Christmas in the East Wing

Our Christmas holiday was good,

but there were some adjustments

that had to be made to our original plans...

See,

my mother went into the hospital 

a week ago

with a SEVERE headache

and

blood pressure ranging in the 220's to 240's.

Throughout the week,

it became obvious she was not going to

be able to be home for Christmas,

so here's how we tried to make

"lemons into lemonade"...

*****************************************

Our Christmas Eve,

our evening church service helped 

get us all into the Christmas Spirit...

...with sweet shepherds...

...and adorable angels.

***********************************************

After the program,

we all

(the kiddos, me, Super Dad, and his parents)

left the church and went...

...straight to the hospital to visit my mom and dad.

This was the first time the kiddos got to see

their Marmee since she was admitted 

to the hospital,

and I think it helped lift her spirits a bit...

*******************************************

After the hospital,

we went home and let the kiddos...

 

 ...demolish, er, open one present before bed...

 ...and set out some 

Peppermint Fudge and Diet Coke

out for Santa.

(Oh yes-

no milk in cookies in our house-

Santa likes to "mix it up"

every now and again...)

*********************************************

 Christmas morning brought...

 ...gift opening...

 ...and worship with our church family.

And eating at the local Chinese Buffet.

Oh yes-

a good

fa-ra-ra-ra-ra time

was had by all.

Normally,

we would spend the afternoon or evening

at my parents' house,

eating a more traditional meal,

but this was nice too.

We spent the rest of the day

being lazy,

playing with our new toys,

and enjoying each others' company.

 ********************************

And now we arrive

at TODAY'S Christmas celebration...

 ...in the East Wing of the hospital.

My mom is slowly stabilizing...

...so we took all the gifts my parents

had to give everyone...

 ...and had a good time...

 ...continuing the Christmas celebration.

Imagine the nurse's surprise

when she came in to take my mother's vitals...

 ...and she discovered a stable

set up on the hospital floor.

Different,

but good,

just like our

Christmas 2011 has been in

The Fantastic Five Household...