lean up from my easy chair, rub my three day beard

Well, it finally caught me. Janine has been sick for several days now, fighting what seems to be the longest running cold that she has had in some time. I, up until last night, had been fine. It was good in that I was able to help her out with things around the house and with the kids, even staying home one day last week while she spent most of the day just resting, allowing her body to fight off whatever it is that has decided to reside inside us. Anyhow, she has periodically been feeling better, getting better rest, a little more energy, and, bit by bit, healing. So last night, after a great chicken taco dinner over at B, T, 3xJ's house, I began to feel run down, and my throat began to have the slightest dull irritation.

So we finished visiting and came home to put the kids to bed. That was a challenge in itself, as I must have done battle with Juan for 10 minutes in the bathroom over brushing his teeth. He had not been feeling well earlier in the day and it seemed like this was residual effect from him being worn out himself. Anyhow, all turned out okay, and after our little struggle, he ended up laying on my chest and letting me rub his back for five minutes (good Juancho time for me:)). So after the kids were in bed, settling down for sleep, I began to feel the aches in my joints and the irritation in my throat becoming more and more prominent. Janine suggested I pop a couple of Motrin for the aches (who would know better than the one who has been battling the bug for days). Sleep came easy, and when I woke this morning I even thought I could muster the energy to go to work. I started my coffee at about 5:50 and by 6:00 I felt crappy enough to call in. So I am home. I am glad I didn't push through and go to work, as my body feels like a steamroller ran over me. Anyhow, it is nice to rest, and now Janine and the boys have gone to MOPS and Shirley is at school. I will settle down with hot tea and a book and try to not move for the next two hours. . .

* a note on Juan and me and our struggle with the teeth last night: Janine spends so much more time with the boys that it is often times their tendency to want to let her help them with all the things they need help with. Andres is a little more flexible, but I am beginning to realize that both boys need advance notice if it is not going to be Janine helping them with teeth, potty, food, etc. As we approach our one year anniversary with the kids, I sometimes still feel very lost with them, although I continue to learn. There really is no system to follow, no laid out plans of how to do it all, but it has pushed me to grow and face my own selfishness quite a bit. I love all the kids so much and have so much fun with them; it is amazing how they can have you at wits end one minute (last night with bushing the teeth) and then have you as putty in their hand the next (immediately following as Juancho laid on my chest for the longest extended hug I have ever had with him).

* another note: Andres told me he was sorry today as I was loading him in the van to go to MOPS.

"Andres, why are you sorry?"

"Sorry por que you are sick."

The kids are all very compassionate, and it is refreshing to me as Papi and a reminder of Christ's compassion for all of us.

Tea...book...recliner...