True.

Mama Hutch: So Sharks, what are you going to be when you grow up?

Sharks: Older.

Darling

My boys have been bringing me so much joy recently, even amidst the sickness. Not that they didn't before; perhaps I just notice the moments of delight more when we are all feeling so awful.

Sharks loves to sing and I am happy to encourage it, especially in the car since we have no radio or anything. And I finally caught him singing when he couldn't run away and got him on video.

The last few days

What with being inside so much this week, we built a fort.

I know I had more fun with it than the boys (who doesn't love a fort!), but they sure managed to crack each other up. Brotherly love, and all.

And then we pause for this:

Before we head back for more fun in the fort.

One of those days

Not really the best of days, but I was reminded that my circumstances shouldn't cause me to lose my joy.

Today I made what was not the best decision of my life and took Sharks to the urgent care across the street. Long story short, he is fine and for that I am very thankful. But after 3 hours of waiting in the ER for a chest x-ray he didn't even need, I was definitely questioning my decision making.

And in the midst of having to decide what was best for the health of my children, I had my own little cry fest. Apparently every time I have to wait for more than an hour at the doctor, I cry. I just start thinking about my poor child sitting there miserable in Doctor's Office sicksville getting more ill by the minute when they could be resting at home and the tears flow. It gets results though. Five minutes after crying to the receptionist at the ER, we were in a room. I promise I didn't do it on purpose. I'm pregnant. Even telling Chet about it later made me cry.

So on the way home, I was still teary, and I said sorry to the boys about such a bad day and how I was sorry I made a bad decision, and Sharks said, "No, Mommy, it was a fun and awesome day." And then I was laughing hysterically and thanking the Lord for my little ones, who bring so much joy even when I am feeling like a failure of a mom.

He knows his animals

The other day, I said, "Oh, you little rascal," to Sharks. To which he replied, "I'm not a rascal, I'm a raccoon." Well, ok then.

Then today I said, "What's up, dog?" Wrongo. "I'm a cat, Mommy, not a dog."

We've got the sickness over in Hutchland

Colds, coughs, headaches, and wheezes. Not a lot of fun. So, I've been plopping the boys in the tub quite a bit. The warm water helps their breathing, and they can't get into anything while in the tub.

Right now it's all about survival. And the neti pot. (Which works, but I hate using it.) Sharks was really curious about it after watching me use it, so I let him try it. He kinda coughed and sputtered and I figured that would be the last time he asked for it, and I was right: "Mommy, once is enough." On the other hand, he is always ready for his "medycin."

Bring on the shamrocks

Um, yeah. This little place on the corner of our street, well, they need a new PR guy. I believe this is what they call grasping at straws.

But I am totally going anyway - think about all.the.fun. (Well, half as much fun.) I can wear half as much green. Drink half as much beer and get half as drunk. Meet half as many, half-as-tall leprechauns. Par-tay.