for as long as we both shall live.

Raise your hand if you’re ready for a real post–one where I don’t give all manner of details you don’t really care to hear. I think there might be one of those in your future. I’m aiming for Saturday, Neenie’s b-day.

Speaking of her b-day, before I forget, I must share something amazing. I’ve met a lot of wonderful girls on xanga, then met many of them in real life. There are three of you whom I met on xanga, then met in real life, that have adorable little girls all turning three on the exact same day this month. Isn’t that crazy??

I do realize that I’m not the only one who has ever been sick or had a family with the flu. Just sharing because I know a lot of you really care. And I must admit, I’ve dragged myself to the computer a time or two just to read your encouraging comments, so I could have the strength to carry on.

Okay, so here we go. So much for going to bed at 7:15. I got up every 2 or 3 minutes until 8:00. Livi was writhing and moaning with a fever. Ava was coughing. Then Nina woke up crying, blazing hot. Long story short, all was not quiet until about 1:00 a.m. Then poor Gabe kept getting up to spit and shower (he sits on the girls’ plastic yellow chair until the hot water runs out) and shiver. I changed my shirt three times, since I kept waking up soaked in sweat. My throat feels like someone sliced it with razor blades.

So, the semi-peacefulness ended at 4:00 when Ava started having a coughing/sniffling fit then came into our room saying she couldn’t breathe and needed to sleep with us. Gabe went into her bed. 15 minutes later, Nina woke up saying, “Mommy, Mommy, Mommy, Mommy” in her adorable little voice. Went in and she was blazing hot again. 103+. Gave her ibuprofen, stripped her down, brought her in bed with Ava and me. Then tried to rock her, but she kept saying, “watch Shrek.” So, at 5:10, the three of us headed downstairs to watch Shrek the Third. Oh, yes.

I slept some, sweated more, Ava fell asleep in the recliner, Nina watched the whole movie, found a bowl of popcorn from yesterday and started eating it. Livi came downstairs at 7ish with a fever, moaning and groaning (she’s really good at it).

Everyone’s fever-free at the moment except for Gabe. I feel so bad for him that he’s going to have this for another day or so after we’re all well. The girls are home from school, and my friend Carrie just called and asked if her husband could bring us supper tonight. How sweet.

Thanks for all the good advice. We’ve been doing Vicks on the feet with socks every night, and while it hasn’t worked completely for all, it’s definitely helped me. And who knows how much worse everyone’s cough would be without it. I will most certainly throw out all the old toothbrushes when we’re well. And Nina traded in her barking cough for a fever last night, but if the cough comes back, I’ll take her outside.

My MIL reminded me that I was sick on my honeymoon too. But at this time (10:30 a.m.) 10 years ago I was feeling pretty great–ready to marry the man of my dreams. I didn’t get sick until midnight-ish on our wedding night. There’s no one I’d rather be sick with than my Gabey. I praise God for 10 amazing years. And I don’t think it has really sunk in yet that we’ve hit such a big milestone.

Off I go. A really cute little girl with rosy cheeks and a chapped nose is asking for Mommy. Thank you, thank you, thank you for praying! Cyber-hugs to you all! (since a real one would contaminate you)