The Reynolds Urban Homestead

We have been building up our little plot of soil to use it to the best of our ability and provide for our family.  Check out what we are working on at the Reynolds Urban Homestead.

A New Year

As much as I would love to blog consistently our lives do not allow that right now.  So I will have to provide updates when I can.

This past year has been encouraging.  Jonathan has gone from having 5 appointments each week to weekly Occupational Therapy, monthly Psych appointments and just booster sessions with the child/family therapist.  He will be starting Speech therapy in coming weeks and has been attending a therapeutic preschool 4 days a week for half days.  We have seen a lot of progress in his social skills.  I cannot express enough what a blessing this team of professionals has been to our family.

Jonathan has begun expressing his needs and can now identify his emotions.  He has so many tools that we have been learning to help him self regulate and now, though not consistently, he will use deep breaths or his yoga positions to help himself calm down.

We went through a season of bliss when Jonny started his new meds last year but in the last few months we have had some significant challenges.  The stress returned and we could see the effects of it on the other kids.  One of them had developed an anxiety related tick that had seemed to resolve when Jonny was responding well to his meds.  It has returned which has been hard to see as a mom.  The big kids have grown so much in their empathy for those who are struggling and we are so proud of them but it is hard to see them sacrifice so much just so we can manage some peace in the home. So much time and energy is devoted to Jonathan that they often have to forfeit precious time and activities.

We are seeing a lot of positive growth but the day to day is still extremely hard.  The therapeutic preschool has given us a few hours each day to regroup and focus on the other kids and let them feel heard.  We are so grateful for that time.  It has also provided opportunities for Jonny to stretch socially and begin relating to peers.  The teachers in his room are trained in dealing with kids who encounter challenges and they have been a great support to us as well.

This is a new year with new challenges and opportunities and we pray that the way we embrace them will glorify God and bless those around us.

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