The Art of Doing Nothing

I know people who spend Christmas day in their jammies watching movies and playing with the new toys.  We aren't those kind of people.

We bounce around Christmas Day from my family to Wendell's family to my grandma's.  It hit me most when my aunt leaned over to me at Grandma's and said, "How many Christmas' have you had today."

"Four," I answered.

I don't begrudge it at all.  But because of the busyness of the day yesterday, we're doing nothing today.  Sleeping in.  Reading books. Watching movies.  Playing with friends.  It can be anything.

The hardest thing about doing nothing is reminding myself not to check on my business accounts, email or do anything that furthers my business today.

This is good.  To unplug and relax.  Now for a nap and making some dinner.

Annika (7) Relaxing with her dolls. 

Annika's Turn

Annika's vision has slipped a bit.  She's fighting fluid under her retinas.  Nate, on the other hand, has never been better.  So I really believe it's just a matter of finding the right dose.  She was barely 5 when she was given meds for the first time.  She's growing and her meds have to grow with her.

Two months after increasing Annika's meds by 50%, her left eye is doing better, but her right eye is still getting worse.  So we've increased her meds by another half a pill.  In a few more weeks we'll see if this saves her eye or if we have to go up again.

In good news, Annika in a champion pill taker.  That girl can down 2 pills in one swallow--no problem.  And she's 7! She takes them in applesauce.

Two months ago Emma's eyes were slightly worse.  We bought her a pill box and with her pill taking getting much more consistent her eyes are doing great.

And Nate. Can you believe that only a little while ago we were so worried?  Now he's doing awesome.  He sees 20/20 in his good eye.  I honestly never believed that would happen.

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Since learning about our kids eye condition more that 3.5 years ago, Beck has been praying for his affected siblings.  At 5, he's been praying for them since he could pray.  He prays for them in every prayer. Every. Single. Prayer. Because we were worried about Nathan for so long, Beck always prayed for Nate first.

"Please bless Nathan's eyes," he prays.  And then almost as an after thought he adds, "And Emma's and Annika's."

But this last month with bad news for my little girl twice in a row, I know I need Beck's prayers on her behalf.  So we talked about rearranging the order--praying for Annika first.

I honestly believe that God listens carefully to small children's prayers.  And I believe that Annika will get better.

Am I a Princess?

Yesterday Annika (7) donned her tiara (a real one from her beloved Aunt Annie) and asked, 

"Am I a real princess?"

"Yes!" I told her without any hesitation.  "Do you know why?"

Her beautiful brown eyes were huge with amazement.  "Why?" she asked.

"Because you are the daughter of a King."

I hope she never forgets. 

Annika Loves Fun

Often, before I do something fun to Annika (18 months), like drop her on a bed or couch, I count down...1, 2, 3. This is tremendous fun and leads to the inevitable giggles and smiles. She's taken to counting down with me, although she only knows one number: 2.

The other day she was on my bed and threw herself back with a bounce. She then sat up and announced, "I do two, two!" It was really cute.

Favorite Things

When Annika is very nursing and sleeping, she does the cutest thing. She flings her free arm (the one she's not laying on) up over her eyes.

It's so cute to see her laying on her side, sleeping and eating, with her arm blocking out the light. Oh, she is the cutest baby in the world. ....Not that I'm biased at all.