Flood of 2011

You know you live in Ohio when on Friday the kids had no school because of a snow storm. Then on Monday they have no school because of a flood.

Sadly I can say I have lived through 3 floods. My children have already live through 2. I hope Shelby can find a way that this doesn't happen again.

Under all this water is a football field.

This is the auditorium in the middle school where Noah goes to school.
The last 2 floods before this one they had to replace everything.(Stage floor, carpet and seats)

This is the door I use to take Noah into school. After the last flood 4yrs ago the Shelby school system purchased flood gates for all the doors. It looks like it worked. They are only planning a 2hr delay tomorrow. Wow, what a lot of hard work. Thanks to everyone who chipped into help.

The only thing I worry about is how good is the air quality in the schools? I don't think Noah could handle much mold.....

Thank goodness for a new high school in the very near future.

Old Photo Friday

Since it was Emily's birthday this week, I decided to put some pictures up when she was a baby.

Happy 17th Birthday Emily

Today Emily turned 17.

Long gone are the days of lacy dresses and pig tails.

But, what a awesome person you have turned out to be.

I'm so glad God chose us to be your parents. You are true gift from God.

I can't wait to see what God has in store for you.

I love you so much Emily.

Love, Mom

Old Photo Friday "Friends"

Life wouldn't be the same without friends.

Noah, Auston and Dalton
Linda, Amber, Morgan, A.J. and Emily

Emily, Allie, Alyssa and Amber

Morgan, Ashlee, Abby and Emily

Gillian, Emily, Morgan, Janelle and Alex

Physical 2011

Today Noah had his physical. His doctor was very pleased. He said Noah has never looked better. He has had a wonderful winter. He hasn't been sick at all. Boy, I sure hope we haven't jinxed ourselves. Last year Noah weighed 45lbs. and was 50 1/2in. This year he weighed 64lbs. and is 52in. He commented on how relaxed his body seemed. He then asked me if we do any physical therapy. I said no just the ABR therapy we do at home. He then told me to keep up the good work and continue what I was doing because its definitely was working. Awesome, Go Team Noah!! I have never felt so good leaving a doctor appointment before.

On Monday I took Morgan back to school and ate lunch with her. What a great morning spent with her. Since I ate lunch with Morgan, Noah needed to stay at school an extra hour. In previous years he would have made himself sick. Monday he was just fine and even seemed very happy when I picked him up. I'm so glad he enjoys going to school now. When Noah is happy this mamma bear is happy.

Old Photo Friday

Starting today I'm going to try something new. Fridays will be Old Photo Friday.
These photos are when Noah and I were in Cincinnati doing hyperbaric oxygen therapy at the Cole Center of Healing.

Morgan was 14.

Emily was 12

Noah was 8.

We were having fun with The Thing feet one of the weekends Scott and the girls came to visit us.

I almost forgot......

Last fall I decided it would be best for Noah that he wouldn't attend school. At the time it was the best decision for him. Towards the end of November I noticed that he was starting to be very distant and unhappy. I also was feeling very trapped and depressed.

I soon realized that Noah needed to get out of the house and be around other people. I love Noah dearly but, I too was needed a break from him. I made some phone calls to find out what our options were. Scott and I went and visited a classroom at our local middle school. (Noah's age group)
It was a mainstream multi-handicap classroom. We instantly fell in love. What a awesome stress free environment. You could feel the difference as soon as you walked in the door. By the first full week in December Noah was attending school M-F form 8:30-12:30.

Noah loves it!!!!! I even see a difference in him at home. So much happier and healthier. I know I can't change the past.... but, looking back on the last 7 years I wish I had done something sooner.
Seeing the difference in him at school and home makes me upset with myself. Why didn't I protect my baby when I should have? I guess at the time I was doing what I thought was best for my child. Never realizing at the time what it was really doing to him. At the time I thought it could be all the germs in the classroom that was making him sick. Now I know it was him being very stressed out and making himself sick.

I was visting one of my blogs that I read and the post I was reading was exactly the way I connect with Noah.
What she says is so true. I changed it a bit:Having a nonverbal child can be challenging. Noah is not good at telling me what is making him stressed out or sad. Often when Noah needs something or is upset about something. I can quiet my mind and focus in on what is bothering him. I'll get a vision in my mind, a feeling in my heart and words make their way into my head and I begin to understand what it is that is bothering Noah. I just need to learn to listen and believe in my Mommy intuition more often.Noah's teachers are wonderful with him. I can honestly say that Noah has wormed his way into their hearts. I can see that they love him so much. I thank them for taking the time in getting to Noah so quickly. He is so happy going to school and I'm enjoying my time learning what it is to be me.