***** Only 6 more days *****
(Turn off the blog music before playing this song.)
*** "It's Christmas time and it's my favorite time of year!!!" ***
Oh, it truly is my favorite holiday!!! We got through our extreeeeeemmmmmmly busy week and now we are trying to catch our breath. My comment to Mike before he headed out for work this morning was this, "Taking a nap today is high on my list!!!" He responded, "Good!"
Our week has been fun, tough, challenging, and sweet!
Fun: We got to see a lot of friends and family that we don't see too much throughout the year. The kids had a blast at all the Christmas parties we've been at. Lapp Structures had their banquet on Thursday night. There was a lot of preparation done and to have this night over was a relief in a sense. We do really appreciate all the employees and drivers, so we want the best food and party for them! It was a late night and the kids got to bed at 11 PM. Ashlyn was still not feeling well and had a really bad cough! That alone makes a weary mom!!!
Tough: I knew a busy week could be tough and Ashlyn's health was it!!! Hadassah had a sore throat and cough and was drinking a lot of tea! The rest of us stayed healthy but the lack of sleep made us tired. Friday morning, I cleaned my dad's shop. (Something I do every other Friday.) Ashlyn seemed to be feeling better but still had a cough really bad. Especially when she slept. She took a decent afternoon nap and at 2:15 PM she woke up and was coughing really bad. I called the doctor and took her in to get checked out. I kept thinking things like RSV, etc.???? I was doing the home remedy's of Unkers on her feet and chest and running a vaporizer in her room. The doctor listened to her breath and cough. She breathed fine but coughed nasty. We did a nebulizer treatment at the doctors office and she responded good to that. Bronchitis. I left the doctors and headed for Ephrata Medical to pick up a nebulizer machine and then to to CVS for the treatment drops. Thanks to Angie for picking up the kids at school and to Jody for watching them till I finally was back home at 5:00. Mike and I had a banquet at 6. Oh my. Because the meds were not ready when I was at CVS, Mike stopped for them and grabbed two personal pizza's for the kids at Pizza Hut. We rushed to get ourselves ready and out the door. The kids stayed with Lena (thank you so much again!!!). We got to the banquet safe and sound and late. It was OK though. The food was great and after some games, we headed back home!!! Ashlyn was still coughing but I was hoping she was on her way to getting better and not worse!
Challenging: Up like a lark on Saturday morning. Oh how we would have loved to sleep in!!! Mike dropped Ginger off at Sadie's (thank you Sadie) and then picked up his parents and we all headed for Juaniata County for the King's Christmas Dinner. The two hour ride out was OK but we had a great time with the family! Thank you Merv and Anna Ruth for the wonderful food and hospitality! The drive home went fast and most of us slept! We couldn't wait to jump into our nighties and relax at home for the evening! Sorry, JR and Ann, but going to yet another gathering would have been crazy for us. Next year!!!
Sweet: Sunday we went to church. Studying the Christmas Story is still always wonderful and picturing it in "real life" is always inspiring! Hadassah and Ashlyn's cough are much better. Ashlyn is still very whiny and not her "happy self" but we are grateful for the improvement! Again, we got to enjoy more family time with the "Riehl's" and a yummy lunch. The Riehl's were at Aaron and Linda's home and many thanks to them for having us all! Love you guys! After Mike played some good Rook games, we were back home ... again ... for the evening!!! Mike put Ashlyn on our bed so he could hang up his clothes and suddenly I heard her crying like crazy! She fell head first off the bed! Mike felt so bad and held her for a long time before she finally seemed to be OK. It was a scare and not something we want happening again! Bed at 8:30 was great!
This week will be different! The only thing on my calendar is a date night with my husband (YES!!!!) and a Christmas Party at school with the kids. We have early dismissal Thursday and no school Friday till after New Years! This week will be the finishing touches of gift wrapping and baking.
We hope your week of Christmas is cheerful! Merry! Bright! Healthy!!!
Happy Monday!
