Thank You, Readers!!...

I am so, so happy to share an update with all of you on what's been happening because of Gavin's Trust Project.  Because of you - and your $5.00, $25.00, $100.00 and even $1,000 donations - so many children, teachers and families have been helped.  I know how grateful we were when we were lent different equipment and toys to trial with Gavin.  And we were fortunate to be able to purchase many things on our own.  But, as you know, this is not always possible for families.  And special education teachers and therapists shouldn't have to beg, borrow and duct tape to get what they need for their "kids."  Every donation, big or small, from you - and even some of the companies you work for - has made a HUGE difference.  Here is an email I received from Deb Hiller from the Chester County Intermediate Unit.  She is in charge of the purchases made with the Trust Project money and was able to open and "furnish" (in more ways than one!) several classrooms in our area.  In our time of grief after losing Gavin, this project has meant so much to us.  As Gavin's Mommy, my personal motto was that I aimed to make "the impossible... possible" for my little boy.  To feel like we're continuing to make seemingly impossible things possible for kids like him brings us much comfort.

Thank you.

Kate,

Oh my have we been busy and so happy. Gavin's Trust has helped provide toys and switches to 4 different classes for students with physical and learning needs. We could not include the faces of the students, but they are from a variety of classes and students. Please see the attached pictures that include students utilizing voice output communicators to participate in school activities including ask for what they want, comment on an object, Say "hello", make a choice, play on a light board, ask for "more" and say '"all Done", make a caterpillar light up and play music, etc..

We have also developed a lending library (pictures of closets with toys and switches) to loan toys, low tech communication  devices and switches to the families of students we serve in that are too homebound Preschool Special Education students.

More pictures are coming soon.

Thank you for all your support of these precious children.

Deb

Not even shown is the furniture and swings and more that were purchased for the classrooms!  It's truly been unbelievable.

If you would like more information about Gavin's Trust Project - you can always look to the right side of this blog where you will find an explanation, where to mail a check or how to donate online.  You could also click HERE to read the original blog post with everything you need to know.

If you're wondering what's going on with "Gavin's Birthday Project" at the Paoli Emergency Room, I have an update on that, too!  (Note: we are no longer accepting donations for this!)

I had all the toys and furniture delivered to our home.  I wanted to open and assemble each one personally to make sure everything was A-Ok before delivering it.  Unfortunately, one pice of one toy arrived broken...and then it was on backorder...and I'm still waiting for that to be delivered.  As soon as that arrives, we will make the arrangements with the hospital to head over for the installation and unveiling of the new children's waiting room!!  We're very excited about this project - inspired by Brian - and are grateful to all of those who donated to make Gavin's Birthday Project become a reality.  Hopefully we'll make it over there with everything before Hope arrives!!

Thank you for everything you've done for our family.  Whether you've donated money... prayed for us... encouraged us... or even just read my journal entries so you could better know Gavin and our family... we could never have imagined, in a million years, this incredible outpouring.  We don't take it - or any of you - for granted.

A Little Overdue...

I've been in a bit of a slump.  Have you noticed?  Lately, the mere thought of writing my journal entry causes me to freeze.  I feel like I have SO much to write...but NOTHING to say.  And I know that doesn't make sense...but it does to me.

So I thought I would give you an update on the boys - a general one - that is a little bit overdue.

Brian is doing so well in school!  He still gets group speech once a week with Miss Maggie who, I am happy to share is having her first baby!!!  We can't wait for the big day so we can find out (along with Maggie!) if she's been carrying a boy or a girl!  Brian talks about Miss Maggie's baby often, which is so sweet.  He even told Maggie that she should be a witch and her baby should be a pumpkin for Halloween.  (I'm sure that was not personal, Maggie!!!!!)

Brian's class is in a Scholastic Books reading contest - the Dogs vs the Cats.  We are on the Dog Team!  The goal is to read 20 minutes a day and log it on a website.  It tabulates our reading time...the class's reading time...and the school district's reading time.  We are all over this contest!!  Brian and I have already logged in 370 minutes since September 26th!  Scholastic is donating a million books to less fortunate kids during this challenge, which is great.  Not that we need incentive to read around here...we love our books in this house!

Brian has also been changing a lot.  We went through a little phase where he was acting out a lot - testing his boundaries and doing a lot of whining.  That is down to the bare minimum now.  It has been replaced with the typical tears when he has to stop an activity.  The other night he cried himself to sleep for not getting cookies for dessert.  He's also going through a "Gavin touched me!!" or "No, Gavin - this is mine.  That's yours" phase.  It's so small to me - these phases.  I just don't get upset about them.  I've said it before - I am fascinated by his normal psychological development.  And I'm very grateful for it, too.  He is such a sweet boy - and thinks so much about everything.  He is full of compliments (Mommy, I love your shirt today!  Daddy, I love your hair!) and pleases and thank yous and he has been very laid back in general when asked to do things.  "Brian, it's time to eat lunch."  "Oh, all right Mom."

But my favorite new thing?  His pretend play.  If I leave him to play alone, I can't help but eavesdrop on his pretend conversations.  They are typically re-enactments of things he's experienced.  Like, in this video which I recorded secretly.  He re-enacted telling Gavin which side of the car his seat was on.  "No, that's my side"  "Oh, okay."  Even throwing in, "Thanks."  "Oh, you're welcome."  

Watch him in action...

I love this little boy so much.

Now, Gavin.  He is blowing everyone away - at school and at home.  The clapping continues and it's his favorite thing to do at the moment!  Thinking I'd never see him do that, it never gets old for me.  I love getting reports from school about his participation in the activities.  I've heard that he does a great job during circle time saying "hello" to the class.  When it is his turn, they show him his picture (which he gets a kick out of, apparently!) and ask him to push a button that says "Hello!"  He does this consistently!

He's also doing such a great job with his walker.  It's not uncommon for people to see him cruising up and down the halls of the school.  He's getting MUCH better with steering - getting himself unstuck and steering left and right.  The other day when he was walking around the house I had him stop for a break - a strawberry pediasure shake (his new obsession!).  I lowered the attached seat on the walker and he sat for a little bit...

...but not for long!  You can't keep this boy down these days!

He held the straw in his teeth.  Like a rock star.  That's what I call multi-tasking.

This morning I took the boys to my Mom's house for a visit and to have lunch with her.  Gavin and Brian love going there (as do I!).  Gavin loves to explore every inch of every room...and Brian loves everything - especially Granny.  And especially Granny's basement!!

When I got home, Ed and I split up to get a few things done.  Important things.  I made a random return just so I could cruise around a store and look at fun toys with Gavin.  I always enjoy watching him flirt with people - and be flirted with in public.  He's so irresistible!!  Ed took Brian out to buy him a sponge.  Not just ANY sponge.  His OWN sponge.  Brian helped Ed wash his car once - and it was something he has talked about since.  He asks me at least once a day to "play" with Ed's giant yellow sponge and I hated saying no!!  So today was the big day.  Brian has not one...but TWO sponges.  They had so much fun.

It's the little things around our house.  Today...and every day.