The Christmas Letter - Our Year in a Nutshell...

“Whatever does not destroy me makes me stronger.” — Friedrich Nietzche

This past year has been a rollercoaster ride of events for our family. None of us could have foreseen what was in store for us this year.

Joe and Becky didn’t get the chance to race the dogs much at all last year. About a week before they had planned to leave for the Wyoming race, Jessica had to be taken in for emergency surgery. She was originally scheduled to have her gall bladder taken out in February. Her body didn’t seem to want to wait that long, so after many trips to the E.R., they decided to just get it out of her a.s.a.p. It took her a few months to get back to normal but she is doing much better now.

Then, in March of this year, Joe hit the big one. That’s right, 50. We had the black balloons, black beads, and black cake to celebrate. We took him out mid-night bowling and he had a great time. Although he had received his present about 9 months before his actual birthday, he was still in good spirits. In case you didn’t hear about his big present, Becky bought him a 2007 Firefighter Special Edition Roadking Harley Davidson. I think it’s the best present he has ever received. He loves it and they take it out every chance they get.

In April, Joe took a trip to the Doctor for a sore throat that would not go away. This led to many tests and the eventual prognosis of tonsillar cancer. He had the tonsil removed and was given 8 weeks of Radiation and Chemotherapy. It was hard on his body and he lost quite a bit of weight. It was a chore to try and eat. Unfortunately, the only thing he could eat with out too much pain was chicken noodle soup. The ordeal was hard on us all. This is the strongest man we know, the one who runs into burning buildings to save lives, so it was quite hard for us to see him in pain. A few months after the treatments he went back to the Dr. for another PET/CAT scan where he found the cancer had gone into remission. He is now on an amazing road to recovery – unfortunately for us, as he has begun to recover we have seen his appetite return in full effect – we can barely afford to feed him.

September was a stressful yet exciting month for us all as well. On September 22, 2007 Leanne and Jeff were married. It was the event of the year. The wedding was beautiful and so was bridezilla. We were all so happy to be part of that magical day. After the wedding they fled to Maui for 10 days. They loved it so much and had such an amazing time; they didn’t want to come home!

All in all the year has been a test for us. It tested our strength as humans and as a family; however, it seemed to be a bit of a blessing in disguise. We had so many people who offered to help us in anyway they could. Thank you everyone for your support through the tough and joyous moments of this past year.

Happy Holidays everyone, and a wonderful New Year to you all.

Everyday stuff

Things around here have been insane. we are suffering from a successful business.
The orders have been coming in steady and strong from months now. Even with the addition of 2 more to the sewing staff we are working 16 hours a day to get thru the holidays.

Joe had his 3 month check up and is still cancer free. He still a long road to go but each day gets easier. He is training the dogs for 3 races this year. Our main focus is going back to do the RACE to the Sky in Montana. It has been 12 years since we last raced there. We are looking forward to that racing format again.

Jessica's boyfriend John is headed to Iraq in JAN 08.( he is in the Air Force)
She is sad but supportive. We pray for his safe return home.

Leanne and Jeff are back from the Hawaii honeymoon, tans faded and both back to work.

We will be heading to Canada after Christmas for a week to run dogs in the snow.
January starts the racing season and our usual sled dog equipment order crunch..

back to the sewing sweat shop for me now.

Happy Holidays

Thanksgivng.

Thanksgiving
We are blessed with the best of both worlds.
For many years now we have been celebrating our holiday in Canada. Since Canadian turkey day is in October we get turkey dinner twice!.

this year was very special since ALL the kids and their significant others were able to join us. We packed up all the dogs, boarded the cat and headed North for the weekend.
cool temps, and a teaser of snow greeted us.

We ran dogs, played board games and a few games of pool. Yes their is a pool table in the cabin..go figure, eh?

We took our annual Christmas card photo at a friends log home down the road.

It was by far the best Turkey day we have had so far.

Enjoy the holidays

Dirt racing

I have been lack in my postings. Busy time of year for us with training for the races and sewing for Alpine.

Joe is back to work and feeling pretty good. He still has mouth pain and eats with caution. He has put back on ALL the weight he lost during treatment so he is recovering anyway..hee hee.

We entered the dirt race In Roslyn, WA. Joe WON his class running 10 dogs about 8+ miles each day. I ran the 6 dog mid class and place 3rd. Great training and getting to see old friends make this a special weekend for us.

Now on to the training grid for snow racing..

Pinewood Fun Run..Canada

Another successful year for getting together and having fun with the dogs.

I think everyone who attended had a good time. The weather was great for the event and the food was awesome. Richard and Paula are the ultimate hosts.

Joe and I were glad to once again share our slice of heaven with old friends and some new ones.

We talked about hosting an event next year Called the "I-dirt-a rod".

A three day camping /training run on dirt. Non-competitive but with some local support. Any thought or comments PLEASE let us know we welcome your ideas.

Thanks again for making this a great weekend for us.

Joe & Becky

The Rescue

Just when you think you have everything back to some normal...

Over the last year + there have been a group of dogs in a shelter in Northern California.

Victims of a musher who got in over his head and did the wrong thing. ( that is a story for another blog) The dogs were being held as evidence and were finally released. They has only a few weeks to find homes or be put to death. A Local GOOD Musher stepped up and too over. We were asked to help these dogs out.

Joe and I made a 1400 mile round trip to pick them up. We ended up with 4 of them.

Could you leave 2 behind to be put down ?

4 young males..they had been in the shelter for over a year since they were 4 months old.

The staff did not socialize them at all. They could not even get near them.They had NO collars on and were terrified of anything that moved.

Needless to say catching them, putting collars on and taking them to our dog truck was a chore.

After 12 hours of driving home I was surprized to see them calmed down and ready to join our group. They have adapted better than I expected.

They LOVE the soft beds and treats and toys we have for them now. They watch our other dogs and I hope they will learn from them HOW TO BE DOGS again..

They want attention and like it when we do pet them. They do however need a great deal of special one on one work. Unfortunally we had only planned on taking 2 so the task is a bit more than we were ready for.

Jessica has named them George, Fred, Percy and Ron for the Weasley brothers in Harry Potter.

Seems to fit .

If anyone out there has the time, space and a desire to help one of these dogs , let us know.

They really need to be one on one to learn that people and the world are a good place. I think they will be awesome companions. They deserve a chance....You can see it in thier eyes.

Second hand dogs do really give first class love...

wedding photos link

Wedding photos click here.

wedding photos

THE WEDDING

The wedding came and went with joy and happiness. The weather was beautiful as were the bride and groom.
We spent the day reconnecting with friends and family. Sharing memories of good times past and good friend past before us.
The memories crashed over me like a giant wave. Warm and soothing.

Jeff and Leanne are off to Hawaii for 10 days for the honeymoon.
Thank you to all who attended and we missed those who could not.

Love and Joy abound here.

Here are a few photos my sister took not in any order but enjoy!

Becky

Out of the darkness

Into a brighter , sweeter future..

REMISSION

Remission

It refers to the response of a cancer to the treatment.
Disappearance of the signs and symptoms of cancer or other disease. When this happens, the disease is said to be "in remission." A remission can be temporary or Permanent It does not mean that a cancer is cured.


Joe's Doctors confirmed the findings his cancer is gone now and he is doing well.
The treatment did minimum damage to him overall. He is one tough cookie.
He will get check ups every 3 months and tests annually for a few yea to be sure if it comes back they get it early. He runs a 20% chance of this cancer reoccurring.

We are very blessed.....Now on to him regaining his strength, getting him back to work and back behind a dog team.

THANKS to all , your support and prayer have made all the difference in Joe's treatment and recovery. We are RICH with Friends.

Enjoy Life and live each moment with gusto.

Becky & Joe

TEAM SCOFIELD

What a week

I survived the wedding shower. It was a very nice day at a lovely waterfront home with good food, freinds and family. Leanne made a haul of fun things for the wedding night.. Next weekend is her Bachelorette party.. No cameras allowed I hear.
We have been asked to be unavailable since our house is party headquarters. GULP.
So we are off to Canada to run the dogs.

Sunday I went on a white water rafting trip with a group of adventerous ladies.

The Tieton River was WONDERFUL, fast and ever changing.
a few class 4 sections and the best guide made this a great way to end summer for me. I was sitting up front and got very wet. The sun and warm water was a blessing.
THANK YOU SUE for inviting me . I hope to go on more river trips with this group next summer. ( PS Happy Birthday Sue).

Wedding is 10 days away. Breathe Becky Breathe

TTFN

The place where dreams come true

Here is the lastest poop

It has been a long spring and summer for Joe and I dealing with his cancer.
He was diagnosed in April 2007 with Basolid Squamish Cell Carcinoma of the tonsil. Surgery, Chemo and Radiation followed with treatments lasting for 6 weeks.
Then home to recover. It is true the treatment is almost a s bad as the disease...

We are waiting on the results of his PET and CT scans to make sure the cancer is gone. He will have another surgery in the spring of 2008 to remove his other tonsil since that cancer seems to like that area of the throat.

He is doing well enough now and putting a few pounds back on after losing close to 33 lbs during the treatment.

He is getting stronger everyday and should be ready to go back to work by the end of this month. He and I are BOTH ready for that!

We will train the dogs and plan on racing as many races as Joe is strong enough to do this coming season. Just being with the dogs has been very therapeutic for both of us this summer. They offer a therapy no Doctor could Prescribe.


Our oldest Daughter is getting married in 2 weeks..it is crazy around here to say the least but a blessing and a great addition to our family. Bonus for us is he brings along a wonderful 9 year old daughter for us to spoil. She loves the dogs and is getting to be a good dog musher. Welcome Jeff & Kayla we love you both.

Our Youngest daughter is in College and has been interning at Weyerhauser in the tree lab. "Did you know that a tree embryo is a seed?" Her studies are in Biolab technology. She loves the work and should graduate by end of next year. From there the sky's the limit for her.

Alpine Outfitters is doing well..really, really well. Carmen keeps me up to my ears in orders and sewing day and night.

We have recently added to the Alpine Outfitters Family 2 new members that will be helping us sew. They are awesome. Look for faster turn around times on orders.

That should also free Joe and I up for more time on the trail with the dogs this winter.
We have learned so much this summer about what is really important.

Now we are learning to have more fun, love each other every moment and live life to the fullest. Cliche I know but it is really true
I finally get it now!!!!

Back to work for me now.

Becky

WELCOME!

Here is my answer to the question... How is it going?

I was inspired by the many wonderful blogs I read daily.

Hope this entertains if nothing else..

Becky