Our Boy

     I am always grateful when I am out and someone asks me how Levi is doing.  I know that it can be hard to know what to say to someone whose child does not live in their home.  I have been there too.  You don't want to say the wrong thing, appear awkward, or embarrass anyone.  Please know, though, that although the decision was one of the most difficult that Toby and I have made in our years together, we are not embarrassed or ashamed. We made the best decision for Levi and for our family so that everyone's needs can be met.  I think of it in terms of medical treatment that a child might need -we would never withhold medicine from them so why avoid providing developmental, daily living, and educational support when it is needed?

     Levi lives in a group home setting in a great neighborhood.  He is just over an hour away from home and he is home with us every other weekend.  We are excited to have him come to Florida with us next week and it will be fun to spend more time with him. He goes to a public school and he is taking drum lessons and attending a church youth group. He regularly goes to the pool and the skate park.  He is more like his peers than he is not and he is THRIVING.

     We have noticed a new maturity when Levi is home with us and we have seen huge growth in him.  He has learned strategies to manage his behavior and to avoid becoming overwhelmed.  He is thoughtful and respectful to his siblings and to Toby and I.  His teachers and the staff at his home have taken a special interest in helping him to be successful and it shows.

     Earlier this year, we met with Levi's teachers to decide whether he should be on track to receive a traditional or a modified diploma.  They felt strongly that Levi can achieve a regular diploma and we agreed with the knowledge that we can make a change later if needed.  Months later, we are planning for him to transition to a large public high school closer to his home because he no longer needs the extra support of his current program.  Last week, we received Levi's report card and he received a 4.0!!!  All traditional classes and coursework.  There are no words to describe my pride in his hard work and determination.

     So, when you ask, this is how Levi is doing.  He is working hard to overcome the challenges that are the result of his birth mother's poor choices.  He is a smart, kind, respectful young man and I believe he has great potential to make a difference in the world.  I am so glad that you asked:)

My Heart

We went to Astoria today to take my dad his Father's Day gift of three Koi for his backyard pond.  We had a great visit and then we (Toby, Angela and I) stopped at Fort George Brewery for dinner.  If you have not been there, you should go.  The atmosphere is relaxed and inviting and the menu is great.

The owners of the restaurant set up a play space with toys and games in a corner near our table.  At first Angie did not want to play but then three boys close to her age entered the play area.  She decided to join them and Toby and I watched while we waited for our dinner.  Those boys are lucky I did not kidnap them.  They came close to Miss Angela right away, asked her name, and started helping her with the games that were out.  They smiled, laughed, high-fived, smiled, fist-bumped, and played.  At one point, one of the boys came to me and said, "Your daughter is SO cute."  Those boys acted like she was the best thing since cell phones. Angela asked us to get her a box because she did not want to stop playing to eat.  We spoke to the boys parents before we left and they were just as enamored with Angela as we were with their sons.

Let me be very clear........we have moved past the idea of being grateful when children play with Angela.  Why should we be?  She is funny, kind, sweet, engaging, social, and so much more.  This is a challenge, I think, for many parents of children with special needs.  Here is what we have decided-kids with special needs are more like other children than they are different.  They have so much to offer other kids, and these boys knew it.  I think the idea of typically developing children avoiding children with special is needs is born in the minds of adults.  Kids do not care.  There are exceptions of course but we rarely experience kids being unkind to our girl.

Today was a good day.  I loved watching Angela play with her new friends and to see their delight in her.  We have had some tough days lately and I am grateful for the reminder of our girl's ability to impact others with her amazing spirit.  And, as a bonus, I ran into my beautiful cousin Meghan on my way out.  It was a very good day.