Growing and preparing

Jaemin is preparing for Kindergarten next year.   He's in his 3rd year of speech.  Today, I chatted with Miss Ashley and she said he was very engaged today.  She said he started to flap briefly and caught himself, but still runs his hands on the concrete block wall.  He likes the texture.  She still thinks putting some velcro under his desk will help take care of his sensory seeking needs when he goes to school.  I hope so.  But, she said he was participating well and asking questions.  He's been participating much better for the last year, but is just now starting to really ask questions back and being part of a conversation.  AND he LOOKS at us more often when he talks!  This is HUGE!  I couldn't get him to do this just a year ago.  It was like it was painful to look you in the eyes while talking.  He'd do everything to look away....even for a camera.  Now he looks at you and you can really see him.  His questions are getting bigger and longer.  He no longer hates going to speech.  He walks down the hallway at school, beside his teacher, like he owns the place.  He's so sure of himself.  He said he's ready to go to school.  I'm so proud of his hard work.

At home, lately, I've noticed Cole holes himself up in his room or is working or is with friends....usually in that order.  I finally decided that the reason teenagers keep themselves in their room in solitude is to prepare their parents for the day they leave.  This way they're still here and you can get used to really not seeing them.  Then, one day they'll be gone, but they will not have been around much right before anyways.  God has a funny way of getting you ready for the next step in life.  Or at least that's how I see it. Gotta find the bright side.