Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Ducks

Emily came over, so we picked up some lunch and headed to the park with the kids. It was cooler than we anticipated. I had told the kiddos not to worry about bringing a sweater as the weather said 70s, but alas, it was in the 60s when we got to the park. Oh well. The kids played for a bit and we headed to Walmart so I could buy some shoes and socks for Elias. He's outgrowing everything so fast. Then, we went to the pond to see the ducks. Zac and I used to bring Jac and Leah to the pond often when they were little, but apparently the water wasn't deep enough, so over the past few months it's been drained, dug up to make it deeper, then refilled. I'd have taken more pictures, but my phone died after only a few.

Monday, December 26, 2016

Dad

Note: Our Christmas story will be in a separate post.

Christmas morning started off fantastically. Everybody sat in the sun room, passing around and opening gifts. We had to put the cat in the kennel because he kept attacking the wrapping paper and gnawing on the tree bristles. I played holiday music on my phone and we hung out with my parents while the cinnamon rolls baked.

After an hour or so, Mom decided to head to bed. She was upstairs in the kitchen, so Zac and I decided to start picking up the paper scraps and neatening up. Dad grabbed an arm load of goodies and started heading up the stairs. There are only about eight. Not like the 18-20 that lead to the bedrooms. I happened to look up at the moment my dad was falling, straight back onto the floor from the 5th step. The thud still haunts me. He landed so hard the floor shook and he slid a few inches. I don't remember anything but the way he sounded - quiet, rhythmic moans with his breathing. Mom hurried downstairs and was shouting. Dad wouldn't look at us, wouldn't respond. His hand was grasping at the shirt I put under his head. Then we saw the blood. A small trickle coming from the side of his head. He started saying "Yes" over and over, quietly, while trying to sit up. I didn't see blood from his ears, but he had a deep gash near his left eye. Mom called 911 and we had to keep Dad from sitting up. He kept trying to push himself up. Mom left to get dressed and the paramedics arrived. They asked him questions, but Dad had no memory of the morning or falling. He didn't know what month is was, what day, or even which holiday. He kept asking what happened, "What's all the commotion about?" and was just so lost. The ambulance took him away with Mom.

Emily came over not long after they left and I told her what happened. Zac cleaned up the blood for me. We wasted time while waiting for updates. When Dad landed, he hit his left side, then his head. I think his glasses cut his face, unless it was the impact. He developed a subdural hematoma, which can absorb on its own. But, he also had a seizure and a mild concussion. He threw up in the ambulance. The doctors transferred him from one hospital to another and hooked him up to monitors and machines in the ICU. Emily and I packed a bag for Mom and decided to exchange gifts and hang around until Mom needed us to go to her.

When Emily and I arrived at the hospital, only one at a time were allowed back, so I went first and of course burst into tears when I saw him just laying there. It reminded me of his heart attack when I was little. He thought it was silly, but told me he felt fine, just tired. Luckily, a room became available, so he was able to move elsewhere. Mom and Emily were able to visit along with me. I hugged him and told him not to go yet. He spent the first night in his own room and did great. Tonight he's being moved to a recovery room. Hopefully he can come home soon. From what I know, his heart rate lowered too much when he was climbing the stairs, which lead to him blacking out. I don't remember him trying to catch himself, he just went backward. I can't get the image out of my head... it was like a slow motion movie and I was frozen. Poor Jac and Leah saw him fall. Leah freaked out and started screaming, Jac was in shock, and Elias started crying. It was just a horrible experience all around. Tomorrow, I'm going to take the big kids to visit while Zac keeps Elias at home.

Friday, December 23, 2016

Tattoos, crochet, and holidays

I've got my voice back, though I'm stuck with an annoying cough. But at least I'm feeling better and it hasn't spread to any of the kiddos.

Most of the month has been spent crocheting Christmas stockings and getting last-minute gifts purchased and put away. We've put all the wrapped gifts in the sun room instead of in the den by the big tree. I just don't want the cat getting into the paper as he's been getting into the tree. He's quite the asshole brat.



Zac and I made a trip to Louisiana to visit some friends and family. Our original plan was to pick up Amber and bring her home so I could take care of her until she passed. Unfortunately, I was informed she had died back in August. I was devastated to say the least. She was 16 and I wanted to be there, but had no idea the whole time that she was already gone. Apparently, Zac's aunt posted it on Facebook, but neither Zac nor I check Facebook... I don't think I'm even friends with that aunt. I'm still sad, but getting through it. Having no closure is really taking a toll on me. So, there's that. I hate that she's gone.


Being in Louisiana was nice, aside from no cat. We stayed with Sean as always and were able to visit Zac's family. Mawmaw is doing well. Her hair is growing back since losing it from the chemo. We visited with Marie and the kids played with Francesca. Marie had an edible craft ready to make, so the kids made hot chocolate mugs out of marshmallows and other candy before exchanging gifts.


We headed across the lake to see Jessie to get matching scorpion tattoos, which was also Zac's first tattoo ever. Together, they make a heart. Zac had doodled the idea years ago when we were dating, so in celebration of our ten years of marriage, it was time to do something special. I love them.

Monday, December 12, 2016

Christmas Cantata

The Christmas cantata The Arrival was last night. I woke up with a sore throat on Saturday morning, but my voice had cleared up enough for me to perform my solo without any squeaks or creaks. Sunday morning, I was hoarse. I skipped morning church and sipped honey tea all day, sucked on peppermints, and willed my voice to come back.

I had lined up a back-up, just in case, named Andrea. She's a high-soprano with a crystal clear voice. Last week, I told her I was finding my voice cracking a bit, so to learn the solo in the event I couldn't sing it. Sure enough, two songs into the cantata, my voice shut off to nothing more than a whisper. She sang it beautifully, of course, but part of me was disappointed that I couldn't do it.

We ate junk food in the fellowship hall after the music. The kids filled up on cookies and meatballs and we headed home.

Today, I'm super raspy and drowsy from my concoction of elixirs. Hopefully, I'm better by the weekend. We're planning to go to Louisiana to see some of Zac's family for the holidays.

Friday, December 9, 2016

Test Drive

Mom and Dad bought a new car and they let me test drive it. I took the kiddos on a drive around town to get them out of the house for a bit. They had fun... It's kinda funny how kids find joy in simplicity.

Wednesday, December 7, 2016

December

There are less than three weeks until Christmas. Holy peppermints, Batman. The last of my online orders came today, so I can get the gifts sorted and ready for the tree... the tree we have yet to purchase because the season crept up on us. Is it from being in my 30s? It seems like all the holidays just jump out of nowhere lately.

We purchased a few matchy shirts and had a family portrait with Santa done. I don't think we're sending out cards this year, but I dunno. 


Cheers.