Matt Update

It has been a LONG time since I have posted an update on Matt. To be honest, the reason is two-fold, with neither being a particularly good reason. First, I have just been exhausted and busy. (Lame, I know.) And second, Kelly and Alexa visited him the week after we did way back when, and let's just say that the visit wasn't such a good one and I was so livid that I didn't have ANYTHING nice to say. Since it seems that the internet is eternal, I decided to live by the old adage: If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all. So I haven't. 'Nuf said.

We have continued to talk with Matt every other Wednesday for 1/2 hour, along with this therapist. He has been doing really well and has reached the Manager level. Other than the week after the lovely visit (see? the sarcasm creeps in - can't help it), he has had 100% "successful" weeks, meaning he has earned a very small number of cites, he has done all that he has been asked to do, and he has met all of his school goals. With this level, he has been able to get a 'job' on campus -he is a photographer now. The photos I have posted before (not including the ones of us with him, but the ones of him on-campus either by himself or with other kids) have been taken by school photographers. This job is especially important to the parents waiting every single week to see photos of their kid -- trust me on this one!! He has also earned added priveleges and is definitely learning to appreciate the little things.

We were able to visit with Matt on the 9th and 10th - so we enjoyed his 14th birthday with him. FOURTEEN! Personally, I am thinking back more than ever to when I met him at age two. Oh, what a pistol!! What a ride these years have been, but he looks fantastic and we were so grateful to have this time with him. Given that he couldn't receive gifts for his birthday, we just hung out and visited, the boys fished, and he opened birthday cards that he received.

We can't help but whistle the Andy Griffith theme song to this picture... hello, Opie!

Pretty, huh?

Matt has also taken up guitar, which he is pretty jazzed about.

Matt took this shot. :-) I wish I could nap out in the grass, under beautiful trees!

This coming week, we're packing up again and will be heading back to Utah! There is a two-day parent seminar that John, Kyan and I are attending. Day one (Friday) is just for parents. Day two (Saturday) involves the kids from 8am - noon. Even for four hours, we'll take any time with him we can get. And we are excited to learn whatever it is that they have to offer.