A Needed Break

I took a day off from work on Friday, February 26th, to go for a weekend snowmobiling trip with Doug and Scott. After the excitement of Thursday's explosion we almost canceled, but decided that there wasn't much we could do at home. We went with Lynn and Leslie Rockwood to their cabin in Island Park. It is always so nice to visit with them. They make us feel comfortable and welcome. We enjoyed dinner with them and Jack and Shellie Edwards and then on Saturday we went for a snowmobile ride. The weather was beautiful (sunny and 45 degrees) and we enjoyed the ride and the company. The only problem was I forgot the camera. It is always hard to come back to work and the everyday world.

KABOOM

We are counting our blessings this week!

On Thursday morning, February 25, Doug went out to the shop to work on his snowmobile. As he entered the shop, he stopped at the electrical box to flip the breaker for the air compressor. As he did there was an explosion. Gas had leaked from the snowmobile into the lube pit. When the compressor motor started it ignited the fumes and blew.

My phone buzzed at 8:45 as I was going into an assembly at school. It was Doug and he sounded pretty shaky. "Can you come home?" I immediately ran home to see the shop door bent and hanging. Doug was in the house and he was trembling. I think it helped just to have someone there and give him a hug. We then went out to assess the damage and call insurance. The door was blown from the track and bent. It was barely hanging from the bracket at the top. Several panels of siding were blown off, some of the fluorescent lights had exploded sending glass all over, some of the iron beams were bent, the snowmobile was turned on its side, and the boards over the pit were thrown around. Miraculously Doug was not hurt. We are still amazed that he was not injured. There were so many worse scenarios. A friend was coming over to help and we are glad he wasn't there yet because he probably would have been standing over the pit. If the compressor would have been full and delayed start-up, Doug would have been closer to the blast. The Lord was watching over and I believe a shield was placed around him.

Everything can be fixed or replaced and I am just grateful that no one was hurt. The boys came over that evening and helped board up the opening for the time being. Doug will have a spring project!

Full House

We have had a few extras living at our house the past week. Our neighbors, the Longs, are in Arizona for a liver transplant. We are excited for them to finally get over this hurdle in their lives. While they are away, their two boys are staying with us. Aaron is 13 and Tim is 10. It is an adjustment for all of us, but we are doing well.
Jeff Long was the recipient of a liver from his oldest son, Roy. The procedure went well and they are both currently recovering at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix. Jeff will probably have to remain in Phoenix for 6-8 weeks. That will be a long separation for the boys, and we hope they are comfortable in our home. We are just grateful that we have been blessed with good health and do not have to endure this hardship. We continue to pray for their quick recovery.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY REED

UNBELIEVABLE!

My oldest turned 25 on Friday, January 29th. Does that make me old or just wise. Reed is so busy with school, internship, hospital shifts, and studying that we weren't sure we would get to see him, sooooo Doug and I planned to take dinner to the firehouse on Thursday night. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit. It was fun to get a tour of where he spends some of his time. He does a 24 hour shift every 6 days for the Madison County Fire Department. In return his tuition is waved through BYU-I. He gave us a tour of the station and then we stayed to eat with the crew. (I wish I would have taken a few pictures.) They were a great bunch and we even learned a few secrets about Reed. It had been a busy day for all of them and Reed had helped respond to a cardiac arrest case and they performed CPR until they got him to the hospital. The chiefs and captains were all praising him on a great job. It's always nice to see your kids happy and finding a career that brings them satisfaction.
This picture is from his class in the paramedic program at BYU-I.

We did get to see Reed for a little bit on Friday and he was able to take a day off and go snowmobiling with his dad and little brother on Saturday. He's a lot of fun to have around and we are pretty proud of him.