Happy Thanksgiving America!

Last year we celebrated Thanksgiving in Texas with Jesy's family and I had three children.  This year we are celebrating in Moscow and enjoying our new baby, John Thomas.  What a change in one year!
Since this blog is for my children, I have to include the recent health problems we have had.  Two weeks ago Kathleen became very ill and was put in the hospital for pneumonia.  I stayed with her and it was quite a weekend.  The first night was rough- she was so sick and weak and I hated watching her get hooked up to an IV and having blood taken.  By Saturday morning she was doing so much better, though, and we spent the rest of the weekend reading books and watching movies.  I had to argue a bit with the hospital staff, but I got them to release us by explaining that I had a new baby at home that also needed me.  And thank goodness Kathleen was feeling much better and really enjoying being the center of attention at the hospital.  Colin and Amalie came with Jesy to visit her on Saturday and you would have thought she was the queen of the hospital.  And it was quite sweet that Amalie brought her a bag full of books and toys that she had picked out herself.
We got home on Sunday night and by Monday John was sick.  He had a cough and some congestion in his chest.  By Wednesday night they had hospitalized him with bronchitis.  John was put on the NICU floor of the hospital he was born in since this sickness is quite serious in a baby his age.  They checked me in to the hospital also for my scar.  Jesy and I both think they did this so I could stay with John on the floor as I really felt fine.  The first few days at the hospital were pretty rough.  John was really sick and quite lethargic and I was really worried.  By Saturday I knew he was feeling better, but they did not release us until Tuesday.  It was really a long time to be in the hospital and as you can imagine I was quite anxious to go home to my other children.  John is doing much better and I am happy to report that he has gained weight and some centimeters.  Now just to keep everyone healthy for awhile.  Which will be tough because I just picked Kathleen up from school early as she threw up on herself.  Winter in a cold climate is soooooo frustrating.
One always has to look for the positives, and I am so thrilled that Jesy and I have made plans to take the kids to Athens, Greece after Christmas.  New Years in Greece- I am beside myself with happiness.  Greece and Italy have always been my top two places to visit in the world and I will be visiting both within the next six months.  Kind of a last minute decision, but Jesy and I thought that with the three hospital stays in the past month (I am counting John's birth in here) that we deserved a vacation.  And it will be so lovely to see the sun and be warm for a week.  We have rented an apartment for the week that has lovely views of the city.  Jesy is hoping for fireworks on New Years Eve, and I am with him on that.
In the spirit of Turkey Day, some things I am grateful for:
My amazing husband, who loves me and keeps me calm.
My four beautiful children, who make me laugh and keep me on my toes.  And for the continuing good health of these children.
My dad, who is also my good friend, and told me many times during this last pregnancy how beautiful I was.  You know he's a nice person, because I was a wreck during most of that pregnancy.
My mom, who also calms me and listens to all my crazy problems while living in Russia.  Thank goodness she is retired and I can call her whenever I want.
My siblings, who I miss more than they will ever know.
My Nee-Nee, who after a serious illness last winter is back.  We are so looking forward to seeing her this summer.
Jesy's job with John Deere-which provides us with a paycheck to live on and gave us the wonderful opportunity to live in Russia.
Our support system in Russia,which includes our nannies and drivers and the neighbors who brought us food after John was born.
We are missing our fellow Americans today, but are looking forward to our turkey dinner tonight- bought from Colin's school.  How fun that I can just go pick it up this afternoon with no cooking on my part!