Tonka

Most kids get a Tonka truck...Ella get's a Tonka Horse!!!

Where are the Horses???

Well, I will post pictures of Ella riding her horse just as soon as my sister posts them...or sends them to me. So feel free to bug her so we can all see them. We took the pictures right before I went in for lasik so I havesn't seen them either!!

Play Day at Mimi and Papas

Good News

Ella took more than 30 steps yesterday...she took 12 consecutive, 11, then 11 more...she impressed her therapist and also Joe and I...she is doing MARVELOUS!

Joe and I took Ella to A Child Can Do All Things yesterday afternoon. It's an amazing facility in a very close location to our house. We got to meet the director, Karissa, as well as the Conductor, Timi. They don't call it therapy, they call it a method of learning. And the staff isn't therapists...they are Conductors and Conductors Assistants. When we got to watch the class yesterday it was one-on-one CA to student...which is great. It doesn't always get to be that close...usually it's 1-2 CA to students.

So, the details of our assessment. Timi, the conductor, warned us ahead of time that there could be a chance that Ella isn't cognitive enough to actually follow directions. They cue the child with directions and then if they see the child trying to follow the command they help them with the rest of the task. As we walked back, both Joe and I knew that Ella's cognition was low and that this would probably be our biggest task to overcome. While we sat and watched her walk Ella through different drills and commands, my heart ached for Ella to impress her (and even us) with what she did and how she responded. There were small things I saw that I don't usually even look for, but overall she was typical, smiley, happy, loving Ella...but unfortunately at a very low cognitive level. There biggest concern was that Ella would need so much more help being cued that the other kids.

Timi informed us that there was one spot left for the July session/camp, which is what I was hoping to get Ella into. She said that putting Ella in that spot will depend on their staffing. If they can hire another person or two then they will give Ella the spot (with the chance that they may tell us in 2 weeks that it's just not working out). So, we will find out in the next couple of weeks if there staffing will accommodate for Ella.

My heart aches. I want her to at least be "with it" enough to be able to follow instructions so that she can get the help we desire so much for her.

Prayer Requests:

• That we will be aligned with God in such a way that my hearts desire for Ella will reflect His desires for Ella. (Psalm 37:4)
• That Ella's brain will begin to heal itself and that she will be able to follow directions and think through processes (Matt 15:30)
• "Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that's where life starts. Don't talk out of both sides of your mouth; avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip. Keep your eyes straight ahead; ignore all sideshow distractions. Watch your step, and the road will stretch out smooth before you. Look neither right nor left; leave evil in the dust. (Proverbs 4:23-27)

I want so much for Ella, and selfishly for me, I have to be reminded every day that it's not my desires that matter...it's the Lord's.

Step it Up!!

Ella set a new record today...she took 18 consecutive steps with her gait trainer! Here she is with Julie and a student intern. We are SO proud of her!

Kristie turned around and saw Ella standing up today at home...so I grabbed my camera and took a quik picture. She did the same thing in Sunday School last Sunday...we are SO proud of her for working so hard!

Happy Birthday Dori

Who's that Girl?

Check her out...and then check out the whole new website!

Horsing Around

80's Event For Charity

As I mentioned, we are hoping to get Ella in the Summer session for ACCDAT. They are having a fundraising event in May that will be SO much fun: http://accdat.org/product.php?productid=24&cat=8&page=1. I have also heard that the Spazmatics are performing...so it will be a BLAST!! This is for a GREAT cause and we would love for as many people as we know to show up and have fun with us, while raising money for these children to make the cost of therapy to parents lower.

Who Do The Kids Look Like?

Joe:

Andrea:

Ella Update

Okay, so I know you all love pictures, but here are some updates on our Ella Bella. She is working on walking and standing EVERY day...she has a rough time holding her top half up while she uses her bottom half...we'll get them both stronger. One way we are going to work on this is by putting her in Hippotherapy...no, she will not be riding a hippo. She is going to be riding horses. How cute will that be. You know I'm going to have to purchase her some adorable horse-riding outfits. We are visiting Equest on Thursday...I'm so excited!! It's all going to be out-of-pocket so we need to make sure it's the best use of our money. Mainly because we might possibly be combining it with a new method of therapy call Conductive Education. We are hoping to get into a 4-week summer program with A Child Can Do All Things. Again, this is out-of-pocket and not covered on insurance so we just need to visit both of these places (we visit ACCDAT next week).

I'm really excited about both of these new therapies. Ella will continue with our amazing therapies at Our Children's House, except for the possible 4 weeks at ACCDAT. We will no longer be doing therapy with ECI once Ella turns 3-years-old, and will be getting signed up to take part in the PPCD program with Richardson Independent School District...GREAT opportunity.

I think that's it for now...we'll update you as we get more information and make more decisions.

Too Cold and Rainy Outside...

...so we are driving mom nuts inside.

yesterday and today

Buddy

This is the newest addition to our family...and we are loving him. Anyone who thinks it's cruel...try chasing a one-year old around.

Trip Outside