Christmas 2009

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Merry Christmas family and friends.

We had a great holiday at the Fontenot house. However, it was our first year without our big kids and granddaughter to visit with, and our first year without snow.. so it was a bit difficult to maintain the Christmas spirit like I usually do, but it was also a great opportunity to do something a bit different, and I think it made all the difference...

We decided (for a number of reasons) to simplify our entire Christmas experience.. I did only a small about of baking, our children definitely got much less in their stockings and we decided to give even more than usual. Even Jesse did his own good works and I was very proud of him. Steve and I decided to not exchange gifts at all, which was a first but ended up feeling really good. I loved my Christmas and everything about it.. I think we will definitely start some new traditions based on this year.. (If you want to know more about what we did to give as a family, you can click the link about Markelle's gift at the top of this)

Having said all that, we didn't exactly cancel Christmas.. Santa still came and Jesse was spoiled by his grandparents.. There were still plenty of presents to go around. I think at the top of the list is the new addition to our family.... Meet Izzy, our mutt. Jesse's only wish was for a puppy of his own... so that's what Steve and I got for him. He was blown away and even burst into tears when he saw her. We all love her and I think she will be a good dog.. Jesse is going to be a great person for her and I think they will be forever friends. I'm sure Jesse will remember this holiday for the rest of his life...

This really has been a year full of blessings with Jesse's good health, Heidi's new found love and marriage, our daughter Jamie's graduation from college (which will soon be it's own post... so check back) as well as the blessing of Steve's good job. We are also looking forward to a visit from our son Aaron next week, which couldn't make us happier. So even though we miss our family and friends like crazy this time of year, we still have a lot to be happy about and that's what we are focusing on.

Thank you for all your love and support this year, we simply couldn't do it without you..

Wishing you all the best holiday season and the happiest new year..

What are you thankful for?

The holidays are upon us again and as usual, I begin to get all sappy and emotional about all the things in my life that I have to be thankful for. I've decided to make a list.. not that it covers everything... but just highlights a few..

I'm Thankful For...

1. Steve ~ who even after 13 years of marriage, still loves me as much as when we started dating, and for whatever reason seems to "get" me no matter what crazy idea I'm focused on.

2. 3 beautiful, healthy, smart, amazing children and one perfect granddaughter ~ These people fill my heart with so much joy and pride I'm sometimes afraid it might explode.

3. Jamie, Amy, Heidi and Mikalie ~ for being my people, my role models, my hero's. For teaching me about friendship and commitment, and for making me laugh.

4. My parents ~ for loving me so much and wanting to be with me. For offering every day in every way to make my life easier.

5. Carole ~ for showing me what real acceptance looks like and for her part in making Jamie and Aaron who they are today. And for loving my Jesse so much... :0)

6. My family and Steve's family ~ who have shown me that no matter how far away we move they are always around to support me.

7. My far away friends ~ who prove all the time that family is of the heart and standing by me as if I was one of their own.

8. My sweet niece Sarah ~ who puts a smile on my face and reminds me daily that life is really about family, friends, having fun, doing good things for others and holding firm to your beliefs. Nothing else really matters.

9. Matthew Dodd ~ for filling some huge holes in the hearts of people I love.

10. Charitable giving and the ability to do it.

11. Lumber Products ~ for choosing Steve when I'm sure the decisions were tough ones this year.

12. Whole foods, my new hip, exercise and time to sleep. These things keep me happy and healthy.

13. My Church

14. Meds, doctors, nurses, and great facilities to keep people healthy and to offer lasting support when things don't work out like we'd hope.

15. Markelle, her donor, Jesse's donor, Darian and God ~ for teaching me that no matter how big or how small we are, we have the ability to change lives and leave a lasting imprint in the hearts of strangers.

What are you thankful for... I'd love to hear your list..

CafeGive Widget

Celebrate Life

Happy Celebrate Life Day!!

It's November 13th... A very bittersweet day in our family.. It's the day Markelle was called to receive her new small bowel and bone marrow transplant seven years ago. It was a life saving day for our precious princess which makes it a sweet, sweet day... The fact that she's not here today to share it with us makes it a little bitter...

How would one describe the extra 3 years we got to spend with that beauty...? A three year celebration of life, that's how. Each day was a gift and a treasure.

We learned so much from Markelle. Selflessness, patience, sacrifice, perseverance, commitment and faith, just name a few of the qualities Markelle had and gladly passed on to the rest of us. She was the most amazing girl and continues to be a strong influence in our daily lives. Not a day goes by that I can't count at least one blessing in my life linked directly to her and what she left behind. I'm sure a lot of you feel the same way.

For these reasons, I choose today to Celebrate Life.. Her's, mine, my family's, Markelle's donor's, Jesse's donor's, and all my friends. I am grateful to every person who touches my life, and I believe there should be a day set aside to celebrate them. What better tribute to a gal who started it all?


So... tonight, I will celebrate with my family, talk about you and how much we love you, and then say a little prayer for you at bed time.

As for Markelle... There is now a big hole in our hearts from loosing such a priceless gift, but that hole is filled to the top with precious memories and lessons learned. About life, love, loss and survival... We will forever celebrate her and what she left for us.

Take some time tonight to Celebrate Life with the ones you love... and as always, talk about the importance of organ and tissue donation... it really does change lives!!

Halloween

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Halloween this year started at 6:30 in the morning when Jesse crept ever so quietly into our bedroom and screamed BOO!! one inch from my face.. He can't sleep when he's excited.... and he WAS excited!!

Jesse struggles to make decision. As a matter of fact, It actually pains him when he's asked to do it. So when he offered up the suggestion of a shark for Halloween, I jumped in feet first. I really needed some positive reinforcement for making his own decisions... But what I didn't realize was that it was going to be difficult to find a shark costume that didn't involve body parts hanging out the mouth... (Maybe we'll do creepy next year). Anyway, after looking all over the internet and the stores, I decided to just make the silly thing. The costume turned out great, but really you need to sort of see it from the side or back to really be able to tell what it is. He's suddenly become worried of what other people think of him, so he was afraid someone might laugh at it, but was pleasantly surprised to receive several compliments.. He was so excited to trick-or-treat, as last year he was feeling a bit under the weather and really can't even remember it. Gage was scheduled to come and go with him but got the junk and felt too sick to go out in the cold. Jesse was bummed and we missed him, but still had a good time running from house to house... And now the candy sits a top the fridge... oh where are the days when he wouldn't touch sweet thing? Now he wants to know for desert after a snack!!

We also carved a pumpkin, you can see from the pictures that he still doesn't like touching yucky things.. He was totally grossed out but had a super great time!!

This was the first year without his people.. We really missed Adrienne, Alex and Gage.. For me it seems things just keep changing.. But we had a great time. As we were headed back to the house last night Jesse was skipping and twirling and said this was his best day ever!! I love it when he says that.

Happy Fall...

My Dear Dad...

Me N' Dad

Have I ever told you about my dad? Most of you I have, but I imagine there are some who don't know about David... I just want to take the opportunity to give a shout out to the big guy.. not because it's his birthday or Father's Day, but just because. Someone recently pointed out that it is the right thing to do.. and you know what? It is...

My dad is a phenomenal grandpa.. He has been so wonderful to Jesse always. He's constantly worried and concerned when Jesse is sick and even when he is not.. He's interested in his school and his friends and health and happiness. He brings the "yummy" kind of fruit snacks to Jesse every single week.. (not the -good for you- kind that mom buys..) He's even wonderful to Gage and Mikalie and they love him tons too. He's always showering all the kids with sugar because he say's it's his job. Not to mention supporting all the fundraiser kids have from time to time.. and being present at their numerous activities and special events. For me, he brings cashew's and fancy coffee beans.. mmmm... delicious!

He moved to Oregon with us when we came here. He didn't want to be away from his family. He lives only about 8 minutes from our house. He's been a huge help to us, frequently meeting the bus for Gage when I had to be at the hospital with Jesse last year. He's always available to help in a pinch and oh so happy to do it!! His most frequently asked question is.. "need Gpaw to do sumpin'?", and I know he always means it.

He's super with kids, I tell him I think he would make a great crossing guard.. Kids just love those people and kids love him.. He's great about keeping me posted on local events and the latest buzz in the news about something he knows I'm interested in, not to mention my favorite actors and actresses. He's an information wizard, if you need info about something in particular, you just need to say the word, he can find anything you need in no time flat.

My dad was also a very good son, taking care of my Grandma till the very end. Not only did he visit daily, but he won the hearts of the little ladies he met while spending time with her. He has a lot of compassion in his heart and is sweet and loving around the elderly. I'm sure he was missed dearly at the Assisted Living Complex my grandma lived in.

David was a cook. Did you know that..? It was his first career, later he went into law enforcement. But he started out as a chef, I know that's where I get my love of cooking from. Only with me it was reversed. I didn't like it at all until my mid thirties... now I love it!! I sort of grew up in the back of a restaurant... I learned much about how to set up a salad bar, wrap potatoes for baking, make Thousand Island dressing, and delicately drop a dollop of whip cream on top of a cup of Jello.. (I'm dating myself now, do you remember when Jello was a nice desert?) But the best lesson I learned from my time in the restaurant was about elbow grease.. I remember my dad teaching me how to use elbow grease to get the tables extra clean... I still smile to myself when I start rubbing something really hard...


My dad loves a good party and probably would have preferred to retire to Vegas. He's always up for a good time and loves being around his family. I'm not the best daughter, I'm frequently busy and preoccupied by the crazy world around me.. but I love my dad and I'm glad he is always there.

Better late than never to say I love you...

A Busy, Busy Fall...

It seems like it's been forever since I've posted. Probably because it has been forever. I haven't forgotten, it's just been busy, busy, busy... or at least that is what it feels like..

Returning to school was a big deal and very exciting around our house... but left me with little to do. I could have thrown myself into my house and finally finished unpacking the boxes that are still in my garage from a year and a half ago... (does that mean I don't need that stuff anymore?) but truthfully, what fun is that? Besides, it's become apparent that the Good Fairy is not going to be dropping a basket full of $20 bills on our doorstep each month (naughty fairy!) so I needed to think about getting my lazy butt back to work. First I put together my resume.. Have you ever had to put together a resume from scratch? It's horrible and sort of stressful and definitely not fun at all... I have worked at the exact same desk for 15 years, but had numerous positions, more bosses than titles, and the company names take up at least half a sheet. I ended up just putting a disclaimer at the bottom that said... "Look, there was so much change I don't really remember it all so I might be making some of it up, but I can do most anything, just take my word for it." I think that might have been part of my problem in not finding work right away. Either that or the 12% unemployment rate in Oregon. I'm telling you, I answered every add I could find that didn't require flying an airplane or laying pavement (because I wouldn't like that job very much).. I wrote so many letters and e-mails I could probably compile a book of cover letter templates... "How to make one skill sound like ten", But then again, I'm still out of work, so probably nobody would buy it.. Oh, I did go on a few interviews.. met some nice people... but I think everyone can read between the line when you tell them your kid is being followed up by BOTH Transplant and Oncology.. I might as well wear a big flashing neon sign that says "I will call in sick... ALOT"... It's discouraging to say the least.. If someone see's my Good Fairy, could you tell her I've been looking for her? We need to talk.

And that explains why my blog time has been limited...

But.. I have decided to get a little creative and start my own business from home. I'm starting a pet sitting business... go ahead, laugh... Animals are big business here in Oregon, and pet sitting is big too.. I'm sort of excited about it and ready to really dig in and get my paws dirty.. you can check out what I've been doing at www.apurrfectpetservice.com. Thanks to my friends the Lee's and the Soran's for being the people I talk about when I say... "I know a lot of people who use pet sitters and they really like them..." Anyway... My hope is that it will be good and flexible and allow me to take Jesse sometimes and work as a family on the weekends.. we'll see what happens..




Jesse has been loving his golf clubs.. He is actually very interested in golf and wants to play all the time. He can hit balls and putt all day long at the driving range and he's still begging to get out on the course. I'm proud of him and excited that he really likes it, and I have to say surprised that he seems to be able to maintain his focus with it.. Of course, if we try to encourage him to hit the balls in the back yard, he's not interested.. he only likes $10 a bucket balls and flags to aim at... sounds like a real golfer, no? I'm sure the winter will put a damper on his practice, but we'll try to get some in once in a while..

On another note, my mother moved to town. She has been living in Pennsylvania for the past 20+ years. She decided it was time to pack up and move clear across the country. She misses Jesse and wanted to be close to family. She bought a townhouse here in Newberg and has been working feverishly to get it fixed up and looking good. She's done an amazing job, the place looks great and I think she's finally settled. The best part of the whole deal is that she brought a dog! Jesse has been lonely since Heidi moved and took her dog PJ, so Darcy makes Jesse very happy..




More recently, we have all been down with theH1N1 virus.. It's true. Swine Flue at the Fontenot's. I'm tellin' ya, it was miserable. I'm still feeling tired and cranky about it.. hopefully by the end of the weekend we will completely plague free. Since Jesse is in the "risk" group, I'll admit I've been a bit irrationally freaked out about the whole thing.. so, as soon as he started coughing and sporting a temp.. I called the doc right away. Of course my doctor got him right in, determined it was probably the flu and decided we needed to go to the hospital and get some blood work done and a dose of IV antibiotic's just to be safe. The hospital here in Newberg (which is not our normal hospital) was not interested in having a "N1H1" patient wandering their corridors. They required us to have a very special type of mask before entering the hospital... When the doctor said he didn't have that kind in his office, they agreed to meet us at the front door. Here's where it get's good.. When we arrived at the hospital and walked up to the front doors, THREE people met us... One to stop the flow of traffic out of the hospital, another to stop people from entering the hospital, and the third to help me get the (rather normal) mask on Jesse's face. Then, as if Jesse were Barack himself, all three suits, not nurses, escorted us through the hospital, using wide arms to direct people around us saying "please move to the other side of the hall"... Picture Jesse, with his pajama's and slippers, very messy hair, big green mask on his face, his mom, and THREE bodyguards all walking directly from the front door of the hospital to his room, without stopping once to check in or give them our name or anything... I was trying hard not to crack up... It was sort of funny. I expected the CDC, or the EPA, or at least the 10 o'clock news to be there when we left.. We've had some special treatment before, but never like that.. Everyone at the new hospital was very nice and attentive.. but wait, it get's better.. when we were done, they just said.. "Okay, bye, feel better"... no special escort out of the hospital.. we could have wandered around and checked out the gift shop and spread the swine flu all over the place and nobody would have notice or cared... I'm thinking the chief had gone home for the day by then... He was pretty sick for a couple of days, then he was fine and went back to school on Thursday and Friday... He's great now!!

Well... I've wasted enough time for sure.. It's been good to catch up. Halloween is coming, Jesse wants to be a shark.. a shark? okay, whatever. I'm spending the next few days looking for a great costume so he will be both cute and scary.. watch for pictures.

Happy Haunting to you all!!

September 22, 2009
Jesse's Adoption Day!
5 Fabulous Years

Back To School....

I just put Jesse on the bus for his first day of Second Grade. I have about a million things I need to do.. But the only thing I can seem to get myself to do is blog... I guess we all have to start somewhere... and I'm not ready to let the moment go...

I'm happy he got to experience his first day. Since last year his first day came at the end of October sometime... He was so excited, he picked out his clothes last night and planned his morning..

We were able to meet his teacher, Mrs. Thomas, last week and check out his room and put some supplies in his desk. There are a few kids in his class that were in his class last year, so he was very happy and excited to see them again. I thought it was funny that three kids looked at him and said "Jesse, you grew hair!" I think he had hair at the end of first grade, but the kids must remember his beautiful bald head best... He was proud of his hair and happy that the kids noticed. I guess they noticed because he now has A LOT of hair!! But I can't bring myself to cut it. Things that used to be important to me, like clean cut hair that made him look snazzy and smart, seem so unimportant now. His hair looks pretty sharp just out of the shower, but by the end of the day it's EVERYWHERE!! Curly and large... Oh well, I'll cut it when he's ready..

Two Fingers for Second Grade!!

The start of a new school year also brings other changes in our life... I am looking for work and hope to start a new job soon. Of course it's easier said than done, but I am looking and hopefully something will turn up soon. That means more responsibility around the house for both Steve and Jesse... which is a really good thing, especially in Jesse's case. All kids need responsibility of some sort, but currently mom does everything for him...

My first goal however is to clean out his room!! Today is the first time I have been alone in our house for months and months... I have cleaned his room many times, but to get rid of even one thing sends Jesse over the edge... It's time to cull out the toy box and take some "extra" stuff he doesn't even know he has to the Goodwill.... He won't miss any of it... but always seems to have some reason he needs to keep his baby toys... Not today my friends... the clutter ends here...

So, as we say good-bye to Jesse's medical drama, we take on more normal worries.. Balancing work, chores, homework, bedtime and a little family time too. I have loved the time I have had with Jesse, but I suppose work will be good for us too. Time to get back to real life, and there is nothing wrong with that!!

"That's the secret to life... replace one worry with another...."
-Charlie Brown

Jesse's Birthday Bash!!

Happy Birthday Jesse!

I can't believe you are 8!

Jesse turned 8 on Saturday. It was a very exciting day that seemed to take forever to get here. We counted down that day's and waited and waited... But the special day finally arrived... Jesse rarely misses a wink of sleep, except when he's excited... so the few mornings before the big day were VERY early... Making the anticipation even greater for me..

The morning started with a nutritious breakfast of Twinkies and a homemade carmel with a candle just to get things warmed up... Breakfast was followed by about 4 hours of begging to open his presents...

When we were shopping at the store earlier in the week, I encouraged Jesse to pick out his cake, which he did, and since my mother was in town, the two teamed up and ordered his cake while I was squeezing fruit and checking the corn cobs in the produce department. This gave Jesse the idea to keep the theme of the cake a secret from Steve and I until the big "unveiling" at the party.. So, Saturday morning we had to run and pick up the cake and make a big production out of him carrying it and keeping me from looking at it, of course all while I was paying... It worked, it really was a secret.

Surprise it was Pokemon~!! Who would have thought??? :o)

Finally it was 1:00 and Heidi and her family arrived... The magic could begin.. We started by opening presents. He had several LARGE gifts and several that came in the mail... each was exciting and perfect for Jesse... He loved all his gifts... he got books (which we needed desperately) art supplies, Legos, a rock painting kit, markers, color books, sketch pad, puzzles, games, a super gross squeeze ball with a frog sticking out... a remote control Jeep, remote control Yoshi in a teeny tiny car, golf clubs from mom and dad and a putting green from grandpa... and Money, Money, Money... The kid made out... Thanks everyone for all your thoughtfulness and generosity..

After presents and cake and ice cream we piled the kids into the car and drove to a place called Safari Sam's.. It's one of those places that you can basically let the kids run free while adults sit at a table and eat pizza.... They have a HUGE play structure, mini-golf, and a rather large arcade. It was a really good time and the kids had a ball.

Jesse's new cousin Anna, Blake from across the street,
Gage, Jesse and Alex, also from across the street.

After Safari Sam's we headed home to check out the mother load of gifts... it was great to go through them and check each one out... The boys spent some male bonding time on the putting green, which Jesse is pretty dang good at actually... for a lefty that is... He loves his clubs and is very excited about hitting the links with his dad... he said he promises he won't hit it in the water or the sand... ;-)

It was taco night a the Fontenot's... Jesse's favorite dinner... so we ate till we couldn't eat anymore, indulged in another piece of Pokemon cake and started to settle down a bit...

We ended the day with a cozy dip in the hot tub... another of Jesse's favorites.. It was a great day all about celebrating Jesse and I think he simply couldn't have asked for more. When he finally fell asleep Saturday night, he was the happiest boy on earth!!

Happy day with great memories..

I love you little boy... Having you as my son is like having my birthday every day of the year!! Here's to many, many more!!

Kids!!!

We just returned from the grocery store trip from HELL... we spent exactly $95 dollars, were there for almost 2 hours (don't ask).. 2 trips to the bathroom.. Greeting cards... Picking out HIS birthday cake... Ugh!!

When we finally got into the car (after Jesse took far too long returning the cart and made me go find him)... This is how our conversation went...

Me: "Jesse, when we are in the store.... Blah, Blah, Blah... Bark, Bark, Bark.... Nag, Nag, Nag.... Do you understand what I'm saying???"

Jesse: "Can we get a dog?"

AAAAAHHHHHH..... One of us needs medication!!!

I am very grateful to have moments that are so frustrating one can only make fun of them...

I love you Jesse!!!

My Little Survivor

Relay For Life - Newberg
June 19&20, 2009

Last weekend we participated in the Relay For Life to benefit the American Cancer Society. We were on a team called "Austin Angels", for Jesse's school and the the two sweet cancer patients that go there. The team was full of the school staff and their friends and family members. Jesse is not the only student at his school who has had cancer, there is a little girl named Maddy who has just finished therapy for Leukemia. Both kids are doing great now and looked fabulous in their purple survivor shirts.


The event is a 24 hour relay race where participants walk (or run) around a track for the entire time. At least one member of the team has to be on the track every hour. Usually team members take turns for an hour at a time. Of course there are many teams with several members on each team. The race was held at our high school so there was plenty of room for people to pitch tents and set up for the whole night. We only stayed until about 10:30 because Jesse just couldn't stay up much later than that.

To start the event, all the survivors line up and make one kick off lap around the track, then the race officially begins. The survivors were lined up by date of diagnosis, so Jesse was right in the front of the line, being diagnosed less than a year ago. It wasn't planned, but he and Maddy led the lap and carried the banner. It was amazing and emotional to watch. I was so proud of him!

After the Survivors Lap all the survivors and their families were treated to a nice dinner. It was especially good for Jesse to see how many other people had survived cancer. He was amazed by all the purple shirts and I realized that he thought he and the few kids he saw in the hospital were the only people to have this type of illness. When it got dark, luminaries were lit and lined the track, the luminaries were purchased by the participates either in memory of some one who has passed away from cancer, or in support of someone who has survived or is living with cancer. There must have been a thousand or more. Then everyone came off the track and they read every name. Again, it was very emotional!

After we went home and slept, we went back to the race and walked for the last hour and a half... Then they served ice cream... I think that was Jesse's favorite part.

Relay For Life is held in every city and community all around the United States. Newberg is a small community so I guess our race was small compared to other larger city's. Jesse and Maddy and one other little girl who looked to be about 8 or 9 were the only children I saw wearing purple shirts. There were people of all ages, having had cancer many years ago, to people undergoing treatment right now. Our little race raised over $55,000.00 for the American Cancer Society. It was a sobering experience. I suggest every person participate at least once. I think the Fontenot's are relayers for life!! :)

Didn't I leave the Beehive State?

While It's true I've seen many bee's in my life, I have never seen this many bees at one time.... in my yard! (Okay, this is not my yard, but this picture was taken from my back yard)

This tree is in my neighbors yard. On Sunday we noticed some ruckus coming from over the fence. People were gathering and talking very excitedly... Turns out this tree, that is mere feet from my fence, and right smack in front of my neighbors house.... was full to capacity with a colony of bees... This branch, was weighted down from what they said was about 8 lbs of bees!! Plus.... about a million bees were flying around in the air...

Over the course of the evening we heard kids daring each other to touch them... Men chatting about what manly solutions could take care of the problem and even talk of calling the fire department... (visions of them spraying RAID from their fire hoses sent chills up my back....) but in the the end, a bee keeper came... A little guy with a funny bee keeper hat and big gloves and a small step ladder... he calmly donned his protective gear and stepped up brave on his little ladder... I assumed he was getting a closer look, which sort of impressed me... but what happened next actually took my breath away and I have to say I was a bit stunned.... He took hold of that branch and pulled down and gave it a big shake!! Suddenly a fog of brown filled the air and kids began to shriek and the branch bounced back to it's upright position.. I was watching from my back door, which I quickly closed and made sure my kid was on the inside, where there were no crazy little people taunting a bazillion stinging insects...

I assumed there must be a dead cat under there and the bees were feasting or something.... Little did I know... Turns out, after a little internet research that those bees were just hanging out with the queen... Bee's don't even eat dead cats! Wow, now that's what I call POPULAR!!! What's the deal? Isn't the queen supposed to take them to find a new hive? How would it be to be the queen bee and have all those worker bees at your beck and call...? I'm not going to go on and on about bees, but I suggest that if you (like me) are unfamiliar with the fuzzy buzzy flying little bugs, you should do a quick search and bring yourself up to date, they really are pretty fascinating... But here's what I think.... I think she just stopped for a rest and those little drone bees got all excited and started doing their "bee" thing...

I will, however, share with you one interesting fact I learned while trying to make heads or tails of what happened in that tree.... A male who is lucky enough to score with a queen pays the ultimate price. During mating, his reproductive parts get ripped out of him, and he dies. So.... What is all the fuss about?


“"That buzzing-noise means something. If there's a buzzing noise, somebody's making a buzzing-noise, and the only reason for making a buzzing-noise that I know of is because you're a bee. ....
And the only reason for being a bee that I know of is making honey.....
And the only reason for making honey is so as I can eat it." So he began to climb the tree.”
~Whinnie The Pooh

Jesse's Transplant Day!!

See this house? This is were I live. I think this picture pretty much describes how I feel on a daily basis... I feel like my little family is ALWAYS sitting directly under a rainbow.... a smile from God...

Jesse is the most amazing gift in our lives. He is a true miracle.. The kind you only read about in fictional novels... the real heartfelt tear jerker kind... but he's really here... When I seriously let myself sit down and think about it... It seems so bizarrely magical...

Tomorrow will mark the 6 year anniversary of his transplant... For those who don't already know, Jesse was blessed with the gift of life... a liver and small bowel. He was just 3 months from his second birthday.. It's always a time of deep reflection on my part.

(This is Jesse the first time we met him... 4 months post transplant)

We tease in our family that Jesse has so many "special" days... Birthday, Transplant Day, Gotcha Day, Adoption Day and newly added... End of Chemo Day... Which day is most important? I can't say... without each special day, Jesse would not be in my life, so I can't even begin to rank them... Each day is special and unique in it's own way.

This morning, when talking to Jesse about his special day, he asked the question I've been avoiding because of his young age... "Where is the person who gave me a liver and bowel?" Of course I don't believe such a gift should ever be a secret.... so I explained it as best I could for his level of understanding... Today he knows that his special angel and Markelle, along with God, are in heaven looking after him. I believe that more than anyone could ever know. I hope that Jesse grows up believing this too.


Okay, not such a great picture, but unfortunately, the only one of two moms and two transplant babies on Markelle's transplant anniversary. November 13th, 2004. We always celebrated Markelle's special day with a Celebrate Life party. This day I believe was a Mexican Fiesta!! Markelle helped Jesse find his forever family and she loved him so very much! Jesse is so blessed to have had her such a big part of his life.

Tomorrow, six years after his life was forever changed by a very gracious set of parents who made the hardest decision ever, we will pray for them and thank them, and remember them in all that we do. Being an organ donor is more than just a decision, it's an act of unconditional love. My hope is to instill that in Jesse so that he never forgets to appreciate what he's been given. I know that with his sweet disposition and loving personality he will always be thankful!

Please join us in remembering everyone who's life has been touch by organ donation. Tell somone new about Jesse and Markelle in hopes of inspiring them to be an organ donor too. Tell your family once again about your wishes to be a donor. It's the most important thing you can do to ensure your wishes are carried out by the ones you are closest to.

To my sweet baby boy... No one could ever love you more... I appreciate each day with you because I know that your life is my reward... You are my pot of gold at the end of this rainbow!!


Before Transplant 2002

The handsome boy he is today!!

So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.
~2 Corinthians 9:7

Congratulations Heidi and Matthew!

Congratulations Heidi and Matt!!

It's true... My friend Heidi is tying the knot!! Some of you might be surprised, but I'm not... Not even a little bit. Heidi said from the beginning of our talks about moving here that her Prince Charming was waiting for her in Oregon. I think she meant it in jest, but oh... how true her words were.

Last year after Jesse and I got back from Seattle, Heidi and I decided to get serious about finding a church and planting some roots in Oregon. We found a great little church that spoke to our hearts and began attending regularly. Before long we noticed a very cute guy who seemed to be single. You know the type... tall, dark and handsome.. Since it was sort of new and exciting we started using a code name when referring to him.. so that the little boys (who are like parrots) wouldn't repeat the cute little comments we seemed to be regularly making... or give away how obviously smitten Heidi was.. His name is Matthew Dodd, but to us he is just "BIG"... As soon as the boys figured out who we were talking about they begin using it too, and after a while it just stuck...

Big is an amazing guy. He has a calm nature that makes you want to be around him. He is gentle and wonderful with Mikalie and Gage and they love him as much as Heidi does. He frequently tells Heidi how wonderful she is. He plays with the kids and helps them with their homework. He takes Mikalie on late night candy runs... (he's a bad influence on our figures). He's a little romantic and loves to talk as much as she does (if it's possible ;-). He's well educated and easy to chat with, totally just one of the guys.... and as an added bonus... He's a golfer!! We think the world of him and believe him to be a blessing to our family. Heidi is getting exactly what she deserves for a change!


So last Friday, he popped the BIG question and she said YES!! I'll admit, Mikalie and I were in on it, but sworn to secrecy. He took her totally by surprise and swept her off her feet with his unbelievably tender words. He gave her a dozen roses and included one pink rose and a balloon to say... "I wish Markelle was here.." He thinks of everything!!

The date will be July 31st... They will get married in the chruch where they met and fell in love!! Congratulation to my best friend and her kids!! I love you and am so very happy for all of you!!

They will be the cuttest little family!!

First family picture.... As an engaged family anyway!!

Resurection Sunday

Jesse and Gage were so cute yesterday I just have to post about it.

We go to church near our house, actually it's quite far away from our home considering that Newberg has the most churches per capita in Oregon, I've actually heard the whole west coast, but I'm not sure if I believe that... We could attend church right in our own back yard practially, but instead we drive about 30 min.... I guess it's a small price to find a church that suits us..



The boys sang in the choir yesterday for Resurection Sunday service. They were so proud of themselves. As Gage put it.... they, "sang their little hearts out". They had been practicing at church for about 6 weeks, and at home and the car too. Saturday they had a final practice in the morning which was followed by a pizza party and root beer floats, then they got all dressed up Saturday night for the evening service (followed by ice cream sundaes).... rushed to bed just to start over first thing Sunday morning for two services. They loved it and didn't get a bit tired of performing 3 different times. Both the boys saw me crying and, I must say, felt quite good about themselves for making me shed tears... I am so proud of them I could just burst!!

Okay, so it's not the best video, but enjoy anyway...

Jesse looks so grown up... and how about that hair?

Gage was so happy about his new belt he couldn't even stand himself.

I think he would have worn it to bed if Heidi would have let him.

I love my boys!!


Of course no Easter is complete without a good old fashion egg hunt!!

Happy Birthday Baby Addy!!

Our Sweet Addison Rae Back!!

Happy Birthday to one of the cutest babies on the planet... Addison is two today.

Addison is our Red Lobster baby... meaning we got the good news of her expected arrival while enjoying a nice dinner (and a sprite) at the Red Lobster... Amy likes to announce her new babies at dinner apparently, since the news of Alex came while eating at Benihana's (also while enjoying a sprite!). As her friends, we couldn't have been happier..

Amy delivers early... so we weren't surprised when she went into labor early in April... But in true Amy fashion, she delivered quickly and flawlessly and within a few hours their little family had grown by another person... before the rest of us could even get to the hospital... See for yourself how beautiful she was on the day she was borne.


Amy allowed us all to have input into her name, or I should say she tolerated it with a smile and her signature "wellll" ... I think Jesse wanted her to be named Chloe, but in the end Amy and Randy settled on "Baby Addy"... which fits her perfectly. Her middle name is Rae, after sweet Markelle... Because we are all sure Addison is a gift picked out special by our precious angle.. Sent to remind us that there are still good things to look forward to.


Addison is full of sugar and spice and everything nice... with a bunch of mischief and a little naughty. She is a daddy's girl who is snuggly and smart and cutter than you can imagine, she looks just like her mom. She loves Elmo and something called "Zoboomafoo" (dont' ask...) She is a big eater and loves to help herself to whatever is in the fridge or cupbord. She is brave and daring, loves amusement park rides and wants to be in the middle of whatever her big brother is doing. Addy also has the most perfect wavy hair and captivating smile. We are so blessed to have her part of our family!!

Happy big number TWO Baby Addy...
We love you so much!!