VeGAs with my iNVenToR MAn

So...my inventor man (aka: my husband, Dakota's dad, also known as Zach ;) ) and I went to Vegas in May for the National Hardware Show. Now what is this you are asking??

Well, last year when Zach tried out to be on the show Shark Tank for his invention (click here to read about it)...unfortunately he didn't get on! BOO! I never did an update on that (sorry) so here is how it ended. He tried out. They took him to the next level which meant he had to send in a video of his invention in action and a story about him.

Well, we all know we have a pretty dang good story...at least I think so. A blind inventor with a brain injured child and a crazy wife...you can't make that stuff up! ;)

They had told him if you don't hear back in a couple of weeks then you didn't get on the show. Obviously, they don't have time to contact the thousands of people that try out to get on the show and tell them, sorry you didn't make it. Well about a week later he had an email from the guy he auditioned with. Exciting?! YES! 

Unfortunately (but cool at the same time that he would take the time to write Zach a personal email) he said. We really loved your invention and your story BUT we don't think a post hole digger is exciting enough and demanding enough for T.V.

Come on...what is not exciting about a post hole digger!! We got the point, but I'm not gonna lie...we were VERY disappointed! 

The one good thing about auditioning for the show is that we got to meet a lot of people like Zach who love to invent products. By talking to some people as we waited in the forever long line, Zach learned about the National Hardware Show. It had already taken place last year by the time he heard about it so this year he decided WHY NOT?! We have come this far!!

So, off for a road trip we went. I (of course) did all the driving...drinking LOTS of Diet Dr. Pepper and jamming to some Taylor Swift and Eric Church! 

We got their Monday early evening, just in time to set up our little booth!

We even brought our own UT dirt! ;)

Wala!! Beautiful!! Of course you gotta have some candy to top it off...chocolate! ;)

We TRULY had NO idea what we were in for. We had NO idea how big of a show it was. If anyone would really even come to the booth. If it would be worth the money and time we were putting into it.

First day...getting ready to see what was in store.

When we got there it was pretty overwhelming. It was at the Las Vegas Convention Center and it was HUGE!! Zach's booth was in a smaller room called the Innovation Station. It was cool to see all the different ideas and products people had there. Met some great people!

Outside the convention center, at the doors, innovation station entrance, and our sweet booth!

The hardware show lasted for 3 days. All 3 days were super busy. I had brought books and magazines thinking I would have all this down time to read and relax...never even opened a cover. 

There was a really consistent flow of people coming in from all different lines. Some big businesses trying to look at new ideas. Some small store owners that were also looking for items to stock on their shelves and to meet with the BIG vendors that were there for there products in the other parts of the show. Zach needed me to be his eyes and let him know if someone was checking out the post hole digger or just walking by since he can't tell by there facial expressions. Also, there were times where there would be mulitple people there wanting to check it out and while Zach was talking to one, I put on my best professional post hole digger face and did some demoing myself! ;)

I only wish we had a video camera to film ALL of the amazing responses Zach got from people that came over to get a demo on how to use his post hole digger. Also known as The Simp-Hole Digger!! ;) Because it is SIMPLE people!! There were SOOO many great compliments!

He has been working on it ever since we have been married so it's kinda old new to us. After so long you start to wonder...does anyone else think this is a good idea or is it just us?!

SOOOO many people LOVED it! We got many responses! "Why didn't I think of that?!" Where was this last year when I needed it!" "This is genius!" "This product is gonna go somewhere!" How much are you selling them for?" "Let me know when you get it on the market." "Did you think of this yourself?" "This is so innovative!"

It definitely gave Zach a confidence boost in his invention that he so rightly deserves! He is a such an innovative guy and I am SO SO proud to be his wife!

There were SEVERAL companies that were interested there and gave Zach their cards and took his info. It FINALLY got him in front of some of the biggest companies that he had been trying to get in front of himself but they don't really take the time to talk to ya. IT was SO worth the trip to go! We couldn't have asked for it to go any better!!

As of right now, there are 3 companies since the show that have called Zach and have asked for a sample and a release to look at his patent info. Now we are just waiting and praying that something great will happen. In all of this, Zach has always wanted to sell his idea or license it out to a bigger company that is already manufacturing hand tools since they would already be set up to take it on. It is way too hard and expensive for some Joe Schmo to try and get their 1 product into a big store.

So pray your little hearts out for him as well. We are trying not to get our hopes us too high but I so want Zach to find success in this because I have stood by him as he has spent SO much time, work, and money into this product that he loves!!! I know how much it means to him!

The majority of our time spent in Vegas was at the show or at a copy shop getting things ready or making more copies. We did have a little time to play of course...you have to in Vegas!

It was both of our first times going there as adults and not kids so I'm not gonna lie...I was a little overwhelmed. I asked on Facebook where a good, clean place to stay would be and the amount of responses I got of things we need to do while we were in Vegas was out of control!

I so appreciated all the info but kinda felt overwhelmed on trying to pick and choose what to do when there was such little time! And let's be honest...I was most excited to sleep through a full night as I always am when I have a little "mom" break! My sweet mom flew up to take care of Dakota while we were gone. Thank you mom!!!

We had to get up early every morning so usually after dinner I was ready to go back to the hotel and go to bed! ;) I know I am lame!

We ended up staying at the South Point Hotel. It was off the strip, newer, and clean looking, so it won over the exciting other hotels! ;)

I still can't believe how big all the hotels are!

Zach "pretending" like he is lucky! LOL!!! ;)

We thought it would be fun to put a coin in and try our luck and then we realized we had no idea how to even play ANYTHING so we decided not to! :)

We went out on the strip a couple nights...ate some yummy food of course!

Ate at the CaboWabo at Planet Hollywood

Chowing down as we listen to a fun band!

All the lights!!

Check out this Pizza we got at the Stratosphere!!! And yes...I TOTALLY ate that whole thing and 1/2 of that GIANT bread stick sitting next to me!!

We wanted to go to at least one show while we were there but weren't sure what kinda show to go to so we went to The Variety Show at the V Theatre since it was a little bit of everything. So super fun!!!

As we waited in line for about an hour I SO thought we were outside until I saw this red balloon and realized we were inside. CRAZY!!

Did a little bit of Mother's Day shopping for me. I tried to limit my shopping experience since I know how much Zach loves it...not at all! But he was a good sport and let me check out a few stores I had never been to before!

Next trip to Vegas will have to be all for fun cuz there is SO much to do and we didn't even scratch the surface! But let's be real...we never really go on vacation unless their is a business purpose or family involved! ;)

10 THINGS TO GET YOU THROUGH!!

I had the lucky/unlucky ;) opportunity to speak to a group of woman at a church event. (In the LDS world it is called a relief society). One of my friend's in that ward asked me to come and speak about my trials and what has gotten me through them.

I have said it before and I'll say it again...public speaking is not one of my most favorite things to do! I'm a little shy and don't love the spotlight. But as it always is, it is an opportunity for me to learn and grow more for myself then for anyone else...so I gladly/reluctantly agreed to do it.

Speaking about my life's trials is the easy part...there is PLENTY to say there! ;) BUT taking the time to think about what SPECIFICALLY has gotten me through them was a sweet experience. I have already got a page on my blog entitled What Gets us Through. This list is the general basic list that has helped us through the hardest of times. But I took the time to really think about what has gotten me through the day to day trials that I deal with on a regular basis. As I prayed and thought about them in the weeks leading up to my talk...one or two would pop into my head until I came up with exactly 10 that I think sum it all up.

DISCLAIMER: ALL trials are SO different and unique in and of themselves so what has helped me, might not help you. I think often times there are unique things that may help someone through something that may not help someone else. So by no means am I trying to tell you how to deal with YOUR trial. But maybe...just maybe...one, two, or maybe all ten might help at least one person that reads this. If so...I will be SO SO happy!!

I think life is SO hard and we are all trying are very best. If we are willing to open up and share are lowest of low times as well as our highest of highs and what we have learned from it all...we can all help each other! I still feel like I am learning on a daily basis. I am still climbing this crazy mountain trying to just get a glimpse of the top. I have learned a lot on my way up and I feel like my mountain is not quite as steep as it once was but I know I still have SO much to learn and to do to get to where I want to be and where my Heavenly Father wants me to be!!

BUT the Apostle Peter said, "Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh...a reason for the hope that is in you."

So here they are in no particular order!

1. Look for your DAILY blessings!

It is SO easy to dwell on the hard and crappy things in your life but it takes real effort to look for the blessings that are all around you. It took Ashley Sullenger to comment on my blog and tell me how lucky I am to get to hold, love, and experience life with Dakota to get me out of my sadness of missing the boy I HAD and appreciate the blessings of the boy I HAVE. Learn to appreciate the simple things in life. Dakota's smile is my BIGGEST blessing these days! I promise if you take the time to look around you will be "counting your many blessings" and find JOY in each day, instead of misery!

2. Learn to Laugh

I really believe "laughter is the best medicine." There are a lot of things that could offend or make you mad but if you learn to laugh at them instead it makes life SO much more enjoyable. There are a million and one comments people say to or about Dakota or Zach that we could be easily offended by, but we just laugh and see the good intentions behind it all! I love Elder Worthlin's quote, "Come what may and love it.”

3. Your Future is as bright as your faith!

You all know my favorite quote that is on the top of my blog, "Your life doesn't have to be perfect to be wonderful." It is TRUE!! I promise! YOU determine your happiness and your future...not the events in your life! 

There is SO much to look forward to!!!!

D&C 58: 2-4 "...he that is faithful in tribulation, the reward of the same is greater in the kingdom of heaven. For after much tribulation come the blessings. Wherefore the day cometh that ye shall be crowned with much glory; the hour is not yet but it is nigh at hand."

4. Read your scriptures and words of the latter day prophets and apostles.

There are SO many people in the scriptures that have been through the ringer themselves!! They have written down their lives and experiences for OUR benefit...to help YOU and ME through this difficult journey of life. If you take the time to really read and study them you will find specific answers and help to get you through ANYTHING!

5. Go to the temple often

 I wrote a blog entry about going there recently after Dakota's accident. There is PEACE inside those walls! Since the Brigham City temple opened around the same time Dakota started school I made a goal to try to go once a week. I didn't make it EVERY week but it was pretty close. EVERY time I left there I left  a better person then when I went in. It gave me an hour or two to leave my troubles at the door and focus on something great! I left with strength to take on all my challenges...at least until the next visit! ;)

6. PRAY, PRAY, PRAY

If there is ANYONE who wants to listen to ALL your troubles and help you through them it is your Heavenly Father. He is EAGER to help but you must come to him. Communicate your feelings, your fears, and your worries...He is there and will listen when no one else is!

7. Lose yourself in SERVICE

There is nothing that can bring you more joy and take your mind off of your own trials then serving others. If you look, it is SO easy to find someone in need of service...sometimes overwhelming at times. But when you give of yourself, your time, and your love...the trials you are facing are easily forgotten. You become more like your Savior and forget about yourself.

8. Take it 1 day at a time

Sometimes trials are overwhelming and you don't see ANY light at the end of the tunnel. I have A LOT of fears about the future. How will I take care of Dakota as he gets bigger?? Will we ever feel capable and ready to have another child?? I am COMPLETELY unsure of how everything is going to workout and look and that is SCARY to say the least. BUT I have learned, "Don't waste today worrying about tomorrow." If I focus on TODAY and what I need to do to get through today I can handle it! I do what I can for today and trust that my Heavenly Father will be there to help me get through the tomorrows.

9. Remember you are NEVER alone!!

I have felt at times that NO ONE can understand and no one can help me! But I have learned that my Savior has been with me through it ALL! He has outstretched arms willing and wanting to help IF we let him!

My favorite scripture is, D&C 84:88

“For I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you to bear you up.”

10. Trust in your Heavenly Father's plan for YOU

This has been by far the hardest lesson for me to learn. I think I know what's best and I think I know how my life should look and it doesn't look ANYTHING like it's supposed to!!! But I have come to truly know and understand that there is SO much more to this life then I can comprehend and see in my limited knowledge and view. I know my Heavenly Father sees the big picture...the end from the beginning...and He and only He knows EXACTLY what I need. It has been hard to accept that I may not get all the answers to all my "Whys" right now! But I know as I trust in my Heavenly Father one day I will understand. I have already seen some of the HUGE blessings that have come from Him messing up MY plans! And I am grateful that He loves me enough to let me struggle through my trials to learn and become who He wants me to be. I can only imagine how hard that must be for Him to not step in and fix it all when He most definitely could...just as we as parents have to let our kids learn the hard way sometimes too!

I shared this AMAZING video at the end that my AMAZING sister Annie sent me. I'm kind of obsessed with it so I thought I would share it on here too! 

Getting Better

So...I apologize for my last venting post. But sometimes I have to let it out to get over it and unfortunately for all of you this is where I do it. It's easier to type and cry then talk and cry so SORRY! But I can't thank ALL of you enough for the prayers, sweet comments, prayers, text messages, prayers, flowers, prayers, encouragement, prayers, support, prayers, love, and did I say prayers offered in our behalf after that post. I know they were answered because that very next day was SO much better and since then it has gotten a little better and a little more. I still don't have my happy go lucky boy but the crying and screaming is a lot less often compared to all day and the spasticity has gone down too. He will snuggle me again contently and he has even given a few smiles and little giggles again. I can't tell you what even 1 smile a day does for Zach and I. Both of us have just been SO much more happy and content ourselves because Dakota has been. His mood TOTALLY affects ours dramatically. So THANK YOU!!!!!!! I know Heavenly Father hears our cries even at times when I doubt!

This is a video of his REALLY happy days that we had awhile back. You couldn't stop this kid from smiling and laughing if you wanted to. I hope we get back to there. This laugh...although so different from his old laugh is music to my ears and can brighten my day more then the sun!!!

One more because it is just SO cute! Don't mind me I just got home from a LONG run and am sweaty and disgusting! (Dakota still loves me though...stinky, sweaty, and all!)

After I watched these videos it got me thinking...how different is his laugh then it used to be. I know it is way different but I wanted to remember so I started watching some old videos of him and I couldn't stop. Surprisingly I didn't cry while I watched I just sat there and smiled. It felt SO good to remember who is inside of this little boy that I care for every day. I have SO many memories that flood my mind every day but yet I still forget...it's so hard to explain. I don't ever want to forget but sometimes it hurts to remember. Zach came in while I was watching and he just bawled. He said for him it is easier to not think about the past and just focus on the now...but they made me smile. Later that night was a different story. As I laid in bed and watched the old videos in my head...I looked at his cute face sleeping on our video monitor and it hurt a little more. I wished I would wake up to the sound of his cute voice again saying..."Mooooommy!" Then go in his room and see him standing in his crib with his blanket in his mouth. ONE DAY I WILL THOUGH! Until then...I will remember and be grateful for every smile and laugh that I get!

WARNING: You are about to view the cutest boy on the planet!!!!

He was about a 1 1/2 in this video. Playing with Grammy!

This is just 2 months before his accident...LOVE YOU BUDDY!!! Can't wait to play like this again someday!!!

Back in Utah

Surprise!!! We are back in Utah as of Monday night. It was a surprise to us as much as it was to all of you. We knew that the insurance had approved the transfer to Primary Children's in Utah but we weren't sure when it would happen. The social worker had initially told us Monday or Tuesday but after talking with the doctor Friday night we didn't think it would be the first of the week. Well, come Monday late morning the social worker tells me the medical jet is getting ready to come down. We were a little surprised and shocked and definitely not prepared for it. We had suitcases at my parent's house we needed to get, Zach had no flight booked (I got to ride on the medical jet with Dakota), it was just a little stressful but we knew this is where the Lord was leading us to. In the beginning when the insurance approved this the social worker admitted it was in God's hand because this rarely happens. When the nurse came in to tell us the jet would be coming she was in disbelief herself and said this never happens on a Monday morning. Zach was able to get a flight and we landed within ten minutes of each other. Everything was just working out perfectly. Our prayers were being answered right before our eyes. We had been praying that we would be able to move forward and be able to be in the best place for Dakota and the answers just came so quickly I didn't even have time to digest them.  

It was a really emotional day for me that whole day and the next. It was weird how torn my heart was. Of course I wanted to be closer to home and most importantly I wanted Dakota to have the best care he could but it was, in a weird way, hard to leave this hospital, where we had gotten to know the nurses and doctors there so well. They had an INCREDIBLE picu team there and each and every one of them were so great to us and Dakota. They become our friends over those 3 weeks and even though I knew that they would have great people here at Primary's it was hard to say goodbye to those who knew Dakota so well. The hardest part of it all was saying goodbye to my family. My mom and I had a good bawl session together as we sat holding Dakota's hands, waiting for the medical jet to arrive. I couldn't hold back the tears if  I had wanted to.

His last day there...he finally got to wear some real jammies!

Goodbye Nana and Papa...we will miss you!

So comfy and cozy in his nana's arms

Look at both of their eyes...so serious and thoughtful! :)

Dakota did such a great job on the trip...he even took a little nap. It was an interesting little ride that of course I had to document so that he can see what a cool thing he got to do when he gets older. Not every kid gets to have their own personal jet! :)

Lifeflight team getting him all ready to go.

Getting in the ambulance to take us to the airport.

There it is!

Loading him up...so carefully...I was making sure of it! :) They were so cute to him and me. What a great team they have!

Inside the plane.

Since then, I have pulled myself together a little more and the people here have been so amazing and helpful in ways that the PICU there could not. The PICU's job was to get him stable and ready for rehab and they did a great job of that. Here they are specialized in brain injuries and rehab so they have a wealth of knowledge to share. I feel the comfort of the Lord and know that this is where Dakota needs to be. We have already learned so much about his needs and care due to his brain injury that we had no idea about. The medical teams here have been on top of everything since we have arrived and I can't even count the number of people that are involved in his care.

At this point they are not sure if he is ready for their intensive inpatient rehab program yet but they are still evaluating him over probably the next week or so to see where he is at, what he needs, and to prepare us for his care if we end up going home instead of staying in the rehab. So we are still just taking it one day at a time. The rehab team comes in every day to work with him right now and they are SO incredible. We have appreciated their helpful feedback and their extensive knowledge.

There is still no black and white picture of how Dakota will recover and how fast any of it will be. The medical team here is reviewing all of his information and the areas that have been damaged so I'm sure we will get some more info at some point. We have learned though, that with all brain injury's no matter what they are, it is still individual for each child. So, as always, it is in the Lord's hands and it will ultimately be His decision. So we will continue to pray that His healing hand will be over Dakota's little brain and that He will continue to lead and guide us every step of the way.

His new room (only for a day). He stayed one day in this PICU room until they moved him into the neuro trauma center.

We are doing good though and despite this freezing cold weather that welcomed us home, we are glad to be back. We went home last night for a few hours for the first time in a month while Doug and Vicki stayed with Dakota and it was nice to have a home again. It was hard to go into Dakota's room and bathroom and not see his cute little self there with us doing ALL the cute things that he does. There are times like these when the tears just come and we miss him even though he is physically here with us. It is hard to explain the feelings that we have and the emotions that just come. Words cannot express the gratitude that is in our hearts for the miracle our Heavenly Father provided us by keeping Dakota here with us but at the same time, all the memories we have with him are right there and it is hard not to have that same little outgoing boy doing all the fun things he used to do. I am grateful for my Savior and his loving hands that bear us up when we have those hard moments. The hard moments come for a moment and then they go because of His love and sacrifice for us. Although it doesn't really feel like Christmas to us right now because we have no time to think of it, my thoughts are constantly turned to my Savior and my love for him and his life has grown dramatically. So, in a sense we are celebrating Christmas for what it truly is this year.

Please keep Dakota in your prayers...and maybe we will get ourselves our own little Christmas miracle (although we already have). We would love to see all of our friends and family but unfortunately right now with the flu/rsv season they are limiting visitors as much as possible to immediate family. Also, with Dakota's condition they don't want him to get overstimulated while his brain is still recovering and trying to heal. So even if we go home it still may be awhile before we are able to see everyone. Although we would love to see all of our friends and family, our primary focus is on Dakota and his recovery so we will do whatever it takes to give him the best chances for a full recovery. So know we will be thinking of you guys and we continue to appreciate all the love, support, and prayers that you offer in our behalf. We are still fighting and I know Dakota is too.

He has began to show emotion and have moments where he looks like he wants to burst out crying. The first time he did it I was so sad to see him sad but at the same time so happy to see ANY type of expression of emotion come out of him. Since that first time, he has began to do it more often to where he does it several times a day depending on what people are doing to him. They are happy/sad moments for us but it is progress nonetheless. We continue to rejoice with every tiny miracle!

My moment I needed most! He fell asleep in my arms...when I was having one of my hard moments! I LOVED it!!!!

We continue to thank all of you for your prayers for Dakota. I hate to ask any more of you...BUT...there was this precious little 3 year old girl named Fernanda that came into the hospital in AZ a few days before we left with a strain of Meningitis that almost took her life in one day. She was right next door to Dakota and she was going through SO much! She is fighting for her life and a hard recovery from this deadly infection and her family was SO sweet. My heart literally broke the day she came in and I saw her cute mom crying in the waiting room. Everything we went through flooded my mind and heart and I wanted to take this pain away from this family. They were praying for Dakota as we prayed for their little girl...so please if you could pray for Fernanda too!

We love you all so much!!

Dakota's Story

I know so many are calling and texting wondering and worrying about our sweet little Dakota. It has been too hard right now to answer you all back so I thought it would be easier to post on the blog all that is going on and let you know as well how much we appreciate all of the calls, texts, emails, and especially the prayers and the fasting that is going on for Dakota. He means the world to us and it means so much to us that so many people care so much about him. Our heart is SO full of gratitude for all of you. We have truly and honestly felt the strength from your prayers and I know our Heavenly Father is aware of every prayer that is offered in our behalf.

So to get to the hard part…

We came down to AZ for Thanksgiving the Monday before Thanksgiving and were having so much fun. Dakota LOVES to come to AZ and always talks about coming here. It was honestly like Christmas day every morning that he woke up. He would wake up earlier then normal (no matter what time he went to bed) and would just be so bright eyed and smiley and say, “Let’s go to Papa’s house. Get up!” (My parents have a little guest house attached to their house so that’s why we had to “go” to Papa’s house when actuality we were there.) Thanksgiving day was so fun and Dakota had a blast with his cousins. They all got to go on a hay ride with Uncle Riley. He had so much fun that when it was time to leave my sister’s house that night he told me, “I’ll be sweet. I’ll stay.” (Which is what he says whenever we leave him somewhere…so basically he was just telling us to leave and he would stay there.)

Friday morning we got to work setting things up for my brother’s reception that was in my parent’s backyard. My mom had a few friends over helping. My sister Annie and her kids were there so we could help my mom. Zach, my brother, and dad were all outside helping as well. I had been in the house cutting up food and Dakota was outside playing with cousins. I went out to check on him and that is when I found him (hardest thing in the world to see). An aluminum fence that was leaning against a built in fence was on top of his little body. He was completely unconscious and not breathing. We immediately called 9-1-1 and luckily (not really luck, I know she was guided by the spirit to do so) one of my mom’s friend’s had stopped by unplanned to help who knew CPR. She immediately started and the ambulance arrived soon after that. He was taken to the closest hospital which is like a mile away and by that time they had gotten there his heart got going again and breathing with help. They then life flighted him to the county hospital that deals best with trauma injuries and this is where we have been since then. It has been a VERY difficult time for us but we know God’s hand is over it all and miracles are happening.

The first report we got from the doctor here that day was not good. They believe that something on the fence had cut off his airway and that he had been without oxygen for 26 minutes (which is similar to a drowning incident). The doctor did not think he would survive the first 24-72 hours that is when the brain swells from the lack of oxygen and if he did there would be definite brain damage. Well, our tough little guy defied all odds and not only survived but has stumped all the doctors. His brain had much less to very little swelling then they were sure that they would see. His heart was not damaged at all which it should have been, and the blood vessels in the back of the neck that they thought would surely show signs of damage were not. All of these things are what you typically see from a lack of oxygen and all of these were spared. We know that God has protected him and His hand is definitely evident in this whole thing. One of the doctors even mentioned to us that he has been a doctor for 31 years and freak things like this make him believe that there is a God.

The tests have shown some damage near the brain stem but miraculously the outer part of the brain that is normally damaged first from lack of oxygen has shown no signs of brain damage at all. Because Dakota’s condition is not the norm the doctor’s are not able to tell us how he will recover from this all. At this point it is all a waiting and watching of Dakota to see what he does over the next days, weeks, and even months. The doctors believe there is a chance that the brain may be able to compensate for the damage that has been done but there is no guarantee.

We know that it is all in the Lord’s hands as it always has been so we will continue to pray and have faith in our Heavenly Father’s will. We thank everyone for their prayers and all we ask is that you continue to pray with faith in our loving Heavenly Father. Dakota is such a tough boy and is teaching us sooo much.

Thanks again for all your love and prayers. Zach and I are completely amazed at the unselfish and sincere love and kindness that has been offered to us by so many!!! We love you all!!!

For all you parents out there…hold your little ones so close to you! They truly are a GIFT from God.