Healthier

On this day two years ago I was with Oliver in the PICU due to a collapsed lung. On this day last year my mom was in the hospital. She went to the ER thinking she had the flu (but really had 4-5 liters of fluid on her lungs that had shifted the location of her esophagus, heart, etc.), and on December 31 found out she had cancer and before she was discharged found out it was stage 4 ovarian cancer. No one had any idea that she only had 6 1/2 months left with us. Today seems to be a healthier day for our immediate and extended family as no one is in the hospital. Ian and Susie were throwing up last night. They got the stomach bug that Grace had while she was at our house. I think I did more laundry this week that any other week of my life between Grace and Ian throwing up in beds at our house and all the extra bedding from company, etc. I am very thankful for my washing machine and dryer! We were invited to the annual Christmas party at Paul's Aunt's house, but Paul is the only one going in light of the stomach bug. We don't want Ian throwing up at their house OR to spread the germs among his extended family. We shall see if

anyone else succumbs to the virus. I am going to keep working on trying to get the stains out of the carpet in his bedroom. Although cleaning up vomit is high on my list of "least favorite things to do," I would much rather deal with that than be with my two year old in the PICU or find out that my mom has cancer. Here's to hoping that 2017 doesn't involve any hospitalizations (unless it's because I'm having a hysterectomy). Speaking of that, I went back to the doctor to have the blood drawn again for the BRCA test because the lab threw away my first sample. They had NO trouble drawing blood that first time, but today it was very difficult. I guess I hadn't drank enough water. They stabbed me four times, and the final one was in the hand, which I never like. Ouch. All because they didn't know I wasn't Jewish. Well hopefully I'll get the results next week. They did tell me today that my pap smear results were normal.

Since we aren't going to the party, I am going to start the living room painting project today. I had been thinking of going with some shade of tan. I

almost picked the one called "Nobody but Ben" but I ended up going with "Pinch of Clove" which surprised me as orange is typically one of my least favorite colors. I am very happy the living room walls won't be white any more. I am definitely not into white walls these days. I still love the green dining room walls that I recently painted.

The kids almost always have to do something to earn a turn on the Wii or iPad. I make an exception on their birthdays and sometimes when they are playing with other people (like yesterday with Isaiah). Usually they opt to read from a chapter book. The last few days Ian has been choosing to practice the piano. Today I recorded him playing one of his songs. He hasn't fully mastered it yet, but it shows where he is at right now. I am very pleased with his progress over the past almost four months. Way to go, Ian!