Toni Ridgeworth here.  I live in Palo Alto, California, with my  husband, Tony (he's in real estate), and our six children who range in age from four on up to 12.  All of our children are adopted; all also have special needs.

Our two youngest, Miracle DaSha' and Faith Danielle, continue to make strides in their development that continue to surprise their doctors and therapists.

Miracle has spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy and is profoundly mentally disabled with the mentality of an 18 month old infant; yet she is able to give love and recognize close family members or friends by giving them a huge smile.  As for her twin sister, Faith, she is blind and has diplegic cerebral palsy; however, her mental capabilities are much stronger than her sister's.

Tevin, who is 12, was adopted from Russia; he has mild CP and learning disabilities as does Kelvin, our six year old son from Korea.  They can function with kids their age with relatively few problems.

As for Fahad, whom we adopted from Yemen, she has lung issues and is on oxygen at night when she sleeps; she is often in and out of the hospital, be it with respiratory illnesses or sudden asthmatic/allergic episodes.  She is ten.

So that is our family.  And here come the updates.

Miracle of miracles, Fahad has managed to stay out of the hospital for the past month; it's been a huge answer to prayer.  Her breathing seems to have improved, much to the delight of her doctors.

Tevin and Kelvin stay busy by playing baseball on a league for children with health issues; they really enjoy it.  They have made many wonderful friends, and they love getting the exercise and getting the chance to run around.

Annie, our little ballerina, continues to stay busy with dance and voice lessons; she is our future star-in-training.  She wants to be another Susan Boyle; she just adores her!

As for Faith, she is going to go to a school for visually impaired children when she is a little older; there they will teach her how to get around and how to read/write by using braille.  Right now she's delayed, but we feel once she learns new skills, she will blossom like a flower.

And then there's Miracle, who is living up to her name.  It's incredible that she is able to recognize us and show emotion; she just doesn't lie there like a little lump.  She's been one of the healthier members of our family, and a constant source of delight.

Sorry this isn't long,or much of a journal entry, but I have to take Fahad and Annie to the doctor's; both have appointments.  We will then take the family out to eat at Brahm's; they just love that place!  I will write in here again soon; until then, this is Toni Ridgeworth signing off!

~Toni.  :)