Hello all!
The adventures carry on here. Mason continues to amaze us all the time.
This Mother’s Day weekend, Pastor Bev prayed for the moms in a beautiful long list of detail, including the moms of kids with special needs. She prayed about the ‘daily miracles’. A few of things impacted me as she prayed this. 1. Others have a window into what God is doing in my life as a mom to Mason. 2. Yes, there ARE daily miracles, even when they seem non-existent. 3. How often I overlook the daily miracles in the lives of our daughters in their own struggles, even if they aren’t as drastic as Mason’s.
So here are some of those daily miracles!
· In the last few weeks Mason has started ‘telling’ us about his day! For example: Auntie Kim played with him in the back yard last week. A couple of hours after she left, Mason looks at me and says, “Kim…….. pay……..box.” He was telling me that Kim had played with him in the sand box! WOW!!!
· He also gets it into his head that he wants to go to the trailer. He is starting to think abstract. Normally he says words that have to do with what he can see or touch – right now. Lately he just says “…ler” (trailer) out of the blue, which means he’s thinking about it without us saying anything. Saturday he wouldn’t get out of the car because he had decided he was going to the “….ler”.
· He is modifying his behavior a little more often when given the choice to obey Mommy, or go to his room for time-out. Putting him on the couch for time-out just doesn’t seem to be working any more. He does not like getting locked in his room for that minute or two!
· Words. He keeps getting more of them and is saying them better. After years of “yeah” or “yup”, in the last two days he has started saying “yes”. Sounding a bit like “yesh”. He wants to speak so much. He tries so hard and repeats us a lot. Most of the time if we tell him to say something he will, eagerly. Then when I want to show him off, he just clams up.
· He fights with the girls more. Yeah, fun….. I keep trying to tell the girls that this is what typical brothers do. They still get mad at him!! I changed vehicles in December. 5 year old Acura MDX - 7 SEATS!!!! Not as big as a van, I liked my Honda Accord because I could zip around. The Acura is actually shorter than my car was! So I can still make easy u-turns for all the times I pass the street I’m supposed to turn at! Now the girls sit in the third row most of the time. They arrive home without injuries, and Mommy is just that much more relaxed and in control of her emotions.
· School. Mason still loves it. I pop into his special ed class often, and he gives me a big hug, or just says “mom” half a dozen times. But he doesn’t cry, he knows he’ll see mommy soon again! The elementary school is doing a musical this week and all the kids are involved. Apparently Mason is actually doing quite well at the choreographed dance steps his grade 2 class is doing!!
· Chalk drawing on the sidewalk. He often takes that chalk and makes little strokes as he says, “M….A….O….N”. He practices ‘writing’ his name a lot at school. He tries to draw a ‘face’.
· Mason loves watching all kinds of TV shows and movies. He is repeating so much of what he hears on the TV, songs, actions. Same with games he plays on the computer. www.starfall.com is an amazing website for learning to read. Well the alphabet and numbers for Mason for now, but it has up to Grade 1 or 2 level stuff!!
· A miracle-to-be: potty training. So far not even a glimpse of it, but one day…………. Thankfully the ‘goodnights’ and other supplies are funded and get delivered.
· We’ve just had an increase in respite funding, and our social worker is looking for more funding for us. Recently we went for a little walk up the street. 6 houses or so. Then Mason decided he didn’t want to go back home with me. Once again the ‘crisis management hold’ was put into effect. But he still pulled up his feet, and I could carry him a few steps, then had to rest. Thankfully my neighbor offered to help and grabbed his legs and we carried him home that way…. Screaming …. Mason that is, although I was inside! But exhausting. Hopefully he becomes easier to manage as his weight and height increase.
· Mason LOVES going to church. He jumps, claps, and squeals during the up-beat music. Sometimes he even shouts “more!”. Enthusiasm without reserve! One time during a slower song of worship, I watched him as he slowly lifted his right hand. He was watching it go up. It looked as though his hand was being pulled up and Mason was just watching it. Was God drawing Mason to himself in that moment? Mason doesn’t have the intellect most of us have, but I believe that God does meet him and communicate with Mason in His own unique way. Child-like faith.
Well that should be all for tonight. There are, of course, many more stories, but you’ve had lots to read for today! Thanks, by the way. Your continued support is so appreciated!!
Shirley
New prayer request:
· Crystal – my second cousin, and family friend growing up – my age, single mom of four – just found out a few days ago that she has 6 tumors. 4 in her brain, 2 on her spinal cord, plus one cyst on her spinal cord. Surgery is coming up for the largest one golf ball size at the back of her brain. Here are her personal prayer requests:
· Prayer requests For now:
· The Doctors - well rested and confident
· the surgery - no cancellations or delays
· No complications - bleeding , infections, freak laryngoscope accidents
· Peace and assurance for me and My family
· That, above all, God will be glorified!
Previous prayer updates:
· 10 year old Cailyn continuing cancer treatments.
· Auntie Darlene. I had the awesome opportunity to fly to Winnipeg for a few days last weekend to see her. (thanks Daryl!!!) I got to spend time with her and Uncle Frank and their daughters. She is nearing the end. She wants to go home now. She is so ready to meet Jesus. Pray that it will come quickly and without any further pain. Thank-you Auntie Darlene for your endless encouragements to me.
…but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31
