Joy to the world (and in our home!)...

Dearest friends and family,

Merry Christmas!

Although Tiffany and I are not in Atlanta (until tomorrow), what I can share is that despite all the hard, worldly, random things happening around us, our home is filled with Joy for this Christmas season & the celebration of family, friends and love that surrounds it.

Since we have been home, Jack has been fairly content just hanging out. Literally.

We were blessed with a special bed from friends of ours who no longer had use for it, which is air-filled and helps with circulation and prevention of bed sores. It's not quite as easy for me to snuggle up next to him, but he certainly seems happy with it!

The therapy sessions have been going well, and as to be expected, they all fell in love with Jack right on the spot and are determined to help get him better.

The main challenges right now for Jack are keeping his platelets high enough, his salt levels low enough, getting his strength back so he can help with transfers and progress in therapy, and improving his speech. He has to get his blood checked every few days, and was actually admitted to the hospital Thursday night to get a transfusion and additional fluids as he wasn't able to use the bathroom on this own, and his stomach was protruding a bit.

Dr. Claire came in and checked on us, and they decided to send us home with a cathader and fluids to make sure he could stay home over Christmas.  We do have an MRI scheduled for next Monday, the 3rd, and will know more about next steps after that.  Fingers crossed and prayers said that we can stay home until then!

On a high note...Jack has been surrounded by lots of visitors!  From my perspective, one of the coolest things (I wasn't home for but heard about), happened last week.  About 8 of Jack's friends from school spent about 3 hours hanging out in Jack's room the other night.  They ordered pizza, and just sat around Jack catching up, laughing, and overall, just being a group of 16 year old boys & girls visiting their friend.  I can't imagine Jack participated too much in the conversation, but I KNOW he loved every second of it and will remember that night always.

Also - flashback a couple weeks - right before we left the hospital, Jack was paid a visit from Third Day's drummer, David Carr! He prayed with and for Jack, chatted with Mary for a while, and posted messages on his facebook to get prayers within his circuit going for healing and comfort.  Jack loved having him there, and we feel so blessed he took to time to visit.  Don't he and Jack look like longtime friends...?!?  Thanks David for stopping by! :)

Also, as a small holiday treat, a good friend of mine and an artist who I have enjoyed working with so much over hte past few years, Lyle Lovett, sent a short video message of encouragement. Enjoy!









Tomorrow, we will be surrounded by ALL of Jack's aunts, uncles and cousins for an awesome day together.   It isn't often we can all be in one place together, and we feel so blessed (and are so excited!) to see everyone.

Safe travels to everyone out there, may new memories be made no matter where you are today.

We love you. Merry Christmas!
April