Flu - round 2

Monday Jan 11, Lea woke up at 12:30 am and said "mom, I have to throw up...." uh great, move to the bathroom and don't throw up on me! :) None this time, so we grabbed the designated throw up bowl and sent her back to bed. An hour later, CRYING from the girls room - both girls up, Lea covered in throw up (ewww......!), but luckily none on the carpet. Jeff - WAKE UP, I need help. Toss those in the laundry, Jeff, help Lea to the shower and calm down Abbey while I clean up the rest of Lea's bed.

After setting up the "puke" zone in our room. Which includes courtesy towel on the ground and barf bowl. Small kid's couch to lay on and blankets to sleep. Sounds like a night at the Hilton right?! Everything but the mint on the pillow because that would cause more sickness. hehe :) Lea continued to dry-heave the rest of the night, day and into the next evening. She was unable to keep any liquids down or even popsicles. She had a 102 fever, but I couldn't even give her medicine for that - it would come right back. Around 5 pm, she finally finished dry-heaving and was ready for bed. Erin came to my rescue and rode with us to Fry's so I could pick up a redbox movie.

Day 2, Tuesday, no school and note from her teacher wondering where she was - I am usually on top of contact with the teacher, but Monday was a LONG, LONG, day. No throwing up, just the fever to which I was awakened by Jeff cursing at our broken thermometer.....nice timing. Although he did get one reading and it was 105!!! Not only is this going on, but we had an appointment to take our van in for a broken seat belt. Jeff went to Walgreens - no digital thermometers, CVS - score! Back he came and more temps were taken and for everyone because it's just so much FUN! :) Zapped of energy, Lea slept most of the day and at one point - all 3 kids were napping - sweet relief. Erin was nice enough again to follow Jeff in with the van and bring him back so he could go to work. To which she took me and Lea later to pick up the van, her Geoff had a momentary lapse of judgment and watched Abbey and Lucas for me.

More of the Beckers: Lea's fever was not going anywhere - it was still 102 and she was miserable! Jeff and Geoff gave her a blessing with oil from Geoff's dad - he purchased and consecrated the oil in the Garden of Gethsemane when he was visiting Jerusalem. (I hope I got that right.....) Pretty special oil. Thanks Geoff.

Day 3, Wednesday, still no school and the first day of soccer practice. Lea was finally up and I made her shower, get dressed and we fixed her hair. There's nothing better than a good shower after being sick for a couple days. She started feeling better and was wanting to play with friends at the park during practice. She opted out of practice - not feeling that great yet. She ate dinner - first thing she ate since Sunday.

Day 4, off to school and sort of unhappy about it, but she's good now and back to life! :) Happy to have survived another mild round of the flu. Phew.

New calling - 1/17/10

PS: This is for my journaling purpose - feel free to skip to a post with pictures. :)

Last week, I received a new calling. I had been serving with the Activity day girls (ages 8-11) for the past 3 years and have loved working with them and several wonderful leaders. We started with 2 leaders and 15 girls and at the end of the 3 years, had 6 leaders and about 20 girls. They were so much fun: excited to learn and loved being together even though they all went to different schools or home-schooled.

I was nervous to get a new calling - I dreaded getting called to be a Relief Society teacher - that would have given me ulcers and a one-way ticket to the insane asylum. My fear of public speaking is almost paralyzing. Luckily I didn't end up with that - and that's not an invitation to have me teach, speak or do anything of that nature.......

I am humbled and sort of feel like I've graduated from Activity Days to Relief Society Board leader aka Enrichment, aka Home, Family and Personal Enrichment, Homemaking, whatever you call it, this is where I am at and I'm the one in charge - deep breath........yes I will do it. I was still nervous to accept this calling as Jeff works so much still and I feared I would be unable to attend activities and make sure everything went as planned. I guess this is what a committee is for. :) Our friend Scott is now in the bishopric and was the one to interview me - a little strange because we already know each other and our families are close. He used to work with Jeff at Deloitte a few years ago. I feel old being on a first name basis and family friends with 2/3 of the bishopric.

These are some of the blessings and promises I received while being set apart - much needed and I know it was from the Lord because I received answers to my struggles as I accepted this new calling and new challenge.

blessed with the gifts of the spirit
inspired to help the sisters of RS - individually and as a whole
spiritually strengthen
work as a committee and board to serve the needs of the sisters through meaningful spiritual activities
be able to balance the calling and needs of my family
my family will be blessed as I serve in this capacity
prayer, continue reading the scriptures - the Lord will bless me and my family

As a side note, my mind thinks mostly in crafts, so we'll see what happens! :) I'm excited to work with the committee and a smaller ward - should make our job a lot easier.

Snow day

 Took a day trip to the snow with Steven and family. It was cold! We had a good time once we finally got there, got the right clothes on and someone gave us a couple of inner-tubes to use because they were done and didn't need them. Nice!

 Abbey and Shay along for the ride.

 Jeff and Abbey

 Jeff gave me a little extra help......

 Tanner got some good speed on this one. Ashley I couldn't keep up with she came and went before I could ever take a picture of her.

Risenmay Family Stats - 2009

Weighing in at 25 lbs and 31 inches tall, Abbey is growing every day - 18 months (NURSERY!!!)

*Likes: eating everything....I mean EVERYTHING; most recently trout food at the Bass Pro shop
*Favorite resting spot: on top of the keyboard while it's on, playing as she wiggles to get comfortable and reading the hymn book.
*New skill: can feed herself and now can put most of it in her mouth; says daddy, cool, mommmmmyyyyyy!!!, Yea (Lea), Yukie (Lukie), toot tack (fruit snack), bomp-pa (grandma and grandpa) and much, much more
*Dislikes: getting in trouble and being left without mommy - brings instant tears.

At 35 lbs, 36 inches, Lucas is our red-headed Superhero and constantly on the go- age 3
*Likes: all things round, cars, his blanket, shoes and new coat, and being a Superhero in his spare time
*My favorite spot for him: on the couch watching a "show"  (Phineas and Ferb) at 6:00 am until I finally wake up....
*New skill: Water-skied - all by himself!!!
*Dislikes: cleaning up by himself - brings instant tears

46 lbs and 47 inches - Lea is our resident smarty, Kindergarten grad and currently in 1st grade - age 6

*Likes: reading, writing, coloring, bike riding and eating healthy food, playing with friends and all things Hannah Montana and the Hoedown Throwdown
*Favorite spot: anywhere but asleep - always wants to be where the grown-ups are
*New skill: reading chapter books
*Dislikes: chores, occasionally going to school and going to bed

At 140 lbs (yes that's my actual weight) and 65 inches tall (5'5" if you don't want to think about math) - I am currently 29 and will remain 29 for the rest of my life......if you want to know my real age, do the math - born in 1979.
*Likes: sleep, sleep and more sleep.
Favorite spot: at my home with my kids and my husband; or with any other family we can find who will come visit us
*New skill: killing plants, poking holes in drip lines trying to save said dead plants, and still coupons, coupons, coupons.... love it!
*Dislikes: being woken up. Did I mention I like my sleep?

And finally weighing in at 216 and 67 inches tall (I'll save you the trouble of re-reading above to figure out he's 5'7"), Jeff is our resident work-aholic, but still young at heart. He did take a 7 week break when he was layed off from Deloitte in April. To which we lived like paupers and traveled like King and Queen with our posse to Idaho, Utah, Vegas, Utah and I think one more trip to Idaho. 
*Likes: video games, Beatles, harassing anyone around and job-hopping; currently works for Republic Services and is still Stake Clerk for church
*Favorite spot: anywhere there is a football game - mainly BYU
*New skill: replacing dead plants, fixing broken drip lines and buying new TV's
*Dislikes: household chores and yardwork

And a little entertainment - I spy in the family collage: Family reunions; snowball fights; 1 wedding - 3 bored brothers; Sent my mom & dad to the MTC - currently in Norway on a mission; Guitar Hero parties; pulling teeth; Did I mention Hannah Montana!?!; trips to the water park; PARTIES: cutest bunch of pirates, rock stars, abbey turned 1 and more ; Twin Lakes - water-skiing; Oregon Coast; visiting Great Grandparents; camping and dutch oven testing; volleyball; 4th of July parade in Idaho; swim lessons; Halloween; soccer; cousins, cousins and more cousins; LEA LOVES A DOG!!!; road trip to BYU - go cougs!; Abbey and Lucas both getting ready to fly; a DodgerTown West game - Uncle Arlo; breaking bread for stuffing; matching jammies; dad in the dunk tank - mom throwing; and well enjoy the photos.

We had a great year and hope you did too. Here's to next year - hoping for a few less lbs and more great times with family and friends! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! 

Christmas - part 2 - the tree

Sad story really. Jeff and I are both allergic to everything nature. To say we're just allergic is an understatement - it really is amazing that either of us can function as well as we do without living in a bubble free of outdoors. Anyway, last year, Jeff was sick for about 3 weeks at Christmas time. I thought it was because he was on "vacation" from work and that's just what happens. We go on vacation, Jeff would get sick - happens every time! I use the word "vacation" because he was still working for Deloitte and well really, there's no such thing as "vacation" from work. It just meant, we'll call you at home, email and text you no matter the time or day - you're just lucky enough to be at home and not at the clients or the office.....I digress. Back to the tree: so Jeff was sick, Christmas came, the tree started to die, Jeff takes it outside. Comes back in "My arms are itchy and red". "I bet you're allergic to the tree......" wheels start turning, can you smell the smoke burning!!!. The next day, he's totally fine. IT WAS THE TREE. So out goes the idea of having a real tree every year for Christmas, now we get to buy a fake tree.....I just couldn't do it and I didn't want to. I love the smell of real trees, but the cleanup and fire hazard are a mess.

So this year, we weren't getting a real tree, and we were going to wait until after Christmas to buy a fake tree. It just didn't feel like Christmas, we hadn't put our lights up outside - I finally did that on Dec 19th. Jeff came home from somewhere - re-hung the lights, then went out in search for more icicle lights - we needed one more strand - no more in all the stores around!!! Up he went again to rehang the last strand to stretch the front of the house - looked very nice....still no tree at this point and it's the Saturday before Christmas. Monday Jeff was home and we went shopping for more Christmas stuff......looking only for a small tree to get by this year. Pictures tell a great story.

Tree #1

 

Trees #1 and 2 - Abbey wouldn't touch them and we tried to convince the kids they had to stay there to hold the trees.....no such luck and they were outside trees to stake in the ground.....bummer. Put them outside, Jeff returned to Target to purchase our 7.5 ft tree - already on clearance for 50% off! We'll take it!

So much better and nicely decorated - love the pre-lit trees. We'll see what happens if they ever fail....

Lucas' turn to put the star on the tree. Lea decided since she put the star up last year, that this year was Lucas' turn, next year - Abbey. awwww..... :)

Terrified! Jeff trying to calm Lucas' down

Not so bad now

Lea and daddy

Everybody wants a turn

Christmas -part 1

Christmas preparations: I love Christmas - it's my favorite time of year and I love it even more that we don't have endless amounts of snow (don't ask Jeff though - he's still bitter there was no White Christmas). We can even have our ward Christmas party - outside! Last hurrah as the Gila River Ward - our ward is split and we are now in the Trailside ward - later on that.

Some of my activity day girls - I will miss them! Morghan Farris, Alexis Winn, Sarah and Rachael Palmer. Rachael is Lea's friend and we will miss seeing the Palmers at church - our ward has since split and their dad is now the Bishop of the Gila River Ward.

A fabulous picture with Santa! I thought Abbey was going to freak out, but they did great - everyone looking the same place, great backdrop - perfect!

What's a little Christmas without Music - Beatles Rockband with our friends the Sorensens (no relation - at least we don't go to the same Sorensen Family Reunions)

Brynn and Lucas - happy to see them finally getting along. :)

Pete, Angie, Jeff and the youngest, cutest drummer - Abbey

Lea finishing her big drum solo! :)

I don't know.
New: I asked Lucas who that was: it's me, I'm grumpy. I'm grumpy Wucas Wizenmay. (Lucas Risenmay)