House of Krause

I know it’s a lot of blogging about Luke but frankly my older kids are computer savvy and on to this blog. They realize when I put silly stories about them and pictures a lot of friends and family are going to see it. They usually don’t let me publish posts about them (so I keep them to myself). But Luke, he’s not on to me, YET!

Luke had the best time last night. Well, I think we all did. I drove home with a warm feeling in my heart. This whole thing  has come so full circle. It just amazes me. Looking back at this past year when I reflect on Luke I think of one word, WORK! He’s worked so hard and accomplished so much. He just had the time of his life last night when we all drove down to speech together. The whole family. Not only were we all with him but when we got there he didn’t have to do any speech WORK! Megan, her family, and their entire staff were there to welcome Three Little Words foundation. This foundation is trying to help cover the cost for children who need one on one speech therapy. An amazing undertaking.  Luke was invited to come because happily we may get to share his story.  He may be their little spokes man.

Any how when we got there,  I could tell he thought Wow, this is a party! Everyone was there. All the doors were open. He was free to roam around. Walking in and out of the receptionist space.  The other therapist office doors were open,  he was eying all their toys.

We were eating dinner on the waiting room table were we usually play quietly waiting for our turn.  I’m standing talking to my husband when I realize Luke’s MIA. I round the bend to Megan’s room and there he is. Standing up on Megan’s table pulling down everything he ever wanted. While having to do absolutely no work for it.

Oh Happy Day!

He was even having a good taste of the pretend ice cream he always wanted to try.

I was cracking up. I’m not sure how happy he’ll be next time we have to actually do therapy.

Then it was time for pictures with Megan. Things could not have gone better.  Just to sit back and watch the interaction between the two of them was a special moment for me.  To realize my sons story will hopefully help children who really need speech therapy and cannot afford it. To watch Gods plan in this unfold.

I had to click a few pictures along with their photographer. He must have got some awesome shots. His camera was clicking a hundred times for every shot I took with Preston’s little camera.

Some gifts you can’t explain. Some gifts are given so freely. Some gifts last for a lifetime.

Miss Megan and Luke

Lucid Speech and Language is expanding. Yeah! They will have a second Corona  location beginning February, 2010.  This is going to be half the drive for us. Megan has a wonderful SLP who is also bilingual doing therapy there. What I love about speech at Lucid is the creative ways Luke’s therapist gets words out of him.  She always encourages cognitive thinking in her activities simultaneously with the speech work.  It’s always something new and exciting. Lucid is truly a place of growth and encouragement for children (and parents). If you are in the area or may even have to drive or fly for that matter, it is worth it. If you are looking for an evaluation I feel confident parent to parent to say you will get an accurate diagnosis.  here. All of the SLPs are trained and have many methods of working with Childhood  Apraxia of Speech!

P.S. Did I mention Megan McCann also conducts research and lectures on Childhood Apraxia of Speech. I am so thrilled Luke has been able to be a part of her awesome work!

It has been a delight for our family.

"Look what I made!" (Did I mention S's are hard?? Snowman, Santa, Snowflake!)

I would love to hear from you if you are or know of a good speech pathologist/Center who specialize in Childhood Apraxia of Speech. It would be great to have more resources for people in different areas. I would love to use this blog to connect people so children can get help! I also think it would be wonderful to have a story page on the blog. If you feel you would like to contribute a thought or a story, I would love to dedicate a place where you can post it and share.

Blessings at Christmas Time-

I don’t do, “Flashback Fridays.” Nor do I do, “Not me Mondays.” No,”Wordless Wednesdays (they’re hardly ever wordless??).” Guess it’s just not my blogger style but it’s Friday and here is one of my most memorable Christmas pictures- Flashback before Lily got glasses and discovered she hadn’t been completely seeing the world. When Preston still thought it was really cool to dress up like Joseph for Mom’s Christmas cards. And when Luke was just a  brand new little miracle who floated down and landed right in the middle of us all.

Luke 2: 8-14

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were so afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Please say a prayer for a very special little friend of this blog who is getting a new set of tubes and his adenoids taken out on Thursday.  I’m praying the surgery will go smoothly and the recovery will be quick so he and his family can get back to enjoying the holidays.  I am saying an extra prayer this surgery will help this little man hear better than ever, and it will allow his speech continue to grow and flourish! Thanks Everyone!

I know I’ve talked before about the times we’ve been given papers full of words. Always the same thing, circle the words your child says spontaneously. It always killed me to hand the paper back and say, “NONE, he can’t say any.”  I know I wasn’t supposed to take a picture of this (copy right infringement, I think) but I couldn’t help myself. And I am sorry for being down about this situation lately because really when I step back and take a look at how things are going there is only one word that comes to mind,

WONDERFUL!

Look at all the wonderful words! And guess what else happened? Luke came home from school and told me, “My name LUKE!”

L’s by nature are hard, well so are F’s, S’s, R’s, and Z’s but we can talk about that later.

This is the first time he has been able to say his own name.  This is so exciting. This means when someone says “What’s your name?” he can confidently respond, “LUKE!” This means when he makes a new friend at school he can say, “Hi, I’m LUKE!”

This is big. This is a huge milestone. This is

WONDERFUL!

Lily came up with a great way to play Candy Land, USE REAL CANDY! Luke really enjoyed getting a little piece of candy as he passed through each land.  He was definitely attentive to see this game through!