Update

Hello Everyone,

My name is Anne, I'm Mountain Mama's niece. She asked me to give you a little update because her computer seems to have hit the Glory Road. ;)

Little Ethan is doing fine! His MRI came back normal. They are keeping him on his medication for a little while which is what they usually do. His appetite is returning too! Thank you sooo much for praying for the little fella!

If you have any messages you'd like me to convey to Mountain Mama please post a comment and I will relay it by phone.

Mountain Mama should be back online within 2 weeks. Hopefully sooner!

Bless Y'all!

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THE OLD APPLE TREE

This dear old Gravenstein Apple tree has been standing for nearly 73 years. It was planted by the family who owned the property I live on, before my parents purchased it in 1949, and was fairly well established then. It's badly in need of a good pruning, and it leans to one side like a tired old man, but the harsh winds and the heavy snows have not toppled it. The roots are strong and deep. Hang on old tree, hang on!

I've enjoyed the lovely pink and white blossoms as well as the apples. If you haven't tasted fruit from an heirloom tree, you are really missing something.

Todays fruit tree growers are more concerned with feeding millions of hungry people and making money so the focus is on quanity, and disease resistance.

I remember eating red delicious apple years ago when my folks bought them by the box. They were very sweet and flavorful, and lived up to their name. Today they taste like someone swished a peeled apple in a bucket of water. How sad to have destroyed something so wonderful.

The blossoms are especially beautiful this year as we didn't have the late frost that turns them brown.

I couldn't resist getting a picture or two, and when I got close enough to get a good look at the blossoms, I had to have some macro's too.

I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed my little escape into the yard on this cloudy day.

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I haven't forgotten you...

I just want to let you all know that I'm still here. I have visited a few blogs but have not been leaving many comments. Each time I begin to write, I find that my mind is elsewhere. There's a lot happening in my life at the present time and I need to 'tie up some loose ends.' I will continue to post and visit each of you as often as I can and eventually I will be back, full swing again.

My focus has been on little Ethan a great deal of the time. I will let you know just as soon as we learn anything new.

I'm also wrapping up a project I started about a year and a half ago.

I have scanned hundreds of old photos, 1938 through 2000, of my ex, me, my parents and my children, put them all through Photoshop, and my grandson is now helping me put them all on DVD's with music of that era.

It has been a real chore, especially finding the right music. It's beginning to come together now. We got the first DVD finished last night. It will take several DVD's because there are so many pictures. I hope to give a set to each of my five children as well as one for me.

On top of all this, Spring has Sprung and I have a huge yard, mostly in flower gardens, to care for. I do most of this alone which is very time consuming.

You are such good friends, so faithful in your loving concern for my little great grandson. I love you all and am very grateful for your prayers.

May the Lord send his angels to keep watch over you and yours.

Blessings!

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ETHAN IS 13 DAYS OLD

I talked with Ethan's grandma this morning. She said Ethan is eating better, and was awake for three hours yesterday. He is still on the Phenobarbitol which makes him drowsy, but is apparently adjusting to it.

He is still going to Seattle for the MRI this week and there will be other tests also.

At this point we don't know if he is still having seizures but they are not noticable if he is.

This is most likely 'not' because of the Phenobarbitol, because he was still having full body seizures when he was on the same med before.

We are hopefull that the tests will show a perfectly healthy and normal little baby, thanks first to our Creator and healer, and to the doctors and nurses and all those who have held him up to the Lord

I'll post more pictures as soon as I get them.

Thanks everyone for your prayers.

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ETHAN

There isn't much news about little Ethan. His grandma told me the doctors mentioned something they call the 'Five Day Fits.' I'm sure there is a medical term but I don't know what it is. If I did I'd Google it! The seizures last about five days, and there us usually no recurrence. Of course not all infants get it and they don't know the cause or cure. The babies who have it apparently don't have any lasting problems, and usually grow up normal and healthy.

We can pray this is the case with little Ethan.

He is still to have the MRI, hopefully next week, if he has gained enough. The phenobarbitol makes him sleep so he isn't eating as much as he should.

I can't thank you enough for your prayers.

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TULIP FESTIVAL

While waiting for an update on Ethan I thought I'd share some pictures of last Saturday which I spent with two of my girls. We went to 24th annual Tulip Festival in Mt. Vernon, about a 45 minute drive from home. We ate lunch at Bob's Burger & Brew then went driving through the Hundreds of acres of tulips which are in full bloom. Bulb growing conditions are perfect in this area and the flowers prove it! The internet has many sites about it and it's advertised all over the world. People from everywhere come to see the glorious beauty.

As we drove the long country roads we could see acres and acres of colors. Rows all laid out like an 'earth rainbow.' It's really something to see. We stopped at three different fields to 'Tip-Toe-Thru-The Tulips' LOL, and check out their gift shops and special points of interest. They offer tour busses, but we walked.


One field had a magnificent kite show, with music. Four men worked as a team each controling his own kite according to commands from the leader.
I loved this almost as much as the tulips!

I hope you enjoy the slide show, and again my sincere thanks for all your loving prayers for baby Ethan.
God bless and keep you all in His loving arms.

CLICK ON TITLE TO SEE SLIDE SHOW

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ETHAN

7:35 pm

The MRI was postponed for a week. The anesthesiologist said the baby was too small, and he refused to put him under. The doctor told his parents to take him home. He is still on the anti siezure medication and will continue with it at home. He may have to return to Seattle during the week for other tests.

The good news is he hasn't had a seizure in 24 hours.

Praise God!

At times like this, its like everything comes to a stand still. Time itself is lost in concern and worry, and every member of every family who knows little Ethan is focused on the Creator of life, and prayer to Him and the incredible love we feel for this little baby.

I go about my daily chores, and while sweeping or washing dishes and folding laundry, I am praying. Always praying, I awake in the morning praying. Sometimes silently in my heart, and other times loudly crying out to Father to save this little one and let him grow up to be the wonderful man he was created to be.

I dream of the day I can see his first smiles and hear his first laughs. I want desperately to see him toddle about chasing the dog.

I want to count the dimples in his fat little baby hands and play "This little Piggy Went To Market" on his toes. I want to bounce him on my knees and sing songs to him. I need to hold him tight to my heart and kiss his sweet little face. I want to teach him about Jesus.

I want to be his great grandma.

Oh Lord God, if you will, Please, please.

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MORE ON BABY ETHAN

Monday 11:40 pm

This afternoon the hospital in Seattle tried to wean Ethan off the Phenobarbitol but he had two more seizures. So they put him back on it and another anti seizure med.

In the morning they plan to do an EG(?)I'm not sure what this is, and MRI, I know they are doing other tests as well. They are also going to swab every orfice of his body tomorrow and test for any bacterial or viral infection. They are doing everything they can. I am praying the Lord will give them wisdom, even supernatural wisdom to find what is causing the seizures, and guide them to find the right cure.

Ethan's parents are staying at the hospital with their little son and there is even a large bed in the babys room for them.

This precious little child will be one week old tomorrow morning.

Again I thank each one of you for your loving concern and your prayers.

I know Ethan's mama and daddy are very thankful too.

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BABY ETHAN UPDATE

This morning, little Ethan was transported by ambulance to a hospital in Seattle for more tests.

Seattle is a much larger city than ours and has more and better equipment.

I know that worry is a negative and hopeless emotion, but I have to admit I am worried.

I can't thank you all enough for your prayers and loving thoughts.

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PLEASE PRAY WITH ME

Baby Ethan was taken to Emergency and admitted to the hospital today. He was having seizures.

Many test are being done and so far they don't know what the cause is.

He had the Hepatitis vaccination a few days ago and some suspect that may be the problem. Little Ethan is being given antibiotics in case there is an infection and is on another med. to control the seizures.

I went to the hospital to pray for him and his mama and daddy who are worried sick. Please pray for his healing and that there will not be any damage to this dear little baby.

Thank you so much

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Tickle the earth with a rake and she will giggle flowers.

(author unknown)

Here's a few blue ones

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Meet Ethan Michael

Only one hour old!

My fourteenth great grandchild was born on April tenth (on his due date!) at five fourteen in the morning , weighing seven pounds ten ounces.

Mama, Daddy and baby all doing well.

This old grandma lady was up all night at the hospital awaiting his arrival with his grandparents and parents.

My camera and I didn't want to miss the joyful occassion.

God Bless you little Ethan.

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REMEMBERING EASTER

My first memory of Easter goes back to 1943 when I was about four years old. My baby sister, Bonnie and I shared a room then. She was still sleeping when I woke on Easter Morning with the sun shining through the window, casting bright rays on my dresser.

As my eyes woke up I saw something colorful sitting on top of the dresser that hadn't been there before.

I sat up trying to get a better look, but the dresser was so tall and I was too short, so I ran to the kitchen where my parents were having coffee. I remember being very excited and stumbling over my words as I tried to explain what I had seen.

They smiled as we hurried back into the bedroom.

Dad took the pink ruffled basket from the dresser top and showed me the Eggs nestled deep in the green cellophane grass. He said the Easter Bunny brought them for me. Instantly I gained a new respect for grandma's rabbits and vowed to myself that I would be giving them a lot more clover in the future!

With all the commotion, baby sister woke and was given her pretty blue basket.

When remembering this special morning I can still feel the warmth and security that I felt then as we all sat on the bed naming the color of each egg and laughing as baby sister tasted each one in her basket.

The memory of this Special Easter Morning is still vivid and the thrill I felt then, still makes my heart flutter a little.

Oh the joyful wonder of being a child when all things are possible and the world is filled with delightful discoveries!

Mother made our easter baskets using oatmeal and other sturdy boxes. She decorated them with crepe paper, using a flour and water paste and in later years, Elmer's

glue. She was a very talented lady and knew how to stretch a penny till it squealed!

Cellophane grass was very inexpensive and we usually had hard boiled eggs and a few jelly beans.

When she was older, mother made the Easter Baskets in the picture for her grandchildren. I think they are very pretty, but there will never be one as beautiful as the one I found on my dresser on Easter Morning, way back when.

HAVE A BLESSED EASTER EVERYONE

and

THANK YOU JESUS FOR YOUR PRECIOUS GIFT.

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Evolution Of Evening Gowns and Prom Dresses (click here)

Most of these newer gowns were used as Prom dresses, including the last four in 2006.
Of course the earlier gowns were considered fashionable evening wear for the time. I don't believe they had Prom's then.
I received an e-mail showing several Prom dresses that were worn last year. The last three pictures in the slide show were taken from these. I think they are horrifying!
Myself, I prefer jeans and tee shirts to fancy dresses. but I think some of the older gowns are pretty to look at.
I never could understand the horrid corsets women put themselves into to create the effect of a wasp waist. Most of the time it shoved their breasts up so close to their neck they looked like they had goiters.

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APRIL FOOLS DAY

We have had several beautiful, sunny days here in Bellingham. For those of you who do not experience the long, rainy and dreary days of a Pacific Northwest winter, I can only say that the precious days of Spring make we rusty Washington residents nearly squeal with delight.

This morning it was clouded over and when I let the dogs out I noticed a fine mist. It's Spring. That 's to be expected. As I was making a pot of coffee, the dogs came running back in the house and I looked out to see what had frightened them.

It was hailing. I stood at the door and just stared at the awful stuff, then came the snow and more rain and hail. It was coming down with such force that the hail was bouncing on my deck floor like hundreds of small white marbles doing some crazy dance.

The wind began to roar around the evergreen trees and my neighbors black cat gave up the hunt and ran for cover. It was at this moment I heard the low, groaning voice, I recognized as Old Man Winter..........................

'APRIL FOOL'

Ok, ok, so there was no voice, but it did snow and hail and rain.

It is hard to see the snow and hail in the picture, but it's there! Click on the picture to enlarge it and it's very obvious.

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