Madeleine Nelson here.  Figured an update on our family was in order, so here goes; please bear with me.

My children are now eight and five.  Mikkaylah just graduated from kinderaarten (in the fall, she starts first grade), and the twins, Monte and Marquise, will be starting third grade.  Seems like only yesterday when all three were still in diapers.  *Sigh*  Where does the time go??

Happily, Kay-Kay (as I call her) has a relatively normal life, even though, for her, life is anything but.  She has progeria; she has been in and out of hospitals for one thing or another.  She just had her cataracts removed back in April; nowadays, whenever she goes outside into the bright light, she has to wear dark sunglasses, which practically swallow her small face.  She looks like a little alien!

Mikkaylah continues to surprise her doctors, therapists, with her can-do spirit and courage.  She doesn't really let her problems get to her; she just tries to live past them the best way she possibly can, which, in kind, gives us a sense of hope.

Marquise and Monte are Mikkaylah's big brothers, her protectors.  People daresn't mess with our daughter with the twins around; they'll beat them up!  (Not really, but they will defend her if need be!)  They are very good with their little sister; they know she has a special problem, so they treat her gently and with the utmost respect.

This is the way we want it.  We want people to see that Mikkaylah is a normal child, even though life is not normal for her.  She has a disease that causes premature aging; she resembles a wizened old woman in her eighties than a five year old post-kindergarten student.  It is hard to know that her disease will kill her by the time she is eight, but right now we try not to think about it; we try to focus on the here and now.

Mikkaylah is looking forward to the July Fourth holiday as are our boys.  (What American isn't??)  The kids go ga-ga over the fireworks and the parade, and they love stuffing themselves with all the junk food they can possibly eat (though we have to monitor Mikkaylah, what with her high blood pressure, high cholesteral levels, pre-diabetic condition, and whatnot).  July Fourth was made for families, especially those with young children!

Well, I am going to go:  Monte just slammed his finger in the door, and he's howling; hopefully he didn't do any damage to it.  Mikkaylah just informed me of it; she's standing in the doorway, watching me type this.  On her face is a look that reads:  "Mama, come quick!!  Monte hurt his finger, and he's crying!  He needs you now!!" 

I will write in here again soon, with another Mikkaylah/Monte/Marquise update; until then, this is Madeleine Nelson saying so long!  God bless!

~Love, your friend, Madeleine Nelson. :)