Hmmm

Well this week has been busy and so glad Friday is coming closer- Visited and therapy with Marcus tonight- he was drawing animals he is getting creative- his mind is opening up- it is amazing to watch him think - i sit and look at him with aww because it is truly amazing when the right meds and right tools have begun to sink in what can happen no visit to see him this weekend- but next weekend he will be home just for the weekend- the transformation is amazing and each week is better and better- he is excelling in academics and the principal said today that he earns the privilege of dunking him in a dunk tank because he focused well on his FCATS.

Glorious Days

This is one of my favorite songs- and it is so for this time of year- Easter is a little over a week away- let us remember the reason for the celebration of Easter and its not for easter bunnies but the fact that Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose again- so let's celebrate the fact He died for you- and if you were the only one on the planet He would have done it again- let us celebrate the fact He rose again- and is ALIVE!!!

Praise, Preserve, Precious

Praise - we had a class today on praise- ( it was kind of a repeat for me- they are using USF curriculum - and I went through the entire training- always good though to refresh)- need to praise 8 times so we get the change in behavior that we want to every 1- something I had known but always good to have reminders

Preserve- Marcus and I went to a local preserve in Bradenton - spent 2 hours walking the trail- went on the observation deck- saw lots of sand crabs- and fish jumping- it was hot-fortunately I was prepared with water and food post walk- he was happy :)

Precious- my son has a very creative mind and told me a story the entire 2 hour walk- all about me as I was little and used to swim and how grannie made me a special swim suit to beat Michael Phelps cause he never congratulates anyone- and how I beat him and said good job to the other swimmers and I had dive shoes as well- and he went on and on- and how people should not be prideful cause then they will fall ( i have taught him and so has the Bible about how pride comes before a fall) and this lasted the entire walk - I mean the entire walk- I think I spoke 5-10 times at the most. The thing I love about the story is it was all positive and things I have told him- actually was listening to me- just when I thought he never was. it was precious.

ok sometimes it is a struggle

relax.... it will be alright- ok i write like i think (right Gayle- atleast i capitalized your name) ok so i struggle at times- what is it- well i am working on it- i struggle with.... are you ready- i know this will be earth shattering- ok here it is-

of how i can chillax when dealing with Marcus- i know i know you all say its easy - well you know i have dealt with being on the edge or eggshells for so long its hard to switch to the thought of him not going off the edge or having what i now call a stress meltdown. i need to change thought process and the more i work with him and see how he responds to things the more i will relax and understand he will not have those moments- it will take time on my part-

learning not to lecture during escalation and allowing him to work through it-finding a place of comfort while he brings himself down- not being concerned with what they term junk behavior ( ok some of you do not say i told you so here ok)

so mom has work to do as well as Marcus-

he told his therapist what triggers moms' reactions- hmmm- manipulation- raise your hand if you told me this already- go ahead - i see you :)

we are striving ahead and learning each day- I do like his therapist- she is great and really has his best interest and mine at hand-

So I will learn as we come back together as a family how not to expect the worst- but expect the best- sometimes it may just be all in my expectations-

Had a little set back

ok yesterday Ms day was a little bit of a set back- he had a couple of restraints- he just did not work on his coping skills like he should have- he did not do well on a test and just lost control-and then when the report had to be written about it- he lost control again. he just did not get himself under control like he needs too- we had a good family session last night- he is talking more and more and owning his behaviors- Saturday is family day so I will be going there and then afterwards take Marcus for a few hour pass. so glad today is Friday-its been a long week- not a bad week just a long week

It's a reflection post

this is now- this is where we are- we are in the process of Marcus becoming whole - tranformed- renewed- through God and the gift of therapist and doctors and nurses. It was a struggle to get here- it was not easy-yet I am strengthened by the progress he has made.

My track star a year ago- improved and winning medals- so proud of him and his track- we had a good year behavioral up until October- the summer was good - we both learned a lot through the help of Mr Carini-taking time to work with us

Oh my his first year of track - what did we get ourselves into- well we got ourselves into the most amazing group of coaches, kids, and parents- we got ourselves into a family- this was a tough year as far as behavior-aggression -he was spiraling 2 times this year-

happy picture time- we had fun doing these photos-

2 years as a family-the fun had just begun- behaviors were increasing- meds changing -we got to be on the field with the USF players and we met Leroy Selmon

We found soccer and he loved it and he was just learning and he found he was good at it- yes something for him to focus on

Kindercare in Seffner- tested on target with smarts-kicking the door 37 times- it was time to get help and so the journey began

Before I got him- what happened to you - we may never know- what I do know it changed your life and mine forever

baby Marcus- came into the world under difficult circumstances-

Are you Serious?

These were the words I heard yesterday when I showed up to church with Marcus- We celebrated his birthday this weekend and he was on pass for 24 hours. the question was an excited like I can not believe it-

Yes today my son turns 10- I do not know how his birth went- I do not know how many hours of labor there was- but I do know my life was forever changed when he was born- although I did not know until 4 and half years after his birth that would happen.

We had a good weekend and I lsaw first hand what he has been learning and how the medication he is on is working

So HAPPY 10th BDAY Marcus John- I love you and proud of how you are doing - God is truly working in yor life