September Sickies

It has been quite a month at our house.  As usual...

Thankfully the boys went off track in September and that gave Nicholas a chance to start feeling better without missing any more school.

So the first week off track was spent resting and the other boys played Lego Pirates of the Caribbean.... a lot. I was feeling like a bad mom, but Nicholas wasn't up to our "usual" off track field trips.  The other two did help me get some cleaning done and some yard work done and then promptly went back to video games.

Nicholas finally started feeling better, but was still plagued by his hives and the allergic reaction to his antibiotics. 

Greg was in Pittsburg for a few days on business, and Nicholas came down at 4:30 one morning saying he was itchy.  Poor kid!  From his head to the bottoms of his feet!  So I stuck him in a cool bath for an hour and gave him more benadryl till the hives went down.  So off to the doctors we went... again.  they gave him some prescription strength antihistamine that thankfully works longer and is strong enough to prevent the hives.  All this from ONE pill.  They said the hives could last a good three weeks... and they have lasted three weeks, but it was definitely NOT a good three weeks...

On Sunday, September 11th, we took Greg to the airport for his business trip to Pennsylvania.  He was originally on a United flight, but then got on a Southwest flight.  Being the 10th anniversary of 9/11, it was a rather somber morning.  I didn't (couldn't) watch the news and all of the stories. It was a little disconcerting, sending him off.  Not that I thought anything would happen to him, it just brought up memories of watching the towers being hit and crashing down. As I kissed him goodbye and drove away from the airport, I thought of the many wives and families that dropped off their loved ones and kissed them goodbye, not realizing it would be for the last time. Usually I am ok with Greg traveling and don't worry too much about it.  A few times however, I have felt a sense of panic - that "what if" scenario plays through my head of what would I do if something happened to him, especially so far from home.  I try not to let myself go down that road........but, then I see how truly blessed I am to be sealed forever to him.  The knowledge that we will be together forever, even if we are separated for a time here on earth, really is a comfort and a blessing.  Heavenly Father has not only blessed me with an amazing man, but has given us the blessing to be sealed for time and all eternity.  And I get Greg!! FOREVER! I am the lucky one.

Thankfully Greg made it back in one piece, and Nicholas started feeling better......... about the same time Noah and Nathan started NOT feeling well....

Nathan had his first Lacrosse game Saturday the 17th.  He wasn't feeling well when we left, but wanted to try to play.  To his credit, he made it through half of the game before he crashed.  By Monday, he and Noah had fevers and coughs.....  Yup.  Pneumonia.  Now pneumonia is not contagious.  But the virus that caused pneumonia is VERY contagious. Obviously.
This past week was supposed to be our big family vacation to Portland.  Needless to say, we opted not to go that far.  We decided we needed to do SOMETHING since Greg was off for the week and it was the kids last week being off track. So we headed to our "go to" spot and headed to Logan for two days. Now you may be thinking - hey, that wasn't too smart with sick kids...... and you would be right.  Actually sticking them in the hot tub DID help them.  And they watched tv in bed at the hotel as well as they would have at home.  But sleeping in a room with 3 coughing and snorting and moaning children didn't do anyone any good. We decided to stay our 2 days anyway, but on the second day.......yes, you guessed it!  Greg woke up with the fever and cough!!! So we headed home and sent Greg off to the doctor. Yup. Pneumonia.
The rest of the week has been very low key, with everyone taking it easy and trying to get better.
Thankfully, I haven't gotten it......yet.  I am hoping my blessing for taking care of my family is that I will NOT get sick.  Time will tell...
School starts again tomorrow and Nicholas and Noah will be going back, Nathan is still "if-y".  Greg should stay home, but I can't convince him of that.  He is getting restless just laying around, which I can't blame him.  This is not how he wanted to spend his vacation week.

We did manage to have some fun during this time of sickness..
For Labor Day, we stayed home and played games and made some homemade cream soda!

I also am trying me new recipe a week.  This one was a hit.  They ate all of them and still wanted more.  That NEVER happens.... this one is a keeper.
Pepperoni Rolls

Even with everyone being sick, we were able to spend some quality time together as a family.  It has given the boys a chance to serve each other and take care of each other.  When Nick was sick- Nathan and Noah helped to take care of him and did his chores for him.  When he was feeling better, he helped me take care of Noah and Nathan. They have all helped me take care of Greg.  There has been NO fighting since they went off track.  They have been watching out for each other and making sure everyone has what they need and are comfortable.
 I would much rather have had them all healthy, but I am to the point I can see the silver lining and can be grateful for the little things.