Tough Times

Wow! We are going on day 9 of having five sick kids. Today I walked into the boys room ready to tackle the day. I opened the door and was hit with a cloud of stench. Poor Landon was covered from head to toe with diarrhea. His precious blankies were soaked and stinky. I got Peyton and Ethan up and ready to eat breakfast. I decided to go get the girls up and get them to the table. Unsurprisingly, my plans were changed. I walked into the girls room being hit with the same cloud as the boys room. I found something much worse in there than the boys room. Jenna had poop everywhere. You can see in the pictures that it was a mess. I thought somehow a sippy cup had gone to bed with her with chocolate milk in it. You can guess what it really is. I had to get Rob up at this time to help me. He got the other kids breakfast and I did baths. During breakfast Sydney wouldn't eat. Rob got her to eat a few bites only to throw it all up a few minutes later. Peyton filled his diaper during breakfast and got it everywhere. It was a good hour and a half before we got things under control and clean.

Thankfully my mother-in-law, Esther, took off work and was coming to help me today. Sydney laid around all morning and felt horrible. Poor things, they were not themselves today. Lunch time rolled around and I fixed Ramen noodles in hopes that they would eat something. Needless to say, they didn't eat. Landon cried and was really upset. Esther was holding him while we were trying to get the others to eat. In an instant he threw up all over her. It was everywhere! So, he had to get a bath and I had to get Esther some clothes. I changed all the bed clothes and disinfected their mattresses. We got them down for their nap and they didn't make a peep.

The rest of the day was filled with more of the same. I am exhausted and so is my mother-in-law. The kids are safely in bed and sleeping soundly. I know tomorrow is probably going to be filled with poop, puke, laundry, and baths. Everything I just described doesn't compare to what I witnessed tonight.

At 5:00 this evening I left for a memorial service. One week ago, November 6, Mason Wyatt was stillborn. My cousin was 34 weeks pregnant expecting a Christmas baby. She noticed that Mason wasn't moving like usual and called the doctor. She went in to be checked and they couldn't find a heartbeat. That was that, in an instant their baby was gone. She was admitted and gave birth 36 hours later. 3lbs 13oz and perfect.

So, I may have a hard few weeks. Filled with poop and crying, but I still have my babies. I have five healthy babies. This Thanksgiving I have so much to be thankful for. Rob and I are so blessed. I can't even begin to understand or imagine what it is like to loose a child. Jeremy,Kali, and Crystal, my thoughts and prayers go out to you. Nothing can make it better right now, but you will make it through this. Until then, surround yourself with everything that is good in your lives. Friends and family will be there every step. Mason was such a lucky kid to be loved so much. His life was short, but he was here for a reason. One day, you will be able to use this experience to help someone else. I love you guys and am praying for you.