Update #5

I don't even know how to start some of my blogs.  I feel like my examples I share week to week are hard to even comprehend for most who don't have any idea how significant these little "changes" are. But I want to continue to share them for those who are interested and for my own sake. I want to sing God's praises and share Blake's successes.

But today I saw it first hand at Speech. Blake and I had been talking about people's cars and what colors they were on our drive. We were speculating what color Ms. Katie's car was, and he suggested white and blue. I told him he could always ask Ms. Katie if he wanted to when he got to Speech. He has been curious at times in the past, but normally his curiosity is gone as quick as it came. And without my prompting, he usually leaves his questions in the past and moves on. Which is why my mouth dropped, my heart was overflowing with happy tears (my heart cries a lot these days), and I beamed the biggest smile when Blake pointed to Ms. Katie right when he saw her enter the room and ask, "What color your car?" For those wondering, her car was white. Ms. Katie didn't have the same reaction I did as she doesn't know him as well and probably figured he could say things like this often. But I was sure to immediately praise him and tell him he did a GREAT job asking Ms. Katie and using his words.

We had a play date this week with Jack and Shane from church. Jack is almost 4 and Shane is almost 2. Blake LOVED following Jack around and I loved watching the two interact. Jack had a little Jeep that he drove them around in in the backyard. Blake tried to drive it a couple times, but he couldn't quite figure it out! He would ask Jack, "Do you want to go play in your room?" and it was so encouraging to see him invite other kids to play and to offer a suggestion. He invites me to play SO well these days and I love seeing him do that with other kids too.

We were also went to our friends house, the Miles, for dinner last Thursday. God has brought this family into our lives and has given them such a special place in our heart. They understand how we feel more than any of our friends because they live it every day too. I am so grateful for Kamille and her encouragement and have loved getting to know this sweet family better. We look forward to a play date with them this Friday morning. Blake has even named some of his Little People's after them, especially Mr. Josh.

In some bullet points, here are some of this week's highlights:
-While putting a basketball into the kid's hoop, Blake said to me, "Good job, Mom!" He doesn't comment very often so this was neat to see. Especially when I didn't know he was watching me.
-He asked to help me put the groceries into the trunk. He doesn't offer to help much or to be very involved in what I am doing. He wants me to be involved with him, but this was neat to see him ask to be involved in what I was doing.
-One afternoon Blake looked over at me and said, "Maybe I could get a hug from you?" I said absolutely and he ran and gave me a hug and then went back to playing. Melted my heart!
-Kade ran to the street (surprise surprise) and before I got to him, Blake took him by his hand and was telling him to not do that and to come back inside like I had said. This is one of the first times that Blake hasn't gone along with Kade and has stopped his actions that would lead him to trouble. He still usually will copy what Kade does, even when it is something he should not do. I loved seeing him be a big brother and help Kade.
-Yesterday was one of the most encouraging days for me. I can't even put it into words, but the way he was talking with me during play was the best yet. It was almost as if he was actually having a conversation with me and was so quick to lead the play almost on his own. I'm thankful for days like yesterday that were such a light to my heart. Because with an afternoon like today where I was brought to my knees in tears and in prayer to God, they remind me that God is still at work. And that this is ultimately God's battle. I pray for God to give me strength almost daily.

Blake and Kade love driving with Daddy around the block one time some days when Matt gets home from work. This was Kade's first time and he loved it!

This is our sign that I made to help Blake remember he needs to put his undies back on after going potty. This is still a struggle for us, but he is getting better. I asked him one day what he thought number 4 would be, and he thought a bit and said, "DRY YOUR HANDS!" So I drew #4 after the fact. 

Blake will sometimes come into the workout room with me while I finish a workout. Today he laid down on the bench and said, "I'm exercising Mom." If only exercising were that easy.... ;)

I'm so thankful that I have the opportunity to be these 2 boys' Mommy! I wouldn't trade them for the world! Thanks for all who care and love on us!