in the right direction-

We seem to be moving in the right direction. In general things are improving each day. Here are just a few examples:

-she seems to be processing faster- before she took so long to process things that most of the time we would just give up and do something for her or to her in order to get it done (ie telling her to put her socks on or handing her something - most of the time we would just have to put the socks on or grab her hand and put something in it because we couldn't wait the 2-3 minutes it took for her to process what we were saying) *I promise I pray for patience everyday* now she will do some of these requests or commands almost immediately (maybe 10-30 seconds)

-affectionate- she is hugging and kissing on us constantly whether we ask her to or not and we ask A LOT! IT IS WONDERFUL!

-following simple commands- we are noticing that she follows commands after only telling her one time (ie getting dressed I used to would have to hold her shorts in front of her and say two or three times to step in and then I'd have to tap her legs, now she typically steps in before or on the first time I say it) going back to the processing

-more aware- now she just generally seems to be a little more aware of herself in the world especially as it relates to others (ie she doesn't run into as many people or things as before and she is anticipating some actions and events that are familiar or routine)

-potty- this one has to be my favorite after the hugs and kisses - although we have been trying to potty train for at least a year now she has never really 'gotten it' she will go if we take her and remove her pull up and tell her to sit and go; however, due to her limited language capabilities she has never been able to tell us when she needs to go (we have tried signing, different words, pictures, taking her every 20 minutes, etc...) three times this past week she has let different people know (in various ways) that she had to go potty (two of the three trys were successful) WAY TO GO CAMILLA!!! Since she is approaching six years old and is a little above average height and weight for her age we are running out of all 'easy' options for diapers, pull ups, overnights, etc... she wets the bed at least 5 out of 7 nights of the week and this Mama is tired of washing sheets everyday - so please pray that this area is mastered quickly

-interaction- while we were still in the hospital we noticed improvements in eye contact and attention span and they seem to be improving each day - she is paying attention to what is on the television and will respond by dancing or laughing in some cases but one of the biggest changes has been her interaction with Crosby - she constantly kisses him on the head and initiates play with him - when he tries to play with her she will laugh hysterically and doesn't try to avoid it at all - one other point worth noting is that they were playing on the floor the other day and were getting a little rough with one another, Crosby got off-balance while sitting and was tipping over and Camilla reached out as if to catch him (she would have been unsuccessful and still didn't seem to really want to 'grab' him but her 'instinct' and 'reaction time' was there and it was so good to see and don't worry I caught him:)

-therapy- physical therapy started last week and will be once a week throughout the summer in order to strengthen her left leg back to before surgery standards, we will be going to Genesis Rehab here in Demopolis - we will also travel to Tuscaloosa to the University twice a week for speech therapy for the next eight weeks - that session started today - please pray for safe travel, low gas prices (lol) and my sanity as this willbe too much driving even for me!

As you can tell we are seeing results but we do have a long way to go - "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step," (Lao-tzu) and surgery was the first step in the RIGHT direction.

Sorry for the delay in posting. I should have updated last week but procrastinated:( and then had a busy (sleep deprived) weekend and now this week is full of traveling and therapy. Monday we returned to see Dr. Blount (neurosurgeon) for a check on her incision. He was concerned with a spot on the incision where about a one inch portion had scabbed over on top of and to one side of the cut. They removed the scab in the office to find that it wasn't as bad as they expected; however, they want to see us weekly until there is no question that it is healing properly. The risk with this is 1)an ugly scar on top of her head 2)if infection were to set in it could easily and quickly spread into the incision, bone flap and beyond and could possibly require another surgery. I now have to clean that spot twice a day, whereas before we only were washing her hair daily to keep it all clean. Please pray that this spot heals quickly and cleanly in all ways. Poor Camilla has to be wondering why she's not able to swim this summer (it was all she did last summer) and he would not even guestimate a time-frame until next week to see this spots progress. On top of not being able to swim we are not really even able to get outside much due to the heat-wave (and Alabama summers in general) because the cut needs to stay clean and dry and trust me if you're outside for more than about 5 minutes these days - nothing is clean or dry! Poor thing just plays at our front door all day saying 'out'.

I cannot adequately express my thanks for the cards, calls, messages and meals that we continue to recieve daily! Each one seems to arrive at just the right moment for encouragement or relief! Same goes for the prayers - we continue to feel them in a very real way.

Before I end I'll answer the 'million dollar question' - NO SEIZURES TO DATE. Three weeks of no seizures - after 15 to 20 per day for 5 1/2 years - WOW - even if they start tomorrow I'll continue to praise GOD for these three glorious weeks - have I mentioned how awesome it is to be present at a miracle?

"For I know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you HOPE and a FUTURE." Jeremiah 29:11