My daughter, Monica Alyse (nicknamed "Mimi"), is a joy to have in our lives.  We have been blessed in birthing her, raising her, seeing just how much in the way of joy that she has to offer.

When she was born fifteen years ago today doctors didn't hold out much in the way of hope of her surviving.  She was born with spina bifida that left her lower half paralyzed and relying on braces, crutches (or lately, her wheelchair) to get by.  She's had more surgeries than you can shake a stick at; the hospital seems to be our second home.  If we're not here, at our house, we're at the hospital.

Monica has beaten the odds, time and time again.  Not only has she reached the age of fifteen:  she's also passed the tenth grade (all A's on her last report card!!), is a voracious reader and writer, and loves to dance in her wheelchair.  She's taking dance lessons from a teacher specializing in teaching children with disabilities the finer points of dance, and she absolutely loves it.

When she is not dancing, Monica loves to read/write (see in kind, above), talk on the phone (what teenager doesn't?? LOL), watch "America's Got Talent" and "American Idol" on television (she also loves "So You Think You Can Dance"), text message her friends (I still can't figure out texting!!), go shopping, and sleep in on the weekends.  Now that school has ended for another year, she doesn't rise until noon or even one o'clock in the afternoon some days.

I keep threatening to put a firecracker in her bed to get her up.  Not nice I know, but it would work! LOL

Besides Monica, we have three other children (Monica's the oldest).  We have a boy, Matthew Thomas (eight months old; he's the baby; he was adopted last month from Jamaica), Cambryn Mistelle (eight; adopted five years ago from China), and Winston Drake (twelve; he's our other "birth" child).  We have two adopted, two "home-grown".

We're a ragtag lookin' crew, if I must say so myself. LOL

Monica has been through so much, more than anyone has a right to go through in life.  Through it all, she hasn't lost her attitude, her zeal for life, even her smile.  She remains the same happy, upbeat, exhuberent child we've always known. To see her courage is nothing short of astounding; I don't know how she can put up with what she does; I couldn't do it!!  When it comes to pain, I'm a wimp. LOL

Well, I will go now.  Too early to be on the computer this morning (it's ten minutes to six as I write this); I need to be getting my beauty sleep.  I will write in here again; until then, take care and God bless!

~Love, your new friend, Theresa Abboud, Granger, Illinois (mom to four fabulous kids!!). :D