Branching Out, Setting Boundaries, and Feeling Blessed

I can't believe how long it has been since I posted on here. The holidays have come, gone, been packed up, and are away for the new year. A lot has changed with both myself and Samantha. For starters, I am back in the workforce. Prayers were answered and I was blessed with the opportunity to work in a field I love dearly and have missed for quite some time. I am able to still be available for Samantha as needed, and still have that sense of contribution to my family that I find strength in. I work with an amazing group of gals who are encouraging and supportive by heart. It's been a dream come true and a long search for a good fit that I can now be glad is over. I no longer have the feeling of isolation and uselessness. I feel productive and able again. It feels good!

Samantha has also made amazing progress, and is now showing many signs of typical behaviors of any 3 year old child. For instance...the word "NO!" Sam has found a sense of empowerment and control in the word and loves to use it...all the time, everyday, all day long. While thrilled at this milestone we are now faced with the task of teaching the appropriate time and place to use such a word. Her communication still advances everyday and she continues to excel in her preschool environment. We began occupational therapy this week and I hope that it proves to be just as beneficial as speech and ABA are. It still seems like so much for a little kid to endure. However, with the results right in front of us, how can we deny it works?

We have started using the Boardmaker program in-home and it has been a great tool in communication. Along with verbal and signing, Samantha now has visual supports. We use them to set routines, talk about her day at school, order events, and make requests known. It's a wonderful program and I am so thankful to now have it in home at our disposal.

Samantha is now also showing more and more awareness of her surroundings. Her feelings get hurt, and she falls sad. She establishes possession of items and we work on sharing. She acts silly to get a response and laughs at the joy of making someone else smile. The light in her has not dimmed one bit and I pray that it continues to shine on. She is a task, a challenge, and a chore. However she is a reward unlike any other. I come home tired and ready to relax, but most of all...ready to hold her and hear about her day. It's awesome!