Sick! " I cannot got to school today said..."

We are now in the 7th week of the school year. I am always expecting a sick session once school starts. We got all the way to the 4th week and I started feeling a little smug, like maybe the Airborne Power Pixies full of antioxidants created a shield of protection for my children. That's what I get for thinkin! It has been over 2 weeks of sickness. I am pretty sure we got 2 viruses in rapid succession. Laurel is in the best shape now after 2 weeks, a trip to the doctor's, steroids, and antibiotics. Jonathan still has a bad cough, but no fever, and his nose is getting better. Evan had horrible croup and a fever last week, now he only has a bad cough but no fever. Lindsay is struggling. She got sick on Wednesday. She has had a horrible fever, sore throat, and cough. We took her to InstaCare thinking she had Strep, but no dice, so basically there is not much I can do to ease her suffering. At least today she could eat something and her fever is on its way out. So all is well. Michael and I "might" sleep all night soon. I know part of having children is to become more charitable and taking care of sick kids 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for over 2 weeks just might make me a better person!

*So I don't get in trouble with copyrights, the above title is taken from Shel Silverstein's poem.

Thank you for the Love!

This is a picture of some of the flowers I got while I was recovering from my gallbladder surgery. I think we finally threw the last of them away last week. I was thinking about the flowers and phone calls I received while I was getting better and I felt very loved. I wanted to say thank you to everyone who called, sent, flowers, helped with the kids, etc. Most people who know me, know that I am extremely hard on myself to the point of forgetting all of the good things I can do. My surgery was a good chance for me to realize that I am loved, needed, and worthwhile. I will just have to remember this more often because I am not signing up for more surgery in order to feel loved!

Sunday At Home With Laurel

I did not make it to church today. I wasn't teaching today and Laurel has her first cold of the school year, so I stayed home with her. Of course that means we will not be sharing with the entire primary (Don't you wish everyone would do this?). The saddest part of her cold is that she has asthma. She is such a sweet girl and it is hard to watch her having a hard time sleeping because of a cough that just won't quit. Nighttime is always the worst. It is now 10:20 and she just fell asleep, soundly! It took major prescription cough medicine to quiet her cough and Benadryl for her runny nose.

We had a great time together this morning. On many nights in the past, as I put Laurel to bed, she said, "Sleep you Mommy." The translation is I want to sleep with you mommy! Well today she finally got her chance. She read a new book (She just finished Harry Potter 7 last night) and I read conference talks. After about an hour we decided for sleep. She cuddled up right next to me and fell into a deep sleep. It was just what Dr. Mom ordered for her. We both slept for 3 glorious hours. I am not sure why, but I am still worn out from my gallbladder surgery, darn it! It is nice to get a quiet time with just 1 child to just soak up and enjoy. I love my sweet baby girl Laurel!

Time Goes So Quickly

I was in the grocery store this morning and an older man was talking to to the boys and I. After a very long wait in line the man said, "I'm glad they aren't mine." My first thought was I'm glad they aren't because your are not a very nice old man!! My response was much kinder. I told him, "I am just trying to enjoy how cute and sweet they are each day."

It got me thinking about how fast the kids are growing up. On a day-to-day basis my job as a mother can be very challening. When I look at the past I am amazed by how fast my children are growing and changing. I thought I would put on some cute pictures of the kids from their earlier days.

It is hard to believe that now Laurel and Lindsay spend all day away from me when I used to wonder if I would ever make it out of the house again. This was when we only had 1 car and the girls and I spent everyday together in our small apartment in Hurricane. Sometimes it is even hard for me to remember what they were like when they were so little, which makes me a little sad, but it also helps me pay better attention to them in the here and now. So even though I feel like my house is never clean, it is all worth it because 4 sweet little people love me and say (most of the time) "You're the best!"

Siblings

Sometimes (well a lot of times) the kids are fighting. It is the usual struggle for supremacy in the hierarchy of siblings. However, the flip side is that although siblings tease, taunt, and beat each other up, no one else is allowed to give their brother/sister any grief. Evan said to me tonight, "Laurel is a good big sister. She always takes good care of Jonnie." One of my favorite things to watch is the love the kids give each other. They are all so precious. I now understand why it drove my mom crazy when we quarreled. It drives me crazy too! Everyone needs love and encouragement, and families should always be a safe place to just be who you are. Now the trick is to get my kids to learn this lesson while I am still trying to learn it myself.

Provo River Fun

A week and a half ago we went to wade in the Provo River. Earlier in the week I had my appointment with the surgeon, whose office was by the Provo River. Michael had the boys and it took over an hour to even see the guy. While I was tied up, Michael showed the boys the Provo River and then promised we would all go back on Saturday. Evan was so excited all week to go to the Provo River. Michael had a campout the night before and Evan asked every 1/2 and hour or so when it ws time to go to the river. Finally, Michael got home and we headed to the river. It was extremely slippery and most of the kids fell in at some point. They loved it. Just in case you wondered if I was brave enough to trek into the disgustingly slippery, mossy water I put a picture of me with the kids in the river, to prove my bravery and willingness to do yucky things for my wonderful children.