Silly Yak

Two weeks ago today, I took Kelsey to Phoenix Children's Hospital for an upper GI Endoscopy.  She had been suffering from intense stomach pain for months now and we just really wanted to know how to help her!  So, I found this great GI Doctor (who is also a BYU grad! :)  and he asked us to come down to the hospital so he could take some photos and tissue samples of her insides . . . 

 I love that Kelsey still gets excited over little girl things, like the Tinkerbell sticker they put on her name bracelet! 

 She didn't really like the hospital gown.  But then again, what girl does?

 The nurse told her she could pick out a stuffed animal from a basket they had.  They were donated new toys for the kids there and she picked a little deer named, "Whisper."  It suddenly made me want to donate toys like others had done for my little girl.  It brought a smile to her nervous face!

 This was what made her so nervous----but she handled it like a trooper!

 When Kelsey gets nervous, she giggles!  In fact, the whole time the nurse was putting in the I.V., she was laughing and making faces!

 I stayed with her until they put her to sleep.  It is a very strange feeling to watch your child go unconscious.  I've never seen that before and it was a bit eerie . . . she looked so lifeless laying there. I'm glad they had me leave the room.  As I sat in the waiting area, I 
thought that it might be Celiac Disease because Tom's mother and niece both have it and it's hereditary.  Then, my mind starting going places like, "what if it's cancer? what if it's ulcers? what if, what if . . ."  

When the doctor came out, he said, "Well, it looks like Celiac Disease to me."  I said, "Oh shoot . . ." and began to feel a lump in my throat.  No mother wants to hear that their daughter has a condition that will change their life and make certain things difficult for them.  Then, I suddenly remembered my fears from a few moments ago about cancer, etc. and then I gained my courage again to face Celiac.  "We can handle this," I told him.  He showed me a photo of her small intestine and it had small white blistery sores all throughout.  "It's NOT suppossed to look like this," he said.  However, pathologically, she has no lymphocytes in her tissue so he decided to call it "atypical celiac disease."  He wants her to follow a strict gluten-free diet for 6 months then go back for a blood check to see if we have improved her test numbers.  But this, most likely, will be a condition she will  have all her life.

She was really loopy on the way home so I let her rest up before I broke the news to her.  She handled it like a trooper.  Kohler is the one who broke down and cried when I told him.  He hugged Kelsey so tightly and said, "Mom, you don't understand . . . I just love her SO much!"  That absolutely warmed my heart.  I always knew he loved her, but I didn't know how much he truly cared about her until that very moment.  We had a nice long talk and even a Family Night lesson about how, as a family, we would help Kelsey so she could feel better.  So far, it's been pretty good.  It's been two weeks and we are still not the experts--more like "silly yaks" rather than Celiacs!  ha ha  (Silly Yak is actually the brand of a gluten-free online site---I loved the play on words!)  

I know we will have up days and down days.  Yesterday, during church, her tummy hurt and she knew exactly what she had eaten that was wrong.  Tears ran down her face as she looked over at me. I felt so helpless because there was nothing I could do to stop the pain.  My heart ached . . .

The choice is hers on what she eats---I can't be the "gluten police." I can gently remind her, but it's ultimately her decision.  If she doesn't follow a gluten free diet, she can be prone to thyroid disease and Lymphoma (cancer).  We don't want that!!  So, we will soon get into a routine and be better educated on what brands are good and where to get what she needs.  Her Grandmother Chamberlain and friends here in Gilbert who have Celiac have offered fabulous advice and we are SO grateful!  I have tried over the past two weeks to make her feel as normal as possible in our home and make things she can eat.  We've made gluten free banana bread and chocolate chip cookies that are really pretty good!  I can control pretty much everything at home---it's just when she is out with friends or at school that she will have to make those choices or go without--to avoid getting sick.  I love her SOOOO much and together we will make this work.  I am up for the challenge!!

"Just Me and My Dad"

 Back in August, Tom and I were wondering what to give Kohler for his 17th Birthday.  He didn't ask for anything material---no shoes, clothes, music, etc.  The only thing he asked for was for a lunch with our good friend who is a very successful real estate broker.  Kohler has a passion for business and wanted to learn all he could from our friend Steve.  So, Tom set up the lunch and off they went. He loved it---but I was concerned that Kohler has his sights so set in the future with his dreams and goals, that he sometimes forgets to have FUN in the now!  That's when the kayak trip came to my mind.  For years now, Tom has been wanting to take me on an ocean kayaking trip through the San Juan Islands off the coast of Washington State.  It's just been one of those things where we always think about it but never do it.  So, when we got to talking about Kohler's birthday, I said to Tom, "Just do it---take him on that kayaking trip and make some incredible memories with him!"  That was all it took----the next day, Tom had the trip booked and they were SO excited!  

 Yesterday, as they were packing, Tom said, "Hey Kohler, let's bring a Book of Mormon and some Vemma drinks (another business Kohler is involved in) to give away!"  Kohler LOVED that idea!  So, last night they took a flight into Seattle and off they went!

 This is Kohler on the ferry this morning headed out to Friday Harbor.  That is where they will meet the rest of their group (I think there are 10 people total) and they will pack up their gear and get out on the ocean.

 The weather forecast calls for sunshine, mild weather and no rain.  Well, we've lived in the northwest for 7 years and we know better that it can ALWAYS rain---even if it isn't in the forecast.  So Tom packed rain pants and rain jackets, just in case!

Their guide told them to expect to see harbor seals, porpoises, and even killer whales in pods as they kayak around the islands.  How cool is that?  I can just picture a huge whale coming along side Tom and Kohler then swimming under their kayak and freaking them out!  ha ha!

All through our marriage, Tom and I have had strong feelings about taking our kids on "one on one" trips and creating those strong bonds with them.  You get them away from their phones, from their friends, and take time to listen and talk to them.  There is nothing quite like it.  Kelsey and I go on a mommy/daughter trip every December to Utah.  Tom and Kohler have done backpacking through Yosemite and a service trip to Africa.  From the look on Kohler's face this morning, he is excited to have another great adventure with just the two of them . . . "Just Me and My Dad!"

Camping with the Bottom Two!

This last Friday night was our ward campout.  Well, it didn't turn out to be an official campout.  The official campout was cancelled and then rescheduled again but hardly anyone that our kids knew where going.  By the time Tom got all the camping stuff together and waited for the kids to get home from school, he would have gotten up to the ward campsite too late.  So, Tom decided to take the bottom two kids and head to the hills (Granite Flat Campground in the Tonto National Forest) all by themselves.  He actually prefers it that way.  Tom says that when he goes on a Father and Son's or a ward campout, all the parents end up talking to each other and the kids all run around in little packs.  There isn't really much one on one time in those situations.  So, they packed the truck after school, headed to Fry's to get the essential camping items (hotdogs, marshmallows, graham crackers, chocolate bars) and headed out on their adventure!

Tom said that as soon as they got the tent set up, Hailey immediately changed into her pajamas and wanted to get all "snuggly in the tent" (as she put it!)  Tom told her it was still too early and they wanted to explore a little and make a fire.  So, the pj's had to wait!  ha ha

Tom:  We went on a short hike then came back to get a fire started.  The kids favorite part about the fire was making the hot dogs and the s'mores.   After some songs, we made up a story with each person telling a bit of it.  We began with, "It was a dark and stormy night...,".  Spencer said, "Dad--ALL of your scary stories start with that line!"  ha ha!   Finally, Hailey got her wish to get in her PJ's and we snuggled up in the tent to watch, "The Lorax."  With the tent windows open and no rain fly we were sleeping out under the stars.  Hailey commented, "I just can't believe I'm out camping!"  Then later, during the movie Hailey said, "I just forgot was outside camping!"  We all were having a ball and fell asleep about 10pm...or thereabouts.   The next morning, Spencer got up 1st and made the fire...with just a few extra matches.  For breakfast, we ate more graham crackers (in the rush to get out, I forgot to get the oatmeal out of the pantry).  While we were putting out the campfire, Spencer burned his finger a little on a big rock near the fire.  :(  He frequently gets burned at campouts---not sure why!?  He didn't let him slow him down though.  

Guess what?  Hailey lost her 2nd tooth while they were camping.  They saved it in the first-aid kit so the tooth fairy would come when she got home!

LOVE THOSE LITTLE FRECKLES!

The next morning Tom and the kids went 4-wheeling in the truck and stopped off to do a bit of hiking around the area.  on their hiking adventure, they found the most beautiful white flowers.  Hailey called them the "giant white American flowers!"  ha ha

I love this next picture of them way up on the rock.  I get nervous when my kids are near ledges, way up high . . . so I guess it's a good thing that I wasn't there!

When the kids got home, we had monster pancakes and scrambled eggs waiting for them.  Then, Spencer and Hailey got to play their favorite game-- "Mine Craft."  Around 5:00 Spencer had a flag football game and they won!  Spencer caught a pass for a touchdown and also a 2 point conversion!  He did a really great job! 

On the way home from his game, he told his dad, "I can't believe this day!  This morning I went camping, then came home and played, then won my football game.  This has been one of the best days ever!!!"  Tom: I couldn't agree more!

Berry Much Fun!

Raspberries were on sale the cheapest I've ever seen them at Costco this week so I bought 32 quarts of them and went to town making raspberry jam!

 What does a lot of raspberries plus A LOT OF SUGAR equal??

 As my grandmother would say . . . "PURE GOLD."  That's what she would call her raspberry jam and we couldn't agree more.  She cooked hers and would bring the jars of that precious gold to us every summer.  I absolutely LOVED that stuff!  I think the berries in Idaho must be some of the sweetest berries around.  Ours was the freezer jam style because it's super easy and super fast.  (just my style!)

 For me, though----the best part about making jam is the people who are with you.  These two darling children won't be around my house forever so I thought I'd take a moment to teach them how to make jam for their families.  It's really so easy and not a lot of people do it much anymore.  

 Of course, Kohler indulged me taking pictures of them and trying to remember this moment forever---but not without him being his goofy self!  I love it!

BYU Weekend!!

Tom and I headed up to Utah last weekend for the Annual BYU Alumni Chapters Conference.  As usual, it was more fun to hang out with Colleen and Wade than actually going to the classes!  This is our fourth year going and we already knew most of the stuff they talked about.  But it is always a great experience to gather with the other chapter chairs and hear what fun activities they are doing.

 We asked Tom and Tamara Dufurd to join us this year at the conference.  They are on our alumni board and will be taking over as chapter presidents by the end of this month.  :)  (this makes me HAPPY . . . after 10 years of being on the board and 4 years of president, it's time!)

 Here are all the AZ people talking with our Regional Chairman.

 Colleen and Wade (Tom's sister) have been the Tucson Chapter Chairs the same amount of time as we have been.  They are also passing the torch to a great couple that has just graduated and moved down to Tucson.  

 Ya like my BYU bracelet and necklace??!!

 I had to take a picture of this!  My brother in law, Tim, has come up with an innovative method for potty training and he is launching them this year in the Macey's stores in Utah.  Yeah Tim!

 Here are some of the cool BYU kids we saw at our BYU Student Luncheon this year.  This is Tyler Day.  Tom went to dental school with his dad.  I used to babysit him!

 Lanae Carmichael, one of my absolute favorite people in the world!

 We had the lunch early this year so the kids could head over to the football game!

 We had 359 kids show up to the lunch!  Yikes!!!

 This was just the first 10 minutes---then the line wrapped around and doubled up.  We BARELY had enough food!!

There is absolutely NO way we could have pulled off that lunch without the help of Colleen's kids.  Amber and Colby ran errands and picked up food for us---they were essential to the success of this event!!  It was so fun to see Tom's mom there too.  She was a great help keeping the buffet table stocked with food!

 This year we got the patio of the Alumni Building which is a really pretty spot, especially with the stadium in the background. 

 We had a drawing of some free stuff (BYU sweatshirts, AZ T-shirts, even some real cactus!)

 Love Love Love the Gillette Twins!  They are our neighbors just returned from their missions.  Incredible boys and such great examples to Kohler.  

 Makinsey Plowman - one of my former beehives now at BYU.  She is a doll!  

Courtney Whidden - also one of my former beehives. (whoa . . . I am getting older)  She is super talented and so sweet!   

 Tom and I LOVE to go on drives, especially in Utah.  There is a development that we found, just past the Sundance exit that has the most gorgeous views!  It's hard to capture the beauty in a cell phone photo, but the colors of the hills were changing to autumn and it was simply breathtaking!

I can't put into words exactly how much I love this place.  My time in Utah, and at BYU specifically, were some of the happiest times of my life.  I stretched, I reached, I grew as an individual, I discovered things about myself that I never knew . . . and most importantly, I met my best friend, my eternal companion there.  This place, for me, is coming HOME.  

My Little Spicy Peanut

Our little Hailey Girl---some days she can be as sweet as sugar or other days like a little spicy peanut!  She is taking lessons from a fabulous teacher (who would probably kill me posting this picture of her in her workout clothes early in the morning! ha!).  She is wonderful and really makes my kids stretch to new musical heights.  Our teaching styles are exactly the same - that's probably why I love her as a teacher!  

 Anyway, the other morning, I found this note in her backpack and thought it was so cute.  It made me feel great that she is liking her piano lessons.  

The lessons she likes . . . the praticing . . . well, that's where the little spicy peanut comes alive!!!  A few weeks ago, we had a really rough morning.  She and I were battling over a piece of music and I wanted her to say the names of the notes out loud and she didn't want to.  I gave in a little and asked her to say only one line of notes and she still didn't budge.  She absolutely hates doing this exercise.  We had tears, crying, the whole works.  Then, I asked her to do something else and that's when she lost it.  She ran upstairs to her room, locked her door and screamed.  (she is only 6!)  I decided right then and there that she wasn't going to win a battle of the wits at age 6 or else she would trample over me at age 16.  I had to lay down the law.

So, I went upstairs to her room and we had a major talk about obedience and doing hard things.  We worked it out but she was as stubborn as nails.  We hugged each other and then she asked me if she could bring me McDonald's for lunch.  After a morning like that, I hesitated.  But, we had worked things out and I could see that I needed to spend some time with her at lunch.  I drove her and Spencer to school since we were running way late from all the drama---and as I dropped them off to school, I just couldn't help but think of my high school kids just down the road and how fast they grow up.  Suddenly, I was really glad I decided to bring that little spicy peanut lunch and it didn't seem like a burden in my busy day anymore.  So, just so I wouldn't forget, Hailey took one of my note papers in my purse and wrote me a little reminder!  I had some doctor's information on that paper and when I reached in to find that phone number, I saw that little note from her.  My heart just softened.  

 When I got the food I headed over to the school and my cell phone rang.  It was her teacher!  She said that Hailey was crying because she thought I was going to forget to bring her lunch!!  Lunch hadn't even started yet---so I ran in there and was actually right on time :).  When she saw me, she ran and hugged me so hard.  I need to do this more often---and do it just because . . . . Hailey loved it and it meant the world to her. She needed some extra TLC and attention----- I really am going to make an effort to do this more with her and Spencer this year!