Neighbors.

We have some pretty great neighbors.  They are understanding, patient and loving with Mallory. Their teenage daughters are so compassionate.  They always greet Mallory with a smile.

Sledding

Mallory's PE Class took advantage of the snowfall in December and the large hill next to the middle school and spent their time SLEDDING.  Mallory couldn't be convinced to sled however she thoroughly enjoyed watching her peers take multiple trips on their sleds down the hill.

The Twelve Days Of Christmas Special Needs

On the first day of Christmas,

the good Lord gave to me: a child with special needs.

On the second day of Christmas,

the good Lord gave to me: a heart full of love for my child with special needs.

On the third day of Christmas,

the good Lord gave to me: an ache in my heart and a heart full of love for my child with special needs.

On the fourth day of Christmas,

the good Lord gave to me: a tear in my eyes, an ache in my heart and a heart full of love for my child with special needs.

On the fifth day of Christmas,

the good Lord gave to me: an unsuspected strength for the tear in my eyes and the ache in my heart and my heart full of love for my child with special needs.

On the sixth day of Christmas,

the good Lord gave to me: a ray of hope, an unsuspected strength for the tear in my eyes and the ache in my heart and my heart full of love for my child with special needs.

On the seventh day of Christmas,

the good Lord gave to me: a sense of humor, a ray of hope, an unsuspected strength for the tear in my eyes and the ache in my heart and my heart full of love for my child with special needs.

On the eighth day of Christmas,

the good Lord gave to me: supportive friends, a sense of humor, a ray of hope, an unsuspected strength for the tear in my eyes and the ache in my heart and my heart full of love for my child with special needs.

On the ninth day of Christmas,

the good Lord gave to me: remarkable doctors & therapists, supportive friends, a sense of humor, a ray of hope, an unsuspected strength for the tear in my eyes and the ache in heart and my heart full of love for my child with a special needs.

On the tenth day of Christmas,

the good Lord gave to me: an appreciation of small accomplishments, remarkable doctors & therapists, supportive friends, a sense of humor, a ray of hope, an unsuspected strength for the tear in my eyes and the ache in my heart and my heart full of love for my child with special needs.

On the eleventh day of Christmas,

the good Lord gave to me: a sense of pride and courage, an appreciation of small accomplishments, remarkable doctors & therapists, supportive friends, a sense of humor, a ray of hope, an unsuspected strength for the tear in my eyes and the ache in my heart and my heart full of love for my child with special needs.

On the twelfth day of Christmas,

the good Lord said to me: Reach out and share your sense of pride and courage, your appreciation of small accomplishments, your remarkable doctors & therapists, your supportive friends, your sense of humor, your ray of hope, your unsuspected strength for the tear in your eyes and the ache in your heart and your heart full of love for your child with special needs.

So here it is.......  Mallory's knee after surgery.

Hip Hip Hooray! The cast came off today!

Our 3 week adventure with a cast is now over.
Whew!



I was concerned that the sound of the saw would scare Mallory.



It didn't take long and she was bored with the whole cast removal.



Her incision looked great!



We discovered that Mallory had indeed been tucking treasures away in her cast.



The dime left it's mark on her upper thigh.

Once the cast and dressings were off, Mallory headed off to x-ray for once last check.  Everything is looking great!

Hanging in there.

Mallory is doing great in her first week home since surgery.
We brought a walker home to help her with balance and she used it for one day.  She has mastered all the functions of living in our home with a cast magnificently.  Her disposition has been great.
Now we are counting down the days till the cast comes off.

What's a sibling to do?

Mallory is very lucky to have her brother and sister.  They have been great these last few weeks.  They did so well the day of surgery but have also managed well at home.  They have been helpful, kind, and compassionate.