Jakob got to meet Ms Wheelchair America 2010, Erika Bogan. We went to an AbilitiesExpo this weekend. Erika was kind enough to stop for a bit and talk to Jakob. He flirted like crazy. It was neat to meet someone so positive about their situation. She is a great role model. The expo had a lot of neat things and I got some great ideas of things for Jakob.
Sorry for the delays in updating. I will force myself to do better.
Blessings to all.
Trey’s high school bowling team competed in a state high school tournament on Halloween. They had enough players to make up two squads. They competed against Sonoraville HS and three other high schools. Trey’s team placed 3rd, the other GC team placed 4th and Sonoraville placed 5th. They all bowled great. There was a player on one of the other teams that bowled a 290 — just one frame away from a perfect game. WOW!
They will be competing in more tournaments and we wish them the best.
Go Warriors!!!
Jake went to school dressed up like a root tooting cowboy. I forgot the cowboy hat, not sure where my mind was. We have a pirate hat, a construction workers hat, a ranger’s hat but no cowboy hat. Too funny 
Of course you see the boot that were styling but had to be returned because no matter what I tried they would not stay on. I put on extra socks, wedged his foot in them and even tried to put them over his braces but no luck. Oh well, we did get a good photo.
Sorry for not updating as one should. I keep busy so I forget to do it.
Well, lets see what is new. Jake has lost and gotten back serval teeth. His top two front ones, the bottom two front ones and so far one of the top ones near the front, the other three near the fron teeth are also loose. It is definitely an experience pulling his teeth.
We have been blessed by being able to get Jake the conductive education equipment for our house. He also got a special needs stroller for us to use when his wheelchair won’t work. We received these thru a scholarship from Kiddos Clubhouse Foundation. Huge Blessing!!!!!!!
Trey made the Gordon Central High School bowing team. We are really proud of him. This is his senior year, which is extremely exciting. So much to do, so little time–my baby boy is growing up. 
I will try to do my best to keep this updated.
Later
Jake had a great birthday. We celebrated it at the Georgia Aquarium. He enjoys the fish and all the sounds. We got him a Shaggy doll that he loves. It had to go to the doctor with him for a checkup The doll was supposed to talk but Travis and I couldn’t get it to work until yesterday. I grabbed Shaggy by the arm and discovered the push button in his hand. We had assumed it was in his stomach. Needless to say we got it working and Jake loves it more. He kept hollering for Daddy to make Shaggy talk. He put a death grip on the doll and giggled his head off. Too cute.
He is now on a Candice kick. He loves Candice off the Disney toon Phineas and Ferb. It took us a while to figure out what he was saying but once we did, he got excited. He wants Candice to ride with him in the truck. Such imagination.
Time to head to a meeting, Later.
Jake has gotten an obsession with his daddy’s truck. For over two months now all I hear is “ride daddy truck”, numa-go daddy truck.” He thinks he is supposed to ride in the truck no matter what or when. He kindly informed his daddy last night that he was going to take him to school in the truck. He doesn’t want to ride in numa’s van just daddy’s truck. Yesterday at school they had a worksheet on who you favorite person is and why. Jake said daddy and they helped him draw a picture of daddy and his truck. He is definitely becoming a little man. Boys and their toys. I need to get him a shirt that says “Jake & his Truck–It’s a beautiful thing”. OH well, at least he isn’t girlish.
Life goes on.
This has been a wonderful experience. Jake has done so well at school that is blows my mind. I love the fact that he has accomplished several things even with minimal assistance. He is walking better in his walker, sitting for brief periods on his own and helping more with putting on and taking off his shirt. He still isn’t a happy camper being on his stomach but can push himself up for small periods of time. He has showed his verbal side this time. He is singing some of the songs and talking all the time. I have to admit there were several times I wished he wasn’t because all I heard was Daddy, truck, Katie, over and over and over……
He had his days with earning several stickers and others not so many. Just like any of us, he had times he just wasn’t into doing the tasks. I feel that this program is like other kids doing sports. The more they practice the better they get. The same goes for our kids, the more they practice these tasks, the better they become. They may not succeed at everything, but accomplishing something is huge.
I am tried attaching some videos of Jake at school but had trouble loading them. I have them on my facebook account if you want to see them.
Missed having Trey here this last week. He went to SEYC camp and had a great time. Travis got to come and visit and he brought our nephew, Cody and niece, Catlin with him. We have been adventuring all over the place. They got to experience the ocean for the first time. Jake has been happy to have them here to play with too. I have taken them letterboxing with me and they loved it. We have walked and walked and walked through marshes, woods and areas with tons of mosquitos. We have seen alligators, snakes, turtles and even deer. It has been fun but unfortunately they have to leave before school is over, so it will just be Jake and me on our own for a day or two and for the journey home.
I will put more pictures and update this when we get home. Friday is our last day and I hate leaving. This program has been a huge blessing. Thanks to all who helped make it a reality.
Later.
Overall this was a really good week. Jake had his whinning episodes but still did the work admist it all. He is getting better at helping me put on and take off his shirt. He still struggles some with the socks. That is a work in progress. He has verbally answered most of the questions that Erika asked. He answeres the days of the week, sometimes he gets his seasons & the weather. He has really been into singing the songs that go with each activity. All the kids are learning what they’re expected to do when they hear Erika start a song. They either tense up or get over excited depending on the activity.
We have done a few outings like going to the beach, the pool and letterboxing. It has only been one day, but I am missing Trey. He left on Saturday to head back home to get ready to head to camp today. He is going to the SEYC camp in Cook Springs, AL for the week. This is an awesome church camp that he has attended several years. I am glad he was able to go.
While waiting for my mom to come and get Trey, we headed into Savannah to do some letterboxing. We found two of the three we looked for. After he left with mom, Jake and I headed out to do some lbing but didn’t find any of the ones we were looking for. Two weren’t in the spots and one had a snake living in the hiding place, so I left it alone–for now. I might attempt it again, not sure yet.
Two more weeks left then back home again. This program is so wonderful for Jake that I wish we could get it started back home. So many kids in Gordon CO would benefit from this program. Jake is doing so much more than we ever thought possible and he just keeps learning and growing.
God has blessed us so much and everyday I am thankful for everything.
Later
We’re starting the week off pretty good, except for the 5 am wakeup call. Jake was wound up and ready to roll early. He kept poking me, going Nama-hungy. I told him to wait, he would get quiet for just a few minutes then start all over again. He is such a trip.
He earned 4 stickers today. On Thursday, I had told him if he did good for me on Friday, he would get a safety sucker. He remembered and did great on Friday, asking for the sucker when class was over. He is learning and doing so much more than I would have ever imagined. God has truly blessed us.
We went to the beach on Saturday. It was extremely hot, which gave us some tan. I still have a lot of body left to tan We were going to go letterboxing, but went in search of my elongated pennies instead. I got all the ones listed on the computer-yeah.
On Sunday we did go out letterboxing and in search of some more pennies. We found some boxes & a penny at Tybee Island. The island was packed. The day was overcast but it was extremely hot. I thought it had cooled down some so I put the windows down. Well it was still humid and that affected Jake’s sinuses. He had a major nose bleed. It looked like he had been in a fight because he was rubbing it all over his face, trying to wipe it away. I had to soak his clothes.
Today was a good day. Jake had the giggles but did all the programs well. He has realized the routine again and is getting back into the swing of things. This has been a great trip for Jake so far. I am so glad it helps him and gives him a new found freedom. He is even sitting unassisted for short periods of time. I love it.
Time to fix supper.
Later.
The kids were artists today. They had to use certain colors and paint a picture with clouds, trees, grass and rain. Jake did a great job with Mommy’s help. I didn’t keep the paper in front of him when he wasn’t painting so he wouldn’t slober on it. He wasn’t over enthused today so it wasn’t hard to help him paint. When he is really excited he tends to smear and tries to lick the paint. The other kids did great jobs too.
Jake did good in the other programs today except the lying. He did the work but fussed while doing it. It was like he just wanted to complain or yah yah just for the it of it. He did really good during the standing program, not only standing, kneeling and squatting but singing too. He was in a singing mood again today. Love to hear him.
We went to a local farmer’s market today. It was small but nice. Got some grape tomatoes, peaches and a cucumber freshly grown in SC. It was humid but a pleasant walk.
The weather here has been extremely hot, but last night and tonight we are having some killer weather. There is extreme lightening, thunder and rain. The road to the center is sand with small puddles that are deeper than they look. My van has sand residue on it from puddle jumping. I guess it is only fair to get the rain, we had a dry week last week, so whatever. I was going to go to the pool after supper but I guess that will have to wait for another day.
Better go, Later.
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