Happy New Year!!! A year of reflections.

We have definitely had our share of roller coasters this year. However, through it all we are blessed to have each other and support from all of you. In January of 2008 Carson was diagnosed with a rare genetic disease called Menkes. This is a copper deficiency that causes seizures, brain damage, lack of muscle control and will eventually result in death. Hearing this news was a huge blow to us, sense then we have been living day to day cherishing every moment we have together. We have made a web site with a blog for Carson to keep everyone updated on Carson through out the year. Please visit it, http://www.carsonbowman.net/.

This past year has also brought us many other events. One of the most exciting news is we moved into a new house in April! It is only a few blocks from our old house, but here we have much more room to spread out. Our new address is 15821 W 150th Terrace Olathe, KS 66062. We traveled to Maryland on Memorial weekend for the Menkes foundation Gala. There we met other families who had Menkes Babies as well as other Doctors who study Menkes. We had our first fundraiser for Carson in June at the Carroll American Legion. What a huge turn out and success!!! We celebrated Carson’s first birthday in August with a huge barbeque at Heritage Park. We have had only two hospital stays in 2008, each were a 6 night stay, one in January 2008 (our initial diagnosis) and the other in December 2008. We do feel pretty lucky that these were the only hospital stays of 2008 and we look forward to the same or even less hospital time in 2009. Please help us pray for this as well as a miracle for the good Lord to heal our Precious Carson. We are having Carson’s second fundraiser on February 28, 2009. You are all invited; please see his web site for more details. This one is going to be at the Holiday Inn in Olathe, KS on 151st. (Same place as our wedding reception.)

Sarah has been lucky and able to stay home with Carson. A great blessing in its self! She is providing childcare for 3 others currently and one more to come in April. This has had its challenges also, but it’s all for Carson. With Carson’s new machines we are lucky to have a full time nurse in the home to take care of him during the day. This greatly helps Sarah.

Jeff is still working with Olathe School District as a Supervisor in the Technology department. He also still has his cleaning business, but has been passing most of it off the Chad (who lives with us) so Jeff can be at home to help most evenings.

Jeff and Sarah are doing great; we have really come together more in the last year. We are working hard to take care of Carson and each other. I know with all of your help and support, it has made it easier on us!! Above all we are just living day by day and cherishing every moment we can with our precious son.

We do believe and ask the Lord everyday for a miracle to heal Carson so we can have him for years and years to come.

Have a happy and safe start to the New Year! We hope to see you all at the fundraiser in February!!!