I knew it would be hard to keep this up and now 2 months later I am only writing for the second time. I am happy to report that Kristian's ankle has really healed well. It is quite sensitive when we put shoes on, but he can wear shoes and that is a step forward! We could not put shoes on him for 7 weeks, so he wore flip flops everywhere. But now that we have snow on the ground I am very glad he will allow us to put shoes on. It was quite an ordeal! We went to see the phycyatrist again and she said that she was pretty sure Kristian would not make the connection between the motor scooter and his burn. So we did the experiment, and he could not wait for another ride on the motor scooter! I was pretty sure when the accident happened that he was unaware of what had occurred. I am thankful, even through accidents, that I can learn how his mind works or doesn't.

While we were at the same phycyatrist appointment we had taken Grace with us. I was so thankful that we did. It was so interesting to have the doctor point out how Grace is socially more advanced than Kristian. Not to discount any progress that Kristian has made, but to see where he is behind and why. The room was very small and Kristian would not let her anywhere near is little space. Sharing was out of the question, and she was continually pushed out of the way. She was not amused. Again I asked the question of whether Kristian was high or low functioning, and again the same answer. We will have to wait a few years. Some children progress quickly and tapper off and some progress slowly and then continue to improve. Either way we will not know for now. I am okay with that, because we are learning as we go. Of course I hope for him to be as high functioning as possible, but if he is not then we will continue to learn and be thankful we have him in our lives.

Today was our first Sunday with Mark in the new bishopric, and it has been a long but good day. Kent and Kayla spent the night last night, and and were a big help at church. When we got home Kristian was on a rampage! Everything was making him mad. He threw at least 4 good temper tantrums and it was difficult to calm him down. I am trying to figure out the best way to calm him down and not give in to what he wants. When he calms down and can use words to either communicate an apology or a request, he is rewarded. I hope that is what I am suppose to do. I am learning as I go. His language is improving really well. I have been able to notice the speech therapy has been a huge help. Although his vocabulary is improving, he really struggles to express himself. When he finds himself in a difficult situation there is a lot of grunting, screeching, and crying. If I talk him through it, then we generally find out what the problem is. He is still best at yes and no question. We are limited in the descriptive area as well. But I think it will come with time.

We are making slow progress in the toilet training area. It is getting very difficult to change his pull ups, because he is getting very strong. But he has been staying dry longer and he has started, in just the past couple of days, to tell me when he has peed or when he is poopy. That is great. I know it will be a while but I will take all the progress I can get. We go through a box of Costco pull-ups every month! Not to mention diapers for Grace! She may pass him in this area as well, or be his teacher! We will see.

Emotionally I feel really good. I am continually thinking of my brothers and my parents, and the amazing example of facing adversity with an attitude of gratitude. I know that everyone will face trials in one way or another, and I know that this will not be the only trial we will face. At the same time I know that if we stay close to the spirit we will be guided in all our decisions, and as we follow our Saviors example we will find that the blessings far out weigh the trial.