The Dickinson Infirmary

I have learned in the last 72 hours that the flu is no respecter of persons.

It all started on Friday afternoon as I was getting ready to leave for work. Jason came into the kitchen complaining of "achiness." Things quickly went downhill from there.

And the germs began to spread . . .

Soon Caleigh had a cough, then a fever, then a sore throat. "Mommy I feel yucky."

About 15 minutes ago, I sent Peyton to bed with a fever.

Currently, the only one who isn't sick is me . . . I expect that to change at any moment.

Why doesn't Lysol make a bubble bath??

Our Craaaaazy Life!!!

Here are some recent pictures of my angels & a family update!! The first picture is Caleigh getting ready to go out in the latest snowstorm ~ doesn't she look excited?!? The next one is Caleigh enjoying a yummy yogurt drink ~ go, Diego, go!!

Pey Pey trying Daddy's hat on for size

Peyton hates having her picture taken ~ yeah, right!

Madame Butterfly

Our young Picasso

Ready to go sledding!

Caleigh & Mommy goofing off ~ what a snuggle bunny!!!

Family Update:

Life here on the homestead has been a bit hectic & crazy over the last few days. It has been a week filled with doctor's appointments, shots, medicine, & general crankiness!!!

There were a few perks in the week, though. One came yesterday on our weekly trip to the Salvation Army. We got a ton of great buys (I'm sporting one right now), including a bag full (& I mean FULL) of vintage kitchen playset dishes. We played "tea party" all night!!

Today was, well, eventful. It started with my dear sweet PeyPey waking up at 6:15 this morning . . . about an hour & 15 minutes too early. She must be her father's daughter . . . happy the minute her feet hit the floor. My other offspring, however, grumbled her way out of bed shortly after 7:30 & the first thing she said to me was, "Mommy, my covers are so snuggly." Ahh, like mother, like daughter.

Around lunchtime, I got to experience that heart-in-your-throat feeling that is all too familiar amongst mothers of toddlers. I was downstairs in the kitchen when I heard the *thud* of Peyton falling off of Caleigh's top bunkbed. She seems fine ~ possibly a sprained finger, but overall, quite lucky. About 10 minutes after being scooped up & comforted by Mommy, she fell asleep in my arms. Naptime??? It's only 12:30! Oh well . . . go with the flow, Christine. So off she went to bed.

Well, at least the hubby doesn't have class tonight & we all survived the day without anyone being seriously injured. All in all, a good day!

10 Things I LOVE about You . . .

10 Things I Love About PEYTON MARIE

1. her belly laugh
2. the way she sprawls out when she sleeps

3. her tenacity
4. the way she tries to verbalize her thoughts


5. her artistic nature
6. the way she gets over things so quickly


7. her carefree love of life
8. her inquisitiveness


9. the way she snuggles & kisses
10. the way she praises herself ("Yea, PeyPey!")

10 Things I Love About CALEIGH MORGAN

1. her smile
2. the peaceful way she sleeps



3. how pleased she is with herself when she does something good
4. the way she can make-believe so realistically


5. her love of small animals
6. her growing independence


7. her joy in running around naked
8. her exuberance


9. the way her mind works as she remembers things & puts ideas together
10. the songs she makes up as she dances around the livingroom

Bargains & Blessings

I love the Salvation Army!! I discovered our local store shortly after moving here to seminary. It didn't take me long to become a regular customer. Especially on Wednesdays . . . "Family Day" . . . half off everything in the store!!

Today the girls & I ventured out (even though it's a Tuesday) in search of some "new" used books at the Salvation Army. I figured it might be a good idea to have some new entertainment on hand in light of the impending snowstorm.

We walked into the store with a crisp $20 bill in Mommy's pocket & made a bee-line for the children's book section. We hit the *Jackpot*. We found a ton of great books! We even found a Disney Princess Mini Projector book with 5 different stories . . . and it had all the pieces!!! Since Jason & I are committed to not using our credit cards, $20 was the limit. I fought the temptation to go peruse the armchairs. We will be in the market for one soon, but it was not a necessity for today.

The girls & I took our purchases to the counter, paid for them, & headed out of the store. On our way out, something got my attention. Not far from the exit door was an armchair (see photo). It reminded me of a comfortable old slipper & had that vintage-look that I adore. Here's the best part ~ the sign on the chair said, "FREE." I quickly got the girls into the van, backed it up to the door, & went inside. I found the first available worker. I asked her about the chair & if I could go ahead & load it. She responded with, "What chair?" When I showed her, she said that she had never seen that chair before, but if it said "FREE" I could take it!!!

It is now gracing the corner of my kitchen. I already think it will be the perfect spot for my morning devotions :)

And the icing on the cake . . . shortly after the girls & I arrived home, I found out that my hubby's classes have been canceled for the day & he will be hanging out at home with us. I love snow!!!

Profound

A friend sent me this quote last week. Very profound.

I slept and dreamt that life was joy.
I woke and found that life is service.
I acted and, behold, service is joy.

It's not the end, the end of the world . . .

It never happens to me. I don't know why. I'm just not one of those lucky people. When I have a problem or am in need of encouragement, I'm just not one of those people who can randomly open up the Scriptures, close their eyes, point . . . & viola . . . there it is -- the perfect verse with the perfect solution just perfect for the occasion. I just never have those surreal experiences.

Until yesterday . . .

We finally had settlement on our house yesterday. And after 8 months of carrying the burden of an extra residence that came with a mortgage, oil expenses, heat expenses, municipal expenses, & insurance expenses, you would think that I would be elated to be rid of it. But instead, I met the day with very mixed emotions. Although I knew some of the financial freedom this occasion would bring, I was more focused on losing the last thread that connected me to my sense of security. I knew that once the house was gone, there was truly no turning back. I started to reminisce about bringing each of the girls home from the hospital . . . our dog Livvy . . . family dinners . . . birthdays . . . holidays . . . fireplace . . . *sigh*. And then to hear from our buyers all the changes that they were planning to make -- that put me right over the edge.

As we left the meeting, I was pretty teary-eyed. Jason & the girls got into the car & I got into the van & started to drive over to our "celebratory" dinner. I turned on the radio. Now, let me just interject that this NEVER happens to me. On the radio was a Matthew West song & these are the words that greeted me:

It's not the end,
the end of the world.
It's just another day
depending on grace.

Okay, I got it.