December 21st

Well, I guess it's not the end of the world. And I'm feeling about 80% better. Still have a lingering cough that rattles down in my chest. Makes me a little worried, having had pneumonia before. However, I don't have that burning feeling so I think it's just clearing out from all the sickies this week.

I made the kids hot cocoa for breakfast and gave them some pretzel rolls with pear jam. I got started writing addresses on the Christmas cards. The girls got up and I put Miranda to work writing our Christmas letter. Lina and Krish helped by putting return address labels and stamps on the envelopes.

Merek had a dentist appointment at 10am. I took him down and sat with him through the appointment. He is such a good patiend! Once he realized this doctor did not give him shots, he was fine. He really did such a good job listening to the dental assistant and doing what she asked. I had to get impressions for new night guards done as well. The one I have now is cracked (hmmm, who is clenching their teeth too hard at night?).

When we arrived back home, I continued working on the cards. I printed out the letters and Krish helped me fold them. We stuffed the envelopes and got them ready to mail. Miranda went down to feed the pets with Krish. I had a piano lesson with Adam at 1pm.  Merek had a melt down during the lesson so I had to excuse myself to go help him. That was a little frustrating but I guess it comes with working at home.

I wrapped up mom and dad's gifts, then we all got in the van and headed back to the dentist's office. The other four kids had their appointments. It was crazy with four kids at the office. They were a little loud. Bird and Lina both had a great report, but Krish and Miranda had cavities. :(

On Sunday I had signed up to take dinner to the missionaires tonight but our appointments at the dentist took longer than I thought. So I ordered pizza to pick up. When we got home, I grabbed the Christmas cards, packed up mom and dad's gifts, and headed down to the post office. Thankfully in our small town there isn't a forever-long line at the post office. Got the cards and package mailed. Then I picked up the pizzas (ordered an extra one for the kids) and dropped one off to the sisters along with stuffed cheesy bread. Hope they don't mind the convenience of the meal. My kids were thrilled to get pizza and cheesy bread.

Miranda left to go babysit for the Johnsons. Krish and I walked down to get the mail. Brad got home then. We received quite a few cards today. One from Paige's parents brought tears to my eyes.

It was Merek's movie night. He picked Diego's Adventures to watch. When that finished, he wanted to watch Dora. Now the kids are up in our room watching Alice in Wonderland, Brad and I are finally watching The Amazing Race finale from the 9th. I'm feeling a little better but still coughing with a headache.