June 27-July 6 catch up.

We have had many people tell us to update our blog. We are happy to. We have just been busy doing 'stuff'. One lady said, 'I don't care if you had blue berry pancakes for breakfast, I want to know'. Another guy told me, 'If you don't update your blog, my wife if going to come down there and kick your !@#$'!  Soooo it a beautiful Sunday morning, sitting on our back porch,  my good-lookin' wife is cutting my hair, and I finally have the computer up and running. For breakfast, we had oatmeal and juice. That usually fills all the kids except Hunter.  We haven't found the bottom of his belly yet, but we are getting close.

From a health stand point, everyone is doing great. I have nothing to report on them.  They all take there meds,  and blood pressure. Gage is eating and acting so much better than he did a year ago. Just to clear any confusion he has his pacemaker and takes 3 meds and 1 supplement. This next week Lindsey, Sierra, and I are traveling to Calif for the monthly checkup. Lindsey had biopsy, echo and clinic, and Sierra has 12 hour IVIG and echo and clinic. We leave on the Tuesday morning on Angel Flight and get back to Oregon on Thursday.  Lindsey still has the puffy prednisone cheeks, but we all know it will go away as she comes off the steroids.

So for the last week we have been enjoying summer vacation. They really miss their Calif friends but are loving being home.  Stacy has started work again at the hospital in the OB unit. I am still busy at the office. Kids have been playing, riding horses, helping on the ranch, sleeping on the trampoline, boating with friends, and just being kids.  Our wheat is growing  

I still marvel at the blessing in our lives. Every day I still ponder at what was happening a year ago that day.  Last year, Justin and Emily were visiting, Gage was out of the hospital, and Lindsey had the hemorrhage (internal bleeding).  She was so weak she couldn't keep her head up. These were still very rough days for her.  I was sleeping in the 3 chair combo (my back still hurts from that).

As an FYI, Sandy Cummings, the producer of the Dateline show, said they are re-running the show on July 14, at 8:00.

 Sunday Morning

 Contemplating the 40 ft rock at Van Patten

 Quin and Brandon making the jump

 This lake is a 20 minute drive plus a 30 minute walk. It is soooo much fun.

 Sierra and Megan went but I couldn't talk them into going off the rock

 Kade and Stephanie Thomas from Homedale came up for a visit. Kade helped us get some firewood, then we went to Anthony Lakes for a BBQ.

 Hunter and Tristen. She looks so good right now.

 Monday evening we went to Wolf Creek to go boating the Thompson's. As always, it is a blast.

It had been the 100's, so this felt really good.

 Lindsey going for a ride on Mitch.

 Hunter on Tucker

 Boys playing around. When Hunter and Gage get together with Range and Brand, the fun get's-a-goin'

 Thursday coolin' off at Wolf Creek.

 Now for the 4th of July. Haines puts on a traditional parade, pit BBQ, and rodeo. It's always fun to go and visit with friends. Dalley-Jo was a 'Self-Appointed' princess.

 Roper is on the 10-11 year old all stars. Jake is helping coach this year.

    Hunter finishing off a 1/3 pound hamburger at the Haines Rodeo.

 

 

One year ago today

Whatever we are doing it is a whole lot better than what we were doing 1 year ago today.
Everyday I ponder on what was happening one year ago.  Last year these were some pretty rough days, Lindsey just days away from the Berlin, constant vomiting and weakness, Gage was acting 'weird', kids spread over 3 states, I was home while Stacy was in Calif.

Report in later, we are all good. Going on a hike tonight up to VanPatten Lake. Great pictures coming.

VanPatten Lake was awesome. It's a nice little hike to get to, but well worth it.

June 23

Feels like we are back into the groove. Hard to believe how much our things have changed in the last 12 months. Just to keep things exciting, Hunter was sick with some stomach flu / diarrhea. We thought we were home out of the woods, then Megan got it, next day Lindsey, then Gage. Waiting for Sierra to fall, but not yet. As for now, they all seem to have come out of it. Lets keep it that way.

Saturday we worked in the shop for most of the day. Stacy and I sure enjoy doing that.  The Zundels came by for a visit.  They lived her back in the early 80's for 6 years. He was our Bishop for a time and she was an OB nurse. She helped deliver Justin back in the day.

 Had a really good rain her a few days ago, something this valley was really needing  .  It has been a bit cool, even started a fire in the fireplace a few times, just to take the edge off. I keep watching the Calif weather. They haven't had rain since January. They sure use it.

Stacy signed up to start working again at the hospital as an OB nurse.  She loves to be a nurse delivering babies. I'm not crazy about her going back to work, but her one shift a week really seems to do her a lot of good.

Till next time
 

 Hunter and Megan doin the mashed potatoes

 Below are pictures from 1 year ago this week.  Amazing how much Lindsey misses those days... really. Seems like all she can remember are the good memories, mostly the nurses, therapists, and doctors, she has forgot the yucky stuff!

 Another picture from 1 year ago this week!

Day 365

It's been a while since we updated. Good stuff is going on. Nothing earth shattering.  Whatever we are up to, it is better than this day 1 year ago. On this this day last year, Lindsey was put on the list.  She was so sick.  I think about that often. These were pretty horrible days last year.  But that was then, we are moving on, life is good.
To catch up on what is going on, Lindsey had her biopsy and Sierra had her IVIG last week. They both did great (of course). Lindsey did her biopsy awake so she could recover and hang out with Sierra in the Short Stay Unit (that was her call). Once again we are doing the zero dance. We never tire of doing the zero dance.  While Sierra was in on our IVIG, the Zanger's picked up Lindsey so she could play with her Calif friends. I have to admit, we are happy to be home,  but we do miss our Calif network of friends.
Meanwhile, Megan went to basketball camp in Halfway and loved it. I picked her up and met Stacy and the girls in Nampa. We then drove to Nephi Utah for a very enjoyable Bingham family reunion. Also spent some time in Logan with Stacy's family and in Idaho with our good friends, the Yecks. Hunter got sick while were down there, so it was pretty exciting taking care of him and keeping him away from little miss Lindsey Lou Lou.  They did a nice little fund raiser for Lindsey. For now, everything is good. Had a really nice rain today. Our crops and pastures really need it. Jake had a rough day yesterday. We all did. His good horse, Sham, passed away. He was a horse that had been in the family for over 22 years. Sham was a good horse for gathering cattle, roping, and packing deer. Sham was giving to Jake when he was a colt.  It's tough to see good horses, and good cow dogs pass on.
We still receive letters from people from all over the country regarding the Dateline special. I am in awe on how many good people are out there. Not sure how to adequately thank so many people for the kind words and support. We are still truly blessed.
Our next trip to Calif is July 9, 10, 11 with the same schedule of Lindsey biopsy and Sierra IVIG. In August we will be taking 3 kids down for tests and biopsy.
Last bit of news, received an e-mail from Sierra's donor grandmother. It was a short message, which I responded to. It was a good opportunity to tell her how grateful we are to them and how good Sierra is doing with her heart.
Tonight we have a fire going in the fireplace. It's a very cool night after all the good rain we received.
Looking forward, I am going to continue to share my thoughts and feeling. We may not update as often as we used to (thank goodness), but if anything important or 'unbelievable' comes up, we will be posting it here. Honestly, right now my mind going back to 1 year ago today. I will probably think back to what was going on each day last year for the next 6 weeks or so. Those were life changing events and I can't not reflect on it.

 One of 2 flat tires we had on our trip. Little kids were camping out while Megan and I fixed her up.

 Gage and Range with their bow and arrows at the reunion. They had a good time with those things.

 As part of the reunion, we went to Benjamin and did a 5K along the same roads Dad grew up. He told us some good stories. Uncle Keith, who also grew up there, had a great story about a hole and a sheep. It was very funny.

All the grandkids on Stacy's side.  They did a very nice fund raiser for Lindsey.  Hunter is NOT feeling good.

 Stacy's siblings, Ryan, Tiffany, Holly, Kelly, and Cory, with mother ReNae on the side. Missing Brady who was with his wife in Vegas.

 Grandpa Theon with his Merrill grandkids.

  Breakfast at the Yecks. 11 kids between the 2 families.

 Now they want one.

Thank Shelly, I am wrapped up in one right now.

 Lindsey and Jarom

Tuesday, June 11

We have all been getting back into the groove around here. Megan is in Halfway for the Pine Eagle Basketball camp. She was pretty excited about that.

Stacy, Lindsey and Sierra flew down to Calif on an Angel Flight. Sierra has IVIG and Lindsey has biopsy. They are very excited to be staying with Zangers and see other good Calif friends. They will fly back Thursday.  I plan to pick them up in Boise on our way to Utah for a reunion. Lindsey has been doing great. Still loving those puffy cheeks.

Stacy and I have received some very nice letters from people around the country. Each one is very sincere as they share their love, concern, prayers, and story with us. We are still humbled by the love and support we have received from friends, family and people we will never meet.

Also getting back into the groove on the ranch. It is going to be a dry year so right now while the water is here, we are all working pretty hard to get the pastures and wheat as wet as possible. It can be hard work at times, but it does pay off down the road.  Had the kids out irrigating and changing pipe with this morning. It can be good hard work for kids.  I think it teaches them good stuff to get up earlier, put on boots, and help their Dad move pipe through tall grass.

Still impressed with Sandy's work on the Dateline show. She did a great job.

Tomorrow is Stacy and I's 16th wedding anniversary. Love you dear, hope you enjoy it in the Short Stay Unit, with a big fat ZERO. 

Thank you to the Classic Car Owners for the fund raiser they did in our behalf. Very sorry for the horrible miscommunication with regards to the timing of the event. Thank you for your support.

 61 Chevy Impala, with  a cherry red interior. It was favorite.

 Out changing pipe in the 3 corner piece.  Is it just me or does Sierra resemble her mother.

 Up at the head box

 Gage wants to be like Range, so got all dressed up, including spurs and my Aussie hat.

 Angel Flight pilot before leaving for Klamath. It takes about 4-5 hours to get to Palo Alto with one stop in Klamath Falls.  They are very kind pilots to help us.

 

While in Palo Alto, Sierra baby sat the Hart's kids. They absolutely LOVED here.