Rock Star

I have to admit - in general, I am one incredibly proud Mama.  I talk about Ethan a lot.  I talk about his accomplishments, about how far he's come, and about where the future may lead.  It just so happens that I have a lot of people with whom to talk about these things, too.  I call grandparents on a regular basis, Jeramie and I "debrief" when he gets home from work, and there is a whole slew of therapists who monitor his every developmental move.

Correction.  There were lots of therapists.

As of this past Thursday, Ethan is a graduate.  And, quite the rock star, if I do say so myself.

Given that he'll be THREE on THURSDAY (!!!!), he automatically ages out of North Carolina's early intervention program; and, given that he's had some amazing therapy over the past 3ish years, he does not need or qualify for services through our county's public school system.

We said "see you later" (we don't say "bye", right Rachel?!) to Ethan's occupational therapist, speech therapist, and developmental therapist throughout last week.  I cried leaving the speech office on Wednesday.  With the exception of a couple of months, we have spent one day a week, every week, in that office since June of 2009.  It's where Ethan learned to eat and talk, and where I felt the most confident.

It has been an emotional process, for sure.  Aside from the tears after speech, I haven't cried about it, but I can feel the emotions running wild.  Watching him catch up from a developmental delay, learn to eat after 18 months of not - heck, just watching him breathe - over these past three years, all combined with his upcoming birthday, makes my insides flutter with pride and hope.

Ethan is thriving, we are winning, and the glory is God's.

Now, what to do with all of our free time??