his beauty

he is an angel

he is sweet

he is kind

he is loved

we get to wake up to his beauty and his sweet, happy face every day

we are blessed

he has filled our life with light, love and endless gifts

we love him to the moon and back

happy Sunday xo

photo last month before his hair cut.

I have no idea how to even start to write about what happened last Thursday!? So, much has gone on at school mainly with the special ed teacher. but, the speech therapist is her side kick and they play off each other. This is the 5th school since he was 2 and never have we had a crazy teacher like this, never. NEVER! We have had issues with the two schools in Texas but never were the teachers nuts or mean. They truly were good to Noah and I trusted them with his care.

I have no words for this teacher here but that she is CRAZY. A nut job! unsympathetic. evil. mean.uncaring. full of herself. And does not belong in a classroom much less a class of special ed students.

she called 4 times on my cell phone Thursday before we finally spoke. Her voice was angry and strange. first she said she was upset the way I filled out a paper they asked me to fill out. That I had put Noah was well behaved, sweet, kind and that he was not and she put the total opposite and I was not being truthful. She went on to say, he was the worse kid she has ever had in 10 years of teaching. and that she has had ds kids before and none ever like him. she said, he was mean, disrespectful, yelled, kicked, pushed them away, pinched, hit the staff and children. she was ranting on and on making no sense to me. accusing me of saying she didn't know how to teach a child with ds. saying, she called the teacher in Texas and she told her Noah did the same things. when I said, I was shocked because has never acted this way, she went on a sarcastic fit saying oh, yeah, its all me, all me, all my fault, I have no idea what I am doing. the last thing she started to say was that she had a 15 year old girl severely disabled like Noah. I cut her off and said, I didn't want to hear her business and said, we should hang up and I would be calling some one to help me with this.

I asked when these behaviors started and she said, day one. i asked why she never said anything and she said, she was giving him time. I asked how he was disrespectful, no answer. I told her Texas school never ever said, he kicked, hit, pushed, pinched  or yelled and she then said, oh well no but he told them no and no way and wouldn't do his work. I told her I never said to her or any one at the school that she didn't know how to teach a child with ds. she asked me for help on how to work with Noah and I asked her if she ever read the books on how to teach math, reading, communication skills and so on for children with ds and ds teaching web sites and that is all I ever did. and she said, well you might as well have said I didn't know how to teach him. I asked her why my opinion of my child would make her so mad and she said, because I was not telling the truth. Her claim is I wouldn't know how Noah reacts with kids because he has never been around them with his lack of formal education. I told her he went to public school from 2- 6 before we pulled him to hs him and he went back at 8. and, he has always went to Catholic Sunday school, gymnastics, swimming, baseball, music therapy surrounded by kids and one of 20 cousins and she doesn't know what she is talking about.

this woman in a nut case. He has been in school for 6 weeks minus all the snow days and sick days he has had. I would say maybe she has had him for 3 weeks tops. my blood went cold and i felt so ill. She hates him and I mean hates him. you don't say those things about a child and like them even a small bit. something is so wrong with this woman. oh, and she called him severely disabled? what does that mean? how is she a special ed teacher? lying about the school in Texas. all she has done is lie.

I hung up on her and called the principle. told her everything that the crazy said. asked her if this was retaliation because I got an advocate and she said, she hopes not. I told her that the teacher has lied to me several times and no one in the IEP meetings will help me or answer my questions and they are being bullies and get angry when I ask questions or don't agree with them. like when the teacher thought it best for Noah to go to kindergarten class instead of 2nd grade. or when she said 2nd grade didn't have science and social studies and in fact they do every day. oh but, Noah cant go because then she would have to change her lunch time is what finally came out at the last IEP meeting. I told her how the speech therapist and teacher work like a tag team and try to bully me. and how the teacher yelled at me that the speech therapist has a masters degree when I was asking for Noah to have an assistive technology assessment done and the speech therapist kept telling me no. so, I got an advocate. The principle said this was news to hear because everyone says how sweet and nice Noah is. she was happy I got an advocate. she said, she was going to go talk to the staff and set up a meeting for us all to talk about this.

Joel and I are sick about this. Noah is not going back to that room with that woman. Joel wants me to homeschool. I will if I have to and maybe that has been Gods plan all along for us, for Noah for me to homeschool him. him to be home, safe, loved, free to be him. But, if we pull him now... again... I will never put him back in another school again. this would be it for public school for us. I cant do this and go through all this again and again. I want what is best for Noah. He deserves a good school, a good teacher, good staff, a good education in a safe environment. He is an angel. he is sweet, kind, loving, shy. we have never heard him yell. scream and cry when he gets a hair cut or poked at the drs office yes. but, yell, never. kick, push, pinch, hit... never. sounds to me like he is defending himself if this is even true. We have had 3 IEP meetings, a note book that goes back and forth every day, talked on the phone and in person and never was this said. she has kindergarten class go into her room and why would you bring little kids in if you have a child that my harm them? I know she is lying and doing this because she got in trouble from what I told the advocate. The speech therapist never has wrote in the note book and Thursday she writes in it for the first time and two pages full. saying how bad Noah was the last two days, he says, no, no way, puts his head down. wont do work. and that they have found he doesn't do well with a nice voice but does better with a loud stern voice but not always. ??? so they are yelling at him being mean? how do they work there? with special ed kids? how do we get these people? they have been told he doesn't like loud noise, he is shy, he will shut down if  you get in his face. what are they doing to him? i am just sick over what have they done!

The advocate said to keep him home for now. she is calling the district as this is way over the principle and school now. I felt so much better after talking with her.

we don't want him around that teacher or speech therapist ever again. we want a new school. this is our plan for now. if they say no or the new school is more of the same then we are done. Noah's well being and that he is being treated right is most important.

so, so sorry for this long post. I could really go on more about what the nut said and has done and what others have said and done. but, the post would be oh so much longer. if you have read this far thanks and I'm sorry for the long post. :) know that we are all good here. we are praying for what is right and just and for Noah to be treated good by everyone and for Joel and I to have the knowledge to know what to do best for us and for Noah.

 thank you always for your prayers xoxo

Yellow Springs

Yellow Springs is my favorite little town here in ohio. I loved it as a little girl when we were stationed here in the 70's. My sister had a Mexican resturant here in the 90's, oh it was so good. It's just a small, sweet little town. So sad that the college has closed down since we were last here. We try to eat at haha's pizza once a week. it is really good. We even saw Dave Chappelle one weekend ( he lives here and owns a coffee house). I almost got a picture of him but Joel stuck his camera phone in the way and we laughed for days.

wishing you a happy Saturday xo

Friday

Happy that I found a sweet little camera yesterday. And for only a few bucks! Once I get my office unpacked, my little vintage camera's will look sweet on a shelf.

They had two vintage typewriter's. One was a teal color and looked to be a child size and one key was missing. The other was an Underwood but many of the key's were upside down. I figure I need to be picky and get the perfect one.

I noticed this morning that the aide on the bus did not put a seat belt on Noah. I have been trying to look to see if she does but I have never had a good look until today. I asked at the each IEP meeting and they said, oh yes, he gets a seat belt put on. So, now I have to write the teacher and tell her or the bus company with out getting anyone mad. Noah does not have the reflex to stop him self if the bus had to stop suddenly. he would fly off or hit his head. It is just not right how the schools play this game of not wanting things written in the IEP and just say it is so. This school seems to be playing these games more so than any we have been to this far?

Well, I am off to run errands.

Wishing you a happy Friday xoxo

it was a good day

He came home happy off the bus yesterday and with a bag of Valentine treats. This morning he got on the bus just fine. Love when he is ok getting on the bus and going to school!

Noah kept me company yesterday while I unpacked 5 boxes that were in my closet. It felt good to get those done and to see some familiar things. Oh, I was happy to see my beautiful sheets, shoes, purses, clothes. I still have 3 more boxes in the closet to get to and about 5 more in the bed room. Then on to the 100's more around the house and garage. I will unpack Noah's room next and it should be pretty easy to do.

I did enjoy my day yesterday. Grocery shopping alone is always so nice being able to take my time and look around. I went to one thrift store but I didn't like it much. Today, I am headed to the thrift store I like in the next town. I'm looking for vintage camera's and a vintage typewriter. If I have time I might stop at the book store to read and relax before coming home to make Joel lunch?

happy thursday xoxo

love is all you need

made this in photo shop and had them printed last week in 5x7 just to see how they would come out. I would really like one in a poster size. think I will mail a few out to people?

anyway! Noah went back to school today. he so did not want to go on that bus. he kept telling me and Joel and the bus driver and the bus aide that his head hurts. makes me feel so bad and want to run in the house with him and keep him home. but, he tends to say this a lot so we never know if it is real or not. It could be his way of trying to get out of things he doesn't want to do or it could be real? hate not knowing for sure. I told them to please call me if he was not feeling good. I think he will be fine. praying for a good day for him.

I am off to get out of the house and get some fresh air. thrifting and grocery shopping and what ever else.

Hope you have a wonderful day xo

feeling better

I think he is finally better. well that is what I thought on Saturday and he was not.

today, he finally wanted to eat.

chicken soup and gold fish on the side

He hasn't been sick once today and he slept all night long. no waking to vomit or run to the bathroom. I am so happy he is feeling better. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the bug is gone once and for all!

Happy Tuesday night xo

Happy Valentine's Day

made Noah's treats up yesterday for him to take to school

a printed photo, on top of a Hershey bar, wrapped in white paper, tied with twine

they came out just like I wanted them too

Noah came into the kitchen and got so excited and wanted to open them all up :)

So, he will be handing them out tomorrow and not today. he started getting sick around 3am. I really hope this is the last of it and just left over from what he has had since last Wednesday. I hope it is nothing more than a virus the doctor thought it to be. He is drinking but not wanting to eat much of anything. I don't blame him at all for not wanting to eat. I just want so much for him to feel better!

Wishing you a very Happy Valentine's Day xoxoxo

Noah waking up this morning

the sun is out and a warm 36. no snow, no ice... love it :)

I need to make his classroom Valentine's today or tomorrow.

I would love to get out and about today

to do anything at all!

wishing everyone a warm and happy Saturday xoxo

all better

he was sick the last two days. stayed home yesterday and today. feeling much better today :) taking a day of rest watching movies and playing with his ipad.

happy friday xoxo

more hearts with Noah

I took these last week during our snow days

not the best but I love them just because

he was sweet enough to help me out and hold the heart

I love his smile here

once in a while he would let out a "cheese" I heart when he says that

truly I do love taking blurry pictures on purpose. I just find them so beautiful

and with a story to tell or wonder about. Or maybe it has to do with I am blind

as a bat with out my glasses or contacts? lol and it takes practice getting a good

blurry shot :)

my favorite one. sitting here with the heart on his toes....sweetness

happy Wednesday

 and thanks for good thoughts and prayers xoxo

dealing with the move so far

there are still only a few things for Noah to play with around here

 things he got for Christmas and what we brought in the car from Texas for him to play with

I'm so bad. I have yet to finish unpacking this house and Noah's room included. I have no idea what is the matter with me. I finally just last night unpacked 6 boxes in the kitchen that were blocking the back door. and yet, still no silverware and other things we need. I really wish I could snap my fingers or blink or twitch my nose and it would all be done! I  really, really do. It doesn't help that I pulled something in my lower back two weeks ago and it is killing me. The pain will shoot down my leg as well. I know I should go to the doctor but I hate going to the doctor.sigh...

I think all this new and being thrown right into cold weather from warm weather and missing my family so much ( I miss my Mommy) and dealing with the new school and new issues, and on and on. Well, its a little too much to take. I have moved so much in my life but this move is different some how and has me so down. ugh! I hate saying that! but, it is true. This is such a rare feeling for me to deal with, so I hope it will just go away and soon.

I will snap out of this funk soon...I hope!

Now I am off to deal with the IEP draft that came in Noah's back pack today. dealing with IEP's send me over the edge for weeks. I didn't care for what I saw on it and need to make comments to send back tomorrow. The meeting is Thursday.

ok happy Tuesday xo

photo challenge - hearts

here is Noah holding up a heart. trying to get some Valentine photos has been hard but I will keep trying.

I have not entered a photo in such a long time and I have so missed it.

if you would like to enter a photo or just see all the wonderful photos click on the link below

happy Tuesday xoxo

the weekend

I still love those sweet little feet!

Saturday night we went to mass at a different church. it was OK but think we will go back to the one near us next week. Hard leaving a church behind that you loved and finding a new one that feels comfortable.  

Sunday, Noah and I both got our hair cut. he screamed and cried like always. Joel said, he felt like he ran 6 miles when it was all done. lol I was getting my hair cut while the screaming was going on so I couldn't help. when I put on my glasses after the stylist was done...yikes! good thing I am not one of those girls who cry over hair. my hair grows fast so I just go with it. But, I did want to hide and laugh! she made me look just like her and all the other stylist in the place with short puffy hair with lots of hair spray. Joel took one look at me and laughed then said, oh, it doesn't look that bad. lol

when we got home. I put Noah in the bath to get all the hair off him and relax in the warm water. When I was dressing him after. he touched my hair and called me princess. Oh, my I laughed and then called Joel upstairs to hear it again. He must think my big puffy hair looks like a princess? I love this boy!

Happy Monday xo

happy Friday!

Noah is playing with his ipad and I am on this computer while we wait for Joel to get home with some groceries and a pizza for dinner. we are getting hit with more snow tonight and tomorrow they say….sigh. I have not been any where since Sunday and I am feeling crazy. :)

Happy Friday xo

ice, ice and more ice

The ice started falling Monday night

we woke to everything covered in ice

no school Tuesday

no school Wednesday

no school Thursday and now a 2 hour delay for Friday.

stuck in the house is no fun for this many days. Joel had 2 days off but went back today. I think over the weekend we are getting more snow? you cant even walk outside our door or you will slide down the drive way. lol

I sure miss Texas right about now… home sweet home…sigh!