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.

Strings, Strings and Baseball Teams

I am discovering the joys of being Noah's Mom. For instance who knew something as simple as string could bring such exhilaration and laughter. We have not had too many sunny and warm days this spring. Finally we had a day with both and even a hint of breeze. Noah knew this was a day that could not be passed up. He wanted to go fly a kite. Kite flying for me has always been more of kite dragging, but not Noah. He had a kite flying high last year. He went to the toy promotional aisle of Harmons and looked over the kites. He found a nice $5.00 helicopter kite. He was kind of looking at a Ulysses Butterfly kite as well and so he talked me into getting the butterfly.

Off we went to the Marv Jensen field where we had it all to ourselves.  I felt quite pleased to have my kite fly a few minutes and then I would hold my hand up high and try to coach it into the air. Noah would purposely guide his kite right into the path of my forehead and giggle...but soon we had caught the wind. It seems the higher it got, the more it soared so that you didn't have to do much coaxing. It was absolutely euphoric. There for a moment, I thought of how and what I have busied my life with because I had to get something done. There was never time to fly a kite...and yet here I was having the most peaceful moment in the beauty of spring. It wasn't something that I was anxious to end.

Noah and I had also brought silly string along with us when the kite string had had enough. Oh what fun...Noah had such pleasure seeing me tangled up in the web of string and I had fun letting him.  There is so much to do and so much to see when you have a young one for a companion and friend.

Noah's Dad is coaching his baseball team. They are going to be the Yankees and will play on the field where we flew our kites. They had a clinic for all the teams. I love children and I am always trying to find a way to connect. Here was this cute group of boys. There was one that was just staring and had a twinkle in his eye. I looked to his shirt. It was red with big letters and I said out loud for all to hear, "O Backs !!!! How did you get so lucky to be the O Backs." He stood there with a look that said to me, "Lady...whatever are you talking about?" Then I realized, it was another "cuh juh" "wooden roses" kind of moment. Connie whispered under her breath, "D-Backs, they are the Diamond Backs."










I guess my Mom was right. Sometimes this world just needs a little "out there" kind of moments and that is what I do best.

What are little boys made of? Snips and snail, and kites that sails, strings and strings and baseball teams, that is what little boys are made of.

What I learned from Noah: If you can't decide which kite you like, pretend one is for your Mom and then you get two kites.

Let's Go Fly a Kite

It was a sunny but very windy Saturday. The thought entered our mind, looks like a day for flying a kite.

Noah awoke with excitement. Today he was going to see his Grandma and Grandpa. After a winter Easter, the sunshine will feel good. Grandpa arrived and Noah had his fishing pole ready to thread. Not too far from home is a fish hatchery called "Grandpa's Pond." Noah and Grandpa selected a spot. What a moment for me to see Noah with his Grandfather fishing, something my Grandfather enjoyed doing with his Grandsons.

Unfortunately, the fish did not bite and Noah said, "I have been skunked." There will be other times at the fishing pond. Again, the thought, "Next adventure let us go pick out a kite for you and take them flying"

Not quite ready to end the day, there was a tailgating party for the REAL Soccer Team. It looked like fun...games, prizes, food, and a big bouncy house. Noah kicked off his shoes and climbed aboard.   He had the place to himself. He did somersaults, ran circles, and jumped continuously. He began saying, "Isn't this the greatest day ever" kind of thing.  It made me so happy to see him free and smiling with not a care in the world, or so it seemed.

I gave Grandpa my camera and asked if he would take a few photos while I fixed Noah a hamburger. Grandma went into wash her hands and the next thing I know, I hear "MMMOOOOOMMMMM !" I hear people run and a frantic "HOLD ON BABY." There, my little boy was trapped up in the air inside this big balloon bouncy house. A group of adults surrounded the balloon house. Some tried to calm him down and rescue him from being thrown against the fence or smashed between the balloon walls. It was difficult to see the entrance/exit to help him find his way out. Eventually, someone was able to reach up high enough to pull the balloon to a level where the rest of us could help. While setting the balloon down, a table by the pool was blown over and glass was broken. The sound effects added to the drama. Noah ran into my arms, his little body trembling.

"Mom, I could have been killed," he said. "I wonder if I will be on the news." I tried to diffuse the intensity of the moment with a joke, "Noah, I said 'Let's go FLY a kite, not let's go BE a kite," and laugh he did. Later while driving to the gas pump, Noah asked, "Do you think Heavenly Father was protecting me?" "Absolutely I do." In a moments time, I looked back upon the many instances, the multitude of tender mercies that I have witnessed and feel so grateful for...."THUMP THUMP THUMP...my, Noah what was THUMP THUMP THUMP that THUMP." While counting my blessings, I had run over a cement block that had entirely escaped my view. I was just going around this huge RV in the middle of the Smith's Grocery Store Parking Lot. I was aghast when I saw what I had taken my vehicle over (and thank heavens it was my vehicle and not Grandpas.)  I can officially say I took my boy four wheelin' now.

Noah and I were both laughing hysterically. It had been a crazy blustering, blundering, windy, doggone, skunked kind of day, AND WE had the good fortune of sharing it with Grandma and Grandpa.

What I learned from Noah: He will never set foot inside a bouncy house again and he is learning about his Heavenly Father even when I am not aware. If you don't have a kite, be a kite, if you don't get a bite, your skunked and if you have thumped you have two choices...laugh or go fly a kite.

And why are there no photos of Noah jumping in the bouncy house? Because Grandpa was quick on his feet to the rescue and Grandma, who saw through the bathroom window, called "That's my grandson in there, call 9-1-1."

It Has Been a Long Time

How I have missed sitting down to the computer to type all the adorable things about Noah.  It is not because there has been a shortage of adorable things either. I have been occupied making changes in my life so that I can be the best Noah's Mom possible. I am not sure I knew all it would entail as I pressed forward. My life seems very different now...but I have a constant...my love for Noah.  Happy Birthday Son.

What I learned from Noah: Resilience

SURPRISE ME TO

Make a free photo slideshow Happy 7 Year Old Boy

What Happened to All the Windex?

I have noticed that my laundry piles are multicolored now that Noah is no longer in school uniforms. Forever, it seemed I washed whites and grays, grays and whites, and a lot more whites. Now there is a rainbow of colors and my sorting the laundry has become more challenging as well as the laundry cycles.

Noah is loving the fact that he can wear play clothes to school and also save the black soled shoes for Sundays. His tennis shoes are getting the most wear. They are sketchers with little lights that flash when he takes a step. I hope it is not a distraction in the classroom.  He insists that these shoes help him run extra fast.  Most often, they are strewn in the middle of the floor after school. I am constantly on Noah and Rick to put their things away. My laundry, an array of colors, my home, an array of clutter...Noah's clutter, my clutter, Da Vinci's clutter, and Rick's clutter.  It is enough to make me bonkers.

The other day, Noah asked where I had placed the Windex. I told him it was left in the Master Bathroom (Hint to Rick: It's okay to follow through and clean the bathrooms today) When he came down with the Windex in his hand, he said rather disgustingly..."What happened to all the Windex?" Wouldn't I like to know? It didn't appear that any one was using it at our home. Noah sighed, "This will have to do."  I was thinking, " Yea, my little boy is going to clean the TV, alas."  I kept busy working on a few of my own piles.

Noah asked me to shut my eyes. He had a grand surprise for me. I did as requested and there in the center of the family rooms was a roll's worth of paper towels. Two sheets were spread nicely on the carpet and each of his sketcher light up tennis shoes, had been placed strategically for show. Noah had worked hard on getting those shoes to sparkle...to radiate cleanliness. The Windex, now empty, was used as the magical polish to clean those shoes. I had never thought to use Windex to shine my shoes. It is an all purpose cleaner. The TV still thick with dust and smudges, would have to wait until another time. Though I hoped for a sparkling TV, the smile on Noah's face was enough to brighten any room. He was so proud of the time and effort he put into shining his shoes.

His shoes were clean and life was good for him now.

What I learned from Noah: Shiney Shoes equals happy boy. Windex equals shoe shines. Empty Windex bottle equals no housework :)

Amazing Grace

Just when you think you are at your ends rope, Amazing Grace ties you a knot so you can hold on for one more day. Amazing Grace happens to be the loving HARTS and the helping hands of my parents.   They have served me the whole of my life--even when I was on top of the world, they had a way of finding that little something to make my life even better...but now when times are tough for many, and the Golden Years have greeted them, I find their service even more endearing. It is I that should be serving them.

On more than one occasion, the cupboards have been bare, the pantry scarce, and the fridge lonely and cold, yet we have known no want for food. Amazing Grace arrives in the nick of time and a grocery cart of food finds a place on our empty shelves.

Amazing Grace places extra dollar bills in the strangest of places-- a bit of cash here and a bit of cash there. Sometimes it is slipped in the wallet, sometimes in a book or a card and sometimes...well, it is like magic. Noah is my living testament that Grandpa can blow a coin out of your ear and a credit card out of Grandma's ear:) If I hadn't seen it myself, I never would have believed it.

Amazing Grace appears on our doorstep, "We were just wondering if the Groendykes would like to join us for a bite to eat..." It is always an adventure and every act of kindness is served with a warm smile.

Amazing Grace has filled up my gas tank, wiped my counters, purchased medications, helped me can peaches, paid for appointments and dusted my TV.

Amazing Grace has provided the very books in which bring about such joy and distraction in moments of challenge. So today, Noah and I are busy doing homework. I haven't had a chance to shower yet and the table is still cluttered. I sigh and think to myself "cereal or top ramen?" Noah leaves the table and I am kind of annoyed. I just want to finish up with school work. I hear an interesting noise brush against the carpet. Noah appears with a styrofoam box.Yes, Amazing Grace had been at our door yet again. When Noah opened the box, he shouted for joy "Grandma and Grandpa sent me my very own set of knives." (He has a fixation with sharp objects--eek!!!)  There was a a knife set atop several frozen Omaha Steaks and Hamburgers, Gourmet Hot Dogs, and Potatoes too. Who knew that one could even receive such dignified, classy and quality frozen dinners in such a clever fashion? All I know is that because of Amazing Grace, my manly man will get a manly man's dinner of steak and potatoes...

I bring this up for one reason and one reason only, that Amazing Grace (my Father and Mother) will see and know the delight of their service and so that we, as the receivers of such kind deeds, can be Amazing Gracious.

What we have learned:  Amazing Grace is my Father and Mother...Noah's Grandma and Grandpa Hart...our dearest friends.