Less than a year ago, I sat in the gym at Moose’s school, waiting for him to receive his first-ever perfect-attendance award. Don’t get me wrong, I was very happy he was getting some kind of recognition for his first quarter in school, but let’s face it, at this age in particular, perfect attendance is more about the parent’s dedication to getting everyone out the door on time.

But during that assembly, I watched other children receive a “rising star” award for outstanding improvement, and I prayed that *someday* even if that day was years down the road, Moose would win such an award.

Well, this morning, less than a year later, I sat in that same gym, as he did, in fact, receive a “rising star” award. I didn’t know that’s what he was getting until his teacher gave it to him–he could have been there for citizenship or perfect attendance as far as I knew. But he won the award that I selfishly prayed that he would get, and I couldn’t be more proud of the hard little worker he is!

Of course, this award does not mean that he’s caught up to where he’s supposed to be, or that all of his problems are gone. But it does mean that he’s made significant progress, that he’s constantly trying, and that he wants to do well.

And that’s really all I could ask for!