Daniel with Lindsay and Chris on prom night.

Daniel is using his walker ALL the time now!

Daniel on his new bike.

Daniel and Daddy making Chinese dumplings (still Daniel's favorite food!).

Wearing his mustache and beard - just like Daddy!

Coloring Easter eggs.

Our finished Easter basket.

Once again I find myself having to apologize for not updating Daniel's blog more often. The days are flying by. It is amazing to me that it is already June!! So much has happened the past couple of months - it is hard to know where to begin. I will try to touch on some of the highlights:

• Daniel received his new braces on April 16. Although the insurance "maze" slowed down the process, we ended up with exactly the braces that Daniel needed. He is walking a lot more now and getting around quite fast. He asks to use his walker wherever we go and gets quite annoyed if we want to carry him. He is using his crutches more and more and is becoming much more stable on them all the time. He is also riding a tricycle, which is something we weren't sure he would be able to do. God is so faithful!
• Daniel is currently receiving weekly physical and occupational therapy at Easter Seals. For the most part he is cooperative and determined, although like any child he gets frustrated if he is challenged TOO much. The therapists have identified Daniel's "coping" techiniques - the behaviors that he exhibits whenever he is trying to avoid something that is not easy for him - and are absolutely wonderful at motivating him when he is tired and/or frustrated. We are so thankful for them and the service they are providing.
• We had our IEP meeting with Unit 5 schools on May 13 and it went VERY smoothly! Neil and I had decided ahead of time that we really wanted Daniel to be in Pre-K next fall as opposed to kindergarten, but prior to the meeting we were still unsure as to what the school professionals would recommend. Thankfully, we were given time at the beginning of the meeting to express our opinions and after we finished, the school principal (whose opinion was of course highly regarded), immediately spoke up and wholeheartedly agreed. Following her lead, the whole team agreed that Pre-K was a better option for this fall. Neil and I felt that everyone present was genuinely concerned about Daniel's academic success. We are pleased with the services that Daniel will receive and are comfortable with the decisions that were made on his behalf. We praise God for His covering over the whole process!
• Daniel had minor surgery on May 18 to take care of a urologic concern. He did well with the anesthesia and recovered quickly. He is such a little trooper! He and I will travel by train back to Chicago this Thursday to see the neurosurgeon to go over the results of a brain and spine MRI that was done on May 15. (We are not anticipating any concerns -the doctor simply wanted an MRI done to provide a baseline for future testing.) We have a follow-up appointment with the urologist on June 11 and following that appointment (and barring any unforeseen circumstances), we should be done with appointments until August. I welcome the break. It has been a crazy couple of months traveling to Chicago every other week or so.
• Daniel will start a summer preschool program on June 10. He will attend "school" every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon for 2 hours. He is SO looking forward to going to school! And I am SO looking forward to having a little break a couple of times a week!
• Daniel is playing baseball this summer on the McLean County Autism League. This league is generally for kids with autism, but they are accepting of any child with any disability. The coach's philosophy is, "if a kid wants to play, we'll find a way." It is a little challenging for Daniel to "run" in his walker, but everyone, coaches and kids alike, are very encouraging. He has his very own jersey with his name on the back and his own baseball cap. At his first practice last Monday Daniel had a huge cheering section, as all of his sisters (plus Shannon's boyfriend Aranya) were there to watch. Needless to say he is very excited to be playing.

Well there is LOTS more that I could say, but I think I've written enough for now. The pictures above tell a little more about things that have happened this spring. If you think of us, please pray for a couple of things: (1) We have picked out a wheelchair for Daniel and now must begin the process of getting insurance approval, etc. etc. Please pray that this process will move along quickly. (2) We are considering additional bracing for Daniel's knees. Please pray that God will give us (and the doctors and therapists) wisdom and discernment in this decision. Thanks for your prayers!!