She's 3!!!

Hi everyone! So Ayla's birthday was yesterday! She's 3!!!
Some of you know that we went to Florida on the 12th and just returned home today. We went with Ryan's parents, his brother and sister in law and our 2 nieces, soem friends of ours and their 2 kids. 14 of us total.
It was fun. Lots of highs and lows...Ayla was sick (as were most of the kids) and feverish for most of it but enjoyed parts. We went to Disney 2 days and to the Kennedy Space Center and did lots of swimming. We tried to take Ayla to a doctor for her fever and congestion after a few days, but it was a bust, no one would listen to her heart beat b/c of her medication/pre existing condition until we went to a specialist clinic which was just $300 to see the doctor for 5 mintues. We knew we were coming home today and so we just figured if she was still ill, we'd stop at a clinic or ER on the way home.
We did a breakfast with Cinderella and all the pincesses on Tuesday. It was really cool but very sad for us. Ayla was not feeling well and was miserable and crying (and she loves the princesses). Her and i sat and cried...i felt so sad that my little girl was once again suffering. And it was like a knife pain to watch all the other little girls soaking up every moment of the excitement. I desperately wanted my girl to have a better birthday...
The people there were very kind (especially our waitress, Lynn...God Bless her) and brought her a picnic lunch, some little extra treats, a card signed by the princesses saying they hoped she felt better soon, an extra 8x10 booklet of our group and the castle. and they cleared it with the manager that if later in the day if she felt better, she could come back and meet all the princesses. Later on she still didn't want to go back, but she was feeling a bit better. When we reminded her that we would not be back soon, she agree'd quickly to go and see them before we left. Ezra and Ryan even came too (Ezra liked it, but he'll tell you differently...hehe). We met them all and got pictures with them also. They were all just great and we were so thankful for them going above and beyond...
Then yesterday (the day before we left...feels like ages ago already and Ayla's actual birthday!!!!), Ayla fell and twisted her leg behind her. Again. She cried and cried and then settled but still didn't want anyone to move it or even try standing or walking. So, just to be safe, when we got home tonight we went straight to the ER in fear of another broken leg. (Lots of prayer went on last night about that darn leg...)
It's not broken! Thanks be to the Lord! They did xrays and couldn't see anything wrong. Maybe a pulled muscle or sprain. If it's not better in a day or 2 we have to go back in case it's hairline...something so small it's hard to see. THey are having the radiologist check it over in the morning.
So, we are home now. Everyone is in bed and i'm off there soon myself. 5:30am wake up calls, a long flight, getting pulled into secondary at customs, and then off to the ER...WHO NEEDS DISNEY LAND?!?!?
Another birthday come and gone for our girl without any sense of what a "regular 3 year olds" birthday would be like. Our waitress at Disney happened to have a daughter who was disabled and she said, in such a kind, loving, english accent, "this isn't for them...it's for us. It's what WE want for them. It's much easier on them than it seems to be on us because of what WE want for them. Kids are resiliant...they are special like that." And once again i thought about Gods plan for Ayla. God's plan is not my plan....it's not what i want....it's what she/i/we needs. It's so much greater than we could ever imagine. I'm so thankful that He carries me when i just can't seem to stand anymore. When i don't want to stand anymore. I'm even more thankful that He carries my girl...and our whole family.


I have to say, later that same day of the princess breakfast, we saw a little girl about Ayla's age that had cancer. She was bald from her chemo and had a make a wish badge on and so happy to be there....she was so beautiful and i'm sure God put her there to put things into perspective for me.



I also wanted to add quickly that Ayla is still having some pain her in mouth. I can't remember who i told about this. It's been going on a few weeks now. It's mostly better. They think it's maybe a joint in her jaw, TMJ, but no one is sure. Her PT's and OT's have been working on it.
Thanks!
Lots of Love!
Lacy