Merry and Happy

Merry belated Christmas and Happy New Year!



Things at my house have been a bit insane these past weeks. Between working and commuting, I haven't had time for much. I worked Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday last week and when I got home from work on Thursday (I got off early yay!) I ended up taking Johnathan to urgent care and they diagnosed him with RSV and an ear infection. They gave me albuterol, steroids, and antibiotics for him. Poor guy. I took him home and we went to bed!
On Christmas Eve, we went and had brunch with my Aunt, Uncle, and cousins at Cracker Barrel. After we went there, we headed back up to Girard to exchange gifts with Marc's Mom, Dad, and his sisters and their families. That was so much fun. Let me tell you. I wish you could hear the sarcasm in my voice right now (well you can't because I am typing lol) Just imagine 7 kids and 8 adults exchanging presents all at the same time. CHAOS! After that was over, Marc and Joey went to Marc's uncle's house for the Starks' side gathering. The twins and I didn't go because they were still feeling awful. I had a few moments to myself and enjoyed some tv with no requests to watch Toy Story.
Christmas morning came and the boys woke up later than normal (which was perfectly fine by me) and we went downstairs and got them their morning bottles and sippy cup and started in on the presents. We didn't get much for the boys this year because we knew that they would be getting a haul from everyone else and because money is tight. Also because we knew that they didn't know any better. They have no idea about presents anyways, so why fuss and fret when they don't understand. We ended up getting ready and heading down to my mom and dads house to celebrate with them. We got there around noon and proceeded to open presents. This year I was all about giving presents that I knew that the people would really like, not just things that they wanted. (except dad. He is the hardest to surprise. He will just tell us what he wants and that is the best thing to get him.) As silly as it sounds, I was most excited to give Jesse his present. When mom and I went to Arcola, I picked up his present in one of the little shops there. I got him a mustard sampler pack. First of all, he LOVES mustard. I don't mean just likes the stuff, I mean he puts it on anything that he can. He also loves peppers. Habniero and jalapeno to be exact. The hotter the better. What better thing to find than some Habinerio and Jalapeno flavored mustard! There were also a few others, like garlic mustard, that he sounded like he would enjoy as well. He even asked where he could get refills! It made me happy to know that I knew my brother well enough to know what he would like and I hope that he realized that I spent time picking out something that would be perfect for him! I also made my mom a cover for her Kindle for Christmas. It wasn't perfect, but she said it didn't have to be. I wanted it to be something that she loved. Something that she knew that I took my time on just for her. I hope she loves it!

Well after opening presents and eating, I realized that Jonah felt very warm and was having some troubles breathing. I figured that he too had RSV and that he needed to be seen at the ER. I called the after hours line for my doctors office and they told us to head to Children's Hospital. We headed in there and mom and dad watched the boys. After a few Albuterol treatments, the test results came back that he did indeed have RSV as well. They sent us home on treatments and with some steroids to help his lungs. So much for a good Christmas! Oh well!

I was supposed to work the day after Christmas, but I realized that I would be so worried about the boys being sick and that Marc would get overwhelmed with everything he had to do for them and more likely than not, they would be pretty cranky, I called in. They had extra people on the schedule at work, so I didn't feel bad by calling in. We headed back to Girard once mom and dad left for church.

We got up there and tried to get things a bit organized despite having so much stuff to put away. We are so blessed to have so much stuff for the boys! We don't have to worry about clothes for a while! And the same for toys! We have way more than we need! We got the boys settled in and things somewhat straightened out and we all tried to rest. I tried to clean a bit around our bedroom, but didn't get very far.

Monday, Marc had to go back to work, so I was alone with the boys. It wasn't a bad day at all. I just tried to keep them comfortable and fed. The day went by pretty fast, and before you knew it, Marc was home and it was time to eat and get the kids ready for bed.

Tuesday I had to call into work again. It wasn't considered a second absence, so I called in. .The boys weren't well enough to go to Ashley's house anyways. I didn't want to risk her getting sick as well. The boys and I just sat around at home and had a low key day. I just prayed that they would get better! The rest of the week was spent with Marc at home just having fun. We played with a lot of their new toys and just enjoyed each other.

Overall, I had a great year. Between the boys being born and the fun that I have had with all of them, I am truely blessed. Things have been a little rocky to say the least, but I know that God has his hand in everything and everything will be ok!