Our seven-year-old daughter, Capri Joy, is the glue that holds our family together.  In fact, she is often the first one that people notice when they see us.

Not just because she happens to have spina bifida and/or uses crutches (or a wheelchair) for mobility:  it's her personality.  Her personality is bigger than she is; she has never known the word "quit" or what it means to give up.  She is willing to try anything once (and I am sure if she could, she'd even probably try skydiving or bungee jumping! LOL).

My name is Grace Talbot.  I am married to Mark, who is my husband of twenty years.  We have three children:  Sarah Constance (eight), Kaytlen Ashton (six) and of course, Capri Joy.  Our children are all beautiful and healthy.  Even with all her surgeries and/or past hospital stays, Capri has enjoyed good health despite having serious physical disabilities.

Kaytlen and Sarah go to regular school; Capri, meanwhile, goes to a school for children with special needs.  She goes there because they have a bettter curriculum that's suited more for her needs.  She does have some learning difficulties, and this is one of the main reasons she goes to a different school than her sisters.

Capri is like any other little girl:  she loves the colors pink and purple, teddy bears to sleep with at night, bedtime stories (she's a voracious reader, but she doesn't mind it if we read to her if she's sick or exceptionally sleepy), drawing with her art supplies, singing, listening to gospel or country music, or dancing.  Never mind that Capri is on crutches or leg braces or even in a chair sometimes:  she dances, and she dances like a little ballerina.  She really loves it.

Her sisters are as passionate about life as Capri.  They both take dancing/singing lessons, and they share her gift for knowledge/learning.  I am happy to say that all my girls are gifted:  they are in the gifted/talented program at school (well, Kaytlen and Sarah are, anyway).  Capri is gifted too, but in a different way.

Capri knows what she wants to be when she grows up:  a singer, an actress, a beautician, a doctor that helps disabled children like herself, a zoo doctor (veterinarian), a writer of books, a mommy, even a teacher.  Maybe she'll end up being all of these; I wouldn't put it past her!! LOLOLOL

Well, I am going to go:  it's time to pick up the girls from dance class.  Capri went with them; she loves to watch her sisters perform.  The girls are busy rehearsing for their Christmas pageant, which is next week; I am sure they will do a good  job; they've been practicing hard!  Capri will be in the program too, but she'll be singing a solo.  She'll be singing "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus".

Take care and God bless!  Will write in here soon; may you have the merriest of Christmases and the happiest of New Year's!

~Grace Talbot, mom to Sarah, Kaytlen, and Capri.  :)