SICK of it all!

We've had the respiratory flu, the stomach flu, and now Luke has strep throat! I think someone in my family has been sick every single day of this month! I thought the end of Spring Break would bring the end of the sickness in this house. But, instead of Luke returning to school, he is home with strep. On a somewhat related note, I get to have my top 2 wisdom teeth extracted tomorrow. I was trying to deny an ever increasing toothache in my upper left wisdom tooth, but if you've ever had a toothache, you know that there is a point where there is no more hiding it! I was trying so hard to fake it because I knew if John found out he would make me go to the dentist, and I am terrified of the dentist (which would explain how I ended up with a severe toothache). Well, he found out and took me to the dentist. Hopefully everything will go smoothly and in another week everyone will be well.

This too will pass

Maybe it's the long winter, maybe it's all the sickness, maybe it's the low after the Hearts at Home high . . .

Most of the time blogs are reserved for good and humorous mommy moments. But I've been feeling the weight of all the not so good mommy moments. Several years ago we started having special family times every night the week before Easter. I was really looking forward to these special times. For a number of reasons; sickness and busyness at the top of the list, we didn't get to have these times. On top of that I am feeling the weight and guilt of all these things I don't get done, or should do . . . I know this is a season and winter will pass. . . please spring, hurry!!!!

wentz health update

Logan is doing better already. We took him to the doctor yesterday, and he had ear infections in both ears, croup, and the stomach flu. He is now on steroids and antibiotics. After just 2 doses he is walking around, talking, and even ate some breakfast! Maybe we'll all be well by Easter!

Funny moments during all this:
Yesterday I walked into his room, leaned over him in bed and said, "Hey Sickie."
"Don't call me sickie." (is his rough croupie sick voice)
"Ok, cutie."
"Don't call me cutie."
"Ok, tough guy."
"Yeah, tough guy, call me tough guy."

Tuesday night was a long night! Logan had a high fever (at least the highest any of my kids have ever had) so we had him sleep in our bed so we could keep an eye on him. We would wake up and take his temp during the night, etc. Mikayla aslo got struck with the diarrhea bug, so we spent the entire night cleaning up someone. And whenever Logan would really get coughing Mikayla would wake up. At one point I got up to use the potty myself and John said to go check and see if Mikayla was in her bed. (He must have heard something earlier in his sub-sleep state). I went in and found her bed empty. So we rushed through the house looking for her. We found her, downstairs on the couch with the TV on, with a political commentary show. She had fallen asleep sitting up. Unfortunately, we couldn't find our camera in our middle of the night haze.

I AM A MOM

This past weekend I got to attend my 2nd Hearts at Home conference. If you've never heard of Hearts at Home, it is a conference designed just for moms! If you are a mom you need to attend this conference next year. So many times we moms lose our perspective and forget the value of what we do, day in and day out. Going to this conference, surrounded by thousands of other moms, you feel validated and affirmed in everything you do. From wiping noses and bottoms, to cleaning house, to supporting our husbands, we are encouraged and thanked for all our hard work. Hard work that is so often unappreciated. And my mommy tank was refilled just in time, because I returned home to more sickness. Will this winter ever end?!?! Logan has stomach flu, croup, and a very high fever. Mikayla has diarrhea and a slight fever. So being reaffirmed in my wiping duties could not have been more timely! I've wiped up all sorts of bodily fluid. And thanks to Hearts I can hear voices of kindred spirits cheering me on, "WAY TO GO MOM!"
As much as I enjoy the conference, I also enjoy spending the weekend with friends. Our group went to Bloomington on Friday to shop, go out for dinner, and stay overnight in a hotel. Between the 7 of us, staying together Friday night, we had left behind 18 children! It was so nice to eat dinner, in a real restaurant, with only grown-ups! I don't know why we wait until Hearts to go out. I think we need to institute no children dinners several times a year.
Here is a link to their website the main location is in Bloomington, Il, but there are also conferences in Michigan and Minnesota as well. If you close enough to make the drive to IL I think you should come join us next year!!!!

Good news, and not so good news

Good news: Everyone in my family (John, Luke, Logan, Mikayla, and myself) all appear to show no signs of sickness! This week I hope we can return to our "normal" routine.
Not so good news: My aunt (my moms sister) had a heart attack last week which was followed by a quadruple bypass open heart surgery.
Good news: She is doing much better and went home today (Sunday)
Not so good news: My mom fell on Saturday, bashed up her face pretty bad and broke her wrist.
Good news: She did not break her cheek bone, and doesn't need surgery for her broken wrist.
Not so good news: She broke her glasses and has to get a cast put on by the orthopedic surgeon tomorrow.
Good News: She has some extra glasses to get her by in the meantime.
GOOD NEWS: this weekend is Hearts at Home and I can't wait to get away for the weekend and have some FUN!!!