SPRING HAS SPRUNG...KINDA...

This week we had some moderate weather finally.  The snow is getting just a wee bit soft and crunchy, and the temperatures are more moderate.  A bunch of the guys went out snow machining today in the hills around the farm.  Tomorrow some of the guys will probably begin trips to Fish Lake with the supplies for the upcoming fall hunts.  They will make as many trips as they can before the snow is completely gone.

The wedding party that went to Bethany and Isaac's wedding in Kansas, came back. They had a great time by the looks of it.

So far, this spring, Tommy cows have had 16 calves.  Tom is pretty pleased with his outcome so far.  A couple of Richard’s cows have had calves and have freshened so we have plenty of milk, butter, and cheese. 

Thomas, Brad, Craig, and Kevin are in Wasilla doing that job for the railroad.  As always, there a few glitches, but things will work out.  Apparently they are staying in a coolly warmed building owned by the guy they’re working for. 

Ben attended the homeshow in Fairbanks last weekend as a vendor and did well in sales.

  

Floan is doing better with her sprained knee issue.

Robin has finally been diagnosed with Grave's so we are treating him with some nasty drugs for a period of time, in the hopes that he will go into remission. Prayers always welcome.

Pat went up on the cabin roof to clear off the snow and then...it snowed....oh well.

Have been trying to go snowshoeing before the snow gets too mushy. It is rather lovely at this time of the year.

A group of young homeschooled kids from Tok came out to play and be with our school kids. Alot of snomachining, snoboarding, eating and laughing was done. A good connection. Hoping to send Rob to their summer camp this summer...if his health stabilises.

Presently, it is 30° and trying to snow. 

Have a great week.  

                       

ROB'S ONGOING ISSUES...

Family and Friends,
I am not sure if you all know that Rob has been dealing with rapid weight loss (about 20lbs. since November), profuse sweating and trembling. After research and profesional diagnosis, we are still baffled but it all points towards a form of hyperthyroidism which is rare in individuals with DS, they are usually on the other end of the spectrum of thyroid disorders.

In Rob's case it seems to be an excess of iodine in his system which is causing his metabolism and his thyroid to be on overdrive - as it were. His endo has recommended all iodine based products to be cut out of his diet - that means NO FISH or fish products of any kind. He loves our fresh farm salmon so that will be a biggie for him, plus any brain omega's that he takes in supplement form, are out as well.

Our farm water contains iodine as well as other minerals so bottled water it will have to be for a period of 3 weeks.

AFter this we are to spend a couple of nights in Fairbanks at FMH for an iodine uptake. What is an iodine uptake? Glad you asked...

You can read all about it here:

http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/radioactive-iodine-uptake-test

I could post some of the photos I have taken of Rob but you would  be taken aback at how much weight he has lost and how scrawny he looks....so I have refrained from scandalizing you...

Iodine is a trace element, water soluble and actually rare on the planet. It is, like so many things, ESSENTIAL for thyroid health BUT TOO MUCH OF IT IS NOT GOOD...

kind of like that xtra chromosome dealy, where too much of a good thing is actually harmful.

You can read about how too much iodine in the system can affect the whole works in a bad way:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/454495-symptoms-of-excessive-iodine-intake/

Pray for Rob, we know God has him in the palm of His hand.

Blessings to all

have a great week!

MARCH MADNESS PART 2

LATER…..

I knew I left something out of last week’s email… a weather crew came out to film the loggers doing their logging thing.  They followed the guys in the woods for one day and then here for two days.  They had to wear mikes and have cameras in their faces.  We met the film crew (two guys and a local from here sound guy); they were super nice.  If I ever figure out where our 11 minute segment is airing, I’ll let you know. 

  

Katrina Miller from Whitestone, daughter of Jay and Amy Miller (granddaughter of the late Dick and Jane Miller and of Jon and Carol Dufendach) won the Interior State spelling bee and will go to state at the end of June.  Here is a link for an article on her.  It is so “Katrina” sounding.  From a very young age, Katrina has spoken in big words about life’s happenings.  http://www.newsminer.com/news/local_news/article_af5ce216-83de-11e2-98c6-001a4bcf6878.html

Gosh, I’m always apologizing first thing.  In my last email I said that the night temperatures had only been getting to zero degress.  After perusing my little weather book, I realized that was a very incorrect assumption.  The night temperature had been steadily getting as low as -15° regularly.  Yesterday, was very windy with the high at 29°; this morning it is still 15°, and windblown piles are everywhere. 

The beef and dairy cows have started having babies.  It is the time of night checks and birthing s.  Last night Chris Toby called for Rich because one of Rich’s moms’s birthed her calf in the gutter. Rich and Chris took care of that. 

Yesterday, Liz and I went to town to collect Zayden who will be staying with me for a few days and then with Jeni for a few days while his parents are on vacation. 

A bunch of folks have gone to Kansas. to be with the Chartier family as Bethany Chartier (who graduated with Ani) is getting married to a family friend from the town.

Sis Audrey from Sapa farm passed away last week.  A Master Teacher whom we will all miss. The original WRTR instructor and one of my mentors.

A memorial will be held for her this Saturday at noon at the Sapa farm.  Garth, Kim and a van load were supposed to be at the memorial at Sapa but were turned back by snow and stormy weather at Blackrapids. Ani had made a ton of cookies for the occasion and they ended up on our Sunday service snack bar! At least they did not go to waste… :(

The Loggers, Thomas, Craig, Kevin and Brad have left for Wasilla to begin a job for the railroad – Tom says they will be working 7-12’s for four weeks. 

Wendy and Rus have started planting seeds for the greenhouse plants.  I heard the greenhouse is being opened up soon. 

May is thinking "garden" and planning for what needs to be done.

Fresh snow has made Pat's trail manageable again, so we're gonna use it again for a bit before it gets bad again.

May and I went out on a 2 hr. trek looking for new trails in the snow and almost ended up Horn Mt. ! it was a lovely sunny, bright and crisp afternoon, May was trying out her new snowshoes from DepotPleinAir in Canada....

Here are some photos

We had a costume party recently, all the young folks participated in making their own original costumes. Here are some photos of the occasion.

ROB AND MICHAEL

MY 3 IN THEIR COSTUMES

Sooo… 

Here’s some links to pictures I’ve posted to facebook. 

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10200333504451982.1073741829.1585591801&type=3

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151342082601569.1073741826.674561568&type=3

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151345133866569.1073741827.674561568&type=1

Have a great week!

MARCH MADNESS...PART 1

How are you?  We are still having February weather in March!  Most of our weather has been hanging out around the 0° line, but mostly a little below it by ten degrees.  The other morning, we woke up to -40°, but it warmed up somewhat when the sun came out.  Over the last week, we’ve had fierce winds and approximately 5 inches of fresh snow.  This morning it is +19°.

Jennifer went for a prenatal check this week and found out they are having a girl.  (So, in April, Kimberli is having a girl, and Kelsey, my niece,  is having a boy; in June Kylin Casey [Fbks] is having a girl; at the end of July, Jennifer & Phanta are having girls; later on Marki Geyer [Fbks] will be having a baby)  It seems to be the year of the girl except for Ben’s grandbabies!

Floan is still housebound with a bum knee, but she is doing MUCH better.

Pat is gearing up for the firewood season and making sure the equipment is OK so that he can start delivering wood to folk's cabins.

Seth Jepsen came home and left again.  He arrived home on Sunday from his time down at the Mexican farm, bringing some fresh clams, cockles, and crab to share with various folks.  Wednesday, he caught a ride to town with Tony to “move” to Whitestone for several months to pursue his "walkie" with Amaris R.

Joey Casey has left again to return to work in Dutch Harbour or in the middle of the ocean somewhere as an "on ship medic".  It is always refreshing to have the boys come home – they effortlessly fill in doing jobs that need doing or that need young strength to complete. 

Chris Toby did very well in his Ferrier Oklahoma school, and he is now home too.  Again, it is nice to have our young guys home!  Also, Hope Margraf arrived for a visit and is staying with Jim and Bonnie Mason.  There is some interest between Hope and Chris so we will see how this pans out. 

Prins Samuel sent an email from his trip to India..  I will paste his message here.

“Greetings from Sri Lanka. I was in India for 32 days and had over 59 meetings in 3 different states. Now I am in Sri Lanka and will be here about 8 days. I am writing to request your prayers for this time. I was in Sri Lanka for 3 days in November and felt the Lord speak for me to come back on this trip. The Lord has opened some doors but now I need you support in prayer.

I can testify that the Lord moved in a powerful way during the time inIndia. I believe a new part in the south India has been opened up for this word to be preached. Will send a full report after I get home in March. Thank you.

Lord Bless, Prins Samuel”