Noah during the National Anthem

As a team Mom for Noah's Miracle League baseball team, I have been able to be on the field with him while the National Anthem is being sung. Until last week, I was usually far away and quite honestly not paying much attention to what he was doing during the song.

Last week, I noticed that towards the last line of the song, he begins to get SO excited by kicking his legs and bouncing because he knows the song is almost over and he gets to play baseball.

So this week, I decided to try and video it hoping he wouldn't be distracted by me standing there with the camera. And he didn't disappoint! I love his excitement. It makes my heart smile.

"This is the Stuff"

Do you ever have those days where absolutely nothing goes right and everything seems to go wrong? Today, seems like one of those days for my little family complete with massive Noah meltdown and seizures. Followed by a mini Momma meltdown once Noah was asleep.

But even in the midst of the "stuff" I'm reminded that in the middle of the mess (food on the floor thrown there during the meltdown, dog barking, messy kitchen, crying Momma) that it could be SO much worse. And I'm blessed.

And so I choose to find joy in the midst of it all. I find joy in the texts and notes from friends, from songs that feel like they were written for me, for outlets, an understanding husband, parents who will listen when I vent, amazing friends, and a God who loves me in spite of it all.

I leave you with this song which felt like it was written for me tonight.........

JOY Prom and Special O.

Last week was a big week for Noah as he had both Special Olympics and JOY Prom. 

At Special Olympics, Noah competed in two different wheelchair races. He goes soooo slow but has a huge smile on his face the entire time and thoroughly seems to enjoy himself and that's what it is all about! As soon as he stopped racing each time, he would sign "more race." 

Two days after the Special Olympics, Noah attended JOY Prom.  JOY Prom is a prom for special needs teens. Noah went for the first time last year. To be completely honest, I didn't plan for him to attend this year as it seems to me that prom would lose it's specialness if he goes each year but he already knew about it and really wanted to go. So, he went! He chose the orange accents of his suit himself! So handsome!

Paint Chip Spring Ornaments

I have this little tree that I decorate in different ways each season and it either sits on the side table in the living room or on the mantel. I didn't have any spring "ornaments" for my little tree so I decided to make some. 

I have quite a pile of paint chips building up. I don't know why but every time I am in a store with paint chips, I grab a couple. My stash is quickly growing so I decided it was time to use some of them. (And that photo is only a very small sampling of my collection!)

I got out my Silhouette machine and found a couple of springy shapes I liked; a flower, a butterfly, and a bird. I placed my paint chips on my mat and cut out a bunch of the shapes. Even though my mat was plenty sticky the paint chips were sliding around so I put a little piece of re-positional tape on the back of each paint chip and that held them in place perfectly. 

After all my shapes were cut, I just took some white twine and glued it in between 2 of the shapes. 

It was a easy and pretty quick project and now my tree is good to go for spring and early summer!

This post is part of a monthly Silhouette challenge created by Lauren at The Thinking Closet. Check out the links below for more projects by some talented crafty ladies using their Silhouette machines.

Budget-Savvy Spring Sihouette Make - We Love Cards

D.I.Y. Canvas Date Art - The House on Hillbrook

D.I.Y. Vertical File Folders (Martha Stewart Home Office Knockoff with Free Cut File) - Whole New Leaf

Anchor's Away! A Fabric Applique Silhouette Tutorial - Lil' Mrs. Tori

D.I.Y. Subway Art Canvas & Free Cut File - The Thinking Closet

"Different Is Good" Autism Awareness Tee - Tried and True

A Gift! - For 'Just a Little Nutty' - An Elegant Touch

Mother's Day Celebration - Creative Turn

Interested in joining us for our group posting event next month?  We'd love to have you.  Simply contact Lauren from The Thinking Closet by email.

Quote of the Week: Hope

"When the world says give up, hope says try one more time." 

- Unknown

We're Still Here!

I promise we are still around! I actually have a couple of posts in the works for you guys. 

I think I am coming out of the slump! I am feeling better mentally and although it's really cold and rainy outside at the moment, spring is on the horizon  At any rate there is more sunshine now that the time has changed and I can see a difference in my mood. I'm entering my busy season as we plan for the annual BirthMom Buds retreat. 

It's spring break this week. We are surviving. Noah's had some meltdowns and really rough moments but there have been some good moments too. Noah has some big things coming up: baseball, JOY prom, and Special Olympics. 

For now, I thought I'd leave you with a collage I made of Noah and Granddaddy dyeing eggs on the Saturday before Easter.