Thank you 2013!  You were one wild ride.  We went from moments of pure exhaustion to elation, to moments oh so special, from tears to laughing so hard I was grateful my bladder was empty.  Although, as I mentioned in Monday’s blog, 7 Life changing Food Allergy and Asthma Resolutions, I’m strapping on my seat for 2014!  If 2013 was an introduction… oh my.

SB453 Stock Epinephrine in Nevada Schools – Governor Sandoval Signing
There some very amazing moments in 2013 and thank you to everyone for your role in our lives that reaches beyond food allergies, asthma and other immune disorders.  I don’t think since my college years, have I ever seen or felt so much good change.  The year was wild, non-stop and even overwhelming at times, but when all was said and done–only the good things were left standing.  The image in necklace featured at the top of this post was created by Luann Moore, the large heart represents the parent of children with food allergies and the smaller heart is the child–still attached to the parent, but moving out into the world with all the tools they need to manage their disease.  My son designed the rest of the necklace and I was the labor who created it before it was gifted in thanks to Senator Debbie Smith.

Jenny and Homa co-founders of the Food Allergy Bloggers Conference

Some 2013 highlights that I simply must have gratitude for in are…

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• Mylan® (EpiPen) for opening that door that connected  online food allergy bloggers  in ways unheard of.  The learning and experience was incredible.
• Watching my son eat his first cheese pizza at age 15 for the first time.   To me, that was like when man finally walked on the moon.
• The EpiPens4Schools program–Mylan, you opened a life saving door in Nevada amongst thousands of other schools with your in-kind grant program.
• Being inspired and humbled by Senator Debbie Smith, who led the charge to mandate stock epinephrine in all Nevada schools.
• Micheal Hackett–you are the definition of humility and how to fight the right fight.  Thank you for your help in getting our stock epinephrine bill passed.
• Allergic Girl Sloane Miller for opening my eyes to puberty -I now have hope for living through the teen years.
• Witnessing the Food Allergy Anaphylaxis Connection Team (FAACT) launch yesterday–a new dawn is rising.
• Watching Cheryl Krauter’s life altering work.  She inspires me endlessly!
• The discovery of the Divvies cupcake decorating kit.  That was insane–my gift giving changed instantly.
• Alisa Fleming (GoDairyFree) –who knew you lived in my town and you have a teenager in your midst too?  How awesome is this?
• Witnessing the world’s  first Anaphylaxis First Aid Video being produced by two people (Elizabeth Goldenburg and Dr. Mark Greenwald) who don’t want to ever hear of another death from anaphylaxis.
• Artist Sarah Stevenson–she just inspires creativity and made me realize that being pushed outside of my comfort zone is a GOOD THING!
• Auvi-Q® for bringing my son a new way to carry epinephrine, for allowing me to check out the Auvi-Q® before it hit the market while making life long friends along the way!
• Henry Ehrlich(Asthma Allergies Children) for allowing me to peek into your crystal ball–I know your upcoming book is going to blow the roof off and change our world just a little bit!
• Jenny Sprague for realizing your dream and then teaming up with Homa Woodrum to create the very successful, professional and amazing Food Allergy Bloggers Conference.
• The American Lung Association for inviting me to sit on the Southwest Regional Board and the National Chairs Assembly and Advocacy Work group.  I have never been a with such a diverse group who never takes their eye off of their mission.
• The Nevada State Legislature for welcoming and listening to the family’s of Nevada as to why we needed stock epinephrine.  You treated us kindly and with respect.

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Eating the remainder of the cheese pizza from his baked dairy food challenge

Happy New Year!  Wishing everyone safe and healthy days, many laughs, unconditional love and success.