Well December is proving to be a challenging month with the cold weather and rain. It hasn't kept the girls from playing hard and trying to do other things. It will not be long before Megan will be up and running.
Biking has taken a back seat, because of work and less daylight and because my friend had an accident (broke his neck) and will be off the bike for a while. The weather has also kept me away as it is so cold early morning when I love to ride. I plan to get a few rides in during the next couple of weeks.

So much to be thankful for

Well here is Thanksgiving once again and I guess it sneaks up on me because I am so Thankful.

I have a great wife who has a servant heart and a love for her family. I have great Grandkids not to mention great Kids. I wish that I could see each of them everyday or more. Just seeing pictures of them is good also, but I still need a hug.

Hannah is growing into a beautiful girl and has a great love of life.

Michael is having a great time growing up in Denver and His family is starting a new mission Church in South Denver.

Kyle is in Oklahoma and loves it there and loves to read and go to school and Church.

Shelby is just growing and learning what it is like to be a big sister and how to tease her Grandpa.

Megan is just starting to crawl and has a beautiful smile.

We are lloking forward to spending Thanksgiving at Kevin and Patty's home with Christy there and a lot of Pattys family.

God is good and He watches over us in our journey.

Terri and I got to go see Donna this afternoon and it was a good visit. The test results of the biopsy on her heart have not come back yet. She is slated to go home on Monday, but now with the poor air quality because of all the fires, they may wait. Terri and I just had fun talking to her about how she felt with the new heart and she said she had forgot how it felt to be healthy. We walked down the hall and she is still a little slow. After all it has been some time since she could walk that much. She has a lot of question, but she feels great and says to tell all of you Thanks for all the prayers and she hopes to see you some day.
I am posting a picture of her so that if you haven't met her you will know her if you see her. Notice the big smile and that wasn't forced. She is so happy and can't wait to get out and start doing things that she hasn't done in a long while. I told her she could borrow one of my bikes anytime, she laughed as I think she thought that she would have to ride with me (I can go slow and I am not that fast anyway).

Well it has taken me long enough since our trip to Branson to post the picture of Terri and Sandy Learman's picture with Andy Williams at his restaurant. The girls were so excited to see him there just a couple of tables away from us. I spotted him as he stood up and Sandy went chasing after him with a table napkin to get his signature (she forgot a ink pin and had to borrow one) and Sandy said for me to come take the picture. Sheryl told me to take her camera to get a picture. I had to scan the picture so it is not as good as the original. Andy was in a hurry so I didn't get to take a second shot. The other 2 pictures are of the group that went on the Branson Bell lunch cruse (Sheryl, Sandy, Terri and Dick). I thought that the picture of Dick was such a great picture I would post it also.

To update the condition of Donna (Terri's sister) after the Heart transplant, she is doing great and today they will do a heart biopsy to make sure there are no early signs of rejection (it has been a week as of 0700 this morning). She feels great and if all is good should move to ICU and possibly come home this week end.

Donna got a heart

Well it finally happened after over 8 years of waiting that Donna got a heart on November 5, 2008 at 0700. That is when they informed us that the heart was in and beating strong. It had been a long day for Terri and Cindy and others who joined them in the overnight wait. I got there about 0400 and made a coffee run for them and of course me also. The progress seemed slow from my perspective, but after all it was a heart from a 42 year old women in Las Vegas who donated her heart and lungs. I don't know her story, but just thank God that she was willing to donate.

On Friday morning they removed the ventilator and now we can see more progress. The body is still trying to reject the heart so the meds are working overtime. I guess this is normal and the body will do this the rest of her life. Just remember I am not a Dr. and only repeat what I hear.

It is still a long journey and I hope to see her today for myself as I have not seen her since Wednesday late afternoon. The above picture is some of the friends and family there on Wednesday.

Branson trip

Well we are here in Branson enjoying the view and the shows. We arrived here Tuesday Oct 14th late after our flight was canceled in Dallas and we were delayed about 4 hours. A night time drive thru the Ozark mountains. We got to Branson about 10:00 PM and got to bed around midnight. I guess I am the early one up around 6:30 every morning and out for coffee. We saw Andy Williams the first evening and that was really good.

Thursday we went and saw the Platters (group from the 50's and 60's) who were entertaining then that night we went to the BaldKnobbers which was entertaining and good comedy and western music. They are the longest running group 49 years.

Friday Joyce and Judy and her two kids arrived in town early and we visited till about 10:00. About 11:00 I took the group to the showboat where they did the lunch cruse while I ran some chores and had some down time. I will post some pictures later of the paddle boat.

We all went to dinner at a pizza place last night and then turned in early 10:00.

Today we are going to see Six a group of six brothers who harmonize there whole show (music and all). We have been told by many that they are great.

Kevins Birthday

Well I didn't get any good Pictures of the Birthday at Red Robin, but I did of our two Princes's. It was a good time together on Saturday as there schedule was full. Kevin went to magic Mountain and discovered he is getting too old to do all the rides. I am sure that he had fun though.

September is here already

Well alot happened last month, from Terri and Shelby's Birthdays to Donna being in the Hospital all month. I did some traveling to San Diego, Bakersfield, Manteca and San Francisco for work. I am still making progress on work around the house.
Terri's Brother Larry came out to see Donna last week and that sure made her feel better. They have done alot with her and it looked bad for a while. They have her on the Heart transplant list and have another procedure that they will be doing on Sunday to prepare her blood. Keep her in your prayers that a heart will come soon.
Kevin has a birthday this month along with my Step- Mom in Oklahoma.
I don't have any travel plans so far this month, so will just be close to home working.

Birthday party

Well Saturday we celebrated Shelby's Birthday and she just had a blast. She is growing so fast, not slowing down at all.She loves the water as shown in the pool. She is shown riding on Kevin's back as he circles the pool. I am sure that she will be swimming at a young age. Megan is also growing and very long and starting to make a lot of noises.

Terri's sister Donna is still in UCLA hospital waiting for a heart. That takes up a lot of Terri's time as well as Cindy and the rest of the family. Pray for a heart!! Her brother Larry is also in town for the week.

August is here

Well I know that I haven't posted anything in a while as I am still busy with the remodel and just came back from a work trip to Amarillo, Tx.
Terri has been busy at the hospital (UCLA) with her sister Donna who is undergoing test for a heart transplant. It has been 8 years since she discovered she need a new heart. Pray that they find one for her soon. She seems to be in good spirits and has a lot of people praying for her.

I am slowly progressing on the remodel. I have the door trim cut painted and ready to install. I should have some more pictures to post in a few days.
God Bless and keep posting.
Cecil

The Bear

Well here is the Bear that Ray Erwin and I came upon on a hike at Yosemite last Thursday.

Yosemite

Terri and I took a few days off to relax and travelled to Fresno, where we spent Tuesday night at a hotel. Terri seemed to enjoy the time away and our room that had a Hot tub. Then on Wednesday we went to meet the Erwin's at Yosemite. They had been there camping since Sunday. We arrived in time for Brunch prepared by Marilyn. Then Ray and I floated down the river about 2 miles on air matresses. The girls met us there and brought us home after I hiked to find them as we were short of where they were told to wait. Hike on Thursday was hard for me from Glacier Point to the valley floor on 4 mile trail. Ray and I saw a small Bear (apx 2 years old) I will post the picture when Ray sends it to me.

Good to be home and hope to recover from this trip. It would have been more fun if I wouldn't have had a sore back from laying flooring.

Main Floor installed pictures

Well here are the pictures of the floor by Back door.

The new floor

Well I finished the floor today, but still have the molding and base board to get and add. I still have the door to our room to finish and now it looks like I will be changing out the back door (it is really weathered) when I get caught up. I will post some pictures later. Pray for baby Kylie as Paul said she was running a temp this morning. Terri and I will be going to Yosemite tomorrow for a few days of rest and fun with the Erwins who are already there.

Remodeling

Well the remodel is still progressing and the tear out is pretty much done. Terri has been helping allot in a bunch of different ways. She has been like my 3rd arm and even the feet have come in handy. Her encouragement keeps me going and even when I over do it she helps me recover.

Yesterday ( Saturday) she called Kevin and he came to help which I just loved. I usually want his family to come with him, but that would have stopped us. I love it when I can work with my sons Paul and Kevin and yes even with Christy. their talents have saved me and I guess I still like teaching them a few things.

Well Kevin helped me get 2/3 of the floor laid and so now I have a 10'x 10'

section left and the trim. The floor was slow at getting started till I got a process going (direction are not always correct) as the directions said the pieces just snap together. Kevin got here right after I figured a good process and that helped us move along. We had walls that were not straight and some tricky cuts at the end that Kevin with good eyes and hands did.

I am so sore today Sunday from the 60 mile ride early yesterday then on my knees/ feet most of the day yesterday. Starting the floor about noon and finishing about 9:00. the pictures don't tell the whole story but twinkle toes helped alot early on.

Paul Countess Home

Well we got our first pictures of Kylie (Foster Child) and she is little and cute 2 1/2 months old I think and just over 6 lbs. It looks like Kyle is enjoying her for what ever amount of time they get to keep her. I know that she will be good for them and they will give her a great home.

Countess's at Hemet Lake

My Uncle Vernon Countess invited us all up to his trailer at lake Hemet on Saturday July the 5th. Terri and I and Kevin and his Family and his in-Laws came from my family. Christina, Terri and Susan (Vernons daughter's) and there families came. Great day of games and visiting and good food which included Ribs and Beer Butt chicken that was cooked on the grill. Vernon took all that wanted to go out on his boat for a tour of the Lake. We stayed till 7:00 p.m. whichreally was long enough as we were all tired.

Latest pictures of remodel

Well this is where we are at as of today July 4th 2008 and alot left to do.

Grand Children

Grand children are a real gift from God and here are a few shots taken the last couple of months.