A Post About Nathan

I debated whether to write a post about Nathan since it seems I write about him often but I've decided to write one anyway and try to focus much less on his medical/speech issues--although his progress and the work it takes is a major part of his little life so it's virtually impossible so leave it out entirely.

The past several weeks we've been seeing a new side to Nathan.  He's making friends at school.  Kissing girls, even.  We've talked about how that's not really OK and he's since stopped.  He said he kissed them because they asked him to.  One day he came home from school late and got in trouble--he had gone to a friend's house to play.  A week later he came home late again--because he stopped to climb a tree with another friend.  It's hard to be upset with him when I'm mostly grateful that he's making friends with other kids and that he can tell me where he's been and I can understand him.  Mostly that makes me very excited!  A year ago he wasn't able to share more than two words with any other kid in his class--the kids couldn't understand him.

He spoke in Primary on Easter, sharing his testimony of the Savior.  Vince and I were both teaching when Nathan was speaking so Eva went to help him.  Vince helped him type up his talk and we practiced with him reading it-- he only needed help with about 8 words.  We heard it went very well and that Nathan was able to read most of it and that he was understood.  The last time he gave a talk a friend said she was excited for him because she could understand most of it.  A year ago when he gave a talk it sounded like gibberish and the 11-year-old girls laughed at him--it was sad to see the light in his eyes go out--he was trying so hard.  He has been working very hard and is making great progress!

Nathan and Eva both have something in common--they begged to learn how to play the piano.  I hesitated to start Nathan because I didn't want him to have another thing to have to practice everyday--he's so busy for a little kid.  About two months ago I caved and he's been learning piano.  He doesn't always like to practice and it turns out piano is a bit challenging because fine motor skills are still hard for him so it's hard for him to use his fingers correctly.  Starting yesterday I gave him a little exercise to help (OK--so it wasn't until yesterday that I noticed he was having a hard time because the other kids generally  help him practice--it's nice that there are three other people that can help with that!).  It will take a while but after he had done the little exercise he excited said, "Look!  I'm doing it!!"  He always takes pride in his work and progress!!

Here is what his speech therapist said about him after this last term:  "Nathan is a friendly and happy boy who is also very energetic.  Nathan demonstrated positive behavior during sessions and only had to be redirected on occasion.  He was highly motivated by being able to participate in activities and games.  He responded well to verbal reinforcement/praise and feedback."  He is definitely friendly and happy and energetic--and he loves games.  At the U there is one-way glass so the supervisor, parents, and other students can observe undetected.  People who watched Nathan always ended up laughing out loud at times because he was so much fun and entertaining.  Like the last session this term when they were playing Funny Bunny (between each move he would practice words) and when the game went well for him he jumped out of his chair, pumped his fist, smiled at himself in the mirror, and shouted "Boo-Yah!!"  He takes pleasure out of every possible thing in life!

On a side note, Nathan passed off all his goals this term.  I thought he had passed off all but one but when the report came that indicated he met all of his goals.  This is the first time he has passed off any new goal in one term.  The first term he was unable to complete any of the goals, which were carried over into the second term where a couple of small additional goals were added.  At the end of the second term he had met the goals from the first term but not the second.  This term they carried over the 2-3 goals that had been initiated in the second term and added several more (7 goals total)--he met them all!! 

I love how Nathan still likes a snuggle now and then and always likes big hugs.  Every morning when we read scriptures together he likes to sit right next to mom or dad with a blanket and snuggle up to read.  I'm going to miss it and I can tell he's starting to outgrow it.  I love his big smile and his obvious delight in the simple things--like muffins for breakfast, or helping me stir a pot on the stove.  I love his enthusiasm for making friends and his love for his teachers.  He frequently sees some of his teachers outside of school and is always excited to see them--he'll run up and give them hugs!  One of his reading aides is in our ward and he loves to smile at Mrs. S.  Another aide has a daughter that takes violin lessons from Eva's teacher so I accompany for her--she comes to the house sometimes and we've been to her home to pick free peaches to can--Nathan adores Miss F.  He had a substitue for three months that happens to be one of our neighbors and Nathan appreciates that he can see Mrs. M. regularly.  He was very excited to have his regular teacher back.  I love that he develops great attachments for people and that he cares about them.  And I can obviously recognize the hand of the Lord in the fact that the people who are working with him are mostly people he was familiar with outside of school--what a unique blessing!!