Nurse Appreciation Month

We would like to thank all the nurses that have taken care of Noah. From the ER to his PICU stays. You have all showed so much compassion and took such great care of Noah.  But there's one particular nurse who needs to be singled out here:  Deanie Kehres.

 Three years ago  Scott and I  were needing time to reconnect as a couple and looking for someone willing to keep Noah once a month so we could get away by ourselves.  What we ended up with was not only that, but new friends for life.  Deanie Kehres,  mother of two of Noah's favorite basketball Whippets, responded to our plea almost immediately.  She's a nurse, and she already knew Noah from the basketball games, so we felt safe leaving Noah with her.  For most months since, Scott and I have taken Noah to the Kehres house--usually a Saturday--and left Noah there with Deanie and her family.  We'd then pick a direction and go that way and see what we found.  We were usually gone for 8 hours or so.

From finding time in both family's schedules for a Saturday that worked to having our day trips ruined by Scott's mandatory overtime, we've gotten away quite a bit.  Scott and I enjoy our time away and we've found some interesting places to go, like the Neil Armstrong Museum in Wapakoneta, and the Marblehead Lighthouse, among others.  

And through it all, Deanie, her husband Todd, and sons Tristan and Brock, have all bonded with Noah (and us) and become the respite care Noah needed and the friends that Scott and I needed.  From getting past the initial experiences of feeding Noah and changing his diapers--both poopy blowouts and geysers erupting--to reading Noah's facial expressions and decoding his body language, Deanie and the others have come to know Noah practically as well as we do.  Noah has spent time with Todd going over game video or just watching sports on TV, and has spent time with them out at their camper at KOA, to hanging out with Brock watching March Madness.

There was also that one LifeFlight trip where Susan was 5 pounds too heavy for the trip, so Todd went with Noah so he could be Noah's voice until Deanie drove Susan up to the Cleveland Clinic.

There are no words of thanks that feel adequate to the gratitude Scott and I have for the Kehres family.  They've become part of our extended family too.  We love and appreciate them so much for their time and support while Scott and I have reconnected as a couple and become each others best friends again.  

Rabold Park

We were so excited to see a swing for Noah at Rabold Park.

Noah giving his sweet nephew a kiss.

A Second Honeymoon

Scott and I were able to get away together for the first since we were married.

Do have any idea what it takes for Scott and I to get away together?  We are very blessed to have people in our lives, so we can do just that.

They say it takes a village to raise a child, when you have special needs child it takes an Army of Earth Angels.

 

We had an amazing time together. We sure needed it. Especially with what we went home to.....

Words aren't enough for everyone that helped make our trip possible. We couldn't have done it without Steve Stine offering us a place to stay and it would have been impossible without the help of Emily, Todd and Deanie Kehres keeping Noah for us. I'm so sorry it wasn't the best time with Noah. Because of you three we were able to not worry (at least not as much). We guys rocked it. Thank so much and we love you. 

Happier and Healthier

Today marks 3 weeks from when I made the decision to keep Noah home and not take him to school. I'm so glad I did..... we are back to not having to do breathing/vest treatments everyday, sometimes several times a day. What a difference it has made for him, he is happier and healthier. At times it has been hard but it so worth it. I'm making changes in my life that will help me find time that I can have some me time as well. Sometimes adult conversation is all I need. It's a quiet lonely time when your child can't carry on a conversation with you......

Did You Know Noah Hung the Moon?

Noah has been blessed to have little cousin's think he has hung the moon. They see Noah as the coolest kid in town.

 

Wouldn't it be awesome if every child grew up with a special needs child in there life? The world would be a better place.

One Year of Noah/Kehres Day

It has been one year of being blessed by the Kehres family.They have made leaving Noah with someone besides family so easy. We may have thought about Noah while he was in their care but we were never worried.

Noah loves going to the Kehres' He loves to hangout with Todd and watch sports. In fact the last time he was at their house Noah got upset because Todd and had left to go do something. Deanie ended up calling Todd to tell him he needed to come home because Noah wanted him. Talk about spoiled.....

 

 Thanks you again Kehres' family for all you do. Scott and I have really enjoyed our time together. It has really made a difference in our relationship with each other. You've been such a blessing to us and the words thank you don't even seem enough. We appreciate more then you will ever know.

Special Needs Mom Rock

 1. Because they never thought that "doing it all" would mean doing this much. But they do it all, and then some.

 2. Because they've discovered patience they never knew they had.

 3. Because they are willing to do something 10 times or 1,000 times if that's what it takes for their kids to learn something new.

 4. Because they have heard doctors tell them the worst, and th...ey've prayed for the best!!

 5. Because they have bad days and breakdowns and bawl fests, then they pick themselves up and keep right on going.

 6. Because they manage to get themselves together and out the door looking pretty darn good. Heck, they even make sweatpants look attractive.

 7. Because they are strong. Who knew they could be this strong?

 8. Because they aren't just moms, wives, cleaners, chauffeurs, cooks and women who work. They are also physical therapists, speech therapists, occupational therapists, teachers, nurses, researchers, coaches and cheerleaders.

 9. Because they understand their kids better than anyone else does - even if they can't talk or gesture or look them in the eye. They know. They just know.

 10. Because just when it seems like things are going "OK", they're suddenly not, but they deal. They deal even when it seems like their heads or hearts might explode.

 11. Because when they look at their kids they just see great kids. Not kids with cerebral palsy/autism/Down syndrome/ADHD/developmental delay/special needs!!

Noah's Graduation

When we set out on this adventure with Noah, the idea of him graduating from high school seemed something that we would most likely not see. Just like the idea of watching him play sports. Shelby has been the best community to raise Noah in. He has experienced great things in his life. He went to Washington DC with his classmates. Seeing him being carried in his chair up the stairs of Lincoln monument was so heart warming. He has been including in many things with his classmates. Including getting a letter in basketball. What a night that was. We've always wanted Noah's classmates to know Noah was a part of them. With that being said, Noah graduated with the Class of 2016 from Shelby High School.

At first he wasn't real sure what was going on when I took him to his designated room before graduation.

Watching him come in with the rest of his class was beyond anything I could have imagined. Our little guy has put his  mark on this world. It truly gave me goose bumps and yes it made me cry.

During graduation practice I apologized to the young man that sat beside Noah. I let him know that Noah may give him a back massage during graduation. He told me that he was ok with that and not to worry. He was not only okay with Noah sitting beside him but during the graduation he would lean over and talk to Noah when he would get upset. It was so heartwarming to see. Thanks Dylan....

  Noah receiving his diploma with the biggest smile on his face. I had my eyes set on Noah and heard all the applause for him and was told later that he had a standing ovation. Wow....  Shelby has been the best little town to raise Noah in. We couldn't have done it without all of you supporting us. Noah is so loved.....

Scott and I are so proud to be Noah's Mom and Dad.

The day wouldn't have been complete without our kissing picture.

  

Noah, God put you on this Earth for a reason. You have changed all of us for the better. The world and our lives wouldn't be the same without you.

A Ramp for Noah

My Mom and Dad recently built a sun-room on the back of their house. Part of the plans was to build a ramp so it would be easier for us to go visit. 

The look on Noah's face when we had gone up the ramp and into the new sun-room was priceless. His jaw dropped and he just kept looking around.

Thanks Mom and Dad for being one of our biggest supporters. I guess Noah needs to go visit Grandma and Grandpa more now.....

17 Years Ago

Seventeen years ago today Scott and I had been married for 10 years, Morgan was 7yrs old and in the first grade, Emily was 5yrs old and in preschool and Noah was 15mths old. I remembered watching Scott being wheeled away for his cancer surgery. It was a scary time for us. I was praying that we had caught it soon enough and that he would be okay. What would I do without him? Noah had just been diagnosed and the girls were so little. It was clearly a rough time in our family's life. I praise God everyday that Scott is still cancer free. I can't imagine my life without my soulmate. 

I love you , Scott!!! You have been my rock through thick and thin.

Thanks for Everything Shelby Basketball

This post brought to you by Noah's dad!
I've written here before about our enjoyment of Shelby basketball, and how well the basketball program at Shelby High School has taken care of Noah over the years.  I'm happy to say that has continued throughout this year.
Noah was given a home jersey this year, and he wore it to every home game.  Late in the season, Troy Schwemley, Shelby's head coach, told us he wanted to have Noah announced as part of the team on Senior Night.  That was a dream come true for me.  What father wouldn't want to hear his son's name announced during the introductions, and hear the crowd applaud?
Seriously, that was enough for me.  I couldn't stop smiling after that happened.  But then after the season, Troy contacted us and invited Noah to the awards banquet, too.  We were very happy to be able to enjoy the awards banquet with the team and their parents.  What happened during the banquet was quite a surprise, though.
Noah was given a special award from the basketball program.  Talk about your "proud dad" moments.  I never would've thought I'd see the day when Noah was given a basketball award.  Another dream come true for Noah's dear ol' dad. 

Here's Coach Schwemley giving Noah the award.

Here's a close-up of Noah with his award. 

After the banquet, the other award winners asked if Noah could be in the newspaper picture with them.  Who were we to say no?

Noah got his picture taken with a lot of the players that night.  Here he is with Davey Hipp.

Noah with Davey Hipp and Carter Brooks.

Noah with senior Brandon Schneider.

Noah with Brock Kehres. 

Noah with senior Trevor Young.

The four seniors of Shelby basketball, 2016:  Brandon Schneider, Matt Dawson, Trevor Young, and Noah.

Noah's got several friends on the cheerleading squad, too.  Here's fellow senior Allie Uplinger.

Here's Noah with senior cheerleader Arica Friebel.  And below is Coach Troy Schwemley with Noah.
Thank you, Troy, for all you've done for Noah (and us!) the last several years.  You and the players each year have helped make Noah feel like "one of the guys" and that's all Susan and I ever wanted for him. Also, between the coaching staff and the other parents, Susan and I were made to feel very comfortable and included over the course of the season.  That felt great.  We've made some new friends through this experience.  And isn't that what it's all about?  And don't worry... We'll be back next season.  We're Whippet fans through and through, and we can't imagine NOT going to the games.  Go Whippets!