Forward and Back, Back and Forward - Update

I look at the photo, brought up through social media...smiling child...was it that long ago?  I look at him and barely see the small, smiling child...but, every so often, more and more....I am able to see past the disgruntled teenager...I am starting to see someone new/old emerging. Hints of his humor and smiles when he is not guarded.  Slowly, I see that this boy/teenager is starting to become the young man that he will be.  It is a work in progress, slowed by obstacles...but it is there.  He is there.  I don't need (but am encouraged by) the weekly progress reports from school that show the change, the progress.  So much work ahead--but the future is starting to form and take shape.  And I am proud of him.

From weekly progress report:

"Michael did a very good job this week and was very successful in the community.  His sense of humor is really starting to come out more to more people and it's wonderful to see positive interactions with peers and staff."

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The house is a bit of shambles right now...finally it has become time to remodel part of the kitchen...out with the old, in with the new--cabinets and counter-top are being replaced.  This seems a bit familiar too...a few years after we moved in, we had a new floor put in...and the mess, multiple days of dissembled household...I remember Michael walking on boards around the kitchen floor while the tiles set.  This week, we have all the stuff from the cabinets in plastic tubs in the living room hallway...the kitchen table (not always free of clutter) is FULL of stuff.  Last night--no sink, no counter-top--we had take-out fish platters from the seafood restaurant near Chewy's work...and this morning--McDonald's Breakfast...

On the only surface we had this morning...

Last night, cats inspecting the work in progress...

Oh, look...new cabinets!

Counter-top installed this morning...

White caulk will dry clear...

UPDATE: Cabinets and counter-top finished (and evil smiling Michael!):

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She is having a much smoother time at summer camp this year--and she has learned to swim very well--so well that she has passed the tests to be able to go in the deep end!  She has a few more weeks of swim lessons--I will see if she wants to do more--but, she is her mother's daughter--a fish in water! We have had a couple weekends where she and I have been in pools more than on dry land!  (We still haven't gone to a beach this summer...soon!)

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Time is moving, moving..forward we keep going...summer is still here, but almost at an end.  Schools supplies, some have been bought, some are still awaiting our time and energy.  Still in our future is time on Cape Cod and beaches and fun...and Third Grade and Senior Year of High School and Driving lessons and singing lessons and...oh, so much more....