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Sep 11, 2007 Post By: Mike

Iraq


I hope everyone is doing well. I am fine, all things considered. I think at some points of challenges, you get past the broken heart stage and just want to say "funny. you got me already. please stop now." I am working with a terrific bunch of heroes. I am constantly overwhelmed by their sense of courage, duty, and loyalty. Anyone of them would take a bullet or bomb to protect me and it is quite humbling. Please pray for these men. They are good kids. They do their best to not cuss or swear around me. I am sure they all have the typical infantry vices, but they make sure it stays away from me. They come from so many walks of life, and whether they dropped out of school in 8th grade or earned a masters at N.C. they are all doing unbelievably courageous things for a nation that is in all reality only offering superficial thanks and support. They know it - they are much smarter than anyone gives them credit for - especially the condescending media. Anyway, I could continue, but it would only serve to reveal a lot of bitterness. These boys are incredible and they are doing everything they can to make sure America retains its honor.

It was interesting to have a bunch of the guys in my CP watching the testimonies in Washington this week after a long mission. I thought it was profound that one of the congressmen who spoke first said that "Soldiers in Iraq will watch closely in Iraq how you treat their Commander during this line of questioning" I paraphrased what he really said, but sitting there it was a very profound moment for me.

Most of what I do I cannot share. We have a unique role with my unit type here. The vehicle is incredibly fast, protected, and carries a ton of meat eaters anywhere here quickly. So we get to have fun, if you can call it that.

Brooke will be fine (see my second sentence). She has reached the same limit as me and we have still not lost the faith. We really just can't get much more humbled so she has to be fine. I appreciate Dad's explanation and reassurance.

We are blessed so much with our wonderful children and family on both sides. True joy in life really only comes from our family relationships. I cannot wait for Sawyer to enter the family and be a part of it all.

Not much time for leisure here like their was in Afghanistan at times. We are extremely busy, but it makes the time go by much faster and I will take that any day.

It sounds like all of you are doing stupendously. Dad, you need to think about where to store the boat before you get it. I cannot wait to spend a couple of weeks out there on it with you.

Love you guys.

Mike

Post By: Peter

Prison on Sunday

Well, yet another addition to the flood of blogs. I thought I would add a little more than a few pictures. We have a few more to add after this blog.

On Sunday I had another opportunity to volunteer with three others in my ward as participants in sunday service at two prisons in our area. The prisons are both medium security, one an Idaho state corrections facility and the other a medium security private prison that is operated like a high security prison. Three of us were speakers and one a special musical number. I was able to do the same thing right after we moved here to Boise but we were only able to visit the Idaho prison due to some problems at the private prison the day of our visit.

The interesting thing about this visit was that Bro. Miller in our group was a local prosecuter for either the city or county for years. He politely waited until after both of our visits were done to tell us about one of the inmates that he recognized and what he had done to land himself in the bighouse. This was revealed to us during our discussion of how our human curiosity drags us to want to know what these men have done because the majority look like your neighbor(clean cut, respectfull, and very greatfull for our effort in speaking and visiting them) and not the foul, tattood, and grungy person that is stereo-typed. I was wondering which one of the inmates there in the LDS service had been on a mission and now found himself in that situation. All this is given that we were talking to the group of inmates that actually chose to attend church service. So with that understood, a very interesting experience to see some inmates from the Idaho prison that I recognized and to think that they have not left those confines since the last time I was there.

WOW! I love the freedom I enjoy. It was tough for me to be in the MTC for two months and not leave that small area. But to be in a much worse place and never leave. WOW! I also wanted to note the main topic of every one of the prayers that was said by an inmate that day... they wanted to bless, watch over and protect the family that they are separated from. Every one of those people has a family, probably children, that are affected so greatly by the choices that these men have made.

I am so greatful for the gospel and knowledge it gives me of who I am and where we all as a family want to be together. I think some may think that visiting these inmates is scary, but these brethren are what the gospel is for, to help those come to Christ and make use of the greatest gift of all, the atonement.

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Sep 10, 2007 Post By: Tracey

Adding to the flood of updates

San Diego is great and we are looking forward to a slight cool down in the next month maybe. Hayden started preschool today and loved it. He made a new friend but he can’t remember his name. He says his favorite part was riding a bike made for two kids. He told me he’s always wanted to do that! Through out the day he kept saying “I can’t believe it was the first day of school, it was so great!” He has several friends in the ward that are older than him and they must have taught him about school because now he always talks about recess (not a preschool term) and was wondering what grade he is in. (I thought about telling him he’s in MWF 4 year old P.M. grade...) Anyway, it’s great to have him started even though it’s only three afternoons a week because here the cut off for kindergarten is Dec. 2nd so all his friends from primary started school a few weeks ago and he has been really lonely. The plus side to his loneliness is that it has forced him to play with Danica a lot and they seem to really enjoy it. They have made up several games of chasing each other, he gives her horse rides on his back and they play games with the toys. It’s great!

Danica is still adjusting to having Alyssa around. She likes to point out all of Alyssa’s features like her eyes, nose, etc. She likes to help me burp her and is obsessed with giving Alyssa her binky. Even if she is asleep or in the middle of feeding Danica will try to force the binky in. But overall, most of her actions are positive toward Alyssa. Sometimes when Alyssa cries she says “Shhhh” to her, it’s pretty cute. However, the tantrums and grumpiness have definitely increased but that is probably due to a combination of lack of attention, boredom and “cabin fever” combined. Hopefully that will all subside soon.

Alyssa is still a cute as can be and has the brightest alert look in her eyes. Somehow she actually rolled over twice (stomach to back) while Barb was here, which is virtually impossible for a two week old so I don’t know how it happened. She is very strong and likes to kick her arms and legs a ton. We are still trying to figure out what Alyssa likes best and trying to help her settle into a little routine to help her feel happier but I think things are improving. She is letting us swaddle her now which helps a lot and we are able to put her in bed awake so she falls asleep on her own. She is sleeping better and mostly just waking every few hours to eat at night. She still seems bothered by gas and struggles some during eating but that should all improve with time.

Well, I have to be honest, I knew it would be hard to have three kids and youngest so close together and I kept thinking that if I told myself it would be hard then I would be pleasantly surprised when it wasn’t that bad.... well, there are moments when it really is that bad! Less than a month ago I really thought I was pretty good at my job and I had the kids, the house and my life all in order and going so smoothly. Now I am trying to figure out when I might feel like that again... three months? six months? when the kids move out of the house? I know there are many of you that have many more than 3 kids and you all survived so I am sure that once I am not so sleep deprived things will begin to look up! As I gain a better understanding of Alyssa I won’t feel so confined and it will be nice to get out of the house. However for now it can be a scary adventure... I took Hayden to an open house at his preschool last Friday and Alyssa screamed the whole time despite my best efforts to comfort her... at those times I really just wish we had stayed home!

Okay, I am off to bed. Thanks for all the pictures and updates. I’m sorry I’m such a taker right now because it’s easy to read the blog while taking care of Alyssa but hard to type with one hand! Maybe I’ll have to force Tom to write something!

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Post By: Dave

Back to School

The walk...




We found this note for us when we came upstairs for bed last night...courtesy of Parker. Translation: Put batteries in Woody

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Post By: Dave

Isaac's Birthday



We wrapped his iPod in several boxes...


...but he was glad to get it.

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Post By: Dave

Scout Camp

Dave's Troop 549

Isaac working on his rifle merit badge

Dave and Mount Adams (?)

Relay Race

Youth conference on Reed Island

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Post By: Marnie

Flashback

Hello everyone! Sorry I haven't posted (although there are many of you that could have as well) but I have been busy. This weekend my old roommate was in town, I was finishing moving and we had a big birthday bash for my best friend Michelle.

I am completely out of my old apartment now and it feels nice to be done with the moving process. I still have a few odds and ends that I need to get for my new place to be organized and set up but those will come. I have a ton of stuff that I don't need/want anymore and, luckily, Michelle's family is having a garage sale this Saturday so I can hopefully sell most of it there. When all that is gone I will take pictures of my new digs and show you how nice it is. :) My roommate, Lauren, has been in Hawaii for the past few days so it has been good to get more settled before she comes back.

Michelle's party was great fun. The party kinda had two themes...Michelle wanted it to be like a little kid party so we decided to make it as it would have been when she was a little kid, so in the 80s! Make sense? It was pretty dang fun to dress up and everyone was dressed to the nines! We had a cotton candy machine, pin the tail on the donkey, a pinata, karaoke, egg toss, musical chairs, cupcakes, silly string fight, scavenger hunt...it was a blast!

The Rock Stars! Party On!!

My best Flashdance impersonation (my inspiration for the outfit)

Totally rocking out to karaoke - Jessie's Girl!! Woohoo!!

Michelle, me and Kat

Now the weekend is over and I am back at work. My bosses, Michelle and Linda, are back from Europe but resting at home today so things should get back into swing tomorrow. My friend, Kelly, who recently moved to Hawaii with her husband is in town for a few days so I will be hanging out with her tomorrow...will be fun to see her. And...yeah, that is all I can think of right now! Glad to hear you are going to be ok, Brooke!

Looking forward to reading amazing, wonderful blogs from everyone soon!

Post By: Kenn

First day at Seminary

Thanks, Brooke for posting...I'm not sure why it has been so dead! I know Marnie has been moving out of her old apartment...Kim has just finished her CSR testing...I'll let her blog the results...not sure what's going on with everyone else...Hello! are you there?

Well, I just came home from seminary for my first day of teaching....not outstanding but not terrible either. I think the kids are getting used to me and me to the kids. I had about 5 when seminary was supposed to start...about 10 by the end of the opening song and the other four drifted in by the next 20 minutes. One didn't show but that was no surprise...he has been evading my visits so I think he isn't planning on attending this year. This morning was very complicated prior to their arrival...to explain, I'll have to go back to Sunday. When I went in to set up my class yesterday, I was put in a very small classroom (a double) with a cabinet with cubbies (narrow shelves for their scriptures). That was an issue since I had put together plastic boxes for each of the students to keep their scriptures, pencils, pens etc in. They didn't fit....so with some emotional trauma, I emptied them all and set up the classroom. I figured I'd have a pretty organized closet! Well, this morning I arrived at 5:30 am to find out that they were moving me to a new room. Slightly larger but with a large closet that will accomodate all of my "stuff". Fortunately, I had the boxes still in the car so I reloaded the scriptures etc and barely was ready for them when they arrived. So I was a little harried! Then I had several of the students complain because the room was so small...and suggest the smaller one that we had originally! Can't win! I had no one sleep during the whole lesson....just one nodding off occasionally... All in all, I made it through. We'll have to see how tomorrow goes...one day at a time.

The big problem for us to handle today is what to do with the huge boat in our driveway that is blocking the way to get two cars out so we have to function with just one. Dad is waiting until 8 to start calling around to find a storage place. We initially thought we would put it in our garage...not counting on how heavy it is to move. D & A and Dad and I could barely control it and keep it from rolling back into the circle. Almost as scary as the pier incident. Getting it into the garage kitty corner in a precise location would be pretty much an impossibility. The storage money would be well spent as long as we've already shelled the money out for the boat!

Well, I need to go work on my CBC work now. On Friday, I was handed several things to accomplish!!! Great timing!

Love you all,

Mom

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Post By: Brooke

Bavaria

Really, someone else could blog so mine isn't just sitting there at the top of the page forever, it's making me uncomfortable. I know, you are all too busy out on the boat or figuring out new ways to torture me (Anne, I will get you back someday. You can Bet On It, Bet On It, Bet On It...) Really it is just too FABULUS to have HM2 playing in my house any time my child can get it in the DVD player. You know, like when we have to leave for church in five minutes, all the girls need their shoes on, I'm brushing my teeth, and all of the sudden I'm hearing "Summer, summer, summer, summer." She's lucky she is such a good kid.

Okay, to address the whole skin cancer issue. I have a very shallow melanoma and it will be removed sometime in the next two weeks. I am not going for the Sigourney Weaver, Alien look alike contest anytime soon (even though I would win, minus a good 60 lbs or so). It is an inconvenience more than anything else (except occasionally at 2 am when I wake up and worry for 30 seconds and then go back to sleep). I know you were all very distressed, I could tell by the amount of comments on the blog that Barb transferred over and so I just wanted to put all your fears to rest.

Hope you all had a great weekend. love, Brooke

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Sep 6, 2007 Post By: Mom/Barb

Copied from Brooke--with permission

This is completely cheating but I copied part of the e-mail I sent to Mike yesterday and I'm using that for the blog. I just have so many hours in a day and not many of those include hours I can spend on the computer (nor do I want to really, I'm not a sit in front of the computer type girl).

Oh, I do have a little something to share that I have been meaning to put on here for a few days. Two weeks ago I was finally able to have a mole on my calf removed. Mike had not so kindly nicknamed it "the tick." and while I wouldn't mind having a Superhero as a constant companion right now, The Tick would not be my choice. This was a new mole which started growing this spring and while Mike was worried about cancer and such I thought it was ugly (obviously he did too or he wouldn't have named it something so gross). So... after the whole process of having my OB refer me back to my doctor (stupid policy here) and then my doctor referring me to a dermatologist and me waiting about two months to call back for an apt. I was finally able to go into the dermatologist. He takes a look at my mole and says "well I normally wait until after women have given birth but this mole is new, dark, and oddly shaped. Let's take it off." Great. After he removes said mole and stitches up the little skin punch with the darkest, ugliest thread known to man (is there something so wrong with flesh colored thread or white or light pink- if a nurse is so blind she can't see the more discreet thread I don't really want her working on my incisions anyway) he mentions that they will have it biopsied and call me with the results in a week or so. "Okay," I say and promptly forget about the ugly mole test.

Fast forward to last week. My Catholic friend is over at my house interviewing me for her world religions class. The phone rings and I answer (no phone call is ever ignored when a spouse is deployed).

Me-Hello?

Dr.- Hi, this is Dr. H. We have the preliminary results back on your mole. The tests came back abnormal.

Me-Abnormal (what tests, oh yeah, the biopsy)?

Dr-Yes, the mole doesn't fit into the perameters of being considered normal according to our tests. We don't have a dermayadayadayada here so we are going to have to send your mole to Walter Reed Medical Center.

Me-Walter Reed? At this point I am picturing "the tick" in a petri dish, swirling around in clear liquid, it is being loaded into a red Coleman cooler and packed with dry ice. A soldier in class A's is running across the tarmac with the cooler in hand as a plane awaits, engines running.

Dr.-Yes, they will do further tests there and determine whether or not it fits into their criteria for being normal. We should know more sometime in the next week or two. If it is just abnormal we will wait until after the baby is born and then do a little surgery and remove more tissue from the area, if it is malignant we will do a bigger surgery, when is the baby due?

At this point I am picturing a chunk of my leg being removed the size of a shark bite, or laying on my bed telling my kids goodbye.

Dr.-Either way I will need to come back and do a full body check (Fabulous, they are going to have to fly me to some marina where they can float me on my back and then on my stomach while a team of divers inspects my whale like body for "abnormal" moles. So, as soon as I get those test results in the next week or two I will let you know.

Yeah, it's been over a week and instead of having completely forgotten about the stupid mole I get to contemplate daily whether or not the Lord would really let me have skin cancer on top of everything else. I'm also quite certain that I'm going to look like the teeing off point at a golf course with all the divets they are going to take from my skin because right now even the smallest freckle is stretched to the size of Russia.

[Well, Brooke just called and unfortunately the Lord did let her have skin cancer. The doctor is pretty optimistic about it though. However, she has to go to Frankfurt to get the additional surgery done to remove the tissue around to make sure it is clear. Frankfurt is 4 hours away and she is requesting because of that to get the consult and the surgery done the same day...as the logistics are pretty daunting even if they do that. I know you all do include Brooke and Mike in your prayers regularly but please especially include them now. They really have a plateful of "opportunities" (the work my boss at WestFarm used for problems). It's not easy for Mike to worry from afar.]

So that is my mole story and the rest is my e-mail to Mike about Sadie's first day of kindergarten. I love you all.

Can not tell you how exhausted I am and how much I have to do. Three kids in school wipes me out. Sadie had a fabulous day today. The only low point is that she didn't have anyone to sit with on the bus on the ride home, but...she still wants to ride the bus. I'm at the school every day picking up Ellyn but she wants to ride the bus. I told her she could always change her mind. They invited parents to come eat lunch today so Ellie Boo and I went in and ate lunch with her class. She was so grown up about taking care of her lunchbox and she was waving to just about every kid on the planet. There are so many from our primary and a few from FRG. She is just a social little butterfly. Last night she went into the kitchen and got out an apple and the apple slicer and proceeded to slice apples and put them in a bag so she could have them for her lunch today. It was too funny. When she got home from school I asked her what she learned today and she told me they learned how to line up their toes on the piece of tape. Academic Genius.

Jane's homework has finally kicked in. She spent almost the whole evening doing homework and piano practicing. It was funny though, she said quite good naturedly "I guess my days of playing are over." Right now she doesn't mind it, it is still a novelty, and hopefully by the time it gets to her she will be a little bit faster. She also has a pretty mature attitude about her schedule. She has a math teacher that is supposedly really hard and pretty strict but Jane doesn't mind her so far and she really likes the rest of her schedule and doesn't want to mess it up. She can be so logical at times and so not at others. She's a sweetheart though.

Ellyn had a fairly good day. We had the whole morning together and with more one on one time I made her do more things with me, like unload the dishwasher. One glass was great, 6 made her ornery. She also got really used to me being right with her and threw an absolute fit when I went upstairs to get her socks by myself. The nerve. Her limp is still there and seemed more pronounced today. So frustrating. I think I will call Dr. Lukezic and have her take a look. The good thing is that it doesn't seem to be bothering her today.

Okay, we had the most insane weather all day. One second it would be clear blue beautiful skies, 55 degrees, crisp and pleasant with some dark clouds on the horizon. Ten minutes later the wind would kick up the clouds would rush in and pouring rain would absolutely drench everything. It was alot of fun to deal with.

Finally, the end. Love, Brooke

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Sep 5, 2007 Post By: Anonymous

SORRY GIRLS :(



So I know that many of you have already heard the news, but I have decided to leave GAP and get back into sporting goods with The Sports Authority. It was all kind of sudden. I found out that a buddy of mine from Sport Chalet had moved up here and was managing the Beaverton TSA. I gave him a call just to get in contact and he told me they had a few openings in Portland. I told him that I would be interested in listening to anything that came up. The next day (Monday), I received a call from the district manager wanting to meet with me. So I met with him on Tuesday and they offered me a job that night.
It is a job I can not refuse and I look at it as a blessing. As you all know I love sports and I am sorry ladies but the women's clothing I am not going to miss. So today I gave my current boss my notice and she of course was blind sided. I will miss some things about GAP and I am grateful for what they taught me but I am excited for this new chapter in our life.
The picture is my fortune from Panda Express tonight. Kind of fitting.
Other then this life is going smooth. The house is well, we just need another tenant for the empty bedroom. No news yet but hopefully soon. We love you all and you are all in our prayers. BTW, I received a new calling in my ward, 2nd Counseler in the ELders Quorum.
See you all later.

Post By: Peter

Engineering Humor

I got these from my transportation engineer buddy in the office.






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Sep 2, 2007 Post By: Marnie

Ratatouille Run

So another race down, who knows how many to go! Here is a picture of our group this year (the Gill's women, Brooke Bessey and me). Next year maybe will be a bigger group - you are all welcome to join! This year's race was "The Great Ratatouille Race" so they had some french chefs and a giant Remy cheering us on at the start and finish line which was a giant Arc de Triumphe. The race went well - I did as I expected I would. It was at 7am but still pretty hot so that didn't help. This is a really fun tradition and I am hoping to do it for many years to come.

Moving is going well. We still have the couch and dining table to move but it shouldn't be too bad. I am getting settled and unpacking in my new place. I am really liking it and I think it will be a very nice change. The a/c alone is amazing.

I am at Tom & Tracey's now. We just finished dinner and Dad and Hayden are watching Star Wars - I think I shall join them. Thanks for doing the Christmas list, Anne.

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Sep 1, 2007 Post By: Anne and Peter

Here you all go...Christmas list

Mike-Tracey
Brooke-Adina
Dave-Anne
Adina-Kim
Brent-Tom
Buffy-Marnie
Tom-Peter
Tracey-Treven
Marnie-Dave
Anne-Brent
Peter-Mike
Kim-Buffy
Treven-Brooke

Kids List:
Isaac-Sawyer
Taylor-Melia
Parker-Ellyn
Morgan-Jane
Jane-Andrew
Sadie-Taylor
Ellyn-Danica
Sawyer-Morgan
Hayden-Sadie
Danica-Parker
Alyssa-Isaac
Andrew-Hayden
Melia-Alyssa

Post By: Kimberly and Treven

Walking????

Melia is walking now.... we will put a video on when we get new batteries for our camera and take a video. We also noticed that two of her teeth have broken through.... the front bottom right and top left. Pretty funny... but the other ones are about to break through as well. So basically 4 front teeth all came in at one time.
I got a jogger stroller at the beginning of this week and am loving it! I go walking/jogging (depending on who I go with) every morning and it is feeling so great. Hopefully I will keep it up in the fall with school. I am really trying to... I have a goal and I want to get there.
Well school starts in a week and a half for me so I am getting excited for. I am kind of bored not having school. It is nice, but it just means I am getting closer to being done! I get a week off for Thanksgiving which is nice so Melia and I will probably head over to Boise for Thanksgiving. We will be staying here for Christmas... speaking of which... has anybody pulled the names for this years Christmas?
Nothing else is really new... I am still in training for Customer Service... I will be done next week. I just hope I pass the test!
Well love you all and love the updates...

Kimberly

Aug 31, 2007 Post By: Mom/Barb

In San Diego

Well, Marnie...that is quite amazing. I would have thought that your name was totally unique! I did google mine but the result was predictable. There is a Barbara Stinchfield who is the Director of Community and Cultural Services for Santa Monica, California. I've heard about her before...but then again I'm not a REAL BLOOD Stinchfield. I wonder if she is?

I'm down here with Tom and Tracey and the kids. Alyssa is a beautiful baby and quite good except for that nasty baby habit of needing to eat every three hours round the clock! Tracey took her to the doctor this morning for her two week check while I stayed with Hayden and Danica. She came home pretty beat so she is taking a nap right now. Hayden is quiet and content playing Lego Star Wars on the X-box...and Danica is watching Baby Einstein. They are both great kids! We went to the pool the other day and I was amazed at how well Hayden swam. He jumps off the diving board in ten foot water and swims to the side. This has all developed since they moved here.

Last night, Tom and I went to help Marnie move some boxes. Her new apartment is so much nicer than her old one...of course, it helps being able to share the rent! Some of her friends are helping her today as she hopes to be able to sleep at the new place tonight and start to get organized in her new digs!

Dad is coming in tomorrow morning. It will be fun to have him here...he always adds spice to my life....even if that consists of shopping for boats, recreational property, awnings, kayaks etc, etc. Never can accuse Dad of being limited on his interests!!!

I tried to call Brooke this morning as today was the day of Ellyn's appointment with the orthopedic specialist about her leg but there was no answer. I then was going to try at noon (9 pm their time when they are usually around) but didn't notice the clock until almost 2....not going to chance waking you up!)

Dad is going home Monday afternoon and I am returning Tuesday. I would have coordinated our exits except that I made them at different times and I get a lot better fare on the Tuesday than on Monday.

I'm trying to work on Seminary a little at a time but I do have almost a week after I get home to prepare so I think I'll go enjoy my book...I'm reading Brooke's book March by the same author that wrote Year of Wonders.(Geraldine Brooks) It follows Mr March's experiences in the Civil War (Mr. March is the father of the "Little Women") I am really enjoying it.

Well, my love to all.....

Mom

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Post By: Marnie

Thought this was interesting...

Look what comes up in the #1 spot when you Google "Marnie Stinchfield"...

1920

Henderson County, Upper Henderson/Magisterial District #4, Green River Island. ED 73, Sheet 4A/ Page 69A. Lines 36-42. 7-10 Jan 1920. -- IN DB

  • Stinchfield, Chas W. Head, male white, age 38 [1882], married. Born in Indiana; father & mother born in Indiana. Farmer on general farm. Renting home.
  • Stinchfield [TAYLOR], Mary. Wife, female white, age 37 [1883], married. Born in Missouri; father & mother born in Indiana. None.
  • Stinchfield, Gerald. Son, male white, age 15 [1905], single. Born in Illinois; father born in Indiana; mother in Missouri. Farmer laborer on home farm.
  • Stinchfield, Saunders. Son, male white, age 11 [1909], single. Attending school. Born in Indiana; father born in Indiana; mother in Missouri.
  • Stinchfield, Marnie. Daughter, female white, age 10 [1910], single. Attending school. Born in Indiana; father born in Indiana; mother in Missouri.
  • Stinchfield, Mable. Daughter, female white, age 8 [1912], single. Attending school. Born in Indiana; father born in Indiana; mother in Missouri.
  • WILKINS, George. Boarder, male white, age 47 [1873], widowed. Born in Indiana; father born in Indiana; mother in Missouri. Laborer, general farm.
I found it on this site. I can't believe there was another Marnie Stinchfield...crazy! So what comes up for you all?

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Aug 29, 2007 Post By: Dave

Washougal

Five days and counting! Yes - I have reached the point where I am anxious for school to begin. Last week, had you asked me, I would have lamented over all that I still wanted to do with the kids and how we were having so much fun together. Yesterday, however, was hell on earth, and I am now very ready for the kids to further their education...at school...for 8 hours a day.

Today was better. I told them we'd go to Blue Lake - it's a gorgeous day - if we got the house in shape. They did and we spent a few hours there before Isaac's guitar lessons. While they played, I finally finished Anna Karenina - loved it. Dave will be happy. I have been hauling this encyclopedia-sized novel around with me for weeks, including as my carry-on on planes. I think it's fair to say that he doesn't share my passion for the classics.

Soccer is in full swing. The 'brown eyes' are playing, as Taylor would put it. He separates all we do into brown eyes and blue eyes. He noticed, and is correct, that we always seem to separate into brown and blue - at a restaurant, running errands - kinda funny. Anyway - Taylor and Morgan are playing. Yesterday, Morgan took an elbow to the eye and is now sporting a black eye, which will be lovely for the first day of school.

Training continues, though some days are better than others. My right knee is bothering me - runner's knee, I think. (Right now Buffy is shaking her head at me, thinking, I told them!) I am trying to strengthen it, but continue to run on it. It makes a pretty sick crunching sound. Paige is stellar and is running circles around us - I am so proud of her - she is awesome.

Isaac served sacrament for the first time on Sunday. He did great, other than the big wad of gum he was chomping on. He starts 7th grade next week. I'm not even going to dwell on that frightening prospect. If any of you post-seventh-grade-adolescents have any advice...share.

Brooke - lest you think you are being ignored, Dave knows you have camera questions - we are ships passing in the night, and I don't know if he has had a chance to look at the blog. If I could help, I would, but I am clueless when it comes to cameras.

Before this gets too long -
Adina

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Aug 28, 2007 Post By: Buffy

Hello All

Hey guys. Sorry for the lack of blog contributions from this end. No good excuse here. I have not been using the computer much these days and have not been looking at the blog either.
I am in the groove with the work thing but am finding that the weeks are wizzing by and the free time just goes by faster. I thought that once grad school was over I would have more time but I am beginning to think that will never be the case.
I really love my job and laugh when I think about how chaotic my days are with running from patient to patient every half hour like a big juggling act and somehow fitting in time to dictate notes on everone when there is no time alotted really. So far I have been getting great feedback from patients and other staff about my care of them (since I have started here) which sure helps to balance out the insecurity that comes with being a newer clinician.
Brent and I are getting excited for our trip we have been planning with the Anselmos. We are flying down to Irvine and will be doing Disneland as well as visiting the San Diego Stinches. Then we are doing a 3 day road trip back up to Vancouver up the coast in their new Odysey (sp?). We are also going to make a quick trip up to Canada (Vancouver). This will all be happening from September 17th and into the next week. We will certainly post pictues.
Other fun news... Amy (my sis) has started making baby items with a friend and selling them online at a cool all hand-made website. Her first posted product is a dad's diaper bag made in camo print... very cool. Here is the link: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=6902672
One of the pictures she posted has her daughter Kate in it. I hope we have a kid soon cuz I will certainly not mind some cute hand-made baby things!
Well, I better go to bed since I am so not an early morning person.
Take care all and you are in our prayers. By the way, congratulations Tom and Tracey!!! What an adorable baby :) .
Buffy

2
Aug 27, 2007 Post By: Marnie

Shameless Plug

FYI - I just posted a new review on "From the Upper Right" about the film, Becoming Jane. For those of you who are interested - check it out!

Oh and to the left is a little something I did while playing around today, not my best work but a fun little quick job. :) Anne Hathaway has a really long neck!

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