Colorado Here we Come

Greetings Everyone -

I wanted to let you know that Amber and I will be moving approximately 1,215 miles closer to the "southeastern home base" of the family. Due to some re-structuring/downsizing at my company I've been given the option to take a severance or move to Denver, Colorado. This was a tough decision but we've decided to make the move (which will probably happen in June). We've really enjoyed the west coast, but are looking forward to new adventures in a new part of the country.

Miss you all,

R&A

A Disappointing End

I am going to start at the very beginning of a very long journey. Last December shortly before the holidays I learned that I was a kidney match to my mom. I was very excited.
In the middle of January my screening process began- Boy! Are they thorough. During the screening test I found out that I am the proud owner of 3 kidneys. It all seemed meant to be. The following week when I returned to Lifelink to meet with the various doctors to complete my screening process I was sent back to the hospital for another test. Apparently my chest x-ray was bad. It looked like my pulmonary arteries where enlarged. The doctor explained to me that there were many reasons for this (probably breathing while the image was captured) and not to be alarmed.
The cat scan that was done of my chest showed that my pulmonary arteries are just fine, but they found 3 enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes (between your lungs). At that point Lifelink put me on hold and sent me to my doctor. I was referred to a pulmonologist who hoped to rule out any problems with a PET Scan, so such luck! Last week, I had a procedure called a Mediastinoscopy. The surgeon took an up close look at the lymph nodes and biopsied 2 of them.
The results of the biopsy showed that it was nothing for which it was tested. But because lymph nodes are not supposed to be enlarged they have defaulted to a diagnosis of Sarcoidosis. Today I have learned that as a result of this possibility(of having Sarcoidosis) I have been declined as a kidney donor.
It has been a huge let down- I really believed that in the end it was all going to work out… I know it will-I just won’t be the one making the donation. Keep your fingers crossed and prayers coming that we find a match soon.
Jay

What a week!

Hello everyone,

We just got back from a destination wedding in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Our friends, Sam and Ian, (both of whom attended our wedding, perhaps you met them?) were wedded in a waterfront ceremony that was capped off with a spectacular fireworks display. Once the official-wedding related festivities ended, an impromptu "MTV Beach House" style party broke out near the pool - complete with formally dressed drunk people (bride included) jumping in the water (and proceeding to continue 'getting their groove on').

It was a great time, and we're working through the withdrawal that comes from the end of a great vacation. The best part was that the hotel was booked only with wedding guests (approximately 40 total) and no one else. In that environment, the entire wedding list became really close, and I honestly think some of us will stay in touch in the future. Enjoy our pictures that will hopefully do justice to the beauty of the Mexican coast (there are more on facebook if anyone's interested).

With Love,

Ryan and Amber

Wonderful Weekend

Pappy, Tom, and I were blessed with visitors this past weekend.  Jay, T, Mack, and Maddie made a road trip to see all of us.  The beautiful South Carolina weather made for a perfect weekend.  Time spent outside watching the children play was a real treat for us.  Mack and Maddie delighted us with their treasures found in the forest.  My table centerpieces have never been more gorgeous! It just goes to prove that there is nothing better than spending time with loved ones. Thanks for coming. We can't wait for your next visit.

Since Thanksgiving is next week, I'm hoping the blog will be filled with "turkey" photos and stories about festivities in NY (Matt and Stephanie), CA (Ryan and Amber), FL (all of the Howells) and SC (my gang).  If we can't be together for every holiday this needs to be the next best thing!

Happy Thanksgiving!  Love and hugs to all of you.  AD

Hero Pilot

Above is a picture of Marv Vikla, who is Ryan's Godfather, shaking Chesley Sullenberger's hand at Sully's book signing at the Mall of America.  Recall that it was Sully who safely glided the US Airways flight into the Hudson R. last January.  Marv and I were classmates with Sully in USAF Undergraduate Pilot Training at Columbus MS back in 1974.  Cindy and I have remained close to the Viklas since then.  In fact, we just saw them on our recent trip to the upper midwest and west.  Marv went to the book signing to see if Sully remembered all of us, and he said he did.  Marv then got us a personalized copy of the book.
Small world.  Hope to see lots of you as the holidays beckon!
Love to all,
Denny & Cindy

Matt's New Company

All,

I wanted to pass along some exciting news from my world... I have accepted a new job effective this week. I will be a National Account Manager with a company called Jig-A-Loo. It's a Canadian-based company with its US headquarters in Statesville, NC, only 30 minutes from my place in Charlotte.

This opportunity came about through a former colleague of mine at Newell Rubbermaid. He landed at Jig-A-Loo last March and has been part of the huge success they've enjoyed recently. He approached me for this role, because the focus of my new position will be independent hardware (Ace, True Value, etc.), which was my focus last year when I traveled extensively in 2008.

Check out the website if you're interested: http://www.jigaloo.com/

They are a consumer goods manufacturer that has only had a retail presence in the United States since 2007, so the growth potential is amazing. As you may suspect, with a funny name, we're able to capitalize on that with effective marketing communications. Watch these videos from youtube of commercials we've aired in Canada. Too racy for the U.S...

www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HsZZp16WoE

www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtKLIxzkMWs

Just wanted to pass that news along. I hope you're all doing well!

-Matt

A River Runs Through It

Hola Mi Familia -

We just had the worst storm since we've lived in California (no contest). Normally we don't get rain at all until after Halloween, but this year a typhoon meandered across the pacific to say hello. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves. Check out the "before and after" - we had up to 2 feet of water flooding our cul-de-sac (unofficial-crocs-assisted-shin-measurement). The water had crept up onto our lawn! However, soon after I took the "flood pics" somebody turned a nozzle and everything drained away - thank goodness! The next day, all was back to normal...except for our wounded Satellite dish.

Con Amor,

Ryan and Amber