FINDING A REASON TO SMILE

After a week of the stomach flu and the tragic news of my friend Lisa (who I am still reeling over) I needed to focus on the good, even though sometimes that is really,really hard to do...but that's what we're supposed to do, right?  So I scooped up my youngest (the rest of the gang went to shoot some hoops together) and we danced.  How I love this boy.  

And my sister.  She crocheted an elephant for Brady.  An early adoption gift.  It came in a used saltine box.  That alone made me smile.  But my heart smiled BIG when I saw that it was an elephant.  A little reminder of Ben...I loved that.

And Brady LOVES it.  

He gave it the taste test and approved.

Then I snagged Steve for an impromptu trip to the temple.  It's been awhile since we went together and having children old enough to babysit made it a little easier to drop everything and run.

I spent a lot of time thinking about my friend Lisa...and Ben of course.  At one point I leaned over to Steve and said, "I wish I could see Ben" to which Steve replied as if he really knew, "I don't think we'll see him today."  I looked at him and said "Why not?!?" to which he leaned over really close and whispered..."Because I think he's a little busy helping Noah show Aaron the ropes."  That made me smile.  If that were the case, then I was okay with that.  I could wait another day for a visit from Ben. 

After the temple we went to my favorite grocery store, Trader Joe's.  They don't have one near us so any chance I get I go.  We were 3/4 of the way through our shopping when the lights go out.  Not only does OUR store lights go out, but the WHOLE complex of stores went black.  (like over 50 stores including a LARGE movie theater) It was quite eerie.  The store people ushered us to the front with our food because they only had 15 minutes of battery life in the registers.  It was so dark in the store that I couldn't find Steve with our cart full of food, I stayed behind to try and find one last item.  The price of the food didn't ring up either so each item she rang up we had to guess.  I'm hoping we walked out a little under price rather than over...but I'm not sure we did and won't ever know since there was no receipt printed out either.  We walked out to a completely dark parking lot...this picture below is exactly what it looked like.  There was just a few car lights and random small lights here and there.  We made it out just in time.

From there we hit Panera Bread...Steve had another place in mind but it was prime time eats and most restaurants had an hour plus waiting period.  

I'm a fan of Panera but it's not exactly the most 'manly' place to eat...soup, sandwiches and salads.  I quite enjoyed my greek salad with a side of bread! :)

As a consolation we hopped next door to 'Cold Stone'.  Ever been there?  If not, you must!  They scoop your ice cream, throw it on a cold stone...and chop in your choice of toppings right there in front of you.  I'm sure you can probably guess whose is who?

Steve picked cheesecake with graham crackers mixed in, I chose my all-time favorite chocolate with peanut butter cups and peanut butter.  It was a great way to end the night...

SORROW

Yesterday I woke up with a sour stomach.  I knew the time had come.  I finally succumbed to the stomach flu.  It has been a week since my family brought it into the house, a week of taking care of puking children and a puking husband.  I was praying that before it hit full force I would be able to get Kaleb up to his doctor appointment at Dartmouth and back.  I couldn't post pone this one.  So I loaded up Brady, who is still battling diarrhea, and Kaleb and we made the long drive up.  As I was sitting in the doctor's office my sister Jenny called.  I had just chatted with her on the way up so it made me wonder why she was calling again.  I had to ignore her call as I was in the middle of talking to the doctor.  Then I felt my phone vibrate again, this time she left a text message.  I told myself I would look at it when I was done with the doctor.  15 minutes later I walked out with Brady into the lobby while Kaleb finished up and looked at my phone.  This is what it said..."Becky, have you spoken to Lisa King?  I can't believe what I am reading on face book is true...did Aaron really pass away last night?!?"  I was in shock.  I called Jenny right away and said "WHAT?!?"  She read me Lisa's post on face book about her husband passing away from what they think was a major heart attack.  How could that be?  How could this happen to THEM?  Just four short months ago they said goodbye their sweet son Noah.  He was 10 years old and a lot like Ben.  It was a hard loss...especially for his dad.  I can't help but think that he must have died of a broken heart.  So there I was, in the middle of this lobby, outside the doctor's office SOBBING!  And wanting to vomit.  I ran out of there as fast as I could...and I couldn't get home fast enough. I needed to write to Lisa, to tell her just how sorry I am, even though what I wanted to do is get on the first plane out and fly there in person so that I could wrap my arms around her.  But instead I curled up on the couch with my fever and vomiting and sobbed some more.   

I've never met Lisa and Aaron in person because they live in Australia, but we've become as close as you could possibly be without ever meeting.  Steve and I were planning on flying to Tasmania for our 20th Wedding Anniversary in 18 months so we could finally meet them.

Now I'll be going alone...someday soon I hope.

I love you Lisa King!  You will NEVER get over this...but with the help of your Heavenly Father, your family and your friends, you WILL get through this.  

You can go here to read more:

http://lisajking.blogspot.com/

FLU X2 (continues)

Poor, poor Cop.  It was a rough night.  He who was bragging that he escaped this plague has been hit TWICE in the last three days.

And THIS cute boy?  I was hoping and praying that it would pass him by.  Today it hit...and all he wants to do is to be on my lap.  

Even in his misery, he still manages to smile...

FRESH FROM HIS NAP

FLU X2

Remember that girl with the mask?  She was down for the count all day yesterday.  The flu hit fast and furious...thank goodness for 'just cleaned' toilets.

 And just when 'girl with the mask' started perking up...sister #1 got hit.  She had spent all day at a friend's house.  I get a phone call, "Mom, my stomach is hurting!" she says.  "I'll be right there," was my reply.  25 minutes later I'm in her friend's driveway as Kayla climbs into the truck.  She had already thrown up...in her friend's bathroom.  Of course she didn't mention that small detail to her friend.  Nothing like a 'puke and run'.  We drive the long drive home, occasionally opening the window in 7 degree weather so that she can hold back the urge to vomit again.  We make it three houses up from our own before she's jumping out of the truck to leave her mark on our neighbor's lawn.  (you're welcome neighbor!)     Nothing like a 'drive by puke'.  We make it home and before it hits midnight she repeats 5 more times.  Poor, poor girl. 

The good news?  Stevie is back to her perky self this morning.  The bad news?  There are 3 still standing...

EXPERIMENTING WITH FOOD

Oh this child...he's a funny one when it comes to food.  My other kids took to it right away.  Brady?  Not so much.  He shivers, he spits, he gags and even vomits.  Today I tried a little baby cereal with some winter squash that I baked.  Nope, wasn't having it.  So far the only thing I can really get him to swallow is a mango smoothie.  I'm hoping this isn't a sign of things to come.  Even as a bottle baby, he's sometimes difficult.  I have noticed a 'balding spot' in the center of his tongue that seems to have grown big...anyone else out there ever notice something like that on their baby's tongue?  I'm wondering if that has anything to do with his aversion.  He won't suck on a pacifier but he's got this infatuation of trying to suck on blankets when he is falling asleep.  

The good news?  He's still smiling.  Well...mostly. :)

A LITTLE BIT OF TODAY

So last night was a bear.  I had a later than usual night because I forgot I had a "Shutterfly" coupon that expired at midnight that I wanted to use.  So I stayed up finishing a project and ordering it til midnight.  I walked up stairs, climbed into bed and 30 minutes later Brady wakes.  I just barely had fallen asleep.  It was a painful awakening.  I feed him and 15 minutes later I fall back under my covers.  1:30am I awake to bright lights and a looming child over my head.  "My stomach hurts".  Great.  "Turn the lights out Kaleb and go lay back down" I tell him.  He tells me he can't...so instead of quietly enduring his pain, he needs to let the whole house know how miserable he is.  (we're working on this)  Brady wakes from the noise and so I feed him and get him back to sleep and leave my warm covers to go help Kaleb.  I didn't do much except stand in the bathroom doorway and talk to him while he paced and moaned.  Finally around 2:30am he throws up.   I'm grateful.  This means I can tuck him back into bed (after I clean up) and climb back in myself.  Brady wakes at 4am and then Kaleb at 5am to throw up again.  Steve's up by 5:15am and then it's my turn at 6am.  It was a short night.  Thankfully I had nothing on my calendar so I stayed put for most of the day.  Because of the lack of sleep my heart started acting up around 4am and then every time I tried to rest during the day.  It was a yucky feeling.  I spent the afternoon with Brady at both girls games.  Stevie's team won by a lot...and Kayla's team by 4 thanks to a little help by Brady.  What?!?  There was 6 seconds left, Gilford was up by 2 with a Gilford player on the line for a 'one and one'.  The first shot goes in...Gilford is up by 3.  She lines up to take her second shot and out of nowhere I hear this weird 'plunking' noise.  I'm across the gym keeping score in the score book and trying to figure out WHO is being rude during the foul shot.  (usually the gym is silent during free throws)  The Gilford player misses her shot and it was at this point that I realized that "rude" person is my son.  His bottle cap popped off his bottle and 'plunked' onto the gym floor.  The ref orders the Gilford girl to re-shoot her foul shot.  This time it goes in.  Gilford wins by 4.  Brady is the youngest player in history to make an assist.  It was quite humorous.  (glad we didn't win by 1...there might have been a brawl)  As we were driving home I tell the girls my stomach isn't feeling so well.  I'm wondering if I have picked up Kaleb's bug.  Next thing I know...THIS is what I'm viewing in the rear view mirror.

I ask Stevie why she's wearing a mask?!?  "I'm afraid", she replies.  And I laugh.  (I laugh because WHO just whips out a mask from nowhere?)  
Nobody likes the stomach flu...especially her.

(too bad she shared a mango smoothie with me that afternoon, 

I'm pretty sure the mask won't help THAT fact.)
Praying the bug vacates soon.

4 MONTHS - LEARNING HOW TO SIT...

FRIDAY SPECIAL

  There's always time for lunch with sisters (and their boys), right?  I know life is busy, but life is also short.  Any time I can soak up with family I do, even if it means driving 90 minutes to have lunch for an hour.

 We ate at Chipotle this time, a fun little burrito place that serves all natural, organic products.  I loved the warehouse look of the place.

We talked college and babies and new nieces and just life in general.  It was a nice little break from the chaos of our everyday schedules.

And as always, the time goes way too fast.  We ARE mother's after all and life doesn't stop just because we get together every once in awhile. We said our goodbyes and then I hit my most favorite grocery store before heading back to reality.

 It was fun while it lasted.

 Thanks for making time for me Jenny!