More Malad

We spent Saturday afternoon at the ranch. We took Molly, Kaden and McKay with us and we had a great time! We rode the four-wheelers around and got to see places that we haven't been able to before. We hiked, took pictures, played, and the boys and Pokey (Our Dog) ran around until I thought they wouldn't be able to walk! There is still snow there, but we could get up to see the beaver ponds. The cranes were there and they were beautiful! Kaden named a pond "Quacker Pond" because there were some Malards in it and he named the valley "Rock Valley" because there were pretty rocks on the ground. I came up with a name for the ranch, but so far it hasn't gone over too well.. Crane Creek Ranch. We could call it C.C. Ranch then it would be Curt's initials also. He thinks we should keep thinking! Jim thinks it should just be Christensen Ranch, but I think we need a cool name too! We hope to be able to spend a lot of time there, because there is a super amount of work to do to get it up and running. I think it's beautiful, even though there is nothing there! Pretty meadows and streams, mountain views, trees and birds that are awesome! We picked out the sight where we will eventually build our cabin, it overlooks the one meadow and the road leading onto the ranch. Big Dreams.... maybe someday a reality! Then we will have room for everyone to come camp and play!!!

Second Try on Portraits

I decided to try to paint Dalan, since he thought I didn't love him as much as Brooklyn. (He thought I should do his first, I guess!) I have a long way to go, but at least you can tell who they are supposed to be. I am learning alot about painting with water colors through these exercises. I think it will get easier with each one I do. Watch out Molly...you are next! :)Final painting of Dalan!

Baileys update!

Bailey had her surgery today. It was more complicated than what the doctors thought. The growth (tumor, cyst, whatever it was) grew in to her jaw and around the permanent tooth that hadn't come up yet. They had to remove the tooth and a portion of the jaw to get it out. They sent it to the lab to see if they could tell what it was. She is still sleepy from the surgery, so I didn't get to see her when I went down there. Jenny said that she could be numb in her jaw area for up to 6 weeks. I just feel for her, having to go through surgery this young. I hope they got it all out and it won't come back. She is a tough girl, so I'm sure she will get better fast! That is one thing about being young, your body can get going much faster! I'll post more when I know more.

New Ranch

Well, it's official... we signed on the ranch in Malad, Idaho on Friday! We are sooooo excited for the new adventure that this will lead us on. It will be a change from the farming that we have been doing for so many years. We attempted to go look at it after we signed, it still was snowed in and so muddy that we didn't walk too far. ( I will know not to wear my Crocs next time, I absolutely ruined my socks and all I did was walk around the car to get in the other side!) We have been dreaming of this since we found out we would have to roll the land over after the farm sold. We can now settle down for awhile and maybe get the sleep that we both need. I didn't realize how stressful it really has been until we got home on Friday night. I think I had a small meltdown! Luckily I had some grandkids here and they got me back on track quick! We have big plans for the clean up and changes that need to be made. We have our friend, Travis, looking for Kari and the grandkids some horses. It is remote and there are no amenities at all. We will be pioneers for awhile until we figure things out. My family will have this for generations, I hope. It is for them and for our future family members that we may never know here, but we will in the eternities. Life is good. We never know what is around the corner, this time it was a good surprise. Now on to the next path; we'll see where that leads!

Update on Bailey

Next Wednesday is the day to remove the lump in Bailey's mouth. They think it might be what is supposed to push the baby tooth out... gone wrong. They'll know more then. She knows it has to come out, but you can't use the word surgery or she gets scared. Thank you all for praying for her and supporting us in this. It's been scary, I think more for us than her, she is doing well with it!

Taking a Closer Look

We have just been hit with something in our family that has made us realize just how fast life can change and put a whole new outlook on life in general. We were going along with our everday business, with the usual ups and downs that come with living. Of course nothing is ever the way you think it should be, but you make the best and keep going. Things usually turn out the way they are supposed to, and then you move to the next thing that is on the agenda. This week has been the one that changed all of that.
Our granddaughter, Bailey, told her dad that she had a weird lump in her mouth that didn't feel quite right. Alan could feel it on the outside of her jaw. They have been having dental work done, so he thought it had something to do with her baby tooth or the new tooth coming in. He had Jen make an appointment with the dentist and they went this week. He took an x-ray and sent her to a specialist. He did a cat-scan and she went to the hospital. They took a bi-opsy and told her to come back Thursday. We will know more then. She is swollen and sore. She has been going to school and doing the best she can with a drain and open cut in her mouth.
I just can't believe that our little Baby Bee has to deal with this kind of a trauma now. She knows that whatever it is will have to come out, but mention surgery and she gets so scared. We have to be careful not to call it that.
We called our friend in Salt Lake who is an oral surgeon and he knows the doctor they are going to and said that he was an excellant choice to take her to. He said it sounded like a cyst and I think the other doctors called it that too. They don't know until the tests and scan results come back how deep or even where it is situated. It looks like it encompasses her permanent tooth, but they don't know for sure.
I am so glad that her parents are wise enough to get her checked. If it would have been me, I would have told her to deal with it until I could get her in to the dentist. Thinking that it was just her tooth coming in. It goes to show me that I need to pay more attention to what they are telling me so that I can be on top of things. I didn't even know that she had anything going on. Now, what kind of grandma is that?
My kids and grandkids are so important to me. I HATE to see any of them sad or hurt. I can't do anything to make them better. I feel like I need to be able to make it all better, which I know I can't. I am so glad that there are trained Doctors out there who know what to do and will help her get through this.
If you will, please pray for her today and tomorrow so that she can get through this without too
much stress. I know that will help her more than anything I can do.