Dear Noah...your letter to Burger King about their new style chicken nuggets

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Dear Noah....I found us some new Ohio State jackets at our Goodwill...

they are like brand new.....and I was happy to find them and of course the price was super too! School is going...we continue to plug along. You will actually be done with your year pretty soon...much sooner than other students....your state testing comes up in May...so I want to prepare you for that. Guess we will have some time then. Otherwise..today is snowing if you can believe it. We are almost into April....so hard to believe. You are getting more hairs on your body all the time. Won't be long and I imagine you will be taller than me! Where does the time go? I hope I can prepare you to be on your own one day...and send you down the right path. I love you Noah..more than you could possibly know.

Mommy XOXOXOX

a trip to Webb's Antique Mall and flea market....and of course GoodWill....

Friday Noah and I along with my uncle Sonny ran to Richmond, Indiana for an outing. I had run out of work so was able to flex my time and took some hours off in the daytime to enjoy a nice outing on a gorgeous day weather wise! After making a pit stop for coffees and snacks prior to our departure...haha...our first stop was Webb's Antique Mall in Centerville, Indiana. WOW we had a blast. I got some wonderful things there....I saw a gorgeous cedar chest that would absolutely match my bedroom set....would love to get it...my bedroom currently is so small...but the price is excellent on this waterfall cedar chest...I may have to go back and get it before someone else grabs it up!



My son had been admiring these old retro cars for a long time...so he finally bought the vintage Lincoln...




I found my marbles....normally the price on these old jars with marbles or buttons in them is SUPER expensive...I got these GIANT marbles all very old and wonderful condition in this old jar for under $5.00! This photo does not really show how wonderful they are...or I am just nuts...




I have a thing for SUN faces and moon faces too...but SUNS really draw me. I found this wonderful iron sun face....had to snatch him up...



and this cool retro suitcase....I love this style. I may redo it and gift it or keep it and make it into a cool makeup bag/kit for home...



I am redoing my bedroom to make it look vintage...a retro look....all vintage items when possible...I have been finding some wonderful things for it. I got my entire bedroom dresser sets at Webb's Antique Mall in the past there...a wonderful waterfall set....round mirror...vanity seat. I posted pics of that before. My uncle bought me this cool vintage lamp and picture from our local Goodwill to put in my room...




Then he called me from Goodwill Saturday and told me about a cool old cabinet that would look perfect in my living room....and it does....the price was excellent...had to get it...



but back to Webb's Antique Mall....I got a BUNCH of RETRO/VINTAGE CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS! Like 2.00 an entire bag!!!! I grabbed them all. I am afraid a couple may have gotten chipped on the way home. They stuck them into a big grocery bag and I think well...they are fragile. The 2.00 a bag was well worth it...I mean some of these are super old...and the little Santa faced ones adorable. Cannot wait to make a vintage tree for my bedroom this year.....and/or a wreath too....I have seen some amazing handmade wreaths using vintage Christmas ornaments...








I found this vintage picture for my bedroom at Webb's....and I will probably GOLD LEAF the frame.....it is the same type of antique/vintage look that my uncle got me with the other pic above....




I was having a great day finding amazing deals..something usually only my Uncle does....I mean most of my items were only a few dollars each!

I got this candle holder at Good Will for 1.49...it actually would look super nice with that pic above if I left the frame black...hum.....have to think about it. OR gold leaf them both....



I love Lassie...always have...always will. I saw this retro pic of a scene from Lassie and I had to get it too....I know I know.....but it is so cool.....takes me back. My mom got me a Lassie book years ago...which I still have....and I loved reading that book....it brings back wonderful memories for me...




When I saw this cake carrier...I instantly thought of my grandma C....as she used to have one very similar to it. I had to get it....It makes me want to make a big double layer chocolate/fudge cake and take to someone's house for a treat!



I found a retro 1936 Mickey Mouse book....



I got these at Goodwill...the hobnail light will go in my kitchen..I like leaving a dim light on at nighttime in the kitchen....and the vase was just gorgeous. I love the glaze...these BOTH were under 2.00.....together!





this is the type of thing I have started to get and stick in little corners or unexpected placed in my house or outside....this will hang...it is so cute...very tiny....



I could not leave without getting some of their wonderful jelly and jam...I actually love blackberry jelly or jam WITH seeds...but seedless is easier on anyone's intestinal tract!



Then I figured after filling my shopping cart I better check out and stop. I did not even spend 75.00 for all my stuff...can you believe it? I got amazing buys....and will use everything I got....everything makes me smile.

We then went back to Richmond to go to Fazoli's for a late lunch/early supper....we had a wonderful meal and visit there....






by this time my uncle and I could barely walk...but we managed to get into the car and drive BEHIND Fazoli's to the flea market!!

AN AMAZING flea market!! I thought it was called Trader's World...but I think it may be Liberty Bell? I have no idea for sure now...but wow....I had never been there before and IT IS FANTASTIC! SO MANY things and SO CHEAP!!!!! We had a ball...and I got another cart...

They had an entire dollar section....found some more vintage stuff there.....vintage table cloth...wish it was material and not plastic....vintage organizers....so cool....





it will go perfectly with this 1.00 wicker lunch basket I got at Goodwill!




I love homemade soaps....I used to order these types of soaps from a woman on Ebay....I found the same types of soaps at the flea market..and they smell amazing....



Noah LOVED this flea market...he found Hot Wheels everywhere...and he had been looking for some Treasure Hunt hot wheels for forever...and guess what? He found a TON of them at the flea market...so he spent some of his birthday and Christmas money and got 5 of them! I know we will be going back a lot...so many amazing things there....prices great!




One of my favs he got was this cute beetle one...



I never thought I would like a yellow car but I even own one...and love it...mine is also yellow and black...well..an SUV/truck more than a car....

well I guess I had cake on my brain...cause I found another vintage cake carrier...had to get it. I just love them....and like them better than Tupperware ones.....and you can use it for more than cake....now I need to bake something..this was super cheap!



this one had latches which I like!

I found this wonderful summery tea light candle holder..will be very nice outside on my patio table this summer...




On our way home we stopped and got an ice cream cone....at the best little hometown ice cream shop....

I forgot to take pics of everything but snapped a lot regardless as you can tell.


And then we hit up Goodwill again before ending the day. It took me a couple days to recover ...my legs/feet that is. I mean I am actually supposed to get a knee replaced...but am trying to hold off as long as I can...so..I was feeling it to say the least...

We had a wonderful day together..so much fun....I could have used a scooter to get around by the end of the day....

Now I have to get back to laundry....take all the stuff off my bed I drug in to snap pics of and find places to put them for now.....and get with it. The day is almost over!!

Dear Noah....teeth cleaning and train trip...

Well...still plugging along in school. I cannot believe it is March already! In January you got your teeth cleaned. You have made such progress....it is easier for you to handle the cleanings and now you don't mind letting them use the suction tube to suction water out of your mouth. Before you would really break down and cry whenever they even mentioned using it and they had to wipe your mouth out instead with gauze pads. Now you LOVE IT....and thus progress. This has taken about 4 years.

We are talking about taking a train trip. You really want to go back to Colorado for a visit and to see your dad and all the places we used to see on a regular basis when we lived there...and do some fun things. We talked about maybe going by train. You are so excited and want to go NOW...but I would rather wait for a bit. SO I am not sure yet when we might get this all together...so much to plan and plan for....things to take care of..but it looks like we will plan some vacation time this year.

Not much else is new news here....You have made progress...I decided I am not doing you any favors by still washing you off and cutting your meat...things like that. I know you have a hard time doing those things because you do not have much strength in your hands still and you are not that coordinated...but...you also will not get more strength or coordination if I do everything for you. I am proud of you...You are now able to wash yourself off...and cut meat with a sharp steak knife! You are learning but able to do it! I think this will just build confidence in you...and you will be able to do more and more all the time with no help from me! You wanted to wait for some reason until you were like 15. I tried to tell you...at 15...you would not want some girl for example to think your mom was still helping you cut your meat with a knife...or pancakes...or washing you off..etc. I asked you if you wanted to be able to be on your own one day and do all these things yourself..and you said you did...so I said you just have to start learning and that your learn by DOING... That is how we all gain skills..just by doing...trying...and continuing to practice until it becomes something we can do easily. So I have decided to continue on teaching you skills....even cooking and doing laundry and keeping a checkbook..but more motor skills too....more physical exercise and activities...that would do us both good. More discipline and trying new things....You will help do chores around the house....learning skills you will one day be able to use on your own if you want to move out on your own. You still need to master tying shoes...and fastening buttons or snaps..you do pretty well with snaps but have not mastered buttons. AND writing. I have decided to have you practicing that again even if you have not masterd it...it will do you well to continue to try.

So anyway....we are okay...life is good...and you are growing up so fast. Holy cow...check out your mustache getting darker on your upper lip all the time!

We have had discussions lately about heaven..and what it is or may be like....and you wondered if I will always be able to look at you when you are an adult (not from heaven but here right now) and see the tiny toddler version of you. I said yes..I think most moms will always be able to look at their adult children and yet still be able to see their little boy or little girl. I can still see you when you were like 2 or 3 or 5 or 7...it all depends on what you are doing at the time.

Where have 12 years gone already...

I love you...forever ...and always I will.

Mommy
XOXOX

Cherokee teacher pleads guilty to duct-taping autistic student | ajc.com

Cherokee teacher pleads guilty to duct-taping autistic student  | ajc.com

Dear Noah.....

things are going pretty well.....we are plugging along with school although it is a little stressful sometimes with the demands ....this year there is a lot of essay writing and even if you type or have someone write for you....that entire process is just completely overwhelming and daunting...and many times I think we are spending a lot of time on things that you do not really need in the future...and I am not having some time to teach you things I want to teach you. SO I need to sit down and rework my ideas of curriculum into the online school's ideas and see if I can make an acceptable mix.

I have not made an entry here in awhile because things are going well otherwise. I cannot believe it will be March soon. Won't be long and you will be on another summer break from school...and approaching 13. I cannot believe that either!

Remember I always love you....

mommy
xoxoxo

Dear Noah...a Jib Jab Star Wars

my mom made this JIB JAB STAR WARS movie using Noah as Luke, his cousin Audrey as Princess Leia and a few other cousins and uncle..it is hilarious and I love it!

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Dear Noah.....a present from Jen!

We have a fantastic friend who lives in Florida who sent us up a BIG package at Christmas. We held off on opening it until just the other day...and wow were you ever excited and happy to see what was inside for you!

Here is a picture of you with some of your gifts....you were thrilled and I believe you have already read the books! We had no idea there were AVATAR books out....so now you are excited about finding more to read!

I was also given some gifts from Jen....wonderful art journals and pads...books of inspiration. It was such a treat and so nice of her to do this for us both.

Sending a BIG thanks out to you Jenny...we love you and are so thankful to have you in our lives as a friend!

Meanwhile Mr. Noah.....we went to see uncle Sonny's new apartment last night...he has really fixed it up so nice. I made peanut butter fudge and he popped popcorn. Of course you did not eat either of these things. You ate pizza when we got back home. We had a nice visit...his place is just so nice and cozy.

I took the Christmas tree down today. This next week I will spend putting everything back into the garage...sorting a few things..cleaning it up a bit.

SO much to do...but I am thankful you have a day off school tomorrow on my day off! It will be nice.

I love you!

Mommy
XOXOXO

Dear Noah...another trip to Webb's antique mall...

and we happened across this old wringer washer. You were fascinated with it...and I have to say..it was in EXCELLENT shape and condition for such an old washing machine...and it was clean...and I bet it worked.

I then informed you...I was old enough to remember when WE used to wash our clothes when I was a kid with a wringer washer very similar to this one......sort of.....ours was a lot larger and I believe more stainless steel to it...

wow.....that seem like so long ago!

We have had a lot of snow....been super cold outside....and you are still enjoying all your new Wii games and PC games you got for Christmas and your birthday.

I love you Mr. Noah!

Mommy
XOXOX

Dear Noah....your cousin Wesley....

has been over a few times this winter break to play with you. He is the same age as you minus only a few months. He will turn 12 in March. You both hit it off really well....and had a great time playing together with your new Wii games and PC games. He had so much fun (as did you) he never wanted to go home! I am so happy you have found someone you really enjoy playing with.....another boy your age...and his grandpa has recently moved into an apartment here in town..so now when he comes to see his grandpa...he will likely come over to spend time with you as well. I rememeber what it is like to have a special cousin/friend and grow up with them...and do things with them and have fun with them. I wish you the same happiness and joy.

I love you Noah....you have done so very well this winter break....this past year....you almost cried last night in the car going through the drive through with Wesley and his grandpa and me....because we had ordered you something slightly different from what you normally get...which is the 6 piece chicken tender kids meal with a Sprite. Wesley wanted 10 pcs...and the regular meal...but they only sell an 8 pc. SO we figured that was a better buy for you both since it was actually cheaper than the kids meal....and you got more. BUT you got very upset...though did not show it...you said you could not eat 8 pcs of chicken and you put your hands over your eyes and you almost started to cry....and you turned your head to the window to look out it. I am sure you did not want to cry in front of Wesley. THEN I realized you had probably wanted the TOY that came with the kids meal...so I asked you and you said yes in between suppressed tears...so I said I could still BUY you that...and you could give 2 of your nuggets to Wesley so he would end up with 10...you with 6...still get the toy but have MORE french fries and larger drink! THIS made you instantly happy and you were able to get past that distressful moment in time.

I am proud of you and how you are learning to deal with disappointments and handling your emotions better. In the past...not all that long ago..this same situation would have likely ended in a major meltdown moment for you.

Anyway...I am happy for you...and only wish you the very best life has to offer you...this year and ever year forever.

I LOVE YOU!!

Mom
XOXOXOX

Dear Noah: Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Wow we have been super busy....my head is spinning with how quickly the time is passing. You have been out of school already for winter break 2 weeks and it seems only yesterday it was starting!

Time goes by so fast. We have been busy here at home...doing holiday things...and visting family and friends. We have had sleepovers and play dates...You have really enjoyed yourself and have been so very happy.

Over this break you had time to play with your cousins....which has thrilled YOU..especially since both cousins are very close to your age.

We also celebrated your 12th birthday! SO hard to believe you are already 12 years old and growing up so fast!


We celebrated Grandma C.'s 88th birthday yesterday and now will be welcoming in the new year with my uncle and your cousin. I think.

We have enjoyed ourselves immensely this winter break and all the holidays and joy and family, friends, and loved ones.

Noah and I want to wish you all a very happy, healthy, prosperous, and blessed new year!

Dear Noah....HUGE milestone...you are now 100% officially toilet trained....

and right before you turn 12 years old. I never thought in a million years it would take this long to get you to this point and to be honest I was starting to wonder if you would ever completely be able to do all your wiping yourself anywhere outside of home. Here at home you are and have been 100% toilet trained since age 9 years. BUT anywhere outside or away from home you still needed my help from time to time. Well..I started working with you the last month on this and telling you...you could do it....and how...and you needed to try because you did not want to go into being a teenager and still having your MOM come into the bathroom to help you wipe up!

I am so PROUD of you and happy because the other day at grandma C's house you came running on the way to the bathroom..asked for the wipes we brought...and ran to the bathroom all by yourself and DID EVERYTHING IN THERE ALL BY YOURSELF!!!!!!!!! No calling for me to come help you...nothing. YOU DID IT. FINALLY! I KNOW you had to be happy and proud too. I praised you up and down....and I just am amazed..once again...in your own time...you finally do something all on your own.

So for all those other parents out there who think their autistic child will never be able to handle all toileting on their own...don't give up hope. IT can be possible.....be patient....do your best with them.....they may just one day surprise you. AND some may need help forever...but I still alwys kept hope in Noah...and I am thankful he finally is able to do this all on his own!

YIPPEEE for you Noah. I love you and am so very proud of you....something everyone else probably takes for granted or has had their kids accomplish at 2 or 3 years of age...you too now have finally succeeded!

ALL MY LOVE always!

Mommy
XOXOXOXO

Dear Noah.....I can tell by the reduced postings that things are going better here!

School wise I mean ..for sure. The stress level and drama we had with you attending a public school is just not present in our lives anymore. There is still some pressure feelings sometimes when it seems we have a lot of required things to accomplish...but we plug along and get it done. I still sometimes wonder and wish I just homeschooled you by myself straight out like I did in Colorado...picking what I wanted to teach you in the way I WANTED to do it....and not via any online virtual school..and sometimes when we are pressured to get work done I am tempted to try it all that way again...but online school is also good and has many benefits as well as making sure you are taught what you need to learn according to the state's standards. BUT then I have to wonder WHO really determines what you should learn and why...and by doing all these required things I am sometimes not left with enough time on my own to teach you things I WANT you to learn. So I have to come up with a better schedule or something...maybe incorporating both into the day or some on weekends or some solution.

But as far as the daily drama of life in school I do not miss that. You are much happier and less stressed. I am less stressed. I heard some kids about your age in the public library on Monday and they were back in the kid section that is set up for kids to meet in and play games and read, etc...and they were talking so inappropriately. All had come over from school...talking OUT LOUD about being HORNY and "go sit in the corner to get raped" and all this other stuff. I am so THANKFUL you are not being exposed to that crap on a daily basis and to be honest I thought someone in the library should have told those kids to tone it down a bit.

Wow....maybe I am an old fuddy duddy but I don't care. Right is right and appropriate is appropriate and that was not it.

MY SURGERY has been put on hold...I am hoping I won't need it.....time will tell...but I want to go through all options before having a surgery I may not need.

We had a good Thanksgiving....and here it is time to get ready for Christmas already! We will finish decorating the tree this weekend.

Today Opie got stuck under your bed again...he crawled up into the outer cover of the boxspring mattress..there he was stuck in the material but not in any big hurry to get back out once I lifted the mattress up. We have since blocked all areas he could get under your bed again.

Snowing here today...very chilly outside...and very much looking more like winter!

I love you lots.....really do....to the moon and back again Noah..forever.

OH...almost forgot. You have been designing your apartment and houses....I will have to post pics later. You designed a very nice small 1 bedroom place above a 3 car garage you said you could live in...and then designed a slightly larger place....over a 4 car garage. You seem to want to live above a garage one day....and not one necessarily attached to any house I own!

Then you designed a home.....and it is very nice too. I am very amazed when I see all you can do designing homes and making floor plans. I suggested you make a book about this! You said you had not even thought about that before.

So ...I say SO a lot don't I?

LOVE YOU!

Mom
XOXOXOX

Dear Noah...you are missing your dad....

You woke up today and came out acting very funny...like you either did not feel well or were extremely sad. When I finally went through a complete listing of all your body parts and asking you if they hurt and you replying no..I finally asked you if you were sad. You started to cry and said you were and it was because you really wanted to see your dad. You miss him a lot I will have to have some surgery coming up and I think he is trying to time his next visit with that so he can be here for you during that time to help out which will be great. You are only hoping if that happens he stays longer than a couple of days. You need some serious time with him one-on-one.

We had to travel to Columbus the other day so I could see a surgeon...and on our way back we stopped at a combo KFC/Long John Silvers and they had a special parking place for classic old cars and beside it an old gas station and drive in speakers. We had to take a pic of you. We had a nice day together away from school and work and we actually got a lot accomplished since we began our day so early!

Otherwise Noah I love you so much. Hopefully you will get to see your dad and have a wonderful visit before you know it!

LOVE YOU!

Mommy
XOXOX

Dear Noah.....Dayton PhilharMONSTER concert and TRICK OR TREAT!

SO Saturday I took you to the Dayton Schuster Center for the first time to attend the Dayton Philharmonic concert they put on for Halloween...the PHILHARMONSTER concert. I got us seats in the front row! You could actually lean on the stage we were so close. The place was so beautiful....and we will definitely be going back for other concerts or shows. There were many levels of balconies...and the very top of the ceiling led to an open area that looked as if you were gazing out onto the stars. SO beautiful!

You went trick-or-treating with your cousin Audrey that evening ....you went as Avatar the Last Airbender from the cartoon series...and she has a Victorian dead bride......you had a good time but everyone tired out fast this year.

We eventually got back here to finish watching the Ohio State football game....where they beat Minnesota 52 to 10!

Lots to do...so I am keeping this short. I love you...tonight you want to make it movie night! I think you said you wanted to watch Polar Express because it was the time of year you wanted to start watching Christmas movies!

LOVE YOU NOAH!

Mommy XOXOXOX