Bragging About Derek!

I have an incredible son. Yes, there were years when I was not sure of the future, or I should say that the future seemed like it was going to be very, very rough.
I remember being out in the field changing the irrigation pipes after a long day of Derek's "Ripping and Scratching fests" crying and praying that someday he would stop and he would be able to understand what we were wanting him to do, and know what we were saying... Well, enough about that.
I wanted to share with you something exciting that happened. But first you need to know of our morning routine (Like you can hardly wait). I get up early to go do the irrigation and feed the cows. I leave our bedroom remote and the walkie talkie on my pillow. Every morning Derek wakes up and comes to our room to finish waking up and to watch his morning shows (PBS/OPB all the way). When I'm out in the field Derek uses the walkie talkie and tells me he is awake. I usually ask him what time it is and what show he is watching. When I come in from the "chores" I go upstairs and I remind him that he needs to go downstairs and have his shower and get ready for the first tutor. Before he goes though, I have been having him help me make the bed.. only fair since he spent time moving the blankets more than I did. Well.......... the other day I was still downstairs finishing my breakfast and he came down and said he was ready for his shower. I told him that it was a good idea and I would do the same. I went upstairs and guess what...? My bed was made. Yup.. he did it, all by himself. (The decorative pillows as well) I yelled downstairs just to verify the bed-fairy didn't do it. He said he had made the bed. I'm sure you will never imagine how I felt at that moment. It was earth shattering to say the least.
(It took me 1/2 hour to have my shower because I had to call everyone and let them know of this huge accomplishment and to find the camera to document this momentous achievement) Prayer really works and Prayers are really answered!

P.S.
One more bragging moment which has gone on for months, but finally decided to take a picture of it and add it to this last post.
Our Thursdays are very busy. Derek has 2 tutors in the morning. Meets another tutor at school. I pick him up and we head to Carol & Terry Virgin's to get their junk mail. Then it is off to Erickson's Sentry Market to get a donut (Derek works on exchanging money there... we love that store), then to the library for books and videos, Athletic Club of Bend for swimming, basketball and rock climbing, and then to Carl's Junior for his usual (Star nuggets, fries and ice water.. "that will be 4.09," we have it down)
Wednesday night, Derek starts planning for our Thursday. Before he goes to bed, this is how he piles his things up, right by the door so we can't forget them. He doesn't forget a thing.The polka dot library bag, his blue backpack for school, his canvas rips bag for junk mail, and his gym bag for the Athletic Club.
In the future when I have Alzheimer's, he'll be the one finding my keys, my purse and my car in the parking lot (which he already does).
I love this kid!