Poor Poor Molar...Bis Spater

Sadly my back Molar decided to crack and after getting it looked at by a specialist for a root canal he said it probably wouldn't work or would only last a year at most and recommend it get pulled.  It was a really emotional thing for me and I cried a ton of tears over it and even as they pulled it out.  I got a blessing from Dr. Rhodes before he pulled it  on the 7th and that was a huge comfort and it came out easy and healed VERY nicely.  A huge blessing!!!

Annoying Dental Health Services Rant

[Email Kevin sent them]

First of all - This is by far the worst company of any kind in any industry I have ever dealt with. 

Period.  Back in January of 2016 when we first started coverage we received 

dental cards, but only under my name.  No mention of my wife, Sarah. Wanting to make sure my wife was covered I went to your website. To no surprise your website was neither helpful or quick as you claim on your hold message.  It was not user-friendly and did not give me the information needed..  So I called - selected the option to have a membership rep call me back.  Never heard from them.    

So I emailed......nothing.  I emailed again.  Nothing.

Then I received a notice saying I did not pay in February.....So I went to the site again.  You could make a payment, sure enough......but couldn't look at an invoice, a payment history or anything else.  So not wanting to just send a payment out into the ether without confirmation or any billing info from your end I sent another email.  Nothing. I tried calling again - couldn't hold more than 75 minutes (which is what the time was when I finally gave up).  Called and selected for a member rep to call me back again.  Nothing.

There was also no way to tell on the site if I am on autopay - which I thought I had been - though obviously not if I'm getting a notification of no payment.  

After several attempts to get an answer, call back or an email response I gave up.  I assumed, as the letter told me, that after not paying you in 30 days our coverage would be canceled.  But then last week I got another notification saying payment for April had not been received......no kidding.

So I signed in again today.....a new portal available!  Yet, still the inbox and coverage information is not in the same section as payment and billing or even have a link to it (the " exchange"). WHO DESIGNS YOUR WEBSITES?????  Has your company seen how ANY other website on the planet works? I had a message of an invoice alert in my inbox on your site - an inbox I had no idea existed.  But every time I clicked on "view invoice" it took me to an error screen saying "your session is timed out".  This happened 6 times in a row across 3 different browsers.  Have I sufficiently expressed my frustration with your company yet? 

So, my wife needs to see a dentist and get some work done on her teeth.  And if we do have coverage available to us we'd rather not pay for that out of pocket.

 

I see in this new portal that Sarah, my wife, is listed.  But I can't view the invoice to know how much we need to pay to be current.     

If I don't receive a satisfactory response to my email KRLewis33@gmail.com or my 

phone 503.380.0583 within 24 hours I will report you loudly and proudly to the 

Better Business Bureau. (I tried sending this message on the website, but lo and behold I got the following error message: "your message contains restricted characters".  No explanation of what those characters were or how to fix it.  It is unbelievable how poorly everything about your company is set up, mind-blowingly unbelievable.) 

Respond ASAP.

_Kevin

One Last FHE

After the pumpkin patch we headed over to my parents house to help my mom with the last few things to load into the truck.  The house was suppose to close the next day after already being post-poned from the September 28, the the 3rd, then the 10th, and now to the 14th.  They are waiting for the money to be wired in and then they close.  It's bitter sweet to me.  I'm happy for my parents to have less to take care of and to be completely debt free! I just wish we could still visit and enjoy my parents property.  It will be so sad to not have my kids growing up running around in the woods and exploring the grounds like I did as a kid.  Rowan won't even have any memories of the place.  Family get togethers will be different too since the kids can't just ride bikes out front by themselves safely but we will all move forward and make the best of everything.

Panoramas of the house and the front of the house

The Garage/Workroom

Barn

Mom and Dad's new house has a lot of work that needs to be done on it.  I hope the Lord has a wonderful plan in store for them since he wanted them to get a two story house that needs a TON of work.  I do LOVE the fact that I can walk to their new house.  The kids are excited to be taking bike rides to their house.  I am too.  It will be so nice to have them close by.  I plan on stopping by often to visit.  It will be nice to have them in more a part of my kids lives and they will have more time to do that too since they won't be trying to tend to 5 acres of land.

I wanted to do one last FHE at the house to build one last memory for my kids.  We use to play kickball for FHE with my family growing up and I wanted to do that with my kids too. Kevin brought a soccer with him so he and the kids played.

I took pics and walked around the house taking pics and crying.  I didn't realize how emotional it would make me. I'm really going to miss that place.  My mom locked up the house on accident and my heart broke thinking I wouldn't be able to get back inside.  Thankfully she forgot the back door so I was able to get back in.  I was so relieved since I hadn't taken pics inside.  It's hard thinking they won't be here and I won't be back in the rooms I grew up in and share with my kids what I use to do (sitting on the windowsills, sleeping on them, parties we had in the basement, dancing on the fire place hearth, playing up in the attic, playing in the barns loft, roller skating in the garage, ice skating for the first time in the field on the ice, panning for gold in the stream, driving the tractor around with a wagon on the back pretending to be pioneers, planting the Christmas tree farm, getting stuck in a tree and needing a brother to come help me get down, getting soaked while walking down the driveway from school, getting proposed to in my room, Kaila's first birthday in the backyard, and so much more).

Inside the House

Hooks for coats in the side room which we use as our food storage room growing up.

The "middle room" that we used as a second family room.  Our piano was in that corner for years with a TV on the top. Greg and Sher used that room as their living room and school room while they lived there with them too.  It was a great set up fro the house with two rooms downstairs and the middle room for them to use for their family.

The downstairs bedroom looking out the front of the house.  Greg built this room after coming back from college/mission and not having a room.  It amazes me that he built it all himself.  I can remember the framing going up even.  As a kid I loved to tell my friends that it use to be a garage and that my brother built that room.  If they didn't believe me then I would show them the closet and inside I would show them the garden faucet in there.  

Inside of the front door walking upstairs

Family Room.  When we first got the house the month after I turned 6 we got 

pizza and took it over to our new house and ate pizza in the family room.

Outside

  Our (Rebecca and Sarah's) Christmas Swing

Dad built it for us when we were kids.  Rebecca used it almost every 

nights she got older listening to music and swinging the end of the day away.

My mom had the most beautiful flowers there! As a kid she had us come sit by her and taught us how to weed correctly.  I'm so glad we got to learn many lessons from living here.

Grew up with the smell of the lilac bush coming through the door and windows.  

Every time I smell that bush in public it takes me right back to home as a child.

One of the three trees right by the Garage that Rebecca and I use to 

play under and around.  Love those wonderful trees! 

Right Side of the Field leading to the back forrest

Inside the fenced area (right side of forest). Where Rebeccan and I panned for gold, made houses out of blackberry vines, "camped"

 

Best breakfast! All you can eat cinnamon French toast with caramel syrup...YUM! #Kneaders

Sarah's birthday while on our trip in Utah started out with some killer french toast at Kneader's and then a day exploring Temple Square in SLC. Lots of walking, but a good day.

Super fun day celebrating my birthday with family! — with Kevin Lewis andStephen Shelton at Temple Square.

I Like to Look for Rainbows

James Elliott Salyards II got baptized today!!!  I'm so happy for him.  It was an extra special treat to see that Mitchell was able to baptize him.  What a wonderful experience.  The midwife that Sher had to help her with Ellie gave the talk on the Holy Ghost.  It was perfect for James dealing with wood and building a fire and then she went into depth about the Holy Ghost and relating it to Fire.  It was wonderful and perfect for James the Wilderness Survivalist.

James had asked me to play the piano for the closing song.  I tried playing it through.  It was horrible!  Really bad.  I then came up with a brilliant idea while talking with Mom to play my flute instead.  So much easier!  Yeah.  After running through it a few times I knew it needed more depth to be carried as the accompaniment for everyone to sing too.  I called my Dad and asked if he would play his violin with me too.  He accepted and I was so grateful.  We got together Friday night and practiced.  It was beautiful.  We wanted to go through it again Saturday BUT the weather was so bad driving into the temple (people going 30 on the freeway with inches of water on the roadway and water pouring down my windshield like someone had a hose on it) that I made a later session and didn't get back in time.

Thankfully everyone said that it sounded great.  I had a hard time at the end of the second verse especially with the high notes because I was running out our breath to help sustain it.  Thankfully with everyone singing you couldn't really tell which was a blessing!  It was so fun to play with my Dad and am so grateful the James gave us that opportunity.

After the baptism we had a potluck dinner at Greg and Sher's house.  The Rial's joined us along with the family (Nana & Pa, Dan & kids, Greg & Sher with kids, and our family).  Dad and I enjoyed playing duets together.  I played the songs I knew on the piano and Dad played the violin.  It was wonderful.  I really liked playing "As Sister in Zion" with him.  It was beautiful!!!  Boy I love music and the calming effect it can have on me.  I've been playing a lot the past couple days and love it.  God was so good to us to give us music to help see us through the good times and the sad.

Kevin took this photo while we practiced Friday night (1-10-14)

Finding Peace Admist the Storm

I am so grateful to my Father in Heaven who has given us a place to go to that can help us find peace, answers, and love.  I had a talk with God today and am so glad that he loves me.  He's such a funny guy.  I can't wait to get to know Him more when I get to Heaven.  He truly is all knowing and is understanding and loving with us and our imperfect selves.

I've had two different occasions when I really have heard God talking with me.  First, Him telling me I was to have Five kids and then after I finally accepted that, over a year later, to then convince Kevin.  Second, was today when he told me to love more and allow being loved.  Those weren't exactly his instructions but they are private but that was the jist of it.  I'm so truly grateful for Heavenly Father giving me these two wonderful experiences to know that He does exist and is concerned about me.  How I love Him!

Trails

It's hard to know when trails will come upon you.  Sometimes you put them upon yourself.  Other times they come because of other's actions.  Both are tough to overcome.  As my sweet sister said, "You will make it through and be okay."  So glad to have her strength and support.  I love my sister dearly.  I don't know what I would do if I didn't have her in my life.  Thanks Rebecca!

I sent Becca this picture titled, "I look lovely today."
She responded back, "You are beautiful with a little puffy eyes."  :-)

Annual News Letter

2013                                A N N U A L    U P D A T E                            FREE

2013 was another fun-filled year in the Lewis

household. We saw our little ones continue to

grow and we cherish every new milestone and

small moment we have with them. 

Kaila finished

up Kindergarten and started 1st grade. She

continues her love of reading, her kind and tender

heart continues to grow and she’s the best big

sister we could ask for. She also started soccer in

the spring and though she took the fall off she is

excited about going again next spring. 

Glenn also

started soccer this fall and really excelled with

scoring a lot, but most importantly he had a ton

of FUN. He loves life so much and really tries

hard to be a good brother to his sisters. He can

always light up a room with his smile, laugh or

antics. He’s in his last year of pre-school and is

anxious to start Kindergarten next fall. 

Adelaide,

for those that know her or have been following

her on Facebook, is our resident daredevil /

adrenaline junky / monkey. She is always looking

for fun, climbing hanging, running, jumping. Her

smile melts our hearts and she is doing quite well

in keeping up with her siblings. 

Our big news for

this year was finding out we’re expecting our

4th!! Sarah is due in May 2014 and we’re excited

to see how this new addition will bless our family.

Sarah also had the chance to travel to Switzerland

this year with her sisters and mom - creating

some wonderful memories there. She also

continues to rock it as an amazing wife and

mother. 

Kevin is still working as a freelance

producer. We all keep active with hiking, biking,

swimming, and sports. Life is happy when there’s

love in the home. We wish you all a very merry

Christmas and look forward to sharing in your

continued friendship in 2014 ~ The Lewis’

2013 in Review

KAILA ROSE (6) GLENN JACKSON (4) ADELAIDE (3)                          CHRONICLE LEWIS

Loved

Breakfast in bed and it's not even mother's day 

12 Years and Counting

Happy Anniversary Kevin! I can't believe it's been 12 years already. They have gone fast and yet we have done so much during that time. May the next 12+ years bring many more happy memories. LOVE YOU!!!
--Sarah

12 years....where has the time gone? Through all of life's adventures - the fun ones, the hilarious ones and the scary ones - I cannot imagine a better partner to experience them with. Happy anniversary Sarah! A dozen years down, eternity to go. Here's to so many more adventures ahead. 
--Kevin

Pain Free...not yet

Today Kevin and I went to the dentist.  Kevin got a cleaning though he could only get half done because his gums were so swollen.  I went to see what was going on with the pain in my mouth.  After x-rays and closer inspection there was really nothing that should be causing the pain.  Dr. Rhodes had to use air to find the problem.  He found it on number 30 on the inside.  He is guessing the filling is just old and needs to be redone.  He's going to take it out, clean it up, add a sensitive layer and read do it.  He said we could do the one next to it 31 too since it was done at the same time but it's fine and with the cost we decided to just wait and do it when it needs it and save the money right now since it won't save us any to do it right now. 

Until next week...when I will finally be pain free and able to eat and drink on both sides of my mouth.  :-)

Night Time Fun

Stories Read by Daddy

Addie's New found obsession..the wooden play house

Scramble

One of my favorite games to play on my phone is Scramble.  It's like Boggle which I hated playing with Kevin though he loved it.  I could never find half the words Kevin could.  What I love about it being on the phone is you can trace over a word and it will let you know right away if it's a correct word or not.  I've gotten much better at finding patterns to more words with letter combinations.  I love using my brain and the puzzle that lies within each different game.  I finally got my best score ever.  Scramble also started this moth doing a Leaders scoreboard.  I am in the the top 2% globally with my score.  That made my day!

2110 Points in one game!  Kevin didn't believe me that it was one round when I first showed him.  I was ecstatic about it.  Rebecca got over 90 words too!!!  That's incredible.

Angel Steps

The past week as I have been pealing apples and slicing and dicing them and pears to make canned pears, pear butter, and apple butter two stories have been floating back into my head.

When I was around 8-10 years of age at the church in Sandy I was up on the stage and my mom's friend, Lorraine Mitchell's daughter who was about 1 just walked straight off the stage.  I saw it happening and ran to scoop her up just as she stepped off the stage.  I know an angel helped me step off that stage.  I was too little to have long enough legs to make a good step off without falling or jumping, even now as an adult I don't think I could just step off the stage without falling.  Miraculously I was able to just step off with Laura in my arms and she and I were both safe.  When I told others what happened I don't think they really understood how amazing and miraculous it was.

The second time was when Kevin and I were house sitting for our friends the Johnson's.  They had a few horses at the time.  Our friend Alex Woolner brought his daughter over and she wanted to ride one of the horses.  I got on with her and the horse was upset about something (either the wrong bit or saddle) and it bucked us off.  Again I know an angel was there that helped me just step off the horse holding onto Annabelle and thankfully the horse just grazing my ankle.  It was a miracle!

I have been so blessed to have these experiences.  I know that these two girls were saved for a reason.  Not sure exactly what for but I'm grateful I was able to play a small role in preserving their lives.

Take the Cake

Top to bottom (left to right): Emma J, Christiana M, Liz C, Stella O, Alise G, Lily R, Alayna, Phoenix

 For activity days we had one of the girl's mother's come teach cake decorating to the girls.  We all has so much fun and learned a ton!  I made some extra cakes in case someone forgot their cake that day but everyone remembered or another girl had brought two for sharing!  I ended up with 3 extra cakes.  I figured since we had two neighbors that just moved in the past couple weeks our family could take them a cake to welcome them to the neighborhood.  The kids loved doing that and the neighbors loved it too!

The kids had to eat dinner before heading out to deliver the cakes.  They were being so silly covering their ears.  Addie LOVED being about do what Glenn and Kaila were doing too.

 My Cakes...decorated by me

(other than the basket weave hills that Carrie Matheny was messing around on my cake with before she realized it was my cake...LOL)

Welcome to the neighborhood Del Torro Family (John, Janelle, Ariana, and Johnny) 

& Trina, Justin, Ava, Jacklyn, and Caleb