God is truly AMAZING!!!!

I still see a boy who has some issues, but I think I am more sensitive to them because I see him more often after a hard day than others do. (couldn't be because I'm dad, or anything, lol)

What you should know is that the Middle School experience has really done EXACTLY what we expected. Having been with mostly adults for the last four months, his "kid-ness" was put away somewhere inside. He was modeling after the adults, waiting until the sentences were finished to speak and taking time to determine his answers.

It was reported that he went back to therapy a slightly different, chatty, energetic child... more like the 12 year old. We see that the school time is a great catalyst for bringing more of the character of Isaac to the forefront.

He told me tonight, as it is my turn to pick him up tomorrow, that he will hang out with his friends on the bench in front of the school and wait on me to text him.

Back to School!!!

So much to tell, and so little time to say it. Isaac started back to school on Wednesday. Mom took him into the office, but apparently he saw some friends right off. They were all excited, waving frantically through the windows at him. The counselor gave him the option of waiting in the office or going into the cafeteria to wait for the bell to ring. He chose the loudness of the cafeteria, and from what I understand was engulfed by more girls than boys at the table where he sat.

Day 1 was good, with homework brought home and done. Trumpet practice caught him up. He is not thinking of alternate solutions to problems yet. In this case, he could not make the sound for a certain note he had previously been able to make. I noticed that no sound was coming from the practice area, and found he was in meltdown (with tears) because of this. I asked him to show me, and nothing but air came out. He started to cry again, and I told him that I could see nothing wrong with the way he was playing. Since I have no knowledge of trumpets, I called Jesse into the room.

There are times when my older son really impresses me, and this was one of those times. Jesse came into the room and sat cross-legged on the floor, looking up at Isaac. Such positioning is perfect to allow the other person to know you are not trying to control them, but assist them. Jesse determined that a valve was not working properly, worked with it, got it working, and was able to get the note Isaac couldn't get. He then reinforced to Isaac that if a strange thing occurs, and you feel like you are doing what you are supposed to be doing, then look next at the instrument to see if it is malfunctioning.

Facebook excerpts:

01/20/12
Someone told me very early on in this journey about their child's dream that Isaac returned to Huffines & "he was fine". I don't remember who told me that, but I do remember thinking "how?" given the dire circumstances at the time. However, I must THANK that person, because as improbable as that sounded then, it did give me something to hold onto... That child's dream came true this week - 4-1/2 months after most thought it not possible. So, thank you GOD for giving that dream to the child & for helping everyone see it come true! :-)

01/18/12
We continue to see how Isaac is VERY covered in prayer! Smooth morning with none of the anxiety we had seen recently! Walked in with two friends, Riley & Reagan, who arrived at the same time. While waiting in the office for the counselor, we saw quite a few more friends walking inside. The ones who saw him were excited to see him. He then chose to wait in the cafeteria "with friends" until the bell rang (instead of the counselor's office). God is amazing to show us his blessings!

Happy New Year

Isaac is back to school tomorrow. His holiday time was well spent, and he only had a couple times where things were a bit much for him. At a family function in East Texas I found him at a skeeball machine, away from the crowd, making due with one ball. At his Aunt's wedding (at her home) he quickly decided that his tablet was safer than the crowd building for New Year's. He did, however, get his grandfather and his uncles involved in Angry Birds on their phones. It gave him a boost the next morning at breakfast to be asked to "help get them to the next level."

I can't say I blame him with crowds. I gravitated to a doorway at the edge of the party myself, because it was getting too crowded for me as well, but I didn't have a tablet to distract me.

Back home yesterday afternoon, we all rested from the whirlwind of a weekend. Isaac, his sister, and I kicked the soccer ball last night in front of the house. He desperately wants to play soccer again. He is getting faster with his processing, but depressed that the doctors said he could not play soccer. I told him doctors "suggest", but it is ultimately his abilities that will determine whether he can play soccer again. He has to be ready to make decisions quickly when he steps on a soccer field as a player, but if he gets halfway there from his present ability he can take the soccer test and referee. He looked at me and said, "you mean I could make money?"

I think we have found the next motivator. (smile)