Billy with the Fam

It was a bit short of a miracle to get 3 sisters, their awesome hubbies and all their kiddos here to Oregon and then get them all down to Billy Chinook for a week. A van load of food, 5 tents, 15 sleeping bags, 7 air mattresses, 23 life jackets, the van, the car, the truck, the trailer, the RV and the boat all packed up with 23 people and off we went. It was GREAT! Loads of laughs, hot summer days, swimmin', tubin', surfin', wakeboardin', skiin' and enjoyin' goin' on. Thanks to all the gang! Invite is open for next year. Love ya!

Thank You Jenn!

For some of us, this picture conjures up a feeling of irritation, some pain, some regret, and for me gratitude. It a picture of Hannah on the beach of Coki Point on St. Thomas. She has been stung by a jelly fish on her arm. For those of you who have had this unfortunate event, you know she was hurtin' real bad.

I wasn't there when it first happened, I was having a great time snorkeling with my mom and 4 sisters. Her dad, grandpa, 4 brother in-laws and a few "locals" initially tried to calm her, but to no avail. She was hurtin' and WE ALL HEARD!! Her dad regretfully lost his patience with it and walked away. Her grandma and aunts who arrived first, tried to calm her to no avail. I did my best upon my arrival, putting Eliza's diaper on her (pee is suppose to help), ice, and finally Benedryl, but still to no avail. I was loosing my patience as well. Hannah vividly remembers the event and brings up a few choice comments people made while she was screaming, one being "looks like a she's pulling a Stacey" (sister's are our best and worst critics).

She also remembers what I remember MOST of this experience. My dear, sweet, compassionate sister, Jenny taking her by the hand and walking her down the beach pointing out this or that. Distracting her from her pain, refocusing her attention on anything but her arm, her irritated parents and family. I remember feeling so relieved to see her stop crying and so grateful for Jenn. She is AWESOME!! (I'm crying all over the computer keys.) She fosters lil' lost souls, she jumps in to help those in need, she calms angry frustrations, she loves. I have wanted to send a thank you card a thousand times and every time I look at our Disney Cruise pictures I remember this "downer" as a lesson to me. You were a life saver, vaca saver, and my lil' girl's pain reliever that day! Thank you Jenn! I love you!