Fresh Start

All is calm in the Stannix home (for now). I just got downstairs from tucking in Joe to discover the older two cozied up in their own little corners on the couch. They are both sound asleep while the fire glows and flickers close by. They look so comfortable nestled up there that I can't bring myself to move them. Everyone is still recuperating from being sick over the weekend and there was a lot of napping on the couch today. The littles hardly picked at their dinner while they coughed and stared at the table with sleep hanging under their eyes. Knowing they are still under the weather, I didn't push the issue. I'll get their vitamins into them in the morning with a fresh green smoothie.

Camilla was the first to get sick at the end of last week and missed a couple days of school. Hyrum and I got it the next day and we all tried to sleep it off over the weekend. It started with a fever, aches, chills and a headache and ended with an awful chest cold. Although we are physically feeling better, a lot of us are still up coughing half the night and not getting much rest. Joe came down with it Saturday afternoon and slept the day away. I could hardly move my body hurt so much and my headache stayed for three days. Just as I was starting to feel better, Finley got the pukes. It ended up all over the kitchen (including the walls), and myself. After I finished scrubbing the floor through tears of frustration, I went and took a shower to get the rest of the chunks from between my toes. Mr. Stannix was the last man standing and did a good job of holding down the fort and making sure we all got enough food and water. 

Despite our coughs and fatigue I made sure we got outside for a little bit this afternoon to soak up some sun and breath some fresh air. It helped loosen the children's coughs and I'm hoping for an easier night tonight. I loved watching the boys play together so nicely after a morning of fighting. Finley crawled under the trampoline and plunked down on his bum right in the center. He watched as his brothers rode their bikes down the little hill in the yard over and over. My very favorite part was when Hyrum came to the side of the trampoline and peeked under, "Hi Finnnnnnley". Fin grinned ear to ear and clapped excitedly as Hyrum crawled under and joined him.

With a fresh month and the days getting longer I have been filled with a sense of hope and peace today. I looked over Camilla's school calendar, noted all of her days off, and realized just how quickly this month is going to fly by! I am looking forward to more outings with the children and opportunities to explore the awesome trail system here. They've been itching to get out on their bikes and everyone is happier when we get out of the house for a few hours each day. February seemed to be a blurr! We're going to make March count!