Two years ago, 10-year-old Kayla Woodhouse and her family sat nervously hoping to hear Ty Pennington's voice break through the cool fall morning. 

The previous year "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" had contacted the Woodhouses after learning of Kayla's rare medical condition and the family's need for a home. Now Kayla, her 12-year-old brother, Josh, and their parents waited together, wondering if the Extreme team would choose them or another family in need.

Unusual Case

Kayla has Hereditary Sensory Autonomic Neuropathy, a rare nerve disorder where the brain doesn't get a signal when the body is hot, cold or in pain. Most people automatically sweat when they get hot, but since Kayla's body doesn't work that way, she could overheat in minutes and her organs would begin to shut down. Kayla must stay in a cool environment (not over 65° F), which often keeps her inside, unable to go out with family and friends.

In March 2006, an MRI showed that Kayla had another rare condition: Her brain was growing into her spinal column. To correct the problem, Kayla had brain decompression surgery. 

Huge medical bills caused the Woodhouses to lose their home. Friends let them borrow a house, but the family needed a permanent place of its own. The Woodhouses knew they were candidates for "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" but didn't know if they would be chosen. Either way they trusted that God would provide for them.

Welcome Sound

"Good morning, Woodhouse Family!" Ty Pennington's voice boomed over a bullhorn. "Come on out here!"

Josh and Kayla ran outside, followed by their parents. The waiting and wondering were over!

"In seven days, you guys are going to have a home again," Ty said.

While the Extreme team went to work, the Woodhouses were sent by limousine to a week's vacation in Breckenridge, Colorado, where the outside temperature would be cool enough for Kayla.

"My favorite part was touring a mine and panning for gold," Kayla says. Josh most enjoyed ice-skating and hockey.

At the end of a great week, the Woodhouses climbed out of the limo and stood with Ty. A large bus blocked their view. They joined the crowd in shouting "Move that bus!" As it pulled forward, the family caught sight of a beautiful, new home. Their mouths dropped open in amazement as they laughed, cried and hugged each other. Then it was time to peek inside.

Dream Design

When Kayla stepped into her room, she could hardly believe her eyes. "A fish tank?!" One wall featured a built-in aquarium while the others displayed colorfully painted fish and tropical plants. To Kayla's delight, a waterbed completed the theme.

But the surprises weren't over. Knowing Kayla couldn't get out much, designer Ed Sanders brought the fun to her. In the basement, an incredible sight met the family's eyes:

• a bowling lane, complete with a digital scoreboard and neon sign reading "Woodhouse Lanes"

• an old-fashioned ice cream parlor with a display case of mouth-watering ice cream flavors and numerous topping dispensers

• a "drive-in" movie theatre featuring a huge screen and seats built into partial frames of shiny, red 1965 Ford Mustangs

"We could have a big birthday party!" Kayla said. "It's awesome!"

Right at Home

In the almost two years the Woodhouses have been in their new home, they've invited friends over and had a blast together.

"I especially love family nights," Kayla says, "because we play games, watch movies, talk and laugh at each other's corny jokes!"

Kayla loves hanging out with her family and thinks kids should do that more. Her brother, Josh, is one of her best friends.

"We hardly ever argue," Josh says, "and when we do . . . five minutes later we can't remember what it was about!"

Josh looks out for Kayla and watches for signs that she's getting too hot. The siblings enjoy many of the same things, from writing stories together to both being on swim teams.

Swimming is the one sport Kayla can dive into without overheating, since the water helps keep her body cool. 

"I want to be an Olympic swimmer and open a building to help people without homes," Kayla says. Between team and individual practices, she spends hours a day in the pool.

"While I'm swimming laps, I recite memory verses or pray or sing songs in my head," she says.

That same focus helped when she had to lie very still for a 90-minute, double-length MRI brain scan. Kayla has endured more than a dozen similar scans, and it's been hard getting through all the medical procedures. Though she doesn't feel sorry for herself, Kayla says she needs God's help to have a good attitude about everyday stuff.

"I've been working on that a lot lately," Kayla says, "and making sure that in my day there's enough time to be with God." She has personal devotions every morning and does a Bible study with her mom.

"God is the No. 1 priority in our family's life," Kayla says. Her relationship with God enables her to meet the unique challenges of her condition with surprising joy.

If your family would like to know more of Kayla's story, go to http://family.christianbook.com/, and search for Welcome Home. This interesting book, written by Kayla's mom, Kimberley Woodhouse, includes a 16-page photo insert.