Picklesticks!

That is what Josie says. She means "fiddlesticks" but it comes out "Picklesticks" all the time. That or she'll just say "Ah, Pickles!" when things are not going her way. I have no idea where that came from.

I say picklesticks today because both girls are sickies, again. Poor Josie woke up this morning with a stuffy head and cough, and Marie is still fighting that cough of hers. Hospice is coming this morning to check her out. Her chest is all rattly, but I can't tell if it's a back of the throat sound or a lung sound. We did finally get her meds straightened out, Praise God! She is now taking 3x the original dose we started with, and breaking it up three times a day. She got a good nap yesterday and slept well last night, but she woke up coughing at 6. I got up and sat in the recliner with her right next to the humidifier. I kept dozing off and on but she stayed up. She is a tired Mama now.

Josie loved the parade! It was cold and windy here, imagine that! Luke took her to the parade and I stayed home with Rie. She had a blast, and we got a video of her on the float but Daddy didn't take any pictures of her all dressed up. It was something, her green HHS Dragons tee that Christy made her, a gold bead necklace complete with football, and white ribbon in her hair. My Josie is so stinking cute. She even wore her Nike's, because they are green and white, and my child is nothing if not color coordinated.

Today we're laying low, we're skipping the soccer game, and it's damp and freezing out! Almost literally, last I checked it's only 39! I actually put socks on for the first time in months, and well, I don't like socks, so it must be cold!

Please pray with me that Marie's cough passes quickly, it was horrible to hear her this morning. She can cough once or twice and then just starts choking. Her little face was red and her eyes were watering. Poor little Mama...

I'm including my email devotion for today, often they hit home for me. Today, I thought I'd post it here because I have some dear frineds who are struggling with changes in their lives too. I hope it brings comfort to those who need it. This is from Lutheran Hour Ministries.

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries By Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker of The Lutheran Hour®

"Solid Foundation" October 11, 2008 For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:11 As I talk with people, one of the things many of them complain about is feeling unsure. Their world and the things in which they put their confidence seem shaky. If that's true for you, maybe you might want to take a lesson from the natives of the Sapura plateau of India. On that plain, there is a primitive tribe of natives who have a unique custom. After an earthquake, the men of the tribe go around driving nails into the ground to make it firm again. Now, you know and I know pounding nails into the ground is not going to prevent another earthquake from happening. Pounding nails is a futile gesture, just like many of the ways we try to bring order into our lives. We try to stop our own personal earthquakes by running around and making everything secure and sound. Sadly, the passing of time shows all of our attempts just don't do the job. The truth is: we can't stop our earthquakes, but God can. God is powerful; God is consistent; most of all God is benevolent and cares about what happens to us. To those who have faith in Jesus as their Savior, Who have built their lives upon Jesus as their Foundation, God has given His personal guarantee. He has promised never to pull the rug out from under us or let the roof fall down about our ears. He, and His Son, our Savior, will always be there, ready to give us help, hope and a hand up. So, if you are troubled today, if you're shaken, or if your world is a'rockin' and a'rollin', don't go around pounding nails in the ground. No, trust the Savior Who gave Himself so you might be given a peace that the world cannot give. Let the Holy Spirit build you a solid foundation upon the Savior. From a devotion originally written for "By the Way" THE PRAYER: Dear Jesus, You are my solid Foundation. Through all life's quakes, grant that I rely on You. Let me be comforted in this world, as well as in the next. With a thankful heart I ask this in Your Name. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours, Pastor Ken Klaus Speaker of The Lutheran Hour Lutheran Hour Ministries