the plague has returned.

I know they don't look all that sick, but they were miserable when I took the picture. Especially Lilia.

Yes, they're sick again.

We thought we were clear - and we were, for 1 week - and then

KABLAM!

Croup.

At least Natalie is getting better. Lilia has pneumonia and an ear infection. Awesome, eh? So if you're wondering why we're hermits... again... that's why.

Please stay away. We love you all, but it's for your own good.

Join the cause against human trafficking

With Valentine's Day soon approaching, Adrienne and I would like to share a cause with you that has touched our hearts, love146.org. Below are some videos and links with more information about love146. Be warned that this is a heavy subject matter, but don't let that stop you from watching. It's worth it. The message is there's hope through love.

"Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice. Justice at its best is love correcting everything that stands against love."

- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

IMAGINE: Imagine what you can do.

Imagine from LOVE146 on Vimeo.

How LOVE146.org Started. Girl 146.

Love146 History from LOVE146 on Vimeo.

Valentine's Day Message: There's Hope. Celebrate Love

Celebrate Love! from LOVE146 on Vimeo.

Diana's Story: A true recovery story. "I Will Not Be Moved."

Diana's Love Story from LOVE146 on Vimeo.

Human trafficking is happening here in the US as well.

You can learn more about how you can help at love146.org and see more videos about human trafficking at http://vimeo.com/love146.

If these videos touched you, share them with others. If you do nothing else, you can help spread awareness of modern-day slavery, child sex trafficking and ways to abolish it. Become a modern-day abolitionist.

fluffernutter

Oh Fluffernutter. I do love you. You were the most delicious thing that could have entered my mouth today. I can still taste your wonderful peanut-buttery-marshmallow-fluffiness on my lips. Thank you for being invented, Fluffernutter. You are ha-mazing.

For those of you who know what a Fluffernutter is, you probably grew up on the eastern coast. For those of you who don't know what a Fluffernutter is, you are missing out on the most deliciously satisfying sandwich in the world. It is simply this: bread, peanut butter, and marshmallow fluff. And don't give me any of that Kraft Jet-Puffed stuff. The real stuff is the Marshmallow Fluff - made in Massachusetts. Devoured in Utah, thanks to my parents who bought a huge case of it and divvied it up amongst their offspring. This simple sandwich has the ability to make you a very happy soul.

couldn't stop laughing for quite some time

A friend posted this video on her blog. I watched it late last night while I was home by myself. And I laughed so hard-- all alone. No one to enjoy it with me. Please find someone to laugh with while you watch this. It's so much more enjoyable!

I told John this morning that it reminds me of videos I made in high school for class projects. Fond memories :)

things I have learned in the past 3 weeks

• Not all sicknesses go away once they have run their course. Case in point: lingering coughs 3 weeks after the girls first started coughing. So. Much. Fun.
• We love Zarbees cough syrup because it works like a charm - the girls stopped coughing within 5 minutes after taking it.
• I hate Zarbees cherry-flavored cough syrup because it reminds me of Robitussin. I felt like a child while I stood by the sink, gagging and tearing up because I couldn't stand to look at the last few drops of the 2 teaspoons I was supposed to take. But then I told myself to buck up and take it like the adult I am... it was so hard! I am ashamed.
• Having a short torso while pregnant is in no way a blessing. I think I will have some bruised ribs before this little boy is born. No room in the inn - he must think if he gets rid of the ribs, it will be better for all of us. Not so, my little one. Not so.
• Staying in the house for 2 weeks is not recommended.
• Natalie needs some kids her age to play with. Especially noted after spending 2 weeks in the house playing with no one but me and Lilia.
• Our car caught the plague from us.
• Cars are expensive things to have lying around. Especially when they are sick.
• When you spend 2 weeks in the house, you don't use up much gas in your car. Recommended. Brings a smile to my face thinking about how much we saved in gas by not going anywhere.
• Phone calls from auto mechanics are accompanied by grimacing, visible flinching, and tics.
• On a happier note, when you can't make a snowman, make a snowtrain. Ours is named Thomas.
• The trick to getting Lilia to go to sleep right away is to keep her up until 10pm one night, followed by no nap the next day. That comes out to 2 nights of Lilia falling asleep before John even finishes singing to her. However, the Mess That Is Lilia at dinner-time the second night might be enough to discourage us from doing that too often.
• According to Lilia, John is a "scary man." Direct quote. No idea where she got that one.
• Lilia can do simple jigsaw puzzles all by herself. Totally and completely. The first half is a bit hit-or-miss, but once she gets past the halfway point, she flies. I think we need to get some more.
• 3-1/2 year olds pick up EVERYTHING you say. While cleaning the bathroom, I told Natalie she needed to leave for a minute (so she wouldn't inhale noxious fumes) so I could clean the toilet. "Ok, Mom. I'll leave so you can clean the toilet. You go for it!" She then closed the door and went off, presumably, to play. So, if you wish to clean your toilet, don't hesitate - just go for it.
• Natalie is going to be the best big sister to her little brother. She comes and gives my belly kisses and hugs all the time. If I accidentally bump into her with this large appendage of mine, she says, "Oops! Sorry Caleb!" and gives him a loving pat or a hug. And the best part happened a couple days ago: "Mom, I sure do love Caleb!" My little angel :) I love her so much!
• Apparently Lilia has a baby in her tummy. Or, she at least wants one in her tummy. She likes to show me her baby. Lifts up her shirt, pats her stomach and says, "It's wight dere, Mommy. My baby is in my tummy. Lookit, Mommy. Wight dere."
• After spending 2 weeks in the house with my girls, you'd think I might be sick of them. But I'm not. I love them even more. And as a friend of mine said, "Of course I love them both like crazy, every single second of every day... But I find myself 'in love' with them at different times." Right now, I'm in love with them. They aren't always perfect angels, though I wish they would be, but I'm in love with everything they are doing right now - the playing, the make-believe, the hugs, the kisses, the cuddling, the games, the story-time that has blossomed overnight. I love it all. They are my life. And I know John feels the same way, commenting almost nightly how he wants to be home with them more.
• Saturdays are the best! Lots of Dad Time.

changes

With lots of help (and over-time, un-asked for help) from my dad, John successfully made a bunk bed for Natalie and Lilia. This is Step 2 in preparation for the baby. (Step 1 was moving Lilia into a toddler bed.) Let's just say Step 2 is nowhere near being complete. It's a work in progress. You know, the kind of progress that feels like 1 step forward and 2 steps back, with the occasional 2 steps forward and 1 step back. Or you could compare it to Chutes and Ladders --except, take out the ladders and add more chutes.

Ok, maybe it's not that bad, but it sure feels like it some nights. They're actually better at taking naps in the same room than at going to bed at night in the same room. Or, rather, Lilia tends to stay in bed better at nap-time than at nighttime. She's the culprit. Natalie is generally very good about being quiet. Generally.

Aaaanyway. The point is, it has to work, so we keep plugging along, even if it means they take 2 hours to fall asleep. Even if it means we go crazy until it does.

snow day

If you look closely at the pictures of the sledding, you'll notice they're sitting on a frisbee and have their feet on another one, or they're on a piece of cardboard.

Instead of using a word like "ghetto" or hurling insults at us, such as

"You're so cheap!"

let's just say we're...

...frugal.