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!

Here we are!!! Sorry it's not Hi-Def by any means, but at least this gives everyone an idea of what we are doing. Like I said before, Rome wasn't built in a day. This is on the job training for me. I am learning so much. Watching him work is so intriguing to me, keep in mind that I am a Psychology major. I am enjoying the process and learning so much about my son. I have been so stressed lately. Trying to train myself overnight, I guess. Silly. Everything takes time. I am just happy that he is responding to me well. He is sitting for a least a 30 to 45 minutes and we are figuring it out. There is a rhythm to this. Constant feedback is the hardest thing. Taping it helps me to see when I missed opportunities to praise, re-direct, or whatever. Every missed opportunity for feedback breaks the rhythm. When done well, it's like singing along perfectly to your favorite song. That's the only way I can think of explaining it. Anyways. Check it out

Rome Wasn't Built in a Day

SO many thoughts in my head tonight. Haven't been very good about taking many pictures of the boys these days so I have had to be a little more creative. This picture is actually perfect for how I am feeling today. As I have mentioned earlier, a main part of Darren's progress is due to his ABA in home therapy. Well, I have decided to start taking part in this learning process. It's one of those situations when things happen and you KNOW exactly what you have to do. I have always been interested in it, but honestly was just overwhelmed with twin toddlers and well...just that. We have all stepped up to the next level over the last year. So, it's time. I have been reading so much, and those who know me, know that I don't read a whole lot. I am becoming a student of Applied Behavior Analysis and Verbal Behavior. Once I decided to start doing this, I felt a huge amount of responsibility pile on my shoulders. Wasn't sleeping well, etc. But there is power in knowlegde. I keep telling myself, he is MY son. Why wouldn't I want to know the best possible ways to teach him and interact with him? The truth is, I am really looking forward to it. I just want to make sure that I know what I am doing. Thank goodness for friends. I have found that people that have been part of this journey, are always willing to help when called upon. Even if it's been weeks or months...it's amazing. The support has been great. I will happy to tell about some of our sessions as soon as we get going consistently. So far, he has responded well. But Rome wasn't built in a day!

Trevor is still a major super hero fan. He is already playing PlayStation 2 games like a 10 year old. His eye hand coordination is crazy good and he actually knows what he is doing. Bunckle B is is favorite person to play these games with because he knows all the tricks! He had a great time doing so this weekend. He gets so into it that he starts referring to himself and others as those particular superheros. Trevor is a 4 year old in a 10 year old body. When we all went out to dinner this weekend, Trevor had a very hard time and was acting out quite a bit. On the way home, I asked him why he was being this way. His response was great, " because I want everyone to listen to me". I was so impressed with his honestly, that I just thanked him for being so truthful. But, just like when he is at school and has to share his toys, when we are all together we have to share taking turns talking and listening. He is so fun, yet so stubborn. Amazing. I know this....they are who they are for a reason. Wonderfully different and challenging in their own ways. Never a dull moment is a common saying in our house!

Super Friends

The other day Trevor had some friends over to play. He really enjoys the Super Friends now and asked if he and his friends could watch it. Sure! So they played downstairs for some time and I kept checking on them. It was very cute actually, they would watch the show and play Super Friends at the same time. I think that Trevor was Batman. Well, Trevor, being the observant boy that he is, noticed that the Super Friends wear there "underwear" on the outside of their outfits. So to my surprise, the next time I checked on our little friends, they had all taken off their underwear, put their pants back on, and had put their underwear on the outside of the pants. I laughed histerically and was quite impressed with their creativity. Kids:)