Friday, January 11, 2008

113hrs, 4 1/2 days

Joshua's doing great! It appears he hasn't leaked any fluid in over 24 hours!
I'm "gob-smacked", to coin a NZ phrase (gob=mouth, meaning [approx.] flabbergasted).
He's eating really well, and because he's now getting milk instead of colostrum, the nappies are getting fuller and ickier.

Below is a picture of his "shoes" (Oceana's word for anything bootie/shoe/flipflop related).
I made these from the yarn that Christina T. sent for Christmas. Thank you!

Yesterday was a fool-around-with-the-camera day.
I have a feeling they're going to become an every-day occurance now.
This little boy gets so many kisses!
It's one thing that doesn't seem to startle him - even Daddy's prickly-beard-kisses don't seem to bother him.

This is on a video as well, but it takes a long time to load videos. So I think I'll wait a few days before loading another video.
He was sucking on his hand, because apparently I had not fed him enough!

Oceana loves to hold his hands. We really have to watch her, as she give us routine heart-attacks with her quick hands.
She has smacked her hands down on his head, almost sat on him, pushed him with her feet.
And these are all non-jealous actions, just 21-month-old rambunctiousness. It can get a bit nerve-wracking.
But we're ok.


Please continue to pray that Joshua doesn't get an infection and that the skin and membranes on his cele/sack grow thicker.
Please also pray that we use wisdom in finding "normalcy". It's hard to live in the limbo!
We don't want to leave him to go anywhere, but we hate being cooped up, we don't want to take him anywhere because we have such a hard time getting him in a carseat safely, and we're going stir-crazy just sitting here.
Thank you for your prayers. Love you all.

Also, please be aware you can leave comments even if you don't have a blog or a gmail account. I'm curious how many people are reading. If you don't mind, please leave a comment, even just to say, "Yes, I read your blog." It's so hard to tell how many people are praying for Joshua, but I'm beginning to feel that I'll never know, because the numbers are just THAT big.
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91 comments:

  1. I'm sure the numbers are much higher than you realize. I have been reading for the past three weeks, and have forwarded your blog on to several others as well.

    Right now, I m simply amazed by you all. You all are in my prayers and thoughts at all times.

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  2. Praying for you here in Massachusetts!

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  3. I read obsessively, Susie! and i save pretty much every picture you put up! Love you so much!!!

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  4. Your family has really touched my heart. I have been reading your blog and praying for you for a few weeks now. Great pics.

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  5. I'm reading and praying for you too, and loving seeing the pictures of your beautiful son Joshua and family.

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  6. You guys are in our thoughts and hearts everyday! I, Pam, have passed along your blog to people all over the world - God has an awesome plan for you guys and your are right in the middle of it now!!!
    Love & Prayers, Pastor Roy & Pam & kids!!!

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  7. Found you from Babyfit! Praying for you here in South Carolina as well! He is absolutely beautiful. Thank you for sharing your journey. It is inspiring!

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  8. Reading and praying in Maine!

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  9. I'm praying for you in Iowa!

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  10. Someone in Virginia is reading your blog and keeping you, your sweet Joshua, and the rest of your family in my thoughts.

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  11. Maybe Serbia isnt big like Siberia, but our prayers from here are.

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  12. hi susie, i found your blog through tarah and have been reading faithfully since then. praying for you guys, he is doing amazing!

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  13. Prayers from Pennsylvania! He is such a dear, sweet boy and looks so much like you!

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  14. Suzie,

    It seems everyone is praying for you, our chirst as well as it's sister churched ask me about joshua as if you all were members of our church! Please e-mail me your address again or myspace it to me I lost it!

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  15. Praying for you in Bellingham, WA!!

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  16. I have been following Joshua through my friend Pam at the Christian Homeschool Corner. Seeing him brings tears to my eyes. When I was 16 my best friend gave birth to son, Mikel. She was only 15, and Mikel had the same anomaly as Joshua. I haven't seen a baby like him in ten years. I had forgotten how beautiful and perfect he was.

    Joshua is so strong and so handsome. You are truly blessed to have been chosen as his parents. What an amazing little boy.

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  17. You don't know me...I don't think, but we go to EGC and my husband works for EF...we are praying for you! Praising God for Joshua and praying for peace and strength for you and your family.

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  18. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers daily. There are so many out there praying for you.

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  19. Susie. it is lindsey, and i am reading your blogg everday and praying for you, little joshua, and the family. I too have been passing on the word and asking people to pray for you guys and joshua. It is even so amazing to me how many people are lifting you guys up every day. I was talking to my brother seth the other day and he mentioned you guys and said that he and a friend spent several hours praying for you. I am so proud of you guys and want to be as strong as you when i grow up:) Love you guys so much!

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  20. Dear Matt and Susie,
    This is Mary Pruitt, Cliff's mom. How many are praying? Undoubtedly thousands! Your faith and your family and your words of courage and trust are being used to touch lives in ways you cannot begin to imagine. There are hundreds of people on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and Virginia who are praying for you and checking your blog several times daily. In the process there are many tears being shed, not for sadness but because of your love and strength and courage and your beautiful family. Please know that you are constantly in our prayers as we go through the day. Give him one more kiss for me. Oceana is so beautiful; how she's grown since graduation! Love, Mary

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  21. Susie, your children are beautiful. And you and Matt are an inspiration. I am glad you have this time with Joshua to hold him and love him. You are in my thoughts everyday, here in Ohio, United States.

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  22. I may be the only guy reading this. Who knows. That and my best friend who has been praying from Virginia for you guys.

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  23. I've been checking your blog everyday. Matt's sister is an old high school friend of mine and she keeps me updated as well. I am praying for you guys. I'm so glad you've gotten to spend so much time with him already. Truly a blessing.

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  24. Praying here in Arkansas!

    Your father just missed Mark and I. We attended 88-90. However he might have known our cousins Kathie and/or Karen Van Druff who attended at the same time as he did.

    It is even possible that I met your parents in Japan, as often times the outreach teams attended our church in Ome which is just a short distance from the YWAM base. It is certain that we know some of the same Japan YWAMers!

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  25. hello dearest sams family! i have typed many comments, but deleted them all... i feel like my words cannot express how much you and matthew have encouraged and amazed me. your strength and faith are unbelievable. i dwell on each of your pictures for much too long. how blessed to have such beautiful children be a part of your lives! our hearts and prayers are with you. you are amazing people and i'm so proud. your strength has made me feel as though i can get through anything - no matter the situation. you're such an encouragement! give the kids lots of kisses for us!

    -marylou.

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  26. i have been keeping up with you on babyfit and now i can't stay away from your blog. your story is a living testimony of God's miracles. your family will continue to stay in my prayers.
    amy - houston,texas
    (nov 05 - babyfit)

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  27. I visit you at least 10 times every day! You guys look great! Thanks for sharing your sweet baby with us. No amount of postings from you will ever be too many to read.

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  28. I just found your blog last week (I'm not sure how I found it though), and have been checking in and praying for you and your miracle boy. I'm so glad God is blessing you with so much time with Joshua! I'll continue to pray for more time, as well as the specific requests you mention. :)

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  29. Hey Guys...Jonny and I have been praying for you guys too! I check this everyday...I've cried...smiled...everything! We're praying for you all!

    Rachael and Jonny Wiedel

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  30. You are on our church email prayer chain, which covers some of the East Coast states of the USA between Maine and Florida. I have included your blog in the prayer chain messages. Our church is in New York State.

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  31. May God Bless and Keep Your Family Always.

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  32. Your family has been in our prayers since Tarah shared your prayer requests, several month ago. I've follow everyday since. Don't tell Tarah & Seth but, I check your blog as much as I check their. That several times a day for more pictures of Jericho! Grandparents, gotta love 'em.

    My heart breaks for you as you go through this. However we know, GOD IS ABLE. He hold us through the good and hard times. He will lead and direct you ever step of the way. A good friend once told us "the hardest thing for a Christian to do, is to miss the will of God". If we seek his will, he will reveal his will. We're praying with you from Illinois, for His perfect will in every decision you have to make. Most of all, enjoy every moment with your sweet baby. He is beautiful.

    Dallise Goodson

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  33. I'm another one that found you on babyfit, on the January 2008 board. Also in South Carolina, praying for your family.

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  34. I'm still around... hoping I'm not the only Canadian here! Not so big on prayer but I do keep your family tucked up close to my heart.

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  35. I just found you at Navelgazing Midwife.

    Congratulations on the birth of your precious son and I am praying for as many joyous painfree days for him as possible.

    I will post and link at my blog as well as I am in a clergywomen's blogring with many dedicated prayer warriors. I also think people need to they don't have to terminate pregnancies like this as so many medical professionals pressure, at least here in the States--that baby and mom and family can have blessed if bittersweet time together instead.

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  36. Still praying and believing in miracles.

    God is awesome!

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  37. Hi! I'm Anna's sister. My husband and I are youth pastors in Eastern New York and have told lots of people about your family. There's lots of love and prayers coming from this direction too.
    Melanie

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  38. Praying for you and your beautiful family. Peace from Idaho.
    Paula

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  39. Praying for you from Illinois! What a beautiful family!

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  40. Your family has amazing strength! I dare not even try to imagine what it is you are going through. I read about you on Babyfit Oct 2006 moms. I am also passing it on to the July 2008 moms. Your family is in the hearts of mine.

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  41. i read your blog, and your family is in my prayers. god bless.

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  42. Matt and Susie,
    My family and I are praying for you all the way from Kenya. I check your blog everytime I get online. What a beautiful little boy Joshua is. I'm so glad you get to have him with you and I pray every morning when I wake up and every night before I sleep. Susie, you have blessed me with your strength and honesty. You have reminded me that we can truly lean on God in difficult times.

    Love from Kenya,
    Sarah

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  43. From Babyfit too,

    Praying for your family, you and Joshua from Ireland x x x

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  44. Precious Baby!! He is beautiful. You are amazing parents, I can see why God chose you to have this precious miracle. Joshua will be in my prayers.

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  45. My sister-in-law shared your blog with me, as someone who needed prayers. I am so encouraged by you and your husband. You have many people praying for you guys.

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  46. Hi Susie & Matt, My husband & I are still praying for you all here from vermont. We are so thrilled for you and the time you have been so blessed with. Joshua is just beautiful and you can see all the love & peace through the pictures. I visit a couple times a day, I don't want to miss any of your posts, Keep them comming :)

    God Bless,
    Tarrah & Sam

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  47. I've been following Joshua's story and praying for you guys for quite a while...months...through "Growing Goodson's" blog. I'm still praying! I read each day and am just amazed at how God has answered the prayers of many. You'll probably never know how many people were touched by this and some may have come to know Christ by reading at how faithful He is!

    Praying for Joshua and his family in Arkansas!

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  48. Praying for Joshua and the rest of the family in New York... he is absolutely beautiful, as is Oceana, thank you for sharing your story, it is inspiring!

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  49. Hi. I just wanted to tell you that I also believe you will never know how many people are praying for your little man. He is so beautiful. I pray several times a day for him. I have never been so touched in my life. I don't know why but I can't read enough about Joshua and I love all the pictures. You take amazing photos! I am amazed at how well he is doing. You have a wonderful little boy. Your daughter is just beautiful too. God Bless! By the way, I have passed on your story to so many people and they are praying as well. It's like the story heard around the world!

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  50. Hi Susie!

    I came across your blog this morning and it truely touched my heart!!! What an angel Joshua is. I will be lifting your family up in prayer!!! My you continue have many more precious days with your family. Just know that many are praying for your family all over the world..even here in the US in Texas!!!
    Hilary

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  51. Much love & many prayers from Minnesota.

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  52. I read your blog. I got here through Tarah Goodson (I don't even think she knows I read HER blog!) and have been praying for you and your family.

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  53. I learned about Joshua through Babyfit. He is a beautiful little boy that is teaching the world that love conquers all. Keep fighting, little boy! Praying for him here in Colorado...

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  54. Matt and Susie

    All of us here at Loudon Congregational in New Hampshire are praying for you guys!

    Uncle Joe

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  55. Matt & Susie,
    We have been keeping up with your family through your blog. We keep praying for you all. Love you!
    Dave and Sue

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  56. Hi Matt & Susie
    Found you through Anna, and we are praying for your family.
    Tami (Ont. Canada)

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  57. truecharms from August 2006 on Babyfit - I'm praying for Joshua and your whole family! BIG HUGS to all of you!!!

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  58. I'm reading your blog and praying for your family daily.

    Joshua is so lucky to be surrounded by all the love and joy of your family.

    Meredith

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  59. I check your blog everyday. I found a link about your family at navelgazingmidwife.blogspot.com. You are an amazing mother... your strength and courage is inspiring. Keep giving Joshua kisses. How lucky he is to have you as a mom!

    Sending love and strength from a mother of two in California

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  60. Praying for you a and your precious boy!

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  61. Praying for you in California. Thank you for showing trust in Gods providence. It is helping my faith. God's ways are so above our ways that it is hard to see Him working in our lives, until he sends us all a heart like yours. May God be praised for His mercy!

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  62. I'm also from Babyfit and have been following your journey.
    I've been praying for your family. Joshua is so beautiful. He's a strong little boy!

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  63. I've been praying for your family. I'm going to pass on your blog to all my family and friends.
    Joshua is so beautiful. He's such a stong little boy.

    another babyfit member

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  64. Reading in Russia here. Not the praying sort, but I think of your little family often and check the blog every day. Joshua's story is just amazing, in all aspects.

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  65. Praying in Michigan! Blessings to you all!
    Katie

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  66. Thinking of you and praying for you daily in Germany.

    Dianne

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  67. Susie & Matt,
    Of course we're praying for you & read your blog everyday! Mommyhood is amazing, I'm learning and you have double the blessings with two! We love you guys, Anna & John

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  68. I'm in awe of your strength (and Josh's strength!!) and abilities! Knowing that this strength is from God helps me understand better. Prayers and thoughts for you all.
    Tom (Jenny's brother in law) in New Hampshire

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  69. I think I got to the blog via Navelgazing Midwife. I am in Jerusalem, and have been following...and hoping.

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  70. I'm friends with some of your Elim connections and have been praying for you guys for awhile now. Joshua is just lovely and I'm so happy you guys are able to have him at home. You guys are an amazing family!!!

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  71. We've been praying for your family for months, since we heard about Joshua's challenges from Seth & Tarah. Joshua is BEAUTIFUL! We're so excited to see the pics of him, at home, with his family. God's everyday miracles are AWESOME - we're still believing Him for more.
    -Jeff & Lori [NY]

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  72. Hey Susie! I read your blog almost daily & Noah & I pray just as often:) Love you guys!

    Noah & Jennie Mauer

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  73. Prayers for you from Houston, Texas. God Bless!

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  74. My favorite picture is of you kissing him, because I can just imagine you are breathing in his scent, filling your heart with his baby-ness, taking in memories. I love seeing that picture, and the other ones where you exude the joy of a mom in love with her newborn and full of the peace that comes from knowing he is successfully nursing.
    c

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  75. I check up on you and your family daily! You are never far from my thoughts and never out of my heart. Bless you and your family!

    Sarah from Nebraska.

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  76. I first found you through navelgazingmidwife and have been reading about 2-3 weeks now.

    Praying for you from Oregon, USA!

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  77. I actually just found your blog today, I linked over from Andrea's. I want you to know that I am praying for you and your sweet baby boy. I am in awe of your delightful disposition despite the circumstance. You truly are a testament of the goodness of God, of His unfailing love.

    May you and yours be blessed.

    Kim from Florida

    www.thedudleyfamily.blogspot.com

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  78. Your story has touched me tremendously. Praying for your family

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  79. I'm here...a little behind on reading right now, but I am praying for you all still!

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  80. Happy 1 wonderful week Birtday Joshua

    ~ Deb :)

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  81. Hey guys!
    I finally found your blog and wanted to let you know that the whole Dinger family is keeping you in our prayers (even 4 yr old Morgan).
    Stay stong and stay focused and enjoy your little guy!!! We'll keep those prayers flowing!
    Joel, Kim, & Morgan Dinger

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  82. Matt and Susie, JT, Becca, Jordan and I pray for you all daily! Your FOL Family here in middletown loves you and misses you and guys you truly inspire us!! I remember Matt as a rambunctious 10 year old and then as a crazy teen and to see the man of God he has grown into has given me hope as a mother that raising a child in the admonition and the nuture of the Lord is sooooo true!! Your family is right in the throne room of God! Blessings from Middletown!! Teresa Heagy

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  83. I am praying for you and your family. You are such great parents

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  84. Yes I read your blog. Your faith, patience and happiness is inspiring.

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  85. Your blog was posted on a Mom's Board I am on. What a blessing Joshua is. I love the pics, he is adorable. I will pray for you all.

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  86. :) still reading and praying in Canada!

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  87. Another reader from Canada, my thoughts are with you and your family. :) you all seem so strong and beautifull and i wish you the best with everything

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  88. I've just found your blog tonight - through the Babyfit site. I am so tremendously inspired by you and your Joshua. What a blessing he is! Our 4 month old "says" prayers with his mommy every night before bed, and we'll make sure to add Joshua and your family to our list. God bless!

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  89. I am now just reading your blog. What an inspiration your faith-life is to me.
    What a precious picture of Oceana holding Joshua's hands. It brought tears to this mamma's eyes.

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  90. I just want to let you know, I just found your blog. And I am reading it, and praying for your family.

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