February 2011

February 2011 was filled with snow, fun, basketball and stress. We have had so much snow this year, Bentley and Abby have had a ball playing in it. It has been a crazy winter. It snows a ton then melts, and we would get another huge storm. CRAZY!

We spent a lot of time with Owen. He didn't have a great month, but he pulled through it. (It has to be the pink neck pillow, right?) Tough boys wear pink. Even though we had plenty of days of worry, he never failed to share his smiles. Once you have been buried in the sand you have to be buried in the snow too!!

I don't know that Abby will do this again, but I am pretty sure Bentley would:).

Bentley and Abby both played Jr. Jazz this year and loved it. They both did well. Abby is still in the younger age, so really it is mass choas. The kids still have a great time.

Bentley really did good this year. He is quite the hustler. I know his picture is really dark, I haven't figured out my camera in the gym yet. He's the big man dribbling the ball down the court.

I don't know if you can tell, but Bentley is posting up in this picture. I was so proud. He didn't get the ball but he sure had good position. Abby was pretty happy with herself that she dribble the length of the floor without picking up the ball and then dribbling again!! I thought that was funny.

Lenn and Bentley decided to go skiing one Saturday, what they didn't know is that is was some free pass of some kind. It was sold out!! They made one run and decided it wasn't worth the wait in line for anymore runs that day. They came home, Bentley was disappointed because he has loved learning to ski. Lenn came in the house and told me why they were home so early but we couldn't figure out what was taking Bentley so long to come in. We figured he was out sulking. Lenn yelled outside asking if he was okay and he said he was fine, but after awhile we had to go find out what was going on. We were so wrong!!! Bentley was out making the most of all the snow. He was out skiing down any hill we had!! What a kid, who couldn't love him?

Owen's update

I have promised an update to many, I guess today is the day.

We love our little man so much and this update isn't one I have been looking forward to. Owen is a fighter though. I cannot believe how much of a fighter he is with such a weak body. After he was named Owen, we found out that in Irish Owen means young fighter. I think his Daddy picked the perfect name.

In February 2010, Owen started needing prune juice to help his bowels work well. The juice worked great up until the week before Thanksgiving. Since then we have been using a medication and it worked great through the holidays and his birthday, (what a blessing). The last month or so his bowels seem to be slowing a little more, needing more medicine to work properly.

His heart rate and O2 sats have been great thus far. I truly believe we are watched over each and every day. I know Owen is never far from his Heavenly Father and that he feels of His love.

We have been very blessed to have some great doctors in our lives. They are helping us keep him comfortable with the right medications.

I pray for his comfort! He amazes me each and every day. He still smiles and interacts most of the time. When his medicines aren't at the right dose he is sleeping and 'bored'. I told Lenn one day, "Owen hasn't felt real good today". Abby said "Yeah, he has been bored all day." It was so cute that she noticed her little brothers' feelings when he can't say a word.

On those 'bored' days he is docile and doesn't interact a whole lot.

As of right now, I don't think he is in pain (another huge blessing). I think his body is just working overtime on the little things we take for granted.

With that being said I would like to ask you for prayers on Owen's behalf that he might have the comfort needed at this time and that the doctors will continue to be inspired as of what he needs.

My heart breaks knowing he is a bit closer to Heaven but I know his little brother and Father in Heaven will gladly receive him when that day comes. I don't know how long we will have our little Owen, he has surprised us many times. For now, we will continue to cherish each and every day that we are blessed with.

The big 35!

Lenn's big day was on Tuesday. We went on a date, that is huge for us. Our dear friend watched Owen and we went grocery shopping and then to lunch. We had a good time even though we had to throw grocery shopping in there. Then we came home so Lenn could go to work in the basement working on stairs! Such fun.

That night we had a nice dinner with Bentley, Abby and Lenn's parents. It was a great day, Owen had a good day and that makes everything else go well.

Lenn's horseshoe cake. His brand for the cows is a horseshoe so it makes it kinda fun.

Lenn tries to put on a tough front but he really is a softy. He does so much for me and our children. He can fix about anything he wants to and if he can't he figures out how to. He comes up with some crazy ideas that turn out to be incredible.

Thanks for everything Lenn. Happy Birthday! We love you.

Works from Heaven continue still

Last Friday morning I realized that Owen's alarms hadn't gone off like normal through the night. Then I saw his tubes were pretty dry. I looked down and saw that his humidifier was off. Not good! I immediately unplugged it and plugged it back in. Nothing!! Oh great, was my first thought. I got the phone and called the equipment place in SLC hoping the gal was in that we work with. Yes!! She answered the phone, which is pretty rare for her to answer when I call.

She is amazing. I told her our dilemma and she was off to work getting us a humidifier by the next day. That was great and all but Owen shouldn't be off his humidifier for more than 8 hours at a time, but that was the best we could do at the time.

I then called Lenn to tell him what was going on. He had to go to Rock Springs that day. We both started calling people to see if there was anyone in SLC that was coming back the same day. I had no luck, but Lenn had a feeling to call a cousin that he rarely talks to. He asked him if he was going to SLC, he said no, but their Aunts were down there picking up a grand daughter. (There is hope!) Lenn got off the phone and called his Aunt M. She said she was happy to pick it up for us and asked for the address. When Lenn told her the address she could not believe it. His Aunt was literally one block away from the equipment place. She picked it up and brought it that night. AMAZING, if you ask me.

When someone says miracles no longer exist, they just aren't looking. We have been constantly watched over since we have been home with Owen. It is simply amazing to say the least. I know the Lord's hand has been involved in all of it too.
Don't get me wrong, it hasn't been a walk in the park. We have our share of chaos and stress, but along with the chaos and stress we have been carried and watched over. Miracles do exist! We just have to be watching for them.

Our January part 2...

Lenn decided this year he was going to teach Bentley and Abby how to ski. They were so excited to learn. They are doing great and loving it. Every weekend they beg their Dad to take them skiing.
Here is a picture of the ski mobile. This car has been to almost every ski resort in Utah and Lenn is pretty proud of his good ol' metro.

Abby gave Owen a CTR ring for his birthday and he loves it. He is so funny, when you put it on his finger and then hold his hand up to show him, he smiles so big.

I can't get enough of this smile. I love it!