Hi everyone, it's been a minute since our last update. It’s been a long road to get to the point where we are now and we have a very long journey …
Family Life
Chrystal has a Preliminary Primary Diagnosis
We had Chrystal’s appointments with the Neuromuscular Specialist and Cardiologist this week. It’s been a difficult week emotionally for all of us. I …
Fibromyalgia: A New Secondary Diagnosis
This week's update is an update for you. Yes, you read correctly, I have a new secondary diagnosis of Fibromyalgia and, on top of that, Zoë is on …
The Rheumatology, Infectious Disease & Neuromuscular Specialists in My Life
This is my 1st health update on Our Family Crushes. I'm going to be sharing all of my health updates here from now on as we're breaking Happy …
The Rheumatology, Infectious Disease & Neuromuscular Specialists in My LifeRead More
Welcome to Our Family Crushes!
I know it’s been several months since I’ve written a health update. I’m sorry for going radio silent, but I’ve had a hard time dealing with what’s …
More Doctors. More Tests. More Questions.
More doctors. More tests. More questions. That's pretty much the story of my life right now. If you're new to Happy Mothering, I have been going …
Thyroid Craziness and More Health Updates
If you've been following on Instagram, then you know that I developed a crazy lump in my neck back on March 4 after Brian's colonoscopy. That night, I …
Snowboarding Saved Me from Cancer!!!
Snowboarding saved me from cancer... not as in it cured me or anything like that... but a crash while snowboarding saved me nonetheless. I've been …
5 More Diagnoses to Add to Peripheral Neuropathy
It's been a few weeks since I shared that I had been diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy, with fluoroquinolone toxicity being the most likely cause. …
How a Dad Communicates with His Daughters Affects Them Forever
I think how a dad communicates with his daughters is so super important to get right because it literally affects his little girls for the rest of …
How a Dad Communicates with His Daughters Affects Them ForeverRead More
The Beginning of a Diagnosis
After seeing the General Practitioner (GP) over the weekend and the Neurologist on Tuesday, Brian and I hinted on Instagram that we had a partial …
Is This My New Normal?
The house is quiet. I'm the only one home, and all I can do is lay here and wonder if this is my new normal. Will my life always look like it looks …
My Saturdays are Different Than They Used to Be
Another Saturday morning Doctor's Appointment. I've learned a lot In my life I've had a substantial number of ER and doctor visits due to …
10 Rules for My Girls – A Dad’s Point of View
There's nothing better in the world than being "Daddy" to my 2 little girls. It's hands down the best thing I've ever done with my life. I've said …
Some Updates are Harder Than Others!
So I was planning on writing this update this past Friday and I decided to do a little more research before posting. And I needed some time for it to …
Having a Sick Wife Changes You
Having a sick wife changes you. Is it for the better or worse? I don't know. All I know is I'm not the same person I was before Chrystal got sick. I …
GI Procedures Done. Now We Wait.
I'm back with a short update (here's the last one). Over the last week and a half, I've had a hydrogen breath test as well as a colonoscopy and upper …
A Long Overdue Health Update
Hey everyone, I'm sorry I haven't written a health update in a while (here's the last one). There has been a lot of little stuff happening, but no …
My First GI Specialist Appointment & More Doctors
It has only been 8 days since I've written the last health update, but a lot more has happened even in that short time. It has taken long enough, but …
“Is Mommy going to die?”
There's nothing better than being a daddy to my little girls. Being a daddy to my little girls is hands down the best thing I've ever done with my …
Interesting New Info About Chrystal’s Health
Hey everyone! I haven't written a health update in a while (here's the last one) because I didn't have any news to share. I know I have a lot of …
Chrystal’s Symptoms & Test Results
I want to start by thanking everyone for all of the ongoing love, support and prayers that are being said in my name. I feel the energy that you are …
Sharing our Lives During a Health Crisis
Hey everyone, Brian... Chrystal's husband here. Chrystal was discharged from the hospital, I'll get to that soon enough. If you've been following …
The Insanity of Our Healthcare System
How's it going? Brian here. Today is Thursday; if you've been following our social media you know Chrystal was admitted to the hospital on Monday. …
That Time the Dentist Missed an Infection for Over a Year
I learned I've had a dental infection since at least May 2017 when the dentist missed an infection on the xray! Read why I'm both angry and relieved …
That Time the Dentist Missed an Infection for Over a YearRead More
Murphy’s Law in Healthcare
One thing I can't get over is the incompetence in our healthcare system. We have the best technology at our fingertips, yet we've wrapped it up in so …
Being Sick is a Test of My Patience
I haven't shared much about my health recently, other than on Instagram, mainly because there hasn't been much change. We're still in limbo. I'm …
Toyota RAV4 Adventure All Wheel Drive AWD Review
We reviewed the brand new 2018 Toyota RAV4 Adventure All Wheel Drive and what a rad little SUV it is. The RAV4 Adventure Looks The first thing that …
Health Update: What We’ve Learned So Far
Today is exactly two months since we discovered my thyroid was swollen. So much has happened with my health crisis in that time! Before I get into …
Our First Functional Medicine Doctor’s Appointment
I know many of you are curious about how our appointment went with our new Functional Medicine Doctor. If you need context as to what's going on, you …
Functional Medicine Doctor Appointment on Monday!
We see a Functional Medicine Doctor on Monday and we couldn't be more happy or grateful. Hi everyone, Brian here. I'm going to be a lot more active …
How I’m Braving the World in Yet Another Health Crisis
I almost died from cholecystitis and pancreatitis last year. Now I'm facing my next health crisis, a multinodular goiter. Read my story so far… I …
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2017 Back to School Photo Shoot
I'm trying to come to grips with the fact that summer is almost over. We're finally done moving stuff from the old house to the new house. So we'll be …
Modeling for Little Skye Children’s Clothing Boutique
This was a sponsored post we did for Little Skye Children's Clothing Boutique that was originally published on Happy Mothering. Since this was a …
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How to Plan a Las Vegas Family Vacation with Kids
Are you planning a Las Vegas family vacation? There are so many things to do in Las Vegas with Kids. Read about Vegas hotels, restaurants and …
Stride Rite Made 2 Play Shoes are Perfect for Active Kids
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Stride Rite that was originally published on Happy Mothering. Zoë loved modeling for photos when …
Stride Rite Made 2 Play Shoes are Perfect for Active KidsRead More
Appreciating My Family for Its Unique Qualities + Quirks
All families have their own unique qualities and quirks that define who they are. My family is no different. I grew up in a family where there was …
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2015 Mazda5 Review: An Affordable Minivan for Families
Do you know how long it's been since Brian and I had the opportunity to spend a weekend away from home without the girls? Well, I think it was …
2015 Mazda5 Review: An Affordable Minivan for FamiliesRead More
Appreciating the Beautiful Mess of Parenting
Parenting is the greatest thing I've ever done in my life, but that doesn't mean it's not a mess... a very beautiful mess. We all have our ups …
Kaylee Models Her Janelle Funari Handmade Christmas Dress
My two daughters are very different in how they like dress. Zoë is very much more casual in her style like I am. Kaylee, on the other hand, is a girly …
Kaylee Models Her Janelle Funari Handmade Christmas DressRead More
Kaylee’s First Day of Pre-School
I have gone back and forth on whether to send Kaylee to pre-school for a while. After we sent Zoë to Kindergarten last year, Kaylee started …
5 Tips for Acting Like a Real Life Princess
This is a sponsored post we did for Disney on Happy Mothering several years ago. The girls were so cute in it, I just couldn't part with it, so I …
Finally a Diagnosis – Neurocardiogenic Syncope
I finally have a diagnosis - neurocardiogenic syncope. Read about what I went through and what the diagnosis means. Back in May, I shared that I …
My Beautiful Girl Graduated Kindergarten!
This time last year, we were debating whether we should homeschool, or send Zoë to the small, private school in town for Kindergarten. After a lot of …
An Update on My Health: I’m Home From the Hospital
As I shared last weekend in this post, I was admitted to the Telemetry Unit at the hospital on Monday for testing. I had never stayed in the …
I’m Facing Uncertain Health Concerns – Positive Thoughts Appreciated
I have always considered myself to be a very fortunate person who is grateful for everything that I have. My health was always one thing I was …
I’m Facing Uncertain Health Concerns – Positive Thoughts AppreciatedRead More
Happy 6th Birthday Zoë!
It's hard to believe this sweet baby... Is now a beautiful little girl... I love you Zoë! Happy Birthday! …
Zoë’s Invention Convention
It's Science Fair at schools across the country. Since Zoë is in Kindergarten this year, I wasn't expecting her to have to create a Science Fair …
Kaylee’s 4th Birthday Party
My baby turned 4 on Valentine's Day - I can hardly believe it! There has been a lot of illness going around town, so we had a small party with a few …
Happy 4th Birthday to My Sweet Kaylee Monkey!
Four years ago today, I was in the hospital in Uruguay, holding my brand new sweet girl Kaylee, and missing my little Zoë who was staying with some of …
My Life Could Be a Show About Kids and Bathroom Adventures
I never knew what comedy was before having kids. Seriously, every day in our home is full of laughs and giggles. Not only because we have fun …
My Life Could Be a Show About Kids and Bathroom AdventuresRead More
Why Co-Sleeping was the Best Sleep Training Method for Us
I sit here, late at night after the girls are sound asleep, writing this post. After 5+ years of co-sleeping, I believe that phase of our lives has …
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And Then There Were Three…
See that sweet baby sleeping on my chest? That's Zoë as a newborn. My sweet little 10 lb. 1 oz. baby girl. I can't believe that picture was taken 5 …
Happy 5th Birthday Zoë!
I can't believe my baby is 5 today! Seriously, where does the time go? I can't believe it was 5 years ago today that she came into our lives and …
20 Wishes For My Daughters
My wishes, hopes and dreams for Zoë and Kaylee are simple – or at least I think they are simple. I know simple and easy aren’t the same thing… …
Happy 3rd Birthday Kaylee!
It is hard to believe that my sweet girl Kaylee was born exactly 3 years ago today! Valentine's Day took on a whole new meaning when it became her …
Wordless Wednesday: Daddy’s Tough Girls
Just because we have girls, doesn't mean Daddy can't teach them to be tough. Check out that arm bar! …
Merry Christmas!
I want to wish all of my readers a very Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year! It has been a wonderful year, and I'm so grateful each and …
First Real Snow of 2012
Yesterday we had our first real snow of 2012. There was only a light dusting on the ground when I woke up, but it started snowing heavily very shortly …
Halloween Pictures
This year, we had the best Halloween we've had as a family so far. The girls had 3 opportunities to dress up and they loved every one! Even though …