We have now past the one year mark with Jonalyn. It has been a challenging year in many aspects. Sometimes it is hard for us to see the progress she has made because we are so close to her and see her every day. But when I think back to one year ago, I can see how far she has come. So, instead of dwelling on how far we have yet to go, I have decided to focus on how far we have come in the past year by being thankful to the Lord for the small blessings in our lives.
1. I am thankful for healthy children. Yes, we’ve had colds and the usual childhood illnesses, but nothing serious. Even with Jonalyn’s disabilities, she is generally a healthy little girl.
2. I am thankful that Jonalyn is doing so well physically. When she first came to us, she insisted on holding our hands, even in the house. She couldn’t walk outside at all. Now she runs all over the yard, pumps the swing herself, climbs up the ladder on the play structure and even up the slide, pedals her bike a couple of times, and runs and splashes in the water in the lake.
3. I am thankful that Jonalyn’s speech seems to be coming along. She spoke very little that was intelligible when she came home, though she understood almost everything we said to her. What she spoke was mostly parroting. Now she is starting to make sense and her vocabulary continues to increase. While she still parrots, she also constructs own her 3-4 word sentences.
4. I am thankful that her attachment to us continues to grow. This has been one of the most frustrating aspects of the past year. It has been slow going. Just last week, she asked Doug to help her with something for the very first time. She now climbs into our laps in the evenings and she likes to hold our hands in church.
5. I am thankful that we have a roof over our heads and food on our table. Yes, money is tight for us like it is for everyone, but we both have jobs and we are able to pay all of our bills on time.
6. I am thankful for the deer Doug shot on Monday. Woo hoo, a freezer full of venison for the winter!! Good, cheap eating.
7. I am thankful for Brian and Alyssa. I am such a blessed woman to have them for my children.
8. I am thankful that my sins are covered by my Savior’s blood. Without that, none of the rest of this would matter.