Noah Was GRREEAAATTTT

I didn't know the meaning of proud, until today. Noah has been working hard on a class assignment while off track. He was to select an animal, research the animal, write a report, prepare a project and then present it when he returned to school. Noah knew right off that he wanted to learn about TIGERS.   We went to the library and gathered some books. Utah Idaho had an activity with a Tiger that Noah spotted right away and so began the journey.

Every day, we colored a bit here and colored a bit there. We read a page here and read a page there. I was grateful for the time in which to break up the task in increments. Noah is smart, but he will be the first to admit that he feels pain over having to read or write; hence, writing the report was no easy task. It required a great deal of effort for Noah to write a two and a half page report. Finally...completion. Inasmuch as Noah is apprehensive about reading, I thought it would be advantageous to practice. Noah's Grandparents dropped in Sunday Evening to be the audience for Noah. He had his posters displayed and read over the report. I was amazed at how well he did. There were a few words that he questioned like "territorial" "adaptable" "tropical mangrove swamps" which did seem to surpass a first grade vocabulary. I was a bit nervous for him as I didn't want him to struggle before his class. I even wondered whether or not he would stand before his class.

On May 13, 2010, I popped into the classroom. He adorned his handsome face with a gihugous grin which was pleasing to me. A few times he put his fingers to his mouth and did the chattering with his teeth to show me he was nervous. He had to sit through several reports and was the last one to present that day. There he stood at the front of the classroom with his teacher holding the poster and his project on the chalkboard tray. I could not believe this was my baby. Where did the time go? He started right into his report, "I did my report on Tigers because they are GGGRRREEEAAATTT" and spoke clearly and projected his voice. The teacher paused him to ask the class a question and Noah in trying to help them answer the question, kept pointing to the white Tiger on his shirt. He knew...he knew what he was teaching about Tigers.

The teacher then asked if Noah would like to tell the children about his poster. We had not prepared to talk about the poster and yet there he stood pointing out the pictures and sharing interesting facts. I heard Miss Snow say, "Good Reading, Noah!" No one can truly appreciate the beauty of those words as I did. He was spectacular! I had no idea that THIS is how parents feel when their children perform. As I looked to him, his face was beaming. He knew he had worked hard and he had a real sense of achievement...almost giddy.

I left the school with my heart beating fast with excitement. Noah had done a very difficult thing and he had been successful. Noah worked hard to prepare so that he could be confident in performing the task he had been given. I was overjoyed to witness the challenge and the success. I wondered if that is how Heavenly Father feels when He knows we are confronted with difficulties and we work at them, we struggle and we work at them some more until the obstacle is no longer an obstacle. Then with big smiles upon our faces, we journey on knowing that only He can truly appreciate the miracle of triumph and victory.

What I learned from Noah: There is deep abiding joy in being able to overcome and do the hard things. I have hard things facing me. Yes, it can be frightening and there are some things I just plain don't like or want to do, but in doing them, I gain strength. With daily preparation, a bit here and line upon line, the potential to overcome is within reach. I too have an assignment to fulfill. I will take Noah as my example so that I can stand with confidence and perform the mission I was meant to perform.

I Found My Thrill on Blueberry Baths ???

My little boy is way into experiments. Just last week, he pulled out the vinegar, some water and some baking soda. He made his version of an explosion. It wasn't as scary as I had anticipated, still it was messy and I need to restock on vinegar. I love his desire to explore and create. He is a real problem solver. What I am not a fan of is the incredible leftover mess and the undoubtedly worst timing ever.

Noah and I ventured to see Grandma and Grandpa at the Marriott Hotel. Once again...swimming, movie, room service and the like. He started thinking he was something kind of special in the annoying sort of way. He pulled up the lounge chair, ordered a movie, and feasted like a king. Oh it was all in fun. My plan was to keep him up late so that he would sleep in and be less of a handful for Grandma while I went to the Temple with Grandpa.

The plan worked beautifully. He slept in and in and even in some more. What I didn't prepare for was how tired I would be that night and how not tired he would be. Noah and I slept in the Suite. (I still think it is so funny he won't sleep in the Murphy Bed.)

At 1:06 a.m. I awoke from a slumber to find my son in the kitchenette conducting an experiment with everything Grandpa and Grandma had in the fridge including Grandpa's Blueberries. He was determined to change the water to blue. Then there was the pounding and the mashing. That experiment ended abruptly.

The next morning, his water was blue. He carried that with him. I had him apologize to Grandpa for a breakfast wasted on Science.

It was time for us all to get ready for Church. Noah had been placed in the bath. I was packing and getting ready myself so I would step in to check on Noah. I saw that little bottle of mashed blueberries and the thought came, I hope he doesn't put that in his bath water. The thought passed. Grandpa and I visited about parenting and that you just love your children through the good and the bad, when I hear..."Mom, come here." I stepped in and there he was sitting in purple water!!!! I knew it, I should have taken the blueberries. He said it wasn't the blueberries and held up a bottle. It was special shampoo for silver hair to keep it shiny and white. I think Grandpa was about ready to swallow his words. I said, "Noah, you can't just take things and use them. You need to ask permission first. Why did you do that?" He could tell I was disappointed and so he responded with that look of duh mom, "I wanted a purple bath." Yes.. why else would you use half a bottle of only for silver shampoo unless you wanted a purple bath?

I asked him if he washed his hair and he said, "No way, who even uses that stuff?" " Grandpa does." "Why does Grandpa want purple hair?" Then Grandma chimed in, "You know, that is why they call him the Silver Fox." Noah laughed and mocked the name "Silver Fox." Noah had to apologize to Grandpa for purple bathwater AND for disrespecting the coolness of the Silver Fox.

What I learned from Noah: There are not cabinets high enough to save me from his experiments, the timing will most likely be bad, there are thrills to be had in blueberry water and purple baths and Grandpa has lots of patience.

I Just Have This Feeling

I was participating in a conversation with a father of boys. He was making it clear that all boys need to do three things and not fear them: learn to swim, have a dog, and ride a bike. Noah had learned to swim. Noah had a dog and not just any dog--he had a huge dog! And Noah had a bike. His bike was blue and yellow with training wheels that he received for Christmas a few years back. He used to take it to the top of 3210 South and ride that bike down that hill as fast as his little legs would allow. He appeared to have absolutely no fear. I was fairly confident that it wouldn't be long until he had picked up on bike riding. I was amazed at the distances we would go.

Noah also received a Chariot (three wheeled scooter) from his grandparents. Noah could go back and forth between his many set of wheels. To go along with the bike and Chariot, was a big wheel and a regular scooter. I was simply happy about movement and activity. Soon he had outgrown a few of those toys and the other children were learning to ride their bikes. Noah moved into a new neighborhood and the Chariot was quite the novelty, which provided him with ample attention and praise. Noah's father became concerned that he would feel no need to ever ride a bike. We encouraged Noah, nonetheless, to try riding his bike and take the training wheels off, but the older he got the more hesitant he had become.

One day while riding bikes around the block, Noah tipped and fell to the ground. This was not the first time it had happened and so I did not think much of it. Every time thereafter, he simply refused his bike and took the Chariot. I must say, he looked pretty cool on that and so, I was resigned to the fact that he would have his own means for getting around.

Noah and I took a path along the river. It was an absolutely beautiful spring day. Everyone and their dog, no literally and their dog was out enjoying the warmth of the sunshine. Several young children buzzed by on their bikes. It appeared to be an exciting family adventure for many. Noah was quiet and pensive. He said, "You know mom, I just have this feeling that Heavenly Father is telling me I can ride a bike. I think He is telling me I am ready and that I can do it."I was stunned that he brought up the subject. "I think you are right Noah. It will be Father's Day in June and I will help you learn to ride a bike so you can surprise your dad." He quickly suggested, "I know, lets have dad take off my training wheels right now and then we will pick it up and come back."

What? Training wheels, he didn't even want his training wheels? Today? He is ready to do this today?   He took my phone and called his dad that very moment.

I left on a few errands and prepared myself for the task at hand...holding him up to balance him...knowing when to let go...encouraging him to try again if he fell...

I picked him up, the bikes were loaded, and off we went to the river trail. Noah jumped on his bike and pedaled away. I  was in utter disbelief and overjoyed with excitement at the same time. "My little boy is riding a bike!!!!" You could see in his eyes and posture how proud he was and what a sense of accomplishment he felt, "Mom, can you believe I am riding a bike? I just knew Heavenly Father said it would be okay." Oh the faith of a child.

What I learned from Noah: There are difficult things to confront in life. Sometimes we just are not ready. Heavenly Father keeps His eye on us. He strengthens us with His unseen hand. He breathes courage into us through His unfailing love and then one day, He whispers to your heart, "You are ready" and there is no mistaking it. You are ready and so you TRUST and oh the places you will go. I am in that place of facing difficult things...things that frighten and overwhelm. Like Noah, I will keep moving forward doing the things I know well, until I HEAR that FEELING in my heart that says,"YOU ARE READY."

Please, Mom Please

Noah and I took our Wednesday Venture to see Grandma and Grandpa Hart at the Marriott Hotel. He was off track, it had been cold and raining, and an invitation was extended...so we accepted. There was room service, swimming, visits to the Concierge, in room movies, a Murphy bed and chocolate ice cream. All, with the exception of the Murphy bed, began with "Please, Mom Please." What parent does not want to give their child the whole world? I jumped into the joys of pleasing Noah with both feet.

The following day, Grandpa, Noah and myself decided to give our imaginations a whirl at Discovery Gateway. If you are missing that youthful heart, grab a child and explore...magnets, stories, media, helicopters, building blocks, legos, grocery store, farm, mail man...it is there. As I observed, it was evident that this place was not just for children. It proved to be everything Noah (and Grandpa) hoped it would be. One could hardly get up the strength to leave such fun behind. The little gift shop was the perfect lure to the exit...

But ah, the gift store, to take some of this fun and adventure home with you. Noah wandered that store looking for the perfect souvenir to purchase. I am in this rock and a hard place trying to teach him you don't have to get a prize every time you leave the house kind of mode. Nonetheless, we looked. He picked up tops and magnets and then he saw under the 30% off pile, a box of blocks. We don't have blocks at the clubhouse. He does like to build. Even Grandpa thought this was a worthwhile item. Twenty dollars plus 30% off couldn't do too much damage was my thought.

I overheard Grandpa ask the woman the price of these blocks. "One Hundred Thirty Four Dollars, and with the 30% off about $91."Are you kidding me? Who spends that kind of money on children's toys? "Please, Mom Please..." was the repeated phrase, then the tears and the begging. Both Grandpa and myself wanted to get those blocks in the worst way. I thought of the many trips to the grocery store aisle and the number of cheap toys that were purchased only to be broken before arriving home...the difference was the cost. It would not cost either of us much money to learn that the toy was a cheap imitation for happiness. I held firm in my resolve, "That is just too much money. Surely we can find some blocks for less money elsewhere...I am sorry, no, we are not going to get the blocks...If it is still something you want, you can save your money for them." This wasn't spoiled brat kind of tantrum, it was broken hearted. I felt so sad and yet I knew this item was not worth the cost. Noah could not understand it now, but I knew with time and maturity, the day would come when he would be grateful we didn't spend that much money on a set of blocks. After I dropped him off, I started to reflect on the frustrations of my day. I too, had wanted something desperately. I too threw my own kind of tantrum when information I had been waiting for had been postponed once again. I thought of my loving and wise Heavenly Father. How many times I go to Him in prayer, "Please, Father, Please."...and how He must delight to be able to give me things that will bring such a sense of joy.

There must be some things that I ask for that He knows is just a cheap imitation, but there is little or no cost, and so He allows the lesson of learning. Then there must be times when I want something that seems to fit my needs perfectly and so I plead and there must be other times when He wants in the worst way to provide me with those things, but He knows that a particular something is not worth the cost and so He says "no," knowing that with time and maturity, I will be grateful I did not indulge at so great a cost.

What I learned from Noah: We are not so different. Noah wanted something. I wanted something. Both behaved similarly. Both will now wait for time and maturity to teach us the cost of this lesson...and that Heavenly Father loves me enough to say "no" sometimes, just as I said "no" to Noah.