Friday Evening, August 4th

Well Allie is home, safe and sound and we couldn't be happier. IT wasn't easy - the ride home was HORRIBLE, but one we got close to the house, Allie calmed down and has been great every since.

The day started great for a minute. Matt and I got to the hospital before Nancy and when Allie saw us she jumped up and sid in spanish, my family is here, then she said it's my final day here. Then after a few minutes she started to go off. It had to be the anxiety of making a transition - even though she was excited to go home, the was so very nervous as the hospital was her safe haven and she screamed and creid the whole way ome that she wanted to go back to the hospital and I mean ear shattering screams - I'm surprised you didn;t hear them.

Anyhow, as soon as we got home Allie wanted to go swimming so matt and Nancy took her to the lake and then to the pool while I took care of a few things around here. Nancy said she did great in the pool and dove around in the water. They only stayed a few minutes (20) - donl't want to over do it. Anyhow I thought it was quite amazing. Imagine only a few short weeks ago where we were. Hard to believe!!

Leaving the hospital was made even better when we realized upon saying goodbye to everyone (doctors, nurses and staff) how much they loved Allie and our family and much we had come to love them. Hugs and kisses all around. It will be great to see them again in a month or two at Allie's next checkup . She has come so far in the last six weeks, it incredible to think of how well she will be in another 8 weeks.

We had a celebration dinner tonight to beat the band and now we are sitting around watching what else, you guessed it Millie. It has been an exhausting day and it really becomes hard and emotional because bless her heart our little girl speaks and asks questions non-stop, small price to pay. She also sang again today so life is beautiful. We have her voice coach coming next week and a friend who has worked on Broadway will be coming over to work on her piano and her pitch using the computer and many other tricks he has.

It's hard to believe that we don;t have to set the clock tomorrow for the first time in months nor so we have to drive to Greenville and sit aroungd a hospital all day instead we will enjoy being home and being a family in our own house just how it is supposed to be.

God Bless you all. The blog will will continue until Allie is in college and we still have a long way to go so please keep your prayers coming and keep checking the blog. I wanted to get a picture of Allie leaving the hospital but there was no way that was going to happen.

It's 9:15 right now and the most amazing thing just happened. Allie just stood up, said she was tired and announced she was going to bed, then she goodnight dad, I'm going to bed, I love you and all at once the world was right again.

Have a great night and stay tuned for even greater things to come.

We love you all.
Allie's Dad