"MOM!!!! LEAVE LONE MY HALLE!!!!"

Then in his softest soothing voice, "It's ok Alle- ooolmosst done- itssss ok- itsss ok- oolmost done sweetie, Iaaam ere"

Colin, sitting on the rail of my four post bed, as I've got Halle pinned underneath me, on the floor and am burning granular tissue off her G-tube site. All the while she is screaming to the point of passing out (actually did once). And believe me, I'm saying the same thing, adding "Mommy hates doing this honey- but it has to be done.... it's ok- we're almost done....."

"Mom- Why is Halle so much more specialler than me?"

"It's not that she is any more special than you Dallas. It's just that God made her special more obvious right now. Your special is just as important and just as special. Maybe think of it as a Christmas present, something that is wrapped and is hidden, but holds so much excitement in the unknown. God just wants people to anticipate and get excited over what you will be."

"Yeah maybe, but I wish people would say I'm special like they do with Halle." -

So many times- more so when her NG tube was taped to the face than now when it's hidden, we would get stopped and asked about it. I would briefly tell her story and people would comment on what a miracle child she was and how special she was. I always commented that yes she was- but all of our children are. Learning about her, just proves that. Guess kids see it their own way.

"Mom- when's Halle going to die?"

"I don't know Alex"

"Most of the babies that only have half a heart have died already- Right?"

"You know- I don't know. Most of the ones I know- yes. But I bet if we looked it up on the computer- we would find more alive."

"You think she'll make it to Christmas? I want her to see the tree"

"Yes- I think she'll make it to Christmas- if that's what God thinks is best."

"It is"

"Thank you Alex"

"For what?"

"For being you!"

(smile)

And always ending on an upbeat note....

"EASSE!! Eeese ooooes"

Almost every morning, like clockwork, Halle will go to the changing table and look in her bucket full of shoes. She sorts through the pink sandels, the white patent leather shoes, the tenny shoes, the black sandels, the white sandels, the slippers, and grabs....

HER BLACK PATENT LEATHER SHOES- the ones with the silver heart buckle, and brings one at a time to me, saying, "ease- ease- ooooses" and lifts her foot up.

Love, live, laugh, and pray; Amy