Jordan's baptism, Dec 21st

Jordan and Grandma
Jordan and mom (Katie)
Uncle Bruce and Aunt Boo

SANTA!

Today was our Christmas party at Kosair. I think it went pretty well. We didn't have as many kids (actual patients) come through as last year, but we had a lot more support and help from teams at church. Also, this year, the Child life specialist and the nurses brought the kids (and their families if they were there) down floor by floor, starting with Oncology. Because so many children were isolated or unable to leave their rooms, we had a team of carolers this year who went upstairs and caroled and left little gifts.

I got to visit with Santa myself. I told him that I wanted peace on earth, to pay my bills, and of course, a new orphan, for Hope


someone has to keep Santa in line

one of the girls from the college ministry painted my face!


one of the most precious moments of the day was towards the end. A little girl in a wheelchair (Not a hospital one) wheeled herself in all bundled up in her pink coat, hat and mittens. She made a beeline straight for Santa, and was just overjoyed to see him. The conversation went something like this.
her "SANTA!"
him "HO HO HO"
someone "do you want to get your picture taken with Santa?"
her "NO" never taking her eyes off of Santa, "Santa, I haven't seen you in SO long"
At that point he got down on his knee to talk to her
her "can I have a hug Santa?"
She hung out with him for a minute, they did take her picture and she asked for about a hundred hugs, then told him she'd see him on the 24th. Her mom wheeled her out toot sweet. I guess they were at the end of a long stay. She didn't make any crafts or ice any cookies or get any presents, she never took off her hat or mittens, but she saw Santa and she was thrilled.

baby steps

my first Christmas tree in oh...15 or so years...








and finally...we shared the same sunset last night...