Grace earned her wings!

The Oughton family posted the following

At 6:23 this morning, October 29th 2007, Grace Lindsay Oughton earned her wings and is at peace in the arms of the Lord. She fought much harder than we could have and we are so very proud of her. She was an inspiration to us and to so many others. She is our princess and our hero.

Please keep the Oughton family in your prayers. As sad as they are I am sure they are rejoicing that Grace is with Jesus and not fighting this awful cancer.

A fun Sunday on the farm

Day at the Pumpkin Patch

The kids and I went to the pumpkin patch today. We had a great time. The kids played on the rope swings, go-tractors, slides and we got lost in the maize. I have one more week at the pumpkin patch, then it will be time to find another job.

The joys of reading!

Colleen has to do 9 weeks worth of reading in 4 days, at this rate she will not get very far. Hopefully she has learned her lesson and will start reading at the beginning of the grading period instead of the end.

Check out my Slide Show!

It is Raining!

Finally after months w/out rain, it is raining and raining some more. I might even get out of work today!
Ray made it home safe and sound yesterday. He got right back into the swing of homelife taking kids to their activities and doing homework. He got the boys while I opted to go w/ Colleen to her schools SOL KICKOFF. They fed us and then we did four different quick activities dealing with SOL stuff. Colleen and Rachel loved playing with the dry ice in the science section. I enjoyed getting a quick tutorial on the EXCEL spreadsheets.
Ray went back to work this morning, but he will get to be home all day tomorrow. YEAH!

Happy Birthday Tony

Jane's husband Tony is the big 40 today! Life is great in the 40's :)


The 2nd step of the new wall hanging took place today. Ray took his deer to a taxidermist today. Thankfully it is in AR so that will prolong the hanging for a little bit longer.
Donavan came home with a fever and sore throat. Made a quick trip to the doctor and no strep! Just a virus. Conlan had football, so Colleen and D-man took the night off. We are all waiting for the return of Ray. Conlan says we don't have to clean when daddy's home b/c he does it for us. D-man likes the fact his daddy is always making sure he has food to eat. Colleen misses being Princesses C. Besides the paycheck he brings home, his family needs him for all his love, cooking and cleaning:) Ray is definitely the glue that keeps us one happy family!

Mission Accomplished!

Ray and my dad got their deer. Ray was all excited when he called but he also was not in good cell range, so much of his story telling was not understood. I am sure the story will be told many times over the next 50 years. I know the deer has nine points and daddy's has eight. I am sure I will hear more details today.

The swimmer, football player, hunter and pj man

Swimmer- Colleen went to her first swim meet w/o her mommy today. Apparently she does not need me to do well. She said she took off time in the 4 events, 100 breast, 50 & 200 back and 100 IM. Tomorrow her and Conlan go back to swim some more.
Football Player- Conlan won his football game 6-0. Offense was on the field most of the game so Conlan saw lots of play time, even got in a few plays of defense. I think he played his best game yet. He is getting much better in his blocking. If they win next week his team will be seeded #1 for playoff time.
Hunter- Ray is in southwest CO. As of this afternoon he still hadn't shot the BIG ONE or even a little one for that matter. He is having fun, I think Daddy has only yelled at him and John once so far.
PJ man- Donavan's idea of the perfect day is to never get out of his PJ's. He made it to 9:30 this morning b/f Gram told him to get dressed. He spent the day with Gram while his siblings did sporting events. He told his Gram he was afraid he was going to be bored, but that he had a great day with her.

Sad News

ON the blog there is a link to the Grace Oughton Cancer Foundation. Grace has neuroblastoma, cancer of the nerve tissue. For almost two years the Oughton family has been fighting this cancer with all their might and many prayers to God. Today they gave the following update

During Grace's admission, a follow-up CT scan showed evidence of suspicious soft tissue areas, that appeared consistent with metastatic disease, in multiple locations in Grace's abdomen. Further investigation confirmed it's presence in and around multiple organs. It is now assumed that Grace has metastatic disease on her liver, right kidney, and her aorta. One doctor's statement that "her abdomen is a mess" fits it best. Since these findings, Grace's liver has begun to fail again. There are few options for soft-tissue disease that progresses during chemotherapy, but with Grace's liver condition and nutritional status, there are no options at all at this point.
We are home now. We have come to the realization that this disease is going to take our daughter from us. The small chance that her liver failure and nutritional status will turn around enough to administer a chemotherapy, whose goal is only to try and stabilize the disease, is not even comforting anymore. We don't want to torture our little angel anymore with no real hope of cure. If Grace is going to die of cancer, we want her to die where she is comfortable...in our home, in our bed.
We appreciate so much the calls and emails of support and prayers. We would ask that you, who have supported us so fervently, would now respect that our family time is so precious, and that any communication during this extremely difficult and private time be via email. Thank you so much for all you have done for our family. Please pray now for a painless passing, guidance, and strength for our family to endure.

Ray use to work with Alec, the father, and they are a wonderful family. If you could keep them in your prayers. I know the hell they have been living the last two years is only going to get worse in the next couple of weeks. Their faith in God has been tremendous. Many days when I have been frustrated I just read their blog and realize God has blessed me and my family.

Still Summertime

It is still Summer here. Today was in the mid 80's as it has been all week. My kids have only worn long pants once so far since school started. I have a better tan now than I had all summer. Got to give the pumpkin patch the credit.
Ray was in OK at 7 this morning. He was all excited, of course very sad his wife and children are not with him. NOT!
Tonight Conlan has football practice, the other two have decided they need quality time with Gram and Papa. I am going to take my book and go hide, and enjoy a few moments of peace and quiet.

Is he packed yet???

Ray is leaving for AR for the big Colorado trip tomorrow. He is just now starting to get packed. He did work for 36 hours straight and came home to do football practice so he hasn't had lots of free time.
D-man had his soccer party tonight. Fun Fun...Before that I took Colleen to swimming and did a KICKBOXING class. My arms were aching.
I plan on enjoying my day off tomorrow besides taking Ray to the airport, I might have to take a little side trip to Potomac Mills and do some shopping!

Swim and Swim Some More

Today was the first swim meet of the season. It was in a complex next to FEDEX Field and it was a great facility. Highlights of the day.....Donavan won both the 25 and 50 freestlye in the 6 and under group. He took off lots of time and looked very impressive! Conlan got 3rd in the 50, and two 6th places for the 100 and 200 free for the 10 and under group. It was the first time he ever swam the 200! He also took off time in all three events. Colleen swam well also she was in the top ten for the 50, 100, 200 and 500. She didn't do as well as she wanted. She stayed close to her times from Junior Olympics(AG Champs) in April. Now that soccer is over she plans on putting all her efforts in swimming. We were very proud of all three of them.

football

Football and Hunting

Conlan's football team won 20-6! Conlan played well got to play tight end and a little bit of defensive lineman. Ray was part of the chain gang and Donavan played in the dirt. After we got home the boys got on their hunting clothes and left for the woods. Poor Colleen has out grown her hunting clothes so she is going to go shopping with her mommy. Her father promised to take her to Gander Mountain for her own hunting apparel this week. Tonight will be the Razorback game and carb load for the big swim meet tomorrow!

End of outdoor soccer

Today was the last of outdoor soccer. Their team lost 2-1. Colleen scored the lone goal. It was great having both Conlan and Colleen play together. Indoor soccer starts in less than a month....

I am already on the fast track at the pumpkin patch. Last week I was scooping manure this week I have my own walkie-talkie! I am the "GateKeeper" I help keep all the classes organize until they are ready to go to their activities. Sound easy?? Tomorrow we will have 70 classes to get organize. This week has been more fun, I am constantly busy and have made a friend or two.

A couple of prayer request...Mr. Keen- he is a swim dad that is going to have to have open heart surgery on his aorta in the next couple of weeks. It looks like he will be having the operation in Cleveland, OH so they are waiting for the date.

George Burton-(had been married to Ray's cousin Karen) George has stage 4 prostate cancer. and it is not looking good for him. Please keep him and especially his kids in your prayers.

Is it bedtime yet?

Goodness what a day! I did my farm work. A nursing home came today so I helped with them. That was a learning experience, they are more work than a bunch of four year olds. I did enjoy my time with them especially a couple of the elderly men. Also it made me realize I will not be applying for a nursing home job!
This afternoon we had D-man's parent teacher conference. Miss Costa only had great things to say about Donavan. We are very proud of him and can only pray he can keep it up for another 12 years:)
Tonight, Ray and the boys did football and Colleen and I did the PTO Bingo night. I am the Volunteer coordinator for the PTO and one day, when I am not tired, I will get on my soap box about VOLUNTEERING! Because that could be a page blog with in itself. I can only thank my mother for that volunteering gene.

Mountains

Today we took a trip west and went to the mountains. It was a beautiful day. We did some hiking and viewing of the scenery. I took lots of pics with my video camera, but I haven't figured out how to down load it on my computer. May be in a few days I will have the pics up..in the mean time I put up pics from Ocean City. I couldn't let Sarah out do me.

Check out my Slide Show!

Conlan- Super Dual Athlete

Conlan had football this morning. They won 28-12. Conlan made some great blocks, went up for a pass but he missed it (pass interference according to Conlan's version). lol... He also got to play defense the last series and had two open field tackles. He was so excited. He is growing tired of playing tight end and has been begging to play defense.
This afternoon Conlan and Colleen had their last regular soccer game. They played the only undefeated team in the league. Conlan played super in goalie saving goals right and left. Then the fourth period came....A break a way..kid comes down hard with the ball and Conlan dived for the ball and accidentally hit the kid in the knee with his head, but the ball still went in the goal. Then Conlan has an heartbreaking ESPN moment....rolling and grabbing the ball thinking it was saved and then it got popped out and the team scored a goal. They lost 2-0. Their team has three great defensive players but lacking in all other areas. Colleen played a terrific defensive game. The following were remarks overheard by the opposing coach and parents.

1. Take her out
2. Trip her
3. She's a girl for god's sake
the best one...
Don't be afraid of her she is a human being just like you!

Ray and I get the night to ourselves. Ray's parents are taking the boys and Colleen is going to spend the night with her friend Alexa. YEAH! We haven't decided what we are doing, but I think staying at home and watching a movie is on the top spot!

ps...Donavan won his game 3-2. Donavan scored the first goal of the game. A great Saturday of sports!

Ray does have a heart!

Not only that, but his heart is working fine and dandy! The cardiologist couldn't find anything wrong with him. Yipeee! Thank you for your prayers.
Colleen had her first middle school dance yesterday. Their school has dances right after school, so she was picked up at 5 and scooted over to swimming. (Which she was not happy about until she saw her buddy than life was grand again.) Apparently her and her friends danced the whole two hours. She said the boys went to the gym to play basketball. I told her that part of life will never change!
Today is Donavan's last soccer game for the season:) Colleen was asked to play on a COED indoor soccer team. It is a boys team but the indoor changed the rules this year and said COED meant a girl had to be on the team and had to playing on the field at all times. The coach was teasing Colleen that if he had to have a girl on his team it might as well be her. ( he probably wasn't teasing) lol It is hard on these die hard "real men coaches" that girls have to be included. Colleen has played for this coach in the past so she pays no mind to him.
Last night at swimming the swim coach said he thought it was time to start moving Conlan up to the next Age Group. (Football is putting a cramp in his swimming practice time) The next age group meets at a later time but he would be finished at the same time as Colleen. We have our first meet next Sunday. So instead of soccer reports you will start getting swimming times!

Echocardiogram

Ray called and said that went off with no troubles. The technician that gave him the test said it looked good to her. Ray is waiting to hear from the cardiologist, so maybe by this afternoon we will hear the good news. I am off to the pumpkin patch! Whoo HOo...I don't think I care for this working thing:)

Hectic Thursday

I did luck out today and got to leave the pumpkin patch at 12. It gave me time to pick up the house and then I had a nice lunch with my friend Jennie. Then the total madness started, in a two hour period I picked up the boys from school, came home got soccer stuff together, went and got Colleen from a middle school basketball game(15 miles away) and dropped off her friend, and then went and coached D-man's soccer game. They lost their game 1-0. Saturday will be his last game. Tomorrow is suppose to be busy at the pumpkin patch. I like when we have things to do, I do not like standing around. I got to shovel the cow manure today brought make memories of the county fair! I got offered a long term substitute job today, but it is a 40 minute drive and I still don't I want to work everyday.
Ray's appt. is at 6:30 in the morning, so hopefully we will know something first thing. Thanks for your prayers.

Have to wait till Friday

Ray's appt. was rescheduled for Friday morning. He will have an echocardiogram and talk to the cardiologist.
D-man had his flu shot today, Ray and I went to Lowes, and later this evening we have soccer, football and PTO meeting. I am looking forward to hanging out w/ other adults and letting Ray figuring out how to get everyone where they need to be.
Last night I did I new exercise class at the Y. It is called the sports wall. It is kinda of like the a vertical spider stomp (game at Chuckie Cheeses). You use various objects to hit this electronic wall. It was fun. I think I am sore from doing lunges while waiting for my turn.

Back to work

Busy day...We had Conlan's IEP meeting at 8 this morning and then off to work I went. Today was slow on the farm so we got to watch different stations. It is quite a production, besides getting to go to the pumpkin patch, they have a talk about honey bees, how pumpkins grow, animal farm, corn maze and a market. Today I was with the animals. They have pigs, goats, sheep, rabbits, bantam chickens and a heifer. My feet hurt from standing for so long. You got to know that people working there have issues. Diabetic woman wouldn't shut up about her medical issues, but once she got moved to the hand washing station then the fibromyagelia lady started on all her troubles. I tried to hang with the stay at home moms and the old man.
Our weekend was busy with sports. D-man won his soccer game and scored a goal! Colleen lost their soccer game, but she played extremely well. Conlan's football team won. Football is so much more time consuming than soccer, but Conlan loves it and that is what matters. While Colleen was griping, I reminded her we spend hours driving to swim meets to watch her swim 35 seconds. Of course that is different!