I am just bursting at the seams to share this news - Cody is such a super stud!  Yesterday we visited the Dr. because he's still really struggling in some ways.  He was dying to get out of the Dr's office so while I talked to the Dr., Cody walked over to the door and signed "open."  I loved it!  I went over and signed back, "I see you want door to open....I'm sorry but we have to wait." 

"Wait" is a sign Cody really comprehends - you make it by spreading out your fingers and wiggling them.  In response, Cody signed "all done" and looked straight at me.  I signed back, "I see you're all done - but we have to wait." 

Upon seeing me sign 'wait' for the 2nd time, he walked over and sat next to me calmly.  AMAZING.  Then we went to the mail store and as I filled out a fax form, I fed Cody in his stroller - bites of meatloaf which I'd brought with me.  The clerk said, "is he signing something?"  And sure enough I looked down and Cody was looking up at me and signing "banana" which is his super dooper favorite food.  I smiled. 

"I see you want banana - wait for banana to have at home."  This time he kept fussing because he was hungry.  And his "banana" sign is pretty crude - he just makes a pointer finger and jabs at it with his other hand.  But it's getting there!  Most of his signs are what's called "augmented" meaning tailored for his motor issues.  But who cares?  He's COMMUNICATING! 

Another fantastic moment was today - he was really fussing in the playroom so I opened the baby gate and said, "what do you want?"  He walked with purpose down the hall and stopped at my closed bedroom door and signed "open."  I opened that door and he walked into the master bath and stood next to the bath tub and signed "bath."  I cried.  He made a sentence: "I want you to open the door and I want a bath!"  YAY!  Even though I had a million things going on and a therapist there to work with him, I applauded, stripped him down, and a bath he GOT!  I want to honor those huge moments where he really communicates - even when it's terribly inconvenient.  I'm just so darn proud of him.  I wouldn't be more proud if he were validictorian of his class!     

That's some wonderful news - just had to share.  I also wanted to share the lyrics below.  I heard them sung recently and boy did they hit the spot for a tired, haggard mom who often feels lost at sea.  Hope you like them too:

"THE ANCHOR HOLDS"

I have journeyed
Through the long, dark night
Out on the open sea
By faith alone
Sight unknown
And yet His eyes were watching me

The anchor holds
Though the ship is battered
The anchor holds
Though the sails are torn
I have fallen on my knees
As I faced the raging seas
The anchor holds
In spite of the storm

Ive had visions
Ive had dreams
Ive even held them in my hand
But I never knew
They would slip right through
Like they were only grains of sand

The anchor holds
Though the ship is battered
The anchor holds
Though the sails are torn
I have fallen on my knees
As I faced the raging seas
The anchor holds
In spite of the storm

I have been young
But I am older now
And there has been beauty
That these eyes have seen
But it was in the night
Through the storms of my life
Oh, thats where God proved
His love to me

I SO identify with the line:  "though the ship is battered."  Don't you just feel that way sometimes?  Just battered and bruised?  Abandoned and desperate?  As I write this I LOOK battered!  I haven't showered, I'm still in the clothes I wore to bed (yes, I fell asleep in my clothes), my hair is standing on end, my outfit is covered in drool, oatmeal, and spit out medicine.....I didn't sleep much last night...I was awakened by Cody at 6am.  Yes, 'though the ship is battered' - the anchor holds.  In other words, I'm still standing!  God has provided me with enough strength to make it through this day!  I didn't cave-in.  I am alive.  I even laughed out loud a few times today.  God gives us grace for this day.  Not for tomorrow - not for next week - grace for today.  He is the great anchor that holds it all together - and in whom all things have meaning. 

So with that said, I will go fix Casey lunch - more than expecting it to wind up on my shirt! 

:)

with love, Shawna