The Holidays

We sure have enjoyed the holidays! It's been so much fun spending extra time together with our family without school and work. Tomorrow we start back and work at school.

This year we planned to go to my mom and dad's house on Christmas morning after opening presents. However, because of the huge storm they kept predicting, we decided at the last minute to go there on Christmas eve. The girls had to hurry and open a few big presents from us because they wouldn't fit in the car (art desk, teepee, and bikes for Laney and Kelli). It was crazy getting everything there, but we ended up having lots of fun. Makayla and Kelli were very excited as they had been bugging all day, every day, for several weeks about if it was almost time to go to gramma and papa's house yet. While we were at my parent's house we got to see all of our family except Debbie and Gary. We even got to meet Matt and Mindy's cute little girl, Peyton, for the first time.

The day after Christmas we had a surprise with Makayla. She started getting spots all over her body. At first it was just a few, but then they kept getting bigger, darker, and thicker. We finally figured out she was having an allergic reaction to an antibiotic she was taking for a kidney infection. Apparently you can develop an allergy after taking it for 8 days with no problems. The doctor told us that since she was so close to finishing the antibiotics she should finish it and we should treat the rash with Benadryl. Poor girl. Now not only did she itch, but she was really sleepy and out of it from the Benadryl. What bothered Makayla the most, was that she "looked so ugly". I talked to her for a while and she finally felt better when I told her we should write a book about her called Spots. See, for Christmas she got a book called Stripes about a girl who has colored stripes all over her body. Anyway, it seemed to cheer her up a little. The rash got worse before it got better. She also got a fever of 103.5, but now she is all better and back to her usual self. This is the first experience I have ever had with antibiotics for my kids. Thankfully we're blessed to usually be healthy (knock on wood) and haven't had to use any before now.

We were also able to see Jacob's mom and dad. His mom was able to stay with us for a few days, which made the girls especially happy because they had someone extra to play with. Jac's dad had to go back to California to work, but before he left he went and got a pedicure with me. I love getting pedicures. Not because I enjoy having someone play with my feet, but because my feet look and feel so much better afterwards. We spent New Year's at Jason and Christine's and we all had a lot of fun.

Jacob took the week between Christmas and New Year's off. It was great spending lots of time together. I'm happy to say I was incredibly lazy during this time. Should I admit to that? It seems like we are always on the go, running from one thing to the next. While I had time off work I promised myself I would relax and enjoy myself. Normally I have 101 projects I want to complete so I don't let myself. I finally did and it was wonderful. I'm embarrassed to admit that I've grown used to it which will make going back to work tomorrow that much harder! The best present I got this year was being able to sleep in. Those who know me know that I am soooo not a morning person. I think morning should start around 9:00. Makayla used to always sleep in, but Kelli rarely does. Even if she stays up late, she's usually up around 7:00, all happy and smiling which disgusts me (since I don't wake up happy). This past week the earliest I got up was 9:00. Once I even slept-slept, not just stayed in bed ) until 10:30. Really, before now I considered sleeping in 8:00....On another note, I have to get up at 6:30 for work tomorrow...

During this past week, Laney and Kelli have also both been sick. I can't imagine how hard it is for people who get sick a lot. This past month has been unusually hard for our family sickness wise. I think we've been sicker this month than all the other years combined. I don't know if it's because Makayla is in school now, or I work, or what, but it's not fun!

Although I don't want to get up early tomorrow, I am so thankful for the time I have had to slow down and relax. I love when New Year starts because I always want to try harder and be a better person.

Here are a few Picts: 1-Just before opening presents 2-Kelli loves coloring 3-Laney and Papa playing with the Rooster flashlight (Laney couldn't stop giggling about it) 4- A reverse contrast pict to show the spots on Makayla's belly-this was after only a few hours-it got much worse!