If you've been following our journey for a while you know how much of the past few months as been saturated with appointments with audiologists, speech therapists and doctors for Cole. We are SO thankful for the ECHO team at Carle Foundation Hospital who has lead us through every step of Cole's journey to hearing in a loving and encouraging way. They have been wonderful in explaining everything to us and leading us down this path from finding out he was born deaf to applying for state aid in paying for the incredible expenses that accumulate as the journey to hearing continues. 
One sweet boy who has been INCREDIBLE through all of this has been Ryder. Ryder has grown up in ways that surprise John and I daily as he patiently and compassionately comes with us to every appoinment, many times watching Cole play with his speech therapist as he and I quietly play a puzzle in the corner. He has been a wonderful supporter of Cole through it all. We visited the Carle Auditory Oral School today located steps from the hospital. Cole will begin going to this location for his group therapy and individual therapy sessions every week beginning in January.
Before we visited, I told Ryder where we were going and he said, "I want to go to school with Cole!" Ryder is VERY excited to go to school someday and so I thought he may feel a little jealous. I told him that he will get to go to pre-school next year too and that Mommy and Daddy are still deciding where that will be.
Then he said, "Mom, I can't go with Cole but Cole's teachers will take good care of him."
"Yes, they will sweetie." I responded, realizing that they've never been apart and that he was also feeling protective of his little brother going somewhere separate from him.
After this talk, I heard from one of the therapists that normally hearing children actually attend the school as well to serve as "models" for those who are hearing impaired to help in their journey to clearer speech.
Thinking about this, I asked him, "Ryder, would you want to go to school with Cole and be a helper?"
"Yes Mom!" he replied with enthusiasm, "When Cole goes down the slide I'll just catch him, 'cause he's too little to go down by hiself!"
Again, my motherly heart swelled seeing how tender Ryder's heart was for Cole...after visiting the school today, however, John and I both got in the car afterward realizing that Ryder needs a place to call his own. Much of our lives, (though it feels normal now), will be filled with making every situation a learning time for Cole and though I am so thankful for the way the Lord is developing a selfless spirit in my oldest son, I felt the Lord speak to me today...I have another place chosen for Ryder.
I'm thankful for two sons who are so similar in some ways and so unique in others. There are times I look at them and see two brothers who look so much alike and are so similar, and other times I see two very different boys, one with blue eyes and blond hair, the other with brown eyes and brown hair made by the same God through the same parents with a love for each other but with different interests, gifts and abilities. Today I was reminded of how thankful I am for the intentional way God cares not only for Cole, but that His plans for Ryder are also incredible and specific to him. What a good God we serve...that leaves me only to think of how Cora will fit into this crazy family puzzle God continues to piece together...only constant devotion to our creator and time will tell :) I'm just thankful to be a part of it all.
I too love Ryder's heart! What a fantastic big brother! I will be praying for God to show you the special place he has set aside for Ryder to attend school too. Caeden told me today that he told a boy at playland he couldn't be his friend. I said, "oh we can have lots of friends" he said, "no I only want to be friends with Ryder, Josh and Ella." I hope he will change his mind but I thought it was precious that even though he and Ry have only gotten to be together a couple of times over the years he holds a special place in his heart for your son. :) We love you guys!