First E.R. visit

Just some random photos of her.  What a goof!

These two photos were taken today.  She still had on the bracelet they gave her at the ER.  She didn't want to take it off today, but when they put it on her last night, she freaked out!

Yes, that's right.  Last night was our first E.R. visit.  It wasn't too bad of an experience to be honest.  They had us there a total of 2 hours.  Yesterday, after Lilli's nap, she woke up really fussy so I went to go pick her up and she was burning up.  I have never felt her this hot before.  So I took her temperature (rectally) and the thermometer read 103.8.  I don't think I left it in long enough either, so it very well could have been higher than that.  I freaked out!  Ben had just left for the week to go up to Shaw AFB for ALS.  Yes, JUST left (well, he was about 2 hours away)!  I didn't know what to do, so I call up my good friend Megan and asked her at what temperature we're supposed to take our kids in to get seen ASAP.  She said 104 and again, I freaked out.  She told me to get Lilli in a warm/cool bath to bring her temperature down and give her some Tylenol.  I did that and it seemed to work.  Her temp went down to about 101, but before I put her down for bed it started to go back up.  I made sure she was drinking plenty of fluids (juice), but she wasn't drinking it.  She kept waking up, I'd go up there, check her temperature, lay her down, sing her some songs, and go back to bed.  At about 12:45am, she come down to my room really fussy, so I pick her up and she's burning up again.  I tried not to freak out this time.  But I knew I needed to get her to the hospital.  I checked her temperature (underarm this time) and it read 103.7.  I KNOW that her core temperature was hotter than this, so I called Ben and asked him what he thought I should do.  He said to take her in.  I was so scared.  So we went in.  They told me she probably just had a virus, and then they stocked me up with some Motrin and Tylenol and we went home.  I'm glad we went though.  I felt better.  Though, by the end of our visit, Lilli was feeling better and jumping on the hospital bed.  Today she was feeling better, but still felt warm.  I gave her some more medicine and TONS of juice and Gatorade.  She was probably loving it!  Hopefully she continues to get better.  

This experience really made me appreciate Ben and the fact that he has the priesthood.  I know I probably should have called our neighbors to come give her a blessing, but it was so late and I didn't want to "inconvenience" them.  I know they would have been more than willing.   Anyway, I'm so glad to have a husband that holds the priesthood and strives everyday to live worthy so he can use it whenever he's needed.  I sure needed it yesterday!

Another Doctors Appt

I had another doctor's appointment today.  The twins are both healthy and squirmy.  Both had strong heartbeats.  My dr. told me that  I'm past the "hump," at 24 weeks where, if I were to go into labor now, the babies will survive.  That was a relief, though I'm hoping to keep these babies inside for as long as I can.  I'm not too anxious to have them come yet.  I'm uncomfortable, that's for sure, but I want my babies to be healthy and strong when they're born.  They both are laying sideways, but that could change.  I have another ultrasound appointment on the 1st of October, so they'll be able to tell me more.  They still have time to switch positions before they get too big.  If they don't change, it looks like I'll be having a C-section.  I've also gained 20 pounds, which I'm happy about.  I know, I never thought I'd be happy about gaining that much weight, but I am.  It's for good reason.  Also, apparently, the military now has a contract with Trinity Hospital to deliver babies instead of at MCG (Medical College of Georgia).  I don't know how thrilled I am about that just because MCG has the best children's hospital in this area.  I felt a lot more comfortable knowing I would be delivering there, but hopefully I won't need the NICU.  

Anyway, we're all healthy!

If I could go back...

So I just got done watching my little sister, McKenzie, and my dad play/coach volleyball live.  I watched it via the internet.  Cokeville High School is now doing live web broadcasts of all athletics.  I have to admit that I felt a little like Uncle Rico from Napoleon Dynamite, wishing I could go back and play volleyball.  Awww the memories!  I had such a good time playing sports in high school and it was fun being coached by my dad.  Anyway, Cokeville (my alumni) varsity played Bear Lake and won in 3 games.  Freshman and JV both won as well.  Good job Kenzie and Dad!  It was really fun to watch and did bring back a lot of fun memories.  Thanks Dad for getting that all set up for those of us away from Cokeville!  It was a joy to watch! 

If you'd like to watch the next live broadcast, the boys have a football game Friday at 3:30pm MT. Just go to cokeville.com, click on broadcast, and click on the webcast button.  You will need media player.  Let me know if I'm wrong, Dad!  

Harry Potter and the Seedling Imagination

Lately, Lilli has been really into the Harry Potter movies.  It's fine with me, after having watched all of our Disney movies, particularly Peter Pan, about 10 times each.  Anyway, one day Lilli was playing with her play thermometer and started flicking it in the air and yelling, "expecto patronum".  Of course, she had to yell it because that's what Harry Potter does.  I was in such shock, I just started laughing.  So now, anything with a long end, is her wand and she runs around saying the spells.  Also, the other day after Stake Conference (which was awesome), on our way home she started saying there was a monster.  So I told her to tell the monster to go away.  She wasn't scared or anything, it was just what she "saw."  Then she wanted me to tell the monster to go away, so of course, I did.  She was so happy for me, she started yelling, "Yay! Good job, Mama!"  She's has quite the imagination and we love it!  Sorry no pictures.  I need to get my camera out more.  Next time.

Also, about a week or so ago, Lilli was being such a stinker, so I asked her, "Lilli, can I spank your bum?"  Of course, I had said it jokingly, but was also quite frustrated.  Next thing I know, she lays down on the floor, with her butt in the air and says, "Here you go."  Seriously?!?!  Once again, my frustration melted away and I had to laugh.  That's our little girl for ya!

I Am an American Airman...

The following is what is known as "The Airman's Creed". I am affected every time I hear it as it very adequately reflects the caliber of men and women I work with each day as part of the world's greatest Air Force!

THE AIRMAN'S CREED

I am an AMERICAN AIRMAN.

I am a Warrior.

I have answered my Nation's call.

I am an AMERICAN AIRMAN.

My mission is to Fly, Fight, and Win.

I am faithful to a Proud Heritage, 

A Tradition of Honor,

And a Legacy of Valor.

I am an AMERICAN AIRMAN.

Guardian of Freedom and Justice,

My Nations Sword and Shield,

Its Sentry and Avenger.

I defend my Country with my Life.

I am an AMERICAN AIRMAN.

Wingman, Leader, Warrior.

I will never leave an Airman behind,

I will never falter,

And I will not fail.

7 Years Ago Today...

I was serving a full-time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. My companion and I were standing at a bus stop waiting to go to a lunch appointment when a couple of gentleman sitting outside a tire shop had called to us from across the street. "Olha o que é que tá acontecendo no país de vocês!" (Look at what's going on in your guys' country!) We turned to the television on the wall just inside the lobby of the tire shop to see the first smoldering tower of the World Trade Center. At first I felt as if my time had been wasted. I had been called over to see the previews to a new feature motion picture. I soon noticed the "Ao Vivo" (Live) broadcast tag in the bottom corner of the screen and began to put things together. Suddenly an object blazed across the picture as the second aircraft crashed into the towers. It was at that point I realized that my nation, the home I had not seen in nearly two years, was under attack.

Our bus arrived a few long minutes after that and we made our way to our lunch appointment. I remember the shock, the despair, the anxiety, and the outrage I felt as we obtained more of the details through the rest of our conversations on the street that day. Who could have done such a thing?! Was my family safe? With all the planes grounded and heightened security would I ever get to return home again?

It was interesting to see the polarizing effect the attacks had on the Brazilian people. I know as missionaries it's not recommended that we engage in political discussions with the people, but it was nearly impossible to avoid in light of what had happened. There were folks who were genuinely concerned and outraged alongside us as well as those who adopted a more resentful and vindictive sentiment towards America as the world's "bully". Suffice to say it was a long and difficult final few months for me in Brazil.

Fast forwarding 2 1/2 years... 

After a couple of financially frustrating years at BYU-Idaho I found myself doing a lot of researching and reflecting about my future. I began to gravitate toward the idea of working somewhere in the field of international relations. Despite having so many in my family serve our nation-my grandfather, Benjamin Sr. retired from the Air Force after 30 years of service in 1985; my uncle, Keith was a graduate of the Naval Academy at Annapolis; my aunt, Linda graduated from The Ohio State University as an ROTC cadet and served to retirement in the United States Navy; my uncle, Michael serving a short stint in the Air Force, and my own father serving briefly in the United States Army-I never gave much thought to the military as an option for me. Following several months of fact-finding and consulting with my family about the rigors and risks of military life I was convinced that joining the Air Force would be the best step for me and my future family.

During my time in the military I have taken great pride in being an active participant in securing the freedoms that we enjoy as Americans. I have been privileged to serve along side others who have selflessly given of their time and talents, who have sacrificed many of the luxuries and comforts that the rest of America so often takes for granted, and who have laid down their lives in defense of our rights, our freedoms, and our safety. 

Let us all take a moment to remember those people and those families effected by the events of this tragic day just seven years ago. Let us remember how quickly the comforts and securities we enjoy can be ripped away from us and how sacred the service rendered by the men and women of our armed forces and show our support for them by more than just bumper stickers.

God Bless America!

Frockly T-Shirt Giveaway

So, my buddy, Aaron just told me about this site that his brother and some of his buddies just started up as part of a T-shirt business venture. Not much of a selection just yet, but there's a drawing for a free T-shirt on there for getting the word out, and, let's be honest, who doesn't want a free T-shirt?! So, check it out and maybe you, can enter the drawing and give Aaron's brother a leg up on his new business. Cheers!

Frockly T-Shirt Giveaway

Lilli and Emma

This is Lilli's little friend Emma.  They were playing dress up the other day and I had to get a picture.  They looked so cute.  Except, Lilli would not look up at me until this last picture.  They have a love/hate relationship, atleast that's what Emma's mom and I think.  They're always playing together so maybe that's it.  Some days they play well together and others not so much, but they do have fun together.  

Hanging in there

I thought I'd just post about our week.  No pictures, though I did take some.  So after finding out that we're having boys, I got all excited and decided to go to Joanne's (a fabric store) with some friends and get some fabric to make a quilt.  Or have my friend make me a quilt, two quilts to be exact.  The boys' room is going to be light blue and brown, and not wanting to spend $160 on just ONE crib sheet package, I spent about $25 and we (or my friends') picked out some really really cute fabric and now Hannah is making the boys' crib quilts.  I wish I had taken a picture of the fabric, but it will have to wait.  They're going to so cute!  I'm very excited!  I have also noticed that it's really hard picking out cute boy clothes.  I went to Target and found NOTHING cute.  I bought two onesies because they were on sale, but I didn't really love them.  I was bummed because Target has really cute GIRL clothes.  I really wanted to get Lilli some, but resisted.  I was there for the boys'.

We haven't picked any boy names that we both like.  I gave Ben a whole bunch of names to pick, but he didn't like any of them.  So now, I'm not giving him ANY boy names until he gives me some.  I really like the name Tegan (pronounced TEE-gun), but Ben despises the name.  He says it sounds too feminine.  What do you all think?  Some good friends of ours (I won't mention names MEGAN AND AARON) think it sounds feminine too.   Whatever!  Another friend liked the name, so there.  All the names I like are Celtic, or Gaelic, or Scottish/Irish.  I also like Aiden, and Quinn.  There for a while, like 5 minutes, Ben liked those names too until he found out there was an actor named Aiden Quinn.  Which, I'm like that shouldn't matter!!!  Ben keeps telling me we have plenty of time, but I'm such a planner and need to have names NOW.  I guess I'll just HAVE to be patient, because I'm not giving anymore boy names until Ben gives me some.  I just need to be patient.

Other than that dilemma, we're all doing great.  Lilli is a stinker.  I've resorted to counting to 3 for her to do what I've asked her to.  Well, the other day, she asked me to "come here" and when I didn't come right away, she started counting.  She counted all the way to 8 and then out of frustration says again, "come here, mama."  I was laughing so hard, I couldn't let her see.  It was hilarious.  She's also been getting up early, like 6ish early, getting out of bed and coming downstairs.  That's too early for her AND me, so I've just been making her go back to bed until 7am.  She is so cranky until her nap.  Drives me crazy.  I've been feeling good, as long as I take my medicine.  I mostly been feeling really tired, so I've been taking naps when Lilli does.  That's helped a bit.

Ben's been having a lot of success as well.  He is winning all these awards (I'll let him tell you what they are) and working really hard.  We're hoping he can get into this ALS class in Columbia, SC for his promotion here in a couple of weeks.  Otherwise, he'll have to do it while I'm at the end of this pregnancy or after the babies are born.  Not liking either one, so we're praying he gets into the early class.  We should find out today.  Be praying for us!

That's about it in the life of the Davis'.  We're all just hanging in there.