C’s Blog

What the New Year Brings for the Denkes...

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 00:11:06 -0800

We have so much going on this year and we can’t wait to share all of our excitement with you. This is just a taste of what is to come for us. I will post more pictures the closer we get.

1. I am FINALLY working on my book. Yes, this is a long time coming, but I feel that the timing is now and the boys’ story needs to be told. Wish me luck!

1. Xander IS finishing the final touch ups on his script and his screenplay WILL get made this year. Still crossing my fingers, but we are closer now than ever. We have investors tentatively lined up, we just need to set up meetings. So, let’s get ‘er done, right?

1. We are going to LA on January 15th -23rd to be a part of the Mia Hamm & Nomar Garciaparra Celebrity Soccer Challenge. Every year Mia puts on a celebrity soccer game with her Husband, LA Dodger, Nomar. We are pretty excited they (CHLA) will be flying us down. Yay, for friends, doctors, nurses and the sunny days that lie ahead. The game is Saturday, January 16th, at 1pm.
http://www.miafoundation.org/

4.We also will be in a PSA (commercial) with Benicio del Toro for DKMS. Stay tuned!
http://www.dkmsamericas.org/home

5.We are doing a photo shoot for CHLA. I guess the boys are the poster children for LA’s Children’s Hospital now. They sure picked some good looking kids. Don’t you think?

6.**April 29th marks our trip to NY City at the DKMS Red Carpet Gala to meet more celebrities (Rhianna & Bon Jovi to name a few) and drum roll.... our DONOR!!!! We can’t wait and are pretty sure there won’t be a dry eye in the house. Someone will have to walk me around because my eyes will be so swollen from crying I won’t be able to see.

There is more to come and we will update as soon as we know more. (ie. We will be on a t.v. show, can’t tell you when or what right now, sorry.)

Happy Anniversary

Sun, 10 Jan 2010 23:36:20 -0800

Here is to 8 GREAT years and hopefully, many more to come. We love and cherish each other so much and feel blessed each and every day we get to say the words, “I Love You!” We feel so fortunate that we love each other as much or more than when we did 8 years ago when we said, “I do!” in the Mesa, AZ Temple.

We celebrated Saturday night at the Metropolitan Grill with a delish Filet Mignon and Shrimp Scampi & Fettucini dish. After a sweet night of great kidless conversation, we then headed to the Temple for a session. What a perfect night!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Fri, 1 Jan 2010 23:36:08 -0800

This Christmas was filled with joy for presents, joy for Christ and the life that he gave, and joy for the lives of our two boys. We feel that every year we get with them is a blessing and one to be cherished. We are fairly confident we will have many more with them, but life is so fragile and fleeting that one never knows what lies in store.

This Christmas was the boys’ 3rd time to experience their G-pa Conrad Denke as Santa. The boys have no clue and happily jump into his arms as long as he has presents to give. Kind of scary if you think about it, but they loved every Santa visit they got; 4 in total (don’t ask)!! Hope they don’t expect Santa to come that much every year. There was a lot of entertaining going on this year with Xander’s Mom in town. We had a great time in the kitchen and enjoyed some amazingly good food.

Look at all of Ethan’s hair!! I know, right!!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all our dear friends.

My Summary of Summer

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 21:12:19 -0700

In lieu of our crazy summer, I figured I would highlight our Summer activities. This blog entry is about the first in 3 months; yeah, I know, total slacker. So here goes...

Harry Potter night with Jen, AWESOME!

My Haircut

An incredible visit from our LA Pediatrician, Dr. Bruckner and his family. We love and miss our Pediatrician. His son, Daniel, was the one who initially diagnosed the boys. We can’t express enough our appreciation for all they’ve done.

Visit to the Seattle Temple

The Dead Weather (Jack White’s new band)

Sister’s Week in Montana (Yes, Xander was allowed)

My Mom’s Visit (Love you Mom!!)

My 31st Birthday Surprise (Thanks Jennifer, you’re the BEST!!) Keith Urban, need I say more!? Yeah, we were that close to Keith and this was taken with my iphone.
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Brooke White’s concert (w/ Benton Paul & Michael Johns)
Brooke, it was so great to see you again!! We miss you already.

Hanging w/my sisters, Shari & Shanna. Oh, hubbies, too!

Why I LOVE My Boys...

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 22:32:49 -0700

The picture above is just one of the many reasons why I LOVE my boys. I find it completely adorable that they love to shower. They can spend close to an hour in there if I let them.

Here are my top 10 reasons why I ADORE them: (tantrums aside)

1.They use kind words like: please, excuse me and thank you almost all of the time. Sometimes they need reminding.

1. They have the best imaginations. The other day they wanted to pretend we had scorpions in the theater room. We would go catch them and then we had to throw them into the hot volcano (1.e. the red persian rug). We did this for about 15 minutes.

1. They love to sleep. I think every parent loves to watch their children sleep soundly and peacfully. There is just something so relaxing and comforting about it. The other great thing about it is that they sleep from about 8:30pm until about 8:30-9am. I have started getting them up at 8am just so I can get the day started. Yeah, I’m pretty darn lucky.

1. They give me the best hugs and kisses, especially Ethan. He squeezes so tight, I love it!

1. They love reading time. Lately, we’ve been reading all about the Prophets in the Bible and BofM. I think Moses in the basket is their favorite right now.

1. They simply love babies! We had our buddy Noah over last night for Jennifer’s B-day and they couldn’t get enough of him. They like the toys he brings too, I’m sure that’s a plus. Ethan will get right down in front of his face and just laugh his head off. Ahh... simple pleasures.

1. They love the outdoors, going on walks, smelling flowers and holding bugs. It seems they aren’t afraid of anything creeping or crawling.

1. When they get into their giggle fits. Usually this happens at night right after dinner. They run around, tackle each other and laugh and laugh and laugh. I’ve heard from other parents with twins how great this age can be because they have each other, and now I get to see why.

1. They like brushing their teeth. Sometimes they’ll brush their teeth 3x a day.

1. They take their medicine like champs and never complain. They have their blood drawn at least once a month and hardly scream at all. They are unique in every single way, especially from each other; Keane loves sports and Ethan loves cars. They have so much strength and are the biggest fighters I have ever met.

My Mom

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 21:56:28 -0700

Having my Mom here to visit was wonderful. We went on long walks, played with the boys at the park, the Science Center and we got to cry and laugh over and over again. My sister Shari and I decided she needed a break after my dad passed away May 22nd. One of the biggest reasons for us wanting her here is that her B-day was June 29th, but most importantly is her 47th Anniversary was July 5th. We just didn’t want her to be alone so soon after my Dad.

We had a blast at Gasworks Park watching the 4th of July fireworks. It was amazingly beautiful and CROWDED! But, we were without kids and it was so great! We also had our very first public bus ride. Sad, really.

We took her out for her Anniversary dinner to Anthony’s. It was the last place she and my Dad went to when they were here visiting last summer. Our table was overlooking the sound and the sunset was perfect!

Saying goodbye was the hardest part when all was said and done. We had a nice cry over that one, but most of all we got to make new memories together.

The Denkes are BACK!

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 22:49:50 -0700

This was the last picture my Father took before he passed away. He was visiting us the 1st few days of May. We consider ourselves so blessed to have seen him just before his heart attack. The one thing I really regret, though, is not taking a picture with HIM. Why didn’t I even think about it? I guess he was always the man behind the camera, as is every Dad. One of the things I will take from this experience is how little time we really have and don’t even realize. Please tell the people you love just how much you love them and say it often. Set goals and attain them. Before we know it, 30 turns into 40 and life is flying by so quickly. If you want to lose weight, do it. If you want to change jobs, do it. If there is something that is amiss in your life, mend it. Sorry, if I sound so preachy, but I just can’t stop thinking about life and how fleeting it is.

I promise I will be getting back to the normal blogging thing. My iweb has been totally wacked and I haven’t been able to publish anything. That you know. I also deleted A LOT of pages, so here’s hoping my webpage will load a lot faster for you. I have to give myself some deserved props, since X is usually the person I turn to when my computer crashes. But, this time I was the brains behind the operation of solving my blogging crisis. Please leave me a note and let me know if it is indeed faster or if it’s still just as slow.

Now... about us. We are all actually doing pretty well. I like to think that my father is now my boys’ biggest advocate pleading for us to have a break. And... well, I think we might be getting our break. The boys’ liver functions have been climbing steadily for the past 5-6 months. This last month was a due or die for us. If their liver functions didn’t drop, then they’d both have to go on steroids. Their functions have been as high as 299 and the lowest was 130’s. On our last visit both of their ALT functions were in the 50’s and low 60’s. Normal is 40-50. I know, we are so blessed. Another blessing, check!

It’s funny, people jokingly keep asking me when we’re going to get a break from all these tragic trials. When is enough, enough? Well... I usually respond jokingly, of course, that Xander is due for some fame and an Oscar and that we’ll get our mansion on the beach. But, in all reality we have seen so many amazing miracles, we just can’t complain. We have been so unbelievably blessed. It may not seem that way, but it really is the honest truth. There are children all around us that are dying from HLH. Just the other day, someone lost their 16 year old son to HLH. It’s so tragic and we were so close to experiencing the same outcome. But, we have two beautiful boys who are alive and growing. I complain about Ethan’s lack of hair, but he’s with us. What more is there? We know we are blessed and we thank our Heavenly Father every day. Temper tantrums and all.

Fun with the Denke Boys

Thu, 9 Apr 2009 15:24:18 -0700

The weather here is definitely Washington weather; 67 degrees one day and the next it’s rainy and 45 degrees. Yeash, the unpredictability of it all. But, through all my complaining, I actually love the changes Seattle weather brings. Believe it or not, blue skies everyday can get REALLY boring. However, let’s hope our Easter Sunday will be rain free.

To the beach!! We always have a wonderful time at the beach, park, or zoo. The boys can’t wait to get out and play. It doesn’t matter where, they just want to go, go, go! They are such boys, for sure. Keane can’t get enough of basketball, baseball and football. He practices shooting hoops at least 3-4 times a day, throwing the football and tackling Ethan and swinging his air bat. He’s a kid after my own heart. Ethan loves cars and trucks, getting dirty and being with Mom. He’s my love bug and gives the best snuggles. They both love hugs, kisses and attention. Which makes balancing them SO hard. I never want to leave anyone out. Let me know if anyone has any advice on how you do that.

The boys are staying healthy and growing like weeds. Even Ethan’s hair has decided to come in. Phew! We still have to be really careful with the sun. They can burn so easily because of their meds. The biggest issue we have has been with their immune systems. We have to be so careful with sick and vaccinated kids still. But, it’s o.k., we manage and the boys have each other, but even then we get sick of each other. Should we try Nursery? Ugh, time and immune systems will tell. We’re so ready!!

Xander and I have been keeping ourselves busy with plays, ballets, musicals and enjoying a few walks in the park. We recently just went and saw PNB’s Swan Lake as well as their Broadway Special. All were beautiful and elegant and so amazing to watch on point. I have always been involved in sports, so ballet is definitely a new pastime I’m enjoying. It almost makes me want to take ballet. We also got to go and see, Shakespeare’s, The Merchant of Venice. I almost forgot how much I love Shakespeare. He was so brilliant.

Have a Happy Easter!!

Seattle Science Center

Mon, 2 Mar 2009 18:43:14 -0800

We recently went to the Seattle Science Center with Matt and Laura Anderson (friends from L.A.) and experienced their live Butterfly exhibit. It was SO incredible we had to go back! Butterflies are flying all around you and crawling on the ground. There was even a butterfly that landed on Ethan’s shirt. I’m sure if it wasn’t for me he would’ve been fine, but I freaked out because I didn’t want him to touch it and in the process of making such a big deal out of it I freaked him out and he started crying. Poor kid. I could have had such a cool picture of that too had I kept my cool. Oh well. I’m sure the butterfly thanks me in the long run for letting him keep his wings.

The Dinosaur exhibit was like any other dinosaur exhibit you check out, but to the boys it was some magical land filled with all kinds of creatures that were just so cool! Ethan actually screamed out loud, I thought something was wrong, but he was just excited about it all. Having kids can be so much fun, especially when they discover something new for the first time. It is so magical, that look in their eyes and the excitement on their faces. I wish I could remember back to when I first felt that excited.

Ahh...Life

Sat, 10 Jan 2009 16:46:13 -0800

1. January 10th, Xander and I celebrated 7 wonderful years of marriage. I’m so blessed to have found such a wonderful man to stand by my side through the ups and downs of life. We are just as much in love today as the day we married and our marriage just continues to get better. Life isn’t any easier for us, at least it seems, but with a greater perspective things seem pretty darn good. I guess that comes with age.

2. Along with celebrating 7 amazing years, we have SO much going on right now. Back in L.A., I only attended Book Club 2 times, yes, pretty pathetic. But, I did love the two times I attended and decided along with another newly acquired friend, Chris Noll, that we needed to start one here. Our first official meeting is this Thursday, the 29th at 8pm. I’m so ready and really excited for some stimulating adult conversation.

3. Next... I have my ward basketball games every Saturday morning at 10am. It keeps me in great shape and I love getting back out on the court. It has been a long time, but it’s just like riding a bike. Right? WRONG!!! My shots weren’t terribly off, but I was SO sore. The worst of it were my feet and toes. Funny, huh? Needless to say, I haven’t done a whole lot of jumping. I was sore for about 2-3 days. My toes being the worst of it. No pain no gain, right?

4. I also decided that along with b-ball I needed to work off some more of those x-tra pounds by starting a walking group with some Seattle friends. We walk Mondays and Wednesdays at 8:30pm, every week around Greenlake. Great conversation and new friends; it’s wonderful, except for the 35 degree weather. ;)

5. X has a new calling as the Secretary in the High Priests. Yes, we, nor he was expecting this one. But, he’s up for the challenge. He is also playing b-ball every Thursday night. Did I mention we had a lot going on?

So, along with all of this I still manage to be a VERY busy Mother of 2 year old twins. Some days are great, but most days are crazy. Sometimes I think about what it would be like raising one child. After what I’ve been through that seems like a piece of cake.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 00:38:51 -0800

Time sure flies when the Holidays are here. We regret to say that this year we missed the boat completely with holiday gift giving and even our cards. Yes, I know I can list a million reasons why, but I have no really good excuse. Sorry! Better luck next year. We do still love you all and hope you enjoy the blog in place of a formal Holiday Greeting. Here was our Christmas in a nutshell.

Every year Xander’s Dad, Conrad, dresses up as Santa Claus. He is the perfect Santa and is so wonderful for doing it. He totally roasts in that costume too. Poor guy! The boys didn’t care too much for the big guy in red, but enjoyed their gifts all the same. They were pretty excited when he unveiled their last presents, their John Deere Tractors. We had two trees, and we hid these in the ballroom underneath the smaller tree so they wouldn’t find them first. You know, we didn’t want to trump their other presents. It’d be like, “Whoa! Cool tractors! Oh yeah, and thanks for the Wonder Pets Mobile, now back to the tractors.” You get the picture.

Keane and Ethan with Santa

cCllaus

We had a delicious Holiday Feast.
One of the best parts about
Christmas. We ate way too much,
I’m sure. Mouse even enjoyed a
nice cozy nap after his fill of turkey.

So... the picture with Keane in the tree has a pretty funny story behind it. He was learning how to drive his tractor and drove it straight into the tree. Yes, it was bound to happen eventually. Nobody was paying any attention to him, until he yelled a little louder, “Pokies, pokies, ouch, pokies!” We had a good laugh at his expense. Thanks Keane!

We greet this new year with open arms in eager anticipation of good health, success and much more happiness and stability. We thank our blessed Heavenly Father each day for the precious gifts He’s given us, especially our Saviour Jesus Christ. We are grateful we get to reflect upon Him and his birth. What a glorious time of year! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Love, The Denkes

It’s A Wintry Wonderland

Sun, 21 Dec 2008 20:12:48 -0800

Happy Holidays and 1st day of Winter everybody! We have been enjoying our December in Seattle covered in snow (6+ inches and counting). For those of you who don’t know, Seattle doesn’t get snow that often and when they do... EVERYTHING closes down because the city doesn’t have the means to handle the snow. I laugh to myself at this, because growing up in Spokane, WA we were used to snow and A LOT of it. We never had school closures and had to muddle through the snow regardless. So, I have to say it is quite a lot of fun to get snow and have some down time to enjoy it. The boys LOVE the snow as long as they are warm (who doesn’t) and have their mittens on. Their Na’Na Kathy knitted them each their blue snow hats (shown in the picture above) and they say a million thank yous’ to their Na’Na for keeping them warm.

We have a great sledding hill in our backyard and in the front. The boys’ scream “wheeeeeee” all the way down the hill and love sledding. A snowman is in the works. We hope to have that up for your viewing and blogging pleasures soon. What a wonderful first day of Winter we are having. Yeah for snow! I know that driving is a pain, but throw on some chains and have a blast, or just stay in and have some cocoa, relax and play games. Thank goodness for family, friends, good health and amazing weather. Happy Holidays!

“Keane!!!!!!!!!!!!”

Sun, 21 Dec 2008 19:58:53 -0800

Today I thought it would be fun for the boys to color with crayons. It’s a nice indoor activity, calm, quiet and creative. Right? Until, and every mother has an “until” moment at least once in their lives. This was mine. Everyone is coloring ON paper and having fun. Until... I look over at Keane scribbling all over the dining room chairs! Not only did he color on this one, but one other. Thankfully, the calm area in my brain takes over and I nicely tell him what he’s done wrong and why we can’t do things like this. He then went over to the couch to pout and hide behind the cushions. Sometimes kids can be so cute, even when they’ve been bad.

Fortunately, for me, I remembered that baby wipes remove just about everything. One bullet dodged for now.

Go Seahawks!

Sun, 21 Dec 2008 19:47:26 -0800

Xander and his buddy, Derek Ellingson, from L.A. had a great time braving the snow and weather at the Seattle vs. N.Y. Jets game. Here the top 5 reasons why this was a great game...

1. They actually WON, 13-3!!!
2. They got to see Brett Favre play. (No explanation needed)
3. It was a monumental game because it was Mike Holmgren’s last official game with the Hawks. We will miss him.
4. It snowed the entire game.
5. The Sea-gals weren’t awful to look at. (Thankfully they had more clothes on because of the weather ;)

Miracle of Miracles

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 15:11:43 -0800

We found out some miraculous news Monday. Keane’s liver GPT results came back at 286(almost half of what it was), which was a whopping 500 just 3 days ago. His other lab results were all normal, including his Alkaline Phosphatase at 236. To give you some idea of what normal is supposed to be, here are Ethan’s results: GPT 20 and Alkaline Phosphatase at 199. We still have a ways to go before they return to normal. We are praying that his GPT numbers continue to drop. We our so grateful for yet, another miracle.

Thanks SO much for all your prayers, special thoughts, and love. We feel every bit of the comfort you send. We also know that we are constantly being surrounded by God and his angels. We know our boys are special and continue to serve a very mighty mission to everyone around them. They have already changed our lives so much. We continue to count our blessings, especially this year. We get to have the boys home together for the first time for Christmas. This will truly be a Merry Christmas.
We send each and everyone of you MANY thanks, hugs and kisses!