He is My Superhero

My cute baby "A" at 2 years old.

I know I've written so much about Kyle in this "Journey of a Superhero Mom" blog. My boys are my superheros - and I'm simply their Mom - never make the mistake..I'm not a super Mom at all - just a Mom to superheros. They continue to teach me things I never knew...or things that I may have forgotten.  I write again, because this is the place I've chosen to log what is going on in his life - my journal so to speak - and if our experiences can ever help anyone, then...praise God!

I've mentioned before that Kyle is the gift God gave me to show me Jesus every day. I'll just mention briefly that Kyle was diagnosed at the age of 3 with PDD-NOS - an autism spectrum disorder. He was tested and found that he was developmentally delayed as well as severely learning disabled (short term memory issues, as well as sequencing issues). He has gone through speech, physical, and occupational therapy for years. If you know this child, he could easily steal your heart. Today, I would confidently say that he is an OVERCOMER. He is VICTORIOUS! He is perfectly made in the IMAGE OF GOD!

Around 5 years old...obsessed with making "sand"balls.

Today he is going to see a Neurologist because he has been fainting (passing out). We are trying to rule out seizures, because when I found him on the ground 2 weeks ago he just didn't look right. Tomorrow he goes to a cardiologist. I was hit with what felt like a ton of bricks 2 weeks ago while we sat with the second doctor and repeated some of the same things. As we sit in the room with my now 12.5 year old boy, it dawns on my husband and I that we've NEVER told Kyle that he has special needs, or that he is on the spectrum, or that he has learning disabilities. In our family...we ALL have issues. So to explain to my other children when Kyle acted odd, we would tell them, Kyle has issues.

All of this came out right in front of Kyle at the doctors. He heard me say all those things. These past two weeks I've worked hard to replace those words, with words of LIFE! Yes, these may have been true of Kyle's past, and yes he still continues to struggle in many areas, BUT he is God's favorite. He is free. He is chosen. He is a new Creation. He is a child of God. He is greatly loved. He is built up!

We all need to remind ourselves of these things which are true. All found in the Word of God...and we need to BELIEVE God at His Word!

My sweet boy...this past summer (2013)...truly my superhero.

I have heard this child say the most amazing things in the past three weeks. I do believe that God has revealed some truth of His Word...deep into Kyle's heart. One of the best thing about Kyle is that he has the most beautiful heart. I tell him all the time...like David...his heart is precious..and he is a man after God's very own heart!

This week he has had to wear the hat of humility. He made a mistake. Said somethings that he shouldn't have said. He confessed. Asked for forgiveness from the people that his words hurt. Then he asked the Lord to forgive him. He told me later. "Mom, I asked God to forgive me too. Now, it is like I never did it!"

Friends, if we could all understand the forgiveness of God like this...I think we would all feel that much lighter. We have ALL fallen short of the Glory of God, but when we seek His forgiveness, He forgives and that is it. The slate is clean. It is our own minds, or the people around us that remember. Oh to be more like Jesus. Kyle has been deeply hurt in the past - words have hurt him...all too often. Things said, behind his back and even to his face. I've watched this child cry his heart out on my sofa. He knows how to forgive and truly forget. I have watched him. Without apologies...he still forgives. I think that is why he easily asks for forgivness. He knows he is not perfect. He knows he makes mistakes, but he also knows he has a loving God that forgives him...because he trusts God to know his heart.

See...this boy shows me Jesus...all the time. He is my superhero.

Little Boy in Big Boy Body

"Children keep us in check. Their laughter prevents our hearts from hardening. Their dreams ensure we never lose our drive to make ours a better world. They are the greatest disciplinarians known to mankind." -- Queen Rania of Jordan, Hello Magazine

My Brendan. I love him so much. He is one of the most sensitive, caring, loving little boys I have ever met. He wears his sweet little heart on his sleeve just like his Daddy. He is so smart, loves to read and reads very well, loves all things school and has such a heart for the Lord. Just to give you a little insight into his heart let me share this: I used to sing "You Are My Sunshine" to my boys before they would go to bed. Often I would hear sniffles from the top bunk, when one day I said "Brendan are you crying?" "Yes", he sniffles, "I just don't like the part when she wakes up and the child is not in her arms, it was only a dream...that part breaks my heart!" Oh my Brendan. He makes me very proud. With this said, I must confess that he challenges me as a parent. Really, it is not him, but it is his appearance I think. So many people have told me that he looks so big for a 7 year old. Excuse me, but exactly what does a 7 year old look like? I really am not sure. You see, I have two of them and they are worlds apart in many ways.

Brendan is 4 feet tall and weighs 70 lbs....his twin brother is 3 feet something and weighs in at about 54 lbs. When Brendan and I have the mornings all to ourselves...we will snuggle up and read as much as we can until Shane has to wake up. Some of our best conversations are at 7:30am and he is so easy to talk with...so mature in many ways. Then I go and get so caught off guard when he does something so silly...so 7 year old like....and I don't know how to react. Well, I know how I should react, but I don't...no...I get upset with him for doing something so "immature". HE IS ONLY A 7 YEAR OLD BOY LISA!! Funny, that same behavior would be totally blown off if were his twin brother....hmmm?

Well, I am being transparent here...it is true...I struggle with letting him be a little boy sometimes. He doesn't play with cars really, he would rather read or play chess on the computer. He has to be forced to play outside sometimes, because he would rather build with his legos or complete a Highlights magazine. He is the first one to give up his things for his brothers, and never puts up a fight. He is just that kind of guy...the kind by the way that will make an amazing husband some day...much like the one I have.

So today, I bit his cute little head off for something, which in retrospect was really "NOTHING". I caught myself immediately, (because I pray about this difficulty of mine a lot and the Lord is really helping me) and pulled the car over to the side of the road. I turned around and said "Brendan, I am so sorry that I just snapped at you. You were just being 7 and I totally expected you to be 17. I am sorry, can you forgive me." This is what he said.

"Mom, I am sorry too, I don't want to whine like a baby!" "No Brendan, you are a child, I don't like whining, but I was out of line snapping like I did...I love you so much, can you forgive me son?" Then he said it...this is why I quoted Queen Rania at the top of my blog today..."Mom, I forgive you...I will always forgive you Mom...because you always forgive me!"

He taught me a huge lesson right there on the side of the road (which by the way is where I learn many lessons!). It is because of Christ that we forgive. Because of His sacrifice. I know how important my job as a parent is...my children know that the authority I have comes from the Lord...for He is my authority.

Thank you Lord for giving Brendan a sensitive spirit. I do confess Lord, it is at times that sensitivity that bothers me, but I know that it is a gift from You. Help me help him hone this gift so that he can effectively use what You have given him for Your continued glory! Amen.