Grateful for the Impact

I picked up Noah's high school yearbook today.

 

You have no idea what an impact the Shelby community and his classmates has had on Noah as well. Years ago all we wanted for Noah was to be excepted. The community and the Class of 2016 has done just that. We are so very grateful that we live in our little town.Thank you to everyone that has taken the time to make Noah feel accepted.

A Perfect Night

 At one time I thought the perfect night for Noah would be going to a school dance with a "typical" girl from school. It would show he truly fit in right? But actually he would probably  still be seen as the boy in a wheelchair and not just Noah.

Noah made it clear to me that he wanted to go to the dance and he wanted to ask his friend Paige from his class. So Noah and I made a sign so he could ask her to homecoming.

He was happy she said yes. For 2 weeks I got to see a very happy girl every morning when I would take Noah to school. Paige was so excited that her friend Noah and her were going to a dance together.

I got to witness the coolest moment between two friends.  He went to homecoming with someone who sees Noah as a true friend. Not a boy in a wheelchair, in fact I can almost guarantee Paige doesn't even see Noah's chair. Paige sees Noah as just a boy, a boy that happens to be her friend. Noah's night couldn't have been anymore perfect.

Thanks Paige for being Noah's friend.

First Day of School 2015

                                      Today as I scroll  through Facebook and see all the first day of school pictures, I can't help to think what it would be like for me if Noah was a typical boy. While all the other Mom's are thinking about  their children's last first day of high school and what it will be like when their child will leave the nest next year to start their lives, I think about how we'll never really have an empty nest. Most days I'm glad that we'll always have one of our children at home and never know what it's like to have an empty nest. But, some days like today I wonder what Noah would be like if he was a typical 17 1/2 year old young man. Would he play football? basketball? tennis? track? band?  what college would he attend when he graduated and what would he study while he was there?  This school year I want to make it Noah's best school year yet. We are planning on having Noah "graduate with his class. That way his peers will know Noah was a part of them. I hope his classmates realize how much it has meant to Noah and his family to feel like just "One of the Guys"       Here's to a great year at Shelby Senior High School. GO WHIPPETS!!!!!!                                                                            

Learning Diversity

Noah's class has a wide range of disabilities. From a learning disability to kids like Noah.There is a young man in Noah's class that sees Noah as a good friend. He even helped push Noah up and down the paths through Camp Mowana. Last week I got a text from Emily, it included pictures of Noah and his friend. Noah's friend stepped into help him make ice cream, without being asked. Thanks Justin for being a great friend.

Camp Mowana

When I was young I went to a church camp called Camp Mowana. I would go one week every summer. It was something I always looked forward to. When I had kids I was excited to share my love of Camp Mowana with them. My girls both loved going as well. Emily is now working her 3rd summer as a camp counselor there. 

I've always wanted to find a way for Noah to experience it there some how.

A few weeks ago Noah's class went on a field trip to Camp Mowana.

With the help of his teacher Ms. Zack, we took Noah up and down the trails.

It was ruff at times but he went everywhere his class went. If it wasn't for his Convaid Cruiser stroller he wouldn't have been able to go anywhere. We were even able to take Noah to Flemmings  Falls. It felt so good to be able to share the falls with Noah. I hadn't seen the falls myself since I was a senior in high school.

Thank you to Noah's Earth Angels that helped in the purchase of his stroller. This day wouldn't have been possible without it.

Noah Having Fun at School

Noah had fun making Christmas Ornaments at school this last week.

Although anything that resembles cooking is so much fun to him.

 

I love looking at this picture of Noah. He is looking at his school work so intently, with such good head control. 

Shriners Picnic 2014

Noah's class went to the Richland County fairgrounds for the annual shriner's picnic. It's a fun time with horse and buggy rides, horse back riding and lots more.

They didn't bring the horse that Noah could ride on with someone else, so he just got to sit on one. It was a real bummer. It is what it is I guess. :(

It was a beautiful day to be outside.

After lunch the kids danced to music played by Ed Gutchall . Looking at this picture I don't have to see Noah's face to know he is smiling. He loves Miss Hartings

Just 5 more days and Noah will be able to hear music again. Noah enjoyed feeling the music on the speaker stand.                                                                                                                                                                                           I just love his smile.

Field Trip to Apex Academy

                              

                                  

Noah's class went on a field trip to Apex Academy in Ontario Ohio.

                  

                                  

I wish I would have gotten a before picture but I think he looks pretty good.

                                  

I was asked to speak at a 4-H meeting on Sunday. Time to focus on  the 3elove  movement and embrace, empower and educate. I want to express the whole idea of acceptance. Wish me luck and pray for me. Public speaking isn't one of my strong points. In fact just thinking about it scares me but, I'll do anything to help Noah feel like just one of the guys.

Merry Christmas

 The month of December has been the sickest Noah has ever had.



                           

There has been far too many doctor visits.

                             

It left no time to get into the Christmas spirit.  We haven't even been to church.

 



I finally got my tree up with a little elf from Alaska. We decided to put it Noah's room.

We finally started to see more smiles from Noah.

 

 

 Christmas just isn't Christmas without some baking.

 Noah had a great time!!!

 Last Friday I took Noah to school for his Christmas party in his class. He was just in time to join in with some karaoke in the school cafeteria.

He enjoyed seeing all his friends and teachers.

 I thought I got a really good picture of him and his friends and when I got home I noticed he had stuck his tongue out. The little booger.....

I'm glad he is finally feeling better and can enjoy the holidays.

Merry Christmas



Shriners Picnic

 Noah's class went to the Richland County Fairgrounds for the Shriners Picnic.

 He even got to ride a horse.

There was also lots of dancing.

 This little girl came over and started dancing with Noah and then stopped and looked at me. She said, "He's crying"  I then told her that was his happy face and that she was making  him very happy.

 Mrs. Wilson then came over to dance with him and he started to growl at her. I guess he felt she was getting in his way. Haha

 

On the way home we stopped at Target. We couldn't resist trying out the Halloween wigs.