The Barfs bring the Blues

Well, here's the real reason I chose to play "catch up" on my journaling today. Today was ROTTEN and I needed to get back to what is important in my life. My family! This was somehow therapeutic to sit and remember the fun we've had over the last several months. I needed some happy thoughts to help clear the clouds of sadness.
This morning we took our sweet Jake to St. Marks Hospital bright and early. We met our favorite poop doctor (as she calls herself), Dr. Harnsberger, who is a pediatric gastroenterologist. She did an upper endoscopy with biopsies on our little guy. This comes in response to 3-4 months of random vomiting. Here a little, there a little, some days a lot (like 14 times)!
Well, our sneaking suspicions were confirmed. Dr. Harnsberger feels very confident that Jake has celiac disease. The biopsies will confirm this on Monday, but she was able to identify it just from the abnormal look of his small bowel. With Kelsey and Joe both celiac, you would think this would be "no biggie." Well, no way. I've still cried multiple times today and I've just decided that it's okay to be sad. When you find out something is going to permanently change your child's life, you have the right to be sad.

* Update - (Please read more current posts, as there were surprises with the biopsy. Negative for celiac.)

I love you Jake! I'm sorry that life is a trial and you have a new challenge to endure. I wish Heavenly Father would just give me all the trials so you could just have fun, like kids should. But that's not how it works. I guess this will make you stronger and someday you will sit and laugh at me for being so dramatic and sad. Love you to the moon and back!

Morgan's Smile

Before

After

The Braces are now off!!! One down, two more to go.

Moab Mayhem

September 3rd-5th we decided to take a quick trip down to Moab again and enjoy some family time. Our first night there we hiked to Delicate Arch at sun down. Joe has always wanted to view it by moon light and finally got his wish. It was a beautiful star-filled sky.

Smooching with my honey under Delicate Arch

Hanging out on Park Avenue

Our favorite: "Corndog Rock"
(or at least that's what we think it should be named)

My three gossips in front of The Three Gossips

Isn't he precious! ha....I love him!!

Joe and Jake giving me a heart attack as they climb.

We had a fun weekend and it was so great to just get away and get back to the basic unit of our family. I love these guys like crazy. Thank goodness I've got an eternity to spend with them.

Called to Serve

On August 21st I was sustained as the Lehi South Stake Young Women's President. (I knew I was enjoying being 2nd counselor a little too much.) I must admit that life has since been a whirlwind but a wonderful whirlwind at that. I have 3 amazing and talented women in my presidency (Diana Nelson, 1st counselor; Heather Haynie, 2nd counselor; and Danielle Spangler, secretary). I would be absolutely lost without them.

I am still feeling quite inadequate for the call but I love the YW and hope to serve them and their leaders well.

New Schools, New Adventures

Morgan started classes at UCAS on August 15th. As usual, I cried dropping her off. She's a sophomore this year. I can't believe she's in high school and on a college campus, at that! She's enjoying the new freedoms of this school and really thinks it's funny that the college kids think she's one of them. (I don't find that very funny) We are sure proud of her drive for excellence and study habits.

Kelsey has moved on to Willowcreek Middle School and is a "Sevie" or 7th grader. She started classes August 22nd. She is blooming and growing into her sweet and spunky personality. She started voice lessons this fall and has a beautiful pure voice.

Our baby sure isn't much of a baby anymore. Jake started class August 23rd and is in 5th grade this year. He has a male teacher for the first time and is liking Mr. Drummond and his classmates. Jake started piano lessons this fall and is busy with scouts. He's mischievous and a joyful tease.

Memorial in Montana

August 11-13th I got to go up to Whitefish, Montana, and attend a memorial for my Grandma Conn. My sisters, Tammy and Debby, were also able to attend. It was a quick whirlwind of a trip, but so nice to see my dear uncles and cousins.

Kevin (cousin), Darren (cousin), Norman (uncle), Tammy (sister), Debby (sister), Wendy, Darren (cousin) and Carrie (cousin)

Old family log cabin on Conn Road. I have faint memories of this as a little child. It has long since received new owners and a new look with a paint job and a second floor. Beautiful big sky country!

Conn Road. Memories galore of my grandparents, mom and dad also.

I love my grandma and think she is an amazing strong woman. My grandpa died more than 30 years ago and she endured on and lived a good life. She was honest and hard-working and I'm proud to be her granddaughter.

In Memory of Edna Elaine Conn
Born April 24, 1916 / Died December 14, 2010