Max's own words

8/2/2018
Max wrote this ;letter to him self last year in his 5th hour class.

Dear Max,
You I hope will have a wonderful year. I often now have a perspective of that I am often seeing what I have done as much. Well, when someone come up to me they often say, "Your awesome, you did a great job for blank." My response is usually I smile or nod or some acknowledgement that I heard them. The point you meed to know how special you are. Your Olympian, Tiger, Eagle Scout, and a Child of God. You should find gratitude in all things. 

Max attended the AZYLF 2019

During the month of April, I was trying to figure out what
Max could do over the summer. 

I knew I didn't want him sitting around playing on his iPad.

 I prayed that I could find something for him to do. He did get a job and loved it,

 but I felt there was something more he needed.

 So, I search for programs that he could attend and found the

 Arizona Youth Leadership Form. 

He loved it!

He went for five days and had the most amazing time. He stayed in a dorm on the 14 floor and had a roommate and was learning about how to
transition from a youth to an adult. 

It was hard to let him go, but I have realized I need to let him spread his wings. 

Max came home so happy that he went. He even graduated from the program. 

We were not able to attend the graduation,
but was able to get some pictures from it. 

Max is wearing the navy blue shirt in the pictures. 

Here he is speaking at the Graduation. 

After he came home, he was thrilled that they invited him to come to state.

His peers are on church missions, getting married or moving on in life. 

Max on the other hand, is learning how to someday make that step. 

I think we did the right thing in holding him back in high school
 for two extra years on top of the regular four.

This next year will be Max's second year of being a senior. 

I have noticed Max is recognizing what is happening more around him. 

It warms my heart to see him growing into a wonderful young man. 

He is learning how to advocate for himself.
That has always been a struggle for him.

 I have noticed lots of people that have autism
 have a hard time advocating for themselves. 

The way we have helped him learn to advocate for himself is

 through rehabilitation, a goal in his IEP at school and

 I have made it a goal for him at home. 

About six months ago, Max noticed the young men in
our church who are a year younger than him
were preparing to serve a church mission. 

He said, "Mom everyone around me is growing up." 

My heart broke, broke into a million pieces

 that he felt left behind. 

I tried to hold back the tears, but they came. 

When you have a special needs child the tears often come
 when you least expect them to. 

I knew though, that Max had surpassed them
in ways they would never reach. 

He is gentle, kind, loving, friendly, helpful and he always smiles.

 Max doesn't see the bad in people only the good. 

Max has been an example to me.
He has taught me how to have patience. 

He has taught me how to love others.

He has been a blessing. 

Pure joy!

A trophy named after Max!

This Trophy is named after Max that the high school swim team coach

gives to one male and female once a year. 

So cool.

Max at his last orchestra concert. 

Max at the Night To Shine Prom with his swim team friends. 

Max and his date at Night to Shine prom

Max when he was in the Mr. Wonderful Pageant. 

Max went on the Pioneer Trek in 2016

Max on Crutches.

Max inured  his ankle playing baseball. 

He was running from second base to third when he twisted his ankle. 

He has been a trooper though it all. 

I made covers with padding for the arm rest on his crutches with Diamondback material. 

He is now glad to be off of crutches and so am I.

This picture was taken on Mother's day. It was a special day for three reasons.

1. A day to remember our Mother's

2. A day we spent as a family before Max's brother left for Basic Training. 

3. Max was ordained an Elder in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

Max with his Grandma, brother Malachi and Dad. 

Max with most of his siblings. Missing his sister. 

Max got his first job ever!!!

June 10, 2019 

Max got his first job and he loves it.

 It's hard to believe that Max once was unable to talk and now he is working. 

He is learning how to communicate with others outside the walls of our home.

 He is learning the value of work and how he can contribute to the society. 

Congratulations Max!

Oh how Max has grown.

I was looking at pictures of Max from years ago and thought I would post a few.