Merry Christmas 2010!

Leon Family Christmas Letter 2010

We wish you a Merry Christmas

We wish you a Merry Christmas

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Good tidings we bring to you and your kin

Good tidings for Christmas and a Happy New Year

Oh, bring us a figgy pudding

Oh, bring us a figgy pudding

Oh, bring us a figgy pudding and a cup of good cheer

We won't go until we get some

We won't go until we get some

We won't go until we get some, so bring some out here

We wish you a Merry Christmas;
We wish you a Merry Christmas;
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!

This year has been very eventful for the Leon Family! As we rang in the new year in 2010, William had only been home from Phoenix Children's Hospital Newborn Intensive Care Unit since Christmas eve 2009. We were still getting used to our new family routine. William was a special added member to our family, and his special needs required some important equipment and monitors. Richie, Isabell and I welcomed our little William and all of his gadgets and we took to him like he had always been a part of us. We loved him so much, and he loved his home. We had our new routine down pat within no time. During the months of January through April, William had about 2 to 3 clinic follow up appointments per week as we were having our medical team monitor and watch his growth and well being very frequently. During this time Isabell was attending her preschool program at WVES. She loves school. While she was attending WVES I was able  to drive her to school each day and drop her off and pick her up. After the month of April came to an end, my medical team and I had made some surgical plans for William on May 20th 2010. It was a routine surgery that turned into a 14 day hospitalization in the Phoenix Children's Hospital Pediatric Intensive Care Unit involving 5 surgical procedures. Unfortunately, William had 1 hospitalization after another with a total of 16 hospital stays since May 2010 and a total of 11 surgical procedures in 2010- making this year a very difficult year to endure. But wit the emotional support, and an amazing group of family and friends- we fought through all of our battles and with the fact of our little William's health still being in a very fragile state, he is making great progress and getting bigger and stronger each day. Also to add more excitement to our busy summer, Richie took a job with Mass Electric in Los Angeles, CA. Our house was for sale in West Phoenix, and sold with a closing date of June 4th. And our new house in Tempe was being remodeled and the remodeling was still in progress when I had to be out of my old house- during my sons hospitalization in Intensive care. I don't know how we got our old house packed up and sold, and moved into our new place and managed all of the craziness- but here we are 6 month later and all settled into our lovely new home. We sure do miss having Richie gone so much, but he is home almost every weekend. And makes trips home when our little William boy is in the hospital. Isabell is in a new preschool this year here in Tempe and is doing great in her preschool program. She gets to ride the bus to school and that is the highlight of her life. Its all about the BUS! Her favorite color is Pink, and she is the happiest funniest little girl in the whole world and can make any ones day a little brighter. I don't know what it is about my little Isabell, but she is the most special, sweetest, cutest little dollface ever. I am a little partial, but I am serious- between her and her little brother I have the sweetest most precious children who are completely amazing and make this life we live true meaning. We truly are one lucky family- despite all these major setbacks!

One thing Richie and I really missed out on this year was spending time with family and friends due to our fragile situation with our little baby boy. We missed out on fun camping trips, vacations and all those spur of the moment things we used to be able to do. Our lives have changed so much this past year, and it has made us so much stronger as parents and as people. We know we will have our day again- we know William will jump through all these hellacious hoops and continue to amaze us all and overcome all of his downfalls and hopefully we will have some kind of a normal life in the upcoming future. We are more than ready!

I cannot put into words how much we love and appreciate all of our close family- without them we wouldn't be where we are today. Our parents are the best ever, and will do anything for us. My mom has taken on such a huge job this past year, pretty much being my back up body. When I fall behind, or need a little help- she is there  before I even need to ask picking up the slack like its nothing. She just does whatever it takes to help us out, and does it with no complaints and always has the best advise and guidance for us. She makes sure we are all taken care of- one amazing lady. To have the loving family we have been blessed with is the best thing ever, and makes us the strong knit family that we are. Thank you all for being the best ever. Another special thanks to my Aunt Tommie and Aunt Josie who have been a HUGE help this year. Thank you for all you ladies do, your both are amazing. And also to the Rummel Family. What a caring, and thoughtful family they are- and have been there for us for several years. We are so glad to have you in our "family" thanks for being the BEST! And many thank yous to all who have said prayers, sent well wishes, and words of encouragement to us through the year. We appreciate it so much! All of our friends and family's encouragement and kind words have made us able to keep on keeping on. Thanks So Much!!!

We are so excited to spend Christmas 2010 her ein our new cozy home. MERRY CHRISTAS AND A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!!!

LOVE,

Richie, Crystal, Isabell and Willie