Sicky

Dear Lulu,

You and your brothers are sick again.  It's just a dumb little cold, but it's still annoying.  You had to miss church and you were quite upset about it.  It was your turn to give a talk and I was subbing in your primary class.  As I was getting ready for church I told you that you were too sick.  You ran into your room anyway and got dressed in your Sunday best, shoes and all.  Finally when I was walking out the door without you, you realized I really wasn't taking you and tears started to roll down your cheeks. It was such a sad face that it hurt my heart a little.  But you really were too sick for church and it wouldn't be nice to share it with everyone. You ended up having fun with Daddy at home, so it was ok in the end.

It reminded me of another time you had a cold, about 2 month ago.  You woke up in the night crying because your throat hurt. I came in to see what was wrong and to comfort you. I gave you some ibuprofen, but I could do not make it better immediately.  You couldn't swallow, you couldn't talk, and you couldn't sleep because all you could do was think about how much it hurt. As you cried you kept asking me to do something to make it better.

In my mind, I pictured us as a family crossing the plains with the Pioneers.  I pictured my little child sick in her bed, begging me to make things better; to take away her pain.  I imagined me holding my daughter and rocking her as she clung on to life and then slipped away.  There would have been absolutely nothing I could to to take away her pain and make her whole.  Real tears stung my eyes as I pulled my mind out of that daydream and back into reality.  I always felt sad when I heard stories of Pioneer mothers losing their children, but that night I really felt a small part of how horrible that would have been.  I stroked your hair and told you that if you could just fall asleep that it would all be better in the morning. 

I gave thanks to God that you only had a sore throat.  What a small sickness that is in comparison to what others have had to endure and are enduring right now.  I gave thanks that I knew you would feel mostly better by morning. I mostly gave thanks to live in this time where we have medicines and where I can take my children to doctors and hospitals. Most illnesses can be cured today.  What a huge blessing!

You did feel much better in the morning, like I knew you would. About a week ago we were reading in our children's version of the Doctrine and Covenants. We read the story of when Joseph Smith was pulled from his home and was beaten then tarred and feathered. In the course of all that, the door to his home was left open and his already sick baby was exposed to the cold night air.  A few days later his baby died.  Lulu, when we were done reading you turned the page back to look at the drawing of the baby. You were so sad to hear this story, and kept asking me over and over why the baby died.  Why didn't he get medicine?  Why didn't he go to the hospital? It was hard for you to picture a time without modern medicine.

Lulu, I feel so lucky to be the one who takes care of you.  You depend on me for comfort and I CAN make you feel better when you're sick, almost every time.  Getting sick is just part of life.  It's never fun, but it does help us appreciate the times we have good health. It also gives us empathy for those who are suffering now, and for those who suffered in generations past so that you and I can live right now in this incredible world.

Love you forever,
Mom

Day 7

The last day of my photography project:
Wednesday November 21
Lulu is home today for Thanksgiving break

breakfast: egg in a pocket

Lulu practices after I do

Mr T tries to climb the bunkbeds

Then I convince him it's cooler (ie safer) if he just looks out the window 

It's such a beautiful day that we spend most of the morning outside.  Mr T throws the ball and then points it out to Pluto, who apparently decided not play with him

Lulu likes to play "Tag War" with Pluto

He is a handsome boy

I like to play fetch with him.  He is so funny the way he jumps around trying to catch the tennis ball

The kids enjoy our swing set

Lulu discovers baby pinecones

Pluto is insane about getting something under the shed.  He squeezes under and then cries.  Maybe he cries because he's so smashed and can hardly move, but most likely because he hears some sort of creature and can't reach it. When he crawls out it's such a tight squeeze that he looks like a pup being born. Yet he does this over and over.  He really wants to catch something under there, probably a rat.

My kids are adorable

When we come inside it's dancing time

Opa Gangnam Style

lunch: variety plate

Pluto is so dirty and stinky, so I give him a bath in our tubby.  It's our first time trying it in there.  Look at his little tail all tucked in.  And look at those dirty paw prints on the glass.  Yes, we clean the whole tubby afterwards

Hammer is always so excited when Daddy gets home

Mr T plays Hammer's leapster while Daddy cooks sandwiches

dinner: grilled cheese, roasted green beans, salad, and soup

After dinner is a rare treat for me.  I get to have a girl's night out with my bestie Emily

We explore City Creek shopping in Salt Lake.  It's my first time there.  We have a great time drinking hot cocoa, window shopping, and talking until way too late. 

Day 6

Tuesday November 20

When Lulu wakes up she takes the time to look through her Preschool scrapbook

breakfast: Honey Nut Cheerios

Lulu waits for the bus

Mr T decides to run down to the bus stop too

After the boys get dressed I cut apples for Hammer's preschool Thanksgiving Feast today. Mr T asks for a slice of "apa"

Hanmer puts his apples in his backpack

I check the calendar to make sure my list for the grocery store includes ingredients for upcoming dinners

I drop Hammer off at preschool

Mr T is still smiling after we finish shopping

Thursdays is grocery day,but this week Thanksgiving is on Thursday. I decide to go today instead. I buy a lot of produce

After we go home and unload the groceries and play, Mr T and I go pick Hammer up from preschool. He comes out with a pilgrim hat, an Indian necklace, and an apple turkey

His necklace says he's thankful for Cars.  Isn't that true.

Mr T spots the batman masks and won't be happy until we are both wearing them.  They don't stay on long, but long enough for a picture!

I pick up toys and books and vacuum upstairs, then put Mr T down for his nap

lunch: Quesadilla, cuties, and carrots

Lulu watches the garbage truck

Hammer won't come in until he sees the garbage man pick up all the garbage on our street and turn the corner

Lulu dances to "Forever"

Mr T is so cute and happy when he wakes up

The basement is a mess!  So we pick up all of the toys and vacuum, then hurry Lulu off to her dance class. Usually dance is Wednesday afternoons, but her teacher wanted to do it at a different time because of Thanksgiving

When I drive back to pick Lulu up from dance the sun is already setting. I'm sad because it's not even 5 o'clock yet, but it is beautiful!

Lulu had fun dancing, she's ready to go home now

Hammer has chocolate raisins for snack

While Daddy cooks dinner, Lulu and I do her homework: flashcards and reading lots of books

Hammer is really interested in this book about how the body works

dinner: new recipe again, Sausage Spinach Shrooms and Penne

After some more books and Daddy play time, the kids have a bath.  Then off to bed they go.  Mr T won't go to sleep, so he goes downstairs while Daddy and I watch a little Netflix while I work on my sewing project downstairs.  Finally Mr T is tired and we all go to bed

Day 5

Monday November 19

breakfast: oatmeal

Lulu waits for the bus

Mr T waves bye to Lulu as she gets on the bus

After we get dressed, the boys go shopping with mom for some ribbon.  After the store we go through the car wash.  Mr T isn't too sure about it

Hammer surprisingly loves it. He laughs as he watches all the suds get washed off out the window

When we get home, I decide to give the van the full clean treatment. We wipe down the inside with wet wipes, clean the windows inside, and vacuum!  Mr T pretends he's driving while I clean

Hammer rolls the window down while we are cleaning

We see our old neighbor Ray, who is our mailman at our new house.  We chat for a few minutes before he drives on

Mr T waves at the bus after Lulu gets off

We don't have left overs for lunch and I don't feel like whipping up anything, so I treat the kids to McDonalds Happy Meals.  They are super excited.

While Mr T naps I start cleaning the kitchen.  The counters and floors need to be cleaned.  And look at the sink full of dirty dishes

While I clean Lulu and Hammer keep Pluto company outside

Lulu writes Pluto a message on the stairs from the backyard into the kitchen.  No no no.  I guess he won't try to sneak into the kitchen whenever the door opens anymore now that he sees this

I fold and separate all the kids' clean clothes and put them away

Daddy gets home and it's time for Pluto's walk.  Pluto gets really excited when he sees his leash

Daddy usually cooks our dinner.  Tonight is no exception

While Lulu waits for dinner to cook she "writes" in her journal

dinner: new recipe, Chicken Burrito Lasagna.  

I hold Mr T while he chews on his toothbrush and I help Lulu brush her teeth.  Then it's time for bed again!