evaluated. . . .

. . . .again.


today was seve's speech and language evaluation.  we are really praying for a plan to be put into place and that he can begin therapy soon.  next tuesday joel and i will be going in for a comprehensive review of the findings and informed on the plan of action. it's hard to hold onto the hope of therapy actually happening.  for one reason after another all other avenues have fallen through for this little guy. just maybe this time through no one will drop the ball on him (and us!)


the evaluation itself was very repetitive compared to his past evals.  the typical "which bear is dirty?" (he points to the one bathing, NOT the one covered in mud - typical boy. obviously the one bathing MUST be the one that's dirty, there'd be no other logical reason to be bathing- HA!) "ok. well, you showed me dirty, what is this?"(while pointing to the same bear he said was dirty- hoping he'd correct himself and say "clean")  seve's response? "bear."


this time through the eval i realized how frustrated i was with the evaluation itself.  but at the same time how incredibly proud i was of seve.  you see, we work soooo hard on reading skills (with everyone) and today i saw how deeply that has sunken into seve.  for the evaluation they were looking at several different things - comprehension, pronunciation, vocabulary, etc.  for seve, he was putting forth every ounce of creative genius that God has blessed him with!  at his age there are a lot of picture "tests" so his language development can come out easier through association. . . well, our dear seve could have cared a less that "if the turtle is under the table, than the eagle is ????? (over)"  what he cared about was the action packed story just waiting to be told and animated and the awesome sound effects that are known only to 4 year old boys!  man, that turtle had good reason to be under that table!  did it matter to the life of that turtle whether or not seve could say that the eagle was "over" the table?  absolutely not! that there eagle was out there lurking about, waiting for ample opportunity to swoop down to dine!!!  let's not talk about where the eagle is - let's talk about why he's there and what he's doing!  our dear sweet seve very likely foiled his evaluation, but he was surely captivated by the "story" cards!  step one in pre-reading and instilling a love for learning in your child: telling back stories from pictures (aka narration, aka fine art picture study, aka the making of a genius) -check.  now, onto step two: teach them to READ.  it's all in there, we just keep feeding him tip-top full of more and more knowledge and love and support and praise.  with a little help, therapy and hope someday soon it's going to all come pouring out in a sweet, savory, symphony to the glory of our great and mighty God.  we are all so eager to hear and understand seve pray - i mean really, this boy prays.  when we ask him to pray for a meal, everyone prepares themselves for a good old fashioned 10 minute prayer to spill out the depths of his wee little soul.  someday, my seve's gonna be a preacher and he's gonna preach.  we know not the souls he will stand in intercession for and the power that God will use through his humble frame to bring many unto Him, but we do know that seve can pray - and i mean, however so mighty, he can pray.  sweet sweet seve.


as far as how his behaviours were today - he has come down with an odd virus which left him itchy and lethargic.  that's a good thing.  he cast aside his rebellion and survival attempts and spent a good portion of the time curled up in mama's lap. . . just snugglin.  there were several times i wished we both had our pjs on yet and were sippin cider over some "real" books.


one interesting thing i was asked during the interview session was about seve's strengths and weaknesses.  i loved that question because it forced me to forget about the past looooong while of muckiness and remember the strands of gold woven into him.  he's a natural born gentleman. . .if there's a door to open and hold, seve does it - especially for ladies (and even catty sisters who just shoved past him on the stairs).  seve is gracious and forgiving and such a true dedicated little guy.  he l.o.v.e.s to help with anything.  if you're in need - call seve, he'll help and help with joy.  what are his weaknesses?  well, i told her honestly, that when you can search down deep in the furthest reaches of his little soul -past the trauma, past the abuse, past the rebellion and coping mechanisms - that not a weakness will you find.  i was stumped.  stumped for sure.  now, this is the same little rocket i've gone round and round with for weeks that has (coupled with another's behaviours) left me broken and weary and exasperated.  not a weakness in him in the eye of my heart.  couldn't find one.  not one.  it seems the fella is a gem.  a real keeper.  an honest to goodness sweetheart.  he's got me good - even in the midst of all of his naughtiness - he's got this mama's heart.  and he hasn't flashed me that delicious dimple anywhere near often enough lately to justify this much lovin thrown his way tonight!  little rascal.


anyway, thank you for continuing to pray for our family and especially for this evaluation today.  praise God for the itchy virus!