Jesus loves all the children...they are precious in His sight

We received news this week that we are going to be Grandparents. Our daughter Abi is due in January. May God bless this little one. May God guide and direct Dillon and Abi during this phase of their life.

The Kids

Abi's PIR (Pass in Review) August 27

Tiger

We adopted Tiger from Family Dogs New Life Shelter in SE Portland December 2008. We found him on an internet search for poodles. His shelter name was Steve. His internet picture was not flattering at all, he looked like a wreck, which made Lori want him even more. It was a snowy day in December, and the shelter said they would stay open.

We drove all the way to Portland and when we were handed this skinny, weak, underweight dog, we just knew we had to take him home and give him love. To be quite honest, we thought he was probably a week from dying. His hip bones and spine were deathly visiable, and he was so weak. He walked with a hunch to his back like a cat. He had only 4 teeth, many were pulled out by a previous veterinarian clinic in Yakima. He had failed attempts for adoption, one quote for reason of giving him back to a shelter from a previous owner in the veterinary notes was "he's just too much work". It was heartbreaking.

At first he had difficulty eating, being that he already had missing teeth and two fisutulas that opened from his mouth to his nose where infected teeth used to be. Our vet prescribed some medicine to help him develop an appetite. It helped.

Over the course of the two and a half years we had Tiger, we gave him all the love an attention we could. He gained weight, developed a healthy coat, and his back was no longer hunched. He slept on our bed, sat on our laps, followed us around the house, and enjoyed car rides the most.

He eventually became blind in one eye, and also would suffer a pelvis fracture from getting hit by a car after leaving from a open gate. Matt had learned of the accident on his way to eastern Oregon for a week long hunting trip. He packed up and came home to be with Tiger. With the help of our vet, Barbara Wynne, we nursed him back to health in about 6 weeks. He was doing great.

Over the past few weeks, he had reinjured his pelvis from jumping off a couch, and had increasingly been having problems with backside weakness and bladder control. His quality of life was diminishing and we made the very difficult decision.

He was always a trooper. He was tender-hearted, content, and loved.

He is now buried next to Checkers in our backyard in Newberg.

Dogs are a gift from God. Loyal, loving companions.

First visit to Dr. Wynn with Bear and Abi

Oregon Coast Trip

Dan, Tiger and Bear, before haircuts that day

Visiting Grandma & Cindy Lu in Arizona

Aviator jacket

Loves the car rides

December 2008, snug as a bug in a rug

Keeping warm on Matt's lap

Tiger and his Daddy

First haircut :)

Happy as a clam!

Fresh air is his favorite!

This was the day we adopted him, taken at the shelter December 2008

In Arizona

Nicole

We will miss his classic two-toned bark. We love you Tiger!

Additional pictures on facebook:
Tiger-roo

Frank, May have Lost His Marbles!

Kudos to Lori's Dad, Frank, for his expert garage sale knowledge. He has been a blessing and a real motivator in this transition from Oregon to Alaska. Managing the garage sale and rallying the troops is no small task! In fact, it takes a real "special" person....

"Ain't that special?"

American Legion here on Kodiak Island serving up some bbq hamburgers and hotdogs to the public.

These two flags are hand-painted. Free-flowing on an American Truck..FORD.

God Bless our men and women that have served, are serving, and will serve our Great Country, One Nation Under God. We are so proud of our youngest daughter, Abigail Marie, for choosing to fight for freedom. As you may know, she inlisted in the US Navy, and is currently in basic training in Great Lakes, Illinois. We have no contact with her while in basic, I hope she gets to see fireworks for the 4th.

One of our miracle patients, and patriot....Bob

Our Daughter Abi Takes the Oath to Serve Our Country

(to hear the video better, scroll down to the bottom of our blog and 'pause' the music)

We are proud of Abi's decision to serve our country in the US NAVY. Following in Grandpa Frank's footsteps, a Naval veteran.

This is the video of her swearing in this morning, June 28. This happens to be Grandma-ma Dixie's birthday. Coincidentally, Abi got on a commercial jet to Chicago--where Grandma-ma Dixie was born. Her basic training will be held in Great Lakes, IL. Following basic training, she will go to A school in Pensacola, FL to be a Navy Air Traffic controller.

As you watch the video, know that her momma didn't dress her, as she is 18. And, yes, she is thin..about 100 lbs. Rest assured the Navy will put some weight on her bones. As proud parents, we look forward to seeing her graduate from basic training :)

Abi's Graduation from High School

Visiting Family

While Lori was in Oregon for the first week of June, she was able to visit with her parents and grandmothers. We also had many family and friends Abi's high school graduation party that week. Matt's mom, Cathy, Nicole, Abi and Lori had noon tea at Sleighbells in Sherwood, the day of Abi's graduation.
Nicole and Grandma Cathy

Lori and her Grandmother, Eve (she lived through the Great Depression while living in Chicago)

Lori and her sister Kellie (3 years younger)

Grandma Eve, chatting away about politics and the economy

Miss Abigail

Lori and her Daddy, Frank

Frank, Lori and Grandma Betty (Elizabeth)

Graduation night for Abi

Matt and Nicole to pick Lori up at Portland Airport

Lori and her Mom, Dixie

Matt and Grandma Eve

Mr. Man--don't mess with him!