Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Merry Christmas from the Nelsons


Dear Friends and Family,


Merry Christmas from the Nelsons. We hope this letter finds you happy,healthy, and well. 2007 has been quite a year for our family! We thank our Heavenly Father for all of our many blessings and for the great love we have felt from our many friends this year.

As most of you know, Grant was diagnosed with T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in late April, just two weeks shy of his 5th birthday. As you may imagine, we were completely devastated! However, Grant responded very quickly to treatment and was in a technical remission in a week, and a full remission at the end of this first 28 days of chemotherapy. Since April he has undergone weekly chemotherapy at UNC Children’s hospital in Chapel Hill. After Christmas we will begin a more relaxed monthly schedule that will continue for the next 3 years. Grant has been a model patient and has an excellent prognosis for a full recovery. We are so grateful to the physicians, nurses, and staff who have helped to save his life and who have guided us through this tedious process. We also send our love to our many new friends we have made at the cancer clinic and remember our dear friends whom we have lost this year.
We express our deep appreciation to all of our many friends for all of the sweet acts of kindness you have shown to us. We love you all and could not have done this without you!

The other kids are doing well. Eden is in 2nd grade and loves Sudoku puzzles and spending time with her friends. She was baptized this past October by her father and was simply beautiful in her new white dress. Jacob will be 3 in January, and is in love with two things - his Grandma Susan and his Uncle Joel’s dog, Skully. He is quite a handful and keeps his mom busy, to say the least. Kevin continues to serve as the First Counselor in the Ward Bishopric and will celebrate his 8th Anniversary with Ecolab on January 1st. As for me, I am still teaching private music lessons at the Crystal Coast School of the Arts in Morehead City and keeping busy as a stay-on-the-run-mom!

We keep Grant’s blog updated almost weekly with news and photos. Please visit his website at http://www.grantnelson.blogspot.com/ so please check in! We love hearing from our friends and family!

We pray for another good year and for the Lord’s blessings to be with us and with each of you.

With love,Emily, Kevin, Eden, Grant & Jacob

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad to hear that things are going so good for you guys!! I check here several times a day to see if by chance there is an update. We hope your family has a very merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year.

Lots of love from our family to yours, Megan

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful family! You have been an inspiration to all of us who know you this year. May God continue to richly bless all of you!

The Stroud Family
Dave, Carrie, Damon, Camden, & Avery

Anonymous said...

WOW! What is the trick to get three kids to pose absolutely perfect for a picture? The Howard children know lots of tricks, but this is not one of them. We are so happy that this year of treatments for Grant has gone so well, and pray that the future will hold the same. Grant you are a real trooper, and amazing example to those around you. As for Emily, Kevin, Eden, and Jacob what wonderful people you are. I can only imagine the strength you have had to have during this time. Having to be away from each other like you have, and the sacrifices you have made in the process. Grant is blessed to belong to such an awesome family. We hope you have a Christmas you will never forget, that the Saviors love may fill your home today, and always. Lots of love,
Mickey, Stephanie and Children

The McKinneys said...

Glad to hear that all is doing well.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Kristi McKinney

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful card and a beautiful family. Ditto what Stephanie said. (I have Howard kids too!) You truly are an amazing family. I am so glad that things are going well. It is our Christmas wish for you that the trend will continue and 2008 will be a year full of blessings and miracles. Ones that you truly deserve. May God's richest blesssings be upon you during this Christmas season. Merry, Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!!!

Chad, Wendi, Chase, Claire and Cole Howard