Christmas Caroling

Today we took the boys Christmas Caroling at a nursing home with a group of our friends' children. What a teachable moment!! It is so wonderful for them to be able to experience the giving of Christmas. They sang about four songs and behaved like such gentlemen. I was a bit nervous before we went in because Mason didn't have the happiest of hearts. But when the music came on he was ready. Afterward I asked the boys if they wanted to go wish the people a Merry Christmas and Nathan was in. He shook everyone's hand and said Merry Christmas. The first lady couldn't hear him so I said, "say it so she can hear". So he proceeded to yell "MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!" Oops. I was so proud!! We get so caught up in the busy-ness of the holidays and I have enjoyed taking the time to slow down and teach my kids about the real reasons for celebrating.

On another note...we have a special prayer request to ask of you. I mentioned David's Grandfather (Rocktop) recently about how he was sick and they couldn't figure out what was wrong. Well last week they released him from UAB without finding out an illness. At that time they tested him for "mad cow" disease which was to take a week to get the results back and they would not continue testing or treatment until those results were in. We all felt like that was the biggest waste of time. There have only been like 5 reported cases in the US. The test came back today and they are positive. The test has an 80% accuracy level and a brain biopsy will be done to confirm. They admitted him back to UAB tonight to get that done. We are praying for that 20% chance that it isn't mad cow because that is fatal. From what we have read the time between onset of symptoms until death can range from a few weeks to a couple of years, but the median is 4 months. We have already been dealing with it for a month. We have been praying for the doctors to figure out what was wrong so they could begin treatment, and would never have thought it was this. The picture I've posted is of Rocktop and Mama Gina after one of the Bama games this year. David have enjoyed going to the ballgames with them for about 12 years now. It is so hard to watch a man who was completely fine 2 months ago become a different man. He was at our house yesterday and I asked if they got their Christmas tree up yet and his response was "hmm, I don't know ask Regina". Please keep him and the family in your prayers during this time. And I'll continue to post on his condition.