It seems difficult to believe that only eight years ago, our daughter, MacKenzie (Mackie) Grace, was unable to walk or even talk.  Now it seems that one cannot shut her up! LOL

When she was only two years old, MacKenzie Grace wandered outside; we didn't realize it until Chuck (my husband) happened to find her lying facedown in the snow.  Her face was blue and she was not moving: she looked dead.  It was a truly terrifying time for all of us.

MacKenzie spent about a week or so in the hospital.  It was unknown as to whether she sustained permanent brain damage as a result.  It truly seemed that way because it took a very long time for her to recover from her injuries.  When she started school, she was sitting in a wheelchair and could only say a few words; by the time she turned eight, she was talking in complete sentences and could walk on crutches and AFO's on her legs.

Now at the age of 12 1/2, Mackie talks like any typical pre-teen (though her speech is slower and rather slurred, but at least most people can understand what she is saying) and is walking under her own power with just one crutch! 

It has truly been a miracle.  God has healed her and He continues TO do so to this day.  We give God all the praise and glory for bringing our daughter back to us.

In addition to MacKenzie, we have our son, Gage Pedro Guillermo, whom we adopted from Guatemala.  He was just a baby when he joined our family; he's now a very active ten-year-old whose greatest love is baseball.  He is a baseball fanatic and wants to play in the major leagues when he gets to be an adult.  From his natural athletic abillities and his drive to succeed, I don't doubt one bit that Gage will meet his goals.  He is a wonderful little boy!

Then you have our newest addition, four-year-old Pyper Weston, whom we adopted from Poland last year.  He is a pistol.  Full of spit and vinegar, as my Daddy always says.  He is extremely hyperactive and also has a mild form of autism (Asberger's).  Pyper is still a very lovable litle boy, though, so we usually can't stay mad at him too long, especially when he does his classic "doggie soul eyes" routine: the look on his face gets us every time!!

We don't know at this time whether Mackie will get all of her physical skills back, but compared to the once little lifeless, silent lump sitting in her wheelchair as opposed to now, we will gladly take each and every milestone that MacKenzie will reach, no matter how small or minor!  She has certainly come a very long way and all of her doctors, therapists, and nurses couldn't be more proud!

Well, I have to take Pyper to the doctor's: he has a raging ear infection and has been on a tear the last few days.  He must be feeling better, but I think he needs something to calm him down.  He's really been acting up and it's starting to drive both Chuck and myself crazy, not to mention, MacKenzie, who has pegged him as being "an annoying little fly"!  LOL  I will write in here again with another update; until later, this is Heather Hollister saying so long; may God bless you as much as He's been blessing our family!

~Love, your friend in Tennessee, Heather.  :)