Brock's baby sis...

Many of you know my good friend Brock Hansen.  He was the Student Body President the year that I was the Secretary, so I know him and his cute family pretty well.  I haven't talked to them for a few years, but my niece, Clare, was often babysat by Brock's little sister, Gentrie.  My brother-in-law sent me an article today... and it's about lil' Gentrie.  Gentrie has Gastroparesis.  The best medical guess is that a virus attacked the nerves in her stomach causing it to no longer function.  Anything she eats, she vomits.  She vomits if she doesn't eat.  She hasn't had anything to eat since January.  That's a long time.  She gets all that her body needs through a PIC line.  When I think of Gentrie, I think of a crazy, hyper, goofy little six year-old.  It broke my heart to read her story and to see pictures of her.   She is thin and very discouraged.  She does have hope though with an experimental surgery.  This surgery has been deemed as 'experimental' by her health insurance because Gentrie is under 18.  Anyone that knows anything about medical insurance knows that 'experimental' means NOT COVERED.  So, her family has got to come up with some money in order to get Gentrie to Ohio for this 'experimental' surgery which has been successful in many many cases.  The Hansen's have set up a page for donations and event updates http://fight4gen.com   Love you all!  Please think of Gentrie.  

Article for Deseret News
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700042165/Illness-prevents-teen-from-being-able-to-eat.html?pg=1

Gentrie's Blog
http://gentrieshungergame.blogspot.com

My best friend...

just turned two.  Seriously, how does life get going so fast and how does my little Brumbi keep growing so quickly?  I am one lucky momma to have this little one in my life.  I think about my own relationship with my mom, and can only hope that Remi loves me half as much as I love my mom.  I hope we are bff.

In other news... 

My little karate kid now has three stripes on his white belt.  I adore him completely, but I think his dad is even more smitten with him.  After a doctor's visit last month, it amazes me that he's even more of a little man than I give him credit.  I've always thought he was older than his years but he is one tough little cuss.  He has a growth hormone shot every night, and never cries out... gets blood drawn and 'stands strong' (although he's really sitting) once  a month, and can play harder than any other kid I know.  Not to mention, can get dirtier than the average kid in much less time.  The words 'I can't' do not exist in his language.  His life is the ultimate 'what would I do if I knew I could not fail'.  A pretty big example for his momma.

The husband celebrated the big 2-7 in May.  Doesn't that sound old?  I've discussed this with my sister, and we both agree that odd numbered birthdays sound much worse than evens.  And don't even get us started on double odd numbered birthdays like 39 or 57.  Ughh!!  I'm seriously considering telling everyone I'm 28 on my next birthday and celebrating it again in 2011.  Anything to avoid the dreaded 2-7.  Oh, in some fun news, Adam broke his nose earlier this month.  He came (literally) head to head with horse.  He's had problems with  his septum and adnoids (is that what they're called?) all his life, and ever since the day he broke his nose, he says he can breath.  Weird huh?

As for me... still pregnant.  We're down to 25 days or something though, so that's exciting.  I'm starting to get overwhelmed.  I think it's natural that a mom starts doubting her capabilities, and I am for certain.  I'm hoping three kids will come just as naturally to me as one and two did.  I trust that Heavenly Father is not regretting sending this next little bundle to us.  Can you stand the anticipation of what the next one will be?  I can't.  Patience is a virtue that I lack.