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| Anya's Christmas List |
As usual, December at the Brown house was pretty nuts. There were, of course, the school programs (Ian, Anya, and Mom). Christmas parties, baking cookies, wrapping and sending gifts, trips to Salt Lake City…
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| My favorite meltaway chefs |
One of the pre-surgery highlights of the season was the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert. It came on the heels of the tragic shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary in Connecticut and the nation was still reeling. The tragedy hit particularly hard as I listened to stories of the terrified children and the heroic teachers who protected, comforted, sacrificed, and saved them. The MoTab program, which is selected months in advance, couldn't have been more fitting. It featured the story of Gail Halvorsen, The Candy Bomber, a young pilot who had made candy drops to children in Russian-blockaded West Berlin. With these deliveries, he spread more than just goodies -- he renewed and strengthened hope. When small parachutes began falling from the ceiling and Colonel Halvorsen stepped onto the stage, the audience was visibly moved. It was a program focused around children and was an experience I will always be thankful for.
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After the MoTab Concert
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Anya's 2nd Grade Gingerbread House
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To add to the mix, Mom decided it would be a really great idea to take Christmas break and have surgery -- a tonsillectomy (really over-due), adenoidectomy, and septoplasty. My throat was supposed to hurt so bad that I wouldn't even notice my nose and, of course, I wouldn't have to worry about the holiday pounds, right? Well, luckily we had lots of people coming in shifts to help, cuz I was out of commission for the two full weeks. When the doctor went in to fix my nose, apparently it was more "out of joint" than anyone anticipated. As he removed the splints a week later (in a procedure that reminded me of Mary Poppins' carpet bag -- how in the world did those things fit inside my head?!!?), he said that my nose had been "impressive". I guess he only splints one or two noses in a year and mine was lucky enough to be one of those. The septum (cartilage in the center) in my nose was c-shaped rather than straight. It was worth it, though. I don't know if I've ever been able to breath this well (although that much air coming in to my nose has increased my allergies…)
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| Christmas Eve |
Because of my surgeries, we had people staying with us for the entire break. Ama came the day of the surgery and spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with us. Ian was super snuggly and enjoyed sitting by Ama as we opened our presents and stockings. Highlight gifts included Dad's new electric guitar, Ian's velcro table for his toys and his soft owl blankie from Riley and Katherine, and (my personal favorite) Anya's Alien Autopsy candy making kit, also from Riley and Katherine. I couldn't help laughing so hard -- no matter how much it hurt my nose and throat. :) Grandpa David came a couple of days later and helped entertain and tend children while I recuperated. It was a fun, but all too short, Christmas break...
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| Snoozing with his owl softie... |
