So.... What's Up????

*UPDATE - (early evening, Aug 3/10)

With regards to the liver transplant for our friend, Charlie, the donor's liver was not in good enough condition for the transplant. Charlie did not receive his new liver today. He is back on the list awaiting another liver. Unfortunately, someone must pass on in order for Charlie to receive his transplant.... it's very difficult to know exactly how to pray in a situation like that. We don't want anyone to perish just so another person can live; so we pray that the Lord's will be done in this situation. Thank you to those who prayed. Please keep Charlie on your prayer list. God's timing is always best.

ORIGINAL POST:
What a week!

On the one hand, I feel that it's been very relaxing as I've puttered along in getting a few things accomplished.

On the other hand, I feel like it's been go-go-go.... off to this and off to that.

How is that possible?

Must be this humidity affecting my brain cells.

I've posted some videos lately, but I haven't really taken the time to update you on our crazy lives here at The Found Estates.

Let's start off with Jon. Today he has left for Toronto. Late last night our friend, Charlie, received a call from Toronto General that a donated liver awaits him! Charlie has been in need of a replacement liver for quite some time now; and as of this afternoon, he will receive a very dear gift from a stranger..... the gift of life.

Jon drove Charlie and his wife Jessie to the hospital this morning (they're on their way as I type) along with one of their daughters, Niki. The other daughter, Ashley, and her son, Jordan, will stay here in The County and wait by the phone. Their son Jeff is working with Jake up in Georgetown, and I'm sure he'll be anxious as well to have his cell phone ring as the day progresses.

It's certainly an exciting time for the family, but not without a few worries, I'm sure. Jon said there is a 20% risk of things turning for the worse; however, we will remain faithful in believing that Charlie falls into the 80% category. It is my understanding that he should go into surgery by late afternoon today. Please pray for Charlie [right now would be a good time] as he goes through this extremely serious health situation.

Jon was extremely honoured to drive them up to Toronto. He took Charlie with him on his last trip out West, to British Columbia, and back in the transport. He felt like he was more of a babysitter for Charlie, (and if you know Charlie, you know what I'm talkin' about!). But today he is thrilled to be able to help his friend out in this situation of his life.

Friends, please ensure that you discuss with your family about donating your organs should you pass from this life. You will be helping out someone else in desperate need. You will be a blessing, and the recipient and their family will be eternally grateful.

Speaking of grateful, we are so pleased that Blake's health situation seems to be coming along. He's still not 100%, of course, but certainly on the mend! He forgot to take his pills the last two days, so his little skinny face is as plump as a 400-pound man's! hahaha. Looks like I'm gonna have to start being on "pill patrol". He's always been so good about it, but obviously not THIS week!

(No!, this is NOT Blake. No!, he is NOT this swollen. Yes!, this IS an adorable baby!)

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Blake's face has also broke out in extremely terrible acne. They say it's not related to Crohn's Disease, but SOMETHING is wonky for sure. I think I'm gonna take him to the pharmacy later today and we'll check with the pharmacist about what we can do. It's so bad right now, his face is literally sore to even touch. Poor kid.

No news yet from our dear government regarding the approval of funding for his Remicade. Grrrrr. Next clinic appointment with the specialist is August 13th, so if we haven't heard from the government, I am presuming they'll admit him for the next dose. He leaves for school the first week of September ([sigh]...already????) and will need that dose before he leaves!

I NEVER in my wildest dreams ever thought I'd run into such a situation in CANADA, of all places! BIG wake-up call and reality check!!!! Frustrating, but we must just go one day at a time...... God is still on the throne.

My Jacob was home for the weekend, although I didn't get to see him much. He returned home Friday, but Jon and I were away from Friday to late Saturday night. I saw him for a bit on Sunday and then he left Monday right after the lunch hour. He seemed on a bit of a downer..... I'm thinkin' it's "girl issues". My best advice? You're only 18. Concentrate on this wonderful job you have, save all that money you're making, and forget the women for now. We're nothing but trouble and can seriously mess with your head! hahaha

Seriously though, he is LOVING his job at Darron's landscaping business. I'm so glad about that. Darron loves having him and Jeff around..... it's like he's got a couple of his own sons. Darron told Jon, "This has been my best summer EVER! I'm really enjoying having them here." I think I'm gonna send Darron an invoice.... renting out my son to him. haha.

Jared has been extremely busy the last few weeks with Facebook, MSN, and Texting. [a-hem!] He is almost consumed by it, actually! The phone never leaves his pocket or hand, except when he is on the soccer or baseball fields..... oh yah, AND the shower. Other than that, it's glued to him. I finally had to take the cell away from him last night at beddy-bye time...... I can't believe the teenagers that are up at 1am... 2am.... 3am..... 4am..... TEXTING!!!!! Hey kids! GO.TO.BED!!!!!






Looks like Momma is gonna have to set some new rules. One more month and we'll be into the school routine again. All the cell and computer rules will be changing for sure!

Jared is certainly enjoying his soccer and baseball games, and I have enjoyed watching him. He is an excellent athlete, and I am very proud of him. One of the moms at soccer last week sat near me and said, "My son said, 'Oh no! We play against FOUND tonight!!!!!!'" hahahhaa. I thought that was cute. I can assure you, folks, that my children did NOT learn their athletic skills from their Momma!!!!! Musical genes came from me and my Mom....... Athletic skills, I believe, were passed down from their Great Great Grandpa Davey (Jon's paternal Great Grandfather). Apparently he was a baseball player. No athletics in my genes. The only sport gene I inherited was my fast car driving skills from my stock-car-racing Dad! (Go #333!!!)

Jarey's tournament for soccer is this weekend, and the following weekend is full with baseball. This week we have soccer and baseball every single night. What on EARTH will Jared do when it's over? Guess I'd better start a chore list! haha

Now a quick update on the "adopted sons"......

Justin - On Friday, Jon and I travelled to Pembroke to spend time with our "adopted son" Justin and his family. Justin's sister and fiance were having an engagement party, and Jon and I decided to have a nice evening away together. What a relaxing time we had. Thank you to the Lewis family for spoiling us once again. We have such fun with you all!

Matthew & Chris - These two boys are hilarious. They hung out here on Sunday afternoon and evening, and on the way home we stopped for some bridge jumping at the Milford Bridge. They're good boys. These three crazy kids have grown up together since early school age, and they are on the same baseball team as Jared this year. I so enjoy it when these boys visit. Funny. Honest. Polite. Kind. Entertaining. All-round good boys.

Brad & Billy - I haven't seen much of these two characters all summer. (What's up with THAT, boys???) Brad is very busy working in carpentry, while Billy keeps busy in the "restaurant" business of "fine foods". (I put that in quotation marks because I'm referring to McDonald's! haha). Both Brad & Billy have girlfriends, so I'm sure that's what is keeping them busy this summer. I'm sure their young sweethearts, Autumn and Julia, are keeping them in line. (Good work, ladies).

And ME????..... just trying to keep up with everyone else. Lots of to-do projects, but the humidity prevents me from even starting them. I think once I can get the boys back to school, I will feel more like tackling the big jobs. I'd like to paint my bedroom for one thing! (Still has primer paint...... for 17 years now...... oh well!)

I will be painting the interior trim and doors in the house as well. They're in desperate need of a colour change and freshening up. Probably the next big job after that will be ripping off all the kitchen wallpaper and repainting. That will be a big job, but I really think once everyone is back to school, I will whistle right through it. Please, friends, hold me accountable! haha.

With today's humidity, I'll be doing some inside jobs, such as cleaning and tidying and maybe some of that blasted paperwork that I keep putting off. My goodness, I absolutely detest paperwork!!!!..... DETEST IT!!!!!

I'm also gathering "junk" for my roadside FREE GIVEAWAY! As long as the rains hold off, I'll set some junk out today.... hey, that's something Jared could do! Ohhhhhh Jaaaaareeeeey......

OK, friends, must get off this computer. I hope you all had wonderful long weekends. You must click on the COMMENTS button below and let me know what is up with you! I'd love to know!

Enjoy your day, and please remember to keep Charlie's liver transplant situation in your prayers. Thank you.

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.

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

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

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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:

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

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

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

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

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Hope you enjoyed this little photo gallery.

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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.

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Yes, I believe we ARE a crazy bunch.

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Wedding Bells

I am excited about going out of town tomorrow to a new friend's wedding.






Summers are always busy times for weddings, but this is my first one for this year. And it's a little different than your average wedding, because the bride and groom have been married for 25 years.







Happy Anniversary, Terry & Susan







They have decided to renew their wedding vows for their Silver Anniversary. When they were married 25 years ago, Susan said they got married by the Justice of the Peace. She has always wanted the church wedding with the gown, so now she gets her wish.








Terry and Susan are the parents of "my adopted son" Justin.





(What a nut!)




Justin lived with us for a while during the late winter/early spring this year, as he was working on a job site in the area with Jon. He's such a funny kid.....



Sorry, Justin, I meant to say "funny young man"..... and I meant funny as in "funny-ha-ha", not "funny-weird"..... although you can be odd by times..... not odd in a bad way...... uhhhhhhhh.... you know what I mean.




We are looking forward to spending some time with "our boy" and getting to know Terry and Susan on a more personal level, as opposed to just our few chats on the phone.

And the ceremony is in a little white church in the country. How beautiful it's going to be!

Selah's "Unredeemed"

Wanna listen to a great song?

Well, of course it's by Selah!

Follow along to the lyrics posted below the video. This was recorded LIVE during an interview of Selah on K-LOVE radio. Todd, the male vocal in this song, says on Selah's blog that this song "sums up what so many of us are feeling and hoping for. That one day God will wipe every tear, that He will make sense of the pain and tragedy in our lives, and that He will one day redeem what has been unredeemed."

(Hey Justin, are you SURE that Allan (the piano player) isn't your brother? You two look sooooo much alike!)








Unredeemed
(Written by Chad Cates, Tony Wood, Brian Petak)
Produced by Bernie Herms

The cruelest word
The coldest heart
The deepest wound
The endless dark
The lonely ache
The burning tears
The bitter nights
The wasted years
Life breaks and falls apart
But we know these are…

Places
Where grace is
Soon to be so amazing
They may be unfulfilled
They may be unrestored
But when anything that’s shattered
Is laid before the Lord
Just watch and see
It will not be
Unredeemed

For every choice
That led to shame
And all the love
That never came
For every vow
That someone broke
And every life
That gave up hope
We live in the shadow of the fall
But the cross says these are all – just

Places
Where grace is
Soon to be so amazing
They may be unfulfilled
They may be unrestored
But when anything that’s shattered
Is laid before the Lord
Just watch and see
It will not be
Unredeemed

Places
Where grace is
Soon to be so amazing
They may be unfulfilled
They may be unrestored
You never know the miracle
The Father has in store
Just watch and see
It will not be
Unredeemed
***

Did I mention I've seen this group LIVE?

(Yah, I know I did..... but I'm gonna mention it again!.... 'cause, you know, it IS my blog......)

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Me and my gang of girlie-friends went to Cobourg a few years ago and watched them perform. That was when Nicol was in the group, but I'd LOOOOOOVE to go hear Amy perform! (Lord, I'll leave this one in Your hands, OK? You can make it happen! Thanking You in advance.... :O) )

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Anyways, I thought this was an amazing message of hope to share with you, especially those of you who are hurting at this time. Hang in there.... "you never know the miracle the Father has in store".

A Full House.... Of Boys

You already know that the only females in the house are myself and Katarina (our kitty-cat). So it's usually a house full of boys anyways: Jon, Blake, Jake, Jared, and Mick & Duke (our doggies).



But lately there's been a few more 'boys' hanging around here. You know from previous posts that Justin (one of my "adopted" boys) lived with us for part of March and April. (Hey Justin..... we still miss you! How's life at "the cottage"? Catch any fish? Call us and come over for supper!)



Well, now Mikey is staying with us. He's an old friend of Jon's. He's "Mikey-the-nice-guy". That's my nickname for him. He's a fellow truckdriver, and in all the years I've known him, he was always very respectful and polite when we chatted on the phone or if I happened to run into him for a quick visit over the past two decades. I said to Jon years ago, "Mikey isn't like all your other buddies.... he's very cordial and is very respectful and courteous and doesn't have a 'potty' mouth". Jon laughed and said, "Oh, he's got YOU fooled!".



Well.....Mikey is living with us for a short time, likely most of the summer. He lives about a four/five-hour drive north of our home, and he's coming down here to work on the construction site with Jon through the week and travelling home on the weekends. (I've been working at the construction site with Jon & Mikey today and last week, so I'm not really acting all girlie-girlie lately!)



Mikey's a very funny fellow and is a good friend to Jon. I've come to realize that Mikey is just as crazy and "potty-mouthed" as the rest of Jon's friends, but he's still a pretty cool guy so he gets to keep the name "Mikey-the-nice-guy".



And by the way..... I might refer to Jon's friends as crazy, but I'll tell you that they are a GREAT bunch of guys, and if I ever needed ANYTHING, I know that they'd be here in a minute to help me! If you ever get stuck on the side of the road and need help, you can feel pretty safe when a truckdriver stops to help you. They're really great guys and really form a family relationship with each other out there on the road.



Anyways, I'm off track.



So Mikey has moved in. And tonight, Blake has a few of his friends over..... his GUY friends. Blake has many female friends as well, but tonight is a "guy" night.



We have Billy (one of my "adopted" sons), and Travis, and Jordan, and Pat; and there are a few more that could show up at any time (Jack, Zach, Curtis..... and who knows who else!)



They have been playing poker at the kitchen table (but not before Billy and I taught Blake and Jared how to play euchre.... I LOVE that game!). And they have just moved to the back deck to play cards outside. It sounds so good to hear them laughing and joking and being silly. They haven't got to the belching and flatulating yet..... do they still do that when they're 19-ish? Oh goodness, what am I thinking? Of COURSE they do.... it goes right on into manhood. It just never stops!!!



So even though I GREATLY appreciate my time with my sisters and my Mom and my nieces and my girlfriends, I must say that there is just something about hanging out with the guys.



Someday Jon will return to his trucking career and hang out with his buddies on the road, and someday my boys will be grown and gone and won't need their momma every day. THAT will be the time that I can focus on "hangin' with the girls".



Until then, I am going to try and appreciate every moment with all these fellows that hang out here..... and that includes the times that I have to pick up dirty underwear and wet bath towels off the floor and remind them to say "excuse me" after they belch or flatulate!

(OK, Lord, I just typed that I will appreciate the underwear and wet towels.... Help me not to get angry the next time I find them on the floor, okie dokie????)

So, if I were playing poker with them tonight, I can guarantee my poker hand would be "a full house"..... of boys. And you know what?

I LOVE it.