Merry Christmas

Mackynlee did great the first 24 hours having her tube out. She ate 21 ounces of formula, a half jar of baby food, two teaspoons of dumplin juice, peanut butter fudge, and 5 or 6 french fries. Today she is not eating so well. She is very fussy and very hungry, but just will not take much. Keep praying. I am not giving up just yet. She has only take about 10 ounces since 9 p.m. She has not wanted to eat any food this morning. She just holds it in her hand and throws it down. She is holding her own bottle!! Seems like she eats better when I let her hold it.

My friend Kolbi and baby Kade are home. His ultrasound was fine. Doctors want to do a follow up ultrasound in two months just to make sure all is okay. Thanks for special prayers for this family.

Hammer and Tonya: Thanks so much for the package of goodies. When I opened the box, I knew who it was from before opening the card. That is so sweet of yall. We will save the crab boil for when yall come for another visit. I hope it will be soon. The banana nut bread and peanut butter fudge is fine. Mackynlee loves the fudge!!! Merry Christmas.

I want to wish a very good friend of mine (my boss) Sherrie Williams a happy birthday. The holidays are not always a wonderful time of year for everyone. She lost her son in 2003 on Christmas Eve which is also her birthday. Two years later her husband passed away during the holidays. This is a difficult time of year for her. She has also lost several more family members in the past few years. I love you and wish I could make everything better. This poem is for you.

MAY YOU HAVE PEACE

I cannot say that I know, just how you feel
For your hurt is so great, and will take God's touch to heal

Yet is it possible for such a wound, to completely ever mend
When you've lost your mate, parent, child or good friend

Please know that I pray for you, each and every day
And feel God's Holy Spirit, in small and simple ways

And then I am reminded, of such a simple phrase
With all the strength that's in you, please walk by faith

So come to me and talk about, anything you feel
For I'll be here in body, but Christ will soon reveal

That while it is impossible, for a friend to end your pain
HE will bring about a peace, and in your hurt sustain

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When all five of us were eating breakfast this morning, my thoughts were with everyone that is in the hospital during this time of year. The hospital is a difficult place to be. I cannot imagine being there during the holidays. When I checked my messages this morning, a friend of ours, Kristen Colman had left a message that she was praying for us. Thank you Kristen for your prayers for us. Tell Breanna that Shelby says Merry Christmas and she wants to go back the the PRMH to play with her again. Her angel (Angelina) is still in the hospital. Their caring bridge is AngelinaColman. I encourage you to read their amazing story. They are still in the hospital. Kristen, both girls are just a beautiful as ever!!! Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. You are so strong. I do not know how you keep such a smile on your face. I ask that all of my readers pray specifically for the children and their caregivers that are in the hospital during the holidays and thank God as you are praying for the things in life you take for granted. Healthy children, homeade candy, walking to your kitchen for a cup of coffee, etc.

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Christmas Eve: I hope all of you get a visit from Santa tonight!!

It was Christmas Eve and the frost fairies were busy getting ready for Christmas Day. First of all they spread the loveliest white snow carpet over the rough, bare ground; then they hung the bushes and trees with icicles that flashed like diamonds in the moonlight. Later on, they planned to draw beautiful frost pictures on the window panes, to surprise the little children in the morning.

The stars shone brightly and the moon sent floods of light in every nook and corner. How could any one think of sleeping when there was such a glory outside!

Jessie and Fred had gone to bed very early so they might be the first to shout "Merry Christmas!" but their eyes would not stay shut.

"Oh dear! It must be 'most morning," said Fred; "let us creep softly down stairs and maybe we'll catch Santa Claus before he rides off."

Hand in hand they tiptoed to the dining-room and peeped out the big window - surely, surely, that was something climbing up the roof of cousin Nellie's house; it must be old Santa. Fred gave a chuckle of delight; to be sure the reindeer were very queer looking objects, and the sleigh such a funny shape, but the children were satisfied.

The old fir tree, whose high branches almost touched the roof, knew all about those shadows, but it was so old no one could ever understand a word of the many tales it told.

"There's something scratching on the door," whispered Jessie; but it was only a mouse, who had sniffed the delightful odors of the Christmas goodies and was trying his best to find a way into the pantry and test them with his sharp teeth.

"Come," said Jessie, "we'll turn to icicles if we stay here much, longer"; so up-stairs they quickly scampered.

Papa had been to town on an errand, so it was quite late when he came home. As he was hunting in his pockets for his key, he heard a pitiful cry, and looking down he saw a big, white cat carrying a tiny kitten in her mouth.

"Poor thing," said papa, "you shall come inside till morning."

Santa Claus had been there with the nicest wagon for Fred and a warm, seal-skin cap that lay right in the middle of it. When papa left the room, puss and her kitty were curled up comfortably on the rug singing their sleepy song.

The sun was shining brightly in the dining-room window when Jessie and Fred made their appearance; then Fred just laughed with delight, for right in the crown of his new cap lay the cutest white kitten, with big, blue eyes and wee pink nose, while standing close by as if to guard her darling from danger, was good old mother puss.

"I never had a live Christmas present before," said Fred, "now I know Santa Claus read the letter I threw up the chimney because I told him to bring me a kitten and here it is."

Papa smiled and looked at mamma, and then everybody said "Merry Christmas" at once.