Mom Brag Alert.

One of the most unexpected things for me, in having a special sweetie like Celia, is HOW MUCH she has changed each member of our family for the better.

I've mentioned before that I assumed she would be left in the dust by her three mobile sisters.

That is FAR from the case.

Yesterday, they were all laying on the floor playing with balls with their feet.

Four little sweeties, heads touching, and deep in concentration on the game of keeping the ball going from foot to foot, oblivious to the fact that most children do not play ball this way.

Precious.

That is one of many examples we are privileged to see on a daily basis.

I know Celia's beautiful life will make her sisters more compassionate.

They will SEE the person in the wheelchair, not the chair.

They will know how to get on the level of anyone with a disability.

I. LOVE. THAT.

Here is a little glimpse on a typical day.....

 Today, Aria was working with Celia and her IPAD.

 When her head got tired, she held it up for her.

 She encouraged Celia to try herself.

 She played with her, encouraged her, and supported her without even being asked.

She actually gave her a little occupational therapy session without even knowing it.

She recognized when Celia was getting tired, and held her head for her.

She is SEVEN.

Aria has always been my sweet, sensitive, caring girl.

Having Celia has magnified these traits.

We are blessed.

So very, very blessed.

*As a side note, we have had several questions lately about whether we have "told" the girls about Celia. 

And our answer is...... there is nothing to tell. 

NONE OF US are guaranteed tomorrow, and we are planning for Celia to have a long and fulfilling life in our family. 

If that is not God's plan, we will deal with that at the time. 

Explaining to a 7, 5, and 3 year old that their sister has a progressive disease is more than they could comprehend. 

Heck, it's more than we can comprehend most days.

For all that Celia has to deal with, she is remarkably strong, she is very healthy, and she is doing great! Our plan is for this to continue and we are taking every precaution for her that we can.

So please don't misconstrue my words that "we enjoy every day" or that "we trust God numbers her days"- these are not fatalistic thoughts. 

The exact opposite is true!!! 

We are full of HOPE for Celia to remain stable, to stay healthy and to improve as we take away obstacles like chewing that were causing her stress. We see the g-tube as a positive in her life. We are PROUD of our little pumpkin and our statements are based on that alone.