There is so much going on at all times that what I need right now is an "empty" button for my brain. So, hold on tight because there is no telling where this post is headed...
#1
Presley gets her tonsils out soon.Like, next week. Before I could even publish this we ended up having to reschedule the procedure. So she'll still have to have her tonsils out but not until mid-January. And I have so many feelings about it.
Mostly, I am just worried about Presley having surgery. Are we making the best decision for her? (I think so.) How is she going to react to the medicine? How in the hell are we all going to handle her recovery?! I'm sure it'll all fly by - these days usually do - but leading up to it I have so many worries. Especially knowing & loving Presley. She is just so precious. I hate seeing her hurting and this will be tough. It's nice knowing she gets to have popsicles and ice cream and all the fun things during this sucky time, though. And I know that this surgery is soooo common - especially for kids Presley's age. BUT! You worry about your kid being the ONE KID who has a complication. Oh and not to mention Presley's big worry... what if she can feel the pain during the surgery? That breaks my heart! Who wouldn't be scared of that happening? But how in the world did her five year-old little brain connect those dots all on her own?? And how do I put her worries at ease? We have talked about it somewhat and I plan on finding a YouTube video explaining the process of a tonsillectomy and recovery to give Presley a visual explanation of what to expect.
But there's a small part deep down in me that feels a little ready to have this done. That maybe it really will help her stay well more often. Not to mention the fact that one of her tonsils/glands is constantly swollen no matter what makes me ready to get them out.
#2
You know how people say this time of the year is the worst for germs? Well I can't remember a time when someone wasn't sick in this house! We've had puking. We've had unpleasant bathroom stuff. We've had so many snotty noses. We've had pink eye. We've had strep and tonsillitis. We've had pink eye... again! This is all within the last month or so. I am so grateful it is these minor illness and we bounce back. But then we fall right into the next pit waiting right ahead of us. It's been so incredibly draining and defeating. Again... so thankful for overall good health. So so so tired of germs. Currently 5/5 of our family members are ill to varying degrees with various ailments. Looking forward to Spring and it's not even technically winter yet...
#3
I've been working on getting our Christmas cards out this year... usually I'm pumped and ready to go. Like I want to send them out RIGHT after Thanksgiving. This year I kinda waited and debated just saving the money and not sending them out. Thanks to tons of good deals and codes for Shutterfly and Tiny Prints that I got from various e-mail newsletter subscriptions we got several different, beautiful Christmas cards for dirt cheap this year. Unfortunately I'm still waiting on the last 1/2 of our Christmas cards - they got delayed or lost along the way - so if you haven't gotten a card from us yet don't worry. Or if you'd like to swap Christmas cards with us this year and we haven't in the past - just shoot me a text or email (aduggan520@gmail.com) and we'll get that going!
#4
And this is a big one... we've decided to homeschool Presley after the first of the year. This will more than likely require it's own blog post down the road (why we chose to homeschool midyear, our plans going forward, etc) but it's not something we've decided on a whim. And if you know me well enough, you know this has been on my heart for a long time now - before we even started Kindergarten this year. I will say that many things throughout the school year prompted this course of action. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't intimidated to be in full charge of Presley's academic learning but I have so much excitement and enthusiasm to get started.
#5
Tony and I went to see The Last Jedi last week and IT WAS SO GREAT and I already want to see it again. I don't want to spoil anything so I won't say more. But I thought the movie was so dynamic and different yet fit so well with the existing movies in the saga. It stands well in it's own right while working to tell a much bigger story. I love the new characters/animals/places. And mostly - and I know this might be selfish - but I just don't ever want those stories to end. In short, if you're on the fence about it...
GO. SEE. THIS. MOVIE.
#6
Christmas is SO FUN. We've been taking it easy this year and not being too busy or getting too crazy with things this year and that's been wonderful. When we do Christmas activities it makes me enjoy them THAT much more! My favorite things so far was visiting Alpine Village (a local church puts together a free Christmas village WONDERFUL, interactive event for the community), checking out amazing local Christmas lights (including Graceland!), and baking/decorating Christmas cookies. And the thing that makes all this so much fun? Our kids. Their varied but always excited reactions make the season so bright. And even though I mentioned these before... Christmas cards are the BEST. I love seeing everyone's different take & the family photos.
#7
#1
Presley gets her tonsils out soon.
Mostly, I am just worried about Presley having surgery. Are we making the best decision for her? (I think so.) How is she going to react to the medicine? How in the hell are we all going to handle her recovery?! I'm sure it'll all fly by - these days usually do - but leading up to it I have so many worries. Especially knowing & loving Presley. She is just so precious. I hate seeing her hurting and this will be tough. It's nice knowing she gets to have popsicles and ice cream and all the fun things during this sucky time, though. And I know that this surgery is soooo common - especially for kids Presley's age. BUT! You worry about your kid being the ONE KID who has a complication. Oh and not to mention Presley's big worry... what if she can feel the pain during the surgery? That breaks my heart! Who wouldn't be scared of that happening? But how in the world did her five year-old little brain connect those dots all on her own?? And how do I put her worries at ease? We have talked about it somewhat and I plan on finding a YouTube video explaining the process of a tonsillectomy and recovery to give Presley a visual explanation of what to expect.
But there's a small part deep down in me that feels a little ready to have this done. That maybe it really will help her stay well more often. Not to mention the fact that one of her tonsils/glands is constantly swollen no matter what makes me ready to get them out.
#2
You know how people say this time of the year is the worst for germs? Well I can't remember a time when someone wasn't sick in this house! We've had puking. We've had unpleasant bathroom stuff. We've had so many snotty noses. We've had pink eye. We've had strep and tonsillitis. We've had pink eye... again! This is all within the last month or so. I am so grateful it is these minor illness and we bounce back. But then we fall right into the next pit waiting right ahead of us. It's been so incredibly draining and defeating. Again... so thankful for overall good health. So so so tired of germs. Currently 5/5 of our family members are ill to varying degrees with various ailments. Looking forward to Spring and it's not even technically winter yet...
#3
I've been working on getting our Christmas cards out this year... usually I'm pumped and ready to go. Like I want to send them out RIGHT after Thanksgiving. This year I kinda waited and debated just saving the money and not sending them out. Thanks to tons of good deals and codes for Shutterfly and Tiny Prints that I got from various e-mail newsletter subscriptions we got several different, beautiful Christmas cards for dirt cheap this year. Unfortunately I'm still waiting on the last 1/2 of our Christmas cards - they got delayed or lost along the way - so if you haven't gotten a card from us yet don't worry. Or if you'd like to swap Christmas cards with us this year and we haven't in the past - just shoot me a text or email (aduggan520@gmail.com) and we'll get that going!
 |
| Our Christmas cards through the years... 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, & 2016 |
#4
And this is a big one... we've decided to homeschool Presley after the first of the year. This will more than likely require it's own blog post down the road (why we chose to homeschool midyear, our plans going forward, etc) but it's not something we've decided on a whim. And if you know me well enough, you know this has been on my heart for a long time now - before we even started Kindergarten this year. I will say that many things throughout the school year prompted this course of action. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't intimidated to be in full charge of Presley's academic learning but I have so much excitement and enthusiasm to get started.
#5
Tony and I went to see The Last Jedi last week and IT WAS SO GREAT and I already want to see it again. I don't want to spoil anything so I won't say more. But I thought the movie was so dynamic and different yet fit so well with the existing movies in the saga. It stands well in it's own right while working to tell a much bigger story. I love the new characters/animals/places. And mostly - and I know this might be selfish - but I just don't ever want those stories to end. In short, if you're on the fence about it...
 |
| L: Us seeing The Force Awakens 12/2015 & R: Us seeing The Last Jedi 12/2017 |
 |
| I asked Presley to make her "Rey" face and I think she nailed it |
#6
Christmas is SO FUN. We've been taking it easy this year and not being too busy or getting too crazy with things this year and that's been wonderful. When we do Christmas activities it makes me enjoy them THAT much more! My favorite things so far was visiting Alpine Village (a local church puts together a free Christmas village WONDERFUL, interactive event for the community), checking out amazing local Christmas lights (including Graceland!), and baking/decorating Christmas cookies. And the thing that makes all this so much fun? Our kids. Their varied but always excited reactions make the season so bright. And even though I mentioned these before... Christmas cards are the BEST. I love seeing everyone's different take & the family photos.
 |
#7
If you have a moment & anything to spare - change, prayers, anything - please consider directing them to the Manthe family. Reanna is a friend of mine & my heart is breaking hearing the latest news in her journey. 
It’s not fair. None of it. Reanna is funny & smart & has a beautiful family who love her & none of this has been easy on any of them but they seem to navigate each hurdle with so much strength or resolve or something I can’t seem to find a word for. I wish I lived closer. I wish there were something more I could do. This is the very least I can do here to share her story & to ask anyone who is looking for a person or family to direct some Christmas kindness towards - I’ve found such a deserving family here. Here is the link to her YouCaring page to read more & for those who would like to donate.
It’s not fair. None of it. Reanna is funny & smart & has a beautiful family who love her & none of this has been easy on any of them but they seem to navigate each hurdle with so much strength or resolve or something I can’t seem to find a word for. I wish I lived closer. I wish there were something more I could do. This is the very least I can do here to share her story & to ask anyone who is looking for a person or family to direct some Christmas kindness towards - I’ve found such a deserving family here. Here is the link to her YouCaring page to read more & for those who would like to donate.
{A message from Reanna’s husband Nathan as of 12/16/2017: Well, this is the hardest post I’ve ever had to write. We took Reanna to Houston this week to consent for a new trial. We found out that this was not possible. We have found out that the journey will be coming to an end. Reanna has 8 weeks or less to live. We told the kids this evening and now we are sharing it with the rest of you. There are no treatments left for her. Reanna is still in Houston and we will be working to bring her home once we have hospice set-up here. We cannot thank you all enough for the support and help you have given us throughout this journey. We ask that people are here for the kids especially because they are least equipped to deal with this and need the most love. Reanna is an amazing person who will be missed. If you have questions please text me or message me. Love you and thank you all.}
