The Good, The Bad, and the Nasty

This last weekend I had some AWESOME plans.

I have been friends with a gal in California (via email, instant messaging, and telephone) for over a year now and we have never even met! This weekend Taylor was able to fly out and visit me for 4 whole days! We were both SO EXCITED. We had a million things planned. Meals were prepped, movie times were researched, family dinners were coordinated, daddy-daycare was all in place.

And then...

The night before her arrival, Cooper throws up. We spend a good deal of time cleaning, bathing, and carpet-shampooing that loveliness. A few hours later, Tucker is out of bed and complaining. Knowing this stomach bug is running rampant through his kindergarten class, I send him back to bed with a bucket. 11 pm, Tucker explodes all over his bed, everywhere BUT the bucket, mind you. At this point all "getting ready for company" comes to a halt. We are doing multiple loads of puke-laced laundry and more bathing of little bodies and scrubbing mattresses, trying to find clean places for everyone to sleep!!! Jason makes arrangements to miss work the next day so that I can still go to the airport and get my friend. He is also up with Tucker all night.

The next morning, Taylor and I try to stay FAR away from the house and go have our fun. But the dark cloud of unhappiness strikes again. Jason is having trouble with work and needs to go in to the office. I bring my guest back to the House of Puke and we hang out there the rest of the day, skipping our original plans. Come Saturday morning all children are feeling well!!! Taylor and I attempt day # 2 of our fun girls weekend! Yay - we're back on track!

But NOOOOO.....

After only a few errands in the morning, we head back home because I am not feeling so hot! For the second time in as many days, our plans go out the window. After a quick nap, and now it's time for Jason to leave for the priesthood session of General Conference, I am downright horrible. As I lay withering on the couch inbetween a bunch of prayers to the porcelain throne, Taylor takes over in full-on "Mom Mode" (her every dream!) She fixed dinner for the boys, hearded them off to bed, even administering medicines at the right time and in the right way! Let me tell ya, this girl knows my routine. I was able to perk up a little later that evening, but we basically stayed put.

Forward to Sunday. We took it easy this day as I recovered and of course to watch General Conference at home. Everyone was well - again. YIPEE!!! We did a couple of small crafty things inbetween sessions. We had plans to do a big family dinner together w/ my side, but everyone quickly "uninvited" us once they heard about the flu. (Do we blame them?) So for the THIRD day in a row, plans were cancelled. That night, not long after we put the kids to bed, Cooper vomited all over his crib.......AHHH!!!!!!!!! He had been well for 3 days!?!? So here we go - back to the bathing, scrubbing, laundering while our guest sits by.

Monday I was able to send my older 2 back to school, and Cooper we gave a little clear liquids and THAT'S IT. We are easing back into things. HOPEFULLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As for Taylor and I..... despite the horribly upsetting sickness and changes to my agenda, we DID seem to do a lot of things. She swears she had a good time, and so far she didn't catch anything! Keeping my fingers crossed. Here's the speedy rundown: (and before you think I'm a terrible bore, these were all specific requests of hers!)

Shopped at Joann's

Wal-mart

Hobby Lobby

Bought some upcoming holiday necessities

A couple of lunches out

Sampled some of "Amy's famous" recipes: homemade pizza, 7-layer dip, chicken pot pie, along with huge choc chip cookies

Make homemade soaps

Sewed our own quilted coasters (and even a matching table runner for her!)

Toured some model homes, just for the fun of it

Took the kids to Toys R' Us
A quick peek in the mall

Watched Conference

Watched a silly chick-flick

Painted our fingernails

(did I miss anything?)

On with the pictures! Are you still awake?

This is on our first day out. We're in a good mood!

These are my awesome coasters. Much better in person, though.

Making dreams come true in Toys R' Us.

The boys loved having "Auntie Taylor" here. See, Cooper's crying because he misses you already!

And last but not least, time to say goodbye. If I look a little decrepid in this picture, I'm sure it needs no explanation.

THANKS FOR THE VISIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (and for EVERYTHING.)