A Christmas Tree

 The day Isaac was life flighted to Primary Children's, we were told that he would likely be here for 7-10 days.  Today was day 13.  When we wake up in the morning we will have been here for two weeks.  In the irony of life, there was more scheduled to happen in the past two weeks of our lives than any other two week period in the entire year.  Because of an army of incredibly kind and selfless volunteers comprised of our friends, family, and ward members, all of the finishing touches on our house are being completed.  The carpet was laid yesterday, and without me there to help or direct, all of our things were packed up and hauled to our new house today.  My friends even set up a Christmas tree for us.  (When Jeff told Isaac that there was a Christmas tree at our new house, he was ecstatic.)

Last night my parents came to visit!  It was so great to see them.  At times like these, a girl really needs her mama, I don't care how old you are.  They came bearing gifts from friends and family in St. George and Cedar City, and Isaac giggled the whole time he was opening them. 

My dad had intense reconstructive foot surgery a few weeks ago, so he and Isaac both got to ride in wheelchairs around the hospital.  Isaac said, "It is not fun being sick, but it is fun riding in that big stroller."

As soon as we woke up this morning, we noticed the construction workers outside were decorating a Christmas tree for us!

When I was in the bathroom brushing my teeth when Isaac asked, "Mom, what are we going to do today?"  His simple question made my heart smile.  He only started initiating conversation and asking questions yesterday, and even then it was only for a short period of time before he became quiet again.  We started today with him asking me a question.  It also made me smile because this is what we do every day.  After we get the big kids off to school, Isaac and I plan our day.  I tell him what is on the calendar and what we need to accomplish every day, so his question reminded me so much of our normal daily routine, of real life outside of the hospital.  So Isaac and I made a plan for the day:
1. Do his 'morning jobs' (a list of things he does every morning at home.)
2. Go try out the playroom
3. Open the next day on his Lego Advent Calendar.
4. Do our laundry (something he helps me with at home almost every day.)

After he brushed his teeth, got dressed, ate breakfast and combed his hair (he said "We forgot to make my bed") then we headed to the play room.  I was so looking forward to Isaac being able to be a little like a normal kid and play with toys and other kids.  I was sorely disappointed.

   There weren't very many other kids at the playroom, and, hard as I tried, I didn't seem to make a very good playmate.  Isaac can't walk independently yet, and his chest tube and accompanying drain limit his mobility.  His PICC line coming out near his elbow (which he calls his "cast") limits his use of his right arm.  He tried to play for a while, but ended up more comfortable at the craft table.

 He made this Santa ornament and crafted a few other things before it was time to go back to his room. (Side note: This afternoon when we were talking, Isaac said, "Mom I don't have any bad dreams when I sleep at this hospital." Tender mercy.)

 He was more comfortable back in his bed and was excited to open the next day on his Lego Calendar.  We played with Legos for a while, and he was happy and talkative.  His fine motor skills are improving every day.

 When it was time for Grandpa and Grandma to leave today, Isaac smiled and seemed mostly like his normal self.  I started to cry when my mom hugged me goodbye, and Isaac teared up a little too.

 When we feel sad or lonely, we just read the letters on our Well Wishes Wall and it cheers us up again.  All of the nurses comment on how loved Isaac must feel with all of the happy things in his room.

Instead of sitting around feeling sad, we did the last thing on our list: laundry.  We don't have a laundry basket here, so Isaac had to carry all of our clean clothes back to our room after we got them out of the dryer.  He said they were too hot!

 After lunch and laundry we colored pictures and listened to Christmas music.  That made us feel happy too.  I try not to think too much about all of the Christmas traditions our family is missing this year.  Instead I focus on all the miracles that we have witnessed this Christmas, and how profoundly the love of the Savior has been made manifest in our lives during this beautiful celebration of His birth.  When I think of the abundance of love and service that our family has received, I think of the meek souls who have chosen to receive Him, and how it is through the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ that our human hearts are softened, changed, and blessed.
"How silently, how silently the wondrous gift is giv'n! 
So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of his heav'n. 
No ear may hear his coming, but in this world of sin,
where meek souls will receive him, still the dear Christ enters in"
 (Oh Little Town of Bethlehem, verse 3).