So some of you know this already, but some of you don't. A couple weeks ago we finally had our boys' appointments with the GI specialist at Primary Children's. To make a long story short, they want Jorgen to go back on a normal diet and they want Andrew to go back on gluten but stay off dairy. In September we have follow-up visits with more tests. Specialists are notoriously hard to get into, so we just have to wait until then.
It is quite a relief for me to say the least. I have never thought Jorgen had a problem. There really was no discernable difference in him before going gluten/dairy free compared to during the trial period. Even now, with him back on a regular diet, he just seems like a normal healthy 3-year-old to me. And I spend more time with Jorgen than with anyone else, so I think I have a good idea of what he is like.
For Andrew, I am glad we did the trial with the gluten/dairy free, and glad that we can add gluten back in. I am thinking that perhaps his pediatrician was right on the money when he suggested limiting dairy over a year ago (which we tried but didn't stick with it long enough). I am not going to go gung-ho and replace everything just yet. There is a chance he could have to go back to gluten free in September, but in the meantime he will enjoy having regular bread. Since we still have to watch for dairy, I will most likely still have to buy some of the gluten-free mixes since most regular commercial mixes contain milk in some form. Also, most bread sold at the store has milk in it. There is one brand - Granny's Delight - that is dairy free and he likes it, so that's what I've been buying. The doctors were a little concerned about Andrew's growth - or lack of growth. They want to test his thyroid when we go back in September.
Overall, we have been trying to eat more healthy meals and snacks as a family, which hopefully will be a good thing. I am trying to serve more fruits and vegetables, but getting the kids to actually take some and try some is a challenge. They pretty much eat baby carrots or raw spinach every dinner because they won't try any other vegetables.
Going through this experience has given me more appreciation for those who struggle with food intolerances and allergies. I have even come to appreciate Vegans - primarily because food marketed to Vegans doesn't contain dairy products in it. We've found some new products we like, and I have really become more aware of what is in the ingredients in a product. Do you really know what you are eating? It has been eye opening to me how much junk we eat (as a whole society). If you eat junk, you will feel like junk. If you eat good healthy food, you will feel good. It's actually quite simple.
So at the Economics Fair (see previous post) Bethany really wanted a goldfish but didn't have enough paper nickels to buy one. But she ended up selling enough of her bows that she could buy one. She was so excited to bring it home. She named it Bubbles. But alas, the poor thing only made it for just over 24 hours. We were gone most of Saturday and came home to a dead fish. We had a fish funeral in the bathroom and Bethany cried. She was very sad indeed.
Pallbearers
Trouble with a Capital T (otherwise known as Uncles Rex, Jaren, and Lloyd)
When I was little, my cousin Danny died in a car accident. I only vaguely remember his funeral (I was six). However, one of my most vivid memories of my Aunt Sharon is her crying and crying and crying at her son's funeral. She was buried next to her son in the View cemetery.
Uncle Jaren and Aunt Sharon's six living children:
Uncle Jaren's grandkids. I don't think I could remember all their names even if I tried! 
The Paparazzi
The whole fam
Jaren and his kids
Jaren's siblings and their spouses
Siberian Iris - one of my favorites.
