They're Dropping Like Flies

While in Virginia over the weekend, Bennett got sick.  That makes all three of my kids!  We had to change our travel plans a little bit.  Instead of leaving last Friday with all the kids, I went to Virginia with Bennett.  We were supposed to get back home from there on Sunday, but with him getting sick that day, we postponed that a day.  We were supposed to be in Ohio on Monday, but left to get there yesterday.  We got here about 5pm yesterday evening.  During the night my mom got sick.  So instead of leaving early in the morning tomorrow to continue out west, we're going to leave around lunchtime if my mom is feeling better.  We'll see.  Should be interesting to see what happens the rest of the way.  Pray that Aunt Chris and I don't get this virus!

Another One Bites The Dust

Spencer is now sick. 

Why now?

We went over to Nick's mom and dad' for dinner on Sunday.  We hadn't been over there for quite some time, so it was nice to see them again.  We noticed that Tanner wasn't acting right.  Nick said he felt warm, so in comes "nurse mom".  Sure enough, he's got a fever of about 101.  We manage to get some tylenol down him, which was impressive that he didn't fight.  But, other than just a little bit more reserved, Tanner was acting pretty okay. 

Monday morning, thankfully Nick was still home, Tanner still had a fever.  I tried to get some motrin down him, but he fought me and made himself throw up.  Nick kept badgering me to take him to the doctor.  I told him I wasn't going to take my son to the doctor for a minor fever and no other symptoms.  Not too long after, Tanner started vomitting.  Yay... During the day, his fever kept climbing, peaking around 103.1, but he wouldn't let us give him any medicine.  He was so pathetic!  He couldn't even hold his head up he was so sick.  He kept saying his mouth hurt, so I looked in his mouth and noticed he had white spots on his tonsils and they were extremely red.  I called the doctor and Nick took him in.  Not strep.  Just a sick little boy.  He got sick a few more times between then and yesterday morning.  But throughout the day yesterday, there was marked improvement.  This morning he seems all better.  I've not given him back his milk yet, but he did have a pancake for breakfast. 

Hopefully the germs stayed with Tanner.  My mom and I did a major house disinfection as soon as he vomitted the first time.  I soaked all their toys with a bleach solution.  So I'm hoping we caught the germs in time.  We're supposed to be leaving on our trek out west on Friday, so I'm hoping things are okay for us to go.  If anything, I don't have to be anywhere specific until next Wednesday, so we have some time if necessary, but I'm hoping things will work out for us to go this week like planned.  We'll see...

Banner Week!

Nick passed his MRI test!!!  He is officially a certified MRI technologist!!  Now, to find a job and we're set.

Travel Plans

I've been doing a lot of research on places to stay as we drive cross-country and back here in the next few weeks or so.  We decided that we were going to stop in Nauvoo for a few nights on the way out to my brother's.  I kept looking for a motel for 6 of us to stay in, but everything I found was extremely expensive and not to mention at least 17 miles away from Nauvoo.  So, after some thinking and more looking around, I found this place right in town Nauvoo where we can all stay in a simple cabin.  The kicker is that it only turned out to cost $8 per person per night for those over the age of 4.  That means that I'll only have to pay for three of us since my kids are 3 years and under!  I knew I was smart to have my kids close together!  So for two nights it's only going to cost us $48!!!  So excited about that.  And along the rest of the way out there and the whole way back, we're going to be staying at the KOA campgrounds in one of their Kamping Kabins.  The most it will cost me is $80 one night.  But we'll all get to stay in one place, I won't have to pay for two motel rooms.  So for two nights in Nauvoo, and three nights at a KOA it'll cost me $259.  I couldn't find a motel for two nights in Nauvoo for less than $262.  So, for my whole trip out there and back, I'm spending less than one stay along the way!  So happy and excited!!

We plan on stopping in Missouri on our way, since we'll be right there, to visit my grandfather's grave.  We haven't seen it since he died 10 years ago.  I'm looking forward to that little side trip.  We'll be gone a total of three weeks!  Should be challenging with my three kids, but I have a lot of help along the way.  I'm sure I'll have plenty of pictures when I get back.

If It's Not One Thing, It's Another!

We had a good time last weekend with my family at my Aunt and Uncle's house west of Fredericksburg, Virginia.  The boys haven't spent that much time outside in a long time!  The weather was perfect.  Dry as could be, but not too terribly hot!  Tanner even got to light a few fireworks all by himself - with help from daddy and papa so he was safe.  Spencer didn't care too much for the fireworks.  He wouldn't even go near the sparklers.  Bennett slept through it all! 

Tanner and Spencer were soaked most of the time we were there. They played with the water guns and the water in the bucket, and just any water they could get into. They even got a few sunbeams on their checks and neck from being outside so long. They really had a good time!

Sunday Bennett had a fever all day.  I thought for sure he had an ear infection.  But, with the state insurance that we have, I wasn't able to get in touch with anyone to see if I could get the okay to take him to the emergency room.  We came home earlier on Monday and I took Bennett to the urgent clinic.  Turns out he has Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease.  Stinkin' viral infections!  His throat was pretty sore I'm sure.  Then today, he's been really fussy and he has this rash all over his torso, chest, and neck.  I called the doctor and took him in.  He's got roseola and an ear infection.  So on the antibiotics he goes. 

Other than our adventures, we're doing good.  My summer is starting to get really busy!  Lots of places to go.  I just hope the kids don't get sick on me.  That won't be fun!

Motherhood: An Eternal Partnership with God

I just happened to be looking on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints website this evening, the last thing I did before deciding to go to bed, and I came across this little excerpt from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland. I know it has come at a time in my life where I needed a reminder of my divine role as a mother. Through my struggles I lose sight of where I stand with my Father in Heaven. As Elder Holland states, I am being blessed especially when my days are long and hard. I forget a lot to rely on my Heavenly Father. I need that reassurance, and it was important for me to hear it again tonight.

Motherhood: An Eternal Partnership with God