Happy 7th Birthday!

Today, we celebrate Marissa's 7th birthday. It is always a day of mixed emotion. Thankful that she is still with us and we are able to celebrate but yet a day of reflection of where we have been. This time 7 years ago, we began to find out slowly the medical issues that Marissa was facing and had no idea that one day she would be diagnosed with Autism. The next few days I relive those days of her being in the NICU. And as I look over this past year and the challenges she has faced, I can't help but call her my hero.

The other night I was telling Marissa's story to some new friends and they were amazed at how this little girl has so much going on inside. Every day she continues to fight all the odds and remain strong. While we are currently battling some behaviors at school, it is a testament to her strength and resilience.

We don't know what is in store for us this year. I hope that she will begin to manage her OCD a little bit better and stabilize her behaviors at school. I pray that she will remain physically healthy and that all her organs will continue to support her. I pray each day that God will continue to use her to influence others.

Thank you to all of our special friends and family that came to celebrate today. You help Steve and I each day by being apart of our lives. We are truly blessed that you have invested yourselves in Marissa. We hope that she had blessed you as well.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MARISSA!