Louder with Crowder - LWC CHRISTMAS SPECIAL 2022! | #MUGCLUBFOREVER

00:00:00.000 What is it that you most want for Christmas this year?

00:00:03.000 Not just presents, because Santa, I think, will have you covered if you stay a good boy, but what do you want to do here with your family?

00:00:12.000 What do you want to see happen for the Muir family?

00:00:15.000 You're the man of the house!

00:00:18.000 I want to see Gracie get married. 0.98

00:00:21.000 It's always fantastic when we can give back.

00:00:23.000 Look, and I know what you're thinking, don't skip, don't skip some very important information.

00:00:27.000 We just wanted to take this last opportunity to make sure that we do not lose touch with you.

00:00:32.000 If you are a Mug Club subscriber right now, or if you want to join Mug Club, Please go to MugClubForever.com, enter your email address.

00:00:40.000 You will get no other communication from us, but make sure that you go there.

00:00:44.000 There's no other reason to be subscribed on that list unless you are a Mug Club member or you want to be a Mug Club member.

00:00:50.000 Make sure you follow us on social.

00:00:51.000 We'll have all the updates there, just about other information as we take some time here to figure out where Mug Club will be going.

00:00:57.000 But we love you guys.

00:00:58.000 We want you to have a fantastic time.

00:01:00.000 And what better way to end the year than to make sure we give a little back and On with the show.

00:01:08.000 Whoa! 0.71

00:01:11.000 What's this? What's this?

00:01:20.000 There's candles everywhere!

00:01:21.000 What's this?

00:01:22.000 There's no fit in the air!

00:01:24.000 What's this?

00:01:25.000 I can't believe my eyes are being drunken sodomized right over there!

00:01:28.000 What's this?

00:01:33.000 This all sounds very wrong.

00:01:35.000 Seven.

00:01:36.000 Principle's too long.

00:01:37.000 What's this?

00:01:38.000 Streets are lined with people doing God knows what.

00:01:40.000 Using blackness as a crutch. 1.00

00:01:42.000 Am I going nuts? 0.96

00:01:43.000 What is this?

00:01:44.000 What's this? 0.99

00:01:47.000 When the children are done playing, they'll climb into their beds, get fed a load of crap from the stories they are read. 0.99

00:01:53.000 They'll follow the Karengo, I can't believe the lies! 1.00

00:01:56.000 Did they mention all the girls he dragged and beat and tied? 0.58

00:02:02.000 Oh look!

00:02:03.000 The two people who celebrate this day!

00:02:06.000 Their blue isn't pink, they're white! 1.00

00:02:08.000 Cause no one black really likes this holiday, you ass, I bet they'd say, what's this? 1.00

00:02:15.000 Oh look, in here, they've got a fancy tree, a little derivative to me, and hate! 1.00

00:02:21.000 Don't think me lies are wrong, ever taught it, even called Jesus psychotic, is there anyone who bought it? 1.00

00:02:26.000 There's a listen, I'm not honest, looks like shit, this looks like shit, he was a racist half-wit twit! 1.00

00:02:31.000 What's this? 1.00

00:02:34.000 Oh look, the kids, they made their crowns a wish, but someone stole their crowns a gift.

00:02:39.000 I kid, but can you please just tell me why you praise a guy who always tries to tell you this isn't your homeland?

00:02:50.000 What's this?

00:02:53.000 He'll tell you of its value and how support is strong.

00:02:56.000 But tell me, can you even name a single Kwanzaa song?

00:02:59.000 You'd say it's like Black Christmas and I'd say that's quite a leap.

00:03:02.000 Why do people sit here and listen to this creep?

00:03:08.000 Please, just let me leave this horrid place.

00:03:11.000 I'd like to go home right away.

00:03:13.000 You know it's wrong to base a holiday on race and tell people to love a place you've never been, you'll never go, you know it's not your home!

00:03:20.000 I want to go!

00:03:21.000 I want to go!

00:03:21.000 But it's just not that I'm found!

00:03:23.000 What.

00:03:25.000 Is.

00:03:25.000 This?

00:03:25.000 Kwanzaa Town?

00:03:31.000 Quasar Town? Sh**. 0.99

00:03:34.000 🎵 🎵 You're a strange animal, that's what I know 🎵 1.00

00:03:53.000 🎵 🎵 You're a strange animal, I got to follow 🎵

00:04:00.000 🎵 🎵 I'm a speedy ghost 🎵

00:04:04.000 🎵 🎵

00:04:08.000 🎵 💥

00:04:12.000 Oh my! 0.58

00:04:15.000 It is hard to do that sip when look at all the marshmallows in there.

00:04:20.000 That makes it difficult.

00:04:21.000 We almost just had to give Santa Crowder a tracheotomy, but it's Christmas so everyone gets to keep their jobs this year.

00:04:30.000 It's also scalding hot.

00:04:33.000 But it is delicious and actually you can go and get your own at I believe santacrowdercoco.com and I assure you that I stand to not make a penny from it.

00:04:42.000 It's coffee brand coffee company.

00:04:46.000 But they do cocoa.

00:04:47.000 Just rebrand it so it's easy for you to find with a URL.

00:04:49.000 I highly recommend it.

00:04:49.000 I've never had anything better.

00:04:50.000 I have to take off this glove too.

00:04:52.000 Look!

00:04:53.000 This is something that we do every year here at the Louder With Crowder studio where we do Just the little part that we can to give back.

00:05:03.000 If you're looking for politics, this is not the place for you today.

00:05:06.000 You're looking for hot takes?

00:05:09.000 They're right out!

00:05:11.000 This is just about highlighting some people and families and stories and hopefully helping some people out there who need a little assistance making their Christmas miracle happen.

00:05:22.000 So we're going to be highlighting some of those families who we went out to help this year, some charities, and we're going to have some special guests calling in to wish all of you Mug Clubbers a Merry Christmas, and of course none of this is possible without your assistance in signing up at MugClubForever.com, but You already knew that.

00:05:41.000 Oh, oh, oh, oh.

00:05:43.000 So we have some.

00:05:43.000 I have a list here of people.

00:05:45.000 Oh, we'll have special guests.

00:05:46.000 Dean Cain, Clint Howard, Jason Whitlock, Michael Knowles, and Ben Shapiro.

00:05:55.000 Well, everyone's welcome.

00:05:57.000 Good for you taking part.

00:05:59.000 We really appreciate it.

00:06:00.000 So, most importantly, we'll be trying to bless some families and organizations in need.

00:06:06.000 And we have a couple of Well, two very specific families later on in this program who I think will, if nothing else, give you a little appreciation for what you have this year and take some time to help spread some Christmas cheer to those around you.

00:06:21.000 I know that all of us have our troubles, we have our thing to deal with, but...

00:06:25.000 There's someone else who could maybe use a hand, and sometimes thinking about them and focusing on their needs and what you can do to meet them, well, makes that season just a little bit more meaningful.

00:06:34.000 Before we get to that, though, here are some other families we visited to deliver toys.

00:06:39.000 Now, as you well know, Santa's sleigh is in the shop.

00:06:41.000 It's really just a one-time-a-year thing, so they had to send in their videos.

00:06:47.000 We did deliver toys for their family and some assistance, but they did it by...

00:06:54.000 Zoom.

00:06:55.000 Correct?

00:06:57.000 Okay, let's roll it.

00:06:59.000 Roll it! 0.99

00:07:00.000 Oh, oh, oh.

00:07:03.000 Ada.

00:07:05.000 What would you like for Christmas?

00:07:07.000 A new hoverboard.

00:07:10.000 A VR headset.

00:07:12.000 Um, Posca pens.

00:07:14.000 Alcohol markers.

00:07:15.000 Room decorations.

00:07:16.000 New clothes.

00:07:20.000 Any of that.

00:07:21.000 Pokemon cards and...

00:07:23.000 Bring a guitar out.

00:07:25.000 I like to play mobile blocks, fireman, ambulance, and police.

00:07:29.000 I want an iPad.

00:07:32.000 I want an iPad.

00:07:33.000 I want something 80s themed.

00:07:35.000 I think that'd be really fun.

00:07:37.000 Scissory socks and construction vehicles.

00:07:41.000 Construction vehicles.

00:07:43.000 Airsoft, Glock, pistol.

00:07:45.000 A new headset.

00:07:46.000 What do you want for Christmas?

00:07:47.000 A Black Sabbath.

00:07:50.000 What do you want for Christmas?

00:07:51.000 Minecraft Lego sets.

00:07:53.000 I want a hoverboard and a new art set.

00:07:55.000 What does your sister want for Christmas? 0.99

00:07:58.000 She wants a makeup desk. 1.00

00:07:59.000 A makeup desk?

00:08:01.000 Christmas!

00:08:04.000 You want Christmas?

00:08:05.000 What does Christmas mean to you?

00:08:07.000 Celebrating Jesus' birthday and all coming together.

00:08:11.000 It means a little baby, Jesus, and family.

00:08:13.000 Christmas means to me spending time with family and friends and getting to celebrate.

00:08:21.000 The day that Jesus was born was fun.

00:08:23.000 Christmas means to me spending time with my family, going to church on Christmas Eve, and playing in the snow.

00:08:29.000 To spend time with family and friends, and also to worship Jesus because it's his birthday.

00:08:38.000 Joy, love, friends and family together, and celebrating the birth of our Savior.

00:08:47.000 It's the day Jesus was born.

00:08:51.000 Celebrating Jesus' birthday.

00:08:53.000 Surprise!

00:08:55.000 It's Jesus' birthday and spend time with families and hear about Jesus.

00:09:03.000 Okay.

00:09:04.000 Christmas means spending time with family, decorating the Christmas tree, and drinking hot cocoa.

00:09:13.000 Spending time with your family.

00:09:14.000 It will be our family Family, fun, and also prison!

00:09:23.000 Prison!

00:09:25.000 Thank you very much.

00:09:26.000 We appreciate you taking the time to read our emails, and bye!

00:09:32.000 Bye!

00:09:33.000 Say bye!

00:09:34.000 Merry Christmas, Mother of Crowder. 0.97

00:09:34.000 Bye! 0.97

00:09:56.000 And on nice, we have... Yay, okay.

00:10:00.000 Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh! 0.93

00:10:02.000 I told you to stop playing pranks on Santa.

00:10:06.000 It's a violation of your employment contract.

00:10:09.000 At least, you know, no one on this list ended up as... weird as one of my last elves, uh, Hermie.

00:10:20.000 It is right before Christmas, and everybody is getting ready for that big sleigh ride on the night of the 24th.

00:10:28.000 Christmas Eve.

00:10:30.000 See, all these toys are made by these elves.

00:10:34.000 These elves have that certain knack for toy making.

00:10:38.000 All except for this, this one misfit.

00:10:44.000 Herbie! 0.94

00:10:46.000 Aren't you finished painting that yet?

00:10:49.000 There's a pileup a mile behind you.

00:10:52.000 What's eating you, boy?

00:10:54.000 Well, see, that's the problem, I guess.

00:10:56.000 What?

00:10:58.000 I just don't like being a boy.

00:11:00.000 Oh, well, if that's all... What?

00:11:04.000 You don't like being a boy?

00:11:07.000 No.

00:11:08.000 Hermie doesn't like being a boy.

00:11:14.000 Hermie doesn't like being a boy.

00:11:16.000 Shame on you, Hermie! 1.00

00:11:17.000 Do you mind telling me what you do wanna be?

00:11:21.000 Well, sir, someday I'd like to be a... a lady.

00:11:25.000 A lady?! 1.00

00:11:27.000 Well, we need one up here.

00:11:28.000 See, I've been studying, and there's hormone blockers, and bottom transition surgery, and fake... Now listen, you! 0.92

00:11:36.000 You're a boy elf!

00:11:37.000 And boy elves stay boy!

00:11:40.000 Now get to work!

00:11:43.000 Ten minute break!

00:11:48.000 Will you finish the job or you're fired?

00:11:55.000 Why is he such a transphobe?

00:12:02.000 Why is he such a transphobe?

00:12:05.000 I can't stand wearing men's clothes. 1.00

00:12:08.000 Chop my d**k off with gusto. 1.00

00:12:11.000 Then I might fit in. 0.99

00:12:16.000 Oh, that was weird.

00:12:18.000 Now on to my favorite part of the program.

00:12:21.000 It's time for Crowder Gives Back.

00:12:27.000 Oh, what's that I hear?

00:12:28.000 Are those carolers at Santa Crowder's door?

00:12:33.000 Christmas?

00:12:34.000 I mean, I grew up in America.

00:12:35.000 Christmas is not just a Christian holiday, it's sort of an American holiday.

00:12:38.000 That does not mean that I celebrate Christmas, but the sort of Christmas spirit that pervades the season is...

00:12:43.000 Really fun and enriching and endearing for, I think, everybody who lives in the United States.

00:12:49.000 You don't have to celebrate the holiday to appreciate the spirit of the season.

00:12:52.000 What does Christmas mean to me?

00:12:53.000 Well, obviously it means the birth of Christ.

00:12:56.000 It is very, very touching to me.

00:12:58.000 A lot of people complain that Christmas has a lot of pagan There's symbolism in it, like the Christmas tree and things, and maybe it's a pagan holiday.

00:13:07.000 But to me, that's a feature, not a bug.

00:13:10.000 Christianity should Christianize everything it touches. 1.00

00:13:13.000 And if you have a wonderful holiday and some wonderful traditions, and they begin to represent Christ, that's a good thing. 0.70

00:13:19.000 I mean, I know I'm talking to Crowder's audience, so you're a bunch of troglodytes who are punching yourself repeatedly in the face just because you want to find out what it feels like.

00:13:28.000 But obviously, I think it's an important idea, if you can possibly understand it.

00:13:33.000 What does Christmas mean to me?

00:13:34.000 It means the birth of our Lord and Savior and the incarnation of the second person of the Holy Trinity.

00:13:38.000 What Christmas really means to me?

00:13:39.000 is a wonderful thing that just shows how deeply Christianity transforms everything 1.00

00:13:44.000 into joy and also you get presents.

00:13:46.000 What does Christmas mean to me?

00:13:48.000 It means the birth of our Lord and Savior and the incarnation of the second person of the Holy

00:13:56.000 Trinity.

00:13:57.000 What Christmas really means to me?

00:13:59.000 Friggin' great food.

00:14:02.000 Growing up I've had some feasts of feasts on Christmas.

00:14:07.000 Looking forward to pigging out.

00:14:09.000 You know, you got that diabetic coma going on in the afternoon.

00:14:13.000 Real good Christmas spirit.

00:14:15.000 And in all honesty, what Christmas really means to me is the birth of my faith.

00:14:21.000 You know, we all have faith.

00:14:23.000 I have faith.

00:14:23.000 And I take a moment on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, to go back and reflect on the birth Our favorite Christmas tradition, um, would be, would be Mama.

00:14:37.000 Yeah.

00:14:38.000 Yeah, Mama, Mama loved Christmas.

00:14:40.000 And it's hard.

00:14:41.000 Oh, she loved Christmas.

00:14:42.000 She, she did the most you could possibly do with no money. 1.00

00:14:46.000 And still made Christmas great for, for our kids, man.

00:14:49.000 Like Mama on Christmas Eve, that turkey, man.

00:14:51.000 Mama get this turkey. 1.00

00:14:52.000 It wasn't a big turkey. 1.00

00:14:53.000 It was like a damn hen. 0.99

00:14:55.000 But like I said, she did the most with the little butter we had. 1.00

00:14:57.000 That turkey, that damn hen, wasn't no more than two, three pounds. 1.00

00:15:00.000 Matter of fact, looking back, I think it was a Cornish hen in that thing. 1.00

00:15:03.000 But anyway... A what?

00:15:06.000 A Cornish hen.

00:15:07.000 But anyway, mama will cook the turkey for Christmas Eve night. 0.62

00:15:11.000 Cook it slow, man.

00:15:12.000 Yeah, she'll cook that turkey for three days. 1.00

00:15:16.000 No, she'll cook it at night. 1.00

00:15:17.000 A slow roast.

00:15:18.000 No, for three days, man.

00:15:19.000 Mama take her time with that turkey, man. 1.00

00:15:21.000 No, she will cook the turkey. 0.86

00:15:22.000 For three days, man.

00:15:23.000 Yeah, she'll cook that turkey that night. 1.00

00:15:24.000 And over Christmas Eve night, that turkey, when you sleeping in the bed, thinking about what Santa Claus gonna bring us, all you can smell is that damn turkey now. 0.99

00:15:33.000 Stop now. 0.99

00:15:34.000 You know we won't get nothing from Santa Claus.

00:15:36.000 What does Christmas mean to me?

00:15:37.000 Christmas means, well obviously if you're celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, if you want to be religious about it, if you don't want to, it's just family getting together.

00:15:45.000 Being with the love, the ones you love.

00:15:47.000 That's just the greatest thing ever.

00:15:50.000 That's Christmas to me.

00:15:51.000 Family together, time to reminisce, and be together.

00:15:54.000 Well, pogroms... I'm just joking.

00:15:58.000 Oh yeah, also my neighbors and I, it's our next level.

00:16:00.000 They are wild.

00:16:01.000 We have a neighbor down the block, and this person goes, actually there's sort of a Christian-Jewish war happening.

00:16:06.000 There are two houses right next door to each other and one has a bunch of Hanukkah lights

00:16:09.000 that I'm sure were put up just in direct opposition to the Christmas lights.

00:16:12.000 The Christmas lights are overwhelming.

00:16:13.000 I mean, it looks like a state fair.

00:16:15.000 And so I think there's a Jewish family who lives next door and they're like, we're going

00:16:17.000 to put a bunch of blue and white lights.

00:16:19.000 The fight is on.

00:16:20.000 What does Christmas mean to me now?

00:16:23.000 It probably means what it's always meant to me, except now I have a better understanding

00:16:28.000 When I was a kid, obviously Christmas meant great gifts and new clothes and a bunch of food.

00:16:34.000 What it means to me now, it's a reminder of God, of Jesus.

00:16:43.000 Christmas is a great time to commune, celebrate, fellowship, engage with your family, and to remind yourself that Jesus died on the cross for our sins, and his greatest gift to us was family.

00:17:00.000 Hey, let me say to all of you people who got stuck with those horrible Crowder mugs, Merry Christmas. 1.00

00:17:05.000 You know, I actually love Steven and, you know, when he slides down your chimney, don't open fire on him.

00:17:11.000 Just call the police.

00:17:12.000 From the Knowles family to all of you out there in Mug Club, I wish you a very Merry Christmas.

00:17:18.000 Hey, Merry Christmas, Steven.

00:17:19.000 Merry Christmas, everybody.

00:17:20.000 Merry Christmas!

00:17:23.000 From the Hoss twins, ho, ho, ho, ho! 0.99

00:17:29.000 Merry Christmas, Mug Club. 0.79

00:17:31.000 Merry Christmas, Mug Club, and make sure to give a daily wire subscription to all those who love you so that I can, you know, have some more shekels.

00:17:38.000 We love you, Mug Club.

00:17:39.000 Have a great Christmas.

00:17:41.000 🎵 Okay, no more interruptions!

00:17:51.000 That's rude, it makes the naughty list.

00:17:52.000 And why is Santa's hat so... My forehead, it looks like... Looks like Santa Cristina Ricci, doesn't it?

00:18:03.000 Let's deliver some Christmas joy.

00:18:05.000 It's time for my favorite part in Crowder Gives Back.

00:18:09.000 Oh, oh, oh, I like that, uh, that stinger.

00:18:21.000 That's a lot better than Gerald Knows stuff.

00:18:24.000 And if you all go out to MugClubForever.com, of course you know you can expect more great content in the future, but you already knew that.

00:18:33.000 This doesn't happen if not for you.

00:18:35.000 So first we have Mika and Kara Muir and their children Josh, Kaitlyn, Samuel, Isabella,

00:18:43.000 and Gracie with a very special story I'm sure will touch your hearts.

00:18:47.000 Oh, there they are!

00:18:56.000 There's the Muir family!

00:18:58.000 Oh boy, can everyone... Sorry, sometimes this has changed with the, you know, the pandemic.

00:19:04.000 Some people want me to do this with the Skyper FaceTime.

00:19:08.000 Can you all see me?

00:19:12.000 Oh, I can see all of you!

00:19:15.000 Wow, look at that!

00:19:16.000 Look at that troop!

00:19:17.000 There's so many of you!

00:19:18.000 Okay, now hold on, don't tell me... We know the mom and dad, that's Mika and Kara, but what really matters is we have... Let's see, I know...

00:19:30.000 You, if I point, you may not know who I'm- Here, let me take off my gloves. It gets a little clammy in

00:19:35.000 here anyways.

00:19:35.000 We have...

00:19:36.000 Samuel?

00:19:38.000 Samuel, raise your- Oh! Very-

00:19:40.000 Oh, Samuel's already a comedian, I see.

00:19:43.000 How are you, Samuel? You- You enjoying your Christmas season thus far?

00:19:48.000 Yes, sir.

00:19:51.000 Well, you can just call me Santa, but I, for your parents... Good job, Mika and Kara.

00:19:51.000 Yes, sir.

00:19:56.000 Good job with the manners.

00:19:57.000 I appreciate that.

00:19:58.000 You know, not all little boys have good manners.

00:20:00.000 Sometimes they, uh... They actually pull pranks on Santa.

00:20:03.000 I ripped my pants last year.

00:20:08.000 Well, I'm glad you had a laugh.

00:20:11.000 My dry cleaner didn't.

00:20:12.000 Now we have, uh, where's Josh?

00:20:15.000 Josh?

00:20:16.000 I'm looking here.

00:20:17.000 Josh, right there.

00:20:18.000 Is that okay?

00:20:19.000 That's Josh, so that must mean that you, Isabella, right there, and right there.

00:20:27.000 Hi, Isabella!

00:20:28.000 How are you, sweetheart?

00:20:30.000 Good.

00:20:31.000 Good?

00:20:32.000 Are you having a good Christmas?

00:20:35.000 Yes?

00:20:36.000 Look at you, I see you.

00:20:36.000 Okay, good.

00:20:38.000 You're just such a gorgeous family.

00:20:39.000 And then, we must have, we have little, we have Gracie.

00:20:44.000 Is that right?

00:20:45.000 Oh, Gracie! 1.00

00:20:48.000 We have Gracie.

00:20:50.000 Okay, and then you must be, last but certainly not least, we have Caitlyn, right?

00:20:55.000 Is that Caitlyn?

00:20:58.000 Oh, you, you look younger than Caitlyn if I'm not mistaken.

00:21:01.000 Are you, don't, don't tell me you're 11 now, right?

00:21:07.000 Well, see, on my screen right now, you're so small that you look about three years old.

00:21:13.000 Santa's used to using analog technology more, but I'm so glad to see all of you.

00:21:19.000 What a wonderful family.

00:21:21.000 Now, do you know that your parents actually specifically called Santa this year and said, oh, my family would love to get on a call with Santa.

00:21:29.000 Could you please do it?

00:21:30.000 So they really think a whole lot of you children.

00:21:34.000 You should Make sure to be good.

00:21:35.000 Thank your mom and dad for me, can you?

00:21:37.000 Thank you, mom and dad.

00:21:39.000 Thank you, mom.

00:21:39.000 You're welcome.

00:21:40.000 Good, and that's always mom and dad.

00:21:42.000 We don't do the first name basis with our parents, right?

00:21:46.000 Mika and Kara, how are you doing this year?

00:21:50.000 Thank you so much for reaching out and making this happen.

00:21:55.000 Thank you, guys.

00:21:56.000 We're doing good.

00:21:58.000 Thank you for calling us.

00:22:00.000 I know that you've had, obviously, some tougher times here this last year, but Gracie, I'm so glad to see that Gracie is back home.

00:22:00.000 Absolutely.

00:22:10.000 I know Gracie spent some time, right, in the hospital. 0.98

00:22:14.000 Yes, sir.

00:22:16.000 And it seems like Gracie's doing better.

00:22:18.000 She was doing it, I believe, surgery in Dallas, but she's home for Christmas this year.

00:22:24.000 She is.

00:22:25.000 We spent four months in the hospital, but she's doing well.

00:22:29.000 Oh, that's fantastic.

00:22:30.000 I'm so glad to see that.

00:22:31.000 Is everyone there?

00:22:32.000 You all helping mom and dad with Gracie right now?

00:22:35.000 Yes, sir.

00:22:36.000 Are you helping?

00:22:37.000 Yes, sir.

00:22:38.000 Josh, you're the next man of the house.

00:22:39.000 Are you helping with Gracie, helping mom and dad?

00:22:42.000 Because I know it's not easy.

00:22:43.000 Oh, look at that.

00:22:45.000 Samuel says no.

00:22:49.000 Samuel, is Josh abdicating his duties?

00:22:55.000 No, is he?

00:22:56.000 He's a pretty good big brother, Josh.

00:22:59.000 Yes.

00:23:00.000 Oh, Samuel, come on now.

00:23:02.000 Remember, you have to tell the truth.

00:23:04.000 Otherwise, we have that naughty list.

00:23:07.000 We don't really do coal anymore.

00:23:09.000 It's more so, you know, fracking-based these days, but... The principle's the same.

00:23:15.000 Alright, I want to talk with each one of you.

00:23:17.000 First, let's go, I guess, from oldest to youngest, because sometimes that's how it went.

00:23:22.000 Older siblings, sometimes they get bored, because they're used to a screen everywhere.

00:23:27.000 So Josh, are you still playing basketball?

00:23:34.000 I remember you used to be very into it.

00:23:37.000 Yes.

00:23:38.000 Basketball?

00:23:38.000 Well, let me ask you, Josh.

00:23:40.000 Are you more into basketball?

00:23:41.000 I also understand from your parents that you're very into science experiments.

00:23:46.000 Is that true?

00:23:50.000 Yes, sir.

00:23:51.000 Yes?

00:23:51.000 Okay, so if you have to pick your career, do you think you're going to be a future LeBron or whatever good version of Fauci is?

00:24:02.000 Basketball.

00:24:04.000 Basketball, okay.

00:24:05.000 So, aside from I know you like basketball, and I know that, you know, science, there's a lot we can do with that.

00:24:10.000 Very important that we have scientists here in this country, and engineers, there's no country without them, but you're still, right, like to have some fun?

00:24:18.000 Is the Nerf guns, things like that still the types of things you like to play with?

00:24:24.000 Okay, well, that's something.

00:24:25.000 You know, Santa was... Back in the day, we didn't have all of these new toys, so it was pretty much baseball bats, hula hoops.

00:24:33.000 We didn't have Nerf guns.

00:24:34.000 We had cork guns.

00:24:35.000 Do you know what cork guns were?

00:24:36.000 Do you know what that is?

00:24:39.000 There you go.

00:24:39.000 It's pretty much like a Nerf gun, only, you know, from your parents' empty wine bottles.

00:24:43.000 You'd put it in, there'd be some pressure, and you'd shoot it out, and we all had fun, but it would not pass safety standards these days.

00:24:51.000 So, let me ask you.

00:24:53.000 Josh, what is it that you most want for Christmas this year?

00:24:57.000 Not just presents, because Santa, I think, will have you covered if you stay a good boy, but what do you want to do here with your family?

00:25:07.000 What do you want to see happen for the Muir family?

00:25:10.000 You're the man of the house.

00:25:12.000 I want to see Gracie get better. 0.99

00:25:15.000 You want to see Gracie get better.

00:25:18.000 Do you hear that, Mom and Dad?

00:25:21.000 That's a- that's not just a nice son.

00:25:23.000 That's a- that's what we call a good man, Josh.

00:25:27.000 And you know what?

00:25:28.000 She's going to do better.

00:25:29.000 The more that you put in effort and help your mom and dad and take care of all your brothers and sisters, that makes their life a lot easier.

00:25:37.000 And I tell you, I've been following what has been going on with Gracie and it- Yes, sir.

00:25:41.000 break Santa's heart but it fills Santa's heart with joy to know that she's back

00:25:45.000 home for the holidays so do you promise you'll you'll keep helping your mom and

00:25:49.000 dad and take care of everyone not just Gracie because that helps her too

00:25:54.000 absolutely okay well Josh thank you is there anything else you'd like to ask

00:25:58.000 Santa before I move on are you sure you don't have to be so formal right we can

00:26:04.000 be on you couldn't be on a first-name basis with Santa just not mom and dad

00:26:10.000 Well, Josh, if you can think of anything, I'll go back, okay?

00:26:14.000 Now I think, I believe, it's hard for me to see again, a small screen, but Caitlin, right?

00:26:19.000 Oh, Caitlin, I can see you right there.

00:26:22.000 Now, Caitlin, do you have, is that your natural hair color, or do you put streaks in your hair?

00:26:27.000 Do you dye it at all?

00:26:28.000 Yes, sir, I dye it.

00:26:31.000 Oh, okay.

00:26:31.000 Do you do that yourself, or does mommy help?

00:26:33.000 I go get my hair done.

00:26:38.000 Oh, okay, you do- you outsource.

00:26:41.000 We do some of that at the North Pole sometimes.

00:26:43.000 The elves can only work so many hours a day, so if you find a good person, it's worth its weight in gold.

00:26:48.000 And do you still really like doing that, though?

00:26:50.000 I know you like doing hair, makeup, and I can see you like wearing stylish clothes.

00:26:55.000 Is that still really something you're into?

00:26:59.000 Okay, well, look, that's something that I have to tell you.

00:27:04.000 All little girls, almost all the requests are for things like hair straighteners, or hair dye, or makeup, and the only thing that I ask is whatever it is that Santa gets for you this year, assuming you've been good, is that you make sure Mommy and Daddy are supervising, because sometimes there can be harsh chemical burns.

00:27:24.000 Do you promise that to Santa, Caitlin?

00:27:27.000 Yes, sir.

00:27:28.000 A bike.

00:27:28.000 And Caitlin, tell me, tell me specifically, what is it that you would like from Santa this year?

00:27:32.000 A bike.

00:27:35.000 A bicycle, okay. Are we talking mountain bike, speed bike?

00:27:41.000 Are you a hipster who likes one of those fixies with a large front wheel?

00:27:44.000 An electric bike.

00:27:50.000 Ooh, everything's going electric!

00:27:52.000 Okay, so we have a bicycle.

00:27:55.000 What else would you like, Caitlin?

00:27:57.000 What else are you hoping for this Christmas?

00:27:59.000 She wants a vanity mirror. 1.00

00:28:02.000 Ooh, a vanity mirror.

00:28:06.000 And hair things.

00:28:07.000 Um, I want wet. 0.85

00:28:09.000 I want a nice wet thing.

00:28:15.000 I didn't hear what you... Hold on a second.

00:28:18.000 Good children don't interrupt, but I understand it's very exciting at Christmas.

00:28:22.000 You know, vanity mirrors... Santa avoids them.

00:28:27.000 Yes.

00:28:28.000 Maybe two, three hundred years ago, but now sometimes I look at them and I don't recognize the face anymore, so I mostly just try and focus on the laughter I bring to others.

00:28:41.000 All right.

00:28:42.000 Let's, uh, move on down.

00:28:43.000 Now, I heard you just start speaking, so Samuel, you've been very patient, but Samuel, are you okay if I speak with Isabella first?

00:28:50.000 Because I know she's... she's... she's champing at the bit.

00:28:54.000 All right.

00:28:54.000 Thank you, Samuel.

00:28:55.000 That's a gentleman.

00:28:55.000 Okay.

00:28:56.000 Isabella, I couldn't hear you so well.

00:28:58.000 Well, what was that you just said?

00:29:00.000 I want a wet doggy. 0.99

00:29:02.000 A wet doggy. 0.96

00:29:04.000 You...

00:29:06.000 Did you just say you want a doggy?

00:29:08.000 Bye.

00:29:09.000 The Grinch dog.

00:29:10.000 She wants Max from The Grinch.

00:29:13.000 Oh! 0.60

00:29:13.000 Well, maybe you mean a dog like Max because that would be theft. 0.60

00:29:22.000 I think you mean a dog like Max, right?

00:29:24.000 We just have to have a stuffed dog.

00:29:31.000 Oh! 0.60

00:29:32.000 You want a st... You want a stuffed dog!

00:29:36.000 Oh, well, Santa, you know, before I became Santa, I was a taxidermist.

00:29:40.000 That's right up my alley.

00:29:41.000 That's no problem at all.

00:29:43.000 So, Isabella, okay, you want a stuffed dog.

00:29:47.000 I understand you like stuffed animals of all different kinds, right?

00:29:51.000 Is that... Okay, so, what, what, maybe things like a, like, like stuffed bunnies?

00:29:56.000 Uh, maybe... I know there are... I like bunnies.

00:30:00.000 You like bunnies?

00:30:02.000 You also want some clothes, right?

00:30:04.000 Maybe some kind of... Maybe some kind of ankle boots, maybe?

00:30:08.000 Yes?

00:30:11.000 I don't know if you can see this here, but Santa wears these old ankle boots and they're kind of... Ooh, but the only problem is sometimes Santa, if he gets on a flight for too long, gets thrombosis.

00:30:23.000 So, I know all about boots.

00:30:26.000 What about things like, I know you like things like kinetic sand and toys like that too.

00:30:30.000 Or is it just, is that something you also like to play with?

00:30:33.000 I like, I want green sand.

00:30:38.000 You want green sand?

00:30:41.000 Okay, well that's not too hard to come by.

00:30:43.000 I think that's something maybe we can do.

00:30:45.000 Now have you been a, have you been a good girl this year?

00:30:50.000 Yeah?

00:30:51.000 How have you been good?

00:30:53.000 Have you been helping out the family?

00:30:57.000 Okay.

00:30:57.000 Mom and Dad, can you confirm that?

00:30:59.000 Oh, yes.

00:31:01.000 Her and Gracie are best friends.

00:31:03.000 She helps with Gracie all the time. 0.88

00:31:05.000 Oh, that's wonderful.

00:31:06.000 I'm so happy to hear it.

00:31:07.000 Okay.

00:31:07.000 Well, Isabella, I'm going to speak with your brother now who's been waiting.

00:31:11.000 I know how hard it is to be patient.

00:31:13.000 Samuel!

00:31:14.000 There he is!

00:31:15.000 Samuel!

00:31:16.000 I know... Oh, don't tell me...

00:31:19.000 Are you?

00:31:20.000 You're eight years old now, right?

00:31:24.000 Okay, and Sam, do you still really like... because keep in mind sometimes Santa has to keep track of billions of children across the world, but I have a pretty good memory.

00:31:33.000 That's one of... call it a gift that I have.

00:31:37.000 You still love building things, but also taking them down.

00:31:41.000 Is that something you're still really into?

00:31:43.000 You know what's really cool now?

00:31:45.000 You can have these drones that you can build yourself sometimes, and then you can fly them.

00:31:52.000 Have you, have you, have you used a drone?

00:31:54.000 Is that something you still want?

00:31:55.000 Yes.

00:31:58.000 Okay, so you haven't used them, but you, you want a drone, right?

00:32:02.000 That's on your list.

00:32:03.000 I do have, I don't have it written down, I have it right up in the old egg noggin.

00:32:09.000 Now, like your brother, do you, would you like maybe, because your brother, right, he had someone to play with, some Nerf guns too, so maybe you could play together?

00:32:18.000 Okay, so we have a drone.

00:32:20.000 We have Nerf guns.

00:32:22.000 I know you all need clothes.

00:32:24.000 Everyone needs clothes, but that's not always fun.

00:32:26.000 That's kind of a given.

00:32:27.000 What else, Samuel?

00:32:28.000 What else would you like to ask Santa for this year?

00:32:31.000 A motorcycle?

00:32:36.000 A motorcycle!

00:32:37.000 Well, that's going to be a hard pass until you're of legal age.

00:32:44.000 That's one of those things I... I... I... You know, Santa... Santa has his own motorcycle.

00:32:49.000 I don't know if you know that.

00:32:50.000 Again, the sleigh gets all the press, but I use sled dogs and motorcycles.

00:32:55.000 No SUV.

00:32:56.000 No cage for Santa.

00:32:59.000 So, when you get older, that's a discussion with your parents, though.

00:33:02.000 You have to take... If you ever ride a motorcycle, okay, do you promise you'll wear your helmet, and only if your parents say that you can?

00:33:10.000 You promise?

00:33:12.000 Oh boy!

00:33:13.000 Ooh! 0.96

00:33:14.000 Isabella was... What were you doing there?

00:33:15.000 You looked like you were going to grab your brother.

00:33:17.000 Was that a hug?

00:33:21.000 That better have been a hug!

00:33:23.000 What else, Samuel?

00:33:24.000 Is there anything else specific you would really like for Christmas this year beyond what we've covered?

00:33:29.000 Because I think that's something that's certainly in my wheelhouse.

00:33:33.000 What do you think Gracie would like this year, Samuel?

00:33:36.000 Is she still playing with dolls and toy animals? 0.96

00:33:38.000 Things like that?

00:33:40.000 Yes.

00:33:41.000 Okay.

00:33:42.000 I'll do this.

00:33:43.000 I, um, make her better.

00:33:46.000 You make, you make Gracie's bed? 1.00

00:33:48.000 I make her better, like where she's not sick.

00:33:53.000 Oh, you want Gracie to get better so she's not sick. 0.99

00:33:57.000 I know sometimes it's very, very hard to deal with that.

00:34:00.000 We've had that, you know, sometimes here in the Claus family.

00:34:03.000 And it's very important that you help your parents, and of course I'm sure you say your prayers.

00:34:08.000 Gracie's been making a lot of progress. 1.00

00:34:10.000 I've been following it Yes, sir.

00:34:12.000 And I think she's going to continue getting better.

00:34:14.000 But it's very, very important for everyone here, okay, Kaitlyn, Isabella, Josh, Samuel,

00:34:20.000 that you always keep up hope and you always stick together as a family.

00:34:25.000 Right?

00:34:26.000 Everyone understand that?

00:34:27.000 Yes, sir.

00:34:28.000 Yes, sir.

00:34:29.000 Okay, that's very important because toys and gifts and yes, Santa's going to come to your

00:34:34.000 house this year and I think you'll be very happy.

00:34:37.000 But nothing replaces the importance of family and helping each other.

00:34:41.000 You never get another one.

00:34:43.000 So make sure you do that for each other, and that's going to help Gracie as much as possible, okay?

00:34:49.000 Okay, alright, well, little ones, thank you so much, and Gracie, you get better, I don't, can Gracie talk with Santa?

00:34:56.000 Is Gracie tired?

00:34:56.000 If Gracie's tired, I don't want to, Well, she's tired and nervous.

00:35:01.000 Okay.

00:35:03.000 Yeah, she's super shy.

00:35:05.000 Well, Gracie's been through a lot, so okay.

00:35:07.000 Everyone, look, do me one favor here.

00:35:10.000 The little ones, I need to speak with your parents.

00:35:11.000 But before you leave, I want to see all of you give Gracie either a hug or a kiss.

00:35:17.000 And if you're good here for the rest of the year, Santa's going to be hopefully seeing some happy faces Christmas morning.

00:35:23.000 Give her a big kiss.

00:35:26.000 Oh, there you go.

00:35:28.000 Samuel, get in there!

00:35:30.000 Everyone, come on, get some of that kissing Gracie sister action. 1.00

00:35:34.000 Good.

00:35:34.000 Hugs work, too.

00:35:35.000 Bye, Samuel.

00:35:38.000 Bye, Josh.

00:35:39.000 Bye, Samuel.

00:35:40.000 Oh, look, he's got the... Oh, I remember when I lost my teeth.

00:35:43.000 That was half a millennia ago.

00:35:45.000 Bye, Caitlin.

00:35:46.000 Bye, Isabella.

00:35:47.000 Thank you so much.

00:35:49.000 Oh, mom and dad, this is a special year.

00:35:53.000 You let me know when the little ones are out so we can talk just us adults.

00:36:04.000 We're good.

00:36:05.000 All right.

00:36:06.000 We are good.

00:36:07.000 All right.

00:36:08.000 Oh, well, thank you so much for reaching out, Mr. and Mrs.

00:36:12.000 Muir.

00:36:13.000 Now, Mika, I understand that you, obviously, you're a pastor.

00:36:18.000 That's what you do, right?

00:36:20.000 Yes, sir.

00:36:21.000 And you also teach on the side.

00:36:23.000 I did, until she went to the hospital and I had to retire.

00:36:28.000 Right, and can you, from what I understand, uh, Gracie, you know, Santa knows this with a lot of children, uh, had a congenital, uh, issue, um, and, uh, this also, of course, you foster many children, and this may have been, you know, something that happened that could have been lineal, uh, passed down to her, correct?

00:36:49.000 Right, and she went to Dallas, Texas for heart surgery. 1.00

00:36:52.000 It didn't quite go as planned, but she's been actually improving, and she's... Just this weekend, she came home with you?

00:36:58.000 Yes.

00:37:02.000 Okay.

00:37:04.000 Yes.

00:37:06.000 Yeah, she... Her heart's on the wrong side of her chest, so it's called extracardia.

00:37:12.000 And it's split backwards, and so she has other things going on, but...

00:37:17.000 So yeah, the surgery was a normal routine.

00:37:20.000 Ideally should have been our last open heart surgery, but it didn't go well.

00:37:24.000 So they had to take that down.

00:37:26.000 Did a second heart surgery, kidneys, liver shut down.

00:37:30.000 We've had other issues with lungs, pulmonary.

00:37:34.000 We discovered she has pulmonary hypertension.

00:37:36.000 She's on a medicine that is basically keeping her alive.

00:37:40.000 And so it's through a pump.

00:37:41.000 So we're real careful with that, obviously.

00:37:45.000 But she's going to continue getting better and eventually will have a heart transplant. 0.97

00:37:49.000 Oh, absolutely, and I know how difficult that can be, but boy, am I glad to know that she's in your care, because we both know, and for people who are out there, that, you know, there are a lot of children who need foster care and need homes for them, and so many people don't open them up, and for you to open your home and your hearts and help her, that means the world to me.

00:38:10.000 That's every bit as much as what Santa can do, so thank you so much, I appreciate that.

00:38:18.000 And I know so you know I think you've already spoken with Santa's elves and Santa's been following what's been going on with Gracie and I know that you know this is why I wanted to make sure the children are out that Santa's going to take care of the Christmas lists this year.

00:38:35.000 You both know that right?

00:38:37.000 Yes, sir.

00:38:39.000 Thank you.

00:38:39.000 Well, I thank you for reaching out, you know, and I want you to... There's also one more surprise that we have for you.

00:38:46.000 And that's because I know how difficult it can be, especially when one of you, you know, you can't work.

00:38:50.000 Healthcare can be so difficult and expensive.

00:38:53.000 And so I'd like to bring in my elf, Riley, here for you right now.

00:38:57.000 Here Santa has a surprise for you.

00:39:01.000 You may not be able to see it.

00:39:02.000 Elves, can they see this yet?

00:39:04.000 No, I'll bring this in here.

00:39:06.000 Santa is going to be sending you a check for $50,000 to help with Gracie and anything that you need here for the rest of the year.

00:39:18.000 And I promise you, this is symbolic, but it's right as rain, I can wire it, and Santa's never had a check bounce.

00:39:29.000 Oh, Cara.

00:39:31.000 Thank you so much, Riley.

00:39:32.000 Cara.

00:39:33.000 Mika.

00:39:35.000 We appreciate you so much and I wish that I could do all of the things for you.

00:39:39.000 I wish I could fix it, but there's only so much I can do and I sincerely, I pray for you and I really hope this helps.

00:39:48.000 And we love you here so much.

00:39:49.000 It means so much that you've reached out and how much you care about your family and family that you've taken in.

00:39:54.000 I hope people who see this can just use you as an example.

00:39:58.000 Thank you so much.

00:40:01.000 What an unbelievable blessing.

00:40:03.000 Oh, it's, I tell you what, the blessing is all mine.

00:40:05.000 All year, you know, the world can be difficult and an ugly place, and everyone, everyone goes through difficulties, everyone has their own hurdles, but your story really spoke to us here at the North Pole, and I promise we're going to send that over to you, and if there's anything else that that we can do to help with, please let us know.

00:40:26.000 If you have a message to people watching, Kara, thank you, that's your... I hope those are tears of joy and not the fact that Santa can't just cash out six figures, I can't take a second mortgage.

00:40:40.000 They're definitely tears of joy.

00:40:42.000 I mean, the Lord has blessed us and allowed us to take care of his children.

00:40:47.000 He's given us children that, well, we never thought we'd even have, so we have ten.

00:40:54.000 Um, and, um, I've had many more through the, you know, we have five biological children.

00:40:59.000 We've adopted five and, but foster care is huge and a huge, um, really special to our heart.

00:41:07.000 And so, but y'all's blessing, y'all's gift is a huge blessing to our family.

00:41:13.000 Well, thank you so much.

00:41:15.000 You've been a blessing to us, and I think you'll be a blessing to more people out there than you know, hearing your story and seeing what a wonderful family you have.

00:41:23.000 I know how hard it can be going through these times, but the hope that you have and the love you have for your family is, well, that's really what Christmas is about, right?

00:41:34.000 We have the original example.

00:41:35.000 For God so loved the world, he sent his only son.

00:41:38.000 It was a dark time.

00:41:39.000 And now we all have hope in Him.

00:41:43.000 And I do think that you will also give people hope when they hear your story.

00:41:47.000 And I just am so grateful to have played even just a small part in it.

00:41:54.000 Thank you.

00:41:55.000 God is definitely using you to bless our family.

00:41:57.000 We're certainly thankful.

00:41:59.000 More than you can ever imagine.

00:42:03.000 God will work miracle after miracle Well, I'll tell you this, they're not showing anyone else here because there's not a dry eye in the house.

00:42:11.000 Everyone is so happy for you.

00:42:13.000 We do have to get going for another family, Mika and Kara, and the only thing is that the check does come with a drug testing policy, so be sure to be careful with that.

00:42:27.000 Thank you both of yours.

00:42:28.000 Thank you so much.

00:42:29.000 Merry Christmas to you and yours, and God bless you.

00:42:32.000 Keep us posted.

00:42:37.000 Merry Christmas.

00:42:44.000 How does that keep getting hotter? 0.73

00:42:48.000 I guess that's a little bit of Christmas magic, and I thank you from the back of my scalded heart.

00:42:54.000 Now, not many people know this, but every year Santa Crowder actually makes a few house calls before Christmas Eve.

00:43:03.000 And what some would call a co-sierre Santa.

00:43:07.000 And this year I visited Prestonwood Pregnancy Center and Ca... Casa!

00:43:12.000 Casa.

00:43:13.000 That's Spanish.

00:43:14.000 Santa should know this.

00:43:15.000 We're multilingual at the North Pole.

00:43:18.000 Prestonwood Pregnancy Center and Casa Collin County.

00:43:21.000 And because I'm busy, I actually sent some elves out to deliver some Christmas cheer in the form of tens of thousands of dollars of cold, hard cash.

00:43:32.000 That's not... I don't mean Santa cash.

00:43:36.000 And it's not like Kohl's, where I mark something up by 25% to mark it down by 10% and tell you that you've saved 70%.

00:43:42.000 This is real cash delivered hand-by-elves to the charities.

00:43:48.000 That phrase doesn't make... Just enjoy it.

00:43:51.000 Alright, we are out here at the Prestonwood Pregnancy Center with a staff nurse named Whitney, correct?

00:43:56.000 Yes.

00:43:57.000 Alright, so Whitney, if you don't mind, could you just tell us a little bit about what your organization does for the community?

00:44:02.000 Sure.

00:44:03.000 We are a pregnancy center and we help women in crisis.

00:44:08.000 We have free pregnancy tests, free sonograms, we do STD testing, we have counselors on site, we have a resource center across the street as well, so it just can help anybody who is in a crisis pregnancy to know what all their options are and to help them make a life-affirming decision.

00:44:27.000 So I don't know if you're aware, but Santa has also got wind of your organization and the good that you do for the community.

00:44:33.000 So he sent us out and actually sent a couple of his elves out, and we're gonna present you with something that hopefully you can use during the Christmas season.

00:44:41.000 Oh my goodness!

00:44:46.000 Yes!

00:44:46.000 Wow!

00:44:47.000 Thank you guys.

00:44:48.000 That is incredible.

00:44:49.000 Yeah, so that is a check for $75,000 that we thought you all could put to excellent use.

00:44:54.000 That's amazing.

00:44:55.000 That is a real signature.

00:44:58.000 You have no idea the number of women that you're going to bless with this.

00:45:00.000 So thank you so much.

00:45:01.000 It's all from the big dog.

00:45:02.000 It's all from the big dog.

00:45:03.000 Well, Santa, thank you.

00:45:05.000 Where could people reach out to you if they want to find your services?

00:45:09.000 What's a good website?

00:45:10.000 Sure.

00:45:10.000 Prestonwoodpregnancy.org.

00:45:12.000 Thank you once again.

00:45:13.000 We appreciate it.

00:45:14.000 Merry Christmas!

00:45:17.000 Alright, we are here with Teresa, Brooke, and Trish, who is the CEO of CASA of Collin County.

00:45:23.000 And if you could, could you just tell our viewers a little bit about what your organization stands for and what you do as a part of the community?

00:45:30.000 Sure.

00:45:31.000 So we are CASA of Collin County and we are the Court Appointed Special Advocates.

00:45:36.000 Basically what that is, is we train volunteers like yourself in the community to represent the children who have been abused or neglected and removed from their homes and placed into the child welfare system.

00:45:46.000 Well, that sounds like a really worthwhile cause, and we're not the only ones that think so.

00:45:51.000 Santa actually thought the same thing.

00:45:53.000 Unfortunately, he's really busy, as you can imagine, back at the North Pole, but he sent us out because he's heard so many nice things about your organization that he wanted to help in any way he could.

00:46:03.000 So actually, if you don't mind, our elves brought a little something from Santa, if we could present that to you now.

00:46:11.000 Oh my gosh!

00:46:14.000 Oh my gosh, that is amazing!

00:46:18.000 So we hope that you can use that.

00:46:21.000 We absolutely can.

00:46:22.000 You have no idea how much this means to not just us, but to the community and the children that we serve.

00:46:28.000 This will go so far in allowing us to serve every single child that is affected by abuse and neglect in our county.

00:46:34.000 So thank you so much.

00:46:36.000 Oh my gosh, I'm speechless.

00:46:37.000 That doesn't really happen.

00:46:38.000 If there's anybody that wants to become part of this organization or wants to get in touch with your organization, where can they find you or should they reach out?

00:46:47.000 So you can go to www.casaofcollincounty.org.

00:46:52.000 You can find out what it means to be an advocate, how you can become an advocate, or how else you can help out.

00:46:58.000 Merry Christmas!

00:47:00.000 Oh, I'm glad that was a pre-tape, because it is hard to keep it together, of course.

00:47:08.000 Everyone is touched here this time of year, but of course, if you saw how I really felt and I lost it, I'd be unprofessional and Mrs. Claus would tell me I need to grow a spine.

00:47:18.000 So finally, we actually have a very special family, and that's the Sharps,

00:47:23.000 Mama and Papa Tasha and Nick, and their children, Samuel, Jojo, and Billy,

00:47:29.000 and a very important story about one of their children, Benny.

00:47:34.000 ♪♪ Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, I hear a lot of little voices!

00:47:43.000 Oh! 0.60

00:47:45.000 Oh, there they are!

00:47:47.000 All the way from, oh, from Maryland.

00:47:50.000 Is that where, is that where I'm, I'm talking with you right now?

00:47:54.000 Yeah.

00:47:55.000 Okay.

00:47:56.000 Can everyone say, give me your family name.

00:47:56.000 I know.

00:47:58.000 Everyone, I'm going to, I'm taking off my glove.

00:48:01.000 What's, what's your family name?

00:48:03.000 What's our last name, bud?

00:48:05.000 Sharps.

00:48:07.000 The Sharps! 0.84

00:48:08.000 And you're a Sharp one, too.

00:48:10.000 Okay, so you must be... I know Mom and Dad.

00:48:13.000 That's Nick and Tasha.

00:48:16.000 Nick, you know, that's my name.

00:48:18.000 People know me as Santa Claus.

00:48:19.000 But do you know the story of Saint Nicholas?

00:48:24.000 You do?

00:48:26.000 Oh, smart little ones!

00:48:27.000 So we have Nicholas.

00:48:29.000 For the purposes of this interview, I'm going with Nicholas.

00:48:32.000 Tasha.

00:48:34.000 And you must be Samuel, if I rem... Is that right, Samuel?

00:48:40.000 Now, do you prefer... You still go by Sammy?

00:48:45.000 Yes okay well I know you know on my list I have your name but then I have a nickname that's we still call them nicknames which is we don't go Nicholas names with Sammy then we have Jonathan if I'm okay we have Jonathan and it's hard for me to see in a little screen all this there's little Billy There's little Billy!

00:49:08.000 Look at little Billy!

00:49:09.000 Oh, Billy seems like... Billy's hungry, huh?

00:49:12.000 Always.

00:49:14.000 Oh, well I hope... Look, I know Billy's a growing girl, but make sure you save some of that for Santa on Christmas night.

00:49:23.000 Sammy, are you going to be the one to leave out the milk and cookies for Santa?

00:49:28.000 We can do that.

00:49:30.000 Would you do that?

00:49:31.000 Would you do that for me, Sammy?

00:49:32.000 Leave some milk and cookies?

00:49:34.000 Yep.

00:49:35.000 Let me ask you, have you all been good boys and girls this year?

00:49:38.000 Have you been good?

00:49:41.000 Yeah.

00:49:41.000 I don't know.

00:49:46.000 Let me ask mommy and daddy, Nicholas and Tasha, have they been good children this year?

00:49:52.000 They've been pretty good.

00:49:53.000 Mostly.

00:49:54.000 Mostly pretty good.

00:49:55.000 That's sort of... That's rolling the dice.

00:49:55.000 I don't know.

00:49:58.000 We don't want to do that.

00:49:59.000 It's too close to Christmas.

00:50:01.000 Tell me, Nicholas and Tasha, how have they been good?

00:50:04.000 Have they been helping you out?

00:50:06.000 They are very big helpers, absolutely.

00:50:09.000 Okay.

00:50:10.000 How do they help out?

00:50:11.000 Sammy and Jonathan, how do you help Mommy and Daddy out around the house?

00:50:17.000 Do you pick up messes?

00:50:18.000 Yeah.

00:50:19.000 No.

00:50:20.000 I pick up messes.

00:50:22.000 You help pick up messes, okay.

00:50:24.000 Do you put your toys away when you're done playing with them?

00:50:26.000 Yeah.

00:50:30.000 Oh, that doesn't sound like you're too sure.

00:50:33.000 That's a rule.

00:50:34.000 That's what we call a hard and fast rule here at the North Pole.

00:50:38.000 We had an accident with Blitzen and he hurt his back.

00:50:41.000 He tripped on a choo-choo train.

00:50:43.000 So it's very important that you pick up your toys, okay?

00:50:48.000 All right, now, look, I'm going to talk with all of you.

00:50:51.000 As we do this now, things have changed.

00:50:54.000 Oh, what was that?

00:50:57.000 We're not sure.

00:50:59.000 Oh, well, you know what?

00:51:00.000 That's the same thing here.

00:51:01.000 We have elves from all over the world.

00:51:03.000 I have one.

00:51:04.000 I have, well, actually quite a few who are Mayan because they're looking for work, but I don't understand a word they're saying.

00:51:11.000 But my word, the hot chocolate is fantastic, if a little spicy.

00:51:16.000 So Sammy, I'm going to speak with you first.

00:51:19.000 You're six years old now, right?

00:51:21.000 Yep.

00:51:24.000 And you know what, Sammy?

00:51:26.000 I've actually been hearing a lot about you.

00:51:29.000 Do you know who's been talking to me about you?

00:51:35.000 It's okay, it's all good.

00:51:36.000 Actually, it's your instructor, your coach.

00:51:39.000 He says that you're actually doing really well in jiu-jitsu.

00:51:44.000 Is that something you're really excited about?

00:51:49.000 Yeah.

00:51:50.000 How many times a week are you doing jiu-jitsu, Samuel?

00:51:56.000 Two.

00:51:57.000 Two times a week!

00:51:59.000 Oh boy, that's great!

00:52:00.000 That's great to get into something like that, because you can protect yourself, and more importantly, you can protect your little brother and your little sister.

00:52:07.000 Are you- are you good?

00:52:08.000 Do you protect your little brother and sister?

00:52:09.000 Yeah.

00:52:12.000 You keep them safe?

00:52:14.000 Well, that's good.

00:52:14.000 We don't want you to be a bully, so let me ask you.

00:52:16.000 Samuel.

00:52:17.000 Samuel, what's- what's your favorite move in jujitsu?

00:52:19.000 Do you have one that you use a lot?

00:52:24.000 Take down.

00:52:26.000 Take down?

00:52:26.000 Take down!

00:52:27.000 Oh! 0.60

00:52:28.000 Boy, I tell you what, you just do like a blast double take down, is that what you do?

00:52:32.000 Is that?

00:52:35.000 No.

00:52:37.000 You say no, he says yes.

00:52:38.000 You know, we had actually, we have an elf here who actually, he made all American!

00:52:44.000 Wow.

00:52:45.000 Yes, but it was in the 127 pound division, so after his collegiate career, well, this was the only place for him.

00:52:52.000 So, let me ask you, Sammy, What do you want for Christmas this year?

00:52:57.000 Do you still like, you still like building things online?

00:53:00.000 Are you still into Minecraft and then maybe in real life with some Legos?

00:53:04.000 Yeah.

00:53:07.000 Yes, okay.

00:53:08.000 What, what else are you looking for for Christmas?

00:53:10.000 I, I remember you, did you, did you write Santa this year or did you just do it with your, your parents reached out to me?

00:53:16.000 But I, I don't remember if you wrote me a letter by snail mail.

00:53:20.000 Have you written Santa a letter yet?

00:53:23.000 Not yet.

00:53:24.000 Okay.

00:53:24.000 Well, you know, everything's digital these days.

00:53:27.000 I remember somewhere something about GraviTrax Pro Marble Run Toys.

00:53:36.000 Is that about right?

00:53:40.000 Yeah.

00:53:40.000 You know, it's okay, your dad's usually in charge, but right now the big man's in town.

00:53:44.000 You don't need to look to him for answers, you can tell me directly.

00:53:47.000 This is one of those times you can speak to Santa, and Nicholas says he can do his own thing.

00:53:51.000 So, what else is it that you want for Christmas this year?

00:53:54.000 Pokemon cards.

00:53:58.000 Pokemon cards.

00:54:00.000 You know, those were very popular a while back, then they went away, and now they're back!

00:54:06.000 I really wish I would have invested, but Santa put a lot of his into Beanie Babies, so... I'm really hoping for a comeback with Pogs, so... Pikachu... Pikachu and GraviTrax it is then, but you've been a good boy, you think that you really... You've really earned your keep for that, these Pokemon cards and the GraviTrax.

00:54:32.000 Okay, I can't tell who's saying- I think that's- that's Jonathan saying yes.

00:54:36.000 Am I hearing that right?

00:54:38.000 Yeah.

00:54:39.000 All right.

00:54:41.000 Now let me ask, hey, can Jonathan talk with Santa, or is it going to be a lot of gobbledygook?

00:54:47.000 He can talk a little bit, but it'll be a lot of translating.

00:54:51.000 Okay.

00:54:52.000 Well, you know what?

00:54:52.000 Hey, hey, Sammy.

00:54:54.000 Sammy, this is a chance to prove how much you help mom and dad.

00:54:56.000 Can you help me talk with Jonathan?

00:55:01.000 You can help me talk with Jojo?

00:55:02.000 Tell me, what does your little brother Jojo, what does he like to do?

00:55:06.000 What kind of toys does Jojo like?

00:55:09.000 Um, Hot Wheels tracks.

00:55:11.000 Oh, Hot Wheels.

00:55:12.000 Anything?

00:55:13.000 He likes wrestling with you too, right?

00:55:15.000 Anything that moves.

00:55:16.000 He's into action, right?

00:55:17.000 Yeah.

00:55:19.000 Okay.

00:55:20.000 Now, what about cooking or play food?

00:55:23.000 Is he still enjoying doing that?

00:55:27.000 Okay.

00:55:28.000 And Jojo.

00:55:29.000 Jojo, what else would you like?

00:55:31.000 Does this maybe ring a bell?

00:55:34.000 If I say the word and this is something you want, just say anything.

00:55:40.000 Nerf gun.

00:55:41.000 Would you like a nerf gun for Christmas?

00:55:46.000 Oh, well then I guess it's just going to be Tinker Toys.

00:55:52.000 What do you think, Sammy?

00:55:53.000 Do you think your little brother would like a nerf gun?

00:55:57.000 Okay, and he might like something like a marble rush set too, and maybe some things to play kitchen with?

00:56:03.000 Yes.

00:56:06.000 Okay, alright.

00:56:07.000 Well, if you all think you've been good enough, I think that Santa can maybe... Oh no!

00:56:11.000 He speaks!

00:56:15.000 Mom, Dad, what do you think Jonathan is most... It changes so fast when they're that age.

00:56:23.000 Yeah.

00:56:25.000 He definitely loves his cars and monster trucks from Hot Wheels.

00:56:30.000 That is probably number one for him.

00:56:33.000 Oh, so he's all boy!

00:56:35.000 No, for sure.

00:56:36.000 100%.

00:56:38.000 100% boy!

00:56:39.000 You know what it used to be?

00:56:40.000 We used to have toys for boys, toys for girls, and... Well, it's still toys for boys, toys for girls.

00:56:44.000 I don't know how they do it over in Europe, but we still do boy-girl here at the North Pole, and I think that Hot Wheels are a wonderful toy.

00:56:52.000 Let me ask now, we have Billy over there, so Sammy, Santa's really relying on you since you're the one who's able to talk more.

00:57:00.000 What do you think Billy would like for Christmas?

00:57:04.000 What does she do most? 0.93

00:57:11.000 She's a girl.

00:57:12.000 Could it be something like dolls, cradles, maybe a princess castle?

00:57:18.000 Maybe something like that?

00:57:23.000 You can answer whatever you think, bud.

00:57:26.000 Well, you know what?

00:57:27.000 It's not really fair.

00:57:28.000 Santa put a young boy on the spot as tribute for what a little girl would want, and they haven't a clue.

00:57:34.000 I really only know because I have a list!

00:57:37.000 Alright, so look, we have Billy, we have Jojo, we have Sammy, and I'm going to be asking, of course, your mom and dad.

00:57:43.000 We have Nicholas, and you're there in Maryland, right?

00:57:49.000 Yep.

00:57:49.000 Nicholas and Tasha, would you say that these, these children are, uh, they're good enough that maybe these lists should be, uh, something that Santa could provide for them on Christmas Day?

00:58:00.000 Whoa! 0.71

00:58:01.000 I just, I thought you're, oh, look at that!

00:58:03.000 Look at Jonathan, I thought your father's, I thought, I thought Nicholas's head was a bear for a moment.

00:58:11.000 Oh, what is that?

00:58:11.000 Is that a bear or is that, is that a rabbit?

00:58:13.000 It's a pig. 0.99

00:58:15.000 Oh, it's a pig. 0.99

00:58:16.000 They'll eat anything, you know. 0.73

00:58:19.000 So will me.

00:58:20.000 Yes, well, so will Mrs. Claus, but we won't talk about that right now because a lot of people will see this.

00:58:27.000 Alright, I'm going to talk with Mommy and Daddy for a bit.

00:58:29.000 Do you want to talk here, adults, or do you want, however you want, you little ones here, or do we want grown-up time?

00:58:37.000 We can have some grown-up time.

00:58:39.000 They're going to go play together, I think.

00:58:41.000 Okay, alright.

00:58:42.000 So, Sammy, can you watch your little brother while I talk with Mommy and Daddy?

00:58:50.000 Alright, okay.

00:58:51.000 Let me see you take care of him now. 0.97

00:58:54.000 Show Santa how you take care of your brother.

00:58:59.000 Oh, there we go.

00:59:00.000 Oh, look at that.

00:59:02.000 Bye, two little ones.

00:59:04.000 Be good.

00:59:04.000 Santa's going to be visiting you this Christmas if you're good.

00:59:07.000 Bye, Sammy!

00:59:09.000 Bye Sammy!

00:59:11.000 Take care of your brother!

00:59:13.000 Oh, they seem, I know that Jonathan, they're younger, not able to talk as much, but Sammy really does seem like a wonderful boy.

00:59:21.000 He is.

00:59:22.000 And I know that, I know you reached out here, the North Pole this year, where Santa gives back, and you had a story that really Really touched Santa deeply, and I didn't want to, of course, with the little ones, bring anything up that you weren't comfortable with, but I know you wanted to share your story that you went through here these last couple of years.

00:59:44.000 Yeah.

00:59:46.000 With our son, Benny, we had Benny about two years after we had Sammy, so they were pretty close in age.

00:59:57.000 And when I was about 20-some weeks pregnant with him, we were supposed to be finding out if he was a boy or a girl, and we found out that he had very significant heart defects.

01:00:13.000 And at first we didn't really know the extent of those.

01:00:16.000 We had to be sent to a better hospital, more equipped for imaging and things like that.

01:00:23.000 So once we kind of got an idea of just how extensive his heart defects were, you know, they weren't sure that he would even make it to birth.

01:00:36.000 And, you know, I do have a lot of respect for WVU Hospital in Morgantown.

01:00:43.000 They did take very good care of us.

01:00:46.000 The one, the one qualm I have, and it's not on anyone in particular, but, you know, we made it pretty clear Outright that even if Benny wasn't going to have long with us, we, we had no interest in abortion, just to put it plain.

01:01:06.000 Um, and despite that, we, we still about every other visit, I would have to field offers for referrals of that kind and even got a phone call.

01:01:20.000 At least one time from a clinic farther out in West Virginia, saying that they had received our information and wanted to set up an appointment, and I had to tell them that we're really not interested.

01:01:32.000 That was when Mama Bear kicked in. 1.00

01:01:35.000 Oh yeah, for sure.

01:01:39.000 I think they finally got the point after a while, and it stopped after that.

01:01:45.000 We really wouldn't spend as much time with him as we had with him.

01:01:50.000 We weren't going to cut that time short for any reason.

01:01:55.000 But he did, he made it to birth, and he was actually our biggest baby.

01:02:00.000 Oh boy!

01:02:02.000 How big was Benny when he was born?

01:02:04.000 He was still only six pounds, but he was the biggest out of all of them.

01:02:08.000 Okay.

01:02:10.000 And he had to be intubated at birth, like with breathing tube.

01:02:16.000 But he did well.

01:02:17.000 I mean, he had about a week of adjusting.

01:02:21.000 They weren't sure whether his pulmonary artery would shrink or get too big, or which way it might go, because babies' hearts are already wild and crazy and do all kinds of things when they're born.

01:02:35.000 If I remember, Benny had his first open heart surgery.

01:02:39.000 Was he about a week old?

01:02:41.000 Yes.

01:02:42.000 Okay, that's got to be very scary for parents.

01:02:45.000 I can't imagine anything more terrifying.

01:02:49.000 It was hard.

01:02:50.000 It was definitely very hard.

01:02:53.000 We did really love the surgeon that we had at WVU.

01:02:58.000 He's since moved on to a different hospital, but he was a really great guy just in general.

01:03:06.000 But it was very nerve-wracking, very terrifying.

01:03:11.000 But he, he did a good job.

01:03:13.000 He made it through and recovery, you know, other than weaning him off of all of the pain medications.

01:03:23.000 He really, he really just did great.

01:03:27.000 Um, about a month after that, we got to go home.

01:03:31.000 Um, which apparently isn't normal.

01:03:34.000 Usually they still like to keep them until they have their first actual, like, Reconstructive heart surgery where they repair things.

01:03:42.000 Sure, yeah, that's usually how they do it.

01:03:44.000 So that's, you're fortunate to be able to do that.

01:03:47.000 Yeah, we're very blessed to have that time at home as a family.

01:03:51.000 And then at three months old, it was time for him to have his next surgery, which was more of a reconstructive surgery.

01:04:02.000 And, you know, going into it, even though he'd already had one before, it never It never gets easier.

01:04:09.000 It's still terrifying regardless.

01:04:13.000 And after he came out of that surgery, he was doing okay for a couple of days.

01:04:19.000 And then all at once, his body started to reject the new layout of his heart and he caught rhinovirus, which is a common cold.

01:04:30.000 At the same time.

01:04:32.000 Um, so he, he rapidly deteriorated to the point that they had to fly him to a hospital in Pittsburgh where they were better equipped to put him on ECMO.

01:04:43.000 Um, which basically does all of his body functions for him, beating heart, breathing, oxygenating blood, things like that.

01:04:52.000 Um, and they, I honestly not sure how many separate surgeries they went in.

01:05:00.000 To try to repair what they could and get him off of ECMO.

01:05:05.000 Every day that a person is, it's a blessing and a curse because ECMO allows the body to rest and recover, but every day that someone's on ECMO, the likelihood of them coming off decreases.

01:05:18.000 Right, it's a difficult decision to make sometimes when you're in that situation.

01:05:23.000 I know it's never an easy one.

01:05:26.000 Yeah, and he went through countless surgeries to try to get him off of it.

01:05:34.000 I think she dropped her bottle there.

01:05:38.000 I think she was looking.

01:05:39.000 Is that in front of you, Nicholas?

01:05:41.000 Oh, there you go.

01:05:43.000 Is that what she's looking for right there?

01:05:44.000 Oh, I think she's just looking for stuff to get into.

01:05:47.000 Oh, well, that's true.

01:05:50.000 It's just pretty much when they're that young, Santa knows it's making sure that they stay alive.

01:05:54.000 That's pretty much what you have to do.

01:05:57.000 Even Santa's little ones, when he had them, every outlet had to be... Back then we had to use tack.

01:06:02.000 We didn't have all the polymer plugs.

01:06:04.000 It was just, you know, you rolled the dice with the world the way it was.

01:06:10.000 So Benny, you went through this with Benny and I know that it ended up getting obviously more serious.

01:06:18.000 Oh yeah, so this surgery in particular, he actually did, he had a miracle.

01:06:24.000 I mean his surgeon at one point said that he needed a miracle and he got it.

01:06:29.000 He actually survived that surgery and eventually came off ECMO and he had suffered two strokes while on ECMO and Some other kind of collateral issues from it, but he he spent a total of seven months in the hospital with him, obviously.

01:06:50.000 But he did recover from that, and I think it took about a year in total for him to fully recover from all of that.

01:06:59.000 But once he was able to come home, I mean, he was just all eyes for Sammy.

01:07:04.000 And as soon as he could keep up with his brother, he was just attached to him.

01:07:11.000 Yeah, I can imagine.

01:07:12.000 And that's one of those things.

01:07:14.000 They always want to be just like big brother, but sometimes you have to take it easy when you're recovering.

01:07:18.000 That's the hardest thing with little ones.

01:07:20.000 Oh, yeah.

01:07:22.000 And Benny was...

01:07:24.000 Spry.

01:07:26.000 Once he realized he could do something, trying to tell him not to was not an option, honestly.

01:07:34.000 So yeah, he kept up with his big brother with no problem.

01:07:39.000 And, you know, we had a good couple years of him just being a kid.

01:07:44.000 And, you know, we had lots of doctor's appointments and checkups to just see how he was doing and whatnot.

01:07:52.000 They would broach the topic that he was going to need another surgery at some point sooner rather than later, and we tried to push that as far as we could.

01:08:02.000 One, because we wanted him to recover as much as possible from the last one, but also because we didn't know that surgery was the right choice because of how the last one had gone.

01:08:18.000 So we just got as much time as we could with him, and it was a beautiful, joyful few years.

01:08:26.000 He was the most happy little kid you'd ever meet, regardless of what he was going through that day.

01:08:32.000 And he touched a lot of people's lives just because of how happy he was just to be alive and be playing with his brother.

01:08:40.000 The strength in that kid is more than any person, any adult I've ever met.

01:08:49.000 And as summer came around in, was it 2019 or 2020?

01:08:59.000 2021.

01:09:00.000 Okay.

01:09:01.000 Okay.

01:09:01.000 In 2021, summer came around and, you know, he started wanting to come inside a lot sooner.

01:09:07.000 And I mean, he, he could spend all day outside, even if it was zero degrees out, you know, he, He loved being outside, but at that point he started wanting to come in even after five or ten minutes.

01:09:19.000 He would spend all day on the couch kind of just snuggling up and it just wasn't like him at all.

01:09:24.000 And we noticed as time went on that he got bluer and bluer because his heart wasn't pumping as much oxygen to the rest of his body.

01:09:33.000 So we knew that we had to make a choice to either spend the time we had with him And not pursue surgery or to give him this chance for better quality and longer life with the surgery.

01:09:50.000 We did everything we could to try to make sure that we were making the right choice and the right choice for him, not selfishly choosing for, you know, our own desires.

01:10:02.000 Obviously, we want him with us as long as possible.

01:10:04.000 Of course.

01:10:07.000 We got second opinions from other hospitals to see what they thought, and they agreed that this surgery was doable, probably his best option, and it just wasn't.

01:10:20.000 They went to do the surgery, and they didn't actually get to do the surgery they wanted to do.

01:10:26.000 They wanted to actually create two ventricles from his single ventricle, but they couldn't do it because his aorta just didn't allow it.

01:10:36.000 Um, so they ended up redoing the same surgery that he had previously that didn't go well.

01:10:42.000 Um, and again, right away, his body just rejected it.

01:10:48.000 Um, and they, they did try to again, repair it like they did last time.

01:10:54.000 But at that point, his body had been through so much that there was really no catching up with the damage that had been done.

01:11:04.000 So after a few weeks, Just everything started shutting down one by one.

01:11:09.000 He ended up on dialysis and then they couldn't keep him on dialysis because it would leak just because his body was so tired it couldn't even handle dialysis.

01:11:20.000 So he got sicker and sicker and it got to the point where we had to decide if, you know, he would want to live a life of never getting out of bed if If his body even healed enough to get to that point.

01:11:38.000 Um, or if he was telling us that, you know, he had fought enough and he was tired and ready to let go.

01:11:46.000 It's a choice that no parent obviously ever, ever wants to make.

01:11:52.000 And in making that choice, we, we talked so long about, you know, making sure that we were, Well, that's sort of providential, isn't it?

01:12:01.000 And even though Benny was three, he couldn't really talk.

01:12:04.000 So he talked to us in his own way, but he wasn't a verbal communicator.

01:12:08.000 The only word he ever said was, bye, and happy.

01:12:14.000 Well, that's sort of providential, isn't it?

01:12:16.000 Yeah.

01:12:17.000 You know that he was happy.

01:12:21.000 Let me, I know how difficult this is, and I think there are people out there who will hear this and can only imagine what that kind of a choice is like for a parent.

01:12:32.000 I truly can't imagine anything more difficult, but you know what, Nicholas and Tasha?

01:12:38.000 You did have, you did have another, at least, what people presented to you as a choice, and I think it's the important one.

01:12:47.000 That was that you chose to give little Benny life.

01:12:51.000 Yes.

01:12:52.000 That you chose, and let me ask you this.

01:12:55.000 Despite everything that happened, and I can't imagine anything more difficult, Santa would go to the gates of hell itself for his children, as I know you would.

01:13:04.000 I would imagine that you don't regret making that decision with Benny for a moment.

01:13:11.000 No.

01:13:12.000 No.

01:13:12.000 Absolutely no regret for it.

01:13:14.000 And I think that's a very powerful example for people out there who will often say that, well, this is how it's supposed to be, or, you know, they decide that some people don't deserve to have a chance, and you gave him a chance.

01:13:28.000 Yes.

01:13:29.000 Seems like he did.

01:13:31.000 That was the least we could do for him.

01:13:34.000 And that's one of the many reasons we do like sharing his story, is to give anyone out there in a position where they have They're presented with this choice and have a sick child that it's a choice that exists, but the real choice is choosing to give your child the chance that they want.

01:14:00.000 And if they don't make it, they didn't make it on their own.

01:14:05.000 And if they do make it, then you have a beautiful time with them, you know?

01:14:11.000 We were very blessed to have him in our lives.

01:14:15.000 You know, I speak with parents all over the world, and obviously this is an unfortunate situation that happens, or something similar to this, and never once, never once have I spoken to anyone who says they regret having that child in their life, that they regret that life, as difficult as it may be, and I think that sometimes around Christmas, as difficult as things may be, it's time to Be thankful for the things we do have.

01:14:42.000 And right now, look, you have a wonderful family.

01:14:44.000 Even if she's a- Even if she's a little troublemaker right there, I'm sure- I'm sure that you're glad to have that troublemaker in your life for every single- Every single electrical appliance she unplugs, or- Or chemicals she ingests that she's not supposed to.

01:15:00.000 The young Santa had to have his stomach pumped one time for what was back then was children's Tylenol.

01:15:05.000 It was incredibly difficult.

01:15:06.000 I know how hard it is, but I also know that obviously this is expensive and obviously you incurred a lot of medical bills that were very difficult for the family, right?

01:15:17.000 Well, we were very blessed by living in the small town we live in.

01:15:22.000 People really rallied to support us and help however they could.

01:15:27.000 Between spaghetti benefits to just donating out of their pocket, we had a significant amount of support.

01:15:40.000 Well that's fantastic that your whole town rallied behind you.

01:15:43.000 That's a real blessing and you know that's one thing that a lot of people when they talk about small town America or Appalachia they often forget about the people and what they do for each other.

01:15:54.000 I tell you the place Santa Claus loves going least is New York City.

01:16:00.000 My sleigh could be stranded right in the middle of Sixth Avenue and no one would bat an eye or help a wink, but I know that you're being very, obviously, grateful and positive, and I can't tell you how much that means to everyone I know watching and listening right now, but I also know how difficult that can be for a family, and not just, obviously, emotionally, but the financial toll it can take.

01:16:20.000 And now, what you do know is, we've spoken before this, you've spoken with Santa's elves, that Santa will be taking care of all the Christmas gifts this year.

01:16:28.000 For your little ones.

01:16:30.000 And I'm very happy to... But there's something that you don't know.

01:16:34.000 Your story touched us so much over here, at the North Pole, that we actually would like to... I'd like to bring in my elf here, Elf Riley, to help you.

01:16:44.000 Right now, she can show it to the camera, but Santa's going to have to show you this.

01:16:48.000 Your family, this year, with a check for $50,000, to help you reset And to help your family as you get through this Christmas season, and you went through a time that I can only imagine most people couldn't even in their worst possible scenario.

01:17:10.000 And I wish I could do more, but I can't.

01:17:13.000 I think you've done so much more for us in sharing your story.

01:17:15.000 I truly thank you.

01:17:18.000 Thank you.

01:17:20.000 If I could say one last thing.

01:17:23.000 If it's one thing, I promise you I'm good for it.

01:17:25.000 I promise you that I am good for it.

01:17:28.000 Santa actually got on the early train with Bitcoin, so I'm flush.

01:17:32.000 Good.

01:17:34.000 No, I, um, it's just an important point to bring up whenever we talk about Vinny that, you know, I met a lot of amazing families who Who are also staying at the Ronald McDonald house, which is an amazing charity that I think if anyone does have the means to give back is a great way to give back.

01:17:55.000 Um, but I, I made lifelong friends there and you know, when Benny passed, I, one of the girls that I'm closest to, she said, you know, I can't help, but be mad at God for letting these little kids be sick and suffer so much.

01:18:10.000 And I told her, You know, I can't be mad at God at all, because God is the one that chose us to be Benny's parents and put him in our lives to begin with.

01:18:23.000 And regardless of the things that Benny went through, which was all part of God's plan, you know, he was part of our lives, and I could never be mad about that.

01:18:35.000 And part of his plan was to touch an astounding amount of people's lives.

01:18:43.000 I could never be mad at God for giving us such a beautiful thing in our lives.

01:18:48.000 Well, I tell you what, I think you've touched a great many lives here today, and I know that you've touched everyone here.

01:18:53.000 This has been a trend here this day.

01:18:57.000 There's not a dry eye in the house, and I hope that what little we can do here is a help to you, and I tell you what, I do not say this Lightly, those children are incredibly blessed to have parents like you, Nicholas and Tasha, and I don't think that Benny could have asked for better when it comes to parents.

01:19:13.000 I thank you, and I thank you so much for sharing your story, and I hope that people really ponder hard and not only listen, but take a moment and be grateful for the things they have and the people in their lives.

01:19:25.000 Nicholas and Tasha, thank you so much.

01:19:28.000 Thank you so much.

01:19:28.000 Thank you.

01:19:30.000 I wish you both the merriest Christmas, and that will be, well, I don't know if we do wire.

01:19:35.000 Santa's not allowed on PayPal anymore.

01:19:37.000 Venmo, they have a problem with, you know, there's not enough diversity at the North Pole, but there's also not enough sun.

01:19:43.000 I don't know what they want from me.

01:19:44.000 So, Nicholas and Tasha, the Sharp family, we wish you the best.

01:19:48.000 Santa's going to take care of you this year.

01:19:50.000 God bless you and thank you, truly, from the bottom of my heart.

01:19:54.000 Thank you.

01:19:55.000 Merry Christmas.

01:19:56.000 Merry Christmas to you.

01:19:57.000 Oh, what a wonderful family.

01:19:59.000 That's hot again!

01:20:09.000 Every time, it's hotter!

01:20:14.000 It's like a pop-tart that's been in the toaster for far too long.

01:20:17.000 It sticks to your mouth like napalm or Agent Orange.

01:20:20.000 Look, I'm supposed to leave you here.

01:20:22.000 This is the last time I'll see you this year with thoughts on Christmas, and I don't know that I can say it any better than the families that have come before me, but...

01:20:32.000 I do think that everyone's having a little bit of trouble these last couple years.

01:20:35.000 I understand that some people have had some rough goes, some tough breaks, and sometimes it feels like that Christmas miracle is just a little bit further away than you were hoping for.

01:20:46.000 And I want you to know that there are a lot of people out there, and maybe you don't even know.

01:20:50.000 Some you do, but some waiting in the wings who are there to help make your miracle happen.

01:20:56.000 You may just need to reach out.

01:20:58.000 Many of us here have experienced it this year to the point that we don't have enough room for it with MugClubForever.com.

01:21:04.000 And all of you, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts and support from fantastic, fantastic partnerships out there that have helped us.

01:21:13.000 Santa's a Walther, man.

01:21:15.000 As you well know, you have SantaCrowderCoco.com.

01:21:18.000 I genuinely am giving this my aside from the fact that it's scalding hot.

01:21:24.000 That's not their fault.

01:21:25.000 That's ours!

01:21:27.000 It is the best hot cocoa I've ever- What's the difference between hot chocolate and hot cocoa?

01:21:32.000 Does anyone know?

01:21:33.000 Milk fat?

01:21:34.000 I don't know, it's very- It's good.

01:21:38.000 It's good.

01:21:41.000 So I would hope for all of you out there right now, I understand and it's very easy to complain, it's very easy to see how difficult, cold, cutthroat, maybe selfish the world has become.

01:21:54.000 You're not wrong in seeing that in the world.

01:21:57.000 Santa sees it too, but doesn't Christmas make that coldness just a little bit more warm?

01:22:05.000 Doesn't Christmas maybe help us all to treat each other a little less cutthroat and with a little more empathy?

01:22:12.000 And doesn't it maybe turn a frown and a tear into a smile and a hug?

01:22:20.000 And if it doesn't, well, put down the politics for a little bit, put down your news apps, and go make it happen yourself.

01:22:28.000 There's probably someone in your life who needs it, and I don't know exactly when I'll be seeing you again, because I don't know if you know about this, but at the North Pole, there's a lot of... well, there's some red tape this time of year.

01:22:41.000 But Santa can keep track of you and don't let us lose touch with you by just entering your email at MugClubForever.com.

01:22:49.000 That's what makes all of this work possible and the help that we can provide, as small as it may be, a drop in the bucket of the world this Christmas season.

01:22:59.000 It's all supported by you.

01:23:01.000 And we appreciate your continued support and we promise that we won't let you down if you enter in your email at MugClubForever.com You won't receive any spam.

01:23:12.000 You won't receive mailing lists being sold to other people.

01:23:16.000 You might receive a confirmation to make sure you want to be in that list so that you aren't sold a bunch of NFTs and oversized foam hands.

01:23:27.000 That's not what Christmas is all about.

01:23:28.000 I mean, I think I have some on my list, but this thing is just useless at this point.

01:23:35.000 It's just a screed from someone's Insane lamentations.

01:23:39.000 Merry Christmas!

Louder with Crowder - December 21, 2022

LWC CHRISTMAS SPECIAL 2022! | #MUGCLUBFOREVER

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