Hello Roberts family from Larry and JoAnn (Tinker) Mankins family Have wanted to send messages a couple of times but felt computer numb until recently. There is still so much my kids are teaching me. News from our homefront in Everett, Washington. Stephen (13) has applied to two Catholic High Schools and anxiously waiting to hear. One is all boys (O'Dea High School) in Seattle. About 25 miles from home. The Christian Brothers run the place and we feel Stephen would receive an excellent education. The other school is a brand new Catholic high school about 4 miles from our home (Archbishop Thomas J. Murphy High) Stephen would also receive an excellent education from Murphy. He should receive notification in a couple of weeks. Stephen is also coming closer to reaching his Scouting goal as he made Star Rank a couple of weeks ago and is now working on Life Rank which is one rank before Eagle Scout. He plans to complete in April of 2001. He will travel to Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, this summer. He will be gone a total of 27 days visiting, Knotsberry Farm, Disney(something) whichever is in California, and other exciting places. Kathryn (10) Katie is in the 5th grade. She is playing basketball and somehow convinced her dad it would be nice if he helped coach. They are having a great time 3-1 record so far. Carey Anne (8) played soccer in the fall and did very well. She loves to read, bake cookies, ride her bicycle and beg for a puppy. Her birthday is on the 11th and all she wants is a puppy with a leash and a red dish. Martin (3) what a guy! He is the busiest kid I know and the loudest. The sparkle in his eye makes everything bearable. Sophie(2) what a gal! Sophie was born with a congenital heart disease called Tetralogy of Fallot and tracheal stenosis. She had definitive repair two years ago. On a ventilator for 4 1/2 months, hospitalized for nearly 6 months after birth. During a routine echocardiogram in November her Cardiologist noticed turbulant blood flow through her left atrium. They found the problem to be a membrane growing through her left atrium dividing it into two smaller atriums with a 3 mm hole between the two. She is scheduled for open heart surgery on the 3rd of Feb. so please keep her and all of us in your prayers. We believe God will not abandon what he has made and that Sophie will get through this difficult time in her life.

Love to all and God bless, JoAnne Mankins

-- Anonymous, February 01, 2000