A Family of Miracles!

I was quite upset when Caleb's speech therapist called me to tell me that his speech therapy was finally approved and that we could start sessions for him now. I was excited for him to start but was upset that it took so long and also for the screw ups. Medicaid approved his speech therapy back in December but authorized 24 sessions from Dec. 1 to Dec. 31 and gave it to the therapy office at the ending of December. So of course that was out the window. So it was re-submitted to Medicaid and was just authorized last week. But they back dated it so his 24 sessions started in January and ends in the beginning of June. This means he now has that many sessions to either use or lose. So I'm going to try to take him three times a week but I don't want to overwhelm him. So we'll see how it goes. (The state needs to really do something about this delay in getting services for children who have special medical needs. It's ridiculous and frustrating when you know that they really need it but they take their sweet time or totally mess it all up and then it becomes a longer process.) I think he can handle it...pray that he will enjoy it and will be able to do that many sessions. Plus I'll probably just have him do it on the same days he's there already for OT and PT plus one more day. So it will be long days for him and also Micaiah. After a couple of weeks I may just drop Caleb off with his nurse for his sessions and pick them up when its done so that Micaiah won't have to spend his days in a hospital watching his brother in therapy. And it will also give me some time to spend one on one with Micaiah which I know he will love.
Caleb had his first speech therapy session on Wednesday. He did so well and I was so proud of him, as I am everyday. The therapist was just trying to get a feel of what he likes to do and his way of communicating. I told her he likes to do flashcards. (He always did and was always wanting to learn) So she brought out flashcards with pictures that also had the word of the picture on it. He was using a switch (button) that the therapist recorded a phrase saying "that's the one" and told him to press it when he saw the fish. So I started flipping through the cards and when it got to the fish he pressed it. And we went on to do other cards too...a car, etc. He got it every time! I was so proud of him! So of course we are definitely going to be purchasing a switch like that which his therapist thinks will be really good for him to use right now. She also said that she thinks he is going to do really well and will be able to do a lot. It was a great, positive day.

I took Caleb to the Vara's house again to go in Abbie's hyperbaric chamber. I also had great conversation with Tiffany and am excited to try some other new things with Caleb that has been working really well for Abbie. We will also be purchasing a walker like the one Caleb used at therapy last week. Everyday is a new day for Caleb and he's striding through this journey like he's got a big mission. (And he does!)

I ended up catching Micaiah's cold on Saturday but luckily I didn't get too bad and am feeling much better now. But Brandon also caught the cold and fever too. He's still going to work though and working long hours. (14 hours today!) Yes, he is crazy...but at the same time he's so very faithful and supportive. He says we need the extra money and he needs to be there for the job. I think it's sweet...but I still wish he would stay home for at least one day to try to recover and get rest. He will also be working through the weekend and maybe overtime for awhile. Luckily we were able to have a date night alone on Friday. We knew his work schedule would start to get crazy so we made sure to spend that time together.

Since Brandon was working overtime this past Sunday, I had to go to church by myself with Caleb. I was going to stay at home because Micaiah was sick and I was a little out of it but I really wanted to go since we didn't get to go the weekend before because we were at our retreat. But I decided to go anyway and took only Caleb with me. Well, when I got there, ALL the parking stalls were taken. I couldn't just park anywhere, lower the ramp, wheel Caleb out, and leave him by himself (in the rain too) while I found alternative parking. So I was just going to turn back and go home after waiting (and thinking) a bit. Then I decided to pull on the side and ask the greeters if I could leave my car there for a bit to take Caleb in. They of course said yes so I went in thinking my sister would be sitting in the normal spot so I could leave him with her while I went to park my car. She wasn't there and since our church is so big, it is very hard to find someone in the packed auditorium. So I was going to wheel Caleb right out, go back in my car, and go home. But when I told the usher who had helped us that I had to go...and the whole ordeal...He said, "I'll move your car and go park it for you." God sent me an angel! He not only went to park the car for me but moved his car so that he could park my car on the cement so it wouldn't get all muddy. And then he went and got it for me after service was finished too! All in the rain. How sweet was that...And I was gonna go home. Did God stop me or what? That just made my day...and it was a great sermon which I really needed to hear. Thanks Brian... :) You really passed on God's love (as always) not only to me but to others around who witnessed it too.

I'm for sure going to start taking the kids to Keiki O Ka Aina next week. I wanted to go this week but since I caught the cold and Micaiah was still sick, we had to stay home. So pray nothing stops us from going next week.

The cutest thing happened today. Micaiah wanted to go onto Caleb's bed so Patrick put him up by his brother. Micaiah kissed him and Caleb was looking at him. It seemed like Caleb was trying to talk to him so Patrick said, "Micaiah, what is your brother saying to you?" And he kept putting his ear to Caleb's mouth. But it was his "bad" ear that he put to his mouth. I heard it was really cute. (I was in the shower so I missed it) But I think Caleb was telling him, "Jesus is healing you too!" :) What's even more awesome is that I've been praying a lot for the Lord's healing for both of them. Before I would only pray for the Lord to heal Caleb. But then as I was reading Norvel Hayes book I realized..."Why don't I pray for God to heal Micaiah too!" God can do anything...so I'm believing in miracles for the both of them.
We're just one big miracle family! How blessed!