Seriously, I don't remember ever having the whole family sick like this ever. Usually people take turns, but not so much this time. We suspect it's the H1N1 virus. Tenderheart's teacher informed me on Friday that two other kids from his class have the virus, so yeah. Anyway, we are coping, but it's left me as a very worn out Momma! I've had some stomach cramping, but so far no other of the same symptoms, which is GREAT or else I'm afraid I wouldn't be up to caring for everyone else the way I have been able to. As it is, I hope this is over soon, because at times I wonder if I have anymore of myself to give!
Fall has been BEAUTIFUL. We headed up the canyon to enjoy some of the fall colors during the Saturday afternoon session of General Conference the first weekend of this month. After the session ended, we decided to get out of the van, and take a little stroll with the kids. We pulled into a dirt parking lot and thought the kids would enjoy seeing some people rock climbing and bouldering... we only walked for a few minutes, and headed back. At arrival to the van, we were sad to find the front passenger window smashed out, and my purse missing. Not only was it my purse, but the 'black hole'(as Josh refer's to it) contained both of our cell phones, my Nintendo ds, Josh's ipod, and several other special items. I still worrying if someone is toying with my identity, but I did everything I could to protect myself. Hopefully they took my cash and threw the rest of the purse out. Possibly the most difficult part was having Missy realize that her birthday money was in my wallet. She had been trying to be so thoughtful about what to do with it, and some misguided person had taken it from her. It was really sad. You may wonder why I had all the electronics in my purse?
My Dad had open heart surgery a week or so earlier, and I hadn't unloaded from spending time at the hospital during surgery. He is doing so well now, it's so incredible that they can fix a person's heart, and be up and going only a few weeks later. He got the go ahead to drive again this week, and to stop taking the cumadin. He's a happy guy. It all happened so smoothly, and I'm just really grateful that he didn't have a heart attack to help us realize the degree of heart disease that he was having.
Josh is doing GREAT in nursing school. It's overwhelming and exhausting on a nearly daily basis. But his hard work is paying off! I'm so proud of him. We made a paper chain that lines one of our walls in the living room. We take one chain off every Monday evening for Family home evening. When we reach the end of the chain, he'll be done with his associates RN. :) It's fun to have a way to see his progress, even if it is going to take a long time.
Missy is off track for the first time this year starting tomorrow. It's had perfect timing with her flu bug, but we'll see how we like this year round thing! She is doing well in school- it's fun to see her little mind blossoming. I wish I had more time to spend with her at home encouraging her to excel beyond what is being taught at school. One day I'll be more organized and able to spend quality time with each child each day right? ha ha.
Tenderheart has been sick about every 3rd day this whole month! It's been alarming, and if I can get him well for a couple days our Dr. wants to do some blood work just to make sure everything is ok. He is going to be devastated, and I'm not looking forward to it, but I'd rather err on the side of too careful, than not careful enough, because it has been a LONG month for him.
Pickle, who is not a baby, but loves to be called our baby is doing so good and being a big boy. It's been sooooo nice not to have to diaper anyone! He is a great little shadow to his siblings, and wants to be where the action is. He's got some of the funniest facial expressions, and loves to make people laugh.
So last night after I woke up and checked on all my sickies, I couldn't get back to sleep. I decided to browse around looking at blogs and I came across NieNieDialogues. So inspiring! After reading a couple months of her entries, I just had to go and kiss each of my sickies one more time and cherish them a little bit more. Life is full of joy if you want it to be, and our Heavenly Father wants to guide us and direct us through life if we only trust and rely on him. Anyway, her blog is very uplifting, and makes me want to be a better Mommy/Wife/Daughter/Friend in so many ways- and I know it's possible. :)
