The Update to the Update

Noah would like me to add today's new words to his list:
Ambulance
Chick-Fil-A
Playground

I love feeling like we are having actual conversations!

The Noah Update

I am a selfish creature by nature. The past several posts have been about me. I don't pretend this blog is all about Noah. It isn't really. It's about me and my struggle to honor God with my life. Thus I record triumphs and defeats of being a wife, mother, and teacher. But I realize that most people (at least four out of the six people who read it) log on to see and hear about Noah. So for them (and by them I mean Mimi, Nana, Papa and Puddin) here is a little update on our favorite 22 1/2 boy (without pictures because our camera is still not cooperating).

Noah]s language development is growing in leaps and bounds everyday. He is always picking up new words. Like, "bread (great minds think alike), rim, outside, home, Charlie, puppy, read, play. Of course his favorite words are still eat, cheese, and juice.

One new word that Adam and I got super excited about was "Yes". Finally after months of No, no, NO, no we now have Yes. It is fun to get real answers. We have an adorable video we will post later.

Noah continues to love Diego. And he will sit still to watch a full episode. In fact that is how I get time to cook dinner.

Noah's has a new obbsession that has developed from an old habit. Noah often carries Spots arpund with him. Then it was Bus. Well now it is Spots, Bus, Diego, Puppy,Phone and anything else he sees on the way out the door. He wants to take this armful of stuff everywhere we go.

He continues to be a joy and delight to me and to Adam. His personality his developing and he moving from a baby to a little person full of endearing little quirks.

The Victory

We are still celebrating! What a great start to Homecoming Week! Check out tomorrow's front page of the TNews. http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20090928/NEWS/909289949/1007?Title=Bryant-High-students-enjoy-first-win-in-three-years

And you must of course watch the video on the page. I promise to move on. But for now I am basking in the victory.

The Win

I have witnessed many great wins over the years. I've seen Homewood win state championships. I've seen Auburn knock off #1 Florida in the pouring rain, and I've seen them win an SEC championship. But none of these wins meant as much to me personally as the one that occurred tonight. (Don't disown me.)

Bryant High School boasted the longest losing streak in Alabama High School Athletics. 30. As silly as it seems it has had a profoundly negative effect on our school. School spirit counts when you are fighting for everything you can get. I've been praying for a win for three years. I knew it would start to turn things around and give these kids something to rally around and be proud of.

In an earlier post I mentioned how things have been looking up at B High this year. Spirit abounds. Pep rallies are loud and spirited. At today's I was standing close to my freshmen enjoying their enthusiasm when the football coach (who is in his second year and responsible for some of the change in attitude around campus) walked over to me and said, "Look at them. This is the class who is going to change our whole school." It gave me chills. I really wanted a win to reinforce and multiply this excitement. Especially against Central. The school Bryant broke away from six years ago.

Tonight I was feeling under the weather. Sore throat, sinus infection. And the thought of chasing Noah around the stadium just made me tired. So I stayed home in the front yard with B and Ms. Jennifer. After Noah went down I turned on the radio to see how things were going.

It was half time and it was zero to zero. Hmm... tonight might be the night. I sat on the couch with the laptop and began to pray. The game ended at 13-13 and went to overtime. I began to cry. (I know. I am an emotional person. )

Central went first. Bryant managed to hold them. Tears are really flowing now. My boys are playing their hearts out. The names being mentioned on the radio are all boys I have taught some of them more than once. They never gave up, they never let the taunts of their classmates convince them to give up and quit the losing team.
Central lines up for a field goal.
IT IS BLOCKED.
I am ringing my hands. Pleading. Because I know God loves those boys more than I do.

We scored. And I am sobbing. Sobbing. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! On the radio I hear the screams and the kids rushed the field. And I wish I was there to share in their joy.

Sweet Sweet Victory

This was more than an end to a losing streak. This was about persevering through dry times.

Coach Moore and his wife.

It was about character. It was about having something to be proud of. About holding our heads up. About changing climate at our school. About doing more than surviving until summer but enjoying the year.

One of our Senior quartebacks celenrating a win that was a long time coming.

I am thrilled. But now I need cucumbers and cold spoons for all the crying! Happy happy happy tears!!!

These pictures are from the Tuscaloosa News. http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/
http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20090926/NEWS/909269996/1004/SPORTS?Title=Bryant-ends-state-s-longest-losing-streak

The Rocking Chair

The baby is getting heavy inside and my feet are getting big and swollen. I am tired. The tired on the inside and out kind of tired. I am nervous and scared. I sit surrounded by blue and green stripes, sweet stuffed animals, diapers and new tiny clothes. Oversized tears spill up and over. Are you sure, Father? You are certain I can do this? You think I am ready?

Noah was born two days later, four weeks early.

We were finally home. Finally together. Both healthy. We were both in the nursery, sitting and staring into each other's faces. Thank you Father. For keeping us safe. For blessing Adam and I. For letting everything turn out alright. For this sweet precious miracle.

I am frustrated. Things at school are not going well and today was not a good day. How much longer can I watch children tear each other down again and again? I am hitting a wall and not sure I am getting through to anyone. Noah snuggles closer and lays his head on my shoulder and sighs. As I sing to him the day melts away. Restore me. Heal me. Recharge me. For You, for him, for them.

Whoa. That lightening was in our yard. Okay maybe a couple of blocks over. Could that rain come down any harder? Adam is at the office and I am wishing he wasn't. Truth be told I'm a little scared. Noah is asleep and oblivious in my arms. Thank you that you are my Rock. That my safety is in You. That you are mighter than this or any other storm in my Life.

His screams had woken me from sound sleep. A nightmare or night terrors. He cried so hard that he is still shaking minutes later. As I whisper in his ear and rub his back his shudders slow and weaken. I sing to him as we move bback and forth. Comfort and soothe him Father. Hold him in your arms. Sing over him. Delight in him.

Laughter fills the nursery. "Moo! Baa! La La La!!" It is my facorite time of day. The sun is setting. Noah is clean and clad in fire truck pajamas. Adam is doing the dishes. Charlie is snoozing in his chair. The day is winding down. It is storytime. Thank you for this moment. The lightness of it. The feeling of happiness. The joy in his face. The love in my heart.

Noah is finally still. After constant running all day. After all the , "Noah no. If you do that again you are going in time out." After the spills and messes. After the begging to sit in my lap for just one minute of rest. He is still as I rub patterns on his face with my fingers. He is grasping bus in one hand and Spots in the other. But he is still. And he is letting me hold him. Father help me to be still with you. Help relax just long enough to let you hold me. Thank you for today. Thank you for Adam abd his love for me and our son. Thank you for Noah and joy and the challenges he brings to us. Thank you that being a mother as brought me closer to You. Thank you for this time to pray as I sit...

in this rocking chair.

Mine is green. My mother bought for me. It is my favorite spot in the house. I've given close to a thousand bottles, read hundreds of stories, spent hours of rocking and uttered many prayers in this chair. It is my favorite spot in the house. It is my prayer spot. Every nursery needs one.

The Old Schedule

Last night I was rummaging through the drawer of the coffee table for a pen and I came across two bright yellow sheets of paper. On the paper was Noah's schedule from when he was eight weeks old. I had written out as a guide for Mimi and Nana who took turns keeping him at the start of my time back to school. It was funny to see every little detail of his day including trouble shooting and ideas listed out.

The schedule brought up some thoughts:
1. Noah is a month and a half away from being two years old! Two! Two! Where as the time gone?

2. My boy has always loved routine. He loved the schedule then and he loves routine now. He is nicer to others when he is on a schedule.

3. I want another one. A baby. But I am convinced that I need to get my ducks in a row. Get my life in order. At least earn a "B" in the course "Mothering Active Boy, While Running a Household, While Teaching Full Time and Running a Small Business" before taking on another life. And again I realize how thankful I am for the surprise Noah was. We would never have been "ready" for him. So God, if you'd like to surprise me with another that would be okay!

The Miracle at B High

It is no secret that I had a bad year as a teacher last year or that I felt so defeated that I considered many other options. After much prayer last Spring I felt God was saying, "Stay". B High had a a difficult year last year in many ways. At the end of the year a plea was made for change. And the plea was for us to all be part of the change.

And things have really changed. For the better. Miraculously better.

The freshmen class has suprised us all. In a good way. Their school spirit is contagious. Seriously. They rule the pep rally. (Despite a 20 something game losing streak.) But support of of our team has never been stronger. They are joining clubs and activities and even book clubs in large numbers. They want to make an impact.

Discipline is better. Much much better.

The faculty and staff are closer. Tailgating and dinners hasve been taking place before football games. Collaboration is stronger. Morale is higher.

And here is the best part...

You might have to be a teacher to appreciate this.

In an attempt to help understanding and provide more opportunties for succes I have stopped giving chapter tests in favor of small quizzes and one big end of the six weeks test that covers it all again. Well that test was today. I was worried about my regular ninth graders and how they would handle a high stakes test. As they walked into my room I pumped them up and asked if they were ready to make an A. I gave them a peice of good luck candy and a few last minute hints.

I had 8 A's. EIGHT A's. I think I had eight A's in my regular class all semester last Spring. I had 5 B's, 5 C's , 5 D's (three of those were 69's) and only four F's (that were all in the 50's). This may not seem impressive to you but to me it is a miracle. I cried right there at the Scantron machine. I think they care y'all. I tihnk they care. And if you care... I can work with you.

Thank you Father for my miracle at B High. Thank you. Thank you. Now if we could just win one game....

The I Love You

This first time I told Adam I loved him ....
It slipped out at the end a phone call. I meant it of course but wasn't ready to say it. He responded by texting me a scripture from Song of Solomon. And I loved him even more for it.

The first time Adam told me he loved me....
He made me a picnic dinner, wrote me the most beautiful card ever and declared those three little words. There was no doubt I would spend the rest of my life with him.

The first time I told Noah I loved him...
He was a mere peanut causing me to be sicker than I've ever been. But I knew he already had me.

The first time Noah told me he loved me...
We were rocking in our chair after stories and prayers. We were snuggling and being very sweet. I was laying many kisses on Noah's face . And I whispered. "Love you" and he looked me right in the face and said, "Love you". It was beautiful. Such pure sweetness. Every nauseous minute, every push in the three hours of pushing, every late night, every hit in the face, every spanking and time out, every instant of disobedience, every public tantrum, every mess disappeared from memory. This is why God made me a mother. For such sweet sweet moments like this one. I hope I always remember it. Always. Thank you Father for the privilege of loving this boy and being loved by him! May I always be grateful and never take an opportunity to show it for granted!

The 22 Months

Today our Little Man turned twenty two months. In two short months Noah will be two years old! Isn't it crazy how time flies by... one moment you are listening to a heartbeat and watching your stomach grow out of control then you are chasing after a ball of energy who is taking his trucks to throw away. In a blink of an eye. I have learned the importance of many things over the past 22 months probably the most important was prayer. In honor of his 22 months, here are 22 things I pray over Noah....
1. peaceful sleep
2. recovery from asthma
3. growth
4. heart of joy
5. obedient spirit
6. more patient parents
7. that he will show kindness to others
8. that he develop a thankful spirit
9. that he be safe from sickness
10. that He recognize God's call and voice
11. development of self confidence
12. strength of character
13. that he will fall in love with God
14. that he would love to learn
15. his life will be full of precious friendships
16. that his words and statements would be encouraging and uplifting
17. that he would be salt and light on this earth
18. that he would have a passion and a dream
19. that his stubborn and aggressive streak would dissolve
20. that he would have a servant's heart
21. that he will be a loving husband and father
22. that he will know how much his father and I love him unconditionally no matter what

The Driver

Noah loves to "drive".

Don't worry no engines were used for these photographs.

The Rainboots

This season's most fashionable accessory on Bristolwood Circle is the rain boot. They are really hip with the under two crowd. Noah and Brooke put theirs on to enjoy the puddles between our houses. They had a lot of fun splashing around and getting dirty. And we had fun watching them enjoy being wet and dirty. Hope these pictures make you smile and remind you of the joy of childhood innocence and remind you to dance in the rain!

The Countdown for the Weekend

In 48 hours I will celebrating a victory in Jordan-Hare. I LOVE Auburn.

But before that....

In 11 hours...

I will be celebrating Paul W. Bryant's Birthday with cupcakes, scholar athlete brunch, battle of the classes basketball game, and a pep rally. Gotta love living and working in Tuscaloosa.

This weekend we will also clebrate Nana! Her birthday is Saturday. We took Noah Nana birthday present shopping and he's been calling for her ever since :) Happy Birthday Nana!

The Costume

It is September and you know what that means....



Halloween is just around the corner.




Here in Clear Creek Halloween is when you decorate like its Christmas (Christmas is when you light up your house like you are creating an air landing strip and seeing just how high your power bill can really go.) People come from all over he county to Trick or Treat here. There are hay rides and haunted garages. Lots of family fun. And this year its on a Saturday. Double the fun.




So Noah and I are in search of the perfect costume. How to you beat this????

I need something equally as adorable. This is likely the last year that the costume will be my choice. Soon I'll be creating Diego costumes or explaining why he can't dress up as Freddy or something else evil.

Suggestions?????