I Choose...

to climb up





and out

of my February funk.

We've been sick, a lot, and I'm having a hard time shaking whatever is hanging on. So I've decided I'm just through with it. Tough.

Enough already.

In honor of this important decision, Rich is taking me skiing. Just us. A date! That hasn't happened for a very long time.

I'm prepared to have a most excellent day.

Back from the pediatrician

Diagnosis- mononucleosis/mono/Epstein Barr Virus

Miss Em will have to stay home from school again this week. Her liver and spleen are enlarged. Had 6 vials of blood drawn. She was very brave.

So sorry Emmy.

Off to the Pediatrician... again.

.

We have been sick. 'We' being the women folk of the fam. Rich has been healthy all winter. Thank heavens for tiny miracles.

Today will make Emily's third trip to the pediatrician's office in two months. Strep in early January, sore throat and cough last week (after having a nasty cold for a week) and again today for a heinous cough, an ear ache and two infected eyes. Last night she finally said, "I hate being sick!" She has been such a trouper and maintained a good attitude for a long time. She's finally had enough.

A few weeks ago, Sarah had the flu. High fever and the joyous stomach upset. Then a week later she developed an ear infection. Happy to report it didn't rupture like last year, and antibiotics did the trick. She's back in good shape.

I got sick a few weeks ago with laryngitis. It hit at two in the morning while I was at work. The inability to speak adds a whole new degree of difficulty to caring for critically ill patients... particularly the elderly, hard of hearing patients who can't lip read. The laryngitis proceded to body aches, flu and then a ripping good case of bronchitis. I experienced my first bronchospasm at the instacare. Scared the bejeebers right out of me. I can now use an inhaler with ease and have a true empathy for people with asthma. I'm almost back to normal, spending only 10 to 15% of my day coughing. Antibiotics and cough syrup with hydrocodone rule!

Richard, who is my Valentine day in and day out, took care of laundry and shopping and cooking and cleaning as well as bringing home the bacon. Really... how did I get so lucky to land him? Thank you husband.

My fabulous mother stepped up and took over chauffeuring duties with the girls. Thank you Mom. There are just days when a girl needs her mom. I'm so blessed to have mine so close.

Hopefully, Emily will be up and at 'em soon.

Because I've felt blah to 10th power for the past few weeks, I haven't picked up a camera lately. In lieu of some fun family pics I'm sharing a picture I took in December. I looked out my kitchen window and found this handsome guy looking back.

I'd never seen a quail from that angle before and thought it was so beautiful!

Happy February people.

Swimmers take your mark...

Emily had a swim meet in January.


Em on the block during warm up.

The 'game on' face.

Freestylin'

Congrats from the big sis.
This was a pre-comp meet so Sarah didn't swim.

And look who's here! Cousin Hillary!
She's cheering for the team.

This would be Hillary and her excellent butterfly.




Hillary and Emily even got to swim in the same heat. Fun.




Hillary edged out Em in the breastsroke.



Newsflash from Sarah: "You took 5 seconds off your old time!"



A perk of having cousins on the same team...

sitting next to your sister at the meets.

My brother in law Henry... a Real* man.

Able to hold a fuzzy pink robe for his daughter and a purse for his wife and have fun doing it. Love this guy.

This was a small, dual swim meet which made for an easy Saturday morning outing. Love those. Love Emily. So proud of her hard work and great attitude!!

*Go Real Salt Lake!