Joy Unspeakable!

Joy unspeakable and FULL of glory!! I Peter 1:8

I went to see Kensley yesterday and this is the only way I know how to describe how I felt leaving the hospital. To see where she is from where she was just a few weeks ago is nothing short of a miracle. She was smiling, blowing kisses, giving thumbs up, winking, sticking her thumb out and showing some of that DQ personality we've all missed over the last 5 weeks. Here is some of the video I shot while I was there - please ignore my obnoxious voice - we were just a little excited!!!!

Let me back up a few days. Kensley had made amazing progress in her therapy this week. She has a very strict schedule and was responding well. All reports all week were baby steps that everyone was SO thankful for. It started when she took a kleenex away from Melissa to wipe her own nose, then we saw pictures of her on the computer, then she made a laughing sound at Konnor. These sound like baby steps, but what wonderful baby steps they were!!! Then on Thursday, she had a swallowing test to see if she could tolerate eating real food - she passed!!! They kept the feeding tube in just in case, but she started eating pureed real food. That's about where the videos pick up......

And then came this morning - I get a phone call from Marty saying, "Did they call you??" I couldn't help but think the worst. Then she said these words, "SHE'S TALKING!!!" I was speechless (I know that some of you can't believe that :)) Marty was half laughing and half crying. I was trying to comprehend it all. I was just there yesterday, and we were so excited that she tried to say "HI", and here she was calling people on the phone!!! From what I understand, she pulled her feeding tube out in the night (she was really aggravated by that thing). As Melissa went to leave this morning to get cleaned up, she said, "Bye". Then Dustin walked in and she said, "Hey Daddy!!!" I don't know how Dustin and Melissa are still standing up at this point. The overwhelming joy and fulfillment of faith surely can not be put into words for them at this point!! By mid morning, Kensley was on the phone calling family members and sending all of them into some combination of shock and sheer joy!!! Several of our friends are calling this Kensley's Waking Up Talking Day!

God is Good - ALL the time!!! This journey is guided by His perfect timing, but I know I speak for everyone, we are all SO thankful that the past week's steps have been swift and prosperous.

I hope to have more video to share tomorrow. We are going down to have a "diva" party in the morning. If anyone wants hot pink, glitter nail polish with crowns and fur boas, come on down!!

Stephanie