Update 8/20/2010

Grant continues to make slow but steady progress. He began occupational therapy (OT) earlier this month (praise the Lord!). This therapy focuses on giving Grant sensory integration (giving his body the input it needs for his craving senses) and strengthening his fine motor skills. So far I do not see any improvements in these areas but it is early. Grant struggles to feed himself independently with a spoon or fork. I try to work on this daily with him but, lately, find myself becoming overwhelmed with frustration. Grant's speech progress is best described as taking two steps forward and then one step backward. He continues to pick up new words and sounds but also loses a couple at the same time. His eating skills have also stalled. Grant has difficulties positioning food in his mouth to chew it effectively and frequently uses his fingers to push food back into his mouth . He also struggles to bite through food. I cut up all his food into bite-size pieces because he cannot bite through them and gags easily (ie: Grant still cannot eat a whole banana - I have to slice it up for him). I am hoping to order supplies for jaw rehabilitation therapy soon. Thankfully, Aaron got a painting job so we can purchase a couple items Grant needs. Additional, Grant will begin brush therapy next week. Using a surgical brush, I will brush Grant's arms, legs, and back in a certain way every four hours for two weeks. (it could be extended up to two months if necessary). This will be done to wake-up Grant's nerves. Soon Grant will begin wearing a weighted vest. He will wear the vest in two hour cycles. This will last about a month but could also be extended if needed. In spite of Grant's daily struggles, he is still the happiest boy I know.

Crazy-hair Grant

Grant has become mommy's little helper. He enjoys sweeping the floor, cleaning his mirror, and putting his books and toys away. He is great at following directions and learns something new every day.

Wesley looks up to his big brother with such awe and love. No one entertains him better than Grant. Wesley is working hard at sitting and will begin cereal next week. I cannot believe how fast he is growing up. I love his chubby legs and cheeks. He is sleeping through the night - most nights.

Aaron is back in the classroom. Teachers reported back to work on Wednesday (the 18th). Aaron has mixed feelings about this school year. He puts so much work into each lesson and cares for each student. It frustrates him greatly when some of the students don't seem to care about their schoolwork or about their education as a whole. It was a good summer for Aaron. He enjoyed the change of pace painting gave him, doing a little fishing, playing church softball and seeing his longtime friend get married.

For whatever reason, the past couple of weeks have been very emotional for me. I am struggling with intense feelings of fear, sadness, and jealousy. I am reminded that I am a very weak person. Lately, as I am begging God to heal Grant, 2 Corinthians 12:9 comes to mind. When Paul repeatedly asks God to take away "a thorn in the flesh", God replies and makes it very clear that there is a purpose to the suffering: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness." I love Paul's response: "Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me." Oh to have the strength to be weak. Does that make sense? I can't say that I am anywhere near boasting about my weaknesses but I do know that Christ is working in me - and that alone is something to be thankful for.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13