Sunday, January 27, 2008

YL Weekend Camp

This weekend our family went to Young Life's Sharptop Cove for the weekend. There were over 400 teenagers there and our friend, Sweeney, was the camp speaker. It had all the makings of a wonderful family getaway, until last week's sickness hit. The camp was relying on us, as my husband was volunteering as Camp Doc. The children appeared to be perking up Friday, so off we went.

It was a great time away, despite the fact P finally succumbed to the crud, as did his parents. Saturday was a tough day, as I spent 8 hours in our room quarantining a child who could not keep anything (even Gatorade) down.
Today was a much better day. The hacking coughs even appeared to be subsiding a bit, until we left this playground and walked from the 35 degree cool air into the indoor heat.
As the children and I walked into the camp store a couple of dozen (primarily female) teenagers started oohing and ahhing as only teen girls can do. "Aren't they cuu-te." "I want triplets." "I'd dress mine all the same too."

Meanwhile, the children erupted in uncontrollable coughing--body shaking, loud, tear inducing hacking--which turned into gagging. I had a flashback of my dream of the 3 overflowing toilets a few nights ago. I knew what was going to happen next. Just then, my husband walked in and I said, "Someone is about to vomit."

Suddenly, K did the honors. As she wretched, I thrust my cupped hand under her chin and managed to catch it all without flinching. Those once perky high school girls watched in horror. K & I singlehandedly (literally) destroyed the fairy tales of a dozen girls regarding the 'glamour' of motherhood. "-)

22 comments:

katie said...

why do we as mothers try to catch stuff like that in our hands?

and it sounds bad, but you all just look so darn cute, i bet you didn't totally ruin those girls dreams!! ;)

Big Mama said...

Yeah, I bet all of a sudden buying matching outfits at Baby Gap didn't really seem all that it was cracked up to be.

Vomit has a way of shattering illusions.

Nice catch, by the way.

Renee said...

That is one thing that I'm not sure I can do. My boys have maybe thrown up 3 times, total. 5 boys, 6 and under. That's not a lot, and I'm not complaining either. I just don't have the stomach for it at all. But y'all do look terribly cute, and you got a sweet little family pic there too. :)

Perri said...

great pictures and I'm sure you did a great spur of the moment lesson on abstinence!

Tee said...

I don't have children, but I had to laugh, not at you and your situation, but the reality check for those teenagers. I will NEVER forget the time a close friend's little boy vomited in my kitchen. I didn't realize how, how can I say this gently, how violent vomiting can be. I just know it's extremely violent when you are the one vomiting. I hope your precious children are better SOON! Loved the photos.

keri said...

oh no!! you definitely gave those teenage girls a reality check! and at least you got some really cute photos in between all the sick moments! i hope everyone gets well SOON!!

Kelly said...

That is so funny! You never imagine that you will be doing just that one day .......and probably never imagined that as you do it - it won't bother you at all. :-)

Jenna said...

Mama of the Year? I'm thinking, yes :)

sara said...

How funny! But not funny if you were there :)

Adorable photos.

Erickson 5 said...

Good Birth control for those girls. LOL. Sorry that everyone was so sick. I hope you are all on the mend soon!
Nicole

Courtney said...

really cute pictures! sorry they got sick...that's been going on at our house too this past week...so glad its over (i pray!)...fun times!

Ashley said...

So sorry you have all been under the weather! Praying for a better week! The pictures are adorable, and the reality of motherhood needs to be demonstrated to teens. Even though I am not a mother yet, watching and observing puts so much in perspective. You are such a good role model and I know the teens will still oh and ah over the triplets. Blessings for speedy recoveries.

Mom of Eleven said...

Yes,
Why is it we will catch the stuff? Is that our innate mother instinct? Just like I will put my hand out over the passenger seat, even if it is R, a large male for 14? Why is that?

So sorry you had a rough weekend, but you toughed it out girl.

Hope you have a better week,
Wendy

Anonymous said...

Your 'My hands are full...' quote at the top of your blog sure fits the bill with this day! Only a mother would try and make that catch - the love we hae for our children!

Maria said...

Your family is just beautiful.

Aubrey said...

It never fails to humor me the things some of the single young men in our family's life get grossed out about. They look at me frequently and say, "Only a mother could do that". Really does something for the self esteem. Sounds like a perfectly normal weekend. Because as I am sure you know, a weekend away from home with small children in tow is never normal.

Mary Lou said...

Your kids are too cute for words....can picture how "it" happened.....I agree with everyone else...good birth control and strong reasons for abstinence....you just did what came by instinct....hope everyone is well and you don't get it...it was shared in my daughter's family, her hubby is the only one who didn't get to join in the "fun". bless you for sharing...real life and how the Lord teaches you through it...your family is blessed to have you at the mother...

Ami said...

Excuse me while I laugh at your expense!

Trudy said...

Oh, that's so funny! Your family's way of sharing the truth! I hope everyone's feeling better now. A good story to share with their future spouses.

Momma-of-5 said...

Glad to know my kids aren't the only ones that vomit due to intense coughing!

GREAT birth control, kids! Keep up the good work.

Shannon said...

Nice catch Mama,
We too had the same thing happen. We pulled up to eat at this popular hamburger joint and out pops some sorority girls.....they lost it over the babies. But I reminded them I was 37 when I had them and to enjoy your freedom! Parenting multiples really all is alot of fun though, for the most part. You take the good with the bad.
-Shannon in Austin

Jill said...

Don't you just sometimes marvel at a mom's uncanny ability to know what's coming and to perfectly time "the catch"?? Hope you all are feeling better.