This year I spent Christmas at St.Jude. Bummer, you might say, but really it was one of the most blessed Christmas's I have ever had. Usually my Christmas mornings revolve around waking up, opening presents, then lounging around the house all day eating leftovers and watching movies. Yesterday, presents were the last thing on my mind. We woke up very early to take my nephew Phillip to the hospital so Santa could come visit him along with his sister. St.Jude let my Sister and her husband pick out Christmas gifts for their sick little girl and even for little phillip. When I say gifts I mean more than you could ever imagine giving a child on christmas morning. They gave away things such as DVD players, Nintendo DS, bikes, movies, games, etc...and all for FREE!!! Kaelyn got a handheld dvd player, some movies, games and lots more! St.Jude continues to amaze me with their service and thoughtfulness. All that I wanted to do on Christmas morning was be with my family, comfort my sister, and see joy in Kaelyns eyes, and I experienced all three of these wonderful things. For the first time in two days, I saw Kaelyn raise up out of bed with excitement in her eyes and to me, that was Christmas. God gave our family many blessings and this Christmas I learned not to take them for granted.
I also have to take the time to mention how thankful I am to be spending the rest of my life with JR, who is selfless and wonderful!! He came to St.Jude on his birthday to be with me and he will never truly know how much that meant to me and my family. Not only did he comfort me, he helped tremendously with little Phillip! He carted him around because he is possibly the most stout two year old I have ever known, and he even stayed with him on christmas morning while Kaelyn opened her presents so my mom and I could be with her. I guess I should mention too that Phillip threw up all over the place while JR was watching him-just a minor glitch in the plans, but I think he would consider it a growing experience. JR is a trooper and I love him more everday!!! Thank you JR for all that you have done for us, and I think you are officially initiated into the family ;)
For those of you who read my blog and would like an update: Kaelyn is responding really well to the treatment. She is experiencing a massive amount of side effects and is very sick most of the time, but the mass in her chest is shrinking and the chemo is doing its job. She is having a hard time understanding her sickness and really doesn't want to hear about it so pray for her that she will have a better understanding as Cal and Krystal try to explain things to her the best they can. She will be having a rough day today with chemo treatment, spinal tap, and a blood transfusion, so especially lift prayers up for her today that her body would continue to fight. Thanks EVeryone!
