My Golden Star

Hehehehe Just kidding ;)

If mothers who gush and gush about how wonderful and perfect their kids are, and show you pictures, and make you watch home videos until you wanna pluck your eyeballs out then navigate away from this page now. 

Okay let the bragging begin!

Kindergarten almost killed me, Allen, Ethan, and his teacher.  True story.  Toward the end of the school year we started seeing HUGE improvements, but before Christmas we were all at our wits-ends.  We disagreed with the teacher, the teacher disagreed with us, Ethan hated the thought of school, we hated sending him to school, the teacher hated seeing him (ok...not that bad).  Seriously though, kindergarten was HARD, TRAUMATIC, NIGHTMARE-ISH, simply NOT FUN.  We knew the potential Ethan had, but we were just having trouble getting that potential to bloom in his kindergarten class.  He was still in state's custody during the majority of his kindergarten year, so homeschooling was not an option. 

Not For Ethan ;)

(I have nothing against Ethan's kindergarten teacher...it was just a very hard year)

Of course there were valid reasons. 
1.  Ethan is developmentally delayed, he has oppositional defiant disorder, reactive attachment disorder, and ADHD.  (I hate labels and I firmly believe we can overcome all of those diagnoses, but ignoring them doesn't wor,k so with prayer and guidance from therapists and doctors we are working these out)
2.  He had always been in a classroom (pre-k) with emphasis in behavioral management and special education.
3.  He had been through more in 4 years then most adults have ever thought about going through.
4. We were still learning how to work with Ethan's behaviors.
5.  Ethan was placed in a kindergarten class (not a special ed classroom) with 21 other children and 1 teacher, and 1 teachers assistant.

All of those factors did not work in Ethans favor.  It broke my heart to see him struggle and know that there was only so much I could do for him. I never wanted him to feel he was at a disadvantage or feel different than other children his age.   I couldn't go to kindergarten with him...this was something Ethan was going to have to do.  Allen and I helped Ethan in every capacity we knew how, but this was still something Ethan was going to have to dig down deep and work hard at.

He has been through enough being bullied and picked on in school due to factors beyond his control was something that I would not under any circumstances allow.

By the grace of God Ethan made it to first grade.  Seriously, it was only by the grace of God.  Ethan worked very hard, prayers went into overdrive, and my little trooper got his green light to head to the first grade.  One hurdle down...387 more to go ;)

Over the summer we have seen leaps and bounds in Ethan's behavior, as well as his academic levels.  Almost every day this summer we kept up some type of school work and tried to keep a schedule so that when first grade came along it wouldn't be kindergarten all over again. 

I am pleased, overjoyed, and thrilled to tell you that Ethan is in a regular first grade classroom (no special ed) and came home today with a note from his teacher stating that he is the first student in his class to fill up his behavior board with gold stars and earn a prize from the treasure chest.  THE. FIRST. KID.!!!!!!!!!!!!!  His behavior has been superb, he is a fantastic big helper, and his teacher continually brags on his compassion for others, his eagerness to learn, and his continued improvement with his behaviors. 

All of this is just a reminder that God takes care of His children.
He is faithful to start and finish whatever work He starts in us.
He will meet us where we are, and not wait until we meet certain standards.
He has plans to prosper us and give us hope for a future.
And last but not least, He is still in the miracle working business. 

Way to go Ethan!  Your mommy and daddy are so proud of you, we always will be, we always have been, and we are excited to see God's hand over your life as you continue to grow into an amazing young man.