Happy 19th Birthday Noah!

I have no idea where the time has gone! Seems like only yesterday we were in Colorado getting ready to take you home from the hospital! Now look at you! You are in college!! FULL GROWN!

I love you more than you will ever possibly know or understand...........my little man. I am so proud of all your challenges you have overcome in your lifetime so far! You are doing fantastic!

LOVE YOU!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Dear Noah.......I got a birthday card from you this year....

which was extremely special for me. I believe it was the first official card you ever bought for me...and what made this even more special was the fact that you bought it clear back last December when we separated at a store to do our individual stocking stuffer shopping for each other. I guess you figured you would not be out shopping away from me again before my birthday so you bought that card 7 months ahead of time.  You then hid it from me until I woke up on my  birthday to get ready for work and there was the envelope on my desk.

What a way to start my day. You went to so much effort to do this!

LOVED IT...LOVE YOU MORE

mom

XOXOXOX

Dear Noah.....you have officially graduated high school!!

Like when did that happen?? SO hard to believe that you are old enough to be driving and finished with high school AND have 10 college credit hours already completed towards your associates degree in business management!

We had a nice small family get together at CiCi's Pizza to celebrate you graduating......per your request as you LOVE CiCi's Pizza. I think you ate almost an entire pizza by yourself!

You have qualified for grants to go to college so you are already registered for fall and winter courses. You will be going to school full time. You are also considering getting a job.........and I am very proud of  you and all your accomplishments in life so far. You have certainly come a long way!

Here are a couple pics from your graduation party.

I love you Noah!

Mom
XOXO

You got a nice leather journal and pen/pencil set as part of your gift from Uncle Chris and Aunt Rita who could not make it up for your graduation.

Dear Noah........

well...the days are moving by quickly and you are getting A's and B's in your college classes....now you will  need to decide what you want to do next..lots of decisions to make and possibilities to think about!

I have to wonder most every day where the time has gone....and how you could possibly have gone from that cute little boy to a nice looking young man.

I love you very much Noah!

Mom
XOXO

Dear Noah.......you are now 18 years old...........when did that happen?

Wow..cannot believe it has been like over a month since I posted any updates. I know things are going pretty well when I don't post that much OR things are going too rough and personal and I don't share. Let's just say a lot has been happening in the past couple of months. You have finished your first semester of college courses and got an A in the Customer Service/marketing class and a B in the Business Management class........you did VERY well and I am very proud of you and I believe this has boosted your confidence level which you definitely needed! You will start your next 2 classes next week.......English composition (to prepare you for Business Communications) and a marketing class..forget now off the top of my head what it is called. I think you will do well......but time will tell. 

You have dealt with some personal issues which I will not go into here.....as they are personal.....and you have not always made the best choices or handled them the best but you are learning. I do try to always understand you and help you through trying times but it seems I was not even aware of some of your trying times because you did not let me know. When I found out you held a knife to your throat and wanted to die during this personal time I was so devastated.......but so thankful it was mostly just a threat to someone and not something you really would want to do. However, your more immature responses to times of personal crises reminds me of the fact that while young....and young people can be super dramatic at times...you are still more emotionally behind than your peers at the same age as you. I do not have a problem with that as I know from the past you will catch up......but I know it makes it harder for you to be ready to take those first steps out into the real world. I am trying all I can to prepare you....but it takes time and you move at a slower pace in this regard than others your age. NOT all...just some. In a way that is kind of normal probably for kids your age. 

We did have a small birthday celebration at your grandma and grandpa's house after Christmas since everyone was there..or just about everyone......like we always do to make it convenient for everyone not to have to get together again over the holiday rush.....but you have always wanted to have a party at CiCi's Pizza ....and with the holidays and some not feeling well and work schedule conflicts I figured once again we would not be able to do this....but your aunt Angela arranged a SURPRISE birthday party for you at ...yes...CiCi's Pizza!

When I got you over there you had no idea and when you walked in and saw everyone and realized your wish of over 2 years was finally coming true...you teared up.....but you were so happy. I DID cry the semi-ugly cry lol..but tried to keep it together. We had a great time there and good food and playing arcade games. Big shout out thank you again to my sister Angela and everyone else who came along to celebrate Noah's 18th birthday! 

I still can't believe you are now 18 years old. While there are a lot of "firsts" in your life and my life with you recently...there are also some "lasts" and things coming to an end...like homeschooling. I have loved every minute of that and really never wanted to relinquish my duties in that regard even as you had to become more independent with your studies. I had a very hard time with that and still have kept most of my old school stuff I used to teach you with. I did donate a large box of items to Goodwill....which about tore me up.....but I did it. I have to remember sometimes it is okay to let go of the material thing as I still have the memories and photos. 

In another month or so you will get your permanent driver's license. Another big first was the fact that we had to register you for the selective service/draft. Life goes on and there will always be changes coming our way........and I am so thankful you were born and have shared your life and time with me. 

I love you to the moon and back again my little man.....though you are all grown up now! Love you! Mom XOXOXOX