Surgery #2

November 22, poor Jace Jace had to have his spitz nevus re-excised. We had to be at the hospital by 5:30 am (we were a little late.... over slept....... got there by 5:45). He was a bit nervous, but was very brave. No needles this time! The IV was started in the OR. That made things much better for him. Recovery was much harder this time. Every time he was taken off of the oxygen, his oxygen sats dropped to 77. His croup came back in full force. He had to have a breathing treatment before he could leave PACU. He was VERY whiny this time and cried alot post-op. Poor baby. His bandage was really impressive this time also.

Yesterday we removed the bandages so the dermatologist could check the insion site. I almostinto tears! My baby's face has a huge frankinstein-ish scar. I am a very sad mamma.Joe keeps reminding me that the scar is much better than cancer. He's right of course. I'm sorry Jace, Jace!

Mission Call....

Brian has received his mission call. He will be serving in the Tempe, AZ mission. He leaves on January 21, 2009. Congratulations Brian! We are proud of you!

This Just In!

I just found out some very exciting news!! Last night Joe and I found out that we are going to become Grandparents again! This little bundle will be number 6 for us! We are so excited! Congratulations Mindy and Roudy!

Halloween Spooks

Jace wanted to join the Star Wars craze and spend Halloween day as none other than Darth Vader. Not that you can tell it's him under there... but it is!

Halloween Spooks

Now the eldest. Miss Madison was a "Coffin Bride" for Halloween this year. Someone told her that she looked pretty (at the ward trunk-or-treat) and she was SO disappointed! She wanted to be scary. I guess that means I have lost my princess!

Jace's Surgery

On November 1st, Jace has to have some minor surgery at the hospital. It was a big deal for a small thing. He went to the OR, they gave him general anesthetic and everything! He had to have a freckle removed from the palmer surface on a finger. It was right over the joint. He also has a spitz nevus removed from his face. (Spitz nevus looks like a red mole, but they have a tendency to turn malignant). He was so brave! The nurses had a hard time getting the I.V. started, they dug and dug around in the back of his poor little hand. He was tough. After two attempts, Daddy finally told the nurse to start it in the OR. Since it was a Saturday (and because Daddy is on staff at the hospital) we got to wait in recovery with him. He woke up to an impressively large finger bandage and a "cast" on his other hand (to stabilize the IV). We just found out that he has to have this face re excised due to the fact that a high percentage grow back. He has assured us that he will be fine!

The New Babysitter........

This last Tuesday was my last night to go to Young Women's. (Our ward split the previous Sunday). We had YW in Excellence. So, I go and Joe stayed home with the kids. I asked him to be sure to get the kids to bed as they had school tomorrow. She say he definitely would, I could count on him. This is what I found when I got home! Laughed my head off! I guess you get what you pay for!

Lokk Mom! No tooth!

Madison lost her first front tooth today! She came home from school today looking like an old toothless lady! Love you funny face!

Completion!!

We are finally finished! We moved into the shopartment a month ago. We got moved in.... just not moved out. What a nightmare! With the help of some wonderful friends (Lori, Vern & Jean and Jill) I was able to get my part of the project finished and Joe got a good start on his duties! (I packed, cleaned and moved the house, he packs, cleans and moves the garage and shop). We are finding our new digs to be none too big, yet surprisingly comfy. We are loving it. Merlin and Bonnie got moved in two weeks ago. Now our family compound is complete! The kids love having Grandma and Grandpa just downstairs. We are hoping that they will stay home this winter instead of heading to St. George. We may have even found someone to rent the St. George house. That should help Merlin to feel better about not going.

Shop Update

Well, we have been running like crazy, but I think I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I think! Today we began working on tile in the bonus room. The wood floor has been started and will be finished once the tile is in. Joe seems to think that I will make a horrible mess with the water and the wet saw. The electricians have almost finished trimming out the place, the plumber will begin trimming out on Monday (I hope). The garage doors are finally on. IT IS COMING!

Ouch!

Poor Zinna. We just brought her home from the vet's office where she had undergone surgery to correct a dislocated patellar tendon. It is going to prove to be quite an ordeal for us all, as she is not to bear weight on any of her legs for 10 days. We are holding her a lot right now! Poor baby is very sore, but she is doing better already!

The stork lands again!

Beso (pronounced Bay-so), which is spanish for kiss, joined our family on August 2. He is tiny now, but that won't last long! The kids are having a blast playing with the dogs over at the shop. I appreciate the dogs for keeping the kids distracted and out of our way so we can work! It works out well, the kids have fun and we get work done!

Dog days of summer........

Well, we have done it again. After having lost two of our three dogs in May, we have begun our collection once more. Three days ago our little family made a quick stop at the local animal shelter, just "too see". What we found was a pleasant surprise! The pound had recently acquired an adorable 2 month old red healer pup, who now belongs to us! We named her Penny, due to her coppery red color on her face and the copper colored spot on her back. So far she is the sweetest little thing. She is very quiet and well behaved. Her favorite thing in the world is to have her belly rubbed! That occupies about 85% of Jace's time right now. It's good for him!

Shop Progress

Well, here it is the middle of July already. I feel like this summer is disappearing so quickly. every spare moment we get we are pouring into the completion of our shop. Thankfully, we are getting close.

Today, the carpenters finished the trim work and the man who is installing the hand rails is there working tonight. The painter has been chomping at the bit for a week now to get in and get it painted. Hopefully he will be there and in the thick of it shortly. I don't think it will take him too long to get his part done. He has all the walls primed already, so he will need a few days to stain and seal the doors and trim (alder doors and stain grade trim) and then a couple of days to paint the walls/ceilings. Next up.... cabinets!

Howard, our cabinet guy, has been ready to install our stuff for nearly a month and a half! He will be so glad to get our cabinets out of his shop! I am so excited to see them. The minute they are in I am going to begin filling them up. Our appliances are all ordered. I am in desperate need of new appliances. Most of the appliances in my existing kitchen have something wrong with them. Time to move!