Better

Things are much better than the last time we posted.  Lizzie stayed sick for about another week, but then slowly got a lot better.  When she is feeling well, it almost feels normal except for the fact that our counter looks like a pharmacy :) Her memory is still very poor.  Last week we had stayed home from church because we were all feeling a little sick - at dinner we joked with the kids and asked, "so what did you guys learn at church today?"  Lizzie looked like a deer caught in the headlights - she was racking her brain but had no recollection that we had stayed home and had not been at church.  We have moments like that every day - we are hoping that memory will get better because we know it will really help her with school and just life.  She is confused quite often and it makes her sad because she can't remember many, many details about what happens from day to day.

The kids are getting really excited for Christmas.  They didn't give us much to go on this year as far as gifts.  Spencer wrote a letter to Santa and said, "I want a Lego Limousine set and you can decide all of the rest."  Hmmm...good thing they actually make Lego limo sets!  All Lizzie wanted was a Barbie wearing a Christmas dress and Calli....well Calli has a list a mile long!

Last week Lizzie and Calli were able to go on the North Pole Express with the Make A Wish Foundation where they rode the train to Santa's "house" and got a gift - they thought it was pretty awesome and we did too!  When you have kids that have these serious health conditions, it is so nice that organizations are set up to offer them a reprieve and an escape from doctor appointments and feeling different.

Lizzie is doing better at school and will come home and tell me of the friends she played with that day...I'm so relieved she seems to be reaching out more and actually wanting to be with other kids.  She doesn't really have a lot of interest in inviting kids over to play, but it's okay - we just have to accept that she is a little more reserved right now.

We were all able to go to the Jon Schmidt concert at the local high school last week - it was to benefit Lizzie's wish through Make-A-Wish along with other people they were sponsoring this year.  It was fun to be there and we loved the music - he is amazing!  We got a fun pic with him after the concert - Lizzie really doesn't understand that people are coming together to support her and us - she has no idea how wonderful people are!

Life is good.  We have looked back on this year and we honestly can't believe we made it through.  As we reflect, we are reminded again of the goodness of God and our Savior.  We have been carried through trial after trial and even though we know our trials aren't over - we know we aren't alone in them.

We are so appreciative of the people who have been God's hands here on earth, helping us, lifting us and making sure we are taken care of.  We want to pay this kindness forward and help others as we have been helped.  Merry Christmas!!!!