Look Out World, Here We Come

I have been pretty quiet lately, and with good reason. We've been very busy in the Taylor household, watching miracles, following dreams and just living life. Let me see if I can fill you in.

I'll start with the miracles. Travis is actually learning how to eat! About 3 or 4 weeks ago, he was sitting at the table "eating" animal crackers and we were trying to show him how to swallow (not so easy). He started watching us, and then all of a sudden, he did it! We could not believe it. Usually, he rolls the food in his mouth and then spits out little pieces. That day, he swallowed all the pieces. We were in complete amazement. Since then, his food of choice is animal crackers, and he eats them like a pro. He was doing so well with it, the new oral-motor therapist said to bring something new this week. I had a little snack tray prepared for therapy on Monday, and he chose a slice of cheese. We worked with it in therapy, and it took him a little bit to chew it up, but he swallowed all the pieces. He's not sold on it, but it is a huge start. His therapist says she has had many kids who have to have their food presented one at a time until finally the child gets comfortable enough that he will try things without a fight. Sounds good to me. We're still a little away from eating meals, but certainly a lot closer than we were! Speaking of...we had a visit from the Pediasure Fairy again last night. We were out picking up a prescription, and when we came home there were two bags full of Pediasure 6-packs in front of the garage. I wish I knew who to thank for this gracious gift. I hope whoever you are, that you read this blog. We are completely blown away by the kindness.

Besides the eating adventure, we had another praise a few weeks ago when we went for the Student Study Team meeting for Travis' school evaluation. You might remember all the venting I did and the emotions I felt during that whole process. It was not a shining moment for me. However, God brought us through and gave us the advice, wisdom and strength we prayed for. Sean and I went to the IEP meeting ready to be defensive, but we were thrilled and proud of the reports we were given. Travis did very well on the evaluation and was within "average" limits on most of them. He actually was in an "advanced" range for school readiness components on one of the tests that was geared for children with communication delay. His evaluators told us that the wonderful thing was that all the factors they use to make these reports (testing, parent/teacher report, observation, etc.) all showed a picture of the same child. In other words, what we see at home and his teacher sees at school, is the same kid and that the test results showed. The evaluators were very confident with their findings, and I am too. I cannot thank them enough for taking the time to get to know Travis, look past his issues and see the incredible potential he has.

One of the biggest victories was when the team recommended discontinuing the "developmental delay" label. That was very significant for me. Travis is an extremely bright child, very creative and very mature in some of his thought processes. However, some of his sensory issues and concentration difficulties can sometimes cloud other people's interpretation of him. I am so proud that he was able to show the team all of those strengths and they were willing to give him credit for it. So, his new label for SCPS services is "orthopedically impaired." And, this means that the team's recommendation is that he go to a general education classroom. While I am thrilled with that, I am scared about things like safety, self-help skills and eating. My first choice for a kindergarten next year is at UCP. I feel they have done a good job of being able to provide enough support for his safety, and they are very willing to work with the eating issue. They've also been very courteous to me by allowing me to check-in on him whenever I need to. But, at the IEP meeting, we were informed that there are not enough kids signed up for kindergarten right now, and unless they get more they will be unable to offer the class next year. The public school that SCPS has recommended is Winter Springs Elementary School, because they have the support (therapists, extra teachers/assistants, school nurse, etc.) to handle the "orthopedically impaired." I am not quite sure what to do. Part of me wants him to go and have that experience. Part of me wants to keep him home. I am going to try to arrange a tour of the school and meet with the principal and/or teacher soon so I can figure it all out. We're praying about it, so I know God will show us the right choice.

Emily, my 2-year-old daughter who thinks she's 35, is doing well too. She's hillarious. I've talked before about how she loves animals. She really does have a soft-spot in her heart for puppies and kitties. Mandy taught her some "dog" tricks and Emily likes to pretend she is "Lucky" the dog and do the tricks as Mandy calls them out to her. We were at my mom's house tonight, getting ready to leave and Emily got all bent out of shape (she never wants to go home, so she's always upset when we are out and tell her it's time to leave). Mandy said, "Hey Lucky, come here." Emily pouted her lips, looked and Mandy and said, "I can't be Lucky right now, Mandy, I have to go home." Seriously, that's what she said word for word. She comes up with stuff like that all the time. Right now her other talent is singing. She sings every song that comes on her morning "shows" and the other night she and I were at the store, I was looking at something, and she started making up her own song. So, here's my prediction, Emily is going to grow up to be the first singer/songwriter veterinarian. If we could just get her onboard with going potty. She's smart enough, and understands it, but too stubborn to do it. She tells me "I like being a baby momma, and wearing diapers." What do you say to that?

The last thing I want to write about is something very near to my heart, and very exciting. I know many of you have already heard me talk about it, or read about it on Facebook. I'm starting a parenting magazine for special needs families. It's called Florida Crossroads, and is a statewide publication that will provide parenting tips and suggestions. The motto is: information, inspiration, inclusion. The idea behind the magazine came during those low-points in Travis' school evaluation. So hurt by the injustice of that whole process, I wanted to find a way to make it better for other people. Over the weeks and months, I have been praying about it and feel God is leading me to work on this project and we are getting close to its debut.

I chose the name "Crossroads" because Travis' name actually means From the Crossroads. That meaning had so much significance to me since the day he was born, that I felt it was extremely fitting for a magazine. My vision is that this magazine will help people find the right path for their own families, as well as provide an environment where our lives and life experiences can intersect.

We have decided to debut the first issue at The Family Cafe, which is an event held here in Orlando where families come from all over the state to participate in trainings, seminars and other events. We have reserved a booth space and will be passing out magazines to the 7500 people in attendance. Here's the best part: The event is being held June 18-21, 2010. How fitting that, the day we get to launch the magazine, is Travis' birthday (June 19). It was an opportunity we could not pass up.

So, I'm in the mode of putting that first issue together, as well as trying to promote it to parents to reserve subscriptions and soliciting advertising to pay for the printing. God has been opening up a lot of doors, and I'm confident he will continue to pave the way for us to bring this idea to fruition. Since I've already written too much in this blog post, I invite you to check out the magazine's website at www.floridacrossroadsonline.com to read more about the inspiration and see what we've been up to. (PS - I need to take this opportunity to thank my brother-in-law Bill for all of the help he's given us. He helped create the webpage and has been volunteering as the official Web Master. He's done an outstanding job, and I am thankful for his willingness to help, as well as Jen's willingness to let him help us.)

If I could, I would like to use this blog to ask for your help and support with the Florida Crossroads Magazine project. If you would like to be a part of it, you can help in several ways:
1.) PRAY, PRAY, PRAY! I'm asking for God's direction and that he would reveal His plan in His timing.
2.) Share it with others. Help me start promoting the magazine to families you may know who would have special interest in a magazine like this. They can go to the website and sign up for a subscription, and go to the Facebook page and become a fan (there's a box at the top of this blog). It's not limited to special needs families, either. Anyone can read and appreciate this magazine. The majority of copy will be geared for this audience, however there will be one specific section called "Moral Support" where as a friend, family member, professional etc. you can learn how to better support the families you know. I'm also hoping to accomplish the goal of "inclusion" by using this magazine as a way for typical families, and professionals who work with special needs kids, to have a better understanding of what life is like for our families and a glimpse into our world.
3.) Think about people you may know who would be interested in advertising. This is the area that I am excited to see God work the most. I am a horrible salesperson, and no doubt my passion for this project lies in generating copy and creating the design and look of the magazine. However, if we don't have advertisers we will not be able to pay for the production. So, I am relying on God to send us people who would like to advertise. This is a state publication, so if you know anyone in businesses that have state or even national appeal, please pass along the lead. Some ideas include: hospitals, banks, theme parks, grocery stores, pharmacies, medical supply, non-profits and organizations, etc...

We have been doing a Bible Study in Sunday School called Experiencing God. The study is about looking around you for ways God is working, hearing his invitaiton to join him and then choosing to join him. I truly feel this is my "Experiencing God" moment. The more I pray, and read His Word, the more I am convinced. The Experiencing God book is filled with amazing examples of how God provided resources or answered huge prayers to people who were truly seeking His will. The same is true for Florida Crossroads Magazine. I am continually drawn to a verse in Ephesians that gives me the faith that this magazine is going to happen.

"Now to him who is able to do immeasureably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work in us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen." Ephesians 3:20.

Wow, what a powerful verse. It's so easy to put a limit on what God can do. This verse just reminds us that we need to be a blank canvas for God to paint his masterpiece on. I am praying that I remain open, and willing, to do what he says. The results will be nothing short of miraculous--immeasureably more than I could ask or imagine.

As I close this blog, I'm less than 24-hours away from the best part of my birthday...my mother's chocolate cake. She's been making me that cake for the past 34 years, and I surely hope this year is no exception. Let me also say, my mom is amazing. Among other things, she's talented, dependable, compassionate and empathetic. I have long admired her love for her family and really hope I can be there for my kids the way she has been there for me. Sometimes I forget to tell her how much I appreciate her. So, mom, thanks!

Thanks to you, also, for following along with this novella. I don't know why I write so much. I guess sometimes I just have a lot to say. Stay with me, if you can. I hope to keep you updated on the magazine and everything else that's happening around this zoo. Until next time.

Christy