For me the brightest lights of Christmas aren't the ones that plug in or twinkle.

They are the people who remind me, just by being themselves, to hope more and worry less....

to slow down and feel the wonder every chance I get....

and to say yes to joy,

no matter when, where, or how it comes.

by Keely Chace

We are so thankful this Christmas that Theo is home, growing and going his own path. It has been a challenge to be in a place of acceptance without giving up hope. We learned to surround ourselves with people who belief in miracles and our son. Every day he does something new or better then the day before. What a fighter this little guy.

He taught us that there is no point in worrying about the future but rather stay present and take one day at a time. One can not predict life and what a waist of energy to contemplate on what if....You will never know if you children, even the healthy once- turn out OK. You can only give your all, love them for who they are and be there when they need you.

Another realization this year was that things come to you when you need them and are ready for them- sometimes introduced a second time because we  did not quite listen the first time.

We knew from the beginning that Theo had trouble regulating his temperature. We kept our house at 85 degrees, dressed him up and checked if he felt warm. That was not enough. Theo can not create heat by himself so we have to provide it for him. That lesson hit home run about two weeks ago when he felt OK to the touch but his core temperature was 93.5 degrees. WHOW - who would have thought. Now we check his core temperature every two hours and heat him up with heating pads/ dryer warmed blankets etc. and guess what happened....

The sleepy kid woke up- so much more active, alert and voicing his needs. What a difference. The Therapist think we exchanged the kid!

It is a journey and we are hear to learn and grow.

We wish you all a wonderful holiday season filled with love, joy and happiness.

Love                 The Stells