Still here...

We're still here, alive and kicking! One of the HARDEST things about having a big family? Two words: stomach flu.  Because when one person gets it, you just hold your breath until the dominoes start falling and it's gone through all of us. So that's been our last 10 days but thankfully we are over it! All 7 of us got nailed and very unfortunately, Buck and I both got it on the same day (and Charlie later that day!). We were SO thankful to have Aunt G and my mom help us care for the monkeys as we were in no shape whatsoever to meet the needs of anyone.  Case in point: I was drifting in and out of sleep/nausea on the couch in the family room when it came to my awareness that it was awfully quiet. When you have a 1-year-old, 4-year-old and 6-year-old in the same room with you and it is quiet...take my word for it...you must investigate. Turns out that Zoe had been feeding Mia chocolate frosting with a spoon, straight out of the can. "But, Mom, she really likes it!" :) Zoe truly thought she was being helpful. Mia literally smelled like a batch of cookies...and I think her life has forever been changed by the realization that chocolate frosting exists. 

However, in the midst of the sickness, there were sweet glimpses of beauty and compassion. Watching the kiddos care for each other was precious. When Tate got sick, Max ran to get him the iPad so he could lay on my bed and have something to do, and Charlie ran to get him a cold washcloth for his neck. When Mia got sick, Max and Zoe brought me clean towels and blankets to wrap her up in. When I got sick, the kids (all on their own) made me get-well cards. :) So while yes, it is hard to have a big family and have 7 sick people, it is SUCH a blessing to have all these little helpers who show love and genuine compassion...moments like these make me think we can get through anything together!