Trey's IEP meeting was today. He's been working from 8th grade text books and will be going into the 9th grade next year at Buckeye Local in general classes with accommodations.

He scored 396 in math and 427 in reading. 400 is proficient.

Next month, he'll start working for pay through the Bridges to Transition program.

Everyone at the meeting agreed that after he graduates, he will be able to live on his own, go to college, go into the workforce, and pretty much do whatever he wants to do!

What a long, long way he's come in the last eight years from when we weren't sure if he'd ever even be able to properly bathe himself. Now he's talking about college and the Army, a family and so many wonderful and BIG dreams and goals.

When a child is diagnosed with Autism, there is a sense of grief and loss over the dreams a parent has for that child. We all have dreams for our children and when we know, for a fact, that there is a real chance that NONE of them will ever happen it's very, very scary. I personally definitely went through a period of mourning over the loss of the dreams I had for him.

Then came the acceptance and I put aside the "big" dreams and found pure joy in the little accomplishments. There were so many nights, in tears, that I'd pray to God, "Please, God, please, just let him be ok. Please just guide us through one more day." Now, today, I find that God has not only answered my prayers, but gave way more than I could ever dare to ask for.

I sit here writing this, finding myself daring to dream those big dreams again. Picturing him in his own little apartment cooking a dinner date for his fiance'. Flashforward and he's looking over his bills after work and discussing wedding plans. Flashforward again and he's with his wife, saying bedtime prayers with their babies. Flashforward one more time and he, my beautiful young man, well adjusted and happy is walking in my front door with his wife as little ones run in the door ahead of them yelling, "GRANDMA!".

My big dreams have been resurrected today. How beautiful those dreams are. How free it feels to allow them back in. How wonderful life is. <3