one more down

Grandma Q was in town and offered to take the girls so that I could take care of Anthony, finish recovering, myself, and catch up on cleaning the house this week, before my parents arrive next Friday. (They are coming to visit, and their visit was timed to coincide with "Chicken Saturday" so that they could take care of the kids while we butcher 200 chickens). Well, Grandma Q called this morning to let me know that Teresa is fully recovered, but Catherine threw up this morning. Sigh. So, she won't be finishing her course of antibiotics for her tooth...(thankfully, though, she was doing 100% better in that arena, even before she left for Grandma's and the dentist thinks that we will probably be ok, because we were almost finished with it, anyway). I hope this doesn't mean that 1) Grandma and her kids will get sick and 2) that Stephen will inevitably be next. He's so little, and while it is hard to watch any of your children suffer; the younger they are, the harder it is. On a positive note, Anthony is finally done throwing up, but will not have his full appetite back for a few days.

A Mother's Prayer for Her Sick Infant*

O Infinitely merciful God, with contrite hearts we acknowledge before you that we have deserved not only this but far more grievous suffering! My family and I have often deeply offended your infinite justice and holiness. It is but right that we should be chastised. Still, we fly to Your paternal heart to implore Your mercy, to beg for a remission of our indebtedness. Look at these innocent children, Yours by far stronger claims than ours! Have mercy, good Father, on my poor sick children, and restore them to health! Amen.

(*abridged from Mother Love, A Prayer Book for Christian Wives and Mothers, p. 207)