Dear Noah.....a stormy, windy night

Well you and I both love storms...and you always talk about tornadoes and wanting to be a storm chaser....but you really only like to look at these from a distance I found out early this morning/late last night. I stayed up till almost 2:00 a.m. and let you as well because the weather conditions in our area was pretty weird and tornado watches and some warnings were out...and I wanted to make sure I was awake if we needed to take cover...etc. I do admit I dozed off and on while watching the onslaught of forecasts....but...finally when the watches and warnings had been lifted I went to bed. So did you. I woke up about 2:40 to find you standing at my bedroom window looking out and crying. I asked you what was wrong. You said you were really scared...afraid of the winds...afraid we were going to have a tornado. I told you the warnings and watches had been lifted..it was only the wind...and we had a wind advisory till 7:00 a.m. You still cried. I asked you how long you had been up...and you said about 20 minutes. You apparently had gone out in the living room and turned on the weather channel...and then came back into my bedroom and stood looking out at the clouds in the dark. Afraid we would have a tornado in the dark.

I let you get into my bed. You were actually shaking you were so scared. I have never seen you like this before. You cried...I told you everything was fine. You were afraid the wind was going to break your bedroom windows and suck everything out of your room. I told you I thought you always liked tornadoes and wanted to be a storm chaser..but you finally admitted you liked looking at those from a distance...not being IN one...

I got my phone and we got online and looked at the weather forecast. It said what I had said....that we had a wind advisory and flash flood watch. You felt better after seeing that..and were ready to drift off to sleep. This was almost 3:00 a.m. My phone tone went off 1-1/2 hours later for me to get up for work.

I love you Noah. You still have not learned to wake someone up when you are in need of something. I wish you would have woke me up sooner and let me know you were that upset. I love you very much! Right now we have tons more rain and some hail. We are enjoying this storm together.

Love you,

Mommy
XOXOXOXO

Dear Noah....Easter eggs....

well...what can I say? You spent maybe all of 5 minutes on this....lol...the RINGS on these eggs came this way...once they were dyed the rings appeared all by themselves. My mom had eggs that did this one year too...so Noah did not really have to do much to them I guess.

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

CLICK ON it to enlarge it to read it easier

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