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This was supposed to be a stress-free (or as close as possible) Christmas for me. Normally, I’m the one who hosts Christmas at my house for the herd of relatives who swoop in for a day of feeding frenzy and gift-opening chaos. My husband’s family is large, loud and wonderful but since I was filming my first television series this year, I had asked if someone else could take on the duties of being Christmas Central. Luckily, one of Scott’s sisters stepped up to the plate. I thought I was home free. Wrong.
Filming the last five episodes of the television show was exhausting and exciting but I came home ready to enjoy the holiday season. I had already missed Thanksgiving with my family due to the filming schedule and could hardly wait to have Scott get our Christmas decorations out of the attic. I love setting up the tree and decorating while listening to my favorite Christmas music and enjoying one of Scott’s world famous perfect fires in the fireplace.
I came home to an already decorated tree (compliments of my two children) and a house haphazardly decorated with all the decorations that were in a box marked for donation… in other words: the ugly stuff. The tree itself was adorned with lots of ornaments in one location and only as high as a 10-year-old and 8-year-old can reach. Not wanting to hurt their feelings, I had to be very subtle and gradual about moving one ornament at a time a few branches up and over during the next few days.
No fire in the fireplace due to temps reaching into the high 60s. At least I had my Christmas music.
Next came the never-ending illnesses. First, Gracie was sick with a respiratory ailment. I took her to the doctor, got the typical yucky-tasting liquid antibiotic and cough medicine and kept her home from school. The next day, Jack stood over my bed at 2am to announce that his stomach hurt and that he had vomited everywhere. He was right. Vomit was EVERYWHERE. Not wanting to keep this wonderful adventure in parenting to myself, I woke Scott up so he could help clean as I tended to my sick child.
The illnesses in our house decided to play ping pong thanks to that oh-so-popular stomach bug tearing through our school as well as the typical cough and cold:
Gracie got sick.
Jack got sick.
Gracie got well.
Jack got well.
I got sick.
Jack got sick again.
I got well.
Jack got well.
Gracie got sick again.
Scott started feeling stomach rumblings but never officially got sick.
Gracie got well.
Jack got sick again.
Jack’s feeling better but not 100% yet.
As I hear Jack coughing and sneezing over the beautiful sounds of Andy Williams singing “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” I’d like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a very HEALTHY New Year.
To read more from the Two Loons, check out our book Cookies for Dinner.
