There’s something about this last week that has left me feeling like I have a newborn. Up in the night, crowded bed, awakened by crying… except with a newborn all you have to do is feed them and they’re happy again, and you get to have a teeny-tiny personal all snuggled up to you. These things need specific foods, and it’s never what I’m trying to give them. And where did that stupid box of Kleenexes go? Or the other three of them I just bought? And Littlest pinched Miss. And Miss is trying to shove Biggest out of the rocking chair because she was sitting in it first. Because she was the last to sit in it last night, that counts as first for today. Even though her older brother has been cozied up in it, quietly reading a book for the last half hour. Other than that book he just threw as I walked by- so that I could put it away for him and get him another one.
Suddenly, I find myself wide-eyed, and frustration burning in my ears. They get very quiet and lean as far back as they can, away from me. They know it’s coming. They can hear the kettle’s steam whistle a’whistlin’… I take a very long, deep breath. I close my eyes and I pray outloud. Lord, let me love these crazy, little children. Let me see them the way you see them today.
They looked back and forth between each other. They looked at me skeptically. Are your eyes not working? I hear a small voice ask. Another one chimes in with, Do you not have eyes everywhere anymore? Followed by a whisper between them, Maybe she won’t be able to see us when we’re playing in my room anymore. C’mon, let’s go.
I don’t even bother suppressing my laugh. I just laugh. And I see them. Finally starting to see some relief from the cold/allergy plague that’s kept them down this past week. Tired from their coughing waking them up at night. Stir crazy from being trapped inside, between the sudden cold snap and their colds. But from amid all of that, they see a light at the end of the tunnel.
Mom may have gone crazy enough that she no longer can see us getting into trouble when she’s not there.
And just like that, I am snapped back to reality. I see kids who are tired of not feeling well. MissE has asked several times in the last few days, What can I do to feel better? or Will this make it so I don’t feel like this anymore? And I have made homemade chicken noodle soup, which then turned into chicken pot pie (apparently adding peas and corn made it the most amazing meal for them!). I have made fruit smoothies and poured countless glasses of orange juice. I have taken more showers in the last week (while holding a little one) than I normally do in a month. Ok, that may be an embellishment. But honestly, not by much. And finally I am seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Snot is drying, coughs are abating, and a little bit of sleep was even to be had. So there is the light. I may have to drag them by their shoestrings, or lure them with chocolate… but I’m dragging them to that light.
{Overheard}
(Biggest E:)You need to flap your wings some more.
(MissE:) Like this? Ok, here I come.
(LittlestE: )Turn! Turn! Mine! Fly! Me!
(MissE:) Do you think Littlest should take a turn?
(Biggest:) No, MissE, he’s too little to fly. Oh, I guess he wants to. Ok, let him try.
(Me:) No more jumping off the top bunk, and for the hundredth time, do not teach your brother to fly!
(Biggest:) Do you think all her eyes are working again?
(MissE:) Yeah. [whispers] Least she doesn’t have ears everywhere so can’t hear us being naughty.
(Me:) Yes, I do. And I heard that.
(All): Scream.
Biggest: We’re never going to have any fun!
laborofwonder 
Oh, you poor thing! Cometh overeth and ye shall be served wine…lots of iteth!
haha! I loveth it!
Sorry for you and your sick kids, but that was a great post! Hope all is back to “normal” soon!
thank you! we’re getting closer and closer to “normal” with the passing of every tissue!
They are so smart. Here’s to lots of light coming your way and keeping out of that tunnel altogether!
Great post… It’s wonderful to document the amazing things they say!
yes! It’s easy to forget them in the hustle and bustle of the day to day stuff!
Glad things are improving. Having them all sick at once must be driving you batty!
completely batty!