Smiley's birthday

    What a month we have had and it isn't over yet! After rearranging the basement and the classroom in December we found Smiley's Faith in God booklet for Primary. Then we discovered that he would be leaving Primary and going into Young Men's this month. So with some serious studying and creative use of time Smiley completed his booklet the night before his advancement. Whew!
    Hubby asked who felt better? Smiley was relieved to have his mom off his back more free time. In reality I wanted him to finish. Maybe it was a mother's pride, some OCD or determination to get the little darling to finish after finding out he had actually hidden the booklet for several months. In any case what I hoped he got out of this crash course in scripture study, memorization, family activities, and journal writing was:

• He can do this.
• He can read despite his challenges.
• Scripture is important.
• The Gospel is true.
• Family matters.
• He is worth changing up our entire family schedule.
• We love him with all our hearts and will encourage him to try, try again.
• Doing good things can be hard.
• Everyday we make choices let them be good choices.

    What did I learn? To pray and keep praying for strength and guidance to help him. This boy can do this with lots of love and encouragement. A year ago he was terrified to pick up a book and read. He would break out into a sweat if a trip to the library was mentioned. Getting him to the library was torture for all. According to the special education system he had failed several reading programs designed to help him. I was told that I had failed him due to the fact he wasn't testing on the scale they wanted him on.  Smiley is resilient. He succeeded in doing something other's thought he could not do. He isn't on their scale he is on the Lord's.

Smiley's apple cheesecake. It was really good.

Birthday surprises!

A completed booklet just in time.

Congratulations Smiley, we love you.