New Things...

This week while Danny is away in Indiana at our church's General Assembly, the boys and I are at home. Finances did not allow all of us to go to Indiana, which was a great disappointment to Ethan, who has always wanted to visit his birth state, and to me, as I have several very dear friends that live there, that I never get to see. So while Danny is off worshiping, mingling, and getting to see all of our long lost friends, the boys and I are holding down the fort at home.

It has been quite a busy week. During the day, Ethan is at an aquatics camp, which is at a small beach on the bay side of Long Beach. The first day, was not a very successful one. He was taken out with a small group of kids on a short sailboat ride, he became very nervous, when the kids thought it would be fun to rock the boat. Seeing his fear, the counselor stopped the other kids fun, and of course, this made Ethan the least popular kid in camp. Discouraged, he came home and told me he would not, could not, go back. I told him, there was no other option. I had to work, and dad was not home. Dragging his feet, he reluctantly went back on Tuesday. I did worry about him, but I hoped for the best. Ethan does not adjust to change well, trying new things, especially things that he is unsure about are very challenging for him. He gets anxious easily, which is hard for kids and adults to understand.

When I picked Ethan up that afternoon, he had a huge grin on his face. He told me all about his swim lesson and how much better he is getting at swimming. He tried kayaking for the first time and loved it, and he found someone to hang out with. I was so proud of him. On Wednesday, he tried long boarding, and today, when they visited the ocean beach, he went boggie boarding for the first time, and swam out in the deep part of the ocean with his counselors. He told me, at first the long board was hard, and I just held onto the board and didn't do anything. Then I tried paddling my arms, and I liked it. It was fun! I am not sure what is in store for tomorrow, but I know with confidence, whatever it is, Ethan will face it head on, with grin on his face.

I guess turning 12 is a good thing!