4 a.m.

Two loads of towels, both bathroom floors scrubbed, two girls in my bed, husband moved to couch and me, still running between my two sick children. Oh the joys of motherhood! Really it started about 12:30 a.m. I heard that awful sound of my child crying my name in the middle of the night. It amazes me how quickly you can wake up from a dead sleep when your child needs you. No sooner had I gotten the baby girl cleaned up and settled in our bed then I heard her older sister cry out. I knew this was not going to be a normal night. Just as I settled in to rest on the little couch, I heard the whole thing start over again. "Momma!" and up I jumped and ran to the back to find both girls again, suffering through their pain.

Oh how I wish I could take it away for them! I hate seeing them suffer knowing there is really nothing I can do but hold their heads in my hands and wipe their faces. I can gently rock them make sure they have cool rags on their faces, and be ready for the next round.

So, I have sat at my computer for the last little bit and typed out lesson plans and emailed them to friends to give to my sub. I hope they find a sub for me! I've debated on how I could run to the school and make sure everything is set up for the kids so the day will run smoothly, but just as I think I can rest, I realize, sleep is not in the cards for me tonight. I will not be going to school. If I am lucky, I will catch a nap sometime today if my girls are feeling better and resting.

The older daughter is determined to go to school even now as she lays in the bathroom floor because if she misses she will loose her exemptions for her finals. It makes me angry to think that she will put herself through driving to school and sitting through at least one class and then go to the doctor to find out she has a virus just so she won't loose her exemption. What a messed up policy! She will expose who knows how many others to her germs because she knows she has to be there for at least 30 minutes to be excused with a doctor's note. But right now, she can't, or won't, even get back in bed for fear of another mad dash to the bathroom.

It reminds me of all those days and nights I laid on that same bathroom floor when she was waiting to be born. Actually, I did that with all three of my girls. At least four months of sickness while they grew warmly and safely inside. What I wouldn't do or go through for my precious girls! What I wouldn't do to save them from the same pain and suffering! Right now, I am just hoping the worse for tonight is behind them and rest will come soon.

5 a.m., Hubby's alarm is going off. Morning is just around the corner. I'll wait until I can call in and request a sub and then, hopefully then, I will find some time for sleep.