Just Give Me a Second...

"Aaaaaaaaaccccchhhhhooooooooooo!"  

You know those kind of sneezes that make everyone freeze mid-sentence while you scream, "Don't move!" So you can run get a kleenex, but you can't find the kleenex, so you go with the next best thing-- a rough napkin, a raw-nosing papertowl, or better yet, about 30 squares of toilet paper that you didn't quite rip from the roll because you're running as fast as you can-- due to the green noodles that have somehow exploded from something so small and cute?  Well, I've had my fair share and I'm throwing in the towel.  

Let's just say, strep throat, bronchitis, colds, strep throat, bronchitis, ear infections, colds, sinus infections and why not throw in a little South American influenza for all of us--just for kicks.  Super Jake has borne the brunt of bugs.  The poor thing has looked sickly since March.  

I love to take care of my kids when they are sick (minus the sleepless nights).  As a complete side note-- why is it that when my hubby is sick, I'd rather he just suck it up?  But I digress.  They love to snuggle with me and cuddle on the couch and I want to do everything I can to get them well.  I pump them with vitamin C, oils, extra green smoothies, lots of soup and copious amounts of fluids. The second I become ill, everything changes.  My patience suddenly finds some curtains to hide behind, and all I want to do is crawl under my covers and hide too.  Why is it that when I finally surrender to the bugs, Jake suddenly has a good day and has a THOUSAND new ideas he shares with me as he shadows my every step; Luke decides that naps just aren't for him that week, and Kate still has to leave at 7:05 for school.  I know.  I'm complaining.  Sometimes it makes you feel just a tad better.  

I can now check off knowing how to go to the clinic and discussing the color of snot, sore throats, hacking coughs and super high fevers in Spanish.  It's amazing what you can do when you absolutely have to :)  I just finished submitting 18 claims to our insurance.  I guess we can look forward to a nice reimbursement check!  

My only solace is that in a few days we will be flying home after almost a year in Chile!!!  My suitcases are already out...  And actually, things are starting to look up.   I only had to wipe/blow noses about 12 times today.