Thankful

“So often we dwell on the things that seem impossible rather than on the things that are possible. So often we are depressed by what remains to be done and forget to be thankful for all that has been done.”

Aaron and I actually talk a lot about what we are thankful for. It is always about our kids.

We are so thankful that Neve is Neve- crazy smart and able to manipulate us in a single bound. It just means she's on track to rule the world some day. :)

We are ALWAYS aware and thankful that BOTH our kids SLEEP...and I mean almost never waking up for 12 hours and falling asleep within 10 minutes of being put to bed. The overwhelming stories we have heard of kids like Nate and sleep issues make us incredibly grateful for the gift of sleep in our lives.

We are thankful for our families- all of them...for always giving us hope and help for Nate. Our life is emotionally and financially draining and sometimes it gets to be too much. It's nice to know we CAN send out an S.O.S. and it's usually answered!

But what we have been looking back on lately is Nate and his progress. The quote at the top really hit home for me as I know I am blinded sometimes by my consuming need to help Nate reach for the stars, that I sometimes fail to see how far he has climbed. Maybe it's easier to reflect this year as compared to last year as he is thriving in school this year.

Most everyone reading this knows Nate's story, I am sure, but let me recap. Nate stopped babbling at one year following his MMR vaccination. Nate didn't even SPEAK A WORD til right around his 4th birthday. That's over 3 YEARS of silence and only repeating small sounds.

This is Nate at 3 1/2 years old..just a little younger than Neve right now. I remember this day so clearly. Anna, Nate's aide, came running up from Nate's therapy room at our house and was so proud and excited to show us what Nate was saying. He was finally repeating sounds. This was a HUGE step for him.

The next video is from exactly 2 years ago. Nate was 4 1/2 years old and was starting to label one word objects and actions. We were amazed.

Now fast forward two years to today. Nate is 6 years old and this is what our amazing boy can do.

Nate can read almost any new book we throw at him. He isn't memorizing them..he is READING them. Wow. That blows my mind to even write that. Aaron and I are both BEAMING with pride.

I told Aaron tonight how it reminded me of an old proverb or quote I heard somewhere once about never being afraid of going slowly, only be afraid of standing still. So, so true.

SO thank you, Nateman, for showing me what it really means to be THANKFUL.
Love,
your proud, proud Mommy