I'll Be Home For Christmas!

That's the first thing Caleb said Friday, when he was released from Texas Children's Hospital!  We had a little scare with an unexpected illness, and Caleb & Zach had to miss their Christmas parties at school on Friday because of it.  The timing was tough... they were both very sad to miss such a special occasion with their friends & cherished teachers.

Caleb underwent a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) today.  His Oncologist injected chemo into his spine, plus took a sample to test.  We feel confident the results will come back & prove his cancer is still in remission!

Cal starts back on steroids today, so that will give him a great appetite for his grandmothers' special Christmas treats!

Caleb also got IV chemo today, which is more medicine than his little body is used to.  The steroids should also help him overcome that.

Caleb has had a special month, thanks to several local organizations & sports stars.   We're so thankful for the men who use their celebrity to help cheer up the lives of children fighting cancer.

Caleb & Zach got to hang out with Baseball Great Craig Biggio at the Sunshine Kid's party.

The Houston Texans/Tennessee Titans Kevin Walter & Texans Chris Myers add rays of sunshine to the event!

Then the Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Family Alliance & The Houston Rockets invited Caleb & Zach to a fun celebration.   

A nice "Welcome" from Hall of Famer Calvin Murphy & Zany "Clutch". 

Now that's quite a basketball player.  :)

The Rockets seemed to really enjoy spreading Christmas cheer to these children fighting cancer and also to their siblings, who also have a tough time because of cancer!

To wrap up the month, Zachary got baptized!   He has patiently waited a year and a half, after walking forward in our church.  He postponed it the first time when Caleb was hospitalized and had to stay home for a year.  Then, he postponed it after one of Caleb's recent emergency hospitalizations.  It was important for him to have his little brother there. 

It was a glorious day for our family.  Zach is a great role model for his little bro. 

David got to do the honors of baptizing Zach, with the assistance of a pastor.

Christmas is always magical, but we seem to take it even more seriously now.  It means so much to us to celebrate Jesus' birth.  I have no idea how we would've survived the past fifteen months without truly believing:

I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.  Phillipians 4:13

Caleb is resting comfortably tonight, and we know our Savior is watching over him.

Happy Birthday, Jesus!  Thank you for bringing us light and love and hope.  

As for our faithful friends and family, may you have a very Merry Christmas and many blessings of good health throughout the coming year.