Reflections on Joshua- "Look a Chihuahua."

I have been having lots thoughts about Joshua lately. Here they are.  Warning-this could be long.

We were driving in the car on Saturday to the library.  The windows were rolled down.  I was focusing on my driving. The kids were quiet.  I hear Joshua say-
"Look a chihuahua," with perfect pronunciation.
"Cool Josh," I reply with a huge smile on my face because wow, he said chihuahua.  What happened to just saying dog?

Why do I always smile and get this certain happy feeling that I can't even really explain, every time Joshua says something?
I just realized this week what that feeling was.
It's the Spirit telling me that everything he says and does is a miracle.

"Look a chihuahua."  caused me to look backwards.  Not in the car, but in time.
Four years ago I was learning about autism and trying so hard to help Joshua feel more comfortable in this world we live in.  It seemed easier for him to be in his own little world and I felt like we were starting over again.  Reteaching him things I already thought he knew.  Things he had lost somehow.  Things that seemed so easy and natural, but not so for him.

I remember taking lots of walks with Joshua when he was three and four. It was time we spent together both doing something we enjoyed.  I felt connected to him when we were out in nature.  I pointed out everything to him.  Everything you could see, hear, smell, taste, and feel.  In those days every moment was a teaching moment. Sometimes the student didn't seem to be learning anything.  The teacher was learning lots. 

"Joshua look at the red car."
He was looking at the ground crunching leaves.
"Those are leaves Joshua."
"They are brown."
"They make a crunching sound when you step on them."

In the beginning he wouldn't respond.  I did almost all the talking and that was okay. Sometimes it was lonely for me.  It was probably lonely for him too. But I always felt peace.
I just kept describing everything as much as I could.

"Joshua can you hear the dog barking?"
I would touch his ear.
"You hear the dog barking with your ear?"
"Dog,"  he would say.  He began repeating what we said.  Sometimes not even looking up from the ground. We were just happy he was communicating in some way.

I would do the same thing when we would drive in the car.  There are lots of trees in Missouri, so I always said, "Look out your window Joshua. A tree."  Over and over again.  To and from school. Days and days.  Weeks and weeks.  Months and months. Over a year at least.
Then one day.  Driving in the car.  All on his own.  No prompting from mom.
"Tree."
"Yes, Joshua.  Tree."  Me smiling and that happy feeling.
Now four years later.
"Look a chihuahua."
Mega miracle.

I realize that if all of those friends from Missouri could see him now.  They would be shocked.
"Use your words"  was the phrase we would constantly use whenever we asked Joshua a question or he was trying to tell us something.
Now we hardly ever have to say it.  He has lots of words to say now. He can be Mr. Chatterbox.  We love it!

At church, Taylor goofing off with Joshua in the hallway and trying to tickle him.
"Taylor get your two fingers out of my armpit!" Joshua yells.
Apparently he didn't like the tickling.
Lots of people stopping and staring.  Everyone feeling awkward around us, including me, but I just can't help but smile and laugh. The word armpit makes me giggle apparently. What a sentence!  What a miracle! Mrs. Amy in Missouri would be so proud.  I know she'll giggle when she reads this too.

Before when he wanted a snack he would just say "chocolate milk".
Last night at 9:30 pm he walks out of his room and opens the refrigerator.
Me-"Joshua, what are you doing?"
"I'm hungry. I want cantaloupe."
I want him in his bed.  A cracker is a good snack to eat in bed. 
"How about a cracker?"
"I want cantaloupe and sit at the table."
Bread works in bed.  (I don't care about crumbs as long as children are in bed.)
"Do you want some bread?"
"Yes."
"What kind?"  Out of habit I hold up the white and wheat bread.  I don't need to do that anymore.  He knows what I'm talking about.
" I want the other bread."
He means the french bread we had for dinner.  I hand him a piece.
"Joshua that bread is called french bread."
"French bread. French bread. French bread," almost singing the words with a huge grin on his face.
As usual I smile because I get that happy feeling again.
He's actually repeating the words because he wants to know what kind of bread it is and remember it, not because it's his only way of communicating.
Miracle.

My other 4 miracles are Summer, Taylor, Jacob, and Kate.
Joshua wouldn't be who he is today without those 4.
They are patient, loving, understanding, humorous, happy, and just regular good kids.
They are great examples to Joshua in every way.
Joshua needs lots of repetition to learn, and they definitely provide that.
He is happier because of them and their love.
Summer, Taylor, Jacob, and Kate are Joshua's best friends.
Just ask him.

To me it is a miracle that my children get along so well.  That doesn't mean they are perfect or treat one another as they should all the time, but they do an awesome job doing their best. They really, really, enjoy being with each other,  some may not admit that, but I see it in their faces whenever they interact with each other.  I love it how in a family we all need each other. We all learn from each other.  Our family helps us to become the person we need to and want to be.  Things have changed so much.  All for the better.  Joshua still has tough times.  Who doesn't?    I'm just glad he is happy and that he feels part of our family.

So here's to good times at the Maxfield home!
I could go on and on, but my crew is awake and I must make breakfast.
How can I complain about anything when I'm surrounded by so many miracles?!
How many miracles am I missing out on?
I will keep that thought with me today.