I'm Just Sick

I just got some devastating news this afternoon and it's just made me sick to my stomach. My long-time friend, my 2nd Mom growing up since 2nd grade, has breast cancer! We found out through another friend today. She has surgery on the 11th and then 6 weeks of treatment.

I need to call her but she's out of town for school this week. What do you say to someone you love so much? She's healthy, fit and never been sick a day that I can remember!!!

I just keep crying and crying. I know it, the cancer, can be beat but it's a battle!

Until I can compose myself and my thoughts, I'll close for now. Please pray for her and her family. Her oldest is my age and the youngest is 16. There is a son in the middle and a wonderful husband along side her.

Fresh Salsa

Here it is, strait from my mother-in-law's lips! Her Salsa!!

7 Roma Tomatoes
2 Jalapenos (more or less depending how hot you like it)
1/3 onion (more or less depending how much you love onions)
Cilantro

Put tomatoes and Jalapenos in hot water (preferably boiling water on the stove until the skin can be peeled off. Once peeled put tomatoes and jalapenos in blender. Blend (depending how smooth or lumpy you want it. Then pour into a container or bowl. Add chopped onions and chopped cilantro, stir. Refrigerate.

Makes a nice amount of fresh salsa - not for canning!

Caldwell Family YMCA

While we were not the first in line to join our new Y, we have finally finished the application process and have been accepted to join their "club."

We have a family membership so they kids can go after school, practice, etc. and we can go as a family in the evenings to swim and have fun! We've gone swimming a couple of times with the whole family and have really enjoyed our time together.

I have my first "Fit-Start" appointment this morning with a trainer. This is a 12-week program that will help me get started on a work out regimen that meets my needs/wants while allowing me the freedom to set my own pace and speed. My main goals are:
* Get in shape
* Have a "fit pregnancy"
* Be in better shape by October's hunting season

Opened in Fall of 2005, the Caldwell Family YMCA has:
Full gymnasium, Multipurpose rooms, Climbing wall, Teen Activity Center, Youth Activity Center, Lounge and other community resources, as well as an array of exercise and recreation facilities.

The elaborate Aquatics Center with three swimming pools and a jacuzzi. The 25 yard lap pool has 6 lanes. The recreational pool also has up to six lanes (when classes are not in session). The children's pool has a bubbler area connected to the rec pool. The "lazy river" also connects into the recpool for people to float or exercise by swimming against the current.

Canyon County COSTCO!!!

Our brand new Costco!

My Dad and I braved the thought of crowds for the grand opening at 8 a.m. this morning only to find that we got there a little early and they let us in to get started! There weren't too many people there and they had TONS of free samples and foods to taste.

It is very similar to the Boise store, minus the plant nursery section. Wonderful new warehouse and shiny new shopping carts that we were the first to use - weird to think of that, I guess.

We even have the gas station and I topped off the tank at $2.88/gallon; which is a good deal for our area.

We were in and out of the store in an hour and back home by 9:30. I'm so excited that they are open and I'll be able to go shopping more with my Mom and hubby since it's not a planned day trip to Boise.

Next up - our very own Target!!! I can see girl-dates with my friend Heather in our future since she loves Target! WHOO HOO!

Long-Awaited Oregon Pictures

Roasting marshmellows and hanging out on the beach - it was COLD!

On the Oregon Coast

And Baby Makes 8?!?!?!

At our fist OB appointment today, we were surprised with an ultrasound! There is only one, thank goodness and the heart was beating perfectly. The head is the round circle to the right, little bright spot is the heart and the rest is the body. Measuring right on track!
At Week 9, here is the fetal development of our little babe:
Cartilage and bones begin to form. The basic structure of the eye is well underway and the tongue begins to develop. The intestines start to move out of the umbilical cord and into the abdomen as the body grows and makes room. The fingers and thumb have appeared but are short and webbed.

The kids are a little numb, I think but the girls are excited. Of course, they want a girl. Troy didn't want any more so he's indifferent at this point but he'll come around. He's 16 afterall and life at this point is about him so this does little for him.

We're very excited. Baby is due March 14th so Paco will be nearly 3 years old. We don't have any March birthdays so this is good news for our family - didn't add one to May, Aug or Nov!!! Our Suburban holds 8 so we'll be maxed out when we're all together. However, with Troy driving this fall, that will help out and I won't have to cart them to and fro for every practice, game and function.

I also just found out that two of our employees are due in the months around us so we will be busy come Spring! And, my long-time girlfriend is due in December so lots of babies joining our circle in the next year. Add to that list, my girlfriends Heather and Beth are both due in September so they have a headstart on us spring babies. Plus, my nephew Ty and his wife Lisa are due in November! WOW! Congratulations to all!!!

Brown Family Reunion

A fun filled long weekend in Challis, ID was had by the Brown's! All of my brothers made it for at least a day and some of us where there for 3 days! Lots of food, fun and fellowship made the trip very memorable for all. Challis Hot Springs is a great place to stay and we've booked it for next year's reunion! While a long 5 hour drive with construction started out the trip, we went home through Craters of the Moon and even saw the fault line from the big 1983 earthquake!

Here's a group picture. The guy in the middle taking a picture is my brother, Mahlon. From L to R: Roy, Virginia, Melynda, Reggie, Emily, Troy, Mom. Troy is my brother and Emily his wife.

We were missing my three nephews this year, Erik and his new bride, Mandy, Tyler and his wife Lisa and Brady. Erik's and Brady were in Texas on vacation and Ty's wife Lisa is pregnant (due in Nov) and they didn't make it. We're hoping next year we can all be there!

We got to see Rocky Mountain Sheep; which was really amazing - 13 of them in all! The guys floated the river, everyone enjoyed the hot springs pools and time passed too quickly. On Saturday, Roy and I did tell everyone that there would be a new addition come March '07. The kids thought it was some sort of sick joke but we assured them, it was real.

All in all, here's who was there: The Parents/Grandparents, oldest child Larry, his wife Steph and their daughter Virginia; next son Mahlon and his wife Laura, third son Troy and wife Emily, me - Joy and hubby Roy and their tribe: Troy, Melynda, Taylor, Paco and Reggie. Another great time to record in our memories!

An evening with Uncle Larry

I had an open house candle show, Roy was working and my parents were busy so... I called Uncle Larry (my brother) to see if he would be home and could watch Paco for an hour. He said yes so off we went, cars in our little bag to see Uncle Larry.

Paco puddled up a little bit when I left but my bro is very matter-of-fact and he opened the front door and said, "See, she's gone. You're here with me. Are we going to feed the turtle?" Enough said! Antonio had a great time! Didn't think much of the worm the turtle ate since it was moving.... fed the puppies and then got to ride the 4-wheeler, his fave at Uncle's.

About the little bag with cars in it... it's orange and supposed to be an animal carrier for stuffed animals (one). It has a little hole for its head, says "Favorite Pet" on the side and on the other side, two hearts stitched on it. Yes, it was Taylor's, but we borrowed it for Paco. Well, I guess he kept calling it his "purse." This did not go over well with Uncle. So, they went out to the shed and Paco got a "new camo backpack!" Very manly. Not cute. All boy. Antonio's instructions: "When you get home, you take your cars, put them in the backpack, get rid of the purse, never to be seen with you again!" Paco agreed so all were happy. We followed these instructions when we got home, too.

Another bonus was - a new hat! As you can see, he looks WAY to big all decked out in his big boy gear. I think they both had fun and that's what matters. Memories.