Kiki is the best

Tonight we FaceTimed with my mom.  She's home with Holly and feeling good.  SO GOOD!  I can't even describe how happy this makes me feel.  This weekend scared me.  I've always known that what she has is serious and life threatening, but once she finally started responding positively to her treatments... I guess I didn't focus so much on that.  I focused on how strong she is and how I KNEW that she was going to beat this.  This weekend was the first time in awhile that I was reminded of just how serious this all is, how fast things can change - and just how incredibly strong my mom is. She had been through so much and I'm so happy that she is feeling good, eating more and really excited about the future.

Tonight was also the first time that the kids have seen Kiki since she shaved her head.  We've obviously been selective about what we've told Evie regarding my mom's cancer.  Earlier this year, Evie knew that Kiki wasn't feeling well and she that had to be gentle around her.  When my mom was in the hospital the first time, Evie briefly visited her.  She was a little nervous, but she was determined to see her Kiki.   We prayed for Kiki each night and Evie was so happy when my mom started feeling better.  We spent as much time as possible with my mom the past month because we know that the kids aren't going to be able to be around her much in the next few months.  This weekend, when my mom ended up in the hospital with an infection, Evie knew she had a fever, but that's it.  She was worried, but satisfied when I told her that the medicine was helping.  The day my mom shaved her head, I knew it wasn't something I could just not mention to Evie.  She would notice and ask questions so I told her the truth - Kiki took medicine that made her hair fall out.  She gasped, but didn't say anything (shocking if you know our Evie).  I told her that it was ok.  Kik was feeling better and she had some cool caps and a wig to wear.  I started to explain what a wig was and she interrupted me with "I know what a wig is!".  Later, when we Facetimed, Evie wanted to see Kiki immediately.  My mom was wearing a cap and Evie said "Kiki - you're Baldy Sue!".  My mom cracked up and Evie begged to see her head.  I kept quiet and my mom told her maybe next time.  And that was it.  Evie wanted to tell Kiki about her Shopkins and school and show off the Pokemon shirt Evie got her.  Mitch wanted to act like a maniac and show off his school bus shirt (that Kiki and Pops gave him).  Everyone laughed and enjoyed the all too brief interaction we got.  In the end, it was a Facetime call like all the others - chaotic.  The kids didn't care that Kiki doesn't have hair because ...she's KIKI.  They don't define her by her hair.  They define her by the love that she gives to them.  Kiki could have 10,000,000 hairs or zero - to them it doesn't matter.  As long as she loves them - and that's a given - they don't care.  After we got off the IPad, I told Evie that it was ok that Kiki didn't have hair.  She was still so beautiful and wonderful.  Evie looked at me like 'Duh!"  She said " I know Mama.  Kiki is the bestest, most kindest, nicest Kiki ever!"  Well said my sweet girl.  Truer words have NEVER been spoken. 

She loves the Pokemon shirt Kiki got for her

So much happiness and love