Because strep throat isn't fun. (But chamomile tea helps.)

As I type this, I'm holed up in my little basement office typing away with a cup of chamomile and honey. The kids are asleep, the husband is making his way toward bedtime—we're all sick. Literally, all of us. It's hotmessville up in these parts.

It started last Friday when my son went to bed with a fever.

Over the course of the last week, my husband developed pinkeye which has since spread to both my kiddos. And it might be brewing in my left eye.

Let me be clear on one thing: Yes, I love pink. But not in this very situation.

Additionally, while the fever is gone, my little man has two ear infections. And my daughter has a steady temperature. I had a steady temperature from Tuesday through Thursday, and now I have strep throat. 

So here's to hoping she doesn't end up with strep throat. 

Did you follow all of that? 

I can barely keep up and/or manage all the medications on the kitchen counter.

Worth noting: I forgot how much strep throat sucks. 

It's literally been years since I've had it.

It hurts to talk and swallow, but the tea (and the amoxicillin) is helping.

Did you know that chamomile tea can be used to relieve the symptoms of pinkeye? 

Our doctor suggested this to my husband as an addition to the eye drops he's been using, and he swears it's working. So I brew myself a cup of tea, and then pass on the tea bag to him. Don't waste good tea, eh?

Bet you can decipher that our Christmas was sort of crazy. Luckily, the kids still had a blast with their presents. But we aren't able to celebrate with my family this weekend, which is a complete and total bummer times five million because we couldn't celebrate with them last year, either.

Because I was sick. 

Joy to being sick on Christmas. 

Last year was different, though. I was pregnant, ended up in the emergency room for fluids, had the flu...anyway. This year is only slightly better. Translation: No trips to the ER.

I did try to make a trip to the walk-in clinic because my doctor's office was closed, which presented a 2.5-hour wait. I decided against it and instead accompanied my kids to their doctor. She didn't treat me, but made some suggestions as to what she thought I might have. I relayed her thoughts to my doctor via the off-hours phone number and...we've come full-circle: I have strep throat. Yay.

So, we're laying low hoping that the meds we picked up today will kick in overnight and put us on the uphill battle toward being healthy again. And since I'm not doing much in the exercise department right now—was supposed to teach a Studio Pump and PiYo Live class on Friday, but had to sub it out—you'll get your monthly dose of links to love at some point before the weekend is out. With lots of time to read, I'm finding some pretty great articles.

Question: Anyone else out there dealing with yucks right now? Any home remedies for soothing a sore throat? I'm down with trying anything. I've also gargled a salt water/baking soda combo at the suggestion of my doctor, which gave me some relief...