Christmas Party day

Crafts at Mending Kids

Maria Jose - from Ecuador for open heart surgery and back surgery

Melaine our Christmas Miracle

Mending Kids-some board members and staff

Today turned into a Christmas party day. We started at Josie's class for that
celebration. Laura Campabasso, Ann Drummond and Lisa Dicks did a great job organizing and executing a fun party. They had the biggest pizza that I had ever seen brought in. The kids all had a great time doing crafts, decorating cookies and eating pizza.

From there we headed to therapy. After a big morning I didn't know how well she would do for Liz today. Josie shocked me again and gave Liz one of her best days. Liz couldn't believe how good her steps were and how well she did her exercises. She has a lot more opportunity to walk in public now so she has fairly consistent so she won't fall. It is becoming more and more automatic everyday. She was a bit tipsy at school but I think it is a combo of so many kids walking around and tighter spots to get through. When she returns in January she should be far enough ahead that those things won't be such a problem.

Lastly, we went to the Mending Kids Christmas party that the City of Santa Clarita did for Robin's Nest. Robin's Nest is our own Hospitality House similar to the Ronald McDonald House. We bring Kids and a parent who are either long term kids or the most high risk kids. There are 8 bedrooms and it is full year round. Anyhow, it was a wonderful gathering for those in the house and those who threw the party. We are blessed everyday to witness the miracles that occur with the Mending Kids kids. One story to share is about Melanie. Melanie is an adorable 2 1/2 year old girl from Guatemala. Melanie's mom, Lorana, was the first care taker at Robin's Nest when it first originated. After a few years she returned to Guatemala. There she decided to adopt a baby after being so touched by the children at Mending Kids. She adopted Melanie and a year later learned that Melanie was deaf, but otherwise perfectly fine. She called our director who brought them both here immediately. That was
Dec 26th last year. After a year of treatment, Melanie sat by the Christmas tree tonight singing a Christmas song and talking. She is hearing with the assistance of cochlear implants. That, my folks, is what the Christmas miracle is all about and we were fortunate to witness it. Jenny and Josie