Quick Takes • The Post Christmas Edition

What a weekend.

Seriously.

Lots to share, but need to sleep. So you've got 7 Quick Takes + 1 bonus. Here's the deets:

1. Christmas Day was fantastic. Jonathan and I woke up early and talked for an hour or so (my favorite thing to do, his least favorite when he could be sleeping) and both fell back asleep. Thomas slept in. All good (and rare) things. Had an awesome day with his family - playing games, super yummy meal at Auntie Sandi and Uncle Jerry's, and presents for everyone. Thomas came home with some awesome toys. He was a super trooper, not wanting to nap for fear he would miss something.
2. Good downtime day yesterday. We hung out in our pajamas, started watching John Adams, and Jonathan saw Avatar last night with the Ski guys, at the IMAX theater in 3d. Loved it. Couldn't stop talking about it.
3. Great homily today for the feast of the Holy Family. Loving Fr. Paul at St. Columban. Needed to hear his words, and especially needed the Eucharist today after an emotional morning.
4. Grandpa is hanging in there. Unbelievably, hanging in there. So much so that today, his care has been changed from "hospice" to standard care. So much so that he may be moving home or (hopefully) to some sort of assisted living facility. You've got to hand it to him - he's stared death in the eyes more times than I can count. He is the longest living success story of Mercy Hospital's cardiopulmonary department - 1500 visits strong. They even delivered a very cool plaque to him at Hospice. Grandma (and our family) have been given the gift of more time with him - one not to be wasted.
5. On the other hand, there's Mom. She had started to catch a cold before she left for Iowa to say goodbye to Grandpa, and it only got worse as time went on. She visited the doctor earlier in the week, who placed her on antibiotics. Assuming that would knock it out, she kept going, and by the end of the week, she had a fever and couldn't stop coughing. After she missed two chances to see Thomas (for our "Christmas dinner" redo that she missed the week before) and lunch today, Dad took her to Urgent Care. They wanted her into the hospital as soon as possible.
6. Mom is in St. Anthony's Hospital. She was transported by ambulance today for pneumonia + difficulty breathing. They've changed her antibiotics, put her on oxygen, ordered a slew of tests, and we will hopefully start having more answers tomorrow. I left her finally sleeping peacefully tonight and will be back in the morning.
7. This is giving us a bit of a scare. A bit of flashbacks to 1995, where she had been admitted to St. Joe's with pneumonia, only to find herself in Intensive Care several hours later, and full kidney shutdown in the next few days. Praying that the docs can get this under control and determine if there's anything else going on inside as soon as possible. Would truly appreciate your prayers for her health and their direction in her care.
8. But we are at peace. She received both the Eucharist and the anointing of the sick late this afternoon. Father looked at us and told his her guardian angel had led him to her particular floor, and the nurses happened to mention that she had requested the Eucharist because she had missed Mass this morning. Facebook + texting has been an incredible way to ask for prayer support and check in w/family from afar...so glad for technology. :) And for the support and love and prayers we are feeling right now. I'll keep things updated here, as soon as we know more.