Christmas

Here's a pet peeve of mine. Why must we eliminate the word Christmas from our vocabulary? It doesn't strike me as embracing of religions, more like censorship of religions. If I say "Merry Christmas" should it offend them if they don't celebrate it? American Indians are not huge fans of Thanksgiving but we are still allowed to say "Happy Thanksgiving." If a person said "Happy Hannukuh" or "Happy Kwanza" should that offend me? How crazy. Why should anyone be offended by a felicitation, a celebration of anything good and happy? I am at a loss. The result of this phenomenon won't be tolerance, I can see that much.
Jody had to go in the clink on Wednesday. Many people have asked me questions, so I feel like we may not have been clear. He took a tablet that contains radioactive iodine which attacks any remaining thyroid tissue and hopefully any remaining cancer tissue and kills it. It doesn't have any physical side effects. He feels completely normal and bored. The only reason he's in the clink is so that he doesn't expose the family to the iodine which isn't really very good for people with healthy thyroids.
Nick is really a funny little guy. He acted like he wanted to go to bed early tonight so I took him upstairs and then he started singing to me. It was so beautiful. I couldn't follow the melody like when he sings abc's or row row row your boat but he was just so happy, he had to sing. Then he hopped down out of my arms and went to play cars. He had his 18 month checkup yesterday and he was below the 3rd percentile for weight and 7th percentile for height and 40th percentile for his head size. So... I guess his head is growing even if the rest of him isn't!
Kaitlyn is really a pill lately. I guess she isn't getting enough sleep. What else could compell my darling little three year old to tell Eden she was going to kick her a hundred times? First I refused to read to them before bed, for this hateful behavior, then I gave the huge brainwashing lecture that I've been neglecting lately. I gave them at least ten scenarios of their future lives where having a sister will be invaluable and basically a godsend. Then I pulled out the big guns and listed all of the poor people they know that don't even HAVE a sister. They humbly apologized to each other for whatever the heck they were so mad about and passed out for the night.
Eden is really a great age. Gin loved 5 but I love 6. She is so thoughtful and really trys to keep peace in the house and uses self restraint. I love it!
I went to a storage auction today. Why do I keep punishing myself? I stood there in 30 degree weather with three small children and looked at the biggest unit ever, so full of furniture from 1985 that I couldn't imagine how big the house it came from was and Eden said "Mom, I don't think you should bid on that, it's too big." Yup, she was right. Somebody paid $200 for the stuff though. Then we looked at this ratty little unit full of toys and beat up kids furniture and stuff and nobody bid and it got down to $5 so I said I'd take it. I went in there and there was not a single thing worth having or trying to sell. I'm picky though. Well, I called my favorite charity and they were thrilled. In a thrift store, they'll make plenty off of it, but when you just want to be able to throw a few things on Craigslist and see them sell, it's not worth it. So, luckily I got bailed out of another storage auction fiasco... and days before Christmas.
I apologize that I had to make it basically impossible for people to comment on my blog but there was some kind of virus stuff being posted, so I had to tighten up the comments. If anyone is still reading this, let me know. Sometimes I feel like I'm writing to a bunch of empty chairs.
Merry Christmas and I hope that doesn't offend anyone. If you are of another religion or no religion at all, felicitations of the glorious holiday season, may you be blessed by the celebration of Christmas even if it isn't for you.

Kaitlyn

Kaitlyn was busily stuffing her shirt into her pants as I walked by and I asked her why she was tucking her shirt in. She vigorously continued and grunted out "I need to tuck my shirt in because some people that work at Home Depot wear pants that show their butt cracks... and I don't want that to happen." I said "Oh, did you see that at Home Depot one day?" "No, but Eden told me about it" she huffed as she twisted to the side to tuck the back in. "It might have been when I was one or two, I'm not sure."

The Wedding and other stuff

We went to Daniel and Hannah's wedding this weekend. They are a beautiful couple full of love and joy. I predict a wonderful life together. Eden and Kait were the flower girls with one of Hannah's neices. They all did a great job and looked so beautiful. I loved it.

Today I went to get Eden's Christmas gift from someone off of Craigslist. He had advertised a nice camera for $50 and I offered $40 and told him I was on a tight budget for Christmas. He accepted and worked one block from Eden's school. I thought it was great and handed him the money. He handed half of it back to me and told me Merry Christmas. I was stunned. I told him I didn't know what to say and he told me not to say anything and have a great Christmas.

I got home and flipped open the target ad and found Kaitlyns present on sale for $20 as well. That leaves me so far, with plenty for stockings! I'm thankful for the small blessings in life.

Jody's surgery was exhausting. Thankfully, it's over and we can move on to the next step which is the radioactive iodine therapy and a full body scan. I'm praying it all works out and we can put this behind us like so many people with thyroid cancer do.