It all started over two weeks ago on Blake’s birthday.

Chad was first, down hard and fast, with a burning hot fever and really bad sore throat.

My poor guy!

The next morning, (which was a Monday and the day we were supposed to start school after Christmas break) we set Chad up downstairs and the rest of us started back up with school.

Sadie has been living inside the house with us ever since construction was finished in the middle of September, but she STILL had not been brave enough to use the stairs!

Grant had carried her down and then back up a few times, but other than that she had not been downstairs.

Funny puppy!

Then Chad got sick.

And stayed downstairs.

Just look at her dilemma!!

It was all she needed!

She went down all on her own with no one even trying to convince her it was ok!

I did have to go down after her and tell her all the rules.

Like the fact that she was not making Eliza’s trampoline her new bed, ahem!

It took some coaxing to get her to come back up the stairs the first time, but then she was all good, and has been going up and down ever since.

We spent the afternoons downstairs with Chad, watching a show, doing read aloud and cuddling.

He was in bed five full days.

That Thursday afternoon and evening we knew Chad would be back on his feet the next day.

So, of course, early Friday morning while I was having my quiet time, Lane came upstairs and was burning hot with a fever.

My poor guy!

When this illness started we got out our essential oils and started using them on everyone, had everyone eat lots of garlic everyday anyway we could get it in, used herbal teas, honey, and of course let those fevers burn and do the work they were intended to do in the boys.

David showed up on Saturday morning with reinforcements!

The boys both were not eating or even drinking because of how badly their throats hurt, so we did use tylenol and ibuprofen to help them with that.

Poor Lane had a reaction to the tylenol.

What misery on top of misery.

We moved him upstairs on his mattress so that he would be closer to Blake and I at night, and closer to all the action during the day.

Sadie capitalized on this illness too.

Silly puppy.

He was in bed a full five days too!

This virus means business.

I just love how smiley these kiddos always are, even when they are sick!!

Now we are up to Thursday of last week.

Everyone was well!!

The kiddos played out in the snow!

I had the windows cracked because it was SO beautiful outside!

We worked on school that day, and had read aloud times too!

Kay’s all came over for dinner that night, cause we were missing each other fiercely!

It was during all of that fun that I saw Eliza like this –

Oh boy.

The next morning she woke up burning hot.

It was her turn, and SO hard on my heart.

By Saturday morning, someone was missing his side kick very much, so I stuck them both in bed together for breakfast.

A smoothie, watching zooboomafoo on the lap top, and being together seemed to help!

This sweet baby can burn HOT.

She still requested a salad when asked what she wanted to eat!

She would tell me over and over that her voice hurt so bad.

I think Sunday was the worst day for Eliza.

I had her sleep with me (in Blake and my bed) this whole time she has been sick.

Eliza was up a good part of yesterday, but this was how things were going around dinner last night.

She is up again today, but the coughs that have been left behind from those fevers are deep and fierce.

Blake caught this too.

But in Blake fashion, he worked through it all, took the boys hunting too, and slept when he could.

Chad was back down the last two days.

Yep.

Remember the title of my post?

Big family fun!!

He’s up today and doing great, besides coughing a lot.

See that cutie in this photo below?

Who sat by his sister while she was burning hot?

The one whose lungs must be pretty compromised by all he has going on in his insides?

Wow, does the Lord protect him!

He has a slightly runny nose, which he told me he is very unhappy about.

As usual, he is still smiling bright.

Grant has a cold and cough, but has not missed a beat – so thankful!!

The last couple of weeks can be looked at two ways.

I choose to count my blessings – because THERE ARE SO MANY!

My mornings start out quiet while it’s dark.

And if I had even a smidge of discouragement in my heart and mind, I would start by writing every blessing I could think of down in my journal.

Which was super easy to do, I am sure you know!

This afternoon looks like this –

Isn’t that sweet!

Grant plowed snow all night, slept a few hours this morning, and the laughter while I have been typing this post is contagious!

I will add that Addie Mae left work early, just got home and went straight to bed.

My poor girl!

Dare I say that I haven’t gotten sick yet?

Well, now I’ve done it!!

Hoping and praying I stay healthy this time around!

It looks like we are not completely through it all yet, though, so time will tell!

I hope you all have had a great start to your week and are avoiding all the illness out there!