Exciting News

About a week ago I received a letter from Ethen's school asking to schedule his annual evaluation for the Early Childhood Development program that Ethen has been in since he was 3. This program has helped Ethen learn how to pronounce his words, form letter sounds properly and so much more. It really has been a God-send (see HERE for our first school related post)!

I remember the morning taking him to get testing. As I was sitting with the psychologist explaining my concerns while Ethen was with another doing the different "tests" that they require. I remember towards the end Ethen didn't want to cooperate and started running around. I wanted to scream but calmly gathered him up and provided some activities for him to do while I finished up.

It would take another few weeks before I would know the results of the testing. During that time I was praying and fasting that he would be accepted into the program - he needed it and I was desperate. It's natural for other people not to understand your kid, but for you not to understand him... that's awful!

The call finally came and I was scheduled to discuss the results of Ethen's testing. As I met with the teachers, psychologists and speech therapists I was nervous! All I wanted to really know was if Ethen was in! They sat and told me the results of every test and even mentioned the situation that occurred during testing when Ethen became unruly! They even reassured me that my choice to teach baby sign language was not what caused this issue! It was in fact a delay. Which completely makes sense since my little guy was extremely focused on motor skills as a baby - he was walking at 7 months and running by 9!

They finally told me the good news, HE WAS IN!!! Since it was April by the time the decision was made Ethen would have only 2 months of school before summer break. He would attend Katz Elementary School and be in Mrs. Tracy's class.

Those months were fun and great for Ethen. He got to ride the bus and participated well in class. We would move to another area for next year and be in Jacobson Elementary School. He would be there for the whole next year and then we would move once again to Henderson, NV in which Ethen would attend Robert Taylor Elementary in Mrs. Jennifer Sanches' class. This would be the best school for him. He thrived in this school. This would be Ethen's last year in Pre-school.

The program that Ethen is in ends when they turn 6 and each student is re-evaluated to either continue with a special education program or "graduate" to general education. Ethen was into Kindergarten by this time. He has worked tirelessly and is now one of the top performing students in Mrs. Tilley's Kindergarten class.

My meeting to reevaluate Ethen was scheduled for March 14th but the school called me this morning (a goof on their part). So we conducted the meeting over the phone in which both the psychologist and speech therapist came online to inform me of their positions. It was determined that Ethen has accomplished all of his goals and is now able to enter into the general education populace!

I am so proud of my Lil'man! He is amazing! He has come so far and I know it is all thanks to this program. I have recommended this program to several of my friends and I hope and pray that they have the same success that we have had. Ethen would not be the student he is now if he didn't have this program!

Thank you to those who worked so hard to help my Lil'man succeed!!!

Oh yeah... I saw this today and since it is Valentine's Day I thought I would share it and remind you that He always wants you for a Valentine!!!

For God so loVed the world
        that he gAve
             his onLy
            begottEn
                  soN
                 That whosoever
                 belIeveth in him
         should Not perish,
      but have Everlasting life.

John 3:16