New Neighbors

Yesterday when the thunder and hail and rain and wind storms were coming through the Valley of the Gallatin, we had, what I thought was, two crazy robins struggeling to build a nest on top of the light by our back door. The top of the light is pointed and very slick, and all day long they kept hauling the nesting materials through the storms only to find that the last load had slipped, or been blown, off the light fixture when they returned with the next batch of grass. At the end of the day, there were three sad strings of old grass hanging over the light, and not a robin in sight.

This morning, it was very evident that these birds didn't give up easily, and they had a respectible pile of grass on the fixture. By late afternoon, the nest was complete and ready for the young couple to move into.

I have had second thoughts about allowing birds to nest under the awning. The mess is already in evidence. But my heart went out to them with all of their arduous labor, and I have grandchildren who will love to see the powder blue eggs and watch as the babies learn to stretch their wings and fly. I just couldn't find it in myself to destroy something so amazing.

So, It looks like we have some new neighbors for a couple of months. I hope they don't throw any wild parties!

SPRING IS FINALLY HERE!

FOUR REALLY REALLY CUTE GIRLS

This is just before Lillia and Maggie were born so all we're missing is Isabell

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We had a wonderful Memorial weekend. (except the lines were to long so I didn't get to see Indianna Jones) Grandma and I got to spend most of the time with Charlie and Candi and the boys. We did get to barbeque a couple of times, but with all the rain and flooding we've had here over the last two weeks, we didn't get to eat outside. Friday we had the missionaries and Charlie, Candi, Liam, and Adian over for barbequed mesquite lime salmon with skewered shrimp and cold boiled shrimp. (The missionaries were impressed!) and Saturday we had fresh rubin panini style sandwiches with "M0mma Mac's" dark dark rye bread. Sunday we fixed a really great chicken salad, and Monday we had "elk burgers and grandma's potato salad at Charlie and Candi's. Today we are recovering by getting back on our diets!

Watch out for the sand trap!

Grandma Brown and daughter Candi Brown on the golf course!

Finally a Post from Grandma

I thought that maybe Grandma should contribute some thoughts to our Blog. Grampa has been so diligent in updating you on all the comings and goings in our lives, but I thought that Grandma's view of things might give a slightly different perspective.

Yes, it has been quite a ride this year with the cancer diagnosis. It was such a shock when the doctor told me, as though he was reading a script that was not meant to be a part of our lives. However, realizing the seriousness of the situation, with the help of our loving family and friends we have made it this far without any major consequences. It is amazing the love that I have received from my dear family, friends, co-workers, and customers. I love you all !!!

I did initially take about 2 months off of work (to recover from the surgeries), but am really glad that I have the opportunity to continue to work during my treatment. I'm really not up to par with my productivity, but I am holding my own and it helps to keep my mind off of my health problems. The side effects from my chemo have been minimal, and just as they told me. Fatigue, minor nausea, and the tingling in hands, feet, and mouth from cold. It feels alot like it does when your foot falls asleep and you get pins and needles. I'm really glad that I am having my treatments during the warmer months. The doctor told me that I should not loose my hair with this type of chemo, however, it seems to be thinning quite a bit this week with lots of hair in the tub, sink, brush, and all over the floor. If I do loose it, no problem, I will just have the chance to try out some new styles with wigs. Grampa has been so supportive finding articles and helpful information on the web that make things easier for me.

Speaking of Grampa, we had such an awesome time in Cancun, as you have seen from the pictures and videos that he posted. He didn't mention our Mexican cadillac which is much like a bicycle with a large basket on the front to carry the passengers. I felt so sorry for our driver, he had quite a load with both of us in his basket, but he kept grinning, but I'm sure he was thinking that the Americans needed to eat less. We are really excited about going to Scotland as you can probably see from this blog. It will be very different from the tropical trips we have taken, but I think it will be one of the best trips yet.

Most of you reading this, already know about Kelly's (Mac's wife) trip to Africa. She is there to volunteer in a village where she is the only volunteer. She is working with the orphan school to teach aids awareness. We have gotten some great emails from her and we are so excited for her to have this experience. We love you, Kelly!! Take care, and come home soon.

Love,
Grandma Brown

Sunday's magnificent show from our back deck. I absolutely love Montana sunsets! Ya gotta click on this one!

Chris had a pretty good weekend. Her sensitivity to cold seems alot more acute this time, and her nausea was more prevalent, we also both felt like we were coming down with colds on Sat. night and Sunday. All in all though, it was an OK weekend. We finally picked out the outdoor table and chairs for the back deck and had dinner with Charlie & Candi and the boys out on the deck with the golfers.

Two down, Ten to go!

Candi, Chris, and Gini on Mothers Day
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Chris had her second chemotherapy infusion today. She goes into the oncology clinic in the morning to give a sample of her blood. Then, if everything is alright, she comes back in the afternoon where they mix the poisons up fresh and infuse her for about three hours. After that she wears a pump that continues the infusion for the next forty-eight hours. Sometime on Saturday, the pump will beep and I will have to disconnect it from the port that was installed under her skin in her shoulder. I just talked with her and she's feeling fine but the sensitivity to cold is coming back quickly. We'll all be so glad when this is behind us.

Music? Who Knew?

Our blogger daughter Gini is my mentor for all things blog. Yesterday she showed me how to pick out music and get it to our site. What fun! I was looking for some bagpipes to go along with the "going to Scotland" theme when I found the song "Amazing Grace". Is there an artist out there who hasn't done that song? I found hundreds of arrangements (even rap!) I love this hymn so I started picking out renditions I liked for the blog and had to stop after 34. I have since narrowed it down some, so go ahead and listen. They are all wonderful and the one in Cherokee is very interesting. Thanks Gini

Just a couple more from Cancun '08

On top of the pyramid in the city of Coba (pronounced Cobe-Ha)

Exploring the Yucatan Jungle with my babe. Hey, somebody's got to do it!

THINGS WE'VE LEARNED ABOUT CANCER

One of the first things we learned was not to take symptoms for granted.
There was no pain or discomfort. Just some occasional blood in the stool that didn't seem to be that serious. It got a little worse and became more common than not. A colonoscopy was past-due. A tumor was slowly growing at the junction of the rectum and sigmoid parts of the colon and had probably been there for about 5 years. Had we gotten to it sooner, we wouldn't have needed the chemotherapy.
Another eye-opener was that given the stage of the tumor, after the surgery, Christine has a 50/50 chance of recovery without the chemo and an 80% chance of recovery with it. (A no-brainer for us)
We have also started to change our eating habits and lifestyle to reflect a new healthier commitment to each other. We are taking in a much higher fiber content than before, and have started including flax seed into our diet on a daily basis. The research on flax is genuine and easily found. Everyone reading this should jump on this wagon right now! It's easy to do, there are breakfast cereals and breads and capsules etc. Start now!

Just some of the photos I like the best!

Above: My favorite portrait of Christine.
Below: Ronnie Brown and Christine Lloyd at age 7-8

Uncle Zachary and Grandma Brown in late summer of 2007, enjoying the sunset.

Daughter Gini Erickson and Granddaughter Lillia.

Adian Brown having fun at Grandma and Grampa Brown's house.

Grandma and Grampa Brown at the Grand Canyon on the way home from Mac and Kelly's wedding. I was unprepared for how magnificent it could be!

Charlie Brown is past the point of no return

This is Isabel Erickson going to her first prom! No, she was a very beautiful flower girl at her Uncle Mac and Aunt Kelly's Wedding.

This is my favorite pic of Evan Erickson. It was taken in Mesa Arizona at Mac & Kelly's Wedding

Jason Erickson, Opps! I mean "El Baldy", Showing us that even though he's well past his prime, He can still take Isabel. (Wait till the rematch next year!)

Great Grandma Jeanie and Maggie Jones taken in February 2008.

Grandma Brown, Clara, Eden, and Jeanette Jones on Easter Sunday 2007. Their Daddy and Momma were at the hostpital welcoming new little sister, ElenorMargaret Jones, into the world. I absolutely love this pic! (left click on the pic for full size )

An introduction to our clan

Our only Great Grandparent left; Jeanette Bennett Brown Adams and still going strong at 81

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Our grandkids can beat up your grandkids any day of the week and twice on Sunday! (we're still working with them on that keeping the Sabbath holy thing)

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Chris and her girls Candi Brown, Robyn Jones, Kelly Brown, and Gini Erickson. (The girls all hate this picture but Grandma and Grampa love it. )

Liberty Brown showing the surf in Cancun who's boss

Evan Erickson, keeping his Uncle Pip out of trouble

Here is Zachary, our number 2 son, and doing pretty good right now Here is Great Grandma Jeanie with grandson and new grand daughter, Mac and Kelly (Kelly is in Africa right now as part of her major, teaching aids awareness at an orphanage in Guana, she'll be gone for a month)

This wonderful family is Charlie, Candi, Liam, and Adian (listed by age , not good looks)and Adian really likes his new brown shirt.

Here is the Erickson branch of the Brown Clan. Front row is Lillia, Will (Brownie), and Evan. Middle row is Isabel, Gini, and Jason. And last row is our oldest grandchild Bennett (but we just call him Smiley)

Here is Lope with Robyn and the rest of the Jones girls; Eden, Clara, and Maggie on the front row, and Jeanette Ruth standing up so tall in the back (Does Maggie look worried to you?)

This shot was taken last summer, but is not complete. We are missing Lope and Jason! (notice we are all wearing brown-Gini's idea- color coding must be an Idaho thing)

More from Cancun '08

Just after sunrise in Cancun

Lib being cool in the pool

Beth an Liberty having sushi at he hotel later that evening.

The Observatory in Coba

Liberty & Beth on the way to the cenote'

Indiana Brown coming down off the temple pyramid in Coba

In the Mayan ruins of Coba (pronounced Cobe-Ah)

Chris out by the pools in front of the beach.