Sick Little One, and a Great Movie

This is how Nora has felt for the last two days. Poor thing has not kept ANYTHING down. I feel so bad for her. She was just laying there and didn't want me to move her so I took a picture. I went to change the laundry (her sickness has resulted in multiple loads) and when I came back I saw this...

What a sweetie. I took her up to bed and she slept for almost 3 hours.

Here she is today. She still can't keep anything down, but is content to watch High School Musical 2 and Gullah Gullah Island. (I record it off of Noggin at like 2:00am) Did any of your kids ever watch that? It's really cute and I wish I was able to live that way...always with my kids in a gorgeous natural environment...singing songs and being happy. I know, I know, it's just a show, but it inspires me.

Anyway, having Nora sick got me thinking. I was able yesterday to hold her, comfort her, bathe her (3 times) without rushing. I realized that I was never able to do that with my other 2 year olds that were sick. I always had a newborn and after Ella I also had a 3 year old who was getting into things and needed help. The sick one would get cleaned up, swaddled in a blanket and plopped on the couch while I ran to the next child demanding attention.

Yesterday, I didn't worry about if the kids were using every pillow, blanket and toy in the house to make a fort. They were old enough to amuse themselves and let me take care of her. I cherished that chance. It was so fulfilling to me. It did however make me feel bad for my other kids. It's one of the down sides to having them so close. I know there are so many good things too, but this is one time when I wonder if spacing them a little more would have been better for them...and me. Oh well, I guess it's like I try to tell Ella about being the oldest (she hates it), there are pro's and con's. I'm happy our family turned out the way it did. I'm hoping to really take hold of these moments more than I have in the past.

One fun thing that we did this weekend while Paul was out of town was sleepovers. We have a no sleepover rule (with friends) at our house, so we have to come up with alternatives. Ella slept over in my bed the first two nights, and then the boys got to have a sleepover in her room last night. It was so cute to see them all excited about it. Sometimes is just the ordinary things that can be so much fun. That brings me to this...

Because of the sick little girl, I had to cancel my plans to go out with a friend. I was so bummed because Paul had been out of town and I was really needing some time. Instead, I popped some popcorn, got all the blankets and pillows and we watched one of my favorite movies. I loved the old Charlotte's web, but the new one just has so many fabulous things about it.

The music is unbelievable. My kids fall asleep to the soundtrack almost every night. It tells the story of the movie without words so beautifully.

The scenery is so gorgeous. It makes me want to go and live on a farm every spring, summer, and fall.

I also LOVE the yellow dress Fern wears at the end with red ribbons in her hair. So classic and cute.

Favorite quotes from the movie:

"There is a name for her condition...It's called a childhood phase, and sadly, it's something she'll grow out of."

"I'm not so sure being in the same place is the same as being friends."

"Maybe children are just better listeners than we are."

"It says terrific just as clear as day, T-E-double R-I-F-I-C. I mean, can you imagine a spider being able to spell that? I don't think I could spell that until the 10th grade."

"Once a promise is made, it needs to be kept."

And last but not least, the song at the end of the movie by one of my all time favorites Sarah McLachlan, Ordinary Miracle:

It’s not that unusual
When everything is beautiful.
It’s just another ordinary miracle today.

The sky knows when its time to snow,
Don’t need to teach a seed to grow.
It’s just another ordinary miracle today.

Life is like a gift they say
Wrapped up for you everyday;
Open up and find a way
To give some of your own.

Isn’t it remarkable?
Like every time a rain drop falls,
It’s just another ordinary miracle today.

Birds in winter have their fling
But always make it home by spring.
It’s just another ordinary miracle today.

When you wake up everyday
Please don’t throw your dreams away;
Hold them close to your heart
Cause we’re all a part
Of the ordinary miracle.
Ordinary miracle

Do you want to see a miracle?
ohh ohh ohh, ohhh ohh ohh...

It seems so exceptional
That things just work out after all.
It’s just another ordinary miracle today.

Sun comes up and shines so bright
And disappears again at night.
It’s just another ordinary miracle today.
ohh ohh ohh, ohh ohhh ohh...
It’s just another ordinary miracle today.

It all made having to stay home with my sweeties worth it. Great reminders of the ordinary miracles I see everyday!!