Back in January, Matthew was diagnosed with Autism. The doctor says it's a very mind form, likely Aspergers, but that an "official" diagnosis for Aspergers cannot be made until around 1st grade when they begin to do more critical thinking activities. BUT Matthew has made such huge strides in recent months that they also believe that by the time he starts school most of his "quirks" will not even be an issue to him. SUCH A BLESSING!! Now here we are with Gabe... Due to the fact that he is almost 18 months old and only says one word "Mama", he has been referred for evaluation for Autism as well as hearing and speech evaluations. We went for out first part of the Autism evaluation yesterday, still a couple more appointments before we will know anything there for sure, but the doctor says that his speech alone isn't call for too much concern. It would be if he is delayed in other ways like motor skills and such that would be more pressing. She said that she had seen a child who was nonverbal (not even babbling) suddenly start talking in sentences at 26 months old. We know that our God has this. We go for a speech evaluation tomorrow (Friday) afternoon, and his hearing evaluation will be Monday morning. Please be in prayer for Gabe as he faces the appointments and testing ahead. Being little as he is, it's alot to take in and could be very scary to him.
Some may wonder why we would even want to adopt when we already have so much on our plate with the two we have. The answer is simple: God called us. We know that He will get us through it all with a HUGE testimony to what He can do. A very special friend of mine told me that God only gives special children to the parents He knows will love and take good care of them best. Hearing that made me feel that God has great faith in our abilities as parents. It has been said that God is training us, that He is teaching us and showing us for what we will need in the future. Who can ever know what God has in store, how hie thinks or how He he works? We do know that God has great plans for us that we cannot even begin to fathom. He will use our situations... Matthew's Autism, Gabe's potential Autism, our adoption, everything... ALL to His glory. So thankful for the blessings of having two unique little boys and looking forward to the day we can grow our family even more through adoption! To God be all the glory!
