I forgot to add this one

Love to give kisses to my daddy

Going down the big slide at the Fall Festival

Having fun with daddy

Teaching my baby sister to swing

It was a beautiful day to be at the park


Iliana has been adjusting well to school. She seems to enjoy going. The other day when I went to drop her off, her teacher Mrs. Kim called out to her and she immediately threw herself at her. She seems to like her a lot. I was very pleased to see that reaction. She has been a little bit under the weather the last few days, but was finally able to go back to school today. Please pray that she would be completely well soon.

I have to take a moment to speak something from my heart because my conviction is so strong. You can chose to tune me out or you could read on, your choice. Why has Almighty God chosen to put Iliana in my life or allowed her to be different? Some have said that God is somehow punishing me for some sin because my daughter is not healthy or normal. That this is some sort of twisted payback because I have done something wrong that needs confession. Can I ask you one question? What makes me worthy of any blessing or any good that He gives me? Am I to assume that I am capable of working to earn blessings from God? If your thinking is true on this matter, why didn't God just put an end to all of humanity after the fall of Adam and Eve? Instead, because of His love for us, He sent His most prized possession, His son, to die for me. Me. Because of that love, He has displayed mercy. Am I also to assume that if all is well in my life that I am doing well spiritually, that God is pleased with me? Absolutely not! In fact, my focus on God could be so far off the mark that I may not even recognize His voice anymore, or the Spirit's leading. His word is full of examples of people with a heart for God that had to endure many trials because it was what would bring glory to God. Did He not endure the suffering on the cross because it was God's plan? Am I saying that sin doesn't have consequences? No. The truth is this. I am His. He can do with my life what He chooses because He can. My job is to bring glory to Him in all that I do.

I challenge you to speak to me directly although I know that you lack the courage to do so. Your views and ideas are not from God but Satan. He is a good God who does not seek every opportunity to punish His children, but desires an intimate relationship with each. My daughter may not be perfect by your standards, but your standards are not what I live by.

Let me end with this. Iliana is a blessing, a gift from God to me and I would do nothing to change what He has given me.

at school

On my way in to school. Don't I look like a big 3 year old?

First day of school

Ok, we are on our way to school. It has been a difficult morning for me. Please pray for me.

One day...

Check out my new wheels!

Beep! Beep!

I had fun eating my birthday cupcake!

What's in this bag?

At the circus

Swinging with my sisters

My first haircut


Iliana has been doing well this past week. She seems to be very alert and aware of her surroundings lately. She seems to take notice of when someone walks in or out of a room more often. She is babbling A LOT. She will probably be starting school soon, so please pray
for all of us.

the birthday girl

my family

taking a picture with Thomas the Train

I sat up in my stroller so that I could see everything

Daddy and I on the train ride. I liked looking out the big window.

My baby sister and I

I was so tired

I took a picture with Gordon

My mom order me some macaroni and cheese, but I had my eye on her lasagna. I loved it!

Sitting like a big girl with my sister. My abuela was nearby to make sure I didn't fall.

My baby sister thought she could take my toy, so I had to show her who was the boss.

I like my brother's sword. I think I could fight him and win.

I wonder if I can get this in my mouth?

Oh! So close!

Loving on my Mimi.

If her hair was a little longer, I could pull it right now.


I've tried several times to update this blog, but have had problems downloading the pictures. As you can see, I had no problem doing so today.

Iliana turns 3 tomorrow. In the past year she has learned to crawl, pull up on furniture to stand, she'll take walking steps when held by both hands, and has clapped her hands. She learned to do a lot while 2, and they call them the terrible two's, right? It can only mean she will do that much more while 3. At least I hope so.

This past week we went to visit a school that Iliana may be going to. I ask that you pray for the Lord's guidance and that he will provide the wisdom necessary to Dwight and I. I have a hard time letting her go, as any mom would. She is only 3 and her school may be downtown. Not a very desirable location, but I know that God can use anything. For the most part, I felt comfortable with the program and the teachers. I have my favorite, so I'm praying she will be enrolled in a particular class. There are currently 3 pre-k classes at this school. I know it is to her benefit to be there.

Currently, she is sick. She had several seizures yesterday and has had a high fever. I think she is feeling better now, but still has a low grade fever. Please pray for her health.

CHECK THIS OUT!!!!

YES, I'M YELLING! (and yes, you have to scroll from bottom to top, or you can just believe she's crawling backwards. Sorry)

How great is our God!! Just know that God is always at work. We don't know what or how He's going to do something. Then, right before your very eyes, when you least expect it, you see His strong and loving hands at work. We thank you Lord for the marvelous opportunity to witness your work, but also to share it with so many that have prayed for this very moment. That all will see that You are King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, and we will give you honor and glory for ever and ever.

I love to swing!

Stephanie is working with Iliana on the platform swing. The exercises on the swing are to help Iliana with her balance and hopefully her vision as well. Iliana enjoyed swinging and did pretty good. She could not have held herself up like this a year ago.

I'm not sure if I've said this already, but Iliana pretty much lost a year of development while on the phenobarb medicine. Although she did improve physically, her cognitive development seemed to stall. So it's as though she did not make any progress in her mental development for a year, in addition to the fact that she was already behind due to her "illness". She is taking notice of things and people more often. Since Dwight adapted the walker to suit her height, she sees something she wants and she goes for it. I FINALLY have to tell the older children to pick up their small toys so that Iliana does not put them in her mouth. She takes things from table tops and the couch. What a joy to have to constantly keep my eye on her because she is going everywhere. She even followed me around in the kitchen the other night while I was getting dinner ready.

Also, I mentioned previously how I look forward to the day Iliana is able to say "I love you mom". Although she didn't say it, her actions last night told me so. I was at a bible study and sat her in front of me on the table when it was over. She looked at me and smiled and put her arms around my neck. I've never had her hug me like that. It's as though she was showing me her love. My friend Doris even commented on how she gave me that hug. Needless to say, it brought tears to my eyes.

Hi! I finally get to go to the beach.

This is the second time, that I can remember, Iliana has been to the beach. We have avoided it for the past 2 years because whenever she gets overheated, she begins to seize. She likes sitting in her chair and playing in the sand. She wasn't actually waving, I just happened to catch her with her hand up. She sits in this chair very well and is very content. As soon as she heard the waves today, she began to mimic their sound. One of the possible side effects of her illness at birth was that she could suffer a loss of hearing. She had her hearing tested last week, and all seems well.
What a wonderful blessing to know that even though she can't speak to me (YET), she knows she is loved because God has allowed her to hear it from me. However, the Lord gives us hope (wink*) that we will hear those I love you's uttered from her lips one day.

Iliana is being fitted with her new braces in this picture. She was able to get them this past Friday. At first, she wouldn't even take a step with them. She would only raise one foot and then bring it back down again, as if to tell me to take them off. It took her some time, but now she does ok with them, we just need to find some bigger shoes that will fit when she has her braces on. She is supposed to wear them all day, except when napping.

Her first time in a rocking chair outside of Cracker Barrel. She sat like a big girl would.

You can see she was enjoying doing things her big sister can.

Iliana has begun her physical therapy sessions at home again. We are blessed to be able to have Stephanie working with her again. I'm looking forward to what Iliana will do in the near future. I would also like to say that Iliana fell out of her crib yesterday. YEAH!! My excitement may come as a surprise to many, so let me first say that Iliana was fine. She complained to me a bit, but was not hurt. You also have to understand that Iliana's crib has been in the highest position possible since she was born. In the past 2 and a half years, there has been no need to reposition her mattress. She wasn't doing anything that would make her fall out. She has finally done it and we thank God for it. Of course, it will now be moved. I do not wish for her to fall out again. Please pray for her time of therapy. Both the therapy for her physical development and the one for her cognitive skills development. She receives one hour a week for each. Please pray for her therapists, Stephanie and Jean, that God would guide their teaching and would reveal to them the path that they should take when teaching her. Please pray the same for Dwight and I. That He would send forth His light and His truth to guide all of those involved in her care.

Iliana has been attempting to get on the couch now.




Iliana has been practicing the downward dog move. She's showing off here.




She's made attempts to crawl and has actually taken 2 crawl steps, but she's mostly interested in doing the above. She tries to stand up, but she can't do that yet. We're working on the crawling, maybe we can have some pictures for you soon.

Iliana will most likely begin school in September of this year. My prayer is that she will be walking by then. If not, we will have to get her a wheelchair and I'm concerned that it will make her regress instead of progress. That's just my theory.

This past week, we celebrated the one year anniversary since her last hospitalization. Praise the Lord! What a marvelous miracle!