Saturday, December 13, 2008

Skate Queen - Jessie's back on the Rink!!

http://www.hemifoundation.org/

Do you remember roller skating parties and the old roller rinks where the songs were older than Elvis and they still had the same "Limbo" stick from the 50's? Do you remember doing the "Hokey Pokey" and the old guy who gave you your skates? Well, that is Skate Queen, or whatever it was called in your town.

Jessie was back at Skate Queen for the first time since her surgery. She actually had her 6th Birthday party there before she left for Johns Hopkins for video EEG and final testing before surgery. Here is that blog entry http://jessiekelley.blogspot.com/2008/03/pictures-from-jessies-birthday-party-at.html . In these March pictures, she still had her steroid weight, and was twitching very badly in her face, arm, and hand...but she made the most of her 6th Birthday. We cried a lot that night. You'll see a big difference in the following pictures.

Tonight, the tears were those of Joy! Because she did it! She skated (actually roller bladed)! We had to hold on to her hand, and she was very cautious, but SHE DID IT!!! It actually looked like good therapy too, because she was really working that left (weak) leg. We plan on going back. We were so worried, and we were so afraid that she would hurt herself, but Jessie was so proud of herself, and we were so proud of her. She even did the "Limbo" with a little help. It was such a normal thing for her. Normal is good.

Here are some pictures and video. Jessie, "You go Girl !!"


You put your left leg in, You put your left leg out. You put your left leg in and you shake it all about! Anybody catch that? LEFT LEG!!



You do the Hokey Pokey and your turn yourself around!


That's what it's all about! Clap! Clap!














Girls Just Wanna Have Fu-un! Oh-a Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!

Jessie is sleeping like a log right now. I trust dreaming about playing with her friends and how much fun birthday parties are at Skate Queen! She told us tonight that she wants her 7th birthday at Skate Queen! So old man behind the counter, get out that 50's "Limbo" stick and polish up the disco ball, cause Jessie will be back.

God Bless, Cris

Christmas in the Mail !

Leave it to Kristi's college roommate to take care of Christmas this year. Maura and Mike Flint are dear friends of ours and have been for 20+years. We've shared laughter and tears, dogs and apartments. We've watched each other have kids and we've traveled over seas to visit each other.

Maura and Mike took care of some of the middle-of-the-night prayer vigil for Jessie this summer while she was at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, MD. They were living in England at the time, but are now back state side. They've always been there for us, and now they've helped us find some Christmas.

Thanks guys for the beautiful Nativity scene. It is exactly what I was looking for the other day, but couldn't find. It is an awesome reminder for us to reflect upon the birth of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

Emmanuel - God with us!



I heard a really funny story from another good friend (whom we've only met once, that's a blog entry of it's own..check somewhere around June 22nd, 2008 blog). Anyway, she said that her youngest finally stopped calling the infant in this scene, "the baby cheeze its". That cracks me up. Kids are great.
Thanks again Mike and Maura! We love you guys! God Bless You and Merry Christmas!
Cris and Kristi








Friday, December 12, 2008

Avast ye scallywags!!!

On Thursday night, Stuard Elementary, in Aledo, Texas was transformed into a den of scurvy dogs as the 4th graders presented "A Pirate Musical", directed by Mrs. Mason.

Here is Matt and Nickie up on the bridge, navigating to some far off land to plunder and pillage! I hope the nearsided pirate can see land ho from the crows nest!

Here is Peg-Leg Zach, Captain NoBeard Matt, and 1st Mate Cassie.


Yo Ho! Yo Ho, me hearties! Yo Ho! Ross, Cameron, Ray, and Matt!


Now they don't look so mean do they. Just a few days ago, I saw them doing their math homework like good little pirates.
Outstanding Job Mrs. Mason and all the 4th graders. This was truly a night to remember and a production fit for a sea king. A Pirates Live for me!



Captain "No Beard" himself. He was one very proud boy after his performance. His Grandma, Grammie, and Grandad were proud too. Mom and Dad were pretty pleased too.
Way to go Matt!



Friday, December 5, 2008

Where's Christmas?

This evening, I found myself wandering aimlessly in Walmart. I had dropped the boys off at Jump Extreme for Josh and Jake's birthday, and Jessie was at a birthday party as well, with Kristi. I was by MYSELF....imagine that!!! So I decided that I was going to do some Christmas shopping. What an opportunity knocking, and the doors literally opened for me. (they were electric with an infared sensor. ;-) )

So, after doing some shopping in the sporting goods for the kids, I decided that we needed a little nativity scene for the house, so I headed to the Christmas section. Seek and I shall find, was my state of mind, afterall the doors were opened for me. So, I went down each of about 8 isles near the garden section, and couldn't find anything. Oh, there were plenty of Santa Clauses and reindeer, and even some stockings with John Deere and Dale Ernhert Jr. on them, but not a single nativity scene.

I was sad. This is the first year that I really realized that we're losing Christmas. People have been saying it for years, but I never really understood it until this year. We're losing the meaning of it ALL. It's not about the birth of our savior anymore. It's about lights and ribbons and candy canes and trees and a million other things that aren't Christ.

Now don't get me wrong. I'm not an old fuddy duddy that doesn't have fun with Saint Nick and Rudolph and Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree. I love that part of Christmas too. I really do! But for God's Sake, literally, let's get back to a little more Christmas and a lot less of the other stuff.

Have a Blessed Christmas Season! Cris