If you are a long time reader, you know that Hannah has been through more than any child should ever have to endure.
At this point, Hannah is one year back at school & back to "normal" life...and I have a lot of bragging to do.
Hannah is absolutely loving 3rd grade! After missing a year & a half of school she is right on track & in the upper half of her class. The kids in her class are very kind to her & respect her. I am just amazed at the caring relationships she has developed & the way the kids treat her.
On Friday, the teacher was announcing the "Star Student" for this coming Monday (Star Student gets to sit on the couch all day in class with shoes off & relax while learning!). Miss W. was scanning all the kids sitting on the carpet saying "Let me see? who has been a great example today? Who have I not had to talk to about anything today?...." All the kids, started shouting "It's Hannah! It's Hannah!" And, yes, it was Hannah! Hannah was OVER THE MOON to be the star student!
I am proud of her for being a role model to the kids but mostly for her kindness to others. There is a girl in her class with a lot of emotional issues & Hannah continues to reach out to her & "try to help her when she is having a hard time." What more could I ask for? I am glad she is getting good grades but mostly I am proud of her kindness & caring attitude towards others.
Over the past five months Hannah has been a part of an amazing program through the University of Louisville Medical Center called "Healthy for Life." This program has been helping her get more healthy after all the weight she gained from steroids, medicines & sitting around waiting for her bone marrow to come home. I am so proud of her! Recently, we had a follow-up appointment with the director & she was praising Hannah up & down for doing in 4 months what most patients do in 6.
The program recently added acupuncture. The director felt the acupuncture would help rid Hannah's body of the toxins from all the medicines she took while she was so sick. Hannah has had two treatments and loved it! The acupuncture is done by a Pediatric ICU doctor that also specializes in Japanese acupuncture. I don't know many 9 year old children that will allow a doctor to put needles all over their body but Hannah did it without any problem. She didn't complain or fuss & told him she liked it! Amazing.
As part of this program, the State of Kentucky offers a 6 month membership to the YMCA for free. Hannah is now a champ on the elliptical, the treadmill & enjoying the swimming pool.
Hannah is a joy to have around. The past week she has been out of school with a stomach flu (yes, another illness!!). Even when she was feeling her worst, she was still happy & easy going. What a treasure!
Here are some pictures from my phone from the past few weeks ---
At the dentist for a cleaning ... no cavities (or "magets" as Lily calls them).
The day after we got home from China, Hannah took Lily in her car seat to "play school." Let's just say it didn't go as Hannah had planned. Lily was 1. Lily had jet lag. Lily didn't speak English. These days Hannah thinks she has died & gone to heaven because finally Lily has come around to the fact that Hannah is the teacher, Lily is the student. Most days it goes well. Here are the girls in the basement playing -- Hannah is sitting in "Lily's desk" grading her paper. I think Hannah had been teaching her fractions. Maybe she can teach me.
Last weekend Hannah got a guitar. Now we just need some lessons to go with it. She has been strumming away all week. Having fun & writing more songs in her notebook. Adorable.
The other day she told me she is 1/2 way to 18.
Just stop the clocks right now!
Last but not least, the love she has for Lily is precious. I love their tender relationship -- which of course has its moments but truly Hannah takes care of Lily. Looks out for her. Comforts her. Makes sure she knows what is going on. On this night Lily was asleep in my bed and Hannah was loving on her baby sister before she went off to bed in her own bunk.
Since the time I was five I wanted to be a mom. Hannah made my dream come true and she makes my "job" very easy.
I could not imagine life without her ... and never want to!
Thank you, Lord, for the gift of Hannah -- for your healing hand on her life & the joy you place in her heart!
I am a blessed mom and so proud of the sweet 9 year old girl that I get to share this life with!
All God's best from HOME,
