Marvelous Marci

Forgive me yet again for not keeping up to date on my posts. I'm going to refer to my fabulous sis-in-law - Michele's blog (Five Men, Three Ladies and A Cat) for a catch up on our Bear Lake activities... I will still post hopefully tomorrow with more on that and life in general but for today, my heavy heart is going to use this post to journal out our latest Marci update.
As most know, Marci and I have been seeing many therapists (OT, Speech, etc.) and also have gone through 5 evaluations on sweet Ms. M. After requesting tests on her for Autism and finally getting the 1st back out of several... my suspicions have been right. My beautiful girl is Autistic. The first therapist to return our first "A" test today was great to explain the complexity though. Marci was tested at 2 years old for a test that goes for 2-10 year olds. It does not allow for conversation on the brightness and genius of Marci. She said (and other therapists agree) that with all of the work we are doing now and Marci's incredible mind - she will outgrow most of this phase. What 2 year old counts in 5 languages, can sound out words in books, memorizes movies and books and has an amazing memory?

It has been a tough journey so far and we have many more miles to go. I'm told that by the time Marci is 5, if we continue to work like we are, she will be able to relate in social environments so that is our goal. I have never cried so much as I have the last 2 months for my sweet girl. She is amazing though and we will overcome this. I'm so grateful for the gift of her, for her beauty, her laughter, her amazing mind and for her ability to love so deeply and melt this mom's heart. Thank you God for Marci. I'm going to start a loving list (thanks to Jenna on this idea!) and will post on her progress. I'm so grateful to all some dear friends who have gone down this road and are so willing to share their advice, stories and their shoulder. I have been a terrible friend and have not being keeping up to date with everyone and for that I apologize. I will try to do better and will promise to update this blog several times a month if not more. Keep my sweet girl in your thoughts and keep looking to this post for some fun stories... I promise...

Today Marci's loving list - watching her sing over 40 of her favorite nursery rhymes at the desolate play park and shaking, dancing and 'beating' to the beat. Also for giving me hugs every 10 minutes (I think for taking her to a desolate play park!)

Me and My Friend

Another exciting week has passed without much to report. I thought I would post a few of Marci's latest trips with a friend of hers who will be moving this month back to Colorado. We will miss you Emma! (We'll miss her Mom, Andrew and Daddy too...)

Here is a few pictures of our zoo trip with the MOPS group.

Marci and Emma loved the monkeys. This was the better picture and somehow reminded us of how much we miss Uncle Paul.... :-D Are you here yet?

Riding the giraffe.. Marci does her 'diva' impression well doesn't she?

At the treehouse:

After a few hours at the treehouse.... Marci fell asleep in the doll house room...

I'll try and post another update this week. Marci has several appts/evals this week so keep her in your thoughts that this will be a good week. We'll be heading to Bear Lake on Friday for our parental figures 49th wedding anniversary 'party'. I should have some 'blackmail' pictures from that event!