HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Happiest of New Years from one of the happiest boys I know!!!!

Alas, Witt couldn't stay awake for the New Year!

Merry Christmas!!!

Witt is home for Christmas and Santa Claus found him!!! I can’t fully explain the joy and gratitude that I have for Witt being home. At the same time I am reminded of the priceless lessons that God taught me the last two Christmases. First, Christmas really is about Christ and that can be celebrated anywhere…even in a hospital. Maybe more importantly God showed me that through Him you can have joy no matter what your circumstances. I can worship Him in all my circumstances because of who He is and not where I am. I can’t imagine what it must have been like on that first Christmas, when Christ was born but I can tell you that on this first Christmas home for Witt I find myself simply bowed down and thanking God that under His sovereignty Witt’s third Christmas is spent out of the hospital. Today I celebrate the birth of Christ and this year that celebration is taking place at home!!

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” - Isaiah 9:6

STILL HOME!!

Witt has a little virus. Monday, Melanie took him to the pediatrician for his RSV shot. The timing was perfect because Melanie also asked them to check Witt's ears. Sure enough Witt had an ear infection in both ears! He is taking antibiotic and Mel started the oral steroids for his lungs. Witt actually seems to be feeling okay! Not only has Witt always been in the hospital for Christmas but he's also never been home for the week leading up to it. There is some great rejoicing going on here!!!! Please join me in praying for all the kids and families who are spending this Christmas at Texas Children's Hospital. We know what that is like!!!

The tray for Witt's cart came in...He loves it!!

THE STOCKINGS WERE HUNG BY THE CHIMNEY WITH CARE!

As you can see Melanie has been busy decorating for Christmas. The tree is up and the stockings are hung...all with great care!!!

Witt seems to be better today! His cough is not as bad and Mel has inhaled antibiotics and steroids to give Witt if he needs them. The entire family is feeling better! Dr. Tapia also gave Mel a cream to treat the skin under Witt's eye. The eye has been watering quite a bit. Witt in turn rubs it so the skin is pretty irritated under the eye. That too is better today!!!

Yesterday, a dear friend of my mom's said that Mel deserves a crown. She said that if she could make a crown she would and give it to Mel. Immediately God said to me, "Mel has her crown. Witt is her crown!" Hallelujah...what a crown Witt is!!!!

FOREVER I'LL STAND!

Witt has been growing and getting lots of physical and occupational therapy.

Now he has braces to help him learn to stand!The process

started with casts being made of both feet up to the knees. Since it was a

very bright day out when we went to the appointment Witt wore his baseball cap!

Here is the final product and actually it was a pretty easy process!

The woman who did the casting was wonderful. She has been doing this for quite a few years.

One trick of the trade is to make a cast with a rubber tube inside to protect the

legs. She slits the casts to remove them where the rubber tubing is.

A couple of weeks later and his braces were ready!

With help from the therapist Witt was standing!! The doctor has also ordered a "stander"

which along with the braces will help Witt to put more weight on his legs.

When Melanie texted "Witt's standing!!!!!" I just jumped to my feet and said Hallelujah!!

The song "Shout To The Lord" immediately came to my mind!

Power and majesty
Praise to the King
Mountains bow down
And the seas will roar
At the sound of Your name

I sing for joy at the works
Of Your hands
Forever I'll love You
FOREVER I'LL STAND
Nothing compares
To the promise I have
In You

PLEASE PRAY FOR WITT. IT'S 4AM AND I AM AT MEL'S AND AUSTAN'S SO THAT THEY CAN GET SOME SLEEP. WITT STARTED RUNNING A FEVER AND HAS BEEN SNEEZING AND COUGHING. SO FAR HIS NUMBERS ARE STAYING OKAY ALTHOUGH HIS HEART RATE DOES GO UP WITH THE FEVER. PLEASE PRAY FOR MEL AND AUSTAN TOO! THEY BOTH ARE FIGHTING HEAD COLDS. DR. TAPIA(PEDIATRICIAN) WANTS TO SEE WITT AT 8AM. WITT MANAGED TO GET THROUGH A HEAD COLD BACK IN SEPTEMBER WITHOUT HAVING TO BE HOSPITALIZED. OUR FERVENT PRAYER NOW (ESPECIALLY AT CHRISTMAS TIME) IS THAT WITT IS ABLE TO FIGHT THIS OFF AND STAY OUT OF HOSPITAL!!!