What Do You See?

No surprise, I instantly saw the profiles of Darren and Trevor. I love this picture. I was looking for something different, deeper...something to think about. I am a thinker. I expend a lot of energy on my thoughts...sometimes too much. Which may be the reason that I backed my car into a tree yesterday! Always so in thought that I forget to pay attention to details...like trees behind me. I guess I find myself on the brink of 35 wondering what this world is all about. Pondering all the phrases that I have heard a million times, but never heartfully considered.

Don't worry, Be Happy
Don't sweat the little things
Everything happens for a reason
If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all
Live a life of purpose
God only gives you what you can handle

Yes, it's that kind of day for me. Perplexed by this world. I am a believer that things happen for a reason. I am impatient though. I KNOW things will work out...but I don't want to wait too long. Then, when I start to doubt, amazingly it comes back to me full circle. I love that concept as well...coming full circle. It's like God is saying, "SEE silly...I told you it would all work out...just trust me next time". Basically JUST BELIEVE. So on this nasty, cold, and icy day, I will breathe and believe and relax to the best of my ability and try to put my thoughts to rest.

More Than Words

I absolutely find them fascinating! It's wonderful to watch them these days. They have been together EVERYDAY for over four years now, but NOW is when it is all coming together. Trevor is a wonderful brother. Darren is not a typical anything. So their magic is a miracle. We went to the mall the other day to play in the play area, which we have done many times before. But this time, they played TOGETHER the entire time. Darren wanted Trevor to chase him. Trevor obliged...they'd laugh...and did it over and over again....without words. I did intervene at one point and started making Darren say "g" for get and them put his hand to his chest to indicate "me". THEN, the chase would begin. Their laughter is contagious because it seems impossible. How do they understand each other SO well? How do they communicate without words? Darren initiates play with Trevor now, and Trevor loves it...he's been waiting for it for so long now. The time has come:) AND We are seeing such great improvement in Darren's socialization and sound production. What a TEAM!

Candy

This was taken this week! He is trying SOOO hard. Here we are working on sounds. I show him the flash card with the letter on it, and he says the sound. After he gets a couple correct, he is rewarded with candy. Listen to this voice!!!! So proud of him.

A Conversation from the Heart

As we approach Valentine's Day, I thought I'd share a conversation between Trevor and his cousin Jacob that warmed my heart. We were all in the car and unfortunately, I can't remember how it started...
Trevor may have said something like: " Ya know Darren can't talk".
Jacob: "I know, and I feel really bad for him. But he is doing so great and has come so far."
Trevor: "But we are teaching him."
Jacob: "Well even though he can't talk yet, at least he has sign language to help him tell us what he wants."
Trevor: "I know sign language"
Jacob: "I know how to sign my name" (He correctly signs each letter)
Trevor: "ME too" (He makes up every single letter :)
We all laugh!

I was touched at the realness of the conversation. Kids pay attention and notice things. Just when you think they aren't, the truth is that they already have it all figured out!