Yummy Brownies....

Please join Shelf Reliance in supporting this good cause. With a purchase of our THRIVE Fudge Brownies, you can help save the lives of children like Benson and Claire. 100% of your purchase will be donated to the Children’s Organ Transplant Association.

A rich, chocolaty classic, THRIVE Fudge Brownies will make your kitchen smell heavenly and keep your loved ones coming back for more. These brownies are simple and quick, just add water and bake! Only $14.90

Serving Size: .125 C (24g)Servings Per Container: 75Net Weight: 63.5 oz (4.0 lbs)Optimum Shelf Life: 20 years(Best flavor within 7 years)Opened Shelf Life: 6 months

Visit: http://www.shelfreliance.com/hope

Luke Carter

Pictures of Luke

Our Newest Member...

We just added another boy to our sweet little family!! We had Luke Carter on Oct 19th. He weighed 8lbs 4oz and 19 inches long. I have to say he looks ALOT like Grant. The boys were SO excited to meet their little brother. They just hugged, kissed, smothered him. It was pretty cute. Thank you mom for taking the boys, I know they are a little out of control. I will post pictures when I have time.

And don't forget about the auction in 2 days. Please post the link and info about it on your blog, facebook, and let others know about. TONS of great items. Thanks to all of you who have helped out! It's been a busy project.

Pumpkin Giveaway

My friend is so talented. She makes the cutest things. Check out her blog for the pumpkin giveaway. http://themudpuddleproject.blogspot.com/2009/10/pumpkin-giveaway.html#comment-form The giveaway will end on Saturday October 24th at 8:00 p.m.

Online Auction for Benson and Claire

Let me just tell you, I am SO excited for this online auction that a few of us are putting on for Benson and Claire. We've had some amazing people donate items and services. I just want to thankyou to all that have partcipated so far. The auction blog is up and I'll just keep adding items until the big day which is November 2nd and goes till November 16th. You can do alot of Christmas shopping on this blog so keep that in mind. Go and check it out and spread the word. It's http://bensonandclaireauction.blogspot.com/ and there is a link to the right. Make sure when you visit the blog you put the link on your blog so we can spread the word!!! Thanks again to all those that have helped!!!

There is a auction going on for a cake, it can be any kind of cake like wedding, work party, anything, and a photography session by Katie Well's photography. For more information go to this blog http://www.allishascakes.blogspot.com/ The money goes to COTA for Benson and Claire. So go check it out!!!

Heart Surgery....

I just wanted to post this on my blog because this family means the world to me!!! My niece Claire just had open heart surgery. The day she had surgery they actually found out that their was a kidney and liver available for her. Because she had to have surgery on her heart they had to turn them down. PLEASE pray for this little girl that she may recover from this surgery and that transplants may come soon. I can't even imagine what it would be like to have my child go through this. It sure makes you appreciate having a healthy family,which alot of us take for granted. To read up on them just click on the blog button "Give hope to Benson and Claire".

Van auction for Benson and Claire

My friend Natasha got a van (I believe it's her in-laws) that will be auctioned off for Benson and Claire. YAY!!! How awesome is that?! Click on the link about the auction (to the right) and it will give all the information about the van. If you need a van check it out!!!! and please SPREAD the word.

New Link for Benson and Claire Skinner

There is a link to the right that I encourage everyone to put on their blog and spread the word about Claire and Benson (my brother Jared's kids). Just click on the link and it will direct you to their blog and you can just copy the HTML code and paste it on your blog. They will have updates on the kids. They just moved to Minnesota where they will wait for Claire to receive her liver/kidney transplant. It will tell you about fundraisers they will be having. I know in November they are going to have an online auction with alot of great stuff!!! PLEASE spread the word and post it on your blog. And please keep them in your prayers. Thanks!!!!

GRADUATION

It is official Travis is a Physician's Assistant. He graduated yesterday morning....YAY! Now we'll see where we will start our journey. I just have to tell Travis that I am so proud of him and for all of his hard work. He has studied and studied and studied and has worked so hard to be home with his kids in between studying. It has been a long road but he did it!! Thankyou Travis!

These kids need a miracle....

Most of you probably know my brother Jared. His two kids were born with a very rare genetic disease. They both need to recieve transplants. These kids are angels and really need a miracle. They deserve a chance in life.

PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO READ THERE STORY....

Claire and Benson were both born with an extremely rare genetic mutation in their liver that produces an excess amount of oxalate in their bodies. This disease is called Primary Hyperoxaluria Type 1 (PH1). Oxalate is normal in all of our bodies, but our liver only produces a small amount. Their liver doesn't. Normal oxalate numbers are around 1.8. Claire's oxalate average between 70 and 80 and have been as high as 159. Benson's is around 12. So what does excess oxalate do? It destroys.

The kidneys are the first to go because it is their job to filter waste from the body. In that filtering process, it can only handle the overload of oxalate for so long. The oxalate causes the kidneys to crystallize and eventually fail. Claire has had kidney failure since she was 2 months old and has been on dialysis ever since. Significant oxalate deposits have also been found in her eyes, bones and other organs.

Claire is currently on dialysis at the Children's Hospital in Denver Colorado 6 days a week for 3 hours each day. Sunday truly is our day of rest! Along with that, we do a different kind of dialysis, called peritoneal dialysis, at home. She gets that done every night of the week for 12 hours, while she's sleeping. Ultimately, dialysis 24/7 would be ideal for Claire to remove the oxalate that is constantly built up in her body. Obviously, that is not possible. So we do as much as we can!

The ultimate cure: transplant. For Claire, getting a new kidney or liver alone will not solve the problem. She needs both. A new liver will stop the excessive oxalate production and a new kidney will enable her body to cleanse itself. Claire is currently on the Mayo Clinic transplant list to receive a liver and kidney.

The disease advances differently in each individual. Luckily, Benson’s condition hasn’t progressed as quickly as Claire’s. He is currently being monitored and treated with several medications in hopes of slowing the process of kidney failure. He is also encouraged to drink lots of fluid to help keep the kidneys clean. In the future, Benson will likely need the same procedures as Claire.

To make a donation.... Read below

*Make a secure on-line donation through http://www.COTAforBensonandClaireS.com/. If you will do this, and then forward this letter to your co-workers, friends, and the people in your address book, and they in turn will do the same, this email will begin to circle the globe.

-OR-

*Send a check, payable to COTA with Benson and Claire S. in the memo space to:
Children's Organ Transplant Association
2501 West COTA Drive
Bloomington, IN 47403

Whether it is $2, $10, or $1000, every generous gift of kindness will help, and your donation is tax deductible.

I invite you to click on the "Donate Now" button at http://www.COTAforBensonandClaireS.com/ and follow the progress of this miracle to which you have contributed. I also ask that no matter if you are able to participate or not, please forward this opportunity to your circle of Internet influence, and invite your co-workers to learn more.

I hope this story touches your heart.

Drumroll please.....

Tis the season of girls right? Everyone that I know, that is expecting, is having a girl! How exciting is that??? Even my cousin that has three girls is having another one. I can't be like everyone else right? Therefore I'm having another boy. My gut instinct was right even though others thought differently. The baby is healthy, so far thank goodness!! My due date is Nov 10. We're really excited!

Moab BABY

So....me and Travis decided to take a little camping trip, just the two of us, to Moab Utah. It was a BLAST!!! If your the outdoorsy type and like to hike, fourwheel, or bike......this is the place for you!!! There are thousands of trails and you would have to spend a long time there to go on all of them. Travis was in heaven!! Such a great place for guys.
The first night we got there our refridgerator quit working (in the camper). Travis was up all night and in the morning trying to fix it not knowing what was wrong. So half of our food we had to throw out. Then that night the battery went completely dead. We didn't let that ruin our trip. Of course something has to go wrong. We did some hiking, fourwheeling, and went to the Arches National Park. I think by the 3rd day I was getting heat stroke, I know I'm a wuss. I wasn't used to all the heat plus I think I came down with something, I was really sick the last couple of days there. Hmmm maybe it had to do with the food that wasn't really cold....stupid camper :):) Just Kidding, Thanks again Scotty and Darla for letting us use it.
The trails up there are INSANE! I couldn't believe the stuff that people go on, especially those jeeps, WOW! They were fun to watch. Anyways we had a great time. We might make it a yearly thing now, but it's good to go with more people just in case you get stranded......like we did... for an hour. Travis flooded the fourwheeler TWICE. But Oh so fun!

Girls Weekend at Palisades...

Me and a bunch of friends went to Marie's cabin for the weekend. This is probably one of the funnest weekends I've had in a long time!! It was so nice to be away from kids for a couple of days and be myself around the girls, without worrying if Grant is going to take a plunge down the stairs or if Lincoln is beating up someone. We could actually all just have a great time! I think it was nice because when I got home I was ready to be the best mother ever!! :):) ha ha. It was a nice refresher. And of course it's nice for Travis and the boys to be together without mom. I was a little worried about being too many girls but let me tell you, the more the merrier!!! We did karoke, played games.....some that were quite interesting :), talked, talked, and talked. It was so fun to meet new people and make new friends. All you girls are so fun and amazing! LOVED IT!!! I just couldn't get enough. So thankyou EVERYONE for a fantastic weekend! There's another girls weekend coming up with a different group of girls from highschool.....can't wait!

"I was just showing them my...."

I wasn't going to post this but what the heck, maybe I need to warn some of you moms out there....We were at my parents house on Sunday along with my Aunt Kim and her hubby and kids. We were discussing Lincolns belly (the topic always seem to come up) and he was lifting his shirt up and showing it off. Then I hear this gasp and I look over and Lincoln had pulled down his pants and underwear and was showing off his little.....ya you know. So I freaked out and pulled Lincolns pants up and was like "Lincoln you don't do that." I think I overreacted, he was so embarrassed. He just hid in my hair. Then in the most sweet and innocent voice he says, "mommy, I was just showing them my manhood." I just started laughing my butt off. How sweet and innocent these little ones are. I told Travis to have a discussion with Lincoln about his "manhood" and how it's private. Just a WARNING to the mothers with a little boy toddler....I'm just glad he didn't do it in Sunbeams or at playgroup or something like that. Great story, gotta love the kid.

Kids say the darnest things...

Okay here's the setting, I'm washing Lincoln in the bathtub...

Me: Man Lincoln, you gotta big belly.
Lincoln: I have a big belly?
Me: Yeah you have a big belly
Lincoln: I have a big belly and a little butt, Grant has a big butt huh mom?!

HAPPY NEW YEARS

(These are Christmas picts.)

What a CRAZY month...

It all starts with Travis doing our ward Christmas party...with one person to help that's on the activites committee. I tell you what that was ALOT of work. Travis pulled it off and we had a Awesome Christmas party. We were frightened there for awhile, we thought Santa was lost! We decided to tell the parents before announcing it to the children. Some of the parents said they saw Santa a half hour ago wandering the church halls....what?! Santa has been here for over a half hour and we've been stalling this whole time. Me and Travis took of running all over the church and we finally found him. You did a great job Trav!!

We headed over to my parents house for Christmas. It was fun to spend time with the fam. We missed you Jared and Natalie. I love this time of season, I look back and see how much I've been blessed in my life. And to reflect on the Savior and his life. I truly grateful for everything he did on this earth for me. We've been teaching Lincoln about Jesus and why we celebrate Christmas....these little kids learn so fast and so much. I didn't think he would understand but he proved me wrong.

Christmas morning - We planned to open presents at 8:00 AM, that's when the kids usually wake up. Lincoln slept in till 9. He was exhausted from the Family get togethers Christmas eve. But he sure was excited to see what Santa got him. Santa got Lincoln and Grant a train table. I think Grant was more excited than Lincoln. He just took of crawling to the trains. The boys had a great time. Actually I think Ben (my brother) and Travis enjoys the trains more than anybody else, I catch them here and there playing with it. My mom made the John Deere quilt for Lincolns room. Isn't she amazing???

After Christmas we went to Howe and spent time with Trav's family for a few days and headed to Boise to pack up and leave. We just got here the day before New Years Eve. SO that's the life of the Allens. Sorry it's so long.