i guess it has been a while since i've posted and for good reason--illness has descended upon our house and has not fully left yet. the throw-up bug invaded again and struck everyone but lily, again. even our beloved sonia got it while she was with us at disney--both babies were puking on her all day saturday...along with the g.i. business came upper respiratory illness that seemed to accompany the bug and both babies were stricken with that as well. it took james a full week to recover and he's actually still not well--he threw up his dinner tonight after gagging on some mucus. ty had a fever tonight over 100--couldn't get him to keep the thermometer in his mouth long enough to know exactly how high it was but it was over 100.3--just when i thought things might be getting better...james had his follow-up x-rays today and they never called to say what they saw--they also copied the wrong radiographs onto the cd for me (they put the initial ones on there) so i can't even look for myself to see what's going on with his clavicle. todd and i are worn out to say the least. i cannot keep pace with the laundry because it is multiplying with all of the vomit. the babies have been nursing around the clock so my body thinks i have newborns again...i'll be able to feed all of the neighbors' babies once this is all over. we have not had a solid night of sleep in a long long time--not even close. zuzu--apparently miffed at her place in the family--shredded several paper grocery bags for me to find in the laundry room today and i still haven't cleaned it up yet. blogging over chores is my credo...the house is so untidy and unpeaceful right now that i get stressed sitting here looking around. it does look different than it did this morning because the kids have rearranged just about every toy and blanket--relocation is the norm if you're an object at our house. constant relocation. i gathered up some superfluous stuffed animals today and put them in a bin to go to the consignment store--felt good to purge just a bit, especially before christmas...sometimes i feel like we've been invaded by a plush army and i know i'm not the only one out there who feels that way...can i get an amen?? i don't mind stuffed animals if they are played with or loved-on, but the ones who inhabit the bottom of the bin 11 1/2 months out of the year perturb me. i think one of the values i want to imprint on the hearts of my children is to cherish and appreciate what you have--more is not always better. the excess has been tweaking me lately...my dear friend jen b (who has three girls) has had their house packed while it's on the market--she commented how none of the girls seem to miss or ask for their stuff and it makes me think i would like to find a way to copy that attitude without having to pack up for a move...anyway, those of you looking on here for pictures were mighty kind to read through this far...i cherish your loyalty and commitment :) i do not take my role lightly--i know you have limited time during the day so to devote your precious time to reading my blog is very humbling...thank you for tolerating my occasional pix-free post. i will post pix soon when everyone is well...cheers