George

So, apparently there is no cold and flu seaon in our house; it's just all the time. The oldest one's fever lasted over a week. She was so wiped out after it finally passed. We had one healthy week, in which everything else became a challenge, and then we were back to fever-town. Everyone except the husband was marred by the cold/fever virus, even me. Five days after the latest installment of sickness started we are finally seeing the light of day.

I think I am going to start naming the germs like hurricanes. I think we'll call this one "George."

Sickness

To be sick, or not to be sick. That is the question.

The oldest is going for her second fever in one month. Good times. But Tylenol seems to be working its magic and she is loving sitting on the couch and watching as much PBS as she likes. Hopefully, the merry-go-round will end soon and we can get off the ride of never ending sickness.

In the mean time, I have concerned grandmothers, godmothers, and mothers praying that someday soon we will surface for a fun spring!

Mother's Day

I imagine that it is no accident that Mother's Day falls squarely in the month of May, the month dedicated to Our Lady. So I invite everyone to say an extra Hail Mary tomorrow for a special lady in your life.

Happy Mother's Day to all mothers, grandmothers, godmothers, great-grandmothers, aunts, and all those ladies in our lives that have been like a mother to us.

Mommy Moment

Today was a gift.

The husband took both children shopping for Mother's Day. I needed some mommy time after the oldest ate toothpaste and painted the bathroom with it, and the youngest had a six hour aversion to napping yesterday. I was minutes away from having blood vessels burst in my brain. The husband was warned.

I slept in, I showered, and spent the morning at the library. For me, that's heaven. (And the husband is in the middle of cleaning the kitchen.) I couldn't ask for a more calming day.

The Small Stuff

1. The Big 3-0!: The husband is turning thirty. It may seem like small change to some, but to us it's a big deal. This calls for a celebration! So this week I booked a hall and we are going to greet thirty with enthusiasm.

2. Brother/Sister time: I cannot take much credit for this one, but my husband and his sister finally had a chance to have some brother/sister time this week. A nice phone call goes a long way.

3. Playtime: The kids and I played for a whole half hour today uninterrupted.

Prayer in Chaos

So, whatever happened to all that prayerful quiet time that I was supposed to try and cultivate? That was before the ear infection, the virus, and the strange sleep (or lack there of) schedule that screams that something else is array.

Well, until the kids are back on track there is always AmericanCatholic.org. I love this site. Have you been there or am I the last one to discover this secret? They have a minute mediation that suits my schedule, a daily catholic question, saint of the day, and a free e-newsletter. This site will soon be part of my online routine. Anything that helps me cultivate prayer in this busy world is appreciated.

Which brings me to an interesting question. Is their prayer in chaos? Our parish distributes "Bringing Home the Word," by St. Anthony Messenger Press in our weekly bulletin. It's full of positive commentary, suggestions for magnifying the church at home, and more. They suggested that each family take an hour a weekend as "pasture time," when we can make ourselves still to listen to God's message. Here's the thing: not going to happen with real little ones. But that's okay.

There is prayer in chaos and I'm not talking about those times when we invoke prayer as we lose our patience ("Lord, Give Me Strength!"). Seeing children play and explore, sing and scream, dance with shear delight is prayer. A wise person once told me that children are God's gift to a marriage, and your marriage is your gift to your children. So what better way to honor God's gift than to encourage delight in our children as we live a prayer to God.

The Power of Pink

Monday, 4/27: Fever rising. Little one sees doctor. Nothing abnormal found.

Tuesday, 4/28 5AM: Fever 104.4. Call doctor. Ready to go to emergency room. Doctor says not so fast, try a cool bath and Motrin.

Still Tuesday, 4/28 4PM: Fever 104.6. No change. Doctor says go to ER. Panicked parents.

Still Tuesday, 4/28 7:30 PM: Fever 103.6. Emergency room doctor's diagnosis: ear infection. Lots of pink medicine will save the day. Parents take a deep breath and thank God.

Wednesday, 4/29 7PM: Everyone's fever breaks. Relief.

What a difference a week makes! Having a sick kid can send a parent through the roof with worry. It's no picnic for the sick child either. It seems that the littlest one has my knack for high fevers. Will buy stockpile of Tylenol. Life is such a miracle, but so fragile. With Mother's Day right around the corner, I am reminded of how blessed I am to have such a wonderful and healthy family, now.

While I was away tending to the sick and fancy-free, there has been much concern over the newly discovered H1N1 virus. More germs than my Lysol can handle! Thank God children are washable.

Unsolicited advice: As soon as the kids come home from a public place or close contact with other children, I wash their hands. It wouldn't hurt to change their clothes either. Some germs can last hours even days on surfaces. And above all, I encourage them to never touch their eyes or nose unless they have just washed their hands. Most germs enter the body through the eyes and nose, not the mouth. This is one of those times when we can encourage them not to share. Have them use their elbow when they sneeze. Good for all germs, not just H1N1.

For now, I'm not panicked. I have lots of pink medicine to handle my current crisis.