Farewell 2008....

Just a quick post to say - WOW what a year 2008 was for us.... but we are continuing to push forward.

-Matt just finished up chemo round #7 (of 12) - I know he doesn't believe me when I tell him - but I am so proud of him. It has not been an easy journey for Matt, but he continues on (with my prodding!) He doesn't look forward to wednesdays (actually any day) of chemo week because that is usually the worse day for him -but I kinda like wednesday afternoons because we get to say goodbye to another round! The end is getting closer and within our reach with every session.

We Love You Family & Friends and Wish You All a Wonderful 2009!

Surprising My Brother and his Family

My Brother Jim

My Niece Amy

The Fam...

Saying Goodbye

Giggles with Uncle Matt

More Photos...

Chocolate Carousel


Life Size Gingerbread House


Hollywood Studios Light Festival

More Photos...

Animal Kingdom Safari


Castle Fireworks...

Vacation Recap via Photos!

Character Fun...

Sea World Fun...

Merry Christmas

Well we are spending our last night in Orlando tonight - we will be flying back to the cold north tomorrow =( We had a great time and we will be sure to post more pictures once we get home. See you all real soon.

We lost Barrett today... =(

Barrett's heart finally gave out on her... she passed away early this afternoon. She came up to me and nosed my arm that she wanted to go outside to go to the bathroom. She never made it back in... collapsing just outside the door.

We've had a lot of dogs growning up... but I never had one with as much personality and life as Barrett. I'm really going to miss her. She was definitely one of a kind.

Current Happenings in our Corner of the World

1. Our little boy is all grown up and married. Kurt and Alice got married this past Saturday and we had a wonderful time!
2. Today is a chemo day - yuck! However it IS number 6 -so we are halfway there - right Matt?
3. Did I mention yet how I already don't like the snowy, slick, and cold weather? Don't get me wrong I think snow is beautiful - but only when you plan on staying home for the day!
4. Chris is on the varsity basketball team - so I imagine some of our Fridays and Saturdays will be spent with Superfan (aka - my dad) watching High School B-ball

...Seriously - that about sums up what is going on here in Ohio

4 Down... 8 to Go.

So I just finished up my 4th bi-weekly session of chemo... only 8 more to go. It sure seems like it should fly by but I've got to admit that there are days that I can't bear the thought of dealing with it for even one more day.

I'm going to be starting treatments in the hyperbaric chamber at Sara's Garden on Monday after work to try and boost my immune system (and hopefully my energy). I feel like the guy on the Hairclub for Men commercial... "I'm not just a board member... I'm also a customer." =) I'm not sure that I believed this process would have such a dramatic effect on my energy to do the simplest things... just going out to dinner requires an immediate nap to recover from.

Fall Fun...

Whooo Hooo!! Guess what was on tv last night!!

Down with Sparty

We headed up to East Lansing last weekend for the Ohio State / Michigan State game... it was a little chilly in the morning and then turned into the most beautiful fall October day would could have hoped for.



Here's a shot of Kara kicking all of our tails in ladderball. I really stunk at this game.



Mike "the grillmaster" Rosene enjoying the fruits of his work.



It was a little brisk at first but by noon we had shed our coats and hats.



TBDBITL making their appearence in the stadium.



The incomparable Script Ohio... even the MSU fans around us were quite impressed by this.



Julie and I relaxing before the game.



I hope Kara doesn't kill me because she has her eyes closed.



Hanging out at the end of the game as the MSU fans flock for the gates.

Here we are watching the team and band sing Carmen Ohio following the game.

Mom's New Pool Boy

Mom was nice enough to watch Eddie and Barrett for us while we went up to East Lansing for the OSU game last weekend. Eddie somehow managed to fall into the empty pool behind the house (we're placing bets that Barrett pushed him in).

Many thanks to Sandy Wyse for coming down and helping Mom rescue Eddie from the pool. He is so thanksful for the boost out.

That now makes a clean sweep of all our our dogs ending up in the pool at some point and needing to be rescued. I still wish I had footage of Mom trying to rescue the sinking stone Bosco from the pool a few years ago.

Reflexions from Insomnia

OK, so I've been up in the middle of the night for the last three nights (way out of character for me). Each time my mind has been on the same topic... the upcoming election. Since I can't get it out of my brain, I'll write it down.

Here’s my thing… It may sound absolutely crazy and off the wall but hear me out…

As absurd as it may sound, it don’t believe that the biggest issue facing America is the economy… or health care… or the war in Iraq. I feel like the biggest issue in America is the fact that we’ve pushed God aside. This nation is no longer one nation under God… It’s one nation under all the gods that we need to be tolerant and acceptable of and honor equally. The country was founded on faith in the one true God… its laws… its principals… its beliefs… and was tremendously blessed by God. To thank him, over the years our leaders, decision makers and activist groups have gradually and systematically been removing God from everything we can… and God is finally saying “OK, have it your way.”

It is impossible for me to believe that the US is any less evil and corrupt in our actions (abortion, homosexuality, etc.) than societies like Sodom and Gomorrah, Rome, Pompeii… and look at what happened to them. At some point, if that is the case and this behavior continues, God’s blessings would (and probably have already) stop and he will remove his hand of protection over us. I don’t believe that the economic plan for any candidate is going to work and be blessed to turn this economy around without that. I believe that that we need to elect leaders that will turn this around and get back to where we were at the inception of this nation.

So for me, to boil it down to something so absurd and simple… I’ve been praying for the next leader of our nation to be the man of God that both of these candidates claim to be… and as far as my vote, I’m asking for the peace of mind and discernment to know who that is.

Now, having said that, here is why I am having such a hard time with the Obama/Biden ticket. I have heard both men claim to be Christians and state that they personally do not believe that issues like abortion or homosexuality are right… but they have then turned right around and said that even though that is their belief, they would never dream of imposing those beliefs on others and believe they should have the right to choose for themselves whether that is acceptable or not. I don’t believe that there should be a speed limit and I should be able to drive as fast as I want on whatever road I want… but someone has decided that it is not acceptable… or safe… or legal… so they have imposed that law on me… because it’s what leaders are supposed to do. I want (and believe we NEED) a leader(s) that will begin to take a stand for issues like this.

I know Bush claims to be a Christian as well… but I believe there are places that he has sold out to appear as politically correct as possible, specifically in dealing with the acceptance and equality of all religions (see Ten Commandments for this error). =)

Chemo - Round 2

Sorry for the late update... round two of chemo was very similar to round one with some nifty new side effects.

They had warned us about neuropathy in my fingers and toes... well, after leaving treatment on Monday we stopped by Taco Bell to grab some dinner (It just sounded good at the time). When Julie handed me my cold cup of lemonade it felt as though I had just grabbed an electric fence. I thought I was being electrocuted. I could feel the currents going up my fingers. I had to quickly hand the cup back to her.

The following morning I had the same feeling in my toes when I walked across the cold bathroom tile with no socks on. Needless to say, I've been wearing gloves every morning to drive to work to grip the steering wheel and have had to start sitting my water and juice out on the counter instead of the refridgerator and drink it at room temperature... ummm yummy!

Wednesday seems to be the worst day of the week for me as each week now I've missed work completely that day and spent much of my day in the bathroom on my knees praying in front of the toilet. =)

Sitting here on Friday night I feel pretty good. I was able to go to work every day other than Wednesday and as of now just have some slight feelings of nausea lingering around. Two down... ten to go.

Rare Political Rant

OK, I've got to rant a bit about something that seems to just have me so frustrated right now... If anyone feels differently than me about this I'd love to hear about it and look at it from someone else's viewpoint.

Driving back from a meeting in Toledo today, I was listening to K-Love and they had somebody on there doing a political anaysis of the upcoming election. They were saying that from what their research shows, Christian voters are appearing to side more with Obama 60% to 40% because they see him as "more sympathetic to religion."

Now, don't hear me wrong... I'm not at judging Obama for his religious views and convictions... only God knows what is in his heart. However, I've listened to him during his debate at Saddleback Church and heard him quote scripture and tell of all the profound influence that Christianity has had in his life... and then have heard him two breaths later make comments that issues like abortion and same sex marriages are "above his pay grade."

What pay grade are you running for, Senator Obama? I thought it was for one that was responsible for shaping our views as a nation. Why should I vote for you when you can't give me a definitive answer on where you stand... since you change the answer at your next rally that has a different audience.

Why in the world should I as a Christian believe that Senator Obama is going to be "more sympathetic to religion" after he is elected... just because he quoted some Bible verses at a debate? Who is to say that was another item that was just on show for the night because of his audience?

I may not see eye to eye with McCain on everything either but at least with him I feel like the answer he is giving is his word.

Matthew 5:37. Instead, let your message be 'Yes' for 'Yes' and 'No' for 'No.' Anything more than that comes from the evil one."

Mouth Watering Memories

Sorry Drew... but you missed quite the spread for this week's OSU / Wisconsin game... compliments of Chef Boy RC (Chris' new self proclaimed chef name). I'm sure Jay would have liked it too but he never comes to see us anymore.

Chris (and Julie of course) made chili, bean dip, buffalo chicken dip, tequilla lime chicken wings, chips and salsa and chocolate oat bars (and they were especially chocolaty)!

Drew, we were wondering if our adopted uncle Moser was missing us at all... did he want us to come down to Columbus and see him some Saturday this fall?

On the Radio...

I heard a statement on the radio this morning and thought I would pass it on.... The person calling in said - "we need to let God be our stearing wheel and not our spare tire" ..... interesting/so true...think about it.

Prayer....

The first day of chemo yesterday was relatively uneventful. Please pray that it continues that way!

One specific prayer request - Please pray against HICCUPS! Matt has been fighting hiccups all day today on and off -we all know that hiccups can be annoying and painful if they last. I did a google search this afternoon and it seems that the one chemo drug he gets has an "undocumented but common" side affect of causing hiccups.

.....and of course continue to pray against nausea.

Stuff.... and Clarification...

Today is Matt's first day of chemo... and I woke up today just dreading the day (because of all the unknown's, the possible side affects, and I just want Matt to be pain free) - but almost immediately after thinking to myself how much I dreaded the day - the very next thing that ran through my brain was - This is the day the Lord has made -Let us rejoice and be glad in it (Pslam 118:24)- How True!! Thank you God for that reminder today.

After going to church yesterday and talking to some people we realized that there may be some need for clarification on some posts that we made earlier so that there is no more confusion

Just to recap Matt's last month

1 - Matt was diagnosed with Colon Cancer
2 - 2 areas of the colon/intestines and part of the stomach wall were removed
3 - the tumor was removed - it was indeed malignant
4 - the tumor had breached the wall of the Colon -leading to more testing
5 - the tissue/lymph nodes that were around the area of the tumor - tested negative for cancer (meaning that the cancer looks to have been contained in the tumor itself and has not travelled to any other part of Matt's body)
6 - because the tumor breached the wall that is the reason for the Chemo
7 - Chemo is 3 days a week - every other week - for six months (12 cycles)

Frankenstein is Home

Well, after spending over 4 hours today waiting in the surgery prep area I finally had my port installed... My neck and chest are pretty sore and I feel like Frankenstein with this thing in my chest but other than that I feel pretty good. I would take a picture of it and post it but I don't want to make Kendahl Bear feel sick. =)

My mom forgot that I was having surgery today and I had a lot of fun giving her a hard time about it this evening (I love you Mom!). She swears I never told her... if she reads this she'll kill me so let's see if she reads our blog or not. =)

I start chemo on Monday so if you feel like praying for me, pray that I won't get nauseous (along with all the other "possible" side affects I got to hear about) and that I'll be able to continue working through this whole six month process.

Reflections of Cali

We had a great weekend out in LA (other than the oppressively embarrassing showing by Ohio State).


Ben will be happy to know we hung out with Towmater.


Lightning McQueen wanted Ben to know he said hello.


We stopped by Monstropolis and hung out with Mike Wazowski after work.


Yeah, and who was calling who Grumpy before the trip?


My new aviator hat... Josh, you can borrow it if you want.


Julie challenged me to a drag race... I won.


Julie getting ready to make a run with the Toontown Fire Department.


Julie let me drive since I was doing such a good job controlling my road rage in traffic.


Don't say anything... Julie's a little self conscious about her bug eyes.


Hanging out in a tree house at Disney.


Chilling on the beach in Santa Monica.


Here's a shot of the Santa Monica Pier.


Great seats... terrible game. Good times.


Not a bad pregame... but it was no TBDBITL!

California Dreamin'

Another vacation?! Two days from now we will be on our way to Detroit to catch a plane to sunny California for 4 wonderful and fun-filled days.

On the agenda:
Disneyland for Friday
Ohio State vs USC football for Saturday (GO BUCKS!)
Disney California Adventure for Sunday
Who knows what we will get into for Monday

When we planned 2 back to back vacations a couple of months ago - we had no idea what would be going on in our lives (obviously) - but I cannot begin tell you how the timing turned out to be perfect -and giving us the ability to just get away and enjoy.

Now - come on Buckeyes -Get your Game on! The only way I want to be with someone named Grumpy is if he is in a dwarf costume at Disneyland!

Photos of Maine

Here are some photos from our last trip to Maine. Instead of spending our entire time in Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island, we stayed about an hour south in Belfast and spent our time going various places and taking in sites we had not had time for in the past. Of course... in case you're wondering we did indeed have lobster for every single dinner.


Here is a shot of the view from our hotel balcony in Belfast, Maine.


This is a photo of the new Penobscot Narrows Bridge. Notice the windows in the peak of the tower. That is an observatory that we (and by we I mean Matt... someone else was glued to the ground below) went up in to get a view of the Penobscot Narrows River valley. The old bridge is still there right beside the new one... it is the one that we went across on the motorcycle on our first trip to Maine that Julie about had a heart attack on as we could feel it swaying back and forth as we crossed it. They will eventually take the old bridge down but they have not had the budget to do so yet.


This is a photo of Fort Knox... no, not the one where the government keeps its gold... this Fort Knox was established in 1844 to protect the Penobscot River valley against a possible future British naval incursion.


Here is a shot taken within the walls of Fort Knox. It is one of the best preserved fortifications on the New England seacoast.


Here is a photo of Fort Knox taken across the river in the town of Bucksport, Maine. You can see the Penobscot Narrows Bridge in the background.


Here is a photo of some Navy ship sitting in the bay in Camden, Maine. We thought it was a destroyer at first until we saw the cranes on the deck.


Here is a shot of some of the homes in Boothbay Harbor, Maine. It was a beautiful little town.


Here is another photo of Boothbay Harbor.


I've always been infatuated with Bath, Maine ever since we went to the christening of the USS Oscar Austin when Lauren's husband Ray was its Weapons Officer. Here is a shot of Bath Iron Works showing some of the new navy destroyers being built.