Trip to China - February 2014

Marcus had postponed his 4th quarter trip to China until the beginning of the year and then the engineering department was put on mandatory Saturdays for the month of January so China was put off until February.  He needed to be gone a little longer because of the delay and we decided to choose his trip dates so he would only miss one weekend (my request).

As the trip came closer, Brad, the owner decided to hold the annual Management meeting in China around the same time so our careful planning was changed into an even longer trip with two weekends.  Good times.  I don't know why it is so much easier to have him gone during the week vs. the weekends.  The weekends drag without him and it stresses me out a little bit because the work projects hang over my head.

This trip was up to par with the majority of his other trips.  Chaos began almost within the first 24 hours.

Maddie had been sick the two days before Marcus left.  She had thrown up several times.  I was so grateful that Marcus was still here (he takes charge of the clean up which I am very grateful for).  Marcus left Tuesday early in the morning and Maddie was 100% on Tuesday.  Wednesday morning I woke up to Reagan telling me Maddie had thrown up in the hallway a couple of times (darn!).  I told her to try and go back to bed and we would clean it up in a couple of hours.  Will came out at seven and told me that Maddie had pooped and he had stepped in it.

I jumped up and WOW, had she ever!  There was a solid track of diarrhea throughout our home.  The smell was terrible and my mind was racing.  What do we do?  Our carpet was already past due and I felt like I had been super patient living with its already gross condition.  This was the final straw.  I knew we wouldn't be able to get it all the way clean (because of the liquid state - TMI).  I counted 18 major spots and several dribbles in between.  Paige was awake and I quickly threw her in her highchair for the next 1 1/2 hours.  Needless to say, she wasn't thrilled.

Will jumped into the bathtub, under my instruction, to rinse off his foot and take off the soiled jammies.  Unfortunately, he slimed the tub rim on his way in and then stepped right into the toy basket.  Awesome.  Next he plugged the tub, just like always.  By the time I made it in the bathroom there was poop everywhere and Will was sitting in a bath with poop floating all over.  Yuck!  I cleaned him up, put the toys in the dishwasher, and sterilized the bathroom in record time.  This is all before the kids left for school.  We quickly had cereal (the kids were so excited because we NEVER eat cereal for breakfast) and got the girls out the door.

My dad called during breakfast to ask about babysitting that night (because, of course, I was in charge of the Relief Society activity that night) and I had a small melt down.  I really did not know what to do. He came right over and we decided the carpet had fought its last fight.  It was coming out.  The next hour was full of moving furniture and ripping up carpet and pad.  We worked like dogs.  I was scheduled to volunteer in Ainsley's class at 9:55 that morning.  I had mentioned to her that I might need to get a sub and she was in tears because they had a substitute coming and her rowdy class and substitutes... struggle.  I assured her I would make it and I did... barely.  I also managed to call a carpet cleaner that we had used a few months earlier (and he was amazing) and he agreed to fit me in to a small opening that morning to clean the kids rooms.  It all came together.  My dad worked all morning cutting and hauling carpet and I rolled pad and swept.

Before the day was over my dad had taken the carpet away and we were a plywood type of home:).  Our new "shoes only" rule was quickly implemented.  We had shoe piles almost instantly because we had plywood with nails, staples and slivers and then wet clean carpet.  The kids were troopers.  The afternoon was filled with last minute errands (meant for the morning) in preparation for the RS activity and a trip to the vet. We made it through the day, barely.

Marcus had no idea as he was still in route.

The things I am grateful for:
- My dad being nearby.
- Maddie being okay (I was worried she was going to die and I really didn't want that)
- The smell leaving my house with the carpet:)
- How much the house brightened with the dark orange floor changed into light plywood.  (it has me reconsidering our flooring choice)
- A wonderful visiting teacher that was constantly checking in with me.

On Sunday we started in with sickness.  Low grade fevers with a yucky cold.  The most difficult part for me is the lack of sleep.  Sitting upright for two straight nights with Paige is not very fun.  I was expressing my frustration in needing help to my mom one night and she reminded me that it was part of the deal.  When we took this job and knew of the travel, they agreed to help us.  This made me feel worlds better.  She was right.  (I still like being self-sufficient and will probably struggle with needing help my entire life).

We are still sick but on the mend.  Reagan was able to go to school today for the first time all week (today is Friday).  Of course, Marcus gets home tomorrow.  That pretty much sums up Marcus' trips for us at home.