Christmas 2015

  • Post category:Holidays
  • Reading time:4 mins read

This will be the last post of 2015. Before I get to the Christmas stuff, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the past year and to thank everyone that has been a part of our lives and supported us in any way, big or small. As I look back over the past year, a few things stick out in my mind. Firstly, the fact that James managed to make it through the holidays without getting sick and needing to be admitted to the hospital. I actually had to look back at our medical notes to see the last time James was in the hospital for an illness. January. That’s right…it’s been almost a full year since he has been in the hospital with any sort of illness. Let’s hope this continues into the new year.

Other than the lack of hospital stays, two other things stick out in my mind. The bathroom renovation that was done over the summer, and our once-in-a-lifetime trip to the North Pole a couple of weeks ago. I think we’re still on a bit of a sugar high as we’re slowly working through all of the candy that we came home with. In all seriousness, though, we are extremely fortunate and thankful for all of the love, support, gifts, and monetary contributions that we’ve received this past year. Life with a special needs child is hard but having the support of family and friends (old and new) does make it easier to keep going day after day. So, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you all!

 

Christmas

With James not in the hospital and not showing any signs of illness, it was Christmas as normal. Christmas Eve was spent with my side of the family, and as usual, I ate too much. But I just couldn’t help myself. Everything was so good!

 

James sitting in a blue floral armchair, wearing a white long‑sleeve shirt with a printed design, cuffed blue jeans, white socks, and red sneakers. The setting in indoors, with a wooden side table nearby and a carpeted floor beneath the chair.
Sitting in Grandma’s chair on Christmas Eve

 

Christmas morning, I slept in a little bit. Stacy took this selfie with James while they were waiting for me to get up. I love these two!

 

Stacy and James lie together on a bed in a calm, grayscale scene. James rests with eyes partly closed and mouth slightly open, while Stacy nearby looks toward them.
Waiting for Daddy to wake up so we can open gifts

 

I got up shortly after she took that picture, but they did have to wait a little bit longer to open gifts while I whipped up some pancakes and scrambled eggs for Stacy and I. Then it was finally time to open gifts…and there were quite a few this year thanks to the generous donors of Operation North Pole. If you missed that post, go back and check it out.

There was a special Christmas store at school where James bought a couple of things for mommy and daddy. I got a coffee mug and a picture frame. Stacy got a couple of ornaments for the tree; one that he bought, and one that he made.

 

Jeff holds two boxed novelty gifts: one labeled “DEPT. OF DAD MUG” featuring a black mug with a playful official‑seal‑style design, and the other labeled “DAD FRAME,” showing a picture frame with “WORLD’S BEST DAD” printed above a father‑and‑child photo. Jeff is wearing a gray zip‑up sweatshirt with “PROPERTY OF LAKE LAWN RESORT” on the front and pajama pants decorated with cartoon characters and the phrase “Freakin Sweet,” creating a casual, lighthearted holiday‑gift moment.
James got Daddy a mug and picture frame

 

A hand holds two Christmas ornaments and a small charm. One ornament is a clear glass bell decorated with blue snowflakes and the word “Mom,” tied with a blue ribbon that also holds a gold charm engraved with “MOM” and “I love you to the moon and back.” The second ornament is a clear round ball painted with red‑and‑white thumbprints resembling candy cane stripes, with a green ribbon and a tag featuring a short poem signed “Love: James, Christmas 2015.” The scene highlights personal, handmade holiday keepsakes.
He made Mommy an ornament, and bought her one

 

Stacy got her usual assortment of pajamas from me.

 

Clothing and blankets are arranged on a carpeted floor in a cozy indoor space. Two boxes labeled “Falls Creek” and “Pajama Set” hold a gray star‑patterned pajama top and a pair of black fuzzy socks. In the center, feet in colorful striped socks peek out from under purple pajama pants with large light‑blue polka dots. To the right lies a pair of light‑blue Toy Story pajama pants featuring Woody, Hamm, and the aliens. Additional fabric items and part of a chair sit in the background, creating a warm, comfortable, gift‑unpacking scene.
Pajamas for Stacy from me

 

Stacy got me a headlamp, which I put to use yesterday while I was trying to figure out why the lights in the 3rd bedroom (which we use as an office) flicker whenever James’ bedroom light is on.

 

Jeff wearing a headlamp works on electrical wiring inside an open section of a wall. He holds tools close to a cluster of exposed wires, illuminated by the focused beam from the headlamp in an otherwise dim space. Jeff wears a sweatshirt with the words “LAKE LAWN RESORT” visible. The scene captures a careful, hands‑on repair in progress.
Using the headlamp that Stacy bought me for Christmas

 

Then it was James’ turn, and as you can see, he had a few more gifts than Stacy and I had:

 

Our living room decorated for Christmas, filled with wrapped presents in colorful paper and ribbons spread across the floor. A small lit Christmas tree sits near a red couch, and a wooden desk and shelves of books and decorations stand in the background. Stacy and James sit on the floor among the gifts — Jamesdressed in a green elf outfit with striped leggings, Stacy seated behind him in a supportive pose.
James had a lot of gifts to open

 

Ready James? Let’s start opening up all of these packages…

 

Stacy sits on a carpeted floor holding James dressed in a green outfit. James holds a colorful “Santa Claus” book with a cartoon Santa face on the cover. Stacy wears a black shirt with a Route US 66 logo. Behind them are household items including shoes, James' suction machine on the floor, and a lit Christmas tree, creating a cozy, lived‑in holiday setting.
Santa Claus book

 

James in a green outfit with white stripes sits on the floor, supported by Stacy in a black Route 66 shirt. James holds a yellow “Five Silly Monkeys” book and a packaged Minions wash mitt. Around them are Christmas gift bags, wrapping paper, and a Santa‑themed book. Medical equipment with tubing sits in the background, creating a mix of festive celebration and everyday care.
Five Silly Monkeys book with finger puppets and a Minions wash mitt for bath time

 

Stacy and James sit on a carpeted floor surrounded by Christmas gift bags and festive decorations. James holds a wrapped present in red, green, and white holiday paper, while Stacy behind him provides gentle support. A medical suction machine with tubing rests nearby, blending the realities of daily care with the warmth of a holiday celebration.
Helping Mommy open the next gift

 

Stacy in a black Route US 66 shirt sits on the floor with James positioned in front of her. James wears a green outfit with a white collar decorated with gold circles and holds a book titled “Monkey and the Little One,” featuring an illustrated monkey on the cover. Around them are holiday gift bags and wrapped presents, and a medical suction machine with tubing rests nearby, blending a moment of shared reading with the realities of daily care during a festive celebration.
It’s a Monkey and the Little One book

 

James in a green elf outfit sits on the floor surrounded by wrapped and unwrapped Christmas presents. Stacy sits behind him, providing gentle support. A decorated Christmas tree with lights and ornaments glows in the background beside wooden furniture, creating a cozy holiday gift‑opening moment.
Clothes

 

James in a green elf‑style outfit sits on the floor surrounded by wrapped and unwrapped Christmas presents. Stacy behind him gently touches the child’s head. Clothing items, including pants with a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles logo, are spread out among the gifts. A decorated Christmas tree with lights and ornaments stands in the background beside wooden furniture, creating a cozy, mid‑unwrapping holiday moment.
And more clothes

 

James dressed in a green elf costume with white‑and‑green striped pants sits on the lap of Stacy wearing a black Route US 66 shirt. James holds a new pair of black sneakers with tags still attached. Around them are colorful gift bags and wrapped presents, creating a festive holiday atmosphere. Medical equipment with tubing is visible to the side, blending everyday care with a joyful gift‑giving moment.
Shoes, which we think were supposed to go to another boy from the North Pole trip

 

Stacy in a black Route US 66 shirt sits on the floor with James in a green elf‑style shirt and festive collar seated in front of her. James holds clothing gifts, including a maroon shirt and gray pants, while more wrapped and unwrapped presents surround them. A decorated Christmas tree with lights and ornaments stands nearby, with a wooden dresser and shelves of books in the background, creating a cozy holiday gift‑opening moment.
More clothes

 

Stacy in a black Route US 66 shirt sits on the floor with James in her lap. James wears a green shirt with decorative trim and a necklace. In front of them are newly opened clothing items, including a blue‑and‑navy hooded jacket, dark jeans labeled “CHEROKEE,” and navy sweatpants. Wrapped gifts and holiday bags surround them, creating a cozy indoor gift‑exchange moment.
And more clothes

 

James in a green elf‑style outfit and red socks sits on the floor while Stacy behind him helps open a large, brightly wrapped Christmas present. Other wrapped gifts are scattered in the background.
Let’s open this one Mommy

 

James and Stacy sit on the floor in a festive living room, surrounded by wrapped gifts and holiday bags. James is wearing a green elf‑style outfit with a white collar and gold accents, sitting on the lap of Stacy in a black Route 66 shirt. An open box in front of them holds folded clothing, including a gray‑and‑red plaid shirt. A decorated Christmas tree glows in the background.
More clothes and some DVDs

 

James sits on the floor, supported by Stacy in a black shirt, surrounded by a mix of wrapped and opened Christmas presents. James wears a green shirt with a white collar. Around them are clothing items, LEGO sets, gift cards, and torn wrapping paper, creating a lively, mid‑unwrapping holiday scene.
And iTunes gift cards so we can buy some apps for his iPad

 

A large Christmas present wrapped in red‑and‑white paper patterned with repeating Santa images sits in the foreground. A white tag on the gift reads “JAMES #17.” Behind it, Stacy and James sit together on the floor, and a decorated Christmas tree with lights and ornaments glows in the background, creating a warm holiday‑celebration scene.
What in the world could this be?

 

Stacy and James sit on the floor in a cozy room with wooden furniture and bookshelves behind them. Stacy gently supports James dressed in a green top with white‑and‑green striped pants and red socks. In front of them stands an impressively tall tower of large interlocking foam floor tiles in bright red, yellow, blue, and green. Wrapped gifts and festive bags sit nearby, adding to the holiday atmosphere.
That’s a lot of foam floor tiles!

 

Stacy and James sit together on a carpeted floor. Stacy in a black shirt gently supports James dressed in a green outfit with white and red accents, with medical tubing visible nearby. In front of them are two interlocking foam floor tiles, one red and one green. Wrapped gifts and a lit Christmas tree sit in the background, blending a moment of care with a festive holiday setting.
We’ve discussed putting these under his swing that we attached to the pergola

 

Phew. That was a lot of gifts! Thank you, Operation North Pole!

We had a little bit of time to recover from opening all of those gifts before we had to pack up the van and head out to see Stacy’s family. Although James can’t play and do many of the things that his cousins can, the one thing they can do together is hangout and watch some good cartoons.

 

James and his cousins lie close together on the floor, gathered around a tablet placed near a beige couch. They wear casual shirts in green, dark gray, blue, and red, and rest on a mix of hardwood flooring, a patterned rug, and a quilted blanket. All four kids are focused on the screen, sharing a quiet moment of watching or playing together.
Watching cartoons on his iPad with his cousins

 

I appreciate the fact that none of his cousins are scared of James and want to hang out with him. Makes me happy.

As long as nothing major happens in the next four days, that should be a wrap on 2015. Hope everyone had a safe, happy, and healthy holiday season. Thank you again to all of you for being part of James’ journey. We love you all.