Last night the hometeachers were over and we got talking about New Years and doing fireworks. Later that night Coleson said, "Can we get some eagle fireworks?" Some what? "You know, eagle fireworks." What? "Eagle fireworks, the kind that go really high and do big explosions!" Oh, you mean "illegal" fireworks. "Sure, can we get some of those..."
Unfortunately we don't have access to eagle fireworks, but I'm sure there will be plenty of people in our neighborhood with those. Happy New Year!!!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
This Feels Awesome...
What a great month! Thank Heavens for Christmas and the wonderful spirit it brings. On Saturday we took Coleson to the furniture store to pick out his bedroom set. When we walked in Coleson was instantly greeted by Chris (one of the store managers) and taken to the children's section. Coleson was very impressed that there were donuts for breakfast and everyone already knew his name. Stacey was Coleson's helper for the selection process and he picked out a desk, dresser drawers, and a bunk bed set ("Ammon can sleep with me in my room now!"). It was an awesome morning and the people there were just amazing. As we were checking out Chris came over and talked with me about the selection process. Approximately 600 letters had been submitted and the committee spent about 9 hours reading all of the letters and narrowing the field down to 40 letters. They then spent another 6 hours settling on the 10 winners. He said when they read Coleson's letter and looked at the pictures everyone on the Committee started crying. Apparently, Coleson was the first kid they called and when they put him on speaker phone with him cheering and yelling everyone started crying again. These are such good people, and they've done something very special for our boy that we could never pull off.
On the way out of the store Summer was getting emotional again, and I guess Coleson finally had enough. "Mom, why does everyone keep crying?" Summer told him that she was just so grateful that he was recognized in such a way for everything that he has done for her and others, but especially Ammon. She always wanted to make his new room very special, essentially a place that was just his and a place that he would love to be. Now that all the bedroom furniture was covered she felt like she could really go all out and do some special things in his room, just to say thanks.
Primary on Sunday was great. During singing time the leader had previously asked five kids in Jr. and Sr. primary to select an adult they appreciated and why they appreciated them. The adults selected were simply asked if they could come to Primary that day and had no idea what was going to happen. The powerful lesson was on how it feels to give gifts, not gifts like an X-box or PS3, but gifts of kindness and thanks that don't require money. Apparently, Coleson was selected to pick a special adult that he wanted to spotlight. He selected Steve our home teacher. Steve's whole family was in primary because they were supposed to leave right after Sacrament meeting to attend another function. Steve had no idea why he was there or what was going on. When the leader asked Coleson to come forward and tell everyone who he picked, Steve was in complete shock. Coleson said he wanted to highlight Steve because he is always so nice to him, he always tells him thanks when we set up chairs on Sundays, he's our hometeacher, and he's Coleson's friend. Ammon attends singing time in Primary now, so Summer was sitting on the front row with him while all this was going on. Summer didn't dare look up because she didn't want to get all emotional, and Steve was already to that point. When the leader asked how Steve felt all he could emotionally say was, "I feel Awesome!" (Coleson said Steve kept telling him "this is so cool" over and over). I was in the hall with Brynn as Steve and his family left. He said he had rarely felt this good and was surprised that it was all Coleson and we had nothing to do with it; and we really didn't (Autumn, his wife, said they were going to go cry in the car now). In the Sr. primary session Summer was surprised when she was selected by a wonderful young girl to be spotlighted. Other kids selected a surprised parent, neighbor, or friend. The last young girl selected her primary teacher and actually got really emotional when she started talking about him. The entire event was a powerful experience and I've not done that great of a job describing it. The whole lesson was a great reminder of the powerful influence for good we all have on children, no matter our calling, our position in life, or our financial means.
Merry Christmas Everyone!!!
On the way out of the store Summer was getting emotional again, and I guess Coleson finally had enough. "Mom, why does everyone keep crying?" Summer told him that she was just so grateful that he was recognized in such a way for everything that he has done for her and others, but especially Ammon. She always wanted to make his new room very special, essentially a place that was just his and a place that he would love to be. Now that all the bedroom furniture was covered she felt like she could really go all out and do some special things in his room, just to say thanks.
Primary on Sunday was great. During singing time the leader had previously asked five kids in Jr. and Sr. primary to select an adult they appreciated and why they appreciated them. The adults selected were simply asked if they could come to Primary that day and had no idea what was going to happen. The powerful lesson was on how it feels to give gifts, not gifts like an X-box or PS3, but gifts of kindness and thanks that don't require money. Apparently, Coleson was selected to pick a special adult that he wanted to spotlight. He selected Steve our home teacher. Steve's whole family was in primary because they were supposed to leave right after Sacrament meeting to attend another function. Steve had no idea why he was there or what was going on. When the leader asked Coleson to come forward and tell everyone who he picked, Steve was in complete shock. Coleson said he wanted to highlight Steve because he is always so nice to him, he always tells him thanks when we set up chairs on Sundays, he's our hometeacher, and he's Coleson's friend. Ammon attends singing time in Primary now, so Summer was sitting on the front row with him while all this was going on. Summer didn't dare look up because she didn't want to get all emotional, and Steve was already to that point. When the leader asked how Steve felt all he could emotionally say was, "I feel Awesome!" (Coleson said Steve kept telling him "this is so cool" over and over). I was in the hall with Brynn as Steve and his family left. He said he had rarely felt this good and was surprised that it was all Coleson and we had nothing to do with it; and we really didn't (Autumn, his wife, said they were going to go cry in the car now). In the Sr. primary session Summer was surprised when she was selected by a wonderful young girl to be spotlighted. Other kids selected a surprised parent, neighbor, or friend. The last young girl selected her primary teacher and actually got really emotional when she started talking about him. The entire event was a powerful experience and I've not done that great of a job describing it. The whole lesson was a great reminder of the powerful influence for good we all have on children, no matter our calling, our position in life, or our financial means.
Merry Christmas Everyone!!!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
It's a Contest...
So we recently read about a contest of sorts, being put on by Ashley Furniture. The contest was open to all children within the Salt Lake valley (including Davis county) ages 4 thru 13. Requirements: submit a hand written letter (must be written by the child) explaining some of the amazing things they do to serve around the community, in school, at home, etc. Summer thought it would be a good idea to see if Coleson wanted to write a letter about some of the things that he’s involved in. My first thought was he only barely turned six and is just in kindergarten, can he really write a full length letter. So we asked Coleson if he wanted to write a letter and submit it to the contest and he thought it would be fun (well, sort of fun). We started out by asking Coleson some specific things he does on a regular basis that makes other people happy. While Coleson talked about serving and loving Ammon, visiting Camille, helping in his classroom, and other items, Summer put her shorthand to work and quickly wrote down word for word everything that he said. Then for the past two weeks Coleson has sat at the kitchen table and patiently (well, as patiently as a six year boy can) transcribed his original words to a letter in his own handwriting. Watching him slowly write this out one letter at a time, taking hour long or nightly breaks every few words or lines, reminded me of the image of kids painstaking writing down Christmas lists for Santa.
Monday was the final day for any submissions, and he finished his letter up while leaving out some details and stories that he originally expressed. Summer, the boys and Brynn hand delivered the submission to the store and included several pictures and other items that helped describe what Coleson had written about. Today Summer received a call. The person said he was from Ashley Furniture and wanted to verify a few things. Summer said the person was enjoying themselves immensely, dragging the questions out, while she was eagerly waiting to hear the real purpose for the call. Turns out Coleson won the contest! Let it be known there was much screaming, yelling, jumping, dancing, and other jubilations, with Coleson just looking on smiling. The person asked if they could put the phone on speaker and talk to Coleson personally. Coleson was a little bit in shock, but once he realized that he won the contest he put on a fairly impressive performance. So what did Coleson win you might be wondering? As you know we are currently finishing our basement and Coleson’s new room will be downstairs. So Coleson needs bedroom furniture to fill his room, and bedroom furniture is exactly what he won. On Saturday morning we have been invited to the main store in Salt Lake, where Coleson will personally pick out a complete set of new bedroom furniture. Apparently the TV news and other local sponsors will be there, and it should be quite the party.
We’ve posted below the content of the winning letter, we think he’s a pretty special kid. I’m sitting here thinking that I’ve never won anything like this, especially at that young age. I did once win a free 15 pound turkey for Thanksgiving, and there was much jumping up and down about that, but that was because I successfully completed an entry form instead of successfully completing a noteworthy act of service. I guess this Christmas I need to try to be a little more focused on the service, instead of just checking the box on an entry form. Congratulations Coleson, we are so pleased with you!
"Dear Santa, My name is Coleson and I am 6. I help my teacher in kindergarten. I got my work done first and my teacher picked me to help everyone. My little brother Ammon, he has Down syndrome, which means he can't do alot of stuff. So Ammon is in preschool. I push him down to the bus. I help the kids at the stretching center. I give them high 5s and make them laugh. I helped my brother say his name in circle time. My neighbor can't walk so she has a wheelchair. Thursdays we bring her breakfast. I make her happy by talking to her. Merry Christ mas."
Yes, he did spell Christmas with a space between Christ and mas.
Monday was the final day for any submissions, and he finished his letter up while leaving out some details and stories that he originally expressed. Summer, the boys and Brynn hand delivered the submission to the store and included several pictures and other items that helped describe what Coleson had written about. Today Summer received a call. The person said he was from Ashley Furniture and wanted to verify a few things. Summer said the person was enjoying themselves immensely, dragging the questions out, while she was eagerly waiting to hear the real purpose for the call. Turns out Coleson won the contest! Let it be known there was much screaming, yelling, jumping, dancing, and other jubilations, with Coleson just looking on smiling. The person asked if they could put the phone on speaker and talk to Coleson personally. Coleson was a little bit in shock, but once he realized that he won the contest he put on a fairly impressive performance. So what did Coleson win you might be wondering? As you know we are currently finishing our basement and Coleson’s new room will be downstairs. So Coleson needs bedroom furniture to fill his room, and bedroom furniture is exactly what he won. On Saturday morning we have been invited to the main store in Salt Lake, where Coleson will personally pick out a complete set of new bedroom furniture. Apparently the TV news and other local sponsors will be there, and it should be quite the party.
We’ve posted below the content of the winning letter, we think he’s a pretty special kid. I’m sitting here thinking that I’ve never won anything like this, especially at that young age. I did once win a free 15 pound turkey for Thanksgiving, and there was much jumping up and down about that, but that was because I successfully completed an entry form instead of successfully completing a noteworthy act of service. I guess this Christmas I need to try to be a little more focused on the service, instead of just checking the box on an entry form. Congratulations Coleson, we are so pleased with you!
"Dear Santa, My name is Coleson and I am 6. I help my teacher in kindergarten. I got my work done first and my teacher picked me to help everyone. My little brother Ammon, he has Down syndrome, which means he can't do alot of stuff. So Ammon is in preschool. I push him down to the bus. I help the kids at the stretching center. I give them high 5s and make them laugh. I helped my brother say his name in circle time. My neighbor can't walk so she has a wheelchair. Thursdays we bring her breakfast. I make her happy by talking to her. Merry Christ mas."
Yes, he did spell Christmas with a space between Christ and mas.
Happy Birthday Coleson!
Coleson turned 6 last month. He was so excited for his "real" birthday party. We went bowling at Fat Cats and had pizza with a few friends. He wanted to have a lego themed party but I was not up to having 10 six year old boys running around our house, so I thought it would be better to go with a few friends to an activity. Coleson picked bowling, but he still wanted the lego theme so it was a Lego bowling party. We had lego fruit snacks on the cupcakes to make it officially Lego. The boys had fun with the cool lights, music and pizza(and bumpers). During the day Coleson asked me if I was sad he was turning 6. I told him no, I was glad he is getting older and could do more things. Then he replied "Well I'll be going to college soon and then you'll be sad" He is so funny how he picks things out of adult conversations and makes them his own. Coleson is awesome. He is such a big helper and we feel so grateful to have him in our family.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Ammon and Preschool...
Just trying to get a little caught up here with all the happenings over the past month. Please read Summer's awesome blog post below, that's where all the cute pictures are anyways. Many of you know that Ammon turned 3 in October and has started preschool. Here's a brief note from our family journal about how that has been going:
"Following is a part of Ammon’s second day of preschool as told to me by Coleson. At the start of each day the kids are gathered in a circle and a welcome song is sung. A mirror is passed around the circle and as each child has a turn in front of the mirror the welcome song is about them and at the end the child says his name out loud. On Ammon’s second day of school his big brother was with him. Coleson was sitting next to Ammon in the circle and singing along to the welcome song. The mirror eventually came to Ammon, the song ended, and it was Ammon’s big moment to say his name, but nothing came out. Coleson leaned over and says, “Ammon, say your name,” and then waited. After a few seconds of no response Coleson repeated the phrase. There was no response again, and the teacher almost indicated that she would move on, but Coleson wouldn’t have that. Coleson leaned in a little closer and with patience for a third time said into Ammon’s ear, “Ammon, what’s your name?” At this point Ammon looked up and quietly said “Ammon.” Everyone cheered and yelled, with Coleson simply talking into Ammon’s ear, “Good job, good job.” Good job to you Coleson.
Coleson had a great time with Ammon, and also started to make some other new friends. One little boy apparently is unable to speak yet, but can make humming type sounds to communicate. So when the boy “hummed” at Coleson, Coleson turned and hummed back to him. They both got huge smiles, and the boy hummed again a little more earnestly, with Coleson humming right back at him. The hum fest went on for a minute and in the process another friendship was started."
Ammon rode the bus to preschool for the first time today (Tuesday). Following is another blurb from our family record that we wrote the day before Ammon turned three (sorry , this one is a bit longer). After the quote we'll fill you in on how riding the bus ended up going.
"Tomorrow Ammon turns three years old, and he will start his first day of preschool. A little while ago we sat down with Ammon’s physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech therapist, and a half a dozen other specialists to have his first IEP (Individualized Education Plan). Some of these people have been diligently serving and working with Ammon since he was six months old and earlier. In some regards they know Ammon’s abilities as well as we do. Based on the result of this meeting, Ammon was approved and requested to attend a special needs preschool in Kaysville. Each day Ammon will travel to preschool for two and a half hours, and he will be given the opportunity enhance his “limited tools” in such a way that they will eventually become limitless. Summer will drive him there for his first class tomorrow to meet his teacher, aides, and classmates. We have incredible mixed emotions about this key event in his life, it feels so different from sending Coleson off to kindergarten or even preschool for the first time. In a short time a school bus will come right to our driveway to pick Ammon up. Apparently, our sweet trusting little boy will hop on his wheelchair, hop on the bus, wave bye to his Mom and little sister through the window, and then drive off to school. That’s sounds like such a grown up thing to me, I don’t feel quite right about it yet and have been feeling some measure of anxiety about it. “They know he’s only just three, right,” I have asked Summer about a dozen times, or she has asked me the same question the same number of times. But we have prayed with great faith and given him a father’s blessing that he will be blessed from this experience and those that come to call him a friend will likewise be blessed. Ammon is a special boy, and we have learned over the past three years that he still has many special missions and purposes to accomplish while he is here. Some of those missions and purposes will require him to have more physical tools at his disposal, and we hope that his experiences in preschool will simply be another wonderful step forward in his journey. We’ll let you know how it goes."
Ammon's experiences in preschool have been wonderful, and we are so glad that he has been able to attend and that Summer and Coleson have been able to be part of the process. Ammon did ride the bus for the first time this morning. It was windy, rainy, and cold when the bus pulled up for what would be an almost hour long ride. Summer and Coleson had Ammon all ready to go, but he is still getting used to his wheelchair so it was probably a little more exciting for him today. The bus driver and his assistant seem like very nice people, and Summer and Coleson did a great job getting Ammon on the bus (Coleson insisted on pushing Ammon's wheelchair). Granted it was very hard for Summer to hold everything in and put so much trust in others concerning Ammon. Our neighbor Sherry came over while the bus was still there to see how Summer and Ammon were doing. All it took was one concerned question from this good friend and Summer couldn't hold in the tears and emotion anymore. Granted to say, the first bus trip went fairly well for Ammon and he did cry a little bit. He had another great day at preschool and fell asleep on the bus ride home. This will probably take some time for Summer, Ammon, and the rest of us to get used to.
"Following is a part of Ammon’s second day of preschool as told to me by Coleson. At the start of each day the kids are gathered in a circle and a welcome song is sung. A mirror is passed around the circle and as each child has a turn in front of the mirror the welcome song is about them and at the end the child says his name out loud. On Ammon’s second day of school his big brother was with him. Coleson was sitting next to Ammon in the circle and singing along to the welcome song. The mirror eventually came to Ammon, the song ended, and it was Ammon’s big moment to say his name, but nothing came out. Coleson leaned over and says, “Ammon, say your name,” and then waited. After a few seconds of no response Coleson repeated the phrase. There was no response again, and the teacher almost indicated that she would move on, but Coleson wouldn’t have that. Coleson leaned in a little closer and with patience for a third time said into Ammon’s ear, “Ammon, what’s your name?” At this point Ammon looked up and quietly said “Ammon.” Everyone cheered and yelled, with Coleson simply talking into Ammon’s ear, “Good job, good job.” Good job to you Coleson.
Coleson had a great time with Ammon, and also started to make some other new friends. One little boy apparently is unable to speak yet, but can make humming type sounds to communicate. So when the boy “hummed” at Coleson, Coleson turned and hummed back to him. They both got huge smiles, and the boy hummed again a little more earnestly, with Coleson humming right back at him. The hum fest went on for a minute and in the process another friendship was started."
Ammon rode the bus to preschool for the first time today (Tuesday). Following is another blurb from our family record that we wrote the day before Ammon turned three (sorry , this one is a bit longer). After the quote we'll fill you in on how riding the bus ended up going.
"Tomorrow Ammon turns three years old, and he will start his first day of preschool. A little while ago we sat down with Ammon’s physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech therapist, and a half a dozen other specialists to have his first IEP (Individualized Education Plan). Some of these people have been diligently serving and working with Ammon since he was six months old and earlier. In some regards they know Ammon’s abilities as well as we do. Based on the result of this meeting, Ammon was approved and requested to attend a special needs preschool in Kaysville. Each day Ammon will travel to preschool for two and a half hours, and he will be given the opportunity enhance his “limited tools” in such a way that they will eventually become limitless. Summer will drive him there for his first class tomorrow to meet his teacher, aides, and classmates. We have incredible mixed emotions about this key event in his life, it feels so different from sending Coleson off to kindergarten or even preschool for the first time. In a short time a school bus will come right to our driveway to pick Ammon up. Apparently, our sweet trusting little boy will hop on his wheelchair, hop on the bus, wave bye to his Mom and little sister through the window, and then drive off to school. That’s sounds like such a grown up thing to me, I don’t feel quite right about it yet and have been feeling some measure of anxiety about it. “They know he’s only just three, right,” I have asked Summer about a dozen times, or she has asked me the same question the same number of times. But we have prayed with great faith and given him a father’s blessing that he will be blessed from this experience and those that come to call him a friend will likewise be blessed. Ammon is a special boy, and we have learned over the past three years that he still has many special missions and purposes to accomplish while he is here. Some of those missions and purposes will require him to have more physical tools at his disposal, and we hope that his experiences in preschool will simply be another wonderful step forward in his journey. We’ll let you know how it goes."
Ammon's experiences in preschool have been wonderful, and we are so glad that he has been able to attend and that Summer and Coleson have been able to be part of the process. Ammon did ride the bus for the first time this morning. It was windy, rainy, and cold when the bus pulled up for what would be an almost hour long ride. Summer and Coleson had Ammon all ready to go, but he is still getting used to his wheelchair so it was probably a little more exciting for him today. The bus driver and his assistant seem like very nice people, and Summer and Coleson did a great job getting Ammon on the bus (Coleson insisted on pushing Ammon's wheelchair). Granted it was very hard for Summer to hold everything in and put so much trust in others concerning Ammon. Our neighbor Sherry came over while the bus was still there to see how Summer and Ammon were doing. All it took was one concerned question from this good friend and Summer couldn't hold in the tears and emotion anymore. Granted to say, the first bus trip went fairly well for Ammon and he did cry a little bit. He had another great day at preschool and fell asleep on the bus ride home. This will probably take some time for Summer, Ammon, and the rest of us to get used to.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
