The Zoo!!

So as many of you may know, my brother got a heart. As family we are truly blessed. Kyle has been out of the hospital six days, and today to celebrate we went to the Denver Zoo and Olive Garden. The only thing that would have made today better is if Ross were here. It was a great day, it is nice to stop and just realize how far we have come both as individuals and as a family. One day, I know we will be an eternal family. Love you guys!

Kyle Gets a Heart!!

Yesterday morning Kyle got the call. he was called at 1:30 a.m. and was told that there was a heart available for him. He went into surgery at 9:45 p.m.

Kyle after surgery.

I drove up today to be with Kyle and rescue him from my mom, and her from him. Kyle gets grumpy when my mom does everything for him, and my mom gets grumpy when Kyle won't let her do everything for him. I saw him tonight for maybe maybe 20 minutes, but he looks better. The Doctors tell my mom that maybe in August, he could go to his real home. Which is awesome!! We still have the concern of him rejecting his heart and making sure that there is the blood he needs for the blood transfusion. He has some antegens in his blood that is making it hard for him to get receive blood.
While we are very blessed today that Kyle was able to get a heart, our hearts go out the family who lost a loved one. You are in our prayers, and thank you.

Happy Birthday Ross!!

Today, Ross turned 27! I think he had a great Birthday. He started his day at the DMV, getting his Utah driver license. Doesn't everybody love going to the DMV? He seemed upset with his picture, but I assured him that is what the DMV does, they take horrible pictures. If they took great pictures, then they would be super busy taking pictures of people family reunions, weddings, prom, and the occasional baby birth. Then, it would take even longer to waiting line for you number to be called.

Then, he went to work, also something everyone loves to do on their birthday. Lucky, for him Skype told his whole office it was his birthday, so he got lots of birthday wishes! He did eat at his favorite sandwich shop, Jade Market, he had the cold cuts.

He came home to a super clean house and his favorite dinner. BBQ pork roast with sweet potatoes french fries. Kimberly and I did make him a carrot cake with cream cheese icing. 

We played his favorite nerdy game, Magic. We gave him two expansions packs for his Magic card deck.

I think he had a fun day. I know that Kimberly had a great day planning his birthday and enjoying his cake with him! I love you, Ross, I hope today was great and I hope you have many more to come!!

Be a Donor!!!

There are almost 80,000 patients waiting for organ donations for transplantation in the United States at any one time. My brother is one of them. He is 20 years old and awesome. He needs a heart. I never understood just how important it was to be a donor until March. I love my brother dearly. Someday, he will get a heart, and to the person and their family, Thank you. You are truly his and my family's angel. 

You never know when of those 80,000 patients might be your family member. I would love to encourage everybody to join up and be someone's angel. Here is the link to become a donorhttp://organdonor.gov/. 

Healthy Kyle

Kyle that needs a heart 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Birthday Mom!

Yesterday,was my mom's birthday, and of course I called her. Today, as I reflect on that phone call I feel really blessed to have such an amazing mom. I called her yesterday, and told her Happy Birthday, and then she asked me how I was. That is what moms do, they want to know all about their kids, even on their birthday. 
We have had quite the last few months, and we make jokes about how this going to look in the family Christmas newsletter. I know that we would be a complete mess, if my mother wasn't somehow holding us all together, like she always does. My mom is my example for strength. When it is time for, "...the tough to get going", somehow my mom's already beat the tough there and is giving them directions on what to do next. 
For the last year, my mom has been working in Mental Health, helping people take care of themselves. She gave of herself all day, and then came home and gave some more. Since, Kyle has been hospital, she has been by his side 100%. She even lost her job, after her extended family medical leave was over. She didn't even blink an eye. She loved her job, but she loves her kids more. My mom is a great mom, and she deserve more....

 So mom, thank you for being amazing and helping us through all of this, one day either Kyle or Ross and I will build you a apartment, and we'll take care of you.