Aloha!

I've been thinking about starting a blog or website for some time now.  My husband and I were blessed with our first daughter (we'll, just call her Hili for now...still afraid to let out too much info to the www!)  She was born with developmental delays and had to stay in the NICU for about 2 weeks because she could not regulate her breathing and would stop breathing every once in a while. No mom ever wants to leave the hospital without their child, so I feel for mothers everywhere who have to do that.  Fortunately, she was released and we were so excited.  Since then, she's faced many challenges- physically, socially, emotionally and cognitively, but has persevered thru them all.  Hili couldn't walk till she was 2 and a half, she couldn't talk till soon after and still cannot be understood by most people. She struggles with emotional outbursts, has Osgood-slaughters and hypotonia.  This blog is not created for pity, but for hope and triumph.  You see, Hili has never complained about any of her ailments, she smiles through the pain and sometimes we don't even know anything is wrong.  What I've learned through my journey with my beautiful little girl is the power of the human spirit.  She inspires me to be the best person I can be and to look to God and lean on Him when I cannot carry the load alone.  I've also learned that we are so fortunate.  We see many children at the hospitals who are climbing far larger mountains.   My heart goes out to all parents of special needs children, however mild or severe.  I feel like God picked us to be parents because we CAN handle it.  Hili fills my life with so much joy and laughter.  If you have a special child, I'd love to hear your stories as well:)