The boy can speak...

One of the autistic students in the class next to mine spoke today for the first time I am aware of. His teacher says it has happened before but I had never heard him. I had some SI (sensory Integration) items like large Koosh balls, fiber optic lights and Flarp (putty that farts when you push it into the container...seriously) and we had been playing with them and dancing around the clas. After a while I sat down with him and another student and were doing a color identifying activity on the computer. A minute later he looked and me and said, "i like that." In shock I said, "did any one hear that?" The others in the room didn't believe me and tried to beckon him to speak again. A few minutes later after the drama had died down, he said it again, this time loud enough that one of the other adults heard him. Now she had worked with this student for 3 years and said she had never heard him talk. I think that's pretty cool. 3 years...2 sentences... yeah were patient people.

The Baby Lab

A friend of ours is a professor at the University of South Alabama Physical Therapy Department. I was asked to bring Paige and Annalee in so the students could practice on them as they learn to assess their normal development and see what they could or couldn't do. I was a little nervous because Annalee is not totally walking on her own and I didn't want anybody to think she was developmentally delayed or something (even though I know she's fine!). So, we get in there and I sat with Annalee and Paige went with a few other students very willingly! Annalee did great, and performed all her tricks for them. In the meantime I have no idea what my little Paige is up to in the other room! They were trying to get her to kick a ball. Now, can Paige kick a ball? Absolutely. We kick the soccer ball around almost every day. But, do you think she kicked the ball! No. She acted like they were speaking a foreign language to her! She kept picking it up and throwing it instead. So, I finally get her to kick the ball so that these students don't think that this is the first time she's ever laid eyes on a ball! Some of the other things they asked her to do, she didn't do right because I don't necessarily let her. Like stand on top of a step stool and jump off. I don't let her just jump off of things, so she naturally held on to the table and stepped down politely. I was partly proud of that, cause really she's just obeying what I tell her to do! Going up and down stairs is another thing. We don't have stairs in our house, so when we're around alot of steps I like her to hold my hand when proceeding up and down things. To sum it up, I think they did fine, but I find myself wanting my kids to do the best. I attribute that to my own competitive nature! However, I think I'll always believe that they are the cutest and the smartest no matter what! I'm a little biased you know. The baby lab is over so now I think I'll go outside with Paige and kick that flippin' soccer ball!

Paige's birthday was lots of fun. The most fun for me was leaving and not having to clean up anything. What a sigh of relief! Paige was a cutie. She enjoyed herself thoroughly!. She played her little heart out, rode the train at least a hundred times, and we actually had to continue to put her back in her seat to finish opening presents. She was very preoccupoied with the choo-choo! Her cousins and friends all came and those who couldn't make it were definitely missed. I still can't believe she's three, but I look forward to celebrating many more birthday's and milestones with her.

Well the results are in... and it looks like my heart is in good condition. That brings a sigh of relief since my mother has had heart issues early in her life but I guess the fact that I just finished a marathon should have been a pretty good source of comfort. I'm not out of the water yet, I still need to lose a few lb's and exercise more...but they tell everybody that these days. I guess I'll put off eating that tub of butter for a few years and focus and shaping this temple up a little bit.

Paige is 3!!!!!!!!!!

Paige is 3!!!!!!

Oops! One of Annalee snuck in here!

Have three years already gone by? I cannot believe it! My precious Paige is three years old. On Feb. 16, 2004 @ 2:50 pm, our long-awaited first daughter made her entrance into this world. She's grown so much and has taught me more than I could ever dream of teaching her, and she's only 3! The Lord has blessed her already with such a sweet obedient spirit. She has taught us that children truly are a blessing from the Lord, and on most days makes us want to have 10 more just like her! Annalee loves her and Paige already mothers her baby sister so sweetly. She's got a sense of humor right up her Daddy's alley! Throughout the last couple of years she's been one busy bee. Starting as a chubby yummy baby with cheeks and thighs that received countless kisses, she's growing so tall and really does take my breath away at times with the striking outward and inward beauty that the Lord has blessed her with. She's been our ladybug, cinderella (make no mistake that she truly is a princess!), a ballerina, a big sister, and a great playmate. I've posted a few pictures over the last couple of years and you can see several of those aspects in them! She's irresistible (at least I think so)!!!! So, HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAIGE! I count it pure joy with every remembrance of you!

My Valentine!

I don't know if other people know it, but I have the sweetest husband in the world! He loves me better and better every day. Which is amazing because you'd think that the more you got to know someone, the harder they might be to love! He truly strives to love me like Christ loves the church. With Valentine's day just around the corner, I felt compelled to recognize publicly, this wonderful man. It's fun to watch our girls, especially Paige, because she can talk, and see some of his personality in them. Not to mention, that Paige also looks just like him too! I really see his heart in how he loves all three of us girls, and we know that aside from Christ, no one could possibly love us more!

Choose between two...

It has finally come to the point in my life where I must make the choice...vocational ministry or full time teaching. The need for greater education has presented itself on both fronts and I must make a clear line in the sand and choose what to pursue. I know the Lord is in control over this matter as I wrestle with my hearts desires. So I ask, anyone who has an opinion speak now and let me hear what you think! Spare no comments or suggestions. All are welcome at this table.