Nine Days? REALLY???

Just what in tarnations is my problem?

NINE DAYS since my last post???

Can anyone tell me where this week went to?

I know that part of the problem is the head cold I've been suffering with. Jon passed it on to me, and as of Monday Jared has acquired it. There are a LOT of ill people right now, including many of the students at school.

Jared said that his school is full of kids not feeling well. I am hoping that is not the case with Blake in New Brunswick! That boy does NOT need any more illness, for sure!

I thought perhaps with school starting, I might have some extra time and find myself developing "a new routine". But nay-nay. That is not happening.

With the beginning of school also comes a bag of other things.... school sports, such as soccer, which Jared is currently in. After soccer he starts basketball. Then this Sunday is the formations in House League Hockey. So in a couple of weeks, we'll be in the cold arena with our hands wrapped around some nice hot cups of coffee or hot chocolate.

Then add Youth Groups to the mix. Youth Group at our church begins this Friday. Jared is also attending a Youth Group that meets Tuesday nights in Bloomfield.

Add some events that I, myself, am involved in. I am singing at The Shed in Milford this Sunday with The Shirt Tail Cuz'ns. It's a local annual fundraiser, and I am always pleased as punch to be included. I will be singing "The Log Driver's Waltz" as well as a song by The Isaacs called, "There's a Little Bit of Heaven".

On October 16th, I'm also singing with a group of 20+ women at another fundraiser. We had our first rehearsal on Sunday and the harmonies were divine! Trinity is emceeing the evening, and I'm excited to participate with such a talented trio. I will likely be singing two songs by The Isaacs: "There's a Little Bit of Heaven" as well as "If That Don't Make Ya Wanna Go". It's hard to know exactly what to sing, but both of these songs are quite peppy, so I'm sure they'll be crowd pleasers.

I'm sure I've mentioned in a previous post that our government has FINALLY given approval for Blake to receive the extremely expensive medication he needs for his Crohn's Disease. He also is authorized to receive the meds in New Brunswick, as long as the medication is shipped from Ontario. We are thrilled with this long-awaited positive news. I have already spoken with our Remicade Co-ordinator in New Brunswick, and she and Blake have set the date for October 26th. She is very accommodating in trying to work with Blake's school schedule. Between her and our Remicade Co-ordinator in Ontario, I don't think I've met two nicer ladies. They certainly make a difficult situation easier to bear. Hats off to you, Krista & Simona!

Blake's studies are proving to be jam-packed. He finds the work fairly easy; however, the amount of books he needs to read is time consuming. He also must fit in eight hours per week at the library. The food that is served at the school is NOT to Blake's benefit. He said it actually makes him feel terrible, and we cannot risk him getting ill; so he is making his own breakfasts and suppers. He has purchased the food program that allows him to choose one meal per day from the cafeteria (either lunch or supper). He will feel better with consuming his own prepared meals, but will likely take advantage of getting one meal per day from the cafeteria, especially if he has a heavy-scheduled day. This is, unfortunately, time consuming for him to cook his own meals with an already busy schedule, but he's been utilizing a slow-cooker that Grandma Fraser bought for him, so hopefully once he gets his routine down, things will hopefully flow along at a good pace.

His health seems to be pretty good aside from busyness; but please keep him in your prayers. He can still be prone to flare-ups even on the Remicade. We are also in the process of getting him a family doctor in Sussex as well as a Gastroenterologist in Saint John. These two doctors both have excellent reviews, so I'm excited to get Blake under their care. Blake will continue to keep his current Gastroenterologist in Kingston. The doctors will work as a team (which thrills me!). We are thankful for the Lord's mercy extended to Blake through this battle, so I'm confident God will continue to keep him under the shelter of His wing.

Jake is still busy working at the landscaping business in Georgetown. Because the weather conditions limit his employer's ability to do landscaping through the winter, Jake has decided he might like to go trucking with his Dad for the winter. I am OK with that as long as Jake promises me that trucking doesn't become his full-time career! haha. It will be good for Jon to have Jake travel with him. They'll be chums! [hahaha.... that's referencing our late Nanny Saunders' comment from many years ago!]

I miss Jake being home. Even though we lock horns sometimes, I still miss him. It will be nice to know he's with Jon and that I'll get a chance to see him a little more often through the winter months.

Jon is, of course, busy in the trucking department. Things are picking up again in the economy.... it's always a bit slow in August and early September, but by the end of September, things get rockin' for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I can't believe another year has almost passed by. If it keeps going this fast in the future, there'll be no time at all for anything!

I am pleased to see Jon feeling healthier and happier. We have learned a lot over the last few years..... we've learned how fragile life can be; we've learned how much we appreciate and love one another; we've learned how precious our marriage is, and how precious our boys are to us; we've learned that a few people are hurtful, but we've also learned that some people are the kindest, most compassionate folks you'll ever meet; we've learned that everyone sooner or later faces a battle; and we've learned that God has a plan for each of us. And I know that the trials we experience happen for a reason. Though I'm not necessarily sure of the reasons, I know down the road that the experience will prove to be beneficial, for me or for someone else. That's reassuring.

And now the time has come that I must get ready for Jared's soccer game. I hope the above brings you up to date with the Found household. Once again I promise to try and keep things updated a little more regularly. I am extremely excited that a new Bible Study series begins this Friday morning at our church, so I'll likely be sharing with you as I go through those lessons. It's another study by Beth Moore, so I'm quite excited to get the ball rolling.

Until next time, folks, remember where your help comes from --- your help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.

God bless.

Here's a pic of me with the boys back in August 2010. Jon was on the road; that's why he's not in the photo... we didn't kick him out or anything like that. haha.

Jacob And His Tighty Whities

If your child is comfortable wearing his underwear out in public, does that mean you've done a GOOD job in raising him? or a POOR job?

Under the circumstances, I'm going to say I've done a SUPER job in raising him.



On June 11, 2010 Jake and some friends participated in a local fundraiser, Relay For Life For Cancer. Their team was called The Tighty Whities!

Here is Jake with two good friends, Brandon (on the left) and Joel (on the right).

[Brandon, are you wearing flip-flops? And are those SOCKS??? Socks with FLIP-FLOPS????? CrAzY!!!!!]

Introducing The Tighty Whities Team! Way to go, guys and gals!

Many folks in the community and surrounding areas took time to walk, run, or jog for the whole night to raise money for Cancer. The event took place just behind our local Community Centre in Picton. Many teams dressed up for the event, and that's why this crazy bunch are out in public with their "gaunchies".



I think Jake inherited his muscles from his Momma!!! [wink]






Again, members of The Tighty Whities. Brandon asked me who I thought he was "supposed to be". I answered "Edward Scissorhands???" He disappointingly informed me I was incorrect. I think he said he was "The Wolverine" or something like that.








I was wondering...... why Jake..... would be putting..........

a flashlight.... in such.... a safe..... area......

..... until I realized that it may have been helping him to see in the dark!

What a kook!

We're very proud of Jake and The Tighty Whities for their contribution to the all-night walk-a-thon to raise money for Cancer. Thank you to everyone for their unselfishness and lack of sleep!

"The End!"

(BAHHHHH-hahahahahahaaaaaaa.... sorry, I just couldn't resist.)

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

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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!

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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.


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Baby Birds

Tonight I received a phone call from Jon.

He said, "Well.... I think I know now how you feel when you lose your baby."

My first thought was that he was referring to our loss of our two babies who are now in Heaven.

My second thought was..... Oh no. Jon's "baby" is his truck! He's lost his baby. He's had a bad accident and has totalled his "baby".





My stomach did this flip-flop thing and I slowly eased myself into a chair for fear of fainting! I could hear him talking on the other end of the phone, but couldn't make out what he was saying. I interrupted him and said, "JON! ARE YOU OK????"

He replied that he was alright, and I asked if he had been in an accident with the truck.

He confirmed he was NOT, in fact, talking about his truck, but that he was missing his little Jacob.





His voice spoke volumes to me as he tried to hold it together. He was disappointed and upset that he'd be returning home this evening in just a few hours without his "Jake", my "Jaybo", there to welcome him home.

For eighteen years, Jake has always been the one asking:

"Does Dad come home tonight?"
"Where is Dad travelling today?"
"What time will Dad be home?"
"Is Dad working on the truck today?"
"How long is Dad home for?"
"Can I go with Dad on the next trip?"

Jake was always the one at the door to greet his Daddy (well, right behind the dogs!).

And tonight, it hit Jon that it won't be happening that way any more.

Jake headed to the big city on Tuesday afternoon to start a new job.... a new life... a new place to live....

.....without his Daddy.

And someone is having a hard time with that.

Isn't it supposed to be ME? Is Momma not the one that has the big cry because her middle child, her third babe to come from her womb, her great big 6'1" tanned muscle-toned baby has left the nest?.... has flown the coop?.... has gone to spread his wings?

But instead, it's Daddy that's broken hearted.

It's Daddy that's lost.

It's Daddy who's feeling the empty-nest syndrome.

And it's Daddy who just couldn't hold it together any longer.

So the two of us blatted away together.... all the while with me reassuring him that Jake is only a few hours drive away, and that he's living with Jon's best friend from high school, and that Jake will be OK.

And that JON will be OK.

And that likely I, Jake's Mommy, will be OK.

Jake at soccer finals with his "Playoffs-Mullet"

Jake accepting a Mini-Pumpkin-Tarts dare

Jake-in-the-box..... his second home!

My little rough and tough all-mouth hockey player

Jake's "cowtail" ponytail

Soccer pro Jake with "farm-brother" Scott

Jake and his cousin Beulah Celia

Jake, Jared, & Blake relaxing in the leaves - Oct 2008

Photo by Peggy DeWitt

Blake, Jared, & Jacob - August 2004

Photo by Peggy DeWitt

Jared, Blake, & Jacob - August 2004

Blake, Jacob, & Jared after Blake's highschool graduation

June 2008

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Our baby bird is all grown up....
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But don't cry, Daddy......

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.....he'll always be your baby bird.

Blake's Health Update 2010/06/05 - Update (12:45pm)

Well, we're still here at home. We haven't headed into Emerg yet.

Blake seems a little perkier and he just had some of his Grandma's homemade soup with some crackers and cheese. He's still got his appetite, thank goodness, but it isn't long until it goes through his plumbing system.

Blake doesn't see the need to go to Emerg right now. Because he feels a little perkier, we may wait and see how he feels tonight. It's really hard when you don't know what to do! I'm hesitant of heading to the hospital where there's a virus outbreak; but I'm also not wanting him to get much weaker.

[sigh]

Over time I guess I'll be able to "read" him better and know what to do. In the meantime, I guess I go with my gut. Gut says wait a while longer and go to Emerg tonight if he has a bad spell this afternoon.

I will update y'all as things change.

Hope you're all enjoying this very beautiful day. With that wonderful breeze, I should be out stacking all that wood that Jake cut the other day..... Oh well, I guess it can wait "just one more day". :o)

Blake, Jacob, Jared - taken June 2008

Are these not just the three most handsome boys you've ever seen in your life? :o)

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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