4 years 4 months 17 days

Day 1599. I appreciate all the prayers for us. Please don't stop. This is day 5 for me, and I feel a lot better tonight. Tammy and Emmy both had high fevers last night and today, but it's only day 2 for them, and Tammy started getting sick about 12 hours before Emmy. So far Sammy is still healthy, thank God, even though he's woken up crying a few times tonight, which is not typical.

This past night was pretty rough again, with Tammy and Emmy both joining me in bed and waking me up frequently, as our bed is just too little for four people. Randy took Sammy to kindergarten at 8:30, while I stayed in bed. Tammy had gone to her own bed to sleep, while Emmy was up. I didn't stay long in bed today, but waited for Randy to return so I could leave the house. He had stopped at a store, so it was a little later than usual. I wasn't feeling so great, but I had no choice but to get dressed for my quick and necessary trip to the bank. I was only gone for half an hour, but it sure seemed longer because of the effort it cost me because of being sick.

The kids never went downstairs today. Randy and Sammy returned at 12:45, and only the two of them sat down to eat. I still didn't have an appetite, nor did the other two kids. I was able to get them to eat three spoonfuls of soup each. Their fever was pretty similar throughout the day, but Emmy didn't look as bad, and was still talkative, even with that high a fever. Tammy slept for several hours from late morning into the afternoon. She looked absolutely terrible. In the evening it was Emmy who looked really bad, and he fell asleep really quickly, but then he had not slept during the day.

Randy left with Sammy at 2:45 pm for his physiotherapy session. He had not had one since before Christmas, and there are only a few left as his therapist is retiring. I was supposed to start teaching at 2:50, but my student was late. Tammy was asleep at that time, while Emmy was watching videos on his tablet, sitting by the table.

My second of three students didn't show up, and so I started packing for our trip, as Randy had already gotten the suitcases out and got some stuff ready. He and Sammy then returned before my next student at 5 pm. I taught until 6 pm, and found Sammy tired and cranky. He had already woken up and staye up at 5 am this morning. Tammy and Emmy didn't want to eat anything, so I made food for Sammy. Tammy then had a piece of an apple, and so did Emmy.

I put water into the bathtub for Sammy and was surprised, when Tammy came and said she wanted to go into the water. Her fever was down for the first time, and she looked better. Emmy looked worse and stayed lying in my bed, where his tablet was hooked up and charging, while he was using it. He did not want to go into the bathtub, and so it was his siblings who were having fun in the water.

We then got them ready for bed. I put Sammy straight to bed, and he soon fell asleep. I went to the top bunk with the other two, where I still read them a good-night story upon their request. Emmy fell asleep next to me before I was done. Tammy wanted me to still stay with her, so I did. Eventually I left to get something to eat as well. She was not happy and wanted to come sleep in my bed, but I told her later. After I had eaten, she had another fit wanting to come, and I gave in and let her. She was fast asleep next to me, when I heard Emmy cry. He was still on top. I tried to carry Tammy to her bed, but she woke up and didn't want to go to her own bed. In addition, Emmy was lying in her spot, so I tried to get Emmy out and put him into his own bed. They were both crying on the top of their lungs. I then put Emmy into his bed and sat down in the chair next to his bed with Tammy, who calmed down in my arms. I was holding her, while holding hands with Emmy through the bars. After a few minutes she willingly lay down in her own bed, and I was a ble to walk away.

Not for long, though. She soon wanted to come to my bed again, and I let her, even though it's harder for me to work, when she's there. Now she's asleep next to me, but I'm about to leave to take care of the dishes, then I can go to bed.

Please continue praying for all our healths. Tomorrow is our last day in Vienna. Saturday morning we take a train a few hours west to go on our one-week skiing vacation.