We are proud to be able to share these pictures with you from Christmas and New Year’s Eve!
It was by the pure blessing of God that we were able to celebrate the holidays with family and friends, especially Dylan. Our little angel is a miracle to all who know him and we are proud to say that he made it through the holidays and into the Year 2006!
Even though Dylan’s nights have been very rough and the days sometimes run together for us, he amazes us with the strength and courage he possesses. His will to survive is relentless! Our Christmas Wish to share the holiday season with both of our boys has been granted and will always be remembered. We have not left the house very much with the exception of attending Christmas Eve Mass with our family. Again, God blessed us with a peaceful angel who was draped across his mommy and daddy’s laps throughout the beautiful solemn mass and children’s program. Daddy carried him to Communion to the front of the altar with pure strength and dignity, I am not sure there was a dry eye in the place! This was followed by the event on Santa’s lap where Santa and all of his elves cried when they remembered him from the year before, the true meaning of Christmas indeed!
The next moment we stepped foot out of the house was to celebrate New Year’s Eve with our family at the Old Stottsville Inn. We enjoyed a private dining room setting and a delicious meal while creating beautiful memories for years to come! We’ve had family in from out of town and they helped us ring in the New Year at home with some of our closest friends. Dylan decided to keep us on our toes most of the night so Nanny and Pappy came to the rescue this morning so we can catch up on some much needed rest!
We had plenty of visitors throughout the week including the Criswells, the Shugharts, Uncle Rob from MA, Uncle Michael from FL, Auntie Jen and Uncle Brian with new cousin Benjamin from NJ, the Penderghests, Nana, Grandpop, Uncle Kenny, Aunt Crystal, Cousin Kenny, Nanny, Pappy, Uncle James, Aunt Tina, Auntie Suzanne and her new friend, Michelle Schwemmer, Christie DeHaven and Kylee and the Grablewskis…if I forgot anyone, I am sorry but these past few weeks have been a blur! Thank God for Aunt Lene who helped scurry around the house wrapping last minute gifts and cleaning up messes for us! Thanks also to the Stokes for a nice home cooked meal yesterday! Nanny was on vacation all this week and spent most of her nights on a Spongebob air mattress sleeping next to Dylan. This was one of Dylan’s favorite Christmas gifts, Brady’s favorite present was wrapping paper!!
I think one of the key ingredients to Dylan’s strength is the Holy Water which we are flushing directly into his G-tube before and after his feedings, along with rubbing holy oil from Padre Pio on his chest and massaging Frankincense oil into his temples. What better time to bless an innocent child than at Christmas time with the same essential oil that was delivered to the Christ child? We have faith that God knows when Dylan’s job is complete here on Earth and we ask that you continue to keep our family in your prayers.
We hope that all of your holiday wishes came true and that you were also able to share the love and hope that we experienced this year with family and friends!
Much love and New Year blessings,
The Mannings