SHINGLES..I knew it!

Well as you can tell by the title, we have Shingles! Well not me but Chris! He has not been feeling well for about a week, but doesn't complain. Chris thought he may have pinched a nerve in his back and was trying to fight off the flu, so he would soak in a hot tub each night after a 12 hour work day, but to no avail would the pain subside. Iin the mean time he began to notice a rash on his back, then I noticed it on his chest and then down his right arm and shoulder. Finally after days of just dealing with the pain, he thought he just needed a trip to the Chiropractor, then the hot/ cold sweats began and sleeping had become almost impossible. I knew it had to be bad if he dressed for the "Old Farts" basketball game, but chose not to play. I finally convinced him he should see a medical doctor, not just the local chiropractor (even though we think he is awesome!) After work today he went to Insta-Care and the Doctor recognized him from an infection he had earlier this last year and almost immediately knew he had Shingles. Mind you, only 2 days ago, I mentioned his symptoms to my co-worker and she thought it could be shingles and Chris dismissed it very quickly. Well needless to say, Chris feels like "JOB" and feels like a Leper, but they also said this could have been triggered by a low immune system (DUH, CROHN's Disease , continual Chemo-IV for 5 years) and Stress....That would be Chris, so we are glad he finally went to the Dr.and is now on Antibiotics to help him through this newest and most un-welcomed challenge. Now, mind-you if he were writing this, he would say everything is just fine and that he is doing great...That is the kind-of man I married, THANK GOODNESS for HIM! I love you my leper spotted buddy - it could be worse, you could have limbs falling off...

January Happenings

January is 2/3 the way through and we have been as busy as ever. In this tough economy, Chris has resorted to working all waking hours of the day and not taking days off, I am putting in as many hours as possible at North Star Academy, with budget cuts there, I am only allowed 5 hours a day every other week, So we are working hard and I am taking over the evening family duties until Business picks up, but we are in this for the long haul and we work better as a team than individuals.

We had Keith, Cher, Willow, Zane and Reese with us through New Years and the we had a great time Sledding, eating, and just hanging out. Keith and Cher wanted snow and they definitely brought it with them!






After the new year we made changes in the business and have tried to make changes in our personal lives. I accomplished my First New Years Goal by January 3, 2010. The Young Women in our Ward challenged all of us as leaders and young women to finish reading or listening to the Book of Mormon in 32 days. With 3 days to go I finished on January 3rd. I was so excited that I went through the house and told all my kids my good news, I am pretty sure they thought I was crazy, but it was an amazing goal that I was proud of accomplishing!!!!!

Basketball season came back into full swing for Hunter and Stone! Both teams are doing awesome one is 4-0 the other is 3-1. Stone's Deacon's Quorum team is definitely struggling but are having a great time. The Young Women's Team has just started and with 1 game under their belt they are 1-0 with only 5 players the 1st game. Let's just say Alissa was exhausted and definitely out of shape - We will check in at the end of the seasons.

Baseball is also in full swing!!! Literally - Stone's RATS Baseball team (Respect, Attitude, Teamwork, and Service) began training the 1st week of January and we are working toward Cooperstown, NY in July 2010. We have our 1st Baseball Tournament beginning on February 12, 1010 in St George, Utah. Hopefully it will get warmer..... Wishful thinking for Winter in Utah?

We had more visitors this month with my Dad coming to town for my Nephew's Wedding. Chris Rupe, whom I refer to as "Sasquatch", he's like 6'4", I feel very insignificant near him, even though he thought I was 6 years older than I really am, Shame on Him! We were able to have the wedding at the Draper, Utah Temple and the Luncheon/Dinner was at a Church building in our neighborhood. I post only a few pictures because I forgot to get my camera out, but they are the pictures of newest Great Nieces - yes I said that, I currently have 4 great-neices and 3 great nephews, I think it is awesome! Like I always say "They are So YUMMY"

Alexis LoForte 4 Months














Cali Sellers 3 1/2 Months















Alissa Gibbons & Tanner Misustin (Cousin and Future Missionary)