My First Christmas in Heaven

I see the countless Christmas trees around the world below,
With tiny lights like heavens stars reflecting on the snow,
The sight is so spectacular please wipe away the tear,
For I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.

I hear the many Christmas songs that people hold so dear,
But the sound of music can’t compare with the Christmas choir up here,
I have no words to tell you the Joy their voices bring,
For it is beyond description to hear the angels sings,
I know how much you miss me, I see the pain inside your heart,
But I am not far away we really aren’t apart.

So be happy for me dear ones you know I hold you dear
and be glad I’m spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year,
I send you each a special gift from my heavenly home above,
I send you each a memory of undying love,
After all love is a gift more precious than gold,
it always was most important in the stories Jesus told.

Please love and keep each other as my Father said to do,
For I can’t count his blessings he has for each of you,
Do have a merry Christmas and wipe away that tear,
Remember I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.

Anon.

The James Thomas Room

Well, what a special day. Today at our lovely primary school, that all the boys have attended and Liam still is attending, dedicated a new refurbished room in honour of our James.

The area is in the 'B' block of the school buildings, with classrooms all around the out side and a rectangle shaped space in the middle. When we first went to Swan View 9 years ago, this area was open with a few plants and lots of storage area with discarded items. Over the time we have been there, there have been a number of times to try and clean the area up. Last year our wonderful new principal, Marg managed to get it enclosed and cleaned up. It has lovely soft floor matting, roof over head with fans, lighting, tables, chairs, fridge and many more. They made the decision to call the room after James after much consideration. For a while it was just called the green room but Marg felt it needed something more. It was with honour that we agreed to naming the room 'The James Thomas Room' or JT for short. It showed us that James touched so many people in so many ways and will continue to do so through his name on this room.

We were lucky to share this special event with some of James' friends from his time at school, some of his teachers that are still at Swan View and close family. We had a fantastic morning tea, (thanks Mrs McGlew you are a great cook!) and we also released some yellow balloons, which seemed so fitting.

It was a lovely morning to remember our James.

Congratulations Phil & Lis

Yesterday my older brother Philip got married to a wonderful lady Elisabeth. I had the pleasure of taking the photos of such a beautiful couple. It was a lovely day, the sun was out and the warmth was fantastic. We had a great time, full of love and laughter. Lis is such a joy to be around, her smile just lights up her beautiful face and embraces you to smile along with her. She has the most beautiful family and sister. They have welcomed us into their family as we have to Lis into ours. It was lovely to be happy and joyous and celebrate. I really needed it.

Phil is happy again, laughing and enjoying his new life. It was very special to see the way he was around Lis, it made you feel good. I wish them all the best in their new journey together as husband and wife. To laugh together, play together and love together. Congratulations.

Another Milestone........

Well this week has been quite trying in many ways. I have known that tomorrow was fast approaching and just wished I could stop it. 7 months and it just seems like yesterday that I could hug and kiss my beautiful boy James.

We have had some sad news from the Holmes Family about beautiful Immogen. Immie has relapsed for the third time. It is very hard for her family but as our wonderful Miss Immie is such a battler and fighter we are not giving up hope. As long as she can fight we must all fight along with her. Stand by Fiona, Jason and Kody, offer support and positive thoughts and prayers. This disease is such a tough fight but our precious kids are worth the struggle. The treatment they endure, needles, scans and many procedures amaze us all in the strength they carry. I know I have learnt many lessons from James and many others that are still fighting. We need to remember these brave kids and thank them for how much they have given to us and everyone that they have touched. We should be very grateful for being able to walk, talk, sing and dance. Listen to music, enjoy the sunshine, treasure our children and be happy to have the chance to make things better.

Some days are harder than others but as we are left behind we must make the most of it. I know James would tell me to stop crying and it will all be ok. I just wish for one more hug, one more moment............

Sending good thoughts, vibes and prayers to the Holmes Family, stay together, help each other and wipe the tears together.

Family is what life is really all about.

6 months........

Today is a very hard day, I have been thinking about this day for quite a few weeks. Not looking forward to it, dreading it. I knew it was going to be hard but it is really hard. We now have James' room painted and Brent has moved it. It has bought back some life again in the room. Brent has been wonderful and kept a picture that James had hanging in his room, he as made room to display some of his things as well. I love looking at James' things that he has collected, played with, enjoyed and treasured. I dream of watching him play with them again.

We all miss him soooo much, it is amazing the giant hole that has been left.

You Will Never Be Forgotten

written by Jessica Andrews

I'll always see your face

The corner of your smile

And all the little things that no one will ever know

Like it was yesterday, won't ever fade away

Goodbye is just a word that I will never say

You will never be forgotten

A million days could pass us by

But what is time but just a dream

Oh I still feel you here with me

You're more than just a memory

Oh you will never be forgotten

I can't hold you hand

Or look into your eyes

And when I talk to you

It just echoes in my mind

But if hearts are made of dust

And if we fell from the stars

I look up tonight and know just where you are

You will never be forgotten

A million days could pass us by

But what is time but just a dream

Oh I still feel you here with me

You're more than just a memory

Oh you will never be forgotten

And the world just keeps on going

It has no way of knowing

That you're gone

You will never be forgotten

A million days could pass us by

But what is time but just a dream

Oh I still feel you here with me

You're more than just a memory

Oh you will never by forgotten.

Over a month.......ooops!

Well, here we are again, over a month this time. Sorry. I have a good excuse, I have been working. After doing some relief work at our friends real estate, they offered me a job. Which has kept me quite busy.

Over the past month I have been doing little bits and pieces in my beautiful boy James' room. This has been very hard and sometimes I have just walked in, looked around and just cried. Today we have managed to get all James' Lego and display it near our front door. We have put up some glass shelves and some white shelves to display it all. What a feat. I can't believe how much James has collected over time. It has turned out sooooo good that I wanted to share how it looks. We also got his light saber that he was given for Christmas in 2007 from his Uncles and Aunties from the Thomas side of the family and put it up with his photo we had at the funeral. It looks fantastic. Slowly things are getting sorted and tidied and we are finding a place for things, so that we can remember our boy. Once we have finished sorting out James' room we are going to paint it and Brent is going to move in.

We have had Brent's 16th Birthday, Brent managed to get his learners permit on his birthday which he was very proud off. It has been strange that where ever he wants to go, he has to drive. He is getting pretty good, but has a bit of a heavy excellerator foot. He is getting the hang that he has to slow down a bit or he won't get his licence because he is going too fast. lol. We all went out for tea for his birthday to Chatters. It was lovely, Grandma, Grandfather, Lidija, Liam, Shane and myself all went. We all had a great dinner and then came home for cheese cake, yum! Brent got lots of things for his car so he was very happy.

The boys have also been on holidays over the past two weeks. Brent worked the first week and then was lucky enough to go on a Canteen camp (a camp for kids with cancer, siblings, offspring and beveared kids as well). Brent has been to these type of camps before and so he had an absolute ball. The only problem was there was one kid that snored in his dorm so Brent didn't get much sleep. lol. He has been making up for it today when he got out of bed at 11am.

Liam has been a bit lost over the last two weeks, with me working and Shane working and Brent being away, Liam has been palmed off and handed around to different people to keep him amused and entertained. He has been very good with this and has managed to get through the holidays unscathed, I hope.

Shane is doing pretty good, although the weather has not been on his side, so he has been doing some jobs that are inside which has been helpful. He keeps getting new jobs to keep him busy which is also good. People are telling their friends and they are calling and asking for quotes and then getting Shane to do the work, which is all good for him and us.

The only bit a sad news to tell is that Brent's girlfriend is no longer on the scene. She felt that she needed a change and then she ended it with Brent. They have stayed friends, so that is something. Brent has (I think) gotten over the hurt and the not understanding, but that is what being a teenager is all about, learning, growing, getting hurt, then picking yourself up of the ground and continuing on with life. Sometimes it is a little harder to pick yourself up.

Well see you later, hope all is well, keep smiling and remembering our beautiful boy.

Four Months Ago

Today.............. well it has been four months since we lost our beautiful boy James. Not a day, hour, minute goes by that I don't think of him. My wonderful mum reminded me on Monday of the amazing full moon on the night he passed away, and now ever month it is such a strong reminder of James watching over us all. The moon last night was just amazing, peeping out from behind the clouds. I tried to get a photo but it just didn't look any good. Did not capture what I was seeing. I would like to thank all the people that everyday think of us and remember our James. He was an amazing boy who touched so many lives. I am still hearing of wonderful stories of how he touched people and the way that they remember him.

Ok, onto how we are going, Shane has got some big jobs coming up next month in Seabird and we would like to thank Andrew and Deb for recommending Shane. We will be forever greatful of this work that is keeping a roof over our heads. Shane is enjoying being his own boss, but seems to be busy all the time. I think sometimes he would like another pair of hands so he isn't so tired when he comes home of an evening.

Brent has just finished his first set of Year 11 exams. He feels that he went ok, Brent got some of his results today, which I was amazed at and he was very happy with them. Chemistry was 82% which is an 'A' in the old way. Physics he got half of the test back, 80% which was also very good. He is very happy so far, but is a bit hesitant with his Specialist Maths subject, apparently it is quite hard. As long as he passes that is all we ask of him.

Liam is going good at the moment. Doing lots of sport at school with Interschool carnivals and lunch time football matches. It is all very exciting.

Now to me, I have got some relief work at the primary school and today was at our local Realestate agent, who is a friend. It has all been well timed, when I am feeling my lowest someone rings me and askes if I can help them. It is amazing how it has worked lately. People just seem to ring me and get me out of the house when I need it most. They think I am doing them a favour but in reality it is helping me more than ever. I have struggled to think of what I am going to do now, with all this free time on my hands, but doing relief work at the moment is helping to know that I can still be of value to people. My days start out hard, but end with me feeling exhausted but full filled and feeling better about what I have accomplished in the day.

Thank you to everyone that still follows us. For thinking of James and keeping him alive in our hearts and around us every day.

James Christopher Thomas

A beautiful boy

Missed everyday

Loved everyday

Growing in our hearts

Stronger as time goes by.

We miss you.

xoxo

Long Time No Blog

Sorry about the time frame and I know no one will hold it against me. It has been quite hard over the last few weeks. It just seems to be getting harder, not easier the more that time passes.

We have all been very busy with different things.

Liam was lucky enough to go on two camps over the school holidays. It was very good for him, he got a lot out of it. This was the first holidays without his best friend and brother, I am sure it would have been very hard for him. The first camp was organised from the Hospital for breaved sibblings which helped Liam a lot. Gave him different was to cope and remember his brother. The second camp was with Camp Quality were he was kept busy 24 hours a day for 5 days straight. He came home exhausted! He made new friends and saw old friends, had louds of fun and laughter.

Brent has been busy with his studies for Year 11 TEE. He has got 6 subjects and they are now starting to get ready for their first semester exams, which will be in the beginning of June. Brent has also spent a lot of his spare time with georgous Lidija. We have all grown very fond of Lidija and her family. She brings in a fresh breath of air and lots of laughter. We all need this and Lidija has been a wonderful addition to our family. No, I am not marring them off just yet, but it has been nice to still have three kids at the dinner table a couple nights a week! Brent and Shane have also been fixing up Brent's VL Commodore. They have pulled the motor apart and got something done to it, (not quite sure what) then have managed to get it all back together again and running! Brent is very excited about getting his learners permit in June and can't wait to be able to 'drive everywhere', as he says. Yeah right we will see about that!

Shane has been busy with work. He has had a few varied jobs from floor tiling, to brick paving, patios and building play equipment. We are still getting established and trying to get money in, which is getting there, all be it a bit slow for Shane but we are still managing quite well. I keep telling Shane it takes about 18 months to start a business and getting it up and running well. We just need to be patient.

I have been fumbling around in the dark for the past couple of weeks. Not sure what to do or where to go. I have helped Shane with a few jobs when he has needed that extra set of hands, have got 3 hours work per week at the local school, doing administration work. Last week I was called in to do two days of relief work as everyone was sick, but I have now also caught the bug, so that was not too good. On Thursday I took the plunge and got a tattoo to remember my wonderful boy James. It was emotional, but joyful, at the same time. Not as painful as I had expected. Shane is also thinking of having one done, just not sure what design. Everyone has been very supportive and appreciative of my tattoo which has also helped, but also made me a little sad. It is just so close to my heart and everyone elses. Time passes and it just doesn't seem fair that he is not here enjoying life as he should. I miss him so much, but feel he still had so much more to give and do, it just does not seem fair at all.

Well, to all that still visit our blog page, thank you. I will try and be more regular in future, but please don't hold me to that.

Happy Birthday James!

Wow, 13 years ago today a beautiful boy was born into our special family. We had challenges from the start. James was a fighter from the first day he was born. James spent 6 days in PMH for Respitory Distress on pure oxygen and on high doses of antibiotics. He came back to Kalamunda Hospital on Day 6 and we went home after 5 days there. We enjoyed James and his playful antics for many years. He really entertained us, made us laugh, his cheeky grin was always around. He always challenged everything and everyone. Gave everything a go no matter how hard it looked. James would also look at the bright side of life and tackle things head on. If you were with James he would always ensure that you were ok. James did not like it when anyone fell behind, he would always help them up and on there way. James loved his tee ball. Even when he started to get his first signs of cancer he would still try to go onto the field and do his best, even if he was seeing two balls coming towards him at great speed. It frustrated him when he had to give up tee ball and sit on the side lines and watch. But not a sad face did we see, he encouraged his teams mates and congratulated them when they made a home run. He always asked how his brother had gone in his games and always wanted to watch him play.

James was truely an inspiration to us all, no matter what he did, he did with great pride and always with a smile on his face.

We hope you have a fantastic 13th Birthday James. Hit a home run!

Happy Birthday Beautiful Boy!

We all love you and miss you.

Mum, Dad, Brent and Liam.

Away on Holiday

We have been very lucky and been away on holiday in Busselton. It has been very relaxing and great to all be together. We have been staying in our camper trailer and have so far survived without too much trouble. It has been wonderful to jump of the busy life bus and just sit back and relax and watch the world go by. It is lovely and relaxing to just sit on the beach and watch the birds fly over head, read a book or play cards and see who can win the most times. We have been fishing and actually caught some fish. We had Brent's girlfriend Lidija with us for the first four nights as well as Shane's brother Chris and his wife Taew and her mum, Mama for two nights. We had lots of fun all together in the trailer! Chris, Taew, Mama and Lidija all went home on Monday safely. We will go home tomorrow and settle back into the every day life. It has been a lovely time to reconnect and become closer as a family.

The boys also went and did archery, which was alot of fun. Liam as did the bungy run afterwards which was soooo funny. He was exhausted when he had finished. We have had lots of fun times and laughter, which is just what we needed.

Well here Goes!

Wow, it just seems like yesterday...... sometimes I wish it was, but no we are here now and slowly getting through the days. We have good ones and we have bad ones but are managing to get up in the morning, (thanks to our two beautiful boys) they are helping to make life go on.

Shane has been getting enough work to keep a roof over our heads, which is wonderful. Even from people outside our friends and family, so we should be ok in the long run. Times are tough but we are managing to get by. Shane still has avenues to explore with his home maintenance business, we have only just hit a small part of the market with patios, he has the real estate industry that he hasnt even touched yet.

Brent and Liam seem to be going ok at the moment. Brent is very busy with homework and his wonderful girlfriend Lidija. They went to their Year 11 ball at the end of February and they looked just beautiful together. They are keeping us on our toes with the relationship, trying to test were the boundaries are and what they can do before we say no. Which is quite often.

Liam is going good at school and enjoying Year 6. (Oh my goodness were has the time gone!) Liam had is finals of Friday Night Baseball last Saturday and they won so now he will play on April 4 in the Grand Final at Baseball Park. We are all very excited.

We also had my brother Chris' wedding on Friday Night and it was beautiful, bit emotional on many levels but they looked fantastic together. Chris touched me deeply with his vows and how heartfelt they were, Congratulations Chris and Alana. Now we will be waiting for the tiny patter of little feet. (Liam will be happy he will not be the youngest anymore!)

I am taking each day slowly and not expecting too much from myself. Have been offered 3 hours work at the Primary School each week and that does seem to be helping. Life is very different at the moment and am just trying to work out were I fit in again. It is very strange trying to come back into society after 2 years wrapped in cotton wool. My brain does not seem to hold the information in anymore, so am having to write everything down and then it gets jumbled up.

The family all went away for the long weekend in March in our Camper trailer, which was a lot of fun. (I was very surprised how well I did!) It went so good we decided to book in again for Easter weekend. So I am hoping it doesn't rain too much. The boys are very excited.

Well, there, not so bad after all, lol. Need a new box of tissues now.

Missing our Angel James Everyday.

Love you sweet boy of ours.

Run free

Laugh and giggle again!

Free from pain.

Missing you everyday.

Mum

Now Resting Peacefully James - 18 April 1996 to 10 Feb 2009

This is one of the hardest things I will ever have to do.

Our beautiful boy James Christopher, peacefully passed away on Tuesday morning at 12:35am.

It was very beautiful and peacefull and truly a blessing to have witnessed. On Monday night I was unable to sleep (nothing new here). James was resting well and sleeping. He had had an awake and alert day on Monday with times when he was gesturing to us different signals with his right hand. James' breathing was quite rattly and noisey. The Silver Chain nurse came out in the morning and set James up for the next 24 hours with his medication. By the late afternoon his chest and breathing was rather bad so I call Silver Chain and they came out again and gave James a new pump and more medication to help with his breathing. This then settled him down extremely well and he sleep until he passed away.

We as a family have been truely blessed by having James as ours. We feel extremely privleged to have been chosen by James to be his parents. He has taught us many things in life. How to be humble, create laughter, enjoy ourselves, ensure others are ok and many many more. Everyday he brought us wonderful blessings and joy. We will never forget you James, thank you for being with us for as long as you could. We just wish it could have been longer.

We would like to thank everyone that has helped our family on this rocky journey over the last 2 years and 3 weeks. We thank you for sticking by us and ensuring that we travelled well fed and supported us emotionally. We know that we could not have gotten this far without wonderful friends and family.

Thank you to the wonderful staff at PMH, you have truely been amazing and very helpful with advise, support and encouragement. Your jobs are most definately hard to do and you do them everyday with a smile and joy in your hearts, Thank you.

To the beautiful families that we have met from this horrible disease. We hope that your journey is safe and we will have you always in our hearts and minds. Travel safe and never give up hope.

Once again, thank you to everyone for being there for our family.

Please keep in touch.

Don't leave us now.

May our Beautiful Angel James

guide us and support us

Bringing us together as one.

James' Update

Well, this is the hard part. Over the last two weeks, James has slowly gone down hill. Firstly it started with his left side becoming weak. Then it progressed to the stage he could not walk any more. He was still eating and talking and making us laugh. I have managed to build up my muscles in my arms quite a bit now. It is like doing weight training every day. At this time his memory was shocking so he would forget he could not walk and try to get up, which resulted in a few falls. We then got to the stage were he could not get up, so this made it a little bit easier for us, that we did not have to worry every minute of the day and night if he was going to hurt himself. James has now got to the stage were he is incontinent. This was a bit hard at first for him but now he just accepts it, (I hope). We then went to not wanting to eat, but still drinking so we started supplimenting his drinks with Sustagen. This was working really good until Tuesday when he decided he didn't want that anymore either. So on Tuesday when the Silver Chain arrived we all decided it was time to put James on a pump to administer his medication for seizures and anti-nausea. By Wednesday he was having a lot of pain with regards to his hips and we then decided to place James on Morphine as well. This has resulted in James becoming more settled and restfull. He is no longer in any pain and seems to be more at peace. The Silver Chain nurses come everyday to ensure the pump is working and replace the medication for the next 24 hours. James is no longer talking. He does nod a little bit but is sleeping and resting most of the time now. We have been very lucky with the Silver Chain nurses, they have been wonderful in help and advise on what to do. Everyone has been very helpful and I have really appreciated the many visitors and phone calls I have received. They are keeping my spirits high. At the moment we are all taking it one day at a time and hoping that James stays as peaceful as possible with no pain. Keeps us in your thoughts and thank you for all your prayers and support, it really is appreciated.

"May the Angels above guide us with gentle hands."

Thomas Family Update!

Well, I can't believe it, time is certainly flying by. It has been awhile since I have updated the blog, so, sorry for the followers. We have had a pretty eventfull time over the last couple of weeks. I will start back in January and work forward.

James was laying in his bedroom, Liam and I came in to keep him company and we got out his camera and where looking at the photos he had taken back in April 2008 when he went to Broome. He got some beautiful photos of the sun setting, just amazing. We also had a bit of a fool around and took photos of us with him in bed. Lol.

Matthew, (James' best mate) came over two weeks ago and spent some time with James and Liam. I had a wonderful coffee and chat with Matthew's mum Sharon, it was lovely. James enjoyed see Matthew again before Matthew started High School. Hope all is going well, Matthew!

Also that weekend our beautiful friends the Lee Family and Garcia Family came over for dinner and games. It was a great night, with lots of laughs and the boys had fun drinking!

School started on Monday and the boys looked great on their first day back. Brent is now in the upper school white shirt and he looks very smart. Liam is cheeky as ever and very happy to be back with his mates at school. Liam has been asking to ride to school for the longest time and I have finally said yes. He went off to school on Tuesday very happy and excited to finally be riding to school.