Tomorrow we go meet with the Marcus Autism Center Specialists for #awesomeDawson. I'm so anxiously, excited its crazy!! I'm excited to learn more about Dawson, ways to help him learn. I'm anxious to hear what they say. What guidance they can provide us with... My prayer for today and tomorrow is from a great verse!!! Romans 12:12  Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. {Thank you Lord for hope!!} I am just praying that tomorrow isn't stressful for Dawson or us. That God's love shine bright through us and especially through Dawson. Scott asked me what he should expect, I'm really not sure. Probably some Occupational therapy type things to learn more about Dawson and what he's drawn to. He also asked if I thought we would get an Autism diagnosis. Which, honestly, I would be surprised if we didn't. Again, I could care less what "box" someone puts him in as far as diagnosis. Because as far as I'm concerned he fits perfectly in his #awesomeDawson box. {If I had to guess Dawson's hypothetical box would be decorated like a race car or "choo-choo" train with wheels that would let him roll around. And he would die laughing when his hypothetical box on wheels zoomed past your box. hehe} Here is Dawson rocking "sissy's" glasses at Ms. Cathya's. Or, as he calls it, "schoo". {We are still on a nationwide manhunt for the L in school, but until we find it... we will keep you updated with the latest news. Bahaha} We are so lucky we found Cathya when Shae was a baby. She really helped gently guide me in our adventure with Dawson. At the end of last week I was able to take pictures of D. This is a rarity indeed.... Like finding an extremely rare animal in it's natural habitat...... {insert Australian accented narrator describing exactly what you're seeing} "Watch as he rolls his cars from the pretend wood floor to the carpeted space in front of him." I wonder if having an accent is a prerequisite for narrating animal documentaries. I brought his cars down to my studio and didn't ask anything of him. We just played. I was present, and in the moment playing with him. I am making more of an effort to "disconnect" and be present in the moment. I also need to make a more concerted effort to get in regular picture time with him. Even if it's just 2 minutes here and 4 minutes there... It's better than nothing!! Because let's be real, I'm going to blink & he'll be 7!! {I swear that's what it feels like with my Shae Bird!!!} I have to take a second & brag on my handsome little man... Dawson did AWESOME at his therapies this week. Both his speech therapist & occupational therapist saw big improvement in his attentiveness, eye contact, engagement & listening skills!! I was literally balling because he was grabbing his O.T., Cheri, by her face and bringing her face close to his, laughing & playing with her and giving her hugs. This is HUGE!!!! He also gave his speech therapist, Heather, hugs at their session!! Hugs are a big deal!! Dawson is very affectionate, but only to his most favorite people. And he doesn't always initiate it. But, for him to open up and show so much joy & love on his own made my heart sooo full!!! While I'm bragging, I have to share a little slice of "awesome" pie. Last week, out of nowhere, Dawson gave my Mom LIP KISSES. Normally if he wants to give you a kiss or if you ask for one he gives you his forehead for YOU to kiss. Lip kisses are EXTREMELY rare and hardly ever happen. But, he gave my Mom lip kisses, not once, but twice!!!! Of course I was cheering and praising him while my Mom & I are both teary eyed taking in that moment. It was PHENOMINAL!!! It's these victories that may seem small, but they are SOOOO HUGE!!!! So huge!! Maybe the Marcus Center can help us get to a place where I can get lip kisses every day!!! {My heart may burst if I could get lip kisses everyday!!!} Speaking of the Marcus Autism Center, we received a large packet in the mail from the them to fill out. A medical background & questionnaire pertaining to family history & questions geared toward Scott & I as well as a packet of papers called ASQ-3 36 month Questionaire. We had to test Dawson to see if he could perform different skills that deal with communication, gross motor, fine motor, problem solving & personal-social. At the end of the test is the "overall" portion for parents to fill in. I have to say the last question in this section was a tough one for me. 10. Does anything about your child worry you? If yes, explain: You may be surprised by my answer... The Dictionary definition = Worry: verb To feel uneasy or concerned about something; be troubled. Let's get right with some scripture. After all, that is the first place we need to go for guidance.

Proverbs 12:25 An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.

Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

{If you ask me, hope is the very opposite of worry.} Below you will see my answer to their question. It didn't fit into their tiny box... so I took up 1/2 of the page.

"Dawson doesn't hurt himself or others, so I'm not worried about his safety, but I do want to know how to best help Dawson be the best Dawson he can be. I want to make sure we are doing the right things to help him currently, or if there is more we could do. I know that he is awesome, but I would love to know how to help him when he gets frustrated after being unable to communicate what he is wanting, effectively. Or, better yet, I want to help him to learn more in terms of communication.

As far as worries, I worry that one day he will notice that some people don't understand that his "tough days" may look like a kid just throwing a tantrum, when really he's just frustrated & doesn't know how to work through those feelings in another way. I worry that people won't see how awesome he is & all of the sweet things he does because they can't see past his differences. I worry that one day his peers may not be interested in playing with him. I worry that I don't always know the best way to help him. So, I worry about a lot, but not because of Dawson. I worry because people, in general, are clueless.... Unless they are a part of a family with a child like Dawson, they don't understand."

As I type up my answer I wonder how I can lift up my worries in prayer for Dawson & surrender them, totally, but I am unable to do so with the worries I have towards others. That will have to be something I focus on & work towards surrendering in my quiet time. Maybe this blog will help open the eyes and hearts of those who have never known someone with "special abilities", whether it is developmental delays, autism, or whatever the case may be... because If you open your heart, you will see all the uniquely wonderful things a person is made of!!! Thank you for coming along for our adventure and lifting us up in prayer. We appreciate it so very much!! I would love for you to tell me you favorite uplifting verse!! #teambritt