Updating

Tim's surgery is this morning - We would appreciate your prayers. It looks like they are going to need Tim out under general. He has had such yucky reactions with general anesthesia before we were hoping for a block. The nurse said we can discuss it further with the anesthesiologist but with the extent of the surgery it is unlikely.

We have been working like crazy on the new house. We spent last week working on setting the lids upstairs. A couple of our friends from the home-school community surprised us with a work crew on Saturday. I was very overwhelmed with their kindness and everyone's generosity to help us. They gave me a little forewarning (told me on Wed.) but I wasn't supposed to tell Timmer. That was TOUGH!!! I think it would be safe to say he was suspicious that something was up when I pushed him to shop on Friday. I'm not good at being sneaky.

They released me to tell him on Friday night. Ten men and some of the ladies from our home-school community and our church showed up Saturday to help us. Most of them stayed the morning, a few worked with us until we quit at 8 pm. We got almost all the upstairs rock hung.

It was very touching and very overwhelming for both of us (okay.............. I confess --- I cried) Tim was so discouraged and then so much was accomplished.

Another family from our home-school community showed up with a marvelous supper on Sunday and helped me work on taping/mudding while Tim and Elijah continued to hang rock.

Tim took Monday and Tuesday off of work. We worked from 5 am to late at night. Tim came in last night at 11:45. We have most of the downstairs rocked but not completely screwed off. Overall a very productive week.

Elijah is in Teenpact this week at the state capitol. Tim and I required him to go and he was apprehensive. However he has enjoyed the last two days very much. EXCELLENT program!!! The kids spend the week at the capitol learning how the state legislature works and how to participate in civil government with a focus on participation as citizens. They had a substantial amount of homework prior to attendance, including writing a bill to submit to the Teenpact legislature. They divided into committees and participate just as if they were the state Senators/Representatives in analyzing the bills through committee, passing them onto the legislature, etc. Elijah starts with the class at a breakfast each morning at 7:30 -- I picked him up last night at 8:30. Long days, but he is enjoying himself and learning a lot. The gentleman who runs the Montana Family Foundation - a conservative group that watches Montana Law (works with Focus on the Family/James Dobson) organizes this event every year to teach civil government. I am so glad that Elijah has this opportunity!!

Well...... we are running late and I need to scoot --- have to leave for surgery in 45 minutes and I still need to get ready. I will keep you posted here as we progress.