Gabe’s journey to a new heart.

11/07/2025

I’m sharing this because it shows the other side of organ donation. Both sides are beautiful and ugly. Both sides are painful & hopeful.

When you’re waiting for a heart it is terrifying, agonizing, and difficult. People around you often times do not know what to say. And some in their uncomfortable feelings say the wrong thing. I once had a woman say, “Don’t you feel guilty waiting for someone else’s child to die?”
I felt as if I’d been slapped with her words. Because I was not (in my mind) waiting for someone’s child to pass; I was praying that if that happens in people’s lives, that they will have the forethought to donate. Just as you’ll see in this news report. Struck with grief by the sudden passing of their son, his best friend asks the Mom if they will donate his organs. She admits she hadn’t thought to do so; but decided it was what her son would have wanted. Transplant is the most BEAUTIFUL AND UGLY story ever told.

A 12-year-old boy suddenly collapsed after trick-or-treating with friends. Tragically, doctors couldn't save him. >>> https://gray-dcc-gray-prod.gtv-cdn.com/2025/11/06/boy-12-who-died-halloween-tragedy-help-300-others-through-organ-donation/

10/09/2025

Amazon delivery is a great way to donate.

We are all out of laundry detergent!

Families staying here have access to laundry rooms free of charge — one less expense to worry about while they’re far from home. Keeping those rooms stocked means families can focus on caring for their child instead of life’s everyday essentials. 💙

If you’re able, please consider donating laundry detergent.
Drop off or ship to:
Ronald McDonald House®
850 2nd Street SW
Rochester, MN 55902

Thank you for helping make the House feel a little more like home.

10/01/2025

Life has been flying by; but in some of the best ways.
Gabe stopped by last week to do laundry and three times…I heard him say, “life is so great”. My heart grew inside of me hearing this statement.

We also want to thank the ELLE Foundation Inc, for the incredible wish grant. Let me share with you about this quiet foundation. The foundation was created by Laurie, Elle’s mom. Elle fought cancer, she was a poet, dreamer, kind, and fierce. I did not have the honor of knowing her on earth; but through her poetry and her mother’s work I feel as if I know a piece of her. As a part of Elle’s legacy, this foundation was created for kids who’ve experienced a Cancer relapse, they can make a wish through this foundation. Gabe received a MacBook to help him through college.

If you are looking for a way to give back. Look no further. This foundation gives to kids and their families who are in a world of relapse.

Click the link above for more details on how to give.

08/22/2025

Families at the Ronald McDonald House® rely on quick snacks and simple meals to get through long days at the hospital. These little comforts mean so much during an incredibly stressful time. 💛

This week’s Wishlist Wednesday items:
🥨 Individual packaged snacks (chips, crackers, peanuts, fruit snacks, applesauce, etc.)
🥘 Ready-serve meals (Easy Mac, Spaghetti-O's, etc.)
🧻 Paper towels
🍿 Microwave popcorn
🍩 Pop-Tarts

Your donation helps keep our kitchen and pantries stocked so families can focus on what matters most — caring for their child.

📍 Items can be dropped off at the Ronald McDonald House or shipped directly.

🛒 Amazon Wish List: https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/3MQ1B5U9T3GHD

Thank you for helping us surround families with comfort and care! 💛

08/05/2025

😍☺️CANCER FREE!
Today was an early morning as we hit the road by 4:30am.

It was totally worth it. Thank you God! Thank you prayer warriors. Thank you to each of you who have been truly present through this curve ball.
If you have to have a cancer story…this is the one to have.

07/24/2025

Psalm 46:10

When Gabriel was diagnosed with Congenital Heart Disease; this was the scripture God kept affirming.

Today I still have to wrestle with my flesh, to trust God has things under control and I can simply rest and be still in that knowledge.

🙋🏻‍♀️Natural Control Freak
🙋🏻‍♀️Busybody
🙋🏻‍♀️Worrier

07/22/2025

Treatment 4, the first completed round.
Let me share with you how good God is.
EBV is testing as undetected.
The tonsils look clear.
No major side effects from the infusions.

We will take a one week break for camp. And then another pet scan will help determine next steps. Please let me assure God is present in the good and the hard things. He answers prayers and sets up divine moments. If you don’t know Him we’re here to help introduce you to Him. It will be the very best decision of your life.

07/10/2025

What a simple way to give to families in crisis.

and on the same day? Yes! Support children and families staying at Ronald McDonald House Charities Midwest MN, WI, IA by ordering and donating items from our Amazon Wish List...many of which are Prime Day Deals: https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/3MQ1B5U9T3GHD

07/02/2025

Day one.

We shared we had a biopsy, unfortunately Gabe does need to fight PTLD.

The good news is they got a large portion of the active cells when removing the mass in his neck. Treatment may be shorter time than expected. However, we won’t know those details until we rescan in 8 weeks. We appreciate all of the prayers and support so many have shown our family.

This was a difficult thing to accept. But what we do know is God was not surprised by this diagnosis. He loves Gabe more than we do. We trust His plan and we will do our best to walk through this with grace.

06/21/2025

It’s a little longer than usual, I apologize ahead of time. PTLD is Post Transplant Lymphoma Disease, I misspoke in the video.