Tymber 8th Grade

 Tym started 8th grade. Her school started about a week before Autumn and Hope. Hope was so jealous. When I registered Tym they had her down for the math teacher I really don't care for so I requested a change. Then I found out the teacher I requested is no longer there. Tymber struggles non stop with math. It is painful. We had to switch math classes 3 times with her last year because she just was not getting it. We finally moved her to the lowest class where the students work at their own pace and she began pulling A's. Unfortunately it was only about a month or two before school ended.  When we got her new schedule I found out they took 3 of her electives away. It ticked me off and she was understandably upset. So I just went in and had them switch her back. She does okay with this teacher, but did better with the other one. I am just going to have to stay on top of her each day for homework and organization this year. I color coded all of her materials for different classes so hopefully that helps her some.

Her first day of school was good. She is super social and missed her friends like crazy. She really didn't have that fun of a summer. Most of  the people she hung out with last year are not at the school any longer. I really hope she makes some better choices this year. She told me she made a new friend and I am a little worried but I won't go into details here. She doesn't sound like she is a bad girl but she has had some family issues and now lives with her brother. Who knows, maybe she could use a good friend like Tymber. One very unique and amazing personality trait Tymber has is looking beyond the outside of a person. She never judges on looks and is excellent at becoming friends with everyone and making sure everyone feels accepted. She will not stand for people gossiping or talking bad about other people she cares for and is super good at making people with disabilities feel welcome. When Autumn was at girls camp she kept telling me all these girls would come up to Autumn and say how much they love Tymber. Most of the girls had some type of physical or mental challenge. Autumn told Tymber at Testimony Meeting how much she admires Tymber for that. Also in her Fathers blessing for back to school that special trait was mentioned.

What a fun spirit she is for our family. We cut her hair so it is A-Lined in back and longer in front. I should have got a picture of the back. It is super, super cute. She got tons of compliments on it at school. Here is hoping this year runs smooth for her and we can keep the grades up and the frustration to a minimum.

Dad

About 3 weeks ago I mentioned to my dad that he should work on getting the Melchizedek Priesthood so that he would be able to stand in when Hope was baptized. Today my nephew Jason ordained him as a Melchizedek Priesthood holder. It was amazing. The spirit in the room was very strong. Rich said the spirit in the circle was very powerful. All of my nephews with the exception of Kade was in the circle. Kade is in Paraguay on his mission. Rick was there. Rory is in South Africa on his mission, but I could feel Rory and  Lorie there in prayers and spirit. I know he was sad to miss it. Rick had been asked to give him the Priesthood but they have changed the rules and to ordain  you have to be a temple recommend holder. At this time Rick doesn't hold a recommend. I hope he changes his mind and chooses to hold one when he is ready. I can feel my parents getting closer to becoming sealed in the temple. It would be awesome to be sealed to them. Proud of you dad, we love you!

Gluten Free

I had been thinking Autumn needed to go gluten free for a while and Ethan confirmed it. Basically he gave me the shove I needed to get moving. It is really a big commitment. We knew she didn't have Celiac disease because she was tested when her G.I. was done. But I have no doubt there is an intolerance she is facing. I decided if she is going gluten free then so are we. It is a huge process and change. Autumn and I spent about a week researching and processing information. We got books from the library and I ordered a few that were recommended. There is also a process of mourning. Mourning foods that we are so used to loving and eating. We are pretty addicted to carbs and love bread, muffins, etc. When going gluten free  flour, wheat, barley, malt, and rye must be avoided. There are many many foods that have these ingredients.

We finished the last of our bread and foods that I had to get out of the house. Then off to the grocery store we went. It is a pain having to read labels on every single item bought, with the exception of fresh fruit and veggies. I had a list of acceptable foods and we loaded up on fresh food as well. I ordered a book that gives me a list of all gluten free foods and it came today. It will be so much easier to shop now. Surprisingly there is  a lot of food we can still have that I did not think would be allowed.

We have gathered several recipes and have been trying them out and having a blast cooking. So far most foods have been good. I also ordered some gluten free flour to bake with. Holy cow it is so expensive. I want to make my own bread but it will be probably once a week or so.

I have been surprised that I haven't missed bread  food like I thought I would. Autumn cleaned out the pantry and we took all the things we can't eat down stairs. I am not quite ready to get rid of it all until I see changes and know this will work. I have read the body goes through withdraws as it is purging all the gluten. Rich and I have both had a really bad headache the past few days we can't get rid of. Autumn said her stomach doesn't hurt as bad as it did but it still hurts. It is okay though the days are early. She is sleeping better and even though she can't see a change yet I can tell she is feeling a little better. She hasn't been complaining of stomach issues as often. She also hasn't told me for a few days that she feels like crap. One thing I have noticed with her is she wants to go out with her friends more. She has actually gone out three times this past week. that is huge for her, usually she stays home and has no desire to go anywhere. I was on the scale today and have lost 4 pound over the past week. I haven't been very hungry or felt munchy.

I am not going to be as strict with Tymber and Hope. I still will make them eat gluten free with the rest of the family but if they eat hot lunch at school or end up with a snack that isn't gluten free it will be okay. I am curious if this will help Tymber and her ADHD out at all.

I wonder what changes I will see for week 2...

Changes

Autumn's upper G.I. results and biopsy were all fine. We decided the four hour swallow test would be a waste of time. Autumn, Rich, and I had a strong feeling it would also come back fine. She really didn't want to take time off work for the test. When we were in Boise, Saturday night she was pretty sick. Part of it was because she forgot to take  her anti depressants and was getting dizzy, when she gets dizzy she has anxiety attacks. She also was getting sick and ended up with hand foot and mouth disease from her preschool kids. The week following Boise she was pretty miserable. Her dad gave her a blessing Saturday night at Sondra's and again when we came home. We have been told in almost all of the blessings we would find answers in time. The last blessing he gave her left her with a little stronger reassurance. After talking with my good friend whose husband had the same tests with no results she told me they took him to a naturalist who put him on some herbs and enzymes and it cured him. I talked  it over with Rich  and we decided we wanted to take her to an acupuncturist.  Western medicine wasn't giving us any answers and just wanted to put her on more medication, more prescriptions, with no results. I called and spoke to the acupuncturist at great lengths and explained to him what was going on. He told me he thought he could help so we made an appointment. The difference between western and eastern medicine is western medicine treats the symptom, eastern medicine treats the whole body. I was surprised Autumn agreed to go because of the whole sticking needles in her deal. Rich had acupuncture several years ago and reassured her it didn't hurt.

Ethan spent over an hour just talking to Autumn and me. He asked her when all of this started and what she thought triggered it.  We basically went through her history for two years and why we thought her depression and anxiety started. He then examined her tongue and took her pulse on each wrist. He explained and showed me where her tongue is swollen and if you look under the tongue and see teeth marks on the side it shows a body imbalance. We talked about foods that make her sick and how we feel she has a dairy intolerance  especially to milk. He then began explaining how gluten is bad for us and how the outside casing  of wheat is actually poisonous. How our ancestors always treated  the wheat before eating it by fermenting it and processing it differently. Because we are a "now" society the wheat is basically cut and processed and has been altered over time from what our ancestors used. Flour is processed differently as well and instead of nutrients that wheat and flour used to have they now are lacking. I felt like everything he said made perfect sense and I also felt like blinders were removed.

He asked her to go gluten and corn free for one month. He told us he really thought he could help her stomach issues, begin to heal her digestive system and over time he can help her anxiety and depression. We figured what have we got to lose and agreed. He then did an acupuncture treatment on her. It lasted close to an hour. She said it was extremely relaxing and didn't hurt. After she felt great. I need to get her in for a second treatment he was out of town last week. I don't expect her to feel better overnight but I really hope this helps her.

Easton

Another new baby in our family! This is Easton, he is my great-nephew. Brandi and Darren welcomed him August 3, 2010. He is a big boy 8 lbs 11 oz. I can't wait to meet and snuggle him either. These pictures were taken when he is less than 24 hours old. He doesn't look like a newborn. What a doll.

Avery and Easton together!

Avery

I have a new great-niece named Avery. My nephew Jake and his wife Arli welcomed Avery to the world July 17, 2012 . She is so precious. I hope I get to meet her soon.

Brent Hansen

When I began working for Convergys I had the privileged of an amazing trainer/coach. His name was Brent and he was an all around wonderful guy. He teased me a lot. He used to tell me I could make big bucks as a adult phone operator because I have a sexy phone voice. he cracked me up. He lost his life and I am so sad. Even though I haven't seen him for several years and did not know him well I am absolutely heartbroken for his wife and 5 young children. His baby is just 6 months old. He was on a motorbike Thursday night with his 6 year old daughter. it was about 9:45 P.M. and I can only assume he was probably taking her for a quick ride, they were close to where his family lives. An idiot drunk driver hit him and his daughter. I am just ill. From what I understand he was able to shield his daughter with his own body, saving her life. She was not seriously injured. Such a senseless waste that he is gone and his wife and children have a life without him because some idiot chose to drink and drive, then flee the scene of an accident. The idiot has a  long rap sheet. He is now in jail facing vehicular manslaughter charges, whatever happens to him it will never bring Brent back. I hope his family can find peace from our loving Heavenly Father. Brent and his wife are LDS and married in the Temple. I know the plan of salvation is true and am grateful of the knowledge his wife and children will be with him for eternity.


Obituary
Brent James Hansen, 36
Brent James Hansen, 36, of Blackfoot, passed away Thursday,
August 2, 2012 at the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho
Falls, from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident.
Brent was born May 1, 1976 in Pocatello, Idaho, to Lewis Kent
Hansen and Linda Kaye Anderson.  He attended elementary school and
Hawthorne Junior High in Chubbuck, Idaho.  He enjoyed scouting and achieved the rank of
Eagle Scout.  After graduating from Highland High School in 1995, he continued his education at
Idaho State University.
On June 23, 1999 Brent married Emilie Anne Nickell in the Salt Lake LDS Temple in
Salt Lake City, Utah.  Together they had five children, Joseph James (9), Abrahm Brent (8),
Abigail Kaye (6), Gideon Gene (3), and Hannah Grace (6 months).
Brent was employed as a Corporate Trainer for Convergys, and had also worked as a
technician for Terminex, and at AMI.  He was an Ombudsman for Idaho State University, and
also served on the ISU Program Board.  He loved politics, and was involved in several
campaigns.  In his free time, he enjoyed camping, hiking, back packing and skeet shooting.  His
greatest joy was his family and spending time with them.  He was a wonderful husband and
father.
He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and has served as a
Webelos leader, Sunday School Teacher, Ward Clerk, and as an Executive Secretary.
Brent is survived by his wife, Emilie of Blackfoot, Idaho; children, Joseph, Abrahm,
Abigail, Gideon and Hannah; parents, Kent and Linda Hansen of Chubbuck; siblings, LaDawn
Kay Walker of Pocatello, Sirena Sue (Scott) Heninger of Layton, Utah, Barry Kent (Breanna) of
Idaho Falls, twin brother Bryan Paul (Cassandra) of Layton, Utah,  Christine Marie (Shane)
Bangerter of Clearfield, Utah, Sondra Ann Hansen of Salt Lake City, Utah, Debra Sue (Erroll)
King of Rexburg, Idaho, and Aaron Lee (Shannalee) of Pocatello,