It felt weird to pack just two members of our family for a trip. It was much faster than packing all of us though! I left Ash a note from me in his suitcase. (Don't make fun of me!)
The happy camper is ready to go!
Maddox and I are going to miss having our whole family home. We're already looking forward to Friday when they come back!
I got several pictures from Brandon, throughout the week, of Ash having a blast at camp! He made new friends, enjoyed the church services and OF COURSE snacked to his heart's content at the concession stand! I'm so proud of my boy!
One of the camp pastor's, Richard Smith, went above and beyond his duties at Kids Camp and turned his golf cart into the actual Mario Cart from the video game! He even dressed as Mario! As you can imagine, the kids were in love and in awe!
As the world is well aware Ash faces some challenges in living a day to day life like most kids. He has extreme fears, suffers from anxiety, shows obsessive compulsive behaviors and has been diagnosed with Food Aversion Disorder. An eating disorder that causes him to basically be afraid of food. As a result he is an extremely picky eater. He enjoys his daily routine, doesn't like change and would rather stay in his comfort zone at home than get out and enjoy the world. To him, the world is a scary place. He sees danger everywhere. Brandon and I have been working hard to help him overcome these challenges. We are currently seeing two different therapists, one for food and one for psychological issues and are doing our best to stay firm at home to help Ashtyn learn how to cope with his anxieties and learn to love life and love living! It's not an easy road but we love our little man so much and would do anything to help him experience life as any other nine year old would enjoy it.
Ashtyn going to camp, even though Brandon went with him, is a HUGE step! I was simply giddy at the fact that he went. I got nervous mid-week wondering if he would make it but daddy pulled him through. Camp is sensory overload for Ash. I don't even have time to explain all of the fears Ash has to face to get through one day at home let alone in the camp environment but HE DID IT!!!! He wanted to give up but he made it and he had a great time! He will have camp memories forever and I couldn't be prouder of or happier for him!
One night, after church service, Brandon called me and said that Ashtyn had been chosen by the camp's speaker to go up on stage and participate in plate spinning! Wow! When Brandon told me the whole story, though, I was even more touched. Ash being chosen was not a coincidence by any means. It was halfway through camp and Ashtyn was having a rough time...to say the least. He wanted to come home and was simply overwhelmed. He was sitting next to Brandon in the audience and he was crying. As the speaker came into the audience to choose volunteers he came straight toward Ashtyn and asked him to come up on stage. I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that the speaker was led to choose Ash. The Lord was looking out for my little boy that night and I am so thankful. Going up on stage is just what Ash needed! It renewed his energy, distracted him from his fears and got him involved! Thank you Lord!
Ash came home from camp Friday afternoon and was SO happy to be in his room! He had a huge hug for me when he got off the bus! Made this mama's heart happy! Sure, there were some rough moments for Ash at camp but he came home with more exciting stories than fearful ones. He faced a full week of chaos, away from home, out of order, outdoor heat, strange food combinations and he survived! I can't say enough how proud I am of him and how happy I am to have a husband who loves his boys enough to help them through these moments in their lives. Yes, I'll admit, I've already thought about what we'll do when it's time for camp again next summer but for now I'm reveling in this year's success.
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