Dashed Plans

Mary had the challenging experience of learning what it means to make personal sacrifices as a mom in a tough way this week. Today, just a few hours before Mary and Aaron were to leave for the airport to fly to TX with Courtney and Sawyer Cassada, Aaron came down with a severe stomach virus. Mary's college roomates from "The Barnhouse" as we called the old house we lived in, were all getting together for a reunion in Austin, TX. It was to be the first time all 8 of us gathered in a long time, not to mention 4 of us just had baby boys this past year and all of the babies would be there as well!

Aaron's stomach bug turned out to be the Norovirus and unfortunately, was not going anywhere anytime soon and it took its toll on the entire household. We didn't know how bad it was at first, so initially, Mary thought we might be able to fly on Friday or Saturday, because the reunion was to last until Monday. Mary spent hours on the phone and computer trying to figure out how to get credit for the missed flight or possibly transfer the flight to another date, or buy a new flight altogether. I kept thinking "ok, if Aaron doesn't throw up again in the next few hours, maybe we can go" Then, when Kevin, Andy and I all got sick Saturday morning, I knew we were not going anywhere. It was SOOOO hard missing that reunion, but I felt very blessed and thankful that this happened BEFORE we got on the plane, and that I could be there to care for my son and husband. Thankfully, Kevin's dad did not get sick for a few days and was able to help care for Aaron while Kevin and I were sick, and then we were feeling better when he got sick, so we took turns. We went through more diapers, outfits, towels, pedialite, toilet paper, Gatorade, and saltines than I thought was possible.