Top Photo is me and Santa Claus.

The second photo is me, Santa Claus and the N.I.C.U. Nurses, Dr. Coloso-Neonatoligist( blue scrubs), Joye-N.I.C.U. Respitory Therapist (behind me in the green cover), and the N.I.C.U. Chaplin Brent (behind me). 

Me and Ada Floyd (who is not in the pictures) put together the this event. We wanted to have santa visit the babies in the N.I.C.U. at St. Edward Mercy Medical Center. I wish that I could have posted some photos of the babies with Santa but do to health regulations I am unable. Trust me when I say Santa did visit all 13 babies in the hospital. Not to mentin we went to the Pediatric Ward and visted two children and one baby and then stopped by the E.R. Ada and I gave each baby and child a stocking with a candy cane, stuffed animal, and a poem. All of these items were donated by the staff at Doller General located on Kelley Hwy. in Fort Smith, AR. My family bought small Christmas books that were also given away. My husband and another staff member took photos that were given to each family.

We all enjoyed this event. I think we may have started a tradition. All of the babies were so tiny. My husband and I do not remeber Alex being that small but he was. When you are going through something like the N.I.C.U. with your baby you never realize just how fragile they are. I just knew that I was his mommy and that I loved him so much no matter how small he was. You could say I lived by two motto's "good things come in small packages" and "no fear".

I would like to say thank you to Kim Sosbee and Debbie Banter for letting us do this, Keith Brown for being the star, the N.I.C.U. and Pediatric staff for letting us invade your space, Amy Rodgers-N.I.C.U. Nurse who help with the babies and their families, the N.I.C.U. parents for allowing us to share in this moment and your babies first Santa visit, my husband Brian for being a good sport and taking photos, Joye Brown for letting us borrow the "star" and taking photos, Doller General and it's staff for donating some of the items, and the biggest thank you to Ada Floyd she helped me put on this event and get some of the stuff. Ada is a N.I.C.U. Graduate mom from Oklahoma Children's Hospital. She is my partner in N.I.C.U. crime. Ha! Ha!

In the top photo is Tabrina with my son Alex. She a Respitory Therapist at St. Edward. Tabrina was there the night Alex was born. She was suppose to intabait(sp?) Alex that night but she made Dr. Coloso do it. From what I was told she did not feel very comfortable doing it since he was so small.

The second photo is Dr. Coloso and Alex. He is the man that saved Alex. 

If you can not tell the both of them are very fond of Alex. That evening my family and I were asked to attend the N.I.C.U. Christmas party. This party was for N.I.C.U. employees only. But we were given a special invite. Aren't we lucky! They gave presents to every child that was there and had a DJ playing loud music. At this point I realized that I am getting old. They served some wonderful food and deserts. By the way we got lost getting to the location. Always follow the directions from Google Maps. Never try to go the back way. Right before we left they had me read "Twas The Night Before Christmas, St. N.I.C.U.". It is a really cute twist on a classic Christmas favorite.

Me (far left) with some of the Mrs. Arkansas International contestants along with Laine Berry, Mrs. International and Carol Johnson, Mrs. Arkansas International.

Me and Amberlee Haymen

Me and Kristen. She will be competeing for the title of Teen Arkansas International.

Look at our beautiful International and State International queens.

L-R, Erin Golden- Miss Arkansas International, Paige Jeffery- Teen Arkansas International, Laine Berry- Mrs. International, and Carol Johnson- Mrs. Arkansas International

This was such a fun event that helped raise funds for AETN. The people who worked at the facility were so nice and served us such great food. After the first phone call that I took I finally started to get the hang of it. Thank you Bernee' for the photos.

Here are some of the Teen Arkansas contestant's with

Teen Arkansas International, Paige Jeffries. 

These are some of the Miss Arkansas International contestant's.

Me (in the red dress) with some of the Mrs. Arkansas International contestant's and

Carol Johnson, Mrs. Arkansas Internationsl.

Me and Laine Berry, Mrs. International.

I had such a wonderful time at the Christmas Tea. It was hosted by Laine Berry at her beautiful home. I was so glad to finally get the oppurtunity to meet some of the Arkansas International contestant's.