Hands-on House and Reflections

Today was above all, relaxing. My good friend, Karen, took Sydnie and Kayli for the day, and I kept her youngest, Gracie, here with Jordyn. We had planned, our two families, to spend the day at the "castle park" and picnicing. Both Jordy and Gracelyn woke up sick this morning - and the weather wasn't on our side either. Karen came up with the idea of taking the "big kids" to the Hands-on House in Lancaster, a children's museum instead. I agreed, but Jordyn didn't really seem up to it. Since Gracie wasn't feeling well either, I told Karen I'd keep both babies. Sydnie has been to the Hands-on House before, but it was Kayli's first time. According to Karen, all six of them - Karen and the five kids, had a ball. Pictures to follow.
Since both Gracie and Jordyn spent much of the afternoon sleeping, I found time to relax - a nice change for me! I caught up on my reading and my Grey's Anatomy (I've been Tivoing the episodes. :) And since our picnic got rained out, I made dinner - mexican lasagna, a favorite with all of our kids. It's hard to believe I've only known them - first via caringbridge, then in person, for only two years. Karen has truly become my dearest friend and I can scarcely remember a time before we knew each other!
All three girls are soundly sleeping. Jordy has a slight fever, but I called the doctor and he seems to think it is just a little cold. Even so, I've been keeping her and Sydnie apart. "Little colds" have a tendency to turn into much more then that with Syddibug. We've gotten through the spring with out one (unscheduled) hospital trip. Sydnie seems to be tolerating the IVIG well. I believe this is the first spring since she was a year old that we have not found ourselves with an overnight hospital stay.
April, May and early June are peciluar months for me. 2 years ago they were months spent in a hospital room with a child who doctors insisted would be dead shortly. They were by far the scariest months of my life - when Sydnie lay in a drug-induced coma battling the evil disease known as ards. It's on this day, 2 years ago, that the doctors insisted she would be dead within a week if there were no improvements in a few days. They told me to start planning a funeral. They wanted me to sign a DNR.
I didn't. I refused. And then, a few days later, Sydnie started to get better. Slowly. They told me she'd have permanent cognitive damage. That her CP might have been made worse. They told me she might never breathe without oxygen again. They told me she probably wouldn't be able to walk for months. That she would most likely be doing Kindergarten again.
I again didn't listen. Did Sydnie see setbacks? yes. Does she still require oxygen at night? yes. But here she is, nearing 8 years old, free of physical therapy, in the second grade's gifted program. She is by far living proof of what prayer can do. She is my miracle times 2. She is my hero, my inspiration and I could not be any more proud of her then I am.

By His Grace,
Hope

Just a tad bit of an introduction

Hi all,
I'm Hope, mother to three beautiful and inspiring little girls and one of Heaven's youngest angels. I am a pre-k teacher. I am also a Christian: I was saved in October after years of Our Lord speaking to me. I finally woke up! I love to knit, sew, write and paint in my free time (which, with three young children, is very limited.)
My daughter, Juliana Marie, was stillborn on October 25, 1997. Not a day goes by that I do not think of her and how she would look at nearly 10.
Sydnie Madison, my little miracle girl, is 7, turning 8 on July. Sydnie is a true fighter and inspiration to all she knows, at the tender age of 7 she has already endured so much: cerebral palsy, epilepsy, diabetes, asthma, and most recently was diagnosed with common variable immunodeficancy. Not to mention, in 2005, Sydnie fought and WON THE BATTLE against ARDS (acute respritory distress syndrome), despite all the odds. It was her toughest battle yet and hopefully ever. ARDS has left Sydnie with a decreased lung function and she requires oxygen at night. Despite all of this, Sydnie loved to dance, takes gymnastics and swims. She recently graduated from physical therapy and I am so proud of her for it! Sydnie also enjoys singing in the children's choir and attending Awana.
Mikayela Marie turned 4 on April 28. She is the daughter of my heart, if not by blood. In her four years she has also endured so much! She is finally free from her abusive and neglectful parents and has overcome so much since being placed with us. Kayli, as we call her, has seperation anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. Due to the circumstances of her life before adoption, she is slightly developmentally delayed, something we are working on. One day at a time for our Miss Kayli. She has come so far and is working hard at overcoming her struggles. She has blossomed from a little girl who barely spoke a word and was afraid of touching into a strong-willed little lady who gives the best hugs in the world! Not to mention she is a little motormouth! Kayli attends preschool two days a week and enjoys dance class. She loves Awana and loves taking swimming lessons with her big sister, Sydnie.
Jordyn Melody is eighteen months old (as of tomorrow) and Kayli's biological sister. Fortunately, she was spared MUCH of what her sister went through. Jordyn, despite being so young, has a mind of her own. She loves Little Einsteins and Veggie Tales. She also seems to have a certain fondness for music. Her little butt starts shaking whenever any type of music is playing. Most recently, she has shown interest in using the potty. No pushing, but allowing her to take her time with it.