New Blog!

Hello Everyone!

We want to announce our new blog, http://www.huronfamily.blogspot.com/! In addition to Santi's blog updates, we will be blogging everyday happenings in the Huron home! We hope you enjoy!

My Country 'Tis of Thee

You're a Grand Old Flag

Here is our little Samuel singing, "Your a Grand Old Flag"...

Happy Birthday, Peter

June 22nd was Sweet Pete's birthday!! We laugh to ourselves when we think of Peter...when he was four, he seemed to be four, forever! Then five finally came around and then here he is, already six. Six!!

We love you, Peter James. Happy Birthday!

Peter had a fun treasure hunt and even had to find a clue that was attached to our sprinkler. =)

We all had such fun hiding his clues...

(click to view larger )

Happy Father's Day!

We wish our father a happy Father's Day!

We love you!
Anita, Josh, Heather, Luke, Cilicia, Alexis, Olivia, Ben, Treasure, Paul, Santi, Jon-Michael, Peter, Samuel and Titus

Anita

Josh and Heather

Luke

Cilicia

Alexis

Olivia

Benuel

Treasure

Paul

Santi

Jon-Michael

Peter

Samuel

Titus

He is Risen Indeed...

George Washington Carver

Our history class (Paul, Santi, Jon-Michael and Peter) have been studying the life of George Washington Carver for the last few weeks, and we decited to invite a few people over for a "peanut meal" and history panel to wrap up the whole unit.

We had so much fun!

Anita

$.20 of Koolness

With the warm weather unpacking it's bags and settling here in Florida, who wouldn't want one of these deliciously cool popsicles?! The boys bought these nifty popsicle containers a few weeks ago and have enjoyed pouring juices or Kool-Aid into them. When we went shopping last week, we had to remember to buy some packets of Kool-Aid...Peters request. We had the cashier put the little packets in a special little bag so that we could give it to him all separate....it's amazing how $.20 will make a child so happy!

Anita

Santi...

How much do you have left??

Sweet Pete...

Samuel...

Hurry, hurry! It's melting!

Good to the last drop...

Boston Comes to Florida

Getting ready for a new cast...

Is Spring already here? It's hard to believe that orange blossoms are already scenting the whole state of Florida and that everyone's air conditioners are humming away. Actually, we are still hoping to get one more bonfire in before Summer. We have a nice stack of brush and wood to burn in the back yard...a perfect opportunity for some marshmallows and chocolate?

It seems that so much has happened over the last couple of months, and we have been skipping the blog updates. In part, this is good as Santi has been doing GREAT and there hasn't been "breaking news" to share, but as Christians we know there is always something to share that will edify others as the Lord constantly blesses and provides. So, here are some pictures and an update about Santi's new brace!

Dr. appointment...

Stretching before casting

Santi went to Gainesville Prosthetics last month and was fitted for a brace that will help him stand up straighter and mainly to remind him to keep good posture. The brace is called a Boston Brace. Santi has had a few different braces over the years, but so far this brace, with the radical surgery he had seven months ago, really seems to be helping. We are so excited! We can't say enough about DeAnna Clough who fitted Santi for his new set of armor and Paul Prusakowski who made sure it was made just right and fit nicely. Everyone has been so kind and encouraging.

Plan of action

Being fitted for the Boston Brace...

DeAnna and Santi with his muscle man cast...

As you will see, the brace isn't all that comfortable looking, but Santi is a trooper and wears the brace off and on throughout the day. He doesn't wear it when he eats as he needs all the stomach room he can get! Just as a side note: for those who have been praying about his eating, he is doing the best in years, and finishing his whole plate is a piece of cake....did I say, AND a piece of cake?....yah...that too. =) Vanilla with sprinkles.

DeAnna, a wonderful blessing...

The real thing...

Santi is enjoying school....especially history class with Alexis. Anything with dates is up Santi's alley! He has such a memory and worked hard to memorize over 15 facts about President Abraham Lincoln. Now, it's on to George Washington Carver. It's so wonderful that Santi can just keep going as he does...the Lord's grace is abounding.

Anita

Dad, Santi, Pete and Jon-Michael

Santi wearing his brace...

I'm Saved!

Today we were talking of the color green for Saint Patrick's day, and Santi jumped up to put on this green shirt!

Titus, Samuel, Santi and Peter

Blow, Blow, Blow!!

Ten Plus One!

Today is Santi's birthday!

We are so grateful to the Lord that we are celebrating eleven years with you, Santi!



Happy Birthday! You're one-of-a-kind!

Tough and Spiny

What do gators and Santi have in common?

They're both tough, strong, and.....spiny!!

Santi had an appointment with Dr. Woo in Gator territory at Shands. We haven't updated the blog in a while so here we will fill you in on how our Santi has been doing....

Santi greeted by Dr. Woo

Santi recovered remarkably well from his surgery on August 18th. He was even able to maintain his weight and not lose too much which is unusual following surgery of any kind. Santi is still the skinniest alligator I've ever seen, but we're counting our blessings, OK?

Think big thoughts, Santi!

He has grown and inch and a half but didn't gain weight since his last appointment! Oh well. He loves food...especially McDonald's burgers and fries and he can put that stuff away. Where do the calories go? If I ate that way, I'd weigh 600 pounds by now.....

1 1/2 inches taller!

The key to Santi's progress at this point is daily therapy exercises and his Dad is very faithful to spend time doing that with Santi. It's easy for muscles to stiffen after such a radical spinal surgery so we are trying to keep him limber and stretched. Sometimes the exercises really hurt but Santi has a high tolerance level for anything he knows is necessary. He also spends time on his bed on his tummy. He looks incredibly straight after lying in this position for even just 30 minutes. At other times, a verbal reminder to "straighten up" helps him to adjust his posture.

Pain issues are very few and far between. What a miracle this is. Santi doesn't need pain medication at all unless he's had a long, physical day or has been sitting in one position for a long period of time. He sleeps well and plays well.

Dad, Santi and Jon-Michael

Thank you for continuing to pray for Santi and love him. He still needs prayer for weight gain and strength for the daily regimen of therapy. We will be going back to Shands next week to have Santi fitted for a brace. The brace should help with the maintenance of the posture we need for him.
Keep this Gator in your prayers!

Deanna, from Orthotic and Prosthetic Services
will be making Santi's new brace next week

Love to all,

Mom