Where does the time go???

I can't believe how long it's been since I've updated on our family life. I'll try to make this short and sweet. Travis got a job with Community Care in Idaho Falls....YAY! I didn't think we would be able to find a job around here. He likes it alot.

Lincoln started preschool the first of this year and absolutely LOVES it. He's always asking when is school again. He's a pretty smart kid, he is so proud of himself...he can count to one hundred and twenty (his exact words). He started doing karate at Jefferson Montessari and enjoys it, the instructor is great! I would recommend taking your kids there. He's such an active little bugger.

Grant is my little shadow. He follows me around everywhere. I can't even go to the bathroom alone, he has to stand there and watch me. I even lock the door and he somehow gets in. We've been trying to get him to sleep in the "big boy bed", not doing so good. Grant gets into everything. Example: just look at the pict. He has the funniest personality. He's a fun little guy.

Luke is starting to roll over. He is the BEST and EASIEST baby. I lucked out with him, the nights are a little rough but he makes up for it with his happy smiley face. He is already 4 1/2 months....where does the time go?!

Well that's about all for the Allen family---

Pennies4Penny

I found this website on Craigslist today. It caught my eye so I decided to find out more about it. Let me just tell you that her story broke my heart!!! It's about a little girl named Penelope who just got diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma. I'm not sure how old she is but she looks around 1-2 years old. I cried reading this blog, It made me realize how blessed I am to have healthy kids. There are so many families out there suffering from horrible diseases/cancer. Just seeing a glimpse of what my brother and his wife went through has truly opened my eyes and made me try to help others, even if I don't know them.

Her little family is trying to spread the word and that's why I'm posting this. To try to spread the word so others can help. Her link is to the right called pennies4penny. You can donate or bid on some items they will be auctioning off. Thanks for taking the time to read this.

Someday I will post some pictures of my boys....We'll see when that is :)

Hopefully the last one...

Another online auction is being held for Benson and Claire it starts Jan. 4th and goes till Jan. 31st. So many people have been generous towards this family, it's awesome to see!! We almost have all the money raised for Benson and Claire hopefully this will be the last fundraiser. If you haven't heard, Claire recieved both a her liver and kidney transplant and is recovering VERY WELL!!! Just click on the link to the right and check out the auction. If you want to donate just e-mail Shannon.

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!