Tuesday...sick as a dog...

It's true. I was sicker than I can ever remember feeling. I woke up with a headache, body aches, a fever and a sore throat. I really wasn't up to doing much at all, so I called in sick to work and proceeded to spend some time reaquainting myself with illness ~ my own. Sooooo, my sweet little daughter set about making me some "get well soon" cards. She did such a wonderful job that I had to post them for you. (Thanks to Brian who took the shots!)





Our fridge serves as a grim reminder of that fateful Tuesday day when Mom "wasn't really watching us" (as she told Brian on the phone after I made her go call him because I was feeling so awful). Just so you know, Cody was just as sick as I on this day. He and I were laid out and poor Caitlin had to just play by herself. Truly, I wish this every day, but on days when you are sicker than sick and just need a little help with the kids, I sure wish my family lived closer!!!!

What do you do when Mom has sore hands and feet?

I've never heard of it, but I have it. It's a child's problem usually, but not when you have no immunity against it. I have "Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease." {My friend at school ~ wise cracker ~ told me to quit putting my foot in my mouth and that wouldn't have happened.} But, honestly, there's nothing like going to the doctor's to hear that you have a disease, right? My heart raced until my doctor told me it was a common viral infection among kids (mainly the young ones - preschool age or so). Caitlin had it this past weekend, then transferred it to Cody and I. {Fortunately, I am the only one with the blisters on my hands and feet.} Walking is PAINFUL (but I do think I could possibly walk over hot coals now), trying to hold onto things ~especially keys, pencils, laundry baskets~ is painful, trying to twist off juice tops is painful, sheesh. Anyway, the poor kiddos and I have been somewhat trapped by this illness for the past week. Today, the kids were able to chill with me and watch Kung Fu Panda, build with their lego sets and they found a little imagination in their old funny hats which I happened to catch in pics!
Somehow, these lucky kiddos escaped the brunt of the blistering part of this, but we all had sick as dogs moments this past week. I think we are on the clearing side now though! Let's hope for a restful and pain free Memorial Day weekend!

Wishes

I was cleaning out Caitlin's school bin. It's really just a hanging wall file, but it works as a catch all for us. Unfortunately, it doesn't get cleaned out enough to really be as useful as I had hoped, especially since Brian will put things in there that I never see, or vice versa. Well, I uncovered Caitlin's secret wish on her pot o' gold St. Patrick's Day art project:

Just a quick post about...love

Just a story for you today. A few days ago, when the sun was out and the windows were down, a nice breeze blew through the car. I felt it in my hair and was so happy to have sun on my face and that fresh wind blowing through the car. Well, Caitlin and Cody were sitting in the back chattering along. Suddenly, Caitlin said, "Mom, I can smell you." Yikes, I wasn't sure how to take that, so I said, "Smell good, or smell bad?" Caitlin responded, "You smell like...(big whiff)...love." Awwww shucks, put that one down for the memory books folks!

Just like my Dad

Our kiddos love tattoos. I can't blame them really. I remember how fun it would be to rip open that pack of Cracker Jacks and get a tattoo as your prize. That was my favorite! Well, we asked Cody if he wanted a tattoo like his Daddy's and he was all for it. He wanted it on his arm just like his Dad. Brian told him to "show his muscles" and this is the photo we were able to snap!

If you are noticing his messy face, that was all staged to make him look tougher in this photo. You know? Otherwise he is always perfectly groomed and ready for pictures - HA!

Here they are showing you the comparison. Cody's tattoo made Brian reminisce about when his tattoo was new and so bright. (By the way, looking at these two side by side, doesn't Cody look more like me?)

The "BEFORE" photos...I hope...

So, we recently acquired this camping trailer from Brian's Dad. It needs some work, maybe more than a little. We would love to be able to use it, but it is going to take some elbow grease, professional cleaning (cushions) and a bit of an overhaul on structure and decorations. However, the kiddos think it's the bees knees and absolutely CAN'T WAIT to go camping in it this summer. I remember the days when summer broke us out of school and we got to put up our camping trailer when I was little. It was amazing...like our own little adventure in the backyard. It would be great to be able to recreate that feeling for our two...but sheesh...it's going to take some doin'. Take a look at the photos, let us know what you think.