Jillian Harris on Extreme Makeover Home Edition -- Episode Recap

Jillian Harris Gets Her Hands Dirty Helping The Skagg's Family 

By: Lina Di Genova

It was an emotional journey for Jillian Harris and the rest of the Extreme Makeover Home Edition Team. They are on their way to surprise the Skagg's family. Before they arrive, we are introduced to this week's "viewer volunteers" Tanya and her 8 year old son Santino. 

Tanya is diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer and wants to experience with her son the joys of giving back to a family in need. Since she knows that she won't be along to see her son grow up, she feels that it's important for Santino to know the importance of helping people in need.

On their way to the Skagg's family home, Ty Pennington fills us in on the Skagg's family. We are introduced to Audra and Brian Skaggs and their two beautiful children Jett (2 years old) and Merit (5 years old).

Audra and Brian have been through an emotional rollarcoaster. Jett has been sick his whole life. He went through a heart transplant when he was 11 months and has been sick due to the shape that their home is in.

Even though Jett is a miracle baby, his new heart will last up to 15 years and once again the family will have to go through a emotional time.

The Skaggs family started "The jett Skaggs Foundation" in which they bring toys to the Texas Children Hospital to kids who are about to go into surgery.

Brian and Audra's combined salaries are barely enough to pay Jett's medical expensives and renovate their mold infected home.

The bus finally arrives at the Skagg's residence and they are greeted by Brian, Audra, Merit and Jett. Jillian immediately warms up to Merit as they spend time colouring in Merit's room. Jillian decides to take Merit's love of colouring and make it a theme for her new room.

Xzibit is in charge of taking Brian's cattle barn and giving it a whole new makeover. Even though Xzibit is not a cowboy or is familiar with farming, he is up to the challenge.

Santino gets to assist Michael in redecorating Jett's room. Since little Jett loves dinosaurs, Michael and Santino put their heads together and decide to turn his love of dinosaurs into a theme for his room.

Before the design team can get to work, Ty Pennington sends the Skagg's Family to Disneyland.  Since Jett's immune system can't handle flying on a regular consumer airplane, Ty has arranged a private jet for the family.

The family is off and now the fun can begin.

While at Disneyland, the Skagg's family get another surprise. That night they would get to go on a fireworks cruise. Amongst the fireworks, a heart shows up and Audra Skaggs reflects that the heart symbolizes the last piece to complete their family.

The Skagg's family is flown home a day earlier to attend a fundraiser event to raise awareness for the need for organ donors.

Fast forward to the day that we are all waiting for. The bus finally moves and Skagg's family home to revealed to everyone.

It's a beautiful range style home. The family is overwhelmed with their new home.

"It's christmas morning times 10,000!" exclaims Brian Skaggs.

Jillian gets to reveal Merit's "colouring-themed" bedroom. The little girl loves it and Jillian shows her the many neat things she can do.

Jett's "dinosaur" room is shown to him and he absolutely loves it.

The Skagg's love their new home but in true Ty Pennington fashion, the surprises aren't over. He informs the family that CVS Pharmacy has paid off Jett's medical bills, have supplied their new home with a 'state of the art' air purifier system, a portable one that Jett can take with him, and have started a fund for Jett's future heart that is worth $50,000.

Ty then takes the family to see Brian's new cattle barn. Xzibit takes Brian for a tour and shows him his new refurbished tracker. Brian is floored and congratulates Xzibit on a job well done. He's no farmer but he managed to pull it together.

"Welcome Home Skagg's Family!"