Happy holidays, everyone! Not too much has happened in our household that last two weeks but generally just weathering through December. It has been cold with a little bit of rain here and there. We've all dug out our heavier jackets and sherpa pants the last few weeks.
We've had a couple mini additions to our household! First, we got a new betta fish to add to our aquarium along with three more neon tetras. Amy and the kids had gone to Petsmart to get the tetras to create a bigger school but then they saw the bettas looking so pathetic in their little cups on display and had to rescue one. There were ones that were more colorful but Amy chose one of the ones that had been in its cup the longest (almost a couple months) to save it. Luckily, it seems to be getting along well with our other fish and there isn't too much fighting.
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| It's gotten more color back into its fins after getting out of that little cup |
Second, we've almost fully adopted Sesame. He often comes into the house now and prowls around. Vic has been instrumental in giving us scratching posts/boards, blankets, catnip and treats so we're very thankful to her. She even gave us a collar that I slipped onto him. We have to watch him in the house as he still attempts to scratch the couch but he's slowly getting better. He has also scratched at the kids a couple of times but that may be partly their fault as they may not be approaching him correctly.
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| Lounging inside |
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| I'm surprised that he allows us to pick him up so easily |
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| Sleeping in his carrier outside. We're tempted to bring him in but don't trust him fully yet.. |
The kids have also gotten a couple mild illnesses. First it was Kai with one day of fever and missed one day of school. Then Jad was sick for one day last week with fever and diarrhea and missed three days of school. Then Kai was sick again for one day this week and stayed home for one day. Sora was like, "how come I'm the only one who doesn't get to stay home?" :) Fingers crossed, no major illnesses yet or anything lasting really long.
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| Amy went on a walk with Kai at Alum Rock |
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| My day with Jad while he was climbing a fallen tree near the creek |
Of course, Christmas season is upon us. We managed to send out all of our Xmas cards early this year (way to go, Amy!) We went out this week to look at the lights in Willow Glen so that was fun, if cold :) We also had a nice Christmas party with our small group and did a little white elephant gift exchange for the kids where almost everyone got the present they wanted..
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| Our holiday card this year w/ a high tech QR code |
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| Willow Glen Christmas Arches |
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| White elephant with the small group! |
..Sydney had gotten the plasma globe initially but it was stolen from her so she was rather sad. Ethan also got a pop-it thing which was he was probably too old for so we ran back out to Marshalls and got two more plasma globes for both of them. At $12 each, they were a good deal and little effort to make their days.
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| Sydney with her plasma globe |
Lastly and most significantly, over the last two weeks my mom (Nik's) has continued to decline. Joe got there in early December and he felt that she was suffering. After a long talk with my dad and some difficult consideration, they decided to move my mom to full comfort care. I had a very difficult time trying to figure out if I needed to be there before she passed but eventually decided that it was too hard to make it there on such short notice. Over the last week, she has only been getting liquid nutrition by mouth and morphine for pain when she seems uncomfortable. It's immensely hard to bear that we are not doing anything while she is dying but it's clear that she will not get better from here so we're rather she pass away naturally instead of prolonging her suffering. I am planning to go there in January for a week whatever happens. It's hard for me to see my mom this way so here are a few pictures of her from happier times when she was with us.
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| June 2018, my mom jumped in when she saw Amy taking a picture of all three kids |
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| July 2019 when Chris and I were able to visit Thailand |
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| July 2015 when we were lucky enough to take my mom to Greece.. her first time in Europe |
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| Sep 2013 The Grandparents at Kai's red egg |
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| 2016 maybe, I love this picture of my mom and Chris.. She looks genuinely happy |
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| 1978? I was less than a year for sure in this picture with my mom and Joe. Yes, I was born on a pig farm |
There's a complex mix of emotions currently. love, regret, longing, joy, guilt, sadness.. She never thought there was anything after death, just that you go away. Hopefully she is comfortable at the end and then goes to sleep peacefully.
To not finish things on too sad a note, I'll leave a pic of the kids here on their way home from school with their friends. Til next time!
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| After the rain, often there's a rainbow |
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