Family Picture from Last Summer August 2006

June 2007

Just an update for those of you who do read the blog. I haven't been very good about updating very frequently but intend to do so more often.
We passed the one year mark after Jason's surgery. Everything is going great and he is back to river rafting this summer. Cole just finished preschool and will go 3 days a week next year. He could go everyday, but I guess that will have to wait until he is in grade school. I hope that I can keep him challenged enough until then. I may have to go back to school and get a philosophy and religion PhD just to be able to have some intelligent answers to all of his questions.
Spencer just decided he would start to talk more the other day. I can't imagine what it will be like when I have two inquistive boys asking me all the questions in life quickly followed by "How do you know that?" Is the best response, "because I know or I just do, now be quiet and don't ask me any more questions I don't have the answers to." I know it's not very nice, but man I tell you, my brain is starting to hurt. They didn't tell you about these things before you have kids.
Well as for me, I am working hard at trying to get all of the dandelions out of the yard before they go to seed and the kids blow all of the fluffy white seeds around to make "wishes" and more dandelions. I am off for the summer and after two weeks, wondering what actuallymight get accomplished other than slivers taken out of the feet and trying to keep shoes and clothes on Spencer.
Oh well, they are only young once and it truly does go by fast. I recently was reminded of the saying about "When you are older and your kids are gone... and your life is nearing it's end...it won't matter that your house was clean, the bank account full, everything on the outside looking grand and perfect. What matters is the amount that we deposit into the lives of our children. They are our legacies and they will be the generations to come that will run this country, care for us as health care providers, and steward the world's resources. We won't have forever to read the same bedtime story that we have read for the past 6 weeks straight, or have a little guy tell you he loves you for no good reason and not just because he wants something, or helping them to put their shoes on or pour their juice and milk.
We were talking about growing up and what happens after we are adults and move on to college and live in our own houses. Cole's eyes starting welling up with tears and then he just started sobbing. When we finally got him calmed down, it was one of those moments when you all feel the same thing. When they are grown it is bittersweet, you may not see them everyday and they won't live in your house forever, but for right now, we all want to believe that we will feel the close feeling of family, the love, laughter, safety, and trust that has been created so far. We all sat there, not quite sure the words to say to make it seem better and ok. I guess it's those times in life, where it's ok to feel the raw emotion of the challenges we face in life without having to explain it away into something it really isn't.
Until next time,

Some photos from December

Some photos of the boys taken in December. You will notice in the Christmas tree photo with Spencer we didn't decorate the bottom 1/3 of our tree. Spencer loves to wear hats and loves to run with his diaper on.
Cole is being his usual happy go lucky kind of guy until mom wants him to smile for the camera.

Cole's Fourth Birthday

Well we all survived the bowling party with 9 kids bowling, eating pizza, cake, presents, games, and then the grand fanale of bowling. Of the nine bowlers, 7 were five and under. THe dads deserve an award for the most patient handling of pink and orange bowling balls, trying to keep everyone on task and in the right lanes, as well as keeping the girls twirling on their shoes. It was fun. Cole enjoyed it and was so excited to finally be four this morning. By the evening birthday phone calls from relatives he was actually 4 1/2.
Spencer got a hold of the clippers and had taken a couple of good chunks out before I got it out of his hands. We say that Zorro struck because it looks like the "Z" on the front side of his hair. A come over doesn't even cover it so we will just have to let it grow in.
Jason continues to get stronger and healthier all of the time. He has been cleared by his cardiologist to do pretty much everything he was doing before. He is now starting to rock climb at the local gym, has been running 6 miles 5 days a week and turned his coke and doritos in for daily salads and healthy food.
I continue to work for the county doing safe school assessments and am continually amazed how increasingly serious the person to person crimes are becoming at the schools. Scary doesn't even begin to cover it. Well, at least it gives me the platform to talk about what our community needs to better help these high risk situations.
Enough of that serious talk. I will post a picture of the birthday bash as soon as I edit the pictures.
As for now, we continue to press on and daily thank God for the many blessings shown and given to us.

Montoya Family- Bend, Oregon

Montoya Family- Bend, Oregon

Just an update as we celbrate the sixth month post-surgery and the Holiday season. It snowed in Bend today, not much in town but quite a bit on the mountain. Cole and I made cupcakes and put "lots" of pretty sprinkles on them. Actually I think we made sprinkles with a little cupcake instead of the other way around.
Cole and Spencer are quite the crew these days. Spencer runs around the house after Cole and Chillie and follows Jason and I around from room to room. He can't quite turn the doorknobs yet so a closed door is still a detour from getting into too much trouble.
Jason is back to work on the mountain full-time, skiing, and supervising the ski instructors out of the smaller lodge. Quite a challenge for him since the small lodge is left alone quite a bit and he finds himself having to do a lot of facilities coordinating as well.
We are truly blessed with continued health, joy, and wonderful friends and family around us.
Updated photos of the boys will follow in the next few days.
Happy Holidays to everyone.

Montoya Family- Bend, Oregon

Montoya Family- Bend, Oregon
An update since it has been a few months now. It is getting colder in Bend these nights ad=nd winter is right around the corner. A year ago we were just beginning the journey of all the travels to the hospitals for all of the second and third opinions. What a year it has been. The mountain, should be opening in less than a month and Jason will be returning to supervise the ski school from the Sunrise Lodge. We are continually amazed at how well Jason has recovered and has a completely new lease on the life he has always wanted to live.
The boys are growing fast and it is so great to experience life through the enthusiastic eyes of a child. We are very thankful for our continued health and strength. We have been blessed with many faithful friends and a caring and supportive extended family who have helped us be sustained throughout this part of our journey. We only hope to extend ourselves to those in need in the future.

A day at the Cascade Lakes

We went to the lake yesterday and had a great time playing in the water. We found some great camping sites that include nice sandy beaches, shady areas, warm shallow water, and no crowds.

Eight Weeks and Counting

Well another milestone has been reached along with a new bit of freedom. Jason has reached the 8 week mark with no complications. He continues to get stronger each and every day. He is doing Cardiac Rehab 3 times a week exercising for a bout an hour each time. He is the rookie of the group for heart surgery and age. I think the one with the most seniority is Mary, she will be 92 in October, and this her 9th year coming to exercise group. I think she was just about to retire when we were born.
Jason is now driving on his own. Can you hear us all cheering from Bend Oregon. Not that we don't love to spend every waking minute of the day together but I know that Jason is happy to be driving himself again and I am happy to send him off for a bit and now have to lug the kids around, drop them off, and drive all around town shuttling between appointments.
It's amazing to think that 8 weeks has already gone by and in the same thought that 8 weeks ago we were just beginning the journey. We are both so thankful that God has had us continually in his hand and so much appreciate the many hands that have carried us through this time in our lives. We are definitely stronger as individuals, as a couple, and a family.
I have learned a few lessons in life over this time. Most importantly that there is a God, and He does care about us individually. Ask us sometime about the specific moments we have literally experienced God during this time. Another lesson is so many people are in such a hurry and get so upset if you hold them up for even a few seconds. Jason was shuffling through the grocery store and a lady with a cart couldn't get by him and was huffing and puffing saying something about needing to get by. Jason apologized and said, "I can't move any faster, I just had open heart surgery." I think she said sorry as we let her past. I was struck by how much we miss by hurrying through so many opportunities and at how much in a hurry so many people are.
Even though there have been difficult moments this time is truly a treasure in life. We have actually had the opportunity to spend some significant time with each other, our children, and our family and friends. Many families do not get that opportunity to spend 3 months worth of time together all at once. We can both say we were both there when Spencer and Cole had many first moments, walking, climbing on top of the dining room table, Cole's first pony ride, first roller coaster.
One more month and I am back to work, Cole will start preschool and the routine of work, school, the ins and outs of the days will take over. I only hope that the foundation that has been laid the past 8 weeks will be that strong foundation for our family for the rest of our lives.
Some people have asked how I remained so strong during this time. Well, God gave me a verse from Isaiah in February that I spent a lot of time trying to figure out how it related to my life.
The message paraphrase of the Bible states as part of Isaiah 30:15, "Your strength will come from settling down in complete dependence on me."
God was my only answer I could depend on. The outcome was in His hands and I knew He would have me in them regardless of the outcome. We know now that God has a pretty big plan for Jason and our lives together and all those he will encounter for the rest of his life.
Until later. . . . .
PS, check out our new photos on the flickr link for our photo site.

Birthday #?

Some of you have heard the story of someone asking Jason how old he was currently and how old he was going to be on his birthday. He replied quite quickly 31. Since I was in the room at the time and was quite shocked that he was aggravating yet another person ?, I said, "really, do you really think your 31?" He replied with an assured yes and was in fact quite positive that he was only 31 and going to turn 32 on the 26th of July. I told him then that he was in fact 33 turning 34. He was quite puzzled that that could actually be true. So a few days later when we visited his doctors office, while making sure all of the paperwork was correct, he said again to me, "Look, even my doctor thinks of 33." I just shook my head and replied, "it's because you are 33 and will be 34 on the 26th."
So the 26th has come and gone and we are in Eugene this week to celebrate Jason and Justin's birthday yesterday and will celebrate Mike and Spencers this weekend when the rest of the family come into town.
We are having a nice time, Cole and Spencer are getting some time to spend with their cousins who live here. We will see them all again in 2 weeks in Bend/Sunriver when they all come into town for a family business meeting. We are making it an annual event for August.
Jason continues to get stronger, more fiesty, and much like the smart aleck everyone knows and loves. We just celebrated 6 weeks from the date of surgery and we were all extremely grateful at the birthday dinner last night to celebrate another.
Hopefully within the next 2 weeks he will have clearance from his doctor to drive and start lifting more than 5 lbs again.
Then again it's only time, and it's nice to spend time together all as a family.
Until the next installment. . . .

Getting stronger and settling in

Just wanting to give everyone who still may be checking in an update on Jason and our family. Jason is getting stronger and stronger everyday. He is able to go longer periods without resting and walking a bit faster around the loop in our neighborhood. We have seen his cardiologist in town and are getting PT for his leg and trying to get his Coumadin levels figured out. All in all, we are all doing great. All I have to say is thank goodness for the life we live and the friends and family we have who continue to be such a great support for us physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
Cole is in "sports camp" for the week at our Athletic Club. First day went fine, Cole just takes a little while to get adjusted around new things and people. At least he wasn't hanging on my leg screaming to not leave like another kid.
Spencer is starting to get really busy. He is constantly on the move when he's not eating and now trying to climb on things. He is trying to learn how to go down the stairs and starting to get brave and let go of things sooner. He loves Chillie dog and is always laying on him, climbing on him and giving him lots of love. We are trying to help him to learn how to be gentle with other babies, since he wants to poke their eyes and lay on them to give them hugs just like he does with Cole and Chillie. He just doesn't realize that babies get squished and weigh less than him even if they are the same age range.
Changing diapers has become an olympic type sport. I watched a friend this weekend use the "leg technique" which I thought I would try out on good ol' Spencie. Put your leg over him, give him a toy to play with, and change fast. At least my leg and the toy prevent him from reaching the diaper and whatever happens to be in it at the time. At least this way I am not chasing him all over the house trying to get him dressed and changed and I haven't worked up as much of a sweat by the time I'm done.
Whew, needless to say, I'm exhausted but holding up fairly well. This too shall pass and when Jason gets the clear from the doctor I told him I was going to an undisclosed location for the month of August so that I can have some alone time, by myself :). Not really, but at least I will be able to go read a book while I work out.

Still getting better and better

Just wanted to let you all know that Jason continues to do great. He has his ups and downs with pain and headaches but overall is building his stamina and energy. He continues to struggle at times with the reality that he still is recovering in every way, both mentally and physically. He has some moments of confusion and can't remember much of his time in the hospital. He is tired tonight and resting. Spencer went down early so Cole and I went to play soccer outside for a bit so Jason could have a bit of quiet in the house.
Cole will start swimming lessons tomorrow which will hopefully help him with his hesitance around the pool. We are having his friend Abby be his buddy in his class, since everything Abby does, Cole will try also. We'll keep our fingers crossed.
THANK YOU ALL AGAIN FOR YOUR CONTINUED PRAYERS AND SUPPORT TO OUR FAMILY IT IS GREATLY APPRECIATED.

After 5 days home

Well, I haven't posted since we returned since there wasn't a whole lot to report. We are getting settled in at home and into the swing of family life with two kids. Spencer is cruising on everything and getting brave and doing a few hands free stands before falling down on "buns" as Cole calls them. Cole is keeping us all using our brains because he is constantly asking "why" to everything. Finally we had to tell him to start thinking of the answers first and ask us if they are right. Cole and Spencer are starting to entertain each other a bit more and of course starting to fight as well. Spencer is a bit of a scratcher and tries to bite. Cole will need to get a little quicker and get out of his range faster.
We just got finished with a walk around our neighborhood. Cole was riding his scooter, Spencer in the stroller reaching out for Cole the entire time, and Jason and I strolling a lot. Jason is getting stronger although his slow stamina s still surprising to him. He is pretty good about resting when he needs to and not overdoing it.
We took the boys to the park this morning to play with some of our friends. Then this afternoon I took the boys down to the pool. Spencer likes the water but hasn't quite learned yet that he isn't a fish and can't breathe under water. He is fearless. We are always telling each other that he is the one who is going to give us a run for our money. He looks like a "Johnson" and has the personality of taking risk like his daddy. Even Jason says it. There may just be another generation of "notorious" Montoya boys. Only time will tell.
That's it for now. Until Later. . . .

After 5 days home

Well, I haven't posted since we returned since there wasn't a whole lot to report. We are getting settled in at home and into the swing of family life with two kids. Spencer is cruising on everything and getting brave and doing a few hands free stands before falling down on "buns" as Cole calls them. Cole is keeping us all using our brains because he is constantly asking "why" to everything. Finally we had to tell him to start thinking of the answers first and ask us if they are right. Cole and Spencer are starting to entertain each other a bit more and of course starting to fight as well. Spencer is a bit of a scratcher and tries to bite. Cole will need to get a little quicker and get out of his range faster.
We just got finished with a walk around our neighborhood. Cole was riding his scooter, Spencer in the stroller reaching out for Cole the entire time, and Jason and I strolling a lot. Jason is getting stronger although his slow stamina s still surprising to him. He is pretty good about resting when he needs to and not overdoing it.
We took the boys to the park this morning to play with some of our friends. Then this afternoon I took the boys down to the pool. Spencer likes the water but hasn't quite learned yet that he isn't a fish and can't breathe under water. He is fearless. We are always telling each other that he is the one who is going to give us a run for our money. He looks like a "Johnson" and has the personality of taking risk like his daddy. Even Jason says it. There may just be another generation of "notorious" Montoya boys. Only time will tell.
That's it for now. Until Later. . . .

Officially Home

We are all officially home now. We are still getting settled, unpacked, and reacquainted with our house and what we need to do around here.
We are happy to be home and ready to get into a "normal" routine again. I have to say that the kids have done well and all those who have cared for them have done great at keeping them on their schedules and routines.
Spencer continues to be getting new teeth as well as showing us all of the new tricks that everyone has been teaching him. Cole is running around in his new pajamas that have the superman cape on the back. So for all of you who may be talking to Cole, he has informed me he is ""Super Cole, when wearing his uniform!"
The main obstacle we are facing right now at home is that our air conditioner is broken and the forecast is for more hot weather. The TV channel said it is already 84 and it's only 9:00. So the AC guys are coming out to save the day. Of course, Jason is walking around the house wrapped up in a blanket because his inner thermostat has yet to regulate and his body temperature fluctuates so much during the day.
Call us, email us, and call to see if Jason is up for any visitors.

Pictures of the Family

We took these pictures yesterday so that you can all see how good we all look :). We wanted to get a few pictures with Cole and his daddy and Uncle Justin.

We are planning to fly home tomorrow to Bend. What a relief it is to finally be going home to get back to somewhat of a normal routine.

I have to say that despite all of the ups and downs, the kids have done wonderfully, and everyone else have done their part to be helpful, caring, and not get on each other's nerves.

Jason went to get his blood level checked today to make sure his Coumadin levels are alright.

He mentioned to me this morning that today and yesterday he has felt the most alive and normal again. I'm sure it will only get better as he continues to heal and build his strength.

Take care everybody.

What a long strange trip it's been

Hey all,
I have made a break for it and am now sitting in my hotel room. I thought I would take a moment to again thank everyone for everything (literally). I have had many discussions with family members over the last couple and have a few thoughts to share with you. I am hoping that everyone is healthy and can appreciate that. My surgery will force a lifestyle change for the better (i.e. diet). Also this time down here was wonderful in bringing my family closer together and I hope everyone takes time to appreciate theirs. Finally, I beleive Bre mentioned in a post a while back that I woke up under heavy medications and thought I was dead. I was freaked out and thought about two things my wife and boys and my releationship with God. There are a lot of different things I could say now but the main point it that I love them and they love me.
I look forward to seeing you all next week, however, I still need some rest. Please call ahead so I can see you all. Part of my recovery is taking walks and I would love some company.
Love you all,
Jason

Their Kicking Him Out

The great news is that Jason learned late last evening that today is the day they are sending him off. So now he has eaten breakfast, showered, and now waiting for the discharge details which include taking the IV out, getting the low down on the meds he will be taking from here on out. The good news about that is he isn't using much pain meds, they are taking him off of the heart rhythm med because his heart is beating nice and regular now, and he will basically have his coumadin and a baby aspirin to take, which will be the regimen forever now.
Cole is excited to see his daddy. We are going to breakfast to take up a little time and then I will go down to the hospital to pick up Justin and Jason a bit later. Hopefully it will be before lunch so Jason is saved from eating another Low Salt, no flavor, hospital meal. We will have to watch his sodium intake for the first 6 weeks anyway but at least we can find some better tasting food which might actually encourage him to eat a bit more.
We will take some pictures and put them on for you to see Jason and Cole once he comes to our "new house" as Cole calls the hotel.
The journey continues and we will continue to add updates to the blog from now until, well I guess when I get tired of telling you all about what is going on in our part of the world.

White Counts Down Again, Waiting for Tomorrow

The result of the white cell scan showed no infection anywhere in his body. It is normal at times for white counts to be higher around the site of the incision, heart graft, etc. just due to the trauma and healing of the heart.
White counts were down again this morning to 16. It needs to be around 11-12 before they will release us.
Cole will be flying in a couple of hours with Justin. We are trying to talk the staff into allowing Jason a bit more time off of the unit. They won't let him off of the property but we can go around the property and find some places to hang out in the fresh air together.
Jason is ready to be free, he is tired of being a "pin cushion" and having people scan him, probe him, and generally tell him what to do. He is starting to try to talk his way into things so we definitely know he is feeling better.
We will take a walk here in a bit so he can get out before it gets too hot.
So there is nothing to do today except sit around and wait for the next blood draw tomorrow morning at 6:00.
Will keep you posted.

Feeling Good, Whites down, less meds

Well,
I guess I have caused some anxiety since I didn't post a blog last night or yet this am.
Jason reports that he feels good today. They discharged his antibiotics to see if there is any change in his counts since they were going up and down with them anyway. His counts are down to 19.5 this am.
They will start weaning him off of the Oxycontin today and replace it with vicodin to see if his pain is managed with that.
He is excited to see Cole.
His white cell scan should be around noonish today. They have to squeeze him in since they don't have any slots available.
If everything continues to go well he could be discharged Thursday and we are scheduled to fly home Sunday evening.

I have been thinking a lot lately which probably doesn't surprise a lot of people who know me well. I was thinking the other night about how much Jason was missing Cole, and longing to be reuinited with him because his "heart" was hurting so much for that closeness in relationship. As I was going to sleep that night I was thinking, "That's how it is with God and us. He loves us so much, in comparison to how we feel about our love for those we love the greatest, that is only a fraction of how God longs to be in relationship with us."
For some reason, I had never thought about it that way before, probably because I hadn't experienced what it would be to lose someone that I love so much in a while and being separated from my kids for the first time.
Thank goodness for God's steadfast love and faithfulness. Nothing else would be sustaining me at this time.
Until later. . . .

White Counts Up Again, Waiting on New Plan

Ok,
of course things continue to be a bit challenging. It's a good thing I am reading a book "Ruthless Trust", all about trusting God. God is good that way, making sure we have what we need when we need it most.

So, the white counts are up, they don't know where the infection is so they will be running a white cell scan test today, giving him a transfusion of 2 units because his Red Blood Cells are down, and trying to see if an Infectious Disease Doctor can consult with the team.

Jason is really missing Cole so we are going to fly him down again, along with Uncle Justin, our family doctor, to help us with all of the "doctor" communication.

We haven't exactly nailed down the specifics, but Sara has offered to watch Spencer or I will see what my parents want to do about that.

We are moving to a hotel today. the doctor said we could be here another week.

Ok Prayer Team- (that means anyone who prays) go into overtime.
The Physician's Assistant who saw Jason walking around the unit said, "You don't look sick, we have to get you out of here."
More updates to come......