Mommy, why does my ear hurt?!

Yesterday morning started off very normal. 4 of us up, ready, out the door, loaded in the van and off to our destinations. It is worth noting that about 3 days a week all 4 of us load up in the van and commute/car pool together to daycare/school/work (saves gas, which puts more money in the pockets...see we are frugal and green). A typical day means we leave the house no later than 7 am, drop both kids off at daycare by 7:15 am and head down I 66 to I 81 with a goal to arrive at work about 15 minutes early....7:45 am. It's good to get to work early, ya know. The boss likes that.

Sorry...got off on a bit of a tangent, but now you know how our mornings go. Some other day I'll tell you how our evenings go. It's all clockwork and scheduled. Just how I like it.

Kids got dropped off, and Ryan and I got to work extra early yesterday. 7:30 am. The boss super duper liked that, and thank God cause by 10:30 am Miss Diane (Lauren's fantastic preschool teacher) called. Lauren was very upset and crying that her ear hurt. To quote Miss Diane (who has been a very patient/caring preschool teacher for 20 years) 'She is the most dramatic child I have ever seen! She's going to drive me to drink!' No kidding. Lauren was screaming, kicking, and practically hyperventilating about her ear. I guess it hurt.

I got there to pick her by 12:30 pm and Lauren was lying on the floor beside Miss Diane with her eyes closed, head on a pillow. As soon as she heard my voice, she was wrapped around my torso arms in a death grip. I didn't even see her jump.

Boy oh boy, Miss Diane was right...Lauren was loud and crying. 'Mommy, why does my ear hurt?' After stopping at 7-11 and getting motrin, ingesting magic motrin formula, driving back down I 66 towards Winchester, and singing 'Mommy's going to buy you a mockingbird' 101 times, this is what happened (see picture):

Finally she gets some rest. Dr Sledd diagnosed her with positive Strep throat and a right ear infection. Poor gal really was sick.

Little Missy did end up with a fever of 103 last night...but that is nothing the pink candy can't fix. After double dosing her with antibiotic last night, she woke up with a spring in her step this morning. But, that may also be because of her excitement to spend her 'sick' day with Grandma and Granddaddy.

I know the flu shot doesn't prevent Strep throat...but prayer, does. RIGHT?!?!??!!??!