Easter

After church I went to visit Caleb at his bachelor pad.  Caleb's roommates were at their house for Easter too so it was a full house!  They had just finished brunch so everyone was happy.  I'm always impressed how his staff take the time to do the boys' hair even though they know all the boys will rub their hands through it within an hour and ruin it.  Even if they are just staying home, they make sure that they are looking good.  Caleb is doing well letting them put gel in his hair and leaving it alone but it's getting long in the back and a mullet looks go on NO ONE- hair cut is on the schedule this week! 

After none of the kids cared one bit about the eggs and treats inside them, we hung out in the sun and enjoyed the breeze and threw eggs…. and chewed on eggs…. and ignored the eggs.  When Caleb finally realized there were fruit snacks in the eggs, then he showed a little interest, but really who has time for hunting eggs, just give him the treats.

Caleb's roommate wanted to sit with me and Caleb DID NOT like that.  He decided to stomp back to the house in protest.  A few calls of his name, and he changed his mind.  

              

             That's it, if I can't have ALL Ali's attention,
 I'm going inside.

That worked perfectly, now
they are all calling my name!

I absolutely love spending holidays with Caleb, his roommates and staff!  While I do enjoy holidays, I feel like you shouldn't celebrate the things that are important to you just once a year.  The purpose of Easter is to celebrate the resurrection of Christ and if I choose to celebrate that EVERY DAY, not just on Easter.  When I choose to live this way, when I get to a holiday, the need to have the perfect food and clothes, isn't needed.  It removes all the fuss and stress, and helps enjoy the beautiful meaning of the holiday.  The boys may not understand what Easter means, but they do know how to appreciate the beautiful sun, the ability to take walks in their neighborhood and how to smile with their whole heart.

While I can't post picture of his roommates, I can say that each boy is thriving.  I have known each one since before they moved to the agency they live with and each has grown so much!  Just since moving from the larger facility to the smaller group home, each boy has grown not only in height and weight but in development.  

Give me the fruit snack, and no one gets hurt.

Right before Caleb reached for the fruit snack he signed "please," to the staff with sign language.  I've noticed that Caleb's communication grows each time I get him.  Today he was pulling at my hands to try to get me to stand up to walk with him down the street.  He points to things he wants rather than throwing a fit and last week I swear he said "yeah" when I asked him a question.  I tell myself over and over to talk to him like a "typical" kid but I always fail to be open minded that he actually understands what I am saying.  When his staff told him, "say please," and he actually signed it, I admit, I didn't realize he knew that.  

I have no problem admitting when I am wrong, and each time I see Caleb I am proven wrong.  I know that he is going to do that a lot in his life and I'm okay with that!  

Upcoming adventures include a hair cut and the special needs prom!!