Today was a day that was so calm and peaceful that I thought "what in the world will I be able to blog about tonight?" When will I learn NOT to ask that question?!?!? ;)

We started our day as usual, with a run and then spent a little time at the pool - we visited with some friends and then went home for lunch, a quick shower and Norman picked us up at 1:00 for my nail appointment. This is the 2nd time since I've been in Nicaragua, that I have gotten my nails done. This is a big sacrifice for me... The nail place I found is so different than the ones in the states...there's no fancy instruments (like nail clippers, cleaners or dryers) - you basically get them filed, filled in and one coat of paint and your finished - so albeit, it is not what I am used to...it gets me by while I'm here.

Anyways, I just finished getting my nails done and we had one more stop, the grocery store on the way home. The girls were so well behaved (this, in retrospect should have been my first clue that something wasn't right). Lucie asked me if we were going home but I explained we needed groceries but would be going home right after.

As we were pulling into the parking lot of La Union (grocery store), Scarlett asked Lucie "what's wrong with you aren't you feeling good?" I looked in the back seat and Lucie had her hand over her mouth (so not a good sign) and before I could tell Norman to stop the car...Lucie puked through her hand and all over herself. Norman stopped the car, but in the middle of the street so we couldn't exit - I am trying to think about how to say "pull over" in Spanish but was a loss for words. Lucie continues to puke all over the back seat, into her activity bag (contains coloring books, crayons, DS's etc..). Gracie starts crying and is desperately trying to open her door - which is locked and she is yelling "abre la puerta" in English "open the door!!". I finally use sign language and limited Spanish to explain to Norman to pull into a parking space and grab Lucie out of the car. She continues to puke and now her little sister is mimicking her actions. Gracie wasn't actually throwing up but making all the noises - which was making me want to toss my cookies!!!

When Lucie seemed finished...I used every anti-bacterial wipe I had in my purse to clean her up. I kept apologizing to Norman - his car was destroyed. I helped clean up as best as I could and he kept telling me "no problem, I will go to the car wash and everything will be fine". Poor guy!! Norman tells me how he and his wife want to have 5 children and all girls - he thinks girls make a happy home - well, after these months with us....I think he very well may change his mind!!

Funny thing about Lucie - she never says "Mom, I'm not feeling well" or "my tummy hurts a little" or even "I am getting ready to puke" - she says NOTHING!!! No complaining...nothing. It amazes me how fast it comes on and if I don't ask her directly "How are you?" she will never tell me. I need to remember this about my girl and ask more often and look out for - what seem obvious now - signs that she may be in trouble!!

We headed into the grocery store and I was rushing because I knew Norman wanted to drop us off and go clean his car. We were going up and down all the isles and then Lucie told me she needed to go to the bathroom - here is a golden opportunity to ask her how she was feeling but instead my reply was "Scarlett, honey please take your sister to the bathroom"!! Lord, what was I thinking?

I was in the check out counter, getting ready to pay when the girls finally came out of the bathroom - I was worried about them at this point and waved them down to where I was. When Lucie got to me, she was looking a little pale and I asked her "how are you feeling love?" And she replied by throwing up all over the floor!!

O.K. - so now I have to pay for my groceries - the check out lady is asking me if I want some coupon deal and giving me all the details and the bagger continues to bag my groceries!! Can't they see what's going on? I took Lucie's hand and started to walk her outside...leaving my groceries behind, she threw up a couple more times before we got out the door, and finished when we were outside. As soon as she was done, she clapped her hands together (this is her communication for "pick me up") and because she was so pitiful, I immediately did so. Now, at this point there is puke all over her clothes, in her hair and now on me.

The bagger showed up outside with our groceries (didn't know that I actually had paid for them already) and I searched my bags and found some baby wipes and cleaned my girl up the best I could!! We got back in the cab (which actually didn't smell too bad) and went directly home. Lucie and I took a shower and she went to bed....

She's feeling much better, had some dinner and is sleeping - so I think the worst is over. Scarlett and I replayed the entire scenario this evening and got very tickled. Does it mean that I'm a good mother when I can laugh at my children getting sick? Am I absolutely losing my mind because I find this all so funny? Is it time to go home?

Well, it's actually surprising that this is our first sickness (and hopefully the last) since our stay in Nicaragua. I think we are all exhausted and it reminds me of how blessed we are to have our health during this journey. So no, I will never ask myself again "what will I be able to blog about tonight"? Because in my world, something ALWAYS happens!!!

P.S. Just getting ready to publish this post and my girl just got sick again!! Please pray for her speedy recovery!!

Love and Blessings ....