Giveaway Time!!!

So I really enjoy seeing the stats on who is reading our blog, but we generally don't hear from anyone or get many comments. So I'm wondering how many people are actually reading the post. So here's the deal. All you have to do to enter is leave a comment below. If you want an additional entry you can find us and like our Facebook page www.facebook.com/hellosweetluv . We will pick a winner at the end of this thanksgiving weekend,  the winner will get to personalize one of my favorite styles of necklaces the "Name Plates".

The winner can personalize up to six pieces, and choose two charms/beads. The necklace will be shipped out the following business day. Good luck to everyone and don't forget to leave a comment to be entered into the contest! 

Oh!!! And guess who finally gave me a picture to share... That's right, Uncle Ed! #ibelieve

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Thanks again for all your support,

 Brittani 

Festive jewelry set

How fun is this festive set? However, keep in mind that all our jewelry is completely customizable. So you can choose exactly what you want it to say. All for 19.99.

Seriously the craziest weekend ever.

So this weekend was supposed to be fun. We were going to put up our tree. (I know, to some that is a little early, but I think it makes Thanksgiving all the more beautiful and special.)  Anyway, so I spent Friday finishing up all current jewelry orders. (We like to have them ship out about two business days after the order, so I stay fairly busy.) well I went to bed at 2:30 am Friday-technically Saturday. When we woke Saturday my little girl let the kale-monster out of his bed and he went downstairs. Everything in our house is child proof so I figured I could lay there for a couple minutes. Well I heard him throw something and ran to see what it was. He had thrown a bottle of 500mg tylenols and broke the cap in half. The pills went everywhere.  He knew he was in trouble so the little stinker grabbed a few and shoved them in his mouth.  So we spend the day in the hospital with him drinking charcoal and having testing done.

So then my handsome Mr. Lunnen came and stayed at the hospital with the baby monster (the monster we are completely obsessed with of course) and I took my little beauties to their Christmas recitals.  I have a hard time watching the recitals because I pretty much cry the whole time.  I am seriously overwhelmed with emotion when  I watch my children do just about anything.  I think I mentioned this before, but I still get a little teary when I take them to school.  I am such a crazy!  But seriously look at those faces!  What is not to LOVE?!

So, sappy mom here put a link to the recitals if you would like the pleasure of witnessing these little angels in action.  

Preslees Performance

Ellies Performance.

Charli had nutcracker practice in the midst of all of this, and then we had a birthday party to go to.  Good news is that the babies alive, and bad news is that child proof lids on medicine can be broken if thrown...by a child.  Hmmmm.  I seriously could not survive without this little family of mine.  Im obsessed. 

So Update on Dayne, Today he finally checked into the Kennedy Kreiger Institute for his strict therapy regimen.  Today was kind of an orientation day where the give him the rules "Lay down the law" is how he put it, and he has decided that he already wants to go home.  But he is so tough I know that he can get through it.  It is just a matter of getting used to a new routine.  And hopefully once he starts to see some progress and gain some independence his tune will change.

An for an update on Ed, he sounded more positive when I talked to him today.  He said that he had the insurance drama just about completed and was meeting with his doctors again.  I swear I posted this before but I guess that I didn't.  He had to have a couple root canals. Ouch! They were also waiting for all the infection and swelling to clear up in his body before he could start any chemotherapy.  Who knew that even your teeth needed to be in good shape to start Chemo!?  Strange.  I have been begging Ed to send me a picture for you guys, but he just won't do it.  So I stole this off one of his friends facebook pages.  I think they had a quick surprise get together. I have completely enjoyed being a part of the fundraising for Ed because I have been in contact with a lot of neat people that know him well, and have told me so many great things.  I have loved reading all the comments that people leave for him.  #ibelieve

I am told by my mother in law that Ed has lost nearly 30 pounds while he has been so sick.  That he has been having lots of headaches.   However when I did do a little texting with him today he said that he wanted all the names of everyone that donated, or bought necklaces or keychains so that he can thank everyone individually.  

And last but not least I am super excited because I am currently designing some Hand stamped earrings. 

Looks like we have gained viewers from a couple other countries.  This just thrills me! So whomever you are in the Philippines and Iceland...Welcome and thanks for stopping by to read our stories!

Once again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of your support!

Brittani

KUTV 2 News

Shauna Lake from Channel 2 news was kind enough to choose us to be a part of her "Favorite Things" segment.  The segment runs every year and are her personal recommendations on what to buy for the holidays.  We are very excited and honored to be featured on this segment. I guess there has been some confusion though.  It is a really easy process to order.  Just look at the styles on the left hand side of the blog, Choose the "add to cart" or "pay now" button and you can customize in that screen.  You also have the option to choose the length of chain you would like.  Just let us know.   It first asks for a payment by paypal, but if you do not have paypal you can pay by credit card.

Also, confusion on the last post, it is missing several pictures and a bunch of information.  Looks like the computer/blog was having issues. Hopefully that won't happen again.

Next exciting thing is that we now have viewers from Iceland!  Wow!  How cool is that!?

Thanks again for all your support.

Brittani

Quick update on two handsome gentlemen in two very different situations. (And the Elf on the Shelf. Ha!)

  First of all I am so excited to announce that we now how readers in the Czech Republic and Indonesia! Holy cow! That means we have readers in more than TEN countries, how exciting is that?! We are so happy to have support from literally around the globe.

It seems like we have had a week of positive things happening. First of all shout out to my 2nd grader who took fourth place in the "Turkey Trot" which is a half mile race. She won a medal and hasn't taken it off for over 48 hours. I'm such a proud Mama.

Along with our positive things we also have been so very busy. Between programs at school, food drives, dental, and doctor appointments, and making like a hundred necklaces (YESSS!!!!!)  So thank you again for your support.

Now. An update on Ed.  We finally after much anticipation got in our #ibelieve silicon bands ...

Awesome right. Check out the one on the left.  That would be the ever so manly  wrist of the     handsome Mr. Lunnen wearing not only his brand new #ibelieve band! but his "unbreakable spirit" one too. (Refer to the more feminine wrist on the right for what the band should actually look like). He has been wearing that band literally non-stop in support of Dayne for over four years. That's LOVE. I say that is deserving of a hashtag or two... #thatslove #superdayne #myhusbandiscoolerthanyours < just kidding. Anyway we have ordered several hundred of these bands is adult youth and child size thanks to my wonderful MIL.  

Update on Dayne

So I have been asking Ed for an update but unfortunately he is not ready at this point to do any updating.  So we will give him his time.  But while we are waiting I will personally thank everyone for the generosity shown.  There are truly good people in the world.  The one thing that Ed has mentioned to me while discussing the amounts of donations or as we talk about the jewelry purchased on his behalf he says that "this is good enough news that for just a moment he is able to forget about his diagnosis and find a moment of happiness." So thank you all for that.  It is truly overwhelming to witness first hand the love that has been shown here.

Now,  While we wait for Ed I think an update on the Dayner-Man is in order!  First lets start with pictures.

So as mentioned before, the surgery was a success and the doctor was able to take the rod in the tibia and replace it and do some bone grafting.  It is in place and appears to be stable. And his legs are nearly straight! Yay!  The bad news is that my mom had noticed in recovery that Dayne did not have a incision on his hip.  This was so discouraging for my mom because the incision on the hip meant that the surgeon would have taken a piece of Daynes bone out to be tested that way they could find a way to hopefully "type" his condition, and find further treatment for him.  When my mother asked the surgeon why there was not an incision on his hip indicating that the bone biopsy was done the doctor simply said "I did my part and it was succssful".  Then walked away.  

When Dayne was little he was told that he had Osteogenesis Imperfecta type IV as well as Spina bifida Occulta. Now over time Dayne has kind of fallen out of the category for the Osteogenesis Imperfecta type four.  He still has the Spina bifida occulta.  As of now there are no treatment options for Dayne.  Can you believe that?  Nothing?  

 So this day was a particularly hard day for Dayne.  Ya know, growing up Dayne has never said "Why me?", or "Why did this happen to me?" or even "Why can't I be like everyone else?".  So we all kinda just kept quiet and thought that maybe Dayne didn't really realize just how different he was from us all. Well boy were we wrong.  Today was Daynes breaking point.  He cried and cried for hours before leaving the hospital.  He was tired and in  more pain that you could ever imagine and he said that he was so sad to be him.  He never wished his situation upon anyone else, but he said that he wished that he could walk.  That he could have a girlfriend and be like everyone else.  Drive a car, go to the movies with friends, whatever, well right now he just can't.  He is so weak and so fragile and requires my moms help for everything.  He told her that the reason he plays video games all day long is because it is the only way to get away from his "head".  To get away from his "mind".  He told my mom that the thoughts that go through his mind are so terribly depressing that he just has to keep himself busy so that he isn't miserable.  This is the night that my mom did exactly what a loving mom should do and she snuggled up to her baby and kept him comfortable through the night.

 Dayne has had a hard time making friends because he is different from everyone else.  I was under the impression that kids were more kind than they are, but I was wrong.  When I took Dayen to get his yearbook signed last year I spent most of the time crying because there were maybe only a handful of people that talked to him.  It broke my heart.  Anyway, this kid has been through so much.  I was going through pics last night and ran into this one that nearly killed me ...

We almost lost him during this surgery.  

Here are a couple more current pics from the surgery this time.

Looking so much better!  

And you are welcome!  A video of the Dayner-Man dancing to his music! Talk about making the very best of a bad situation.  Now I talked to Dayne the other Day and I posted it on here before.  Dayne has this wish to meet SHAY CARL.  So SHAY CARL, wherever you are, for the love...would you please send this ever deserving boy a message or something! It would make his life!  Or if anyone reading this is able to get in touch with Shay Carl from YouTube, please, please help us out.  This is his wish.  

Now my quick little message to my brother, Dayne, I miss you so much and I am so proud of you for being such a champ through all of this.  It is all painful now, but in the end it will all be worth it.  I am so blessed and privileged to be your sister.  

Oh, and a favor to anyone who reads this...Dayne could really used some encouragement.  His spirits have really been down.  If you have a little message you could send to him to give him some encouragement it would mean the world to not only him, but to me as well.  Please send Dayne a message to hellosweetluv@gmail.com and I will get them all to him.  I am hoping to overwhelm him in the best of ways with all of your messages.  How cool would it be to receive some letters from some of the countries that have been reading our posts...Canada, Nigeria, Japan, South Korea, Nepal, Australia, Russia, France, Germany, United Kingdom, Malaysia, Mexico, Ireland, Israel and Granada,  Holy moly that would make anyones day and give them a little more fight to carry on with their life long battle of pain.  

Love to you all and Thanks for caring enough to read about my baby brother and to keep him in your thoughts and prayers.  Please, please send him a message at hellosweetluv@gmail.com

Daynes Sister, 

Brittani

A message from Nick (Eds nephew)

Hey everyone, Brittani said it was my turn to blog tonight and asked me to tell you all about my Uncle Ed.  Ed and I are two and a half years apart, so a lot of the time he felt more like my big brother than my uncle.   When I heard Ed had cancer, I could barely believe it. Ed? That's crazy!  I immediately went through the full gamut of emotions, just like everyone else that found out.  And since finding out, it has continued to be an emotional time for me.  We have had so many calls, texts, emails, messages from people who care so much about Ed.  Most people tell us that the news has left them crying for hours.  Which is why we have been trying to help in any way we can.  We have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support whether it be financial, kind words, and jewelry orders to show support.  We are so grateful.  All of this has left me reflecting reflect a lot about Ed and who he is to me.

When you're a kid, there's always people you idolize.  For me it was just Ed.  I didn't actually meet Ed until I was 8. My dad, had just finished up law school a few years earlier in New Orleans and we took a trip to see our family in Utah. Until that point we were  pretty far away from  all of our relatives on the Lunnen side.  That trip to Utah was really the first time I met my Grandpa and Grandma Lunnen as well.  Ed was ten.  I'll always remember that trip.  When your'e a kid everything is so amazing.  Grandpa's house had this really cool loft up on the second story.  That's where Ed's room was, the loft.  I immediately thought Ed was the coolest person I had ever met.  We played games and army with the little green troops and told ghost stories all night with flashlights.  It was a blast.  After that trip, I thought Ed was the greatest.

Years later, we moved up to Salt Lake because my Dad had found a job there.  When I was 12, my Grandpa Lunnen's health started to decline. So my Dad and Grandpa agreed that  Ed and Doree would come live with us.  They lived with us for 3 years.  It was the best.

As I said before, when they moved in I was 12.  Being twelve, I was just starting the tough years where you try to figure yourself out.  Ed was there for me.  I am the oldest of my siblings and so he was the older brother I never had.  I idolized Ed. It's pretty funny thinking about it now, but I wanted to dress like Ed (at that time it was wearing super baggy jeans past your butt and 3-4 pairs of boxers. LOL), I cut my hair like him, I talked like him, and pretty much anything Ed thought was cool, I did too.  Ed was the popular guy in school.  It seemed like he had everything going for him.  A lot of teenagers might get annoyed  having their nephew follow them around all the time and want to be just like them.  Not Ed.  He always included me in things, never made me feel like I was annoying.  He just made me feel accepted, it that was exactly what I needed.  He would let me tag along wherever he went.  I went to all sorts of high school parties even though I was only in the 8th or 9th grade. (probably some I shouldn't have gone to. Ha!)  There were plenty of times we got in trouble for missing curfew. But I didn't care because we always had fun!
We have already established that Ed is a professional volleyball player.  Growing up with Ed he taught me to play volleyball.  From the moment he started teaching me I shared that passion with him.  I too wanted to someday be a professional Volleyball player.  I would always go play with him and his friends.  That was one of the things I looked forward to most.   Looking back, I always wonder why he was so cool and willing to take me to do all these things with his friends.  Well, it's because that's the kind of person Ed is.   He's one of the most genuine and caring guys I know.   He had the coolest friends around, they treated me like a friend too, not like Eds younger nephew.  I always looked up to these guys. Aaron Sanders, Amora, Salman, Danny Chi, and many others.  I think it's just that great people hang around with equally great people.  It's been amazing to see all of Eds friends come together to support him at a time where his world must seem to be crashing down around him.

Anyways, I just wanted to let everyone know what kind of person Ed is.  Chances are if you've met Ed for even just a few seconds, you'd know that he is a special guy.  He accepts you and makes you feel important.  He's always joking around and making the mood a little lighter.  Well, I won't ever forget how Ed made me feel important.  I only hope I can return the favor and pass it forward.  You've got this Ed. #ibelieve. Love ya man.

Nick

(Just a little update on Eds current situation.  Before Ed is able to start any Chemo treatments for his cancer they have to make sure his body is free from any infection.  Because of the severity of the ruptured appendix that required the lengthy surgery this is taking a little extra time.  They also have to wait for the swelling (also a result from the ruptured appendix) to go down.  )

If it isn't enough to have to deal with a serious illness, and a devastating diagnosis, we are finding out that applying for any type of health insurance has become quite discouraging itself.

Thank you, Thank you for all your support and kind words.  Ed wants to post and thank you all himself and give a little update, we will wait for him to be ready to do that.