Distractions

I have a big deadline for work tomorrow, but my ability to concentrate is impaired (understatement!).  This, of course, has impeded my progress.  I can't pinpoint one distraction in particular, but it's a culmination of things that are interfering with my mental clarity and motivation.

1)  Discomfort
2)  Snot
3)  Blogging
4)  Voices sound as if they are synthesized.
5)  The jittery feeling that goes along with decongestants.
6)  Fatigue
7)  Discomfort (Did I already mention that?)
8)  Dabbing at the bloody fluid that's been oozing out of my ear canal since mid-afternoon
9) Wondering how much bloody fluid could possibly have been residing behind my tympanic membrane.
10)  My son reading his new chapter book to his daddy by flashlight.  (Now this is definitely distraction worthy!)  :)



Untitled from Katie S on Vimeo.




I'm sure there are other things, but I'm too distracted to think of more.  It's going to be a long night.

Signs of Life

Although we still sound as if we alone are responsible for the multi-billion dollar profits of the tobacco industry, we are seemingly moving beyond this...

We are definitely not functioning at full speed as the medicine is still flowing and the naps are frequent

and the laundry pile is taking over...

but there are a few signs of life peeking out from behind our drinking bottles

 and tissue boxes...

...like a girl talking again, asking for food and to have her fingernails and toes be painted...

(Look good, feel good...right?)

...and toys out and being played with...

...and a Creepy Crawlers manufacturing extravaganza...

...and clean dishes...

(There's just not quite enough energy to put them away...baby steps.)

...and making it out of pajamas to play hide 'n seek...



....with smiles.

Bedtime Prayer

Even when she's feeling lousy, E continues to melt me.

Tonight's bedtime prayer by E:

Thank you God for giving us Jesus.  You feel us all better and keep us safe.  Amen.  Father, Son, Holy Spirit. Amen.

Missing the Normal Chaos

This is usually a chaotic time of the day for us.  If we haven't already eaten by now, I have two whiny kids begging to be fed.  Evening time is usually noisy, energetic, and crazy around here.

Not tonight.  My computer screen is the only thing lit in our house.  The light tapping of the keyboard, raspy  deep breathing, and frequent barking are the only things breaking the silence.

The quiet is slightly refreshing since I'm not feeling all that hot myself, but I'd take my rambunctious, hungry, sometimes whiny sweethearts any day over the two sleeping sickies I have now.

Still (less patiently than before) praying for a return of our health...

Gross Math

There's only one word to accurately describe our little family right now...

gross!

Between the four of us, we have successfully encountered three viruses in the past 10 days, all of which have distinctly different characteristics.

Out of curiosity, I searched to see approximately how many calories are burned coughing.

Three different sites gave the number of two calories expended per cough.

My math might be a little rusty, but this is what I've come up with...

Two calories x number of coughs

+

calories burned while vomiting and fighting fevers greater than 104 degrees

+

those calories not consumed on account of decreased appetites

=

combined family caloric deficit of approximately
1,000,000 calories

By these calculations, I'm anticipating a hefty grocery bill when we turn the corner 

(which I am praying is very soon!)

because we have some catching up to do.

Five

My five-year-old woke up this morning with a big smile on his handsome face. 

He stood up and took a moment to proudly glance at his five-year-old body.  

He stated with a tone of disbelief, "I can't believe these pajamas still fit me."

Happy, happy birthday to you, J! 

You make everyday an adventure. 

We love you more than you'll ever know. 

How in the World?

I have a b.i.g. task ahead of me. 

Only by the grace of my almighty and powerful Father will I be able to get through this.

Just thinking about it makes me want to cry.

I keep telling myself that it'll be alright, but I don't think I truly believe that yet.

What have I gotten myself into?

I wonder if I'm the only one to think this is such a b.i.g. deal.

Sometimes I pretend like it's not going to happen, but then I get a big reality check when things like this show up in the mailbox.

I have six short months to compose myself and contain my overwhelming sadness.

How in the world am I going to send my baby off to kindergarten?

Sometimes I Wonder...

...what's going through her little head.

E:  I happy I not hab a baby in my tummy.

Another Sweet Babe

I had the great honor and pleasure of capturing this beauty on her eleventh day of life. 

Although she slept a little, Baby C never really hit the stage of deep sleep (a.k.a. zonked out) necessary to practice true baby posing.  However, I'm glad she didn't because as she was drifting in and out, Little Miss Princess was overflowing with sweetness and smiles.

And then she was wide awake, content as can be, taking in her new world.

The lady with the camera must have been a little terrifying though.  It was probably the turban hat I made her model.

And then came the look of serious concern as if she were left hanging in suspense...

followed by the "whatchu talkin' 'bout Willis?" expression.

Her big bother slowed down for about 15 seconds to see what was going on...

and sneak in a quick kiss.

Every bit of her is lovely...

lovely...

lovely!

Indeed, a true beauty!

Energy to Burn

We offered a cabin fevered girl a change of scenery for a night, and she gladly accepted. 

There still was plenty of energy to burn despite our time at an indoor playground, so after a quick stop at the store, we headed home for more late night fun.

And fun it was...

Props to Keeslermom for leaving the comment with the great idea. (Ideas are always appreciated!)  I am so blessed to have a fun, experienced mommy friend!  Just like she said, "clean kids, clean floor."  She left out that my house will likely smell like a barber shop for at least the next week, but I'll forgive her this time!

Nothing Says Love Like...

an early Valentine's Day gift.

This thoughtful present was way too exciting to hold onto for five more days, so J eagerly handed me a shiny gift bag tonight.

Upon taking a peak inside, I found this...

What I've always wanted!

I could hardly contain my overwhelming excitement.

(or my sweaty, matted down hair after just completing a run.  My husband did suggest at least brushing 

 it before he snapped this picture.  Now that's love!)

I wasn't the only one pumped (J's word, not mine) about the new kitchen gadget.  Click here if you're not quite sure why a four-year-old would want an egg cracker.

The gift that he and E gave me had him so pumped that we had to try it out...now.

Just as J promised, it's easy to use, no messy hands, and

no shell fragments in the food.



The cookies, complete with edible marker art, were just an added bonus. 

My husband's humor

and

my children's enthusiasm

 make loving this bunch just so