Addilyn Rae Found

Yes, [a-hem] congratulations are in order.





You see, I am a Great Aunt!!!!





Great Auntie Michelle.





I am "tickled pink" to introduce my Great Niece....

Miss Addilyn Rae Found







She is the brand spankin' new daughter to Jon's nephew Raymond and his wife Kelly.

Photo by Noelle





This sweet babe was born on July 19, 2010 in California, weighing 8lb1oz. She's adorable.

Photo by Noelle

Photo by Noelle










As you can see, she already has her Daddy's full attention.

Photo by Noelle

We're so proud of you, Raymond.

Photo by Noelle









And she's an angel to her Mommy. Congratulations, Kelly. You look beautiful.

This is what "peaceful" looks like!

This is Jon's brother, Dane. He's a very proud

first-time Grandpa.

And here is one very proud Grandma, our

sister-in-law, Valerie.

What joy and happiness a wee babe brings to a family.

Photo by Noelle

She was knit together in her Momma's womb, and she is fearfully and wonderfully made. [The Lord's] works are wonderful! We know that full well.

(Psalm 139:13-14)

I couldn't resist putting in this photo as well...... It's the celebratory "It's-A-Girl" Cigars!!!!

I think she's perfect.

Wouldn't you agree???

Thank you, Lord.

*All photos belong to Raymond unless otherwise noted.

Blake's Health Update 2010/07/09

Wanted to give you all a quick update on Blake's situation before I head to bed.

Things are s-l-o-w-l-y starting to go downhill again. We NEED to get that next infusion of Remicade into him!!!

Our specialist's secretary called me first thing this morning to inform me she had indeed let one of Blake's doctors, Dr. Beyak, know that his condition is worsening again. She confirmed that Blake IS on the Urgent List, but it may be next week before he gets in. [Grrrrrr]

She said, "If you DO get a call from Admissions to come in on the weekend, are you okay with that?... because you will not get treated on the weekend." I said, "If it gets our foot in the door quicker, we will be there as soon as they call us!" She confirmed that was a good idea. She said some people do not want to spend the weekend in the hospital just waiting around. MY personal feeling is that we should grab a bed as soon as one becomes available! So she said she'd be letting Admissions know that we will come at any time.

Blake has had a quiet day. He spent a bit of time with his cousins this afternoon, but has just been resting this evening. He has discomfort in his abdomen, and is experiencing some back pain by times. I think this is all coming from his intestines, as the back pain stopped after the Remicade dose two weeks ago.

Please pray that a bed becomes available and that Blake is bumped up on the List. We need to get that next dose in him A.S.A.P. I can't believe how things turn so quickly. He's still eating, which is a good sign; but once the pain returns, it will cause nausea, and then his desire to eat will decrease.

At least the bowels still seem to be OK. That's a good thing.

I don't think the heat has been helping the situation too much either. At least we had some rain today which washed away some of the humidity. I would REALLY like LAST week's cooler temperatures to return! I have NO PROBLEMS with putting on a jacket in July. None whatsoever! But I simply CANNOT take this heat!

I will update more over the weekend and let you know how Blake is doing. Hoping to have a fun family day on Sunday afternoon to watch the big ol' soccer game with The Netherlands playing against Spain. Jake is home too this weekend from the big city. I'm hoping to get a relaxing weekend with my three boys. Jon and his friend, Charlie, are heading to British Columbia in the transport, so please pray for travelling mercies for them. At least they've got some air conditioning!

And while you're praying... if you don't mind me throwing one more request your way.... please pray for our nephew & his wife (Ray & Kelly) as they anticipate the arrival of a sweet baby girl any day now. Her due date is today, but no signs of the little one being in a hurry yet. Her Daddy says if she doesn't come by midnight, she's gonna be grounded when she finally does show up! haha. She's only got a few hours left, as they are on California time. Raymond, you just can't rush a woman.

I cannot believe I'm going to be a GREAT AUNT!!!!!! I'm waaaay too young for that! haha.

Thank you for remembering us in prayer, folks. Have a wonderful humid-free weekend.

No More 104

Thought you might like to take a peak at a very skinny young man.

Blake & Carley - June 27, 2010 - KGH - Davies 312
Photo compliments of Carley

'
'
The above photo is of Blake and my niece, Carley.

'
'
It was taken on June 27th, 2010 at Kingston General Hospital. I just had to snap this pic because Blake and Carley are approximately the same weight here.

'
'
Now, if you know Carley, you will know that she is extremely petite. EXTREMELY. I tried to put on a pair of her shorts one day that were laying beside the pool, and I got them just up above my knees. That was it. I actually thought the shorts belonged to one of the five year olds. But nay nay, they were Carley's.

'
'
So Blake was weighed on Sunday, June 27th and was 104 lbs. soaking wet! Basically just the weight of his bones. (Last Fall his lowest weight was 102 lbs. I didn't realize he was almost back to the same low weight!). Carley had mentioned that she normally weighs anywhere from 100 to 102 lbs., so I decided I needed a side-by-side photo.

'
'
I wish he'd let me take a photo of his ribs and upper legs as well. It would be good for him to see it someday...... someday when he's healthy again and back to the proper weight. Right now he doesn't like looking at himself in the mirror because he doesn't recognize himself. He does not like what he sees. You can see how his collar bone protrudes in the above photo. I should've got a picture of his spine..... you can count every vertebrae!

'
'
But here we are, almost a week later, and he has already porked on at least 11.5 lbs. He is feeling great, despite our little scenario with some joint aches at 3:30 this morning and a trip to the Emergency Department! (See post from earlier today.)

His afternoon and evening show him feeling wonderfully. He is so happy to be feeling good again. I wish I could meet the government officials looking after his file. If they could just meet him, they would do what is best for him, I'm sure. It will be nice to have everything finished.... we've been "fighting" for this for almost nine months!

'
'
Anyways, I'm goin' to head to the rec room and "chill" with my boys after I put some laundry away. Just wanted you to see the pic of Blake and Margaret Carley.


'
'

Blake's Health Update 2010/06/06

It's now after 2am. I took Blake into Picton's Emerg where we were greeted by Nurse Jane in Triage. We chuckled when we saw her, and she chuckled at us. You see, Nurse Jane has been on duty the last three times we've gone to Emerg. I think she lives in the Emergency Department. I think she does such a good job, they won't let her ever go home. haha. She said, "Well, why don't I just give you my schedule!" It was funny. (I know, had to be there....)

They immediately took us right to Room 2 with nice warm fleece blankets waiting. Doctor Christie came and chatted with him. She said they were going to get some fluids in him and give him something called Ondansetron, also known by brand-name Zofran, to help with the nausea. Apparently Gravol, also used to help offset nausea, which Blake has been taking non-stop for days now, keeps you quite sedated; Ondansetron works against nausea without making you drowsy.

So Blake was given two bags of IV fluids along with the Ondansetron which was administered via IV. Nurse Mary did the nasty duty of finding Blake's vein. I think Blake's veins were a bit on the tiny side because she had to do some digging and it hurt Blake. He said later that it was the worst IV he's had to date.

Blake seemed to settle as the IV fluids and med were being pumped into him. He slept most of the time. Just before we left, he had some pain so they gave him Tramacet. He went to the bathroom and then started feeling nauseated again. Nurse Jane gave me some Ondansetron to bring home in case he was nauseated through the night. Dr. Hayward-Stewart gave me a prescription for it, and I will fill it at the pharmacy on Sunday (which I guess is technically today.... still feels like Saturday night to me).

I gave him another Ondansetron when we got home. He's in bed now, hopefully resting well. I'm headed to bed myself, and I can barely finish typing this; but I know that many of you want to know the latest scoop. I will let you know later Sunday how he's feeling.

The one thing I keep thinking is.... maybe Dr. Depew will be able to count this visit to Emerg as a failure to the Methotrexate and we can move back to the Remicade. If this is the Lord's will, I pray that everything falls into place as far as the government is concerned.

I will update again later, but must get to bed now. Body.shutting.down. Hopefully I will get a chance to see my nephew Bruce in his Triathalon in Picton on Sunday morning. His Mom is bursting at the seams with pride. She's been crying before the race has even started! hahaa. Hormones, I think. Anyways, good luck, Bruce #78!!!!

G'night folks........

So Much To Do & Some Exciting News

It is so nice to sit here beside the woodstove and type a post.

The problem is, I have MANY things I need to be doing right now. Dishes are waiting to be cleaned, laundry is beckoning to be folded, floors are screaming to be swept, and junk is simply aching to be garbaged stored away for future use!

I am just wanting to curl up on the couch and relax tonight, but I MUST get this stuff done.

I am soooooo missing this blog! It's a way of relaxing for me, and unfortunately things have been literally non-stop here at the Found household, preventing me from doing some posts. Jared has hockey a minimum of four times a week, with House League games as well as Rep, combined with a practice for each league. School projects and assignments have been rolling in. Repairs to the car just seem to never end. Blake's girlfriend, Anelyse, arrives on Monday for a two-week visit, then we get Blake off to New Brunswick for college. Just after he gets to school, we'll have to arrange for a Remicade infusion.

And don't even get me STARTED on Christmas...... I mean it! Really! I have not done one cotton-pickin' thing for Christmas. Jon, Blake, and Jake snuck out the other night and got a real tree. I didn't want a real one, only because we don't have the room, and frankly, I just couldn't be bothered going to find one; but the three of them had a "male bonding moment", so all is well.

The tree has been standing in the basement now for about three days and only has one little decoration on it so far. Last year, all my lights burned out, so I'll need to get some more. Either that, or we'll just put decorations on it without lights. It will still be pretty.

This week we finished putting some used hardwood on the basement floor. It really has made the basement look very cosy. It's used hardwood from an old building that was being demolished, and the floor was to go to the dump. I got a really good feeling when Jon suggested we could use it in the house. It's been a lot of work in getting them laid down, but I like the finished results. We only have to finish one little side room that we call "The Sports Room", where the boys keep their sports equipment. It will be nice to finish this floor off.

My computer still has some type of virus. Today I called our ISP (Internet Service Provider). I tried six times over a 30-minute period. I asked the secretary if I was calling Tech Support at an unusually busy time, but she assured me someone would assist me. No one ever did, so I just decided I'll deal with it next week when I have more time. hahahha.... did you hear what I said? ".... when I have more time...." Sometimes I wonder if I'll EVER "have more time".

Well, folks, the clock is ticking and I have much to get done before bed tonight. I will close with some exciting news that I've heard through the rumour mill. Apparently Jon and I are going to be a great uncle and aunt! Jon's nephew in California is going to be a daddy! He and his wife have been married for five years now. I am so happy for them!

I have not heard back from Jon's family in California for quite a while now, and I am wondering if these problems with my computer have been happening longer than I realized! I know I have sent emails to some folks in the past who have never received them for some reason, and I know folks have sent ME emails that I've never received; so I'm wondering if this is the case with our family in California.

So, Dane and Valerie, or should I say "Grandpa & Grandma!", we will be calling you next week when we return home from New Jersey to get all the details! Congratulations! Please let Ray & Kelly and Auntie Katie know how happy we are for everyone!


Well, Jared is begging for me to give up Blake's computer so he can check his emails, so I'm off to the dish department, folks.

Everyone take care, and look for another post early next week.

Well, Aren't WE a Crazy Bunch....

Just thought I'd post a few random photos taken over the summer and autumn that included members of this crazy family.




Let's start off with Jake.


Looks normal enough...... a little dirty....


Wait!


Is that cow manure on your face, Jake?

And what exactly is that on the back of your head? A pony tail?

No, I believe it is NOT a pony tail but, in fact, a COW tail.....

You're nuts, Jake.

Here's a picture of Jared with our "adopted sons" Matthew and Christopher.

The boys were having fun going through the costume box and found these vests. Next thing I know, the boys' beginner fiddles were pulled out and Jared was trying to teach them a song whilst conducting the "orchestra" with a file that is actually used for sharpening the chainsaw!

Here they are from the backside..... they look like a couple of Dutch maidens.

I had to include this photo of Jon's baby. She was born in 1996. Jon loves his baby even more than ME! After taking a bit of a break, he is excited to see her get back on the road.

So Jake and two soccer buddies decide they need to get mullet hair cuts as they approached the season finals. Unfortunately, the mullets were not good luck, as they lost that game which knocked them out of the finals. At least he didn't wear the cow's tail to the game!

This is Jake on the left with his friends Joel (center) and Brandon (right), showing the side view of their new hairdo's.

Here's a photo of me with my two sisters. Left to right is Wannett, Danielle, and me, Michelle. We were asked to sing a song at the first fundraiser that was held in Waupoos.

I must include a photo of my nephews Bruce, Fraser, and Jackson....

..... as well as my nieces, Beulah and Hilda..... I mean, Celia and Abby.

I just HAVE to include this photo. This is Blake when we were at Kingston General Hospital waiting to have the gastroscopy done. We were waiting in the hallway for them to finish up with some other patients. I was standing at the end of the gurney, so as to stay out of the way of other gurneys that were being shuffled around. I felt something touching my hip, and it was Blake's toe brushing back and forth.

I thought he was trying to get my attention, so I went up to him and leaned over him and said, "Did you want something honey?" Blake takes a breath and, with his eyes still closed, says, "Iiiiiiii Love Youuuuuu....." I think my heart burst right at that moment and fell out onto the floor. It was so nice to hear him actually being nice to me! (Not feeling well had changed his attitude into quite a grouch, so it was wonderful to hear him actually be kind!) And THAT's why I will treasure this photo!

When Blake was first hospitalized in Picton, before we knew the extent of damage to his intestines, Blake was given a form of morphine to alleviate some pain. Jake decided he could give Blake some "happy medicine" straight from the earth of Prince Edward County..... he took some "grass" (it was actually grass that had been cut from the lawn... so don't panic or report us or anything!) and he rolled it in some paper. Blake was excited that he had his very own "doobie". Jake assured Blake it was for medicinal purposes only; however, we were not allowed to smoke in the building. hahahhahaaa

This photo is of my sister Danielle and my Mom. It was taken moments before the ambulance transferred Blake from Picton Hospital to Kingston on Oct 2nd. (Thanks, Todd & Chris, for the safe travelling you provided for m' boy.) Dani is giving Blake a wet willy before his ambulance ride.

(PS) - Happy Birthday Mom! (today, Nov 22nd).... 68 years young!

Our adopted son, Billy, wanted to ensure his best friend arrived safely in Kingston, so I told him I would ride with him in his car so he knew where to park and how to get to the right spot in the hospital. He gave us a hard time in getting his picture taken, so I had to use my Mommy Muscles.

When we were at Picton Hospital for the first stay, Blake received a bib from the Ladies Hospital Auxiliary. They are helpful volunteers who come around to assist those who need help being fed or opening up some of their containers and drinks, etc. They supply bibs, so I made Blake wear it in case he made a mess on his beautifully professionally designed hospital gown. He got silly when I went to take his picture with Jackson and he started drooling on the bib. You can't really notice it, but trust me... it's there! He's such a kook!

Before Wannett headed off to the Toronto airport to head to Kenya, Africa, she popped by for one last visit with Blake. I told her I had to get her picture in case her plane went down. I know. That's morbid. But that's honestly what I thought. I think you look really good in this photo, Wannett; so if your plane had have gone down, you would have entered Heaven's gates looking absolutely divine. Here's Wannett with her youngest daughter Beulah Celia.

Next up is a photo with me and our "adopted son" Justin. Justin lived with us in March and April of 2009 and worked with Jon on a construction site. Hey, Dooley, you clean up reeeeeeeeeal gooooooood. I miss Justin. He's about due for a visit, I'd say.

And THIS is Mikey-the-nice-guy. Mikey has been Jon's friend for about 20 years. They truck together, hang out together, eat together, and literally sleep together. They called me one night from their hotel room at a construction site in Petawawa... the beds were taken by other co-workers, so they shared a cot.... they "spooned". Jon says Mikey has a hairy back. hahahahha

Mikey is HONESTLY as crazy as they come. He is 100 percent nuts! crazy! looney! NOTHING is too crazy for this man. He lived here with us this past summer from Monday to Friday while he worked on the construction site and then headed home on the weekends. One weeknight my aunt and uncle were here for a visit. All of a sudden we realize that Mikey is burning our picnic table. And it's not only burning, but HE is on top of it WHILE it's burning.

'

'

'

He managed to coax Matt, Jared, and Jake to join in on the "fun". [sigh]

'

'

'

"OK!!!! I AM INSISTING THAT YOU ALL GET OFF THAT PICNIC TABLE RIGHT THIS INSTANT BEFORE YOUR GOOSE IS LITERALLY COOKED!!!!!"

'

'

'

You'll notice I haven't put any crazy photos of ME in here... that's because I don't do crazy things...... [a-hem]......or is it just that no one has the camera handy when I DO!??? This photo is of me when we took Blake to the Emerg back on Sept. 13th, before he was first diagnosed with Crohn's. I spent the night in his terribly uncomfortable wheelchair, wrapped in a hospital sheet. My Mom said that "I" looked more like the patient!

'

'

'

I had to include pictures of Mick and Duke, too. Here's Micky just after Jake and Jared took the cow clippers to him. They decided to give him a Mohawk cut with a lion's mane. Pooooor Mickyyyyyy.

'

'

'

They decided to give Duke the "checker board" look...... nahhhhh, I'm kidding. It's just the shadow of the lattice on the overhang of the back deck.

'

'

'

Now most of you know that Blake lost over 1/3 of his body weight with this disease. He went from 165 lbs. to 102 lbs. He was just skin on bones and looked like he'd just walked out of a concentration camp. When we were in the sitting room one evening with Jon and Jake and Jared, we were commenting on the size of his legs. Jared and Jake put their forearms next to Blake's calves. Check this out:

'

Can you BELIEVE THAT???? Their forearms are larger than Blake's legs!!!!!! What a shock.

'

'

'

And for the last photo...........

'

'

'

JON! IT SURE LOOKS LIKE YOU'RE IN A BIRTHING CHAIR!!!! WHEN ARE YOU DUE???

'

'

'

ARE YOU SURE YOU NEED THAT MUFFIN?????

'

'

'

Hope you enjoyed this little photo gallery.

'

'

'

There's lots more hospital photos that I want to share with you, but I thought you'd have fun checking out some of these crazy shots.

'

'

'

Yes, I believe we ARE a crazy bunch.

'

'

Update on Soccer Tournament 2009

Today was "do or die".





Jake started off our day at 9am with a win in the semi-finals. He was to play again in the afternoon..... more info on that in a minute......





Jackson and Fraser's game was at 10am, but they were unsuccessful in scoring any goals against the other team and were defeated. Done for this season. Good job, little yellow Timbits. (Oooopsie Update - my sister just informed me today (Aug 10) that the boys actually DID score a goal.... it was 2-1. She said I should ensure that I get my facts straight before going to print. Well, if I knew she actually did read my blog, without me having to TELL her to read it, then I might be more accurate on the info! Feel free to proofread anytime, Wannetty!) :O)





Bruce lost both of his games yesterday so he was automatically out of today's games. Sorry, Bruce. Great defence, buddy.





Jared played at noon, but just as the whistle sounded for 1/2 time, everyone was instructed to go to their cars but remain at the fields and not go home. The thunder clouds had moved in and it started to pour! They can play in the rain, but not in the lightning. After a half-hour wait, the lightning moved on, the rains let up a bit, and it was "game on". Unfortunately, they could not overcome the opposing team and lost. Good try, guys & gals.





So we hung around the field for a couple of hours watching friends play from other teams, then watched Jake play for the final game of the day. Games were all an hour behind this afternoon because of the weather and also because of a fantastic shoot out between two teams in the Under 13 division. Shoot outs are always intense! (Matt, how do you spell intense? tee-hee)





So Jacob and his team worked hard and........





drum roll please.....................











THEY WON!!!!!!





First place!





Congrats to Jake and his team of navy blue!





It was fun to watch everyone play from May to August. I am now exhausted, sunburned, have a migraine moving in, (and I didn't even play!) and am actually disappointed (somewhat) that the season is over. Nine more months and we start all over again!





I'm very proud of my boys (and my nephews) in their accomplishments in soccer. You guys are very entertaining to watch, and no mom is more proud than me.

Soccer Tournament 2009

THIS is soccer weekend.




WE are tired.




WE are sunburned.




but.....




WE love it.






Jake and Jared are involved in House League Soccer, as well as my nephews (Bruce, Jackson, and Fraser).





Today (Saturday) all teams in all divisions were guaranteed two games. Working with a point system, the teams with the highest points move on to tomorrow to semi-finals and finals.




Looks like Bruce gets to put his feet up tomorrow and just watch his brother, Fraser, play. Bruce's team worked hard today; however, they lost both their games. This knocks them out of play, but he can return to try again in only nine short months! (Believe me, it will be here in no time).




The other boys move on to play again on Sunday morning. Finals will be in the afternoon, if they make it. Unfortunately this means we must play hookey from church and we'll miss the Youth Service (sorry Blake).




The Lord held off the rains for us today.... we'll see what Sunday's weather holds in store for us........ Anyways, here's lots of photos of our day.

Michelle watching the games.

Jared watching Jake's first game..... don't think he's quite awake yet.

Jake (in the Under 19's), with Katelyn (centre of photo) setting up a plan in Game #1 of the day.

Jake completing a "throw in".

Scott and Jake after their first win of the day.

Jared (in the Under 16's) playing goalie at his first game, which ended in a no-score game. A tie (Zero to Zero!).

And just how ADORABLE is THIS? Jake is sitting with team-mate Mallory...... sharing an I-Pod as they await their next game...... ahhhhhhhhhhh. I just COULDN'T resist taking a snap of THIS!

She is a cutie (and has the prettiest eyes!), and she's a darn fine soccer player as well!

Scott, Brad, Jake, & Mallory.

Bruce is in a different league than Jake, of course, but they have the same coloured shirts. He had jumped on Jake's shoulders and I noticed the number sequence.

Bruce and Jake.

'

'

Speaking of number sequence, here is Jared (#20) with his two best friends (as well as our "adopted sons") Matthew (#18) and Christopher (#19). This photo was taken earlier in the season. Matt & Chris were at a baseball tournament today and couldn't make the soccer tournament.... hopefully they'll be available for semi-finals tomorrow! (Boys... get your priorities straight! [wink, wink])

'

Three VERY proud soccer moms! Me (centre) with my two sisters, Wannett (left) and Danielle (right).

'

'

A very kind person donated ice cream cones to all the soccer players as well as any parents who wanted a little treat. Here are Fraser and Beulah (my nickname for my niece, Celia) decorating their faces with vanilla ice cream.

'

'

Jackson sat not too far away enjoying his cone as well.

'

'

Carley, my niece, enjoying HER tasty treat.

Jackson actually looked like he had a moustache.

'

'

Jake's team was in need of a goalie for Game #2. Their regular goalie was out of town and their second goalie had to work in the afternoon, so Jared filled in. He did spectacular. A little while later, the second goalie showed up (her boss was kind enough to let her slip out of work for a while).

Jared (third from right) as goalie for Jake's team in Game #2.

'

'

Jake (third from left) getting ready to score another goal in Game #2. He said he's made 25 goals this season.

Jared (centre of field, wearing white socks) was required to play more time even though the other goalie showed up. The referee said he must play equal time in the second half as he did in the first. That was a rule that no one else had heard of, but Jared certainly didn't mind getting some extra time on the field. Jake's team won this game and so they move on to semi-finals on Sunday.

'

Fraser and Jackson awaiting their second game.

Bruce coming off the field for a water break from all that hard, fast running! He had just finished eating a red popsicle at half time, so that's why he looks like he's wearing lipstick!

Jared (white socks) at his second game. A win! Off to semi-finals on Sunday.

This lady's name is Nancy. (She actually is a fantastic nurse and was in the delivery room for both Blake and Jacob's deliveries. She was supposed to be around for Jared's delivery too, but was on maternity leave with her own son and she selfishly would not come back to work to bring Jared into the world. I have, since, forgiven her.... well, not quite, but almost.....I'm tellin' ya, she's a great nurse!). I couldn't resist taking a snap of her new Golden Retriever puppy, Bella, who was zonked out for part of the game.

Bella woke up when I moved in for a close-up. Isn't she ADORABLE?

'

'

Well, that's it for photos, folks. I can't believe how long this post has taken me.... I started about two hours ago! I'll do an update tomorrow on how everyone placed in the finals.

'

Part of me is disappointed that the season has come to an end, but I'm reminded of that verse in Ecclesiastes 3 where there is a time for everything. And once soccer is done, there will be a time for supper meals at the table again; there'll be a time for saving all that gas money from trips to town two and three and four times a week; there will be a time of no more stinky soccer cleats; there will be no more times of hearing, "Is my soccer uniform clean?"........

'

And there will be seasons of memories that I will cherish.

'

I'm proud of you, boys, and I love you dearly. XO

'