So this what all the fuss has been about...

I don't get too upset about my kids being sick with the cold or flu, at least not the older ones. I like having them home from school. And calm. And I haven't seen what the big fuss has been about H1N1. I thought I had it a couple of months ago and it wasn't fun, but it was really not a big deal.

But I get it now. Emmie has something that seems suspiciously swiney. Yesterday I knew she was sick when she said she didn't feel like going to dance. And then she had to stay in bed while 25 student women gathered in our home. Let me digress to show you pictures of that. If you wonder why I love our work, well these faces are why...

(guess who was the center of attention?)
(but poor, banished Ruby got some attention too)

It was pure torture for Emmie to miss out on being with these girls and get attention of her own. But she had a fever and was lethargic, so partying was not an option. She wasn't terribly sick, but enough to keep her in bed most of the day. Things changed in the middle of the night when she showed up next to my bed crying and complaining of not being able to breathe. When I heard her wheezing and the scary cough and felt her blazing forehead, I understood the making of a germaphobe. It's one thing when I'm sick (I don't particularly like being miserable), but when one of my babies is miserable that's a different story altogether. As I held Emmie in the night and cried out to the Lord, I was reminded of the deep hurt I have when my children hurt. And the deep fear I have of harm befalling them. My mind turned to those who know this pain on a much deeper level than I do.

We made it through the night without a visit to the ER, so that's a bonus. Em is not as bad today, so I'm thankful for that. But the boys have sore throats now, so we'll see where this goes. We are in "protect the baby" mode. Which is no small task since they are used to smothering her with hugs and kisses every chance they get. We haven't resorted to using these...

or these...
YET. But I'm afraid it's still early in the game.

Speaking of games, we are also recovering from a bit of heartsickness over our team's loss last night. In a spectacular defensive effort, they didn't come up with the upset in the end. But I love that our boys share a love for Husker football...
And we're starting Lulu early too.