Going out and about, little at a time

So part of Morgans therapy will be taking her out places to help socialization. We had made the mistake of just telling ourselves we couldn't take her out places right now, that it was too difficult. It was just easier to stay at home. Therefore, our family always split up. Usually Will going with Billy and me staying with Morgan. However, it was revealed to me, that it is time to get her out, so that she can learn how to act in public. How will she learn if we never take her? But the outings can be very short at first. However, on Monday, I prayed about it and then went for it. I took her to the lake for five hours! We weren't actually in the lake, but at a nice cabin with a pool and a swingset. Only one big meltdown for a few minutes, and the rest of the day was great. Ask me if I would have even attempted going for one hour a few months ago! Also, this past weekend we went to Elgin to see Billy's parents. It was a two hour drive. She did great in the car both ways!! This is a huge step. Car rides use to be a big problem. So thankful and praising God for all His goodness as He shows us how to enjoy each other as a family!

Encouraging and working toward goals!

On Friday, I met with Morgans summer school teacher to discuss Morgans strengths, interests, and goals for the new year. She was very positive and encouraging. She focused on what Morgan is able to do, her strengths, and then set goals to reach the next level. It was so good to see her strengths on paper. I definitely must focus on this and how far she has come since the surgery. It's hard to believe it's only been a year and a half since her surgery, because she has come so far and done so much since then. So I continue to focus on this. I have connected with another mom with a child similar to Morgan. We were matched through Texas Parent to Parent, an organization that provides information and guidance for families with special needs children. It is run by volunteers who themselves have special needs children. Great organization! Through visiting with this mom, I have been able to discuss how to find dependable attendant care. Basically, the attendant would be able to assist with whatever I needed, and I would be the manager. The agency would just be there for the financial aspect. So thankful for all the resources out there. Morgan qualified for this through her MDCP, which is the medically dependent children's program.

Happy at home

Last week, Morgan got to stay at home with Billy's parents and some with her nurse while Billy and I went on vacation. It was a good set up because Morgan does better with being in her home, in familiar territory. Everyone reported she did good, slept good at night, and behaved well. She was glad to see us when we got back. She finished up her last week of summer school last week. She did so good riding the bus to and from our house last week. For the next three weeks, until school starts, we will just have our nurse during the time that I am at work. Our nursing hours got reduced because she isn't having seizures anymore. Therefore, I won't have extra help on weekends or evenings. However, when school starts, our nurse can just do evenings again since Morgan will be at school during the day. This really helps me in the evenings, before Billy gets home so I can help Will with his homework. We are looking at getting an attendant or home health caregiver to assist us. Eventhough she may not qualify for as much nursing care, she will still qualify for assistance with daily activities. However, finding the right person is the hard part. God has provided every step of the way. I continue to give it all over to Him and have peace about it.

Daddy and Me

A good week!

Morgan had a good week last week, at school and at home. The teacher said Morgan sat for 10 minutes to work on learning activities! This is huge coming from a girl that has always been on the move. They have been working on recognizing her name. The teacher says that Morgan chooses her name by looking at it and that she gets it right EVERY time! The OT said she had such a great session this week. They worked on signing "more". The OT helped her do it in order to keep going on the swing. Morgan would push some and then the OT would stop it. Morgan got the hang of it quickly and signed by herself 7 times in a row. At home, we have been working on helping her be more independent. She can feed herself finger foods, so we started putting it on a plastic plate and have her sit and do it by herself. She is getting better about it. Also, the other morning, she did something so cute, that just shows she is really expressing herself and has a cute personality. In the mornings she comes to the gate at the kitchen and wants something to eat. My husband Billy tries to give her kisses, but you can tell this really annoys her cause she keeps looking at me for food, trying to ignore him. He keeps doing it for fun, and sometimes she will just give him a quick kiss to get rid of him. Well, this one morning, she had enough. She took him by the hand and we thought she was leading him to the door to take her outside. However, she led him to the middle of the living room, and let go of his hand, to leave him there, then she walked back to the gate at the kithen. So hilarious that she was leading him away so he wouldn't bother her anymore. We all got a big laugh out of that. Thank You, Lord for laughter.

Learning!

Yesterday, Morgan learned something new! She figured out how to turn the door knob and open the door. This is exciting because she has watched us do it and figured it out. She did it because she really wanted to get in the bedroom where her brother was hiding. We were so proud of her and closed the door several more times to watch her do it again. It was really neat to see how proud Will was of her. It is the little things that are such big things to us. It just shows that her brain is healing and she is developing and learning now. My specific prayer has been: "thank you Lord that her brain is restored and repaired". God is so good! To Him all the glory!

Goals to work on

Morgan is on her two week break from summer school. However, we have things to work on over the break. We are working on Morgan trying to be more independent. It starts with basic, simple tasks. I didn't realize how much I always do for her, when I should try and get her to help. We lowered down her swing and now she can help push with her legs. We make her do at least two or three pushes by herself and then her reward is for us to push her high. Also we have her feed herself finger foods and put it in a bowl to have her reach in and get it. This we also do at dinner time to keep her occupied and give her something to so so she won't hit. These are some tips we learned from a student studying special education and behavior analysis who came to observe Morgan. It is nice to have some pointers and some goals to work on until school starts and until we get our ABA therapist. Morgans teacher this summer has been so encouraging. She said "I really see her potential". We are so thankful for all our blessings. God is so good.