't get Scott to leave his hiding place until treats are served.

Clinic is this week for Scott in 3 days it will be one year exactly till he gets his port out and no more chemo we hope EVER.

Bucky continues to grow, brain continues to shrink. He continues to chew his rope while attached to him. He likes the hot sauce I put on it. He won't go to the bathroom without me next to him he pee's on the boys shoes and whines whines whines. I know serves me right. I think I am mostly a cat person. I am excited to go see the movie "Marley" Bucky doesn't seem quite so bad with the previews and maybe learn to love him.

Well Merriest Christmas to you all, hope you all find the peace and joy you need in your life and celebrate Christmas all year long!

Happy Thanksgiving

2008-11-13T11:48:00.000-08:00

Life is full of so much good, lots of trials, good and so called bad luck but mostly lots of blessings, we seem to experience all of those things daily. Our attitude designs how we live with those good and growing challenges. Thanksgiving is in 12 days, each year it comes sooner and quicker with still the same amount of days I just never will be able to figure out how that works. We are having a few family members over for the "Big Feed" wish more could come but everyone is busy with their own friends and family groups. It will be awesome to be able to fit more than 8 around our table this year. Or have two tables or three tables or four tables IT IS SO COOL!

We are having dishwasher issues now, Sears is replacing our "1.5 yr old double drawer 7 visits from the Men in Blue (that are only replacers not repairers) dishwasher"..........and it is now flooding, and I am whinning LOUDLY we are getting a Bosch ! and Sears is eating it. This one is so quiet you only know it is on because there is a light glowing from the bottom. Our new wood floor is not happy with being flooded upon! It won't be delivered till the first of Dec. so Thankgiving will be paper plates and lots of dishwashers with hands and 10 fingers. So happy we have 4 sinks now! Aren't you children? No furnace yet and boy is it getting cold on the "White trash part of the house"......that little plug in heater is working her buns off.

Scott is having his "steroidish week" but able to hunt twice today some how, funny how that works. Sam is deep into basketball games, lost one, won one. Some of his practices are in Post Falls and that isn't thrilling for this 52 yr old mom! Way too many years of sporting practices and setting on those hard bleachers and raining freezing soccer and football fields. Josh was in kindergarten I believe his first team so about 27 yrs of practices non stop, no wonder I am so tired. By the time this ends they will be having to push Jim and I in our hospital beds or at least our wheelchairs out there on the fields or gym floor to watch Sam play.

Kyla and Carson came to see "Bamma" yesterday. Kyla will be two in a few days and is being potty trained, she earns "Nummies" 2 for peeing, 5 for pooping... Carson is enjoying "Bamma's" new baby swing so Sarah can get some rest and hang out on the pc while they are here. Kyla had diarhea yesterday so diapers went back on.

The leaves are finally picked up in the front yard. '14 huge Black Costco fill-um to the top bags' and that is after Jim mulched them and cut the grass at the same time and Sam smashed all the air out of them 14 bags worth. And that was just two trees !

The Lee's remodel is at a stand still BECAUSE IT IS DONE!!!!!! Well, we still need the basement done but that will be next year or the next or after we rob that bank. Tile in my old and new laundry room ended up costing two to three times the cost of our wood flooring and double the granite cost! Always get an estimate. Wow have I learned alot! But it looks so so good! Just a radon fan to go in when Brett remembers to come by and put it in! And a piece of wood on top of the window stained in the "Parlor" Jim is busy working on putting up my pictures "THE RIGHT WAY" and it has taken WAY to much time but I am being patient. He learned it from his dad, those pictures will never FALL down!

Well that is about it from here, not to much happening which is always good. Bucky the dog has more than doubled in size and his brain has actually gotten smaller!

Happy Holiday! Count your blessings!

Fall has fallen

2008-10-26T17:37:00.000-07:00

Fall has fallen upon us. The leaves are just about 3/4th of the way to the ground waiting to be picked up or hoping for a big wind storm. We have many trees that drop their leaves. A few things are winterized, the steps are poured, a small a patio, and Benji Sam and I put down the brick/cobblestone patio so it can snow shortly. Benji leaves the middle of the week and he has a few more things to get done first. View the picture blog for an update. Things left on the house are small , radon fan, stain a few window trims, door in the basement that divides the new from the old. We won't finish the basement until we get caught up on bills and get some money saved so that will be sometime next year we hope. Jim is trying to find the right furnance for the old part of the (cold) house and a water heater that will not last many more showers but hoping it will, living on faith on that one and using a wall heater to keep the bedrooms above freezing temps. Dan my son in law, put up our Christmas lights last week, yes folks we are ready! Trying to hold off turning them on and that is tough. He put on the large old fashion size but LED's that use very little power. Exicited to flip the switch. Went to my first craft fair of the season yesterday.

Scott had a tough chemo/steroid week they increased his dose on them again. He is back to himself by the weekend. Hates me writing about him on the blog. He and Jim went out a few times deer watching/hunting but no meat in the bag yet. We have more in our yard that come to eat the garden than they see in the woods.

Bucky the dog has doubled in size and tripled in his strength to pull his owners on the leash and wrap it around our legs. He is 4 months now sort of like a 14 yr old teenager that the brains are closer to the back of his throat than in the area it belongs. Not that any of my 14 year olds had that problem but I see it in others..........Especially when I take Scott to high school each morning and see how many color of hair walking thru the parking lots and how they cover themselves or not cover themselves. Trying to be themselves but looking like everyone else.

Well football is over for Sam (made two touchdowns yesterdays game) and basketball starts on Tuesday. Hunting season remains on us for another couple months off for a couple then on again for who knows how long. Jim was made Gospel Essential teacher today I will be teaching our primary class alone and he will come back for the singing sharing time. Our primary Sacrament Meeting program was today, last week we weren't sure it would really turn out this week it turned out perfect the children were awesome............

Working on the little things...

2008-10-07T17:40:00.000-07:00

Progress progress today on the house. It is just little things needing to be done. I got a utility sink put in with a faucet in the laundry room! Bryan Tile finished up yesterday and it is just beautiful. I'd love tile in the boys bathroom maybe that will be my next project. Tomorrow the sheet rocker will repair the rest of the holes and I can get my sewing machines brought up to enjoy their new room. Painters are coming back to do their touch up in a few days. Brett got a trench dug around the house to put in the irragation pipes and the steps will go in this week. We've used the gas fireplace often with these cold fall evenings,it is so nice and beautiful. Our old furnace died and needs new parts, we were still hoping to use it on the old part of the house. It is very cold waking up in the morning without a working furnace hoping we can just fix it for now before it gets any colder. Sam ended up with a horrible cold and I now have my voice back.

I took Jim's mooses head and cape to the taxidermy yesterday. When he took in his animal to the cutter it weighed in at 600 lbs on the hoof . That should get us months and months of meals. I told Scott they don't need to go hunt anymore for a couple years......that didn't go over well. But it is true.

The Year of the Mooses.....

2008-10-05T21:27:00.000-07:00

Check out our new photo album of the "Mooses" Jim got his yesterday came home to bring the meat wash some clothes and head back up. Gary left with the horses today and Gpa Lee is up holding down the fort so he can't be home long. Sam turns into a teenager tomorrow but will have to do it without his dad. Hunting season is lasting WAY to long for me.

Antlers arrive!

2008-09-29T15:58:00.000-07:00

Scott and Jim made it home after 12 days in Alaska. Scott got a moose, didn't get to bring any of its meat home but did get the antlers. They just arrived from Fed X this afternoon in fact. They were able to fish for halibut the tail end of the trip both got sick on the boat but enjoyed the day. Something Scott will always remember. Jim is hunting for elk now with his brother Gary then tomorrow he goes Moose hunting with his dad and brother for 12 days. This is a hard time of year for we hunting widows. Seems like nothing gets done to prepare for winter until snow is upon us. Things always seem to work out though.

The house hasn't made progress for a few days, today was suppose to be putting in the utility sink and vanity and starting the trim work on the windows in the laundry room but no one showed up. Nice to have the dirt pile gone and laundry facilities running smoothing so that makes me happy. The trash is hauled off and excited to get working on getting my yard back. Hopefully Benji will get back home before it snows to get the pavers in. Sad to have summer weather almost gone but winter brings lots of time to get the house organized.

Sam is doing great with football and got some great plays during his game on Sat. Scott had IV chemo last week and on the steriods but hanging in there and not complaining and keeping up and catching up from his two weeks gone. Kyla spent the weekend with Gma, we had fun. Carson is getting so big, he isn't sleeping through the night so Sarah is pretty tired and hoping it happens soon.

So that is the family update from here!

Moosing time

2008-09-08T09:32:00.000-07:00

Scott and Jim left this morning for "Scott's hunt" to Alaska. Hunt of a Life Time" along with "Wishing Star" have done a wonderful job to make it happen. They both are wonderful non profits to donate to if you ever have extra cash to give away to a good cause. It has been a very long weekend with all their stuff from one end of the house to the other and garage. It will be a nice 2 weeks getting the house back in order from the last 5 months. Carpet didn't go in yet, our carpet layer got word as he was knocking on our door on Thursday his mom had just died so sad. Maybe our house isn't suppose to ever be finished. My contrator is back in Alaska for 2 more weeks also hunting moose and will return the same day as Jim and Scott. Hunting season seems to last forever. My new addition will have to be my hunting shopping trip this year since the money is gone.......no complaints.

Scott turned 16 yesterday and was made a priest. We had a family dinner after church with just 10 people, small for us. He is driving with his permit and should be able to get it in Dec. he still has 3 merit badges to finish up to get his eagle even tho his Eagle Project is done. I still let him practice driving tho even tho his dad doesn't. It is somewhat like giving birth each time he gets into the car to drive, I hate this part of life but we need to get it finished up. Only one left to drive and one eagle project left.......

We got a puppy, his name we think is "Bucky" Scott was upset I didn't get a beagle as this one is a Cocker Spaniel so he named him once they made friends. Kyla isn't quite so sad about not having Annie to keep her company and getting use to a new dog in the house. Soon he will be able to pull her around and take her on walks.

Carson is beautiful, he is still so tiny and new. Kyla loves him to pieces and keeps his face wet with kisses. The kids are back to the swing of college and emailing or calling me with things they forgot that have to be shipped. Mom is glad to be back in Orderville and Benji to CA. I am just glad to have a quiet house again. But I already got Danny and Sadie tickets home for Thanksgiving and Christmas break!!! Something for everyone to look forward to. Maybe we can get gma to come back for the holidays, she has never spent them with us in 32 years. Gma Helen got back from her trip back east, Gpa is so happy to have her home, he bought a nice used Cadillac while she was gone and selling his old one.

Ross family blog

2008-08-31T16:06:00.000-07:00

www.thecrazyrossclan.blogspot.com is Sarah and Dan's family site go on and view pictures of baby Carson I also added some to our Family Reunion album 2.......

Hunting times begin.......

2008-08-31T13:06:00.000-07:00

Things sure change quickly in a family, Sadie, Benji and my mom left on Wed. Danny on Thursday. Jim and Scott went to the St Joe on Friday for opening day of bow/elk season and will return just in time for school on Tuesday. I took Annie our dog to the Vet on Wed afternoon and she was put to sleep. Her cancer was speading so quickly it wasn't fair to have her suffer. It was a very sad day for our family. Annie was a great friend to Scott especially during his last two years of treatment. A bittersweet week with a new baby, family and Annie gone.

Things are pretty quiet with Sam and I and actually it is really nice. We are trying to decide if we want another dog soon or in the future, put a puppy in front of me and I melt so it won't take long. But they are such a pain when it is time to go somewhere but they are so cute and loveable....and chew up everything when they are tiny and poop and pee.....and so cute and loveable..........and it is hunting/shopping season so we will see.

Sarah and family spent Friday night with us, little Carson is so tiny and precious and Kyla is so big and precious she is loving her brother and helping mom take care of him. I need to get some pictures on this site today.

School starts on Tuesday the boys aren't to thrilled to begin. Scott and Jim leave next Monday for Alaska and the big moose hunt. Hunt of a Life time has the airline tickets donated, a gun made for Scott and the hunt itself two nights in a motel and his horns mounted. They don't get to bring home any of meat the indian tribe there where they hunt keeps the meat. Wishing Star is paying for all there hunting clothes and other things needed to go. Jim will miss two weeks of work and Scott two weeks of school but after he missed 1 entire year he will be fine with missing two weeks.

House update isn't much. Framers made a furnace closet and the painters came and finished the two remolded rooms I went with the same color as the rest of the house, I can't handle any more decisions at present. I picked out the laundry room tile Mike Bryan is doing it for us, but nothing more can be done until they put up my laundry room cabinets and Parlor cabinets and trim, then the carpet will go in and tile and washer and dryer and utility sink. Then mostly just odds and ends. Seems like the odds and ends so far tho have taken longer than the whole remodel in itself but Brett warned me of it. I have weeks of putting things away and going thru boxes of junk and things we don't need wow it is out of control all this stuff Jim and I and the kids think we have needed.

Carson Daniel Ross

2008-08-26T07:49:00.000-07:00

Sarah Lee Ross delivers

A baby boy: Carson Daniel Ross
Date: Aug 25, 2008
Weighing in at: 6 lbs 7 oz
Length: 18 1/4 in long
Time: 10:30 PMish
Where: Valley Hospital Spokane WA

Gma Paula and Sadie were able to be there for Carson's birth last night. Sadie taking pictures and Gma helping the nurse and Sarah. Proud Papa Dan suited up and delivered his son with Dr Anderson walking him thru every step, she went from a 4 to 10 in just a few restful minutes we were all in shock when the nurse quietly said "she needs to push". Dan on his computer, Sadie on hers, Gma Ross on hers I was reading and Gpa Ross walking around waiting and excited for the birth of maybe his 20th grandchild. It was a perfect perfect quiet birth no screaming no yelling I told Sadie afterwards that is not how all births go. Sarah's meds kicked right in and she only felt pressure no pain not one scream or whinning. The monitor showed hardly any contractions, it seemed as if they were going away but she was so relaxed and didn't fight them and it was wonderful for her. I called on my cell phone to home so everyone could hear but those listening didn't tell the others until after the birth so there are a few upset family members but they also could of came upstairs or left the computer. Electronics get in the way of real living........

Rain gutters go up!!!!!

2008-08-22T22:35:00.000-07:00

We now have rain gutters, they went up on Tuesday and the rains began on Wed and Thur not stopping for more than a few minutes, perfect timing. Both the new laundry room and Parlor are just about ready for paint and carpet. Tuesday I took Annie our dog in to be checked after she just had lost some weight and wasn't herself, we found out on Wed she had a bleeding tumor in her stomach. She was on IV fluids for two days then I brought her home to die. She doesn't have much energy other than go outside for her business then she sleeps. I got her to eat soft puppy food and she loves that but doesn't drink much. Sure is hard to see her going down hill, hard on Scottie and myself. Kyla will miss having Annie pull her in her little car and taking her on walks. She runs into Gma's house yelling "walk Annie walk Annie". Tomorrow is Scottie's 2nd anniversary of his diagonses, it was during the fair as was Annie's. Mom is still with us, she will leave next week with Sadie when she goes back to BYU. Sarah will get induced on Wednesday with baby Carson if she doesn't go on her own before. She is not very big only looks about 4 months along. It will be fun to have a new baby again. Kyla will be a great big sister and seems to know what is happening. She is so fun.

Carpet in!!!

2008-08-15T16:29:00.001-07:00

House wise things have started to progress again. Mom and I finished packing up the old kitchen and then was demolished on Tues., little things were fixed and this morning the carpet went in the siders showed up this week and have much of the outside done they have a hard time matching the old stuff, our outside lights went in and it is really looking like a home again. Wish the new air-conditioner was in because it is 98 degrees today, The dirt pile is still a mountain so the yard is suffering and can't be finished yet.

Sadie and Sarah had a garage sale the last two days and made a few bucks they used Gpa and Helen's cornor yard. Sarah is ready to have Carson in the next couple weeks Sadie is hoping it is before she leaves for school. Luke and the boys left yesterday for home, it was fun to have them here. This next week is the infamous fair and those good ole elephant ears and the fun and stress it brings to the family, it is like one long family reunion but we go home to sleep and shower.

The Lee's Summer so far activities

2008-08-05T17:28:00.000-07:00

The Blackburn reunion is over with as of yesterday morning it was a great reunion alot of work for Jim and I but worth it. We had a total of 41 people to feed, and sleeping arrangments for 5 plus days. Everyone said they had a great time, I sure hope so. We did some really great healing after loosing our precious Tera at the last reunion. I was so proud of her husband Gary bringing 4 of the kids and getting plane tickets for the rest of them to come. Thanks to Tina for all she did to help convince them we needed to be together and getting rental vans for them all. Some of the family even rafted the Clark Fork River doing a day trip. Thanks to Uncle Steve and Aunt Jean for the extra raft and life jackets oh and 7 sleeping bags and a tent. Some family even went down the St Joe River in a Pontoon boat. The little ones played in the dirt, in the river, some gather rocks from the river (me included) no one could take them in their suitcases so guess who got them all YES ME! Some burned the blacktop on the road going back and forth to Avery's little General Store and taking showers in Tina and Scott's motel room. We took a short but long trip to Jim and Scott's hunting area looking for huckleberries. One van got lost but was found again. We showed the family Dismal lake and the boys floated on a Tom Sawyer raft while Scott caught several fish. The huckleberries there are still pretty green. Penny and her kids left Sat night to make their flight early Sunday morning the rest of us left the mountain Sunday afternoon. Don and D'anne drove home Sunday morning, Terry's family flew out Monday evening. Luke and his family and my mom are still visiting us.

Painters finished up their painting just before we left on the reunion. William sanded and varnished the floor one last time the Sat. before returning and that folks is about all that got done in days. Louie finished up the fireplace and kitchen last Monday it looks great. Makes me sad that things aren't happening now especially since my goal was to have it done for my family reunion. Carpet needs to go in, finish up the cabinets, put in my fridge all the siding needs to still be in the siding purchased didn't work so new had to be ordered gut out the old kitchen and put in the new laundry room and living room. Maybe by fall it will be finished but 3.5 months and this much done is wonderful according to other friends that have remodeled. One of our employees is also redoing her kitchen and started the same time as we did, the cabinet people measured their kitchen wrong and everything is messed up from the granite to floor to you name it they are not HAPPY! So I am happy we are this far!

Scott myself and BLM have been working hard on his Eagle project it began yesterday morning 7 15 AM. We had 15 people helping the first day and 8 today. Thanks to Scott's 3 brothers, brother in law, scout leader, several scouts 2 BLM workers and the camp host it was DONE and is DONE... well except for the paper work he needs to do. His 100 hours was accomplished and more. He did retaining walls for "Mica Bay Boater Park" they had to take down the old walls and put in new ones.

We still haven't unloaded the two trailers from the reunion and hope to get some energy to do it tonight and return the many things I borrowed from wonderful family neighbors and friends. So that is the Lee's summer so far updates.

Clinic next week and reunion

2008-07-26T09:13:00.000-07:00

Workers finally showed up on Thursday and Friday. The kitchen bricks are done, the fireplace is about half done. The kitchen brick are real, not fake as people have said they were they are just thin. The trim and molding are just about all in. My office is totally done but the last coat of floor varnish, William was suppose to do that today but can't because lack of workers doing their jobs for the last two weeks, oh and the screens are on the windows. It won't be done before my family gets here and that makes me sad and mad since that was my reason for getting going on it. We still have Mon and Tues so maybe much can happen by then. Brett has done all he can do to keep babysitting and nagging the men to show up. The siders showed up one day only in two weeks and barely have part of one side up, word of mouth keeps business going and food on the table. I am very patient and only have good things to say about committed workers.

Scott goes to clinic on Mon and Tues. it will be a tough week for him at the reunion. His eagle project paper work was lost for 11 days, it was found on the ground by the garbage can at the scout office and that was only after calling and calling and calling and calling them to look for it and being accused of not turning it in, not doing it right. They refused to let me come down and look for it. Now once it is found he has to redo parts of it, helping on 4 others this was a perfectly written project. They are making us come back from our family reunion to go back over the paper work his project was suppose to start the day after the reunion. I am not happy and look forward to having the church pull out of scouting someday soon well I can dream can't I? The program won't make it without the church. It isn't fair when the local system isn't working properly the kids suffer and parents grow old to quickly. I do hear it works in other cities just not ours.

No house updates

2008-07-23T09:00:00.000-07:00

No real updates for two weeks, Brett went to Alaska and while the cat is away the mice didn't do much. Electrians and painters did all they could. He is back again and living on his phone and getting things lined up to put the pedal to the medal. He was probably more frustrated when he returned than I was. I am still working on getting rid of our huge dirt pile, several have come but most only take a pickup load. I so would love to see the mountain thru the windows not the dirt pile. Struggling over the carpet color, everyone but Benji like it. The price is right, won't show dirt, really thick and soft, it is a remenant but enough for both rooms that we need carpet in. But Benji has a good eye. The color is called "Elk Herd" Scott and Jim think that makes it perfect.

I went to Salt Lake for a few days to a family reunion and brought back my Mom. My kids, my siblings and family are coming up next week for another family reunion. I hope the house is finished I am getting tired. 3 months now for most it is going quickly I am just tired. But it looks like it will still be getting worked on when all my family is here.

Yesterday my dear friend Georgina from Kent WA came for a visit for several hours, we had our plastic outside chairs setting around the new room. The kitchen is so full of stuff we really don't have any gathering place. It turned off cool yesterday and we finally had rain it rained off and on thru the night. Rain makes us all happy, the garden looks as if the gardens grew a foot from yesterday. I got stung by a wasp/hornet directly in my ear yesterday the side of my face/ear is still swollen and hurts it was a misrable night. I am allergic but glad it wasn't worse.

Clinic/chemo/spinal tap two days next week on top of the reunion life never slows down here. Scott is happy and has done some fishing on Hayden Lake.

Hope to be able to have a quiet Aug and enjoy the house and throw a few garden/house parties. Before and after the Elephant Ear Booth. Excited to have my siblings and kids and grandkids here. Luke and the boys will be here an extra week after everyone else leaves. Most of the family haven't even met Van and he is 17 months old. Janna is going on a trip with her family after the reunion. Scott hopes to be working on his Eagle project Aug 4th with the help of his brothers and brother in laws and Uncles. Jim and I will be so happy to have it done. But yet the scout office hasn't even approved it and they have had it 9 days, so so frustrating. Scott has his permit but can't drive until it is done. Hard when the village doesn't do its part.

Yes folks cherry is the wood of choice

2008-07-11T20:13:00.000-07:00

The wood floors have been sanded three times and varnished once since Wed. The next coat will be Monday and the last coat on the 26th. We are stuck outside for the day and sleeping in the trailer or out of doors tonight. Feels like camping but with phone service and sheets. The house smell is pretty toxic but wow the floor is just beautiful, prettier than I even dreamed. I had them leave it natural then the varnish made it just perfect. Cherry gets darker with age the boys aren't disappointed now they didn't like it light. I go to Utah next week and hope to be moved into my new kitchen by the time I go. I am bringing back my mom for a visit and help and a family reunion!

My sweet bar stools I ordered aren't going to get here for awhile, the builder is from Peru and has family issues. I will need to just be happy with the 4 I already purchased, One of my couches came damaged before I even saw it and is sent back to CA and making another one. The couches and barstools were the only new furniture.

Scott is feeling good, has his eagle project ready to turn into the scout office for approval before he can start the actual project, what a big burden off his nagging mother. Being the 5th son to do a project hasn't gotten easier as I was told even with the driving carrot hanging over his head.

Benjamin is home from CA for a few weeks strange being back to 5 kids and we only have the kitchen and downstairs to live in for now. Like I said sort of like camping. We finally made it to Silverwood first time and we have season passes. They have added several things since we were there two years ago. It is a fun place.

Wow, it is July already!!!!!

2008-07-07T08:40:00.000-07:00

Wow, it is July already the summer is flying by, the older I get the quicker that time finds other places to disappear to. We have spent the last two weekends camping, last weekend at the Big Hole in Montana fishing and 4th weekend at the Clark Fork River also in Montana. The family rafted and there were over 60 family members and friends camping and rafting together and it wasn't even a reunion. Jim had a very close call on the river loosing yet another pair of glasses (new glasses mind you) and his favorite hat.... thank heavens we still have him tho. He thought his foot was caught on the rope and couldn't get free only finding out later it was Danny hanging on to him thinking he was helping. We saw a moose on the way, saw eagles and elk and deer. Last weekend Scott shot a badger and will be saving his money to get it made into a small rug.

Scott had clinic last week he is doing fine other than the pain from the steroids and the hunger cravings that over come his body at the strangest times. So glad they are for only 5 days not a month any more. It still isn't easy for him.

My Blackburn reunion is the end of the month my family is coming here for a change but daily someone cancels the trip due to the horrible gas prices. Many had gotten plane tickets in the spring thank heavens. My mom's Blackburn side also has a reunion the middle of July in Salt Lake which I am going to. The two Blackburns aren't related if you are wondering. This is the group I went to Ireland with 3 years ago.

The house seems to be moving slower now, the wood floor is installed just waiting for the sander to show up to begin that messy process today. Louie is on his last row of brick on the outside and ready to move inside we hope by afternoon today. My contractor is leaving on Wednesday for 2 weeks and I am trying not to get to nervous he has a great partner to take over. I have learned so much and think I could almost be a contractor some day for my own home no worries though we aren't ever planning on moving.........next move will be a Rest Home. The granite guys made a mistake in the measuring of the fireplace mantel so that gets a new piece and the shop cut the backsplash 1 inch off of a outlet so there will be yet another day on that project sometime this week..... in-between the flooring sanding and staining and sealing of it. We are still living in the house but do have plans to move to the trailer for a night or two this week. So things are good here, busy, nuts but enjoying the process. Excited to see my grandsons soon and all my family coming to the reunion I miss them all so much. Hard to be so far away from from family. Hope no one else cancels.

Cabinets in, painting finished and molding goin in!!!!

2008-06-22T22:03:00.000-07:00

Things continue to move forward with the house. The taping put us back a week but the cabinet crew and painters have caught us up almost to schedule working late into the evenings. The kitchen cabinets are in and the office cabinets. The paint color is beautiful and it is DONE. We weren't able to go in the house for 10 hours other than for a few minutes yesterday. everything was covered with plastic including the doors. We got alot done in the yard and had alot of company. No one hardly ever comes to visit but Gpa and Helen and all the sudden everyone is coming to see our addition. Tomorrow they are templating for granite and putting up the trims and molding. I have decided to use natural color alder for it and for trimming out the high beams. Also tomorrow the wood flooring is being delivered and it should go in by Friday. So it is pretty exciting for me! Jim hasn't shown much excitment but secretly I think he is happy with it he faithfully reads this blog to find out what is next on the agenda (when he forgets what I told him) ..........Hi Hon..

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LUKE!

2008-06-16T18:04:00.001-07:00

Happy 30th Birthday Luke. Hard to think I am a mother of two 30 somethings. Time is flying by faster than I could ever imagine.

Hopefully they will really texture tomorrow and paint in the afternoon, Dennis and his crew are a few days behind schedule. It is looking good but hard when everyone is scheduled on certain days and one group gets behind. I am really pleased at how nice it is all coming together and looking so wonderful. The broken window pane is fixed thanks to Calvin and back in again. Sheet rockers have their own type of personality and hopefully they will be more careful next house they work on. We finally have some beautiful weather, summer temps now went right passed Spring. Ironman Coeur d Alene is this Sunday but I hear rain is in the forcast for the weekend. We will be able to get to church ok just coming home will be tough as we have to wait for the bikers to go by on 4th street. It is amazing how quickly that road gets spruced up each year that the Ironman is in town, new paint, all the dings and dips are flat looks better for the TV coverage I guess. I wish they'd work that fast on a regular basis though save on lots of ruined cars and flat tires. Scott is finished with drivers education and getting his permit this week, ask him about popped tires next you see him. We hope this will motive him to get working on his Eagle project so he can really drive someday......

Trim Man and Mitch the Skimmer......

2008-06-12T17:10:00.000-07:00

Well, I have picked out the trim and molding wood (rustic alter) with Chuck the Trim Man, decided on paint color (mostly) with Angie's help, Carl the Taper has single handedly put on several coats of taping gupp on the walls and high (13ft)ceilings, had Jody and Bill the framers take down part of a wall 2 ft, they already moved it 12 inches once and want to nearly just tear it totally down (no more changes I promise) they put up the lonely two gable windows in, then Mitch the Skimmer has done the kitchen and hallway ceiling and walls at least 4 or 5 times (on stilts mind you) almost ready for the painter by the weekend of first of the week. Dennis their boss has been ripping out old molding, covering the floor and sheet rock after he ordered double and Brett is hoping they can start putting together the cabinets in the kitchen by Tuesday, flooring should be here by Thursday which they will put in the house for a week before starting to lay it. Louie hasn't laid a brick yet but has everything ready to go. He also ordered double the bricks we need. We finally saw the sun today first time in several weeks. Once the hardwood is laid we will be sleeping in the basement and living out of the kitchen till that is torn up then back to camping in the trailer in the driveway if we have to for a few days. So that is the update rather you wanted to know all this info or not. I know my kids living away enjoy all the details and a few nieces away friends, my sister and maybe a few local friends the rest of you probably are bored to tears!

"No Mam, believe me they are here"

2008-06-08T17:56:00.000-07:00

I started a second remodel album with a few more pictures. Things continue to move really fast, the goal is to have it done in 3 weeks. July 4th is our date! I am hoping the end of July the yard back in shape, and dirt pile gone. Louie starts laying the bricks on the outside tomorrow. They are having a hard time finding our siding to match the old stuff. Sheet rockers worked Friday and Saturday. Tomorrow the tapers. By the middle of the week painters. The wood flooring is ordered and will be here by next week sometime. I got a call from a delivery service in Spokane on Monday asking me when they can deliver my kitchen cabinets I said "but they are just being shipped today from Iowa" he said "no mam believe me they are here"! Wow, two weeks early! So don't believe all the negitive building nightmares we haven't really had any. Just maybe some small ones that aren't a big deal. I am trying to keep an upper positive lip and it has been a really good experience (so far) I sanded down our kitchen table and stained it yesterday along with 4 of the 8 chairs.

Scott had his clinic appointment chemo and started steroids this week but doing ok. He and Sam's last day of school is tomorrow. He goes on the trek on Wednesday till Saturday. Our stake has worked so hard getting this experience planned for the youth 14 to 18.

It has been raining alot again, we are tired of winter and want spring/summer. I think we have gotten more rain than Seattle this year. The rivers and lakes are over flowing everywhere.

Happy 84th birthday Gpa Leo Lee, Happy 30th Dan Ross and almost Happy Birthday to Luke he also will be 30 next week.

Pictured: L to R: Jim Lee,Brynne Erickson, Brett Gatten L to R (back) Steve Gatten, Cameron Morton and Rick Caudle

2008-05-28T16:24:00.000-07:00

Things are good!

2008-05-28T16:04:00.000-07:00

We all made it through the weekend just fine. Scott hasn't gotten any new shingles and the old ones are drying up, he was able to go to school today. He is on some pretty powerful anti bioctics taking them every 4 to 5 hours for 10 plus days. Jim and the kids had a good time camping along with several other family members and friends. I posted all their rafting and camping pictures on this blog so take a peak. Sadie had her turn at being spit out of the raft, she was in the horribly cold water for some time but they got her back in the boat and she wants to go again next time. My children are much braver than I.

Memoriable memorial day

2008-05-25T22:14:00.000-07:00

Memorial Day holiday is upon us, but Scott and I aren't camping. He came down with "Shingles" a few days ago and his two doctors won't let him go far from the hospital. He is back on horrible antibioctics that will shut down his kidneys if he doesn't drink drink drink. It seems to be working ok for now. If it spreads he will end up in ICU for a week but we are positive that won't happen. It is very dangerous for cancer patient to get this. His lab partner at school came to school with chicken poxs.........something needs to be done about putting so much pressure on the kids. afraid to miss school even when they are sick with something that could cripple or kill another child exposed to it. It is scary to let him even go to school.

We took advantage of being home and I went online on ebay and got tickets to Carrie Underwood/Josh Turner concert and went last night. We had a blast they are both so good, it was Scott's first experience going to a concert. It was weird for him to see so many silly girls and women screaming and dancing in their seats and not ever setting down they were singing at the top of their lungs and even with the huge speakers was hard to hear the "real" concert. He also went night hunting for coyotes Friday with Dan my son in law and Dan's dad so he has had a good weekend.

Scott and I picked out and ordered the fans and chandeliers and mini pendants for the house. The furnance is in and much of the duct work is in. The electrians and heating people have worked hard for days. The roof is finished all but the rain gutters. I hear the next part takes the longest with things going on in the inside. It is nice to have things quiet for a few days with no workers but yet I want it finished and want them working round the clock!!!!! I have only had the framers move one small wall I have been a very good customer (so far)....

Scott is driving, well sort of.......

2008-05-20T17:05:00.001-07:00

I added several more pictures today, things just continue to move forward. Electricians came today and started putting in lights and cables and outlets. The framers framed in the high low bar in the kitchen, put up the huge beam, took out part of the garage wall to make the office a few feet wider and framed in a few other things. It is starting to actually look like a kitchen sort of. The roof still isn't finished and today it started raining AGAIN! We have major leaking in the old and new part of the house, the framers rigged up a huge garbage can with old wall paper nailed to the roof to place the water into the garbage can. They left their shop vac for us to keep it mopped up all night. Hope the rains stops so the roof can be finished and rain gutters put back on. It is a mess when it rains. We spent the last two days borrowing our neighbors water to keep the yard alive then WALA it rained I guess I need to check the weather forecast more often. At least it is green again.

Scott started drivers ed and drove for the first time yesterday. Everyone keep off the roads. He has to get his Eagle before he can get his license so I hope this is motivation enough because I am tired of nagging. Old age plus young kids makes one tired.....

2008-05-15T12:04:00.000-07:00

Leaking.........

2008-05-12T07:54:00.000-07:00

Well it continues to be winter in the good ole north west. Saturday night it rained for hours while we slept. I woke up at 5 AM to let the dog out and saw bath towels all along the back windows on the carpet they were soaked , we now have no rain gutters on the back and where the new meets the old roof there is no protection so water came thru on the inside Danny discovered it after arriving home late from a date. Good thing the carpet will be gone soon anyway. It continues to rain this morning the workers were here early trying to get the roof covered. Shingles to go on Thursday.

We spent Friday evening at Direct Buy ordering roofing, sinks and faucets. My cabinet lady told me the cabinets will be shipped from Iowa June 2nd and should arrive the 9th. Our appliances will be delivered June 2nd. Not sure when the living room wall will be coming down, it will be strange packing up that room then the kitchen. It is a good kind of strange. We got 2 bids back for the granite. Got it whittled down to 3.

Sadie has tonsillitis and will need her tonsils out this summer, she thinks she broke her nose on Sat. self inflicted... she is the 5th Lee child to break a nose. All 6 of my siblings have been broken. Look out Danny, Sam and Luke. Something with being senitive and fragile I guess. She will get it checked out at the same time she see's the ENT doctor two surgeries for the price of one. ( I wish)

Princess Kyla on her throne

2008-05-11T16:57:00.000-07:00

First Trusses added on Tuesday

2008-05-08T07:22:00.000-07:00

Albums working again

2008-05-07T20:09:00.000-07:00

Sadie got the pictures up and working again and I added more tonight. So click on and view.

Pictures not working

2008-05-05T07:23:00.000-07:00

Sorry but the pictures on the albums aren't working, not sure why buy many facebook accounts are experiencing issues. Don't know why but hopefully it will be resolved soon. I am just new at this blogspot stuff.......If you have a facebook account you can view them for now.

More pictures added to album........

2008-05-01T20:30:00.000-07:00

More pictures were added to the "House add on" album, just click on it to view. I can't believe how fast it is going up, it is just so exciting. Kitchen cabinets, bookshelves, office desk and cabinet and fireplace mantel are ordered. I went with Rustic Cherry for all the cabinets. And purchased the large applicances. Spent the last two days picking out granite. Still not finished with that one. I had no clue there is so so much to decide, colors seem to be the hardest to decide.

2008-04-30T08:49:00.000-07:00

Brynne and Jon's blog: http://www.jbericksonfamily.blogspot.com/

I Can't Believe It Is Happening!!!!!

2008-04-27T22:14:00.000-07:00

(This is a view of the old back of the house)

The last 12 days have been pretty exciting for our family. Well since Oct. when I decided it was time to finally do the add on. We hired our nephew Brett Gatten of "Cougar Constuction"to do the job, he showed up Tuesday April 15th for the "Big Dig" he spent nearly 8 hours breaking up concrete and digging the basement. Every day but the weekend workers have been in and out. Things are pretty much on schedule and it is like Christmas everyday for me to watch the progress. I have taken many pictures and have a few you can view...... just click on the photo album link to the right.

Sadie arrived home late Thursday from her Jerusalem adventure. It is so fun to have her home she is adjusting well if she can just get rid of her jet lag. Danny arrived home last night from BYU and started washing windows early this morning they both will be home until the end of August. Sarah is showing finally,she is 21 weeks . She is feeling good again and slowly gaining weight. Her pick line is out, she had a alergic reaction to the tape on her arm and still is healing from that. Scottie is feeling great, clinic is next week and he has a spinal tap. Sammie has been sick all week but seems to be on the mend today. Jim and Scottie went out Turkey hunting but as of yesterday no Turkey on the table. I like short blogs so hope to keep them informative but not over load with things you don't want to read.

The Jim and Paula Lee Family Blog

2008-04-11T11:24:00.000-07:00

I decided to start a family blog today a place to display our family pictures and include all the family while keeping Scott's site with his updates still on his site.

We just returned from a spring break trip to Cancun/Playa del Carmen this last week. Once I learn how to post pictures there will be many to view for you interested.