You may wonder why I would make a post about illness as you read this, but in my mind, times of illness are memories too!

Besides that, I truly enjoy looking back on memories like these ones and seeing God’s faithfulness written ALL over them!

You may remember that at the end of November Eliza and I were slightly sick.

Addie was next and her fever burned high and long and scared her Mama to pieces.

And then it was Chad’s turn.

Chad arrived here at Twin Oaks to get a haircut from his Mama, all while burning up with a fever of all things.

He learned his “how to be sick” skills from his Dad, just saying!!

Those two don’t sit still easily!

Needless to say, once I got him to admit that he needed to lay down, he was here for three nights with us.

I did not want him to be alone down at his place with that high of a fever!

Sadie was obviously very happy about Chad’s illness, as she not only had a lot of time with her main guy, but she also got to keep Chad’s spot warm when he wasn’t laying in it.

Chad left on Tuesday (Dec 6th), and I was sick burning with the high fever by Wednesday afternoon.

Blake had to stay home with us on Thursday because of how sick Addie and I both were.

Here is my view on Wednesday afternoon, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning.

At least it was a pretty view!!

Kayla’s were also sick.

It all started for them in November while they were traveling.

Sunday morning I woke up to a text from Kay saying that they needed to get help.

Addie was well and back on her feet so she headed over to the farm to take care of all the kiddos while David took Kayla and Aspen to the Urgent Care.

It wasn’t very long before I was getting texts from Kayla saying that they were not only admitting Aspen due to bronchitis and pneumonia, but they were transferring her to a bigger hospital as well.

Oh. My. Heart.

Addie packed up the rest of the kiddos and headed back to Twin Oaks so we could all hunker down here together.

I was a little better at this point, but not well at all.

Sunday night Addie started burning fevers again and was back in bed full time.

Monday morning Blake brought me some coffee as he was heading out to work, and I seriously had a small moment of panic – how was I going to do all of this when I could not even take a deep breath because of the congestion in my lungs?

Well, guess what???

IT COULD NOT HAVE WENT BETTER IF I HAD PLANNED IT.

Every need was met, every belly was filled, the children were AMAZING, and I was able to be on my feet enough to do the most important things.

Aspen and Kayla were also both improving with the care they were receiving and I cannot tell you how thankful we were!

God is so cool.

Tuesday I called our doctor and said I needed some help myself, and I had a telephone appointment with her on Wednesday morning.

My lungs were full.

My eye was infected.

Blake picked up my antibiotics and I started to improve instantly!

The grand kiddos went home Wednesday afternoon after Aspen got released from the hospital Wednesday morning.

I think Addie got help from our doctor on Thursday? Friday?

She started to improve instantly too!

By Friday, though, our youngest three were getting sick.

Lane burned the hottest.

Eliza did not get the fever again, but got the eye infection.

Saturday I was well enough to head to town to get some much needed grocery and Kayla did the same.

We met up at one point and helped each other while sipping some much needed coffee.

It did my heart so good to see her!

Each Sunday we would watch church over live stream from home.

It is such a blessing to have that option!

That Sunday everyone was well enough to climb in the van and we drove through the Christmas lights!!

I had started using eye drops that we already had on the three youngest kiddos that day – so Monday we were calling the doctor again for more help.

Lane, Tate and Eliza all had the eye infection, and I knew we needed more eye drops.

One kiddo had an ear infection and a very tight cough as well.

Our sweet doctor literally just lined them up and took care of them all at once, bless her heart!!!

Every time I showed up at the pharmacy, our pharmacist was like “what in the world?!!”

Yes, we felt that way too – what in the world.

So many antibiotics, so many breathing treatments.

Sigh.

Grant was the last man standing, so he was the last man to fall.

Poor guy!

I made Chad bring him to me so I could take care of him!

Those fevers were no joke.

Grant was sick going into Christmas weekend.

By this time our trio was fine.

Addie and I, however, relapsed as soon as our meds were done.

Sigh again.

During all of this time we had friends checking on us, brining us meals, and one friend brought snacks one afternoon that are now my favorite!

At some point I also started ordering Christmas gifts because I had not done any Christmas shopping yet!

Grant was able to be with us on Christmas day, even though he did not go to church.

Addie and I took a whole second round of meds, and we are mostly well now.

David and Kayla’s crew are well, and Aspen has made a full recovery, praise God!!

Besides my one moment of panic that Monday morning when the grand kids were here, I had such an immense peace throughout this all.

Ok, wait, I did have one other terrible moment when I got the text from Kayla that Aspen was being transferred to a bigger hospital – it was pretty much a pacing up and down the hallway sobbing kind of thing.

My heart was hurting!!

You all, I seriously could hardly pray during all of this….but that is what is SO amazing about the body of Christ.

We had SO MANY friends standing in the gap for us, praying fervently for us, and supporting us with constant messages and food.

Illness in our area has been super bad these last two months.

We were not the only ones sick and we know many people who are still very sick!

This was a bacterial virus for us, and it hung on.

There is SO much to be thankful for though!

For our doctor who is only 12 minutes away.

That the boys live close by and were able to be here with us.

That, even though it is never our first choice, we were able to get the medication we needed to help us get well.

That Blake only missed work that one day to care for us.

And most importantly for the care the Aspen (and Kayla) received.

Their care was incredible.

Praise the Lord for it ALL!!

I am still praising Him and thanking Him for every single part of those weeks!

He is kind, and good, and gives us what is BEST for us and for His glory.

I hope, if you made it to the end of this long trip down memory lane, that you and yours have been well.

I hope that you stay well!

But if not, I hope you can still praise God for whatever He brings and that you can see His hand in it all.

To God be the Glory!!