Home of the BRAVE

"All that is necessary for evil to succeed is for good men to do nothing."

- Edmund Burke

There truly aren't words enough to adequately say thank you to the many men and women who protect this country and all that it means to be an American. We truly are very blessed by your service. Thank you!

(Grandpa Brick) Morris Woolstenhulme

United States Army

World War II--South Pacific

(Little Grandpa) Glen Hyrum Smith

United States Army

World War II--Stateside

John Heber Olson

United States Army National Guard

Iraq 2005.......Leaving again 2010

Not pictured is Ben's grandpa Leland Stanford (Jinx) who served this country, a pilot himself, training pilots during World War II.

I look at the beautiful flag in red, white, and blue, place my hand on my chest, and feel my heart swell with pride because of you. I am proud to say people I love so much have worked so hard to defend my freedom. I love you.

A long time coming

We were so excited to go back home to Idaho in September. Ben had just had surgery and we probably should not have made the trip but it was so nice to see everyone and to enjoy the company of family for a couple of weeks.

Thank you Aunt Dayna for giving us a reason to come home. We were grateful for the opportunity we had to celebrate your special wedding day with you and Marc. Look how great those Olson (Homer) grandbabies look!! We need to give those boys a reason to wear ties more often.

I always swore I wouldn't be one of "those" moms who let there kids play video games. Let me just tell you how happy I am to eat those words. This little gem made our flight time and 3 hour layover in Denver seem like Heaven.
Heber loved playing with the grandparents and all the cousins. He had to earn a little money while we were home and decided to help grandpa fix the door. He also played around outside each day while grandpa picked up the many apples falling from the trees. That counts as help right?

My Grandpa passed away in May soon after Ben's first surgery. I didn't make the trip home to the funeral. I finally got a chance to say goodbye while we were there. It was nice to spend a little time in that beautiful place on the hill. We love you grandpa and grandma.

One of the reasons I will always love home. How beautiful is that lake!!

Heber even got to experiene the first snowfall of the season. As you can see, this was not a good old "Bear Laker" but nonetheless it snowed in September and Heber thought that was great.

Mamma Mia

Since this is ALL he EVER wants to do
I was not at all surprised when THIS is what he asked to BE for Halloween

Check out my mad sewing skills on that hat. I looked all over Canton, OH and the internet to find the perfect little hat for my Luigi. I finally gave up and made one myself. Oh yea....this is the first time I have used my sewing machine for something other than scrapbooking. Not too bad!

J-Pouch anastomosis with loop illeostomy

On September 3, Ben underwent his 2nd of 3 operations to officially rid his body of the nasty ulcerative colitis that landed him in this mess in the first place.

I think we both underestimated the magnitude of this particular step in the process and are very grateful now 2 months later that he seems to be returning back to normal.

Ben's belly - the large bowel + the loop illeostomy + J-pouch reservoir + 1 very long scar that will be a forever reminder of what a blessing it is to feel good.
Below is a picture of the appliance that attaches to the illeostomy. He gets to get rid of this officially in December when he will have his 3rd and (hopefully) final procedure.

Welcome Back to Westbrook

Heber started his 2nd year of preschool in September. He was very excited to return back to Westbrook and to all of his buddies from last year. He went in without a hitch and didn't look back to say goodbye.

Okay...so it has been a while

It isn't like we haven't had anything else though to keep us busy.

1. First day of school

2. Another major surgery

3. Two trips across the country (one of which I didn't think I was going to survive)

4. A wedding

5. A chance to finally say goodbye to someone very special

6. And a few times around on a roller coaster


I have proof of all of this in pictures which will soon follow this post.......until then however,

Ask us about APRIL (psstt....click here)

As if I didn't point the camera at him ENOUGH

Heber decided he needed to do his own little photoshoot.