"Hooked" on Reading

So here we are in September already, but this one seems to have a whole lot of doom and gloom associated with it.  Not that we're focusing completely on the negative in the house, but there are all kinds of world events going on, and this final 'blood moon,' which of course falls along with the Jewish holidays, the CERN, the predictions of environmental collapse, and this amazingly weird deal with a certain government in the Middle East.  It all paints a rather bleak picture for the world, although again, symbolically, we all tend to see ourselves like the Hebrews in Goshen during all the plagues, supernaturally protected from harm.  Of course, the counter to that argument are the Christians during the reign of Nero, who were NOT protected.  But there are plenty of examples of places where God takes good care of His people.

Madison is oblivious to any world events that are looming.  She doesn't know about China's government being sneaky, or Russia's build-up in Syria, and the stampede of refugees fleeing that region.  It all seems rather prophetic in a way, although it has seemed that way for years.

That said, we go about our business, despite the volatile stock market and terrible decisions by governmental leaders.  Not to say we aren't simply grief-stricken and horrified by some of them - for example, this support for this vile abortion providing organization.  We're not really presenting any of this to Madison, although we're sure some information seeps in to her mind as she overhears conversations here or there.  The thing is, with Madison, we present a more positive outlook.  And truthfully, tomorrow is a more positive place than we tend to picture it sometimes.

Today was speech therapy, which went well as always.  Madison's therapist is thrilled with her progress and flexibility, and willingness to adjust quickly.  Madison's focus is on the combo 'th' and 'r,' and combinations with the letter 'r' in them.  She practices daily, very motivated by the Jurassic World boardgame that she continues to fill in.  This is a progress chart that she puts stickers on, each one representing a week's worth of speech therapy, or music practice, or reading as well.  She's about half-way to her goal, which is the end of the game - and earning a copy of LEGO Jurassic World.

She's excited about dinosaurs.

Mommy continues to heal - it has been now a week since she has been released from the hospital.  Th medicine gets her tired, but that's part of the process:  resting.  She has to do a lot of that.  Fortunately, she's awake a lot when Madison sees her.  Tonight before bedtime, we once again read from the adventures of Jack Sparrow.  It has become a family event, the three of us at Madison's bed, listening as Daddy does all the right voices and tells the ongoing adventure.  We wrapped up "Silver" tonight, and it ends with a bit of a cliffhanger.  Madison calls those out:  "Now that was a cliffhanger!"  Fortunately, we have the next book already in our possession, and we'll start that one tomorrow night.  Madison already can't wait.  To use a pirate term, she's - wait for it - "hooked!"