Another Week

Another week has flown by, and it leaves me wishing it was longer. My dad visited for a week, and just left us yesterday to go back to Nevada. When he comes, he brings so much to the house that I don't realize we're missing, it's sad when he goes. I'm working on smiling because he was here, not being sad he left.

This past week, with Laila being on break from school, we spent a lot of time talking, laughing, and just enjoying each other's company. With Christmastime upon us, we did a little shopping, but nothing noteworthy. We did, however, make a special trip to Target. Instead of showering our children, and ourselves, with expensive and unnecessary gifts, we decided to something a little different this year. We spent our Christmas stash on others, and to show our support to those who are so very brave.

Laila, Kenadi, Dustin Jr. and I will be making a visit to the Phoenix Children's Hospital tomorrow, and visiting some of the bravest people I'll ever have the privledge to meet. Many, many children will be spending the night away from home tonight, confined to a hospital bed by tubes and wires, and though Santa may visit them while they are there, undoubtably, they will still feel sad and lonely. It's our goal to change that, if even for just a few seconds. With a big fat sack of knick-knacks for them to choose from, we're going to visit as many children as we can, spreading our love as far as it will stretch. The hospital is only for children, ages 17 and under, and the patients have a variety of illnesses, ranging from diabetes to cancer, and everything in between.

During Laila's stay there, she was showered with gifts-a blanket, toys, coloring books, etc. but not one person came to see her and remind her how strong she was. No one told her how proud of her they were, or that she was in good hands. That's our mission, to remind these strong individuals just how wonderful they are, not just in the eyes of their parents, but others, too.

In addition to these families spending the holidays away from home, are the amazing nurses and doctors treating them. Without them, these special children wouldn't be alive and well! We are visiting them also, spreading our thanks and cheer to everyone spending the day in a stuffy hospital. I remember the days so vividly of visiting my mom on Christmas while she was undergoing chemotherapy treatments, and I never fully understood how she felt. Seeing Laila endure just a few days there, even with bits and pieces of home brought with her, made me realize just how uncomfortable spending time away from home. We are so blessed to have her here with us, home and healthy, and we have God and Phoenix Children's Hospital to thank. Tomorrow, we're going to do just that.