My brother Javan Conley and his wife Rebecca Conley have witnessed a miracle along with the rest of our family. Last month their second child Ethan contracted a muscle virus called viral mitosis and was in a battle for his life. From the time he entered the ER things progressively got worse. A normal CPK count in our body is anywhere from 30-150. Ethan at one point went into shock when his CPK levels topped 50,000. He was on dialysis, a feeding tube and a breathing machine to allow his body to have the maximum amount of energy to fight the virus. Doctors from around the world consulted on Ethan’s condition and at its most aggressive stage Ethan’s CPK levels topped out at 689,000- the highest level on record anywhere. After 33 days in the hospital (17 of those in ICU) he was released and is resting at home with a clean bill of health.
Many have not survived this virus especially with the levels that Ethan was recording. No one has survived this virus recording these high levels without some sort of long term brain damage, loss of limbs or severe muscle damage.
The doctors have told Javan and Rebecca; “medically Ethan should not be here with us today", “not only is it a miracle he has both legs right now, it is a miracle he is even alive". Ethan has been home for the last two or so weeks and is doing really well. This past Sunday was the families first week back to church where Ethan shared his testimony with many of us and the rest of you who have been praying for him. Thank you for all of your prayers- we love you all!

Rebecca and I went to Orlando for a few days. We stayed at the Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Studios and were just a short water taxi away from City Walk. We had lunch at the world’s largest Hard Rock Café and Rebecca got to do lots of shopping.

We had an absolute blast and it was a great time with 60-70 degree weather, dinner at Bice (they hand make their own pasta in house), and finished our weekend with a 3D showing of Avatar in the IMAX theatre. We can’t wait to get back to Florida and it was nice to get away from the Ohio weather. We were both happy to get back to Katalina too. She missed Bec soo much, she just wanted Bec to hold her when we got home.

These are some pictures from our Year End Party we hosted for our clients here in Columbus. Rebecca and Joanna came to join us for dinner and we had an absolute blast. We didn’t get Joanna on the dance floor but Josh cut a rug for the both of them.
The evening included live jazz music from my brother-in-law (Ryan Craycroft), a living statue (Charles Dickens’s character), al live band and we even got a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. We held it a the Athenaeum in downtown Columbus.
Thank you Aunt Signe and Uncle Jerry for taking such good care of Katalina. She asks for Co-Co all the time- or at least every time she sees a dog.

The first three pictures here are from Christmas Eve. Katalina had her dress on and even had one to match for her baby doll.

She was so excited to open gifts on Christmas morning. Bec fixed an awesome breakfast and Katalina got to ride her new scooter (Barbie of course). She also got a vacuum so she can help mommy with the cleaning. Okay so it doesn’t actually sweep the carpet- but don’t tell Kat that- she thinks otherwise.

Bec was not feeling well when we had “Christmas with the Conley’s” so Katalina and I drove up and had a blast. She had some good bonding time with her cousins. I think she has a crush on Mason! All she said on the way home was “Mase-Mase”

Just as we did last year- we headed out to the zoo to see the lights. We took Katalina last year and it was even colder this year. A blistering 19 degrees and as you can see we were all bundled up. One of Katalina’s favorite things at the zoo is the aquarium. We were surprised to see Santa in the tank feeding the fish. Katalina just kept pointing to Santa saying “Ho-Ho daddy, Ho-Ho”.