hello everyone! I have a small question to ask... does anyone have any digital pictures from Jen and my wedding? I try to stay connected to old friends and family far away through online media like facebook and I would like to post some pics up for them to see. Thank you for your help!

Made a trip with Deanna and kids (briefly amidst thunderstorms)to the Ontario Co. Fair and had the opportunity to visit with Katie and Melissa Mason in the 4-H building. Katie is starting college at Mercyhurst in PA this fall and working for the Coop. Ext. for the summer. Melissa showed us the dress she made for her 16th birthday party.

Congratulations to Sally on her new job - selling photography for David's Bridal. Something tells me this will work out better than the pet grooming gig.

Congrats Chad! Welcome to the world Charles William Gavett IV!

Happy Birthday Sahara - Hitting the quarter century mark puts you firmly in adult territory. Enjoy!

Happy Birthday #25 to Sahara tomorrow! Her Dad'll be frying fish and I made a cake. Kind of low-keyed, but that's what happens as you age.

Sonja arrives from California this week - Wed in NYC and Wed night or Thurs at Mom's - and the Thompson reunion is on the agenda for Saturday. Hope to see everyone then!! Bring something to auction OR money to buy what someone else brings, either works.

Freebies - Ted picked up a lawn seeder and people powered mower (works!) at a recent auction. Anyone interested?

A Special Congratulations to Skip and Jane on their 35th Anniversary. That is indeed an accomplishment - Add to that 3 children grown, educated, and employed. Then there are the (almost) 5 grandchildren who can enjoy the flowers and fruits of your labors (as do I). Enjoy!!

Congrats on the job Jess! I can't wait to hear all about it! When do you start?

Congrats also to Bill and Jessica on their new arrival coming in January (right?)

Congrats to Kate and family on their new addition... looking forward to meeting baby Emma at the reunion :)

Congrats to Jim and Joe and Jen and Molly as they close on their new house tomorrow! (please let me know if you want help packing/moving, I will be in walton for the weekend)

Congrats to Andy on his new job and for letting me drive the U-Hall to SC with him!!! Looking forward to a road trip with my bro :)

And congrats to me winning at minigolf last night! (Mom... I've refined my skills and I'm ready for a rematch!)

Lots of exciting events happening in our lives (hopefully outweighing, or at least adding some relief, to the difficult times).

Hi everyone,

After enjoying a couple months of being unemployed, I have accepted a job, wooooooh :) It is with a mental health clinic doing mostly outreach therapy with an array of clients with varying needs - basically, I'll be gaining invaluable experience from working with clients as young as three to, well, gram :P I take the licensing exam this month which will provide me with LCSW credentials and ability to bill for a whoooole 50 cents more an hour! I look forward to sharing about my career adventures with you all, it is sure to be an interesting and challenging endeavor.

Its great to see everyone using the blog, I'm trying not to get tooo jealous of all the harvesting out there, someone said they have pumpkins! We've got about 6 zuchini on our three plants which are taking over my entire garden bed - a whopping 6ft by 2ft bed we built, time for an upgrade. We have 3 beets growing but I'm not sure when to pull them...any tips? We've also got a two inch pepper and some snap peas (which are hanging out into our sidewalk and I'm surprised at the respectfulness of the passerbys to allow us to enjoy our handful we get each week). We have two tomato plants, one with three little green guys on it, the other is a yellow pear shaped tomato - lots of flowers, but no tomatoes yet.. KC and I hit up the farmers market down the road to supplement, wish I had acres to plant on!

Hope everyone had a safe and happy 4th of July and I can't wait to see you all in a couple weeks at the reunion. Any ideas of what to bring to the auction? I may attempt to make a zuchini something..bread perhaps.. Oh, and who all is going kayaking on sunday? I've already informed my mother she is absolutely under no circumstances allowed in a kayak, she can take all the pictures she wants, but no kayaking!

HAPPY EARLY BIRTHDAY TO SAHARA! (Big 25?!)

Just an update about my mom... my parents were supposed to find out tomorrow about the status with the tests she took so far, but the doctor called today with an early update. I wish I could be the bearer of good news, but she is 100% positive for cancer. The doctor said she has breast cancer which may be a good sign in hope of a good recovery, but a x-ray showed an excessive amount of fluid surrounding her lungs. The fluid is believed to be part of an infection which is unknown right now what the cause is. She has an appointment tomorrow to gain more knowledge on her condition and the possible avenues available for her treatment. She also has an appointment this coming Wednesday for an in office procedure to drain the fluids around her lungs, which will allow for her to breath a little easier and to also not be in so much pain when she is trying to rest.

I do appreciate all the kind words of encouragement and wisdom from those who have responded here on the blog. I also do want to send my appreciation to all of you who are saying those prayers for both my mom and dad. I am blessed and thankful for being a part of a family who cares enough to take a little time away from their life to offer up prayers to our Lord and words of encouragement/wisdom to me and Jen.

Joe and Jen, we put you and your folks in our prayers. We are praying for your mother's pain to not be untreatable, and for comfort, rest, and healing for your father. This can be a stressful time for you, so we also pray that you will seek peace and joy from your surroundings and each other.

Just wondering if anyone is doing anything for 4th of July weekend... and if you'd mind an addition... :)

Hello everyone;

I am writing this post today to both inform everyone and also to ask for some help and guidance.

My father, Lou Spencer, is not doing well and shows no sign of getting any better. He has the worst case of diabetes that anyone can have which is also teamed up with a severe case of crones disease. With the two combined he has lived the last 20-30 years fighting to try and keep his health in check. Between medicine and a strict diet, he has managed to keep both diseases in check. As of the past couple years his health has taken a spill off the deep end. Within the past year alone he fights his blood sugars counts going from dangerous low counts to off the charts high counts. The doctors only answer to this was a change in his diet; to the point where he literally eats nothing at all. Right now he has limited to no use of his hand, fights to get even an hour or two of sleep per night, and to aid my mother who is also fighting now for her health.

My mother, Jean Spencer, went to an appointment today because she has been having chest problems that was obvious it was not natural. More tests are in line to be done, but she is believed by doctors to have cancer in her chest area. The doctors do not know as for where it is coming from or even how strong it is, but tests are being planned to figure them out. I will be updated with information as it comes to me.

A lot of burden falls on to me right now being the one who lives the closest to my parents. Jen has agreed and offered to help as much as she can with everything. As I sit here writing this I am already feeling overwhelmed because I have this on me plus trying to give 150% to my job and support Jen and help Jim with things that may come their way. I am not asking for money help. I am not asking for sympathy. I am reaching out to everyone and asking for prayer and guidance through all of this.

I thank you all for your time and prayers if you choose to offer any.

Love;
Joe