Day 276: 12-14-20 (Monday)
Tyler took the day off of work today so that we (and the girls) could FINALLY finish up our Christmas shopping. While the girls had school we did a snowy morning walk at the park. It was so beautiful! After they were done we shopped all afternoon and into the evening. We had a lot of fun with the girls!! They kept us laughing all day!
Our favorite park is doing an Enchanted Lights drive thru. The lines have been really long but on our way home we were able to hop in line and didn't have too long of wait. It was really cool! I hope they continue to do this even after COVID is history.
The family video-chatted with Kam...and Reilly too. Our family chat took a downhill turn. It's not always rosie. Sometimes adult children forget that parents have feelings. I got my feelings hurt and spent the rest of the night upset. Normally the occasional offhand comments Reilly and Kameron say don't bug me but tonight I had a lot weighing on me. Tyler's upcoming procedure is all I can think and worry about. My mom's birthday is tomorrow. I had some unkind communication from an extended family member. It was a lot and it took a toll. Such a fun day ended on a very low note.
Day 277: 12-15-20 (Tuesday)
Today would have been my Mom's 72nd birthday. I'm feeling sad and mad that she isn't here.
Tyler and I did a big snowy walk. I wrapped some gifts and put together a package for Tyler's mom and step-dad. I'm not officially sending out Christmas cards this year. I just don't have it in me right now with all that is weighing on me this holiday season. I am sending out a couple here and there but yeah...something had to give.
Bryn had to go to piano lessons today dressed as if she was going to her Christmas recital. Jodi filmed her playing her Christmas piece... Oh Come All Ye Faithful...and then she is going to put all the pieces together into a video for the virtual piano recital. Part of Ailey's symphonic choir made a video for their virtual Winter Music Concert. They sang Carol of the Belles and it made me tear up to think that they've missed half of the school year now.
You can watch it here:
We celebrated my mom today by looking at the downtown lights, the Christmas windows (a tradition on her birthday), toasting her, eating her favorite snacks, doing some of her favorite things, and telling some of our favorite stories about her. I was laughing until I was crying and then crying until I started laughing again. My mom was such a character and did some of the goofiest things! I got some sweet emails from her friends today. It was nice to have her so lovingly remembered.
Speaking of the alleged Galactic Federation:
What the heck are all of those weird lights in the sky?? 😮
Some of my mom's favorite snacks.
I also had virtual book club. We read A Christmas Carol. It was a small group tonight but still a good discussion. This was the first time that I have read the actual novella. I really enjoyed it!
My dad got some sad news today. Gayle's son Stephen passed away. My dad definitely thinks of him as a son and a best friend. They were very close. He is pretty devastated. Gayle's family is reeling.
Day 278: 12-16-20 (Wednesday)
Tyler and I finished up what is hopefully the very last of our Christmas shopping. I like to bust it all out in one big shopping day or at the very worst a big shopping weekend. Trying to do bits of shopping here and there is awful!
Tyler has to get all of his lab work done tomorrow and take a COVID test and then he has to go into even stricter quarantine. He isn't supposed to be around anyone other than the people that he lives with. Hunter is still improving but super tired. Reilly is starting to get some very minor cold-like symptoms.
Bryn had her interview with the bishop tonight via Zoom about moving up from Primary to Young Womens. It was a Hallmark Christmas Movie and Christmas cookies night! Candace Cameron Bure you’re our hero!!
Day 279: 12-17-20 (Thursday)
This morning Tyler and I went early to the Heart Institute for him to do all of his lab work. He was nervous about the COVID test. We have heard so many horror stories. He said the COVID test wasn't that bad. It was self-administered with the nurse right there supervising. We had both been super nervous so glad that it went quick for him and wasn't too awful. He had all of his test results by this evening. Everything looks good and he was negative for COVID.
We ran to Coeur d' Alene tonight for a quick vendor night and booth update. This is the last vendor night until after New Years. Tyler rode along but didn't come in. Reilly and Hunter continue to do okay. Hunter should be cleared to return to work on Monday.
We were back home in time for dinner and another Hallmark Christmas movie with the girls after Ailey got done with online Drivers Ed. One more day of school and then the girls are out for Christmas Break.
Day 280: 12-18-20 (Friday)
Today I had a little (actually a big) pity party. As Tyler's heart procedure gets closer my anxiety gets even more amped up. Today we are in serious quarantine until after the angiogram. My friends are all gathering to celebrate my friend Mary's birthday tonight...except for me. Everyone seems to be having a fun Christmas season despite the pandemic...except for me. Good things and great opportunities seem to be happening for everyone around us... except for us. Cue the pity party. I am overwhelmed and sinking with all that is going on. I try to be positive and to stay busy but it doesn't always work. Today it isn't. People keep saying... "You guys have been through scary things like this before so you know what to expect..." and "You guys have a lot of experience with things like this..." as if just because we have been through scary (actually terrifying) health crises before makes the next one easier. Sorry. It doesn't work that way. Scary is scary. It doesn't get less scary.
And...the isolation is really getting to me. We are on day 280. Now we are in even stricter isolation.
The isolation is super hard in regular times but it is EXTRA HARD during really challenging times. In past hard times we have been blessed with a lot of support. This time it feels like we have almost no support. No family or friends around. No helpful ward members. No Reilly and Hunter. No Kameron. Friends offer and want to help but they really can't do anything. They can't come over. They can't bring food over. They can't give Tyler a blessing. They can't stay with my kids. It is hard. So is knowing that I'll be in the waiting room for several hours all alone while I try not to freak out with worry as the minutes crawl by. In the past for these types of situations I've always had my mom with me. When Kam had his heart issue I had Tyler with me. This time I will be completely alone. I am dreading it.
I went for a walk and tried to work the stress out. Mainly I just cried. But the fresh air did me some good.
When I got home I saw that our amazing cheese that we ordered from a little dairy in Wisconsin arrived...so there's that. This is the world's best cheese. Hands down. We tried this on our trip. It was so good that our sweet friend Rebecca went back to the deli where we bought it and took a picture of it so that we could contact them and order some. LOL. Cheese does brighten my day. Pathetic I know.
We found out tonight that our school district is allowing grades 3-5 to return to in-person school in mid-January. Bryn is SO EXCITED thinking that 6th grade can't be too far behind!
0 comments:
Post a Comment