Jake

Jacob had his CT scan yesterday morning. Primarily to get a pectus measurement. If that measurement is high enough(greater than 3.8 or 4.0) we will go ahead with the other requested tests and move forward with plans for his surgery. Jacob has pectus escavatus (a depressed sternum). Our doctor, who lives in Memphis is now flying back and forth between Blank Children's Hospital in Des Moines Iowa and Memphis. We would have the surgery in Iowa. After his tests yesterday I spent an hour talking to the school nurse and his guidance counselor about post surgery options. I am forever thankful for such a wonderful school system! I love those I have the opportunity to work with:) Phylis, the school nurse, literally saved a child's life at the cross country meet the other day. The girl had an allergic reaction during the race and was nearly not breathing when they finally found her epi pen (on the bus in her purse in her book bag).

The picture above is of Jacob (on the right) with his sidekick (or Jacob is his side kick...lol) Preston. A greater pair of workers I have not seen. They make a good team....and a good bit of money! Preston's mom came and painted Jacob's room this week. Such a sweet lady!! Now Jacob had two Crimson Tide red walls:)

New van:)

Bill brought the new van today! Everyone (especially mom and dad) were really tickled. The roof needs to be painted, but everything else is great and the inside is soo sooo very nice! Neat as a pin! I will post pictures soon:)

My guys, at least some of them:)

Stuart came home for a little while Sunday bringing his friend Casey with him. They went to church Sunday night with us and then a group went out to eat together. It is always a joy to have my college kiddos home!! I managed to get one silly and one nice picture before my camera's batteries ran out. A good bunch of guys!!

A beautiful day.

In spite of Sam's behavior, my children had a nice time playing. Totally ignoring Sam they ran and played. It was a beautiful day. Selmer has a really nice old fashioned park. Swings, seesaws, slides and lots of room to run under big beautiful oak trees that house a million lizards:) My kids dream place:)

New phase

I have watched as the time came closer.....I have known that Sam and Zack and Carlton were likely carrying us to a new phase in parenting. Bordering on will full defiance. Scott and I have talked about our options.......talked about what to do when the day came. I am not talking about minor issues with obedience....with this trio it is major issues. Tough ones.

The day arrived for Sam:

Today while driving with my 13 little ones (lol...who are not so little anymore but have not out grown the name) Sam, age 11, lost all control. He had been fighting (physically) with Zack and I had stopped that......when suddenly Sam physically attacked Ryan, 8 and half his size. Sam threw his body over the seat and Ryan kicked him in the face (truly in self defense) trying to keep Sam off. In the minutes that followed, me trying to calm Sam down, not too successfully, yet he was only beating the van seats and screaming hatred. I stopped at a park for the children to play. We could not continue to travel and Sam as working himself up again. The purpose of the visit to Selmer (a town 30 minutes from home) was to meet Chelsea. We had thought to visit while the children played. I told Sam he would have to sit with me. He in a screaming tirade ran when he got out of the van. Screaming "I hate you all!! I am going to kill myself!" As I walked closer he screamed louder and it was obvious that I was not going to be able to "make" him do anything. Of course people are watching this crazy acting kid. He threw rocks and sticks, screaming the whole time. He never did what I asked. He did calm down to the just "words and dirt throwing" stage. I was at a loss. I really, in the midst of all my tough kids, have never had one willfully defy me like that. I was somewhat (turthfully more than somewhat concerned about the well-being of the other children in the van) I was still concerned at the park with his anger. I cut my visit short and came home as soon as he was moderately calm.

Chelsea, bless her heart, she has more wisdom than most young adults her age or older! I was talking about the episode and did admit that the other children did not "help" Sam by trying to correct his behavior. Chelsea simply said"Mom, they are just kids, Sam was not acting nice and they told him." True. In the midst of my house, the checks and balance brought by siblings "helping" is usually one of our biggest assets. They do help one another. They self correct and sibling correct, coming to mom when they realize "mom help" is needed.

That said, I had a million scenarios run through my mind......If he had run and not listened? What then? I am in a new phase. One I imagined would eventually happen.....at the point they were bigger and stronger....and angrier. Yet I find myself unsure of what the guidelines are for this kind of behavior?? I really do not like to use the word "hate", yet I do hate to be in this position of waiting for the time bombs to explode! I am not sure when I draw the line.

Sadly the time for serious intervention has began. As though we were not intervening pretty strongly before!!

In the midst of this I am so saddened. Sad that these boys have such loss! It is moments like this that you see the direct result of sin! Not my guys, although they certainly have issues, but the sin of parents!! The profound and long lasting result of sin. It just makes me so sad!

We are so blessed!!!

Scott's parents bought us a new (to us) van! An extended passenger van (seating 8)! It has less miles than any of our vehicles. It will make traveling so very much better!! Not to mention having a reliable back-up for everyday!! Bill will be delivering it on Monday:) I say it all the time, and it is so very true..... WE ARE SO VERY BLESSED!!!

A week in blogging and pictures:)

I often get behind on my blogging.....lol....for those who read much, you already know this! This has just been one of those weeks:) Normally crazy:)

Last Saturday was Carlton's 13th birthday. He has had a particularly tough week. Tough based solely on his poor choices. I received great teacher comments on Monday, only to have the assistant principal call me on Tuesday. Carlton was bullying. Our school system has adopted a no tolerance to bullying policy (aptly so!). Carlton is lucky to only have received ISS! Unsure weather he will be playing football. Once again Scott and I talked to Carlton ...his consequences directly affect HIM! He told a teacher at school that mom and dad had grounded him because he was in ISS. Humm....Wrong! Carlton pretty much grounded HIMSELF when he made the choice that led to ISS. Of course there will be no privileges at home until he serves his time at school! I sure do pray that this 13th year is better than the first week!




School was out on Monday for parent teacher conference. I spent from 12 noon until 6 pm at three school talking to a total of 25 teachers(thankfully several had more than one child!). Reports were pretty much as I expected. Some doing exceptionally well (lol...you know who you are kids!), some needing to pick up the pace and some in dead stalls(what the deal is I have no idea!). I left there to meet Chelsea half way between home and school, we drove together to Corinth MS to the funeral home. Chelsea's good friend Dustin (his family worships with us) lost his grandmother. Scott also took the little boys and met us there, although he left for home earlier to relieve Sarah. Sarah is really stepping up and helping in a tremendous way! I could not be more thankful!

Seth was home of Tuesday with an ear infection, but medicated and back up to par now. We had soccer practices all around on Tuesday.

Wednesday Zack turned 12. Hard to believe, yet true. I picked him up early from school (as I do all elementary school birthday people) and we lunched at his choice (Taco Bell).




Thursday, a super busy day, had me lunching with Dad, Clara Ruth and Mama Nell at Pickwick for Mama Nell's birthday. It was very nice. I have not seen Nell since Christmas, so being able to ride and visit with her was very nice. Thursday after school we divided to conquer activities. Doug and Jacob had a cross country meet at horse Creek Wild Life Preserve. This is our home meet, so I took 7 and Kelsey (Jacobs sweet friend) and we met Scott there to watch the run. Dad and Clara Ruth came as well:) Doug had his very best time! 19.25 and was 16th! Sadly one place away from a medal!! Doug is still beating his best times and will continue to improve! Jacob had his best ever time, making it into the 25 min mark. It was a great afternoon!
I laughed at Jacob who said he needed new running shoes. Cousin Jeremy just gave his a wonderful pair this fall, and they fit perfectly. Last week Jacob said they were just to small. Then he came home from the race and his toe nails has actually cut into he toes (this mom felt very bad!). He bought this new pair....3 sizes bigger!!! Crazy! This guy is sprouting:)

Caleb kept my middle soccer team home and took them to practice at 5, staying to help out.

Sarah and Patrick kept Seth home and took him to his game at 6. Seth scored two goals for his team and was on cloud 9:)

Friday was Tasha's birthday:) I picked her up and we ate at the Mexican restaurant with Papa and Clara Ruth. Tasha is one of my natural athletes, a wonderful disposition, giving 110% with no anger or frustration....just lots of go! One of the men at the restaurant, who has boys that play in Tasha's league, asked her (he speaks little English)"You play soccer?" Tasha smiled and said yes. He said "You Tasha?" rofl:) She is a sight to see play! Funny that he would remember her when this years season has not even began.

We had Tasha's birthday party after school:) Tasha picking out a football cake (lol...of course).

Clayton, where Scott works, had a family night on Friday. The plant had set up the show houses and grilled a great dinner for all the employees families. Our children have seen the houses set up and neat in Knoxville at the show, but most never see the end results. The Clayton team has really outdone itself this year! What great houses! It was a neat night!

Friday night brought a home football game. Another win for Hardin County! Caleb(number 21) had 2 for 3 extra points. He also kicked off. Caleb is having a great year! Totalling 13 for 15 on extra points. With a 38 yard field goal as well.

family

Yesterday Nancy and Bill came to watch the game, bringing Ben with them. Ben, along with Doug and Caleb were all going to RUSH this weekend at FHU. Ben, and Jeremy who came over from college, watched the game with us. What a treat. There really are no words to adequately say how special it is to have family watching these moments!! We are very blessed with our family!!

We, Nancy, Myself, Jacob, Kelsey, Carlton and Seth went by and picked up Cade for the football game. I took the picture above of all the boys at Cade's request, ""how 'bout we get a boy picture?" A boy one we have! It was Cade's first football game and he talked the whole time: "Why did they paint numbers on the grass?" "I wish I had drums on my belly." (talking about the half time band) "Who is making that loud noise?" (asking about the announcer).....Cade is a super smart little guy! He was excited to make out numbers on the jerseys. In the third quarter, about the time his sprite was all gone, he decided he was ready to go home:) Chad, his dad, came and pictured him up. It was nice to be able to share that time with him. I am so crazy and sometimes just too far away, it was nice to have the opportunity to take him!

Jacob was so tickled to see Cooper. My kids love babies and there is just not much sweeter than a newborn (or a 3 week old....who I think was actually due today!).

Friday night football

Last night Caleb played football in Henderson. Caleb had a great game:) He kicked 3 of 4 and even kicked at kickoff (new to him). He kicked a 38 yard field goal:) He was excited....we were excited. The team blew the other one away, 38 -0 in the 3 quarter putting in the 2nd string players.

Funny statement was made by our county Judge to Scott, "Once that boy got the lead out of his feet he sure can kick!". Making reference to Caleb's one incident with speeding, so far hopefully teaching him a big lesson:)

advice

This morning I sat with two of the neatest ladies I know talking about life. I love these two ladies to death! They seem to think I have much wisdom...lol...a much needed change from my children's sometimes views! I need the encouragement, although truth be known.....if is always easier to talk to people about their problems! Always easier for someone on the outside to make comments....always. But, I certainly know that it is only opinion, only my thoughts, nothing inspired by God. Although I do talk to Him a good bit, there is no better listener, I just hope I am listening to Him!!

My house is in disarray, truly truly, which is much of the reason i spent the morning away from it:) The boys have really worked hard. All but John who is still in denial. John is testing and we are about to enter into a new realm.....I am oftimes amazed that this smart guy can behave as he is behaving. I have spent two long discussion times talking (while John just argued) to John about moving rooms. I have explained the advantages to the big boys, I have admitted my frustration and hope to have the little ones do better back with me, I have appealed to John on many levels, yet the only one that works is the "Because I said so" one (although I have not actually said that....I have said it is just happening). Yesterday he asked "why are are doing this again?" I asked him to tell me, I have told him twice. He said he did not hear me, to which I replied,"then there is absolutely no reason for me to say all that again, you just need to know we are moving rooms". I know he was just trying to open the door to argue the point, John likes to argue, but the bottom line at this point is ...you will not win! No need to make me angry. I have told John, who is mostly worried about hooking up his xbox live, that he can choose 1) be happy and have a good attitude 2) choose to have a bad attitude.....and know that if that is the choice...do not worry about x-box...ain't happening. I set our time to move from yesterday until Tuesday, John told brothers he would move Tuesday. I nicely explained this morning on the way to Thump that he could get going today or I would let the little people help me move him. His choice. I just wish my kids would make good choices....because it IS very clear what the good choice is! Carlton is wanting to move to the addition.....if I am pushed much more by disrespect.....Carlton will have the room upstairs and John can have Carlton's room. Seems fair to me! BTW....this post whould have been named differently looking at it....perhaps venting would have been the better title?

Chinese fire drill.....

I have tried and tried and tried new ways to help my little people function better. I am now, with great frustration (and yet great hope) pulling a Chinese fire drill. Everyone is leaving the safety of their rooms, and halls to swap with others.

Our addition has been such a tremendous blessing! There simply are no words to express what having the added number of bedrooms and bathrooms and space has meant! With that comes bigger boundaries. I, in my thought to be wisdom, just knew if my little people had more room to themselves they would take better care of their things. I just knew if they had their own room they would go to sleep better....they did not. I just knew if they had a playroom they would play and enjoy their toys more....they have not. I just knew if they had more bathrooms they would be cleaner....ROFL! Our little children, or at least 9 of them have shared 2200 sq feet and to my dismay not improved any of their habits. The bad ones that is! So we are moving them out and giving my 6 teenage boys that space. The boys will be gaining bathroom space, a living room and quiet. Currently they have been in the hall off the kitchen, of course the loudest area. It is a privilege to have more and they have earned it. I am moving my little people back next to me. It is my hope that when they eventually move back (can you believe all my big kids will be gone in 3.5 years???) I hope there will be an appreciation that was very much lacking this time. If such a thing does not exist? They can stay where they are.....actually moving will not be an option for those who have not achieved a pretty high level of trust!

Running along!!

Yesterday Doug and Jacob had a meet in Jackson. Both shaving time off their personal bests! Jacob, shaved 5 minutes, getting his time to 25 minutes and Doug shaved nearly a minute off his time running his 5k in 19 minutes. I am so proud of these guys:)

C'est la vie!

I was born with congenital scoliosis. Most children with spinal deformities have other profound issues as well, I was incredibly blessed. I grew up traveling to Campbell's clinic in Memphis Tn. My parents traveled from Arkansas, Georgia, Virginia, Louisiana, and Kentucky to make appointments. I thought it was normal. It was normal. The month I turned 8 years old I had back surgery to fuse my spine. I was hospitalized for a month. I wore a body cast, from hips to neck for a year. My parents were told I might not be able to attend school, yet the only days I missed were for doctors appointments. Through out high school I wore a brace every night. C'est La Vie. I was blessed. Yet, I know about hardship.

My mother was sick nearly all my live. She managed a home, cared for her children....she did it well! In spite of diffculties my mother kept foster children, adopted and was a loving wife. Sickness was just a part of her, but not her spirit. My mother is now pain free, in heaven. I know about unselfish example.

My sister Stacy, my best friend, died of cancer. In life she was the most astounding personality. I know in heaven she is as well. I understand loss.

I have parented, lots of children. Thirty four foster and now have 21 in my home. I have dealt with birth parents issues and losses. I know the world in not fair. I live in this world, I know.


Seems that my children forget that they are not the only people who have hardships and trials....good grief! We ALL do!

Yesterday afternoon one teenager stood in my kitchen telling me about his hardships. As though I have no idea. I think my children image my life to be free and easy. Hum. A nice thought. Not very realistic if you think about my home. I listened and gave my opinion(lol..of course) yet I do not think he heard. So wrapped up in the injustice of not being appreciated he simple could not get beyond self. C'est La Vie. At least to those who do not put first things first.

If I waited on appreciation from each child? We would all starve and die. Nothing would ever be completed. LONG LONG ago I realized and put these words into my head permanently "I do because I love. It is unconditional. It is mine to share and mine to give. I take ownership for myself." Not to complicated, yet it is what I do. I love my family ferociously. I fuss, hollower and correct.....from love..... From a desire to see each child grow physically and mentally.

My life is not a fairytale to most, yet in my life, with all I have been through, it is exactly what I always dreamed of. My life is my dream come true. I think so often about Bill Cosby's statement that he and his wife "we only prayed that our baby would be healthy....... Then I realized that God has a since of humor and we should have been much more specific with our prayers!" I dreamed of a family of my own....a husband (and a wonderful one I have!), of children (blessed abundantly) and a wonderful church family (again...blessed). I know a blessing when I see it! I realize God gave me the life I wanted. I am thankful. But as Bill Cosby reflected, I likely could have been a little more specific at times too:)

Scott and I sat last night, about midnight, talking about our children. Issues, needs, wants, gotta dos and such. Scott brought up the point that people always say they don't know how we do it. We do it like everyone else. We are not superhuman. We work constantly. We do not have the "secret". We work in trial and error. Perhaps we have been through that more than most, yet each child is different, each child needs that redirection. We get frustrated and exhausted. We get tired and overwhelmed. We just do not chose to lay down and cry. We breathe deep and move on......there is no alternative. We move forward. C'est La Vie!

Still raining:)

I laughed this morning as the rain poured down! Not a single person anywhere in town is complaining about the rain! Thankful is more to the point! Temps have dropped and mud is everywhere, yet I am still happy:)

I met Chelsea for lunch today half way between home and Freed. I took sleeping bags for her Xi Chi mixer tonight. I love those lunches! I miss Chelsea and it was nice to catch up a bit.

No fair weather friends here....

My girls may fuss and feud at times, yet they are never fair weather friends. They seem to thrive in all kinds of weather:) Seen above playing in the rain. There are likely a million team building activities you can do with your family and yet none are as successful as playing in the rain:) Especially when rain is so rare! Sarah snapped pictures of the girls playing in the rain with the umbrellas. This was among my favorites. I just love the unity:) My girls are neat people and most importantly, they love one another:) Fight? Yes, but they always come around and always find their way back to being friends.

creativity....

I love creativity....I love to read magazines with neat ideas....I love to see things other people have done...I love to reproduce those ideas.....and while I am a willing creative worker....I am not creative:) Not that "sit down and create" kind! I am blessed to have several children who are just naturally creative. Seth is one of them. Tonight I was sitting in church beside Seth when I looked over and he had drawn this picture of Abraham Lincoln. I was really impressed, I could tell exactly who he was. Then Seth began drawing a line beside Abe, I wanted to tell him not to mess up the picture but sat quietly (the reason Seth was drawing is so he would be quiet). In a few minutes I realized he was drawing a measuring stick. I then realized he was measuring Abe because Seth can tell you that Abe was the tallest President. I sat and watched him draw himself, and another measuring stick. The I really almost stopped him as he began to draw rectangles on the page....only to realize he was drawing $5 bills with Abe's face. I thought as I watched the paper unfold.....if I were in charge he would have stopped at the Abe drawing. My creativity could not imagine more. I am so impressed with the gift of creativity!!! Above is a picture of Seth's picture:)

some days are blessings....

Some days come along and you are not really expecting incredible things, which make the blessings even greater! Carlton and the girls came home from their Jr High retreat and Carlton, who has been really studying, asked to talk once again about baptism. He had studied and was ready. So tonight during the invitation, Carlton went forward and our wonderful youth minister Josh took his confession and baptized Carlton. For those who know the road Carlton has had over the past year and some months, you realize how very very far he has come! We are so proud of his success emotionally and his growth spiritually! A very sweet day!!

Victoria is EIGHT!

"EIGHT!!" I yelled....lol.....my baby girl is eight years old! Crazy to me, although to be sure she isn't a baby anymore! For her birthday Sarah, Bella, Tasha, Mary, Seth and I took her out to lunch at a new restaurant we (everyone except Sarah) had never eaten at. It was neat and everyone loved it. We did a little shopping, Tori picked out a sweet dress and a cute little outfit with her money and a high school musical purse and hat and house shoes....thank you Grannie Nancy and Pa Bill! She really enjoyed her day. We came home and had cake with the whole crew:) Eight on the Eighth does not happy but once:) It was a wonderful day for Victoria!

nit pickin

John and I spend a good while today picking apart words. Hispanic, Mexican, Latino.....Although we did not talk about Native American today. John had himself listed a part Native American on MySpace. I laughed and asked him why? He thought he looked it, so ....he was. Not...not a bit of Native American running though his ancestry. But the words are so nit picky!

Chelsea and I were talking about her Cultural Diversity class at college. I told her that I have never been a believer that "love it blind" in reference to race. Of course you see ....you better....it's who they are....but, love does not care.....love loves! It loves the diversity, because that is what makes us each unique. God loves us all:) Every child learned the "red and yellow black and white" song. God loves us.....me.....you.....the person! I love all my children.....I see them very clearly....what cool kids they are!! God has blessed my family and this world.

blogging....

I find the times I blog the least are the times I should the most! I am not as great about sharing all the frustrations of parenting 21 kids. I do the high points and sometimes to low (low/ high) points......but I try very hard to not whine of seem long suffering. Ha ha ...I made my self laugh:) I cannot think of a mother anywhere who is not long suffering.....and we all deserve to whine, just keeping the time and place thing in mind!

This has been one of those busy days:) Successfully Seth walked into school again with Tasha. I think it is impressive and very smart of Seth to pick Tasha as the "walk into school sister". Tasha has such great strength!! I talk all the time about her athletic abilities, of her determination, of her winning spirit, yet not nearly enough about the other side: Tasha is unflappable....confidence in abundance. If Seth cried she would not fall apart with him, she would talk him through it, she is just very impressive:) She is my oldest daughter in the elementary school and it shows! Back to the point, Seth did not cry at all today! His teacher said that he came alive yesterday. At one point she said he was out of his seat and talking and she said, "Seth, what are you doing out of your seat?" I laughed and said in a couple of weeks she might wish for the meek and crying Seth. She just laughed:) I am so very very glad he is settling into school. I think a lot might have to do with the work. Seth is one smart cookie....he is doing very well with the classwork...I think he has gained a lot of confidence in his abilities. Now his big concern is how will he find his locker at the Middle school?? lol...Missing the 6 years of school before this is a concern!

I had my first Parent Involvement Committee Meeting this afternoon. I have been on this for a while and I really love it. I try extremely hard to not over commit myself. The committee is geared more toward brain picking and problems solving...I love it:)

While at school for my meeting I was "caught" by two teachers, the first Marys, she has had a few headaches this year. I am thinking it could be a vision problem. Both Mercedez and Tasha had glasses at her age, both being bio sibs. Her teacher and I talked about the possibility and remembered that they would test vision in the next couple of weeks, so we will see how she does.

Michael's teacher caught me as well. I am so very very frustrated with him right now. Not turning in work, not behaving in the classroom. The teacher and I have been corresponding daily, but little has changed. I am not sure how he even makes the grades he's making?? Such a smart guy! It has to be pretty hard to get so many wrong on a multiple choice test! I left school with a talk in mind.

I picked up all my children: elementary, middle and high schoolers. Sarah was already home so I asked her to take Michael to the dentist so he could check on Michael's new retainer. She did....I ran in, got Rosie, Mercedez and Carlton finished up packing and back in the van all the kids went. We dropped them off and ran by to pick up Michael. The receptionist came out to make a date for us to have another mold made for him since he lost his retainer!! Lost? New to me! I asked her to wait until Monday and we would look into this over the weekend.. I spent a long 20 minutes talking, once again to Michael. He will work all weekend on school work...no TV(which is only watched in moderation on weekends) or playing outside. I stressed the importance of working during the week so we would have the weekend free to enjoy our break.....but if we do not work during the week.....we can just work on the weekend. So we are working. Retainer still not found.

Scott took a van load to the Memphis game. Our team lost 21-7. Caleb kicked 1 for 1. A tough loss!

I have been home with Little's....never very boring. Samuel pulled a bar stool into the pantry to clean (without permission) and pulled my cupcake holder (the kind that I searched forever for that holds 24 cupcakes and looks like a tree) off on his head. Breaking the cupcake holder and cutting his head. He ran to me screaming and bleeding. Blood through the house on my clothes and his, thankfully (with all big people gone) it was only a bad scratch.

Sam and Zack have been in rare form fighting and yelling. I get frustrated at times with the fussing and bickering (gasp.....many people would ignorantly tell you my children neeevvveeer do that !) Hello!? Of course they do! They're family! Seth told me today everyone just needed to learn to be patient and kind. Gotta love that 5 year old:)

Never alone:)

I laugh at my kids sometimes....as you can see Doug in the picture above:) I have "friends" over often with the crew of children we have, yet I truly do not worry that they will ever have time to be alone...lol....today I sent my littles off to play in an effort to rescue poor Kelsey....then while taking pictures it was not a little person who horned it....lol:) Looking at the picture closely I realize someone else did not go clean their room as I can see a very small hand peeking up over the couch. Never a minute alone! A very nice thing from a mothers point...lol:) The ultimate bane of my teens:)

Middle School Retreat

My middle schoolers, above minus Carlton, are on their first ever youth group retreat. I was more hesitant to let them go than I have ever been. I just am having a hard time with my babies growing up!! I cannot believe that my little girls are so big! I know they will have a great weekend:) I talked to all three about this being the trial run.....you do yourself proud(making mom very proud) and you will go again......and well if you do not.....you get the idea:)

Joe's got a job!

Joe is now working:) He began his job today at Burger King. On the way home tonight after I picked him up he said "it was fun". I am glad he had a good night. Very proud of him for making his way. There are about a million life skills that come from working......so Joe is gonna be really rich:)

Friday night football

Sarah had Patrick come by for breakfast this morning. Sarah found football eclairs for Patrick. Patrick is a team captain and a very fine young man. The team will travel to Memphis tonight to play:)

moving on up....

Doug, pictured above, is really moving up(or I should say down in times) in his running on the cross country team! Tuesday at the JCS meet Doug placed 35th out of about 180 runners, his time was 20 minutes for the 5K. I feel certain as he continues to beat his personal bests he will move right up! Doug is a very determined guy.....a big plus in athletics of any kind, but certainly in athletics like running where you strive to beat yourself each time:) Looking for big things from my Doug!!

A sweet day:)

This was certainly a sweet day:) I dropped everyone off at school......SETH WALKED IN WITH TASHA......a red letter day:) I then ran by and picked up Chelsea's car at the shop. Ran into a lady who had asked me about fostering, so chatted a few minutes with her (it is always a joy to meet someone who has such a loving heart). I left my big van and drove Chelsea's car to Henderson to trade back with her later in the day. I made it to Sandy's house at 8:39 and we left immediately to go to the pediatrician to have Coopers blood work drawn to see if he still needed the billi blanket. Chance and I played while Sandy took the baby back. A funny guy Mr Chance is!! Quiet, but does not miss a thing!! He, obviously has a big brother, because he played with two children who came in. He watched them and laughed, both were a little older and very sweet. Funny to me, was Julia age 4 who was waiting on her brother David age 6.....she asked it Chance liked cars? Yes, obviously he had a little hummer in his hand. She informed me that she loved princesses and barbies, David loved cars and truck, but Mike and Josh just liked video games. Are they your older brothers? Julia smiled "yes" and acted surprised I would guess correctly. Sounds like older brothers to me..... Funny how observant that little sister is!

Cooper was able to go without the billi blanket:) Yeah! We stopped a few more places and made it back to Sandy's by lunch. As I sat holding sweet Cooper, Cade and Chance played, a neat group of boys my baby sister has! I know she realizes just how blessed they all are.....and they day will come her boys love their mommy and daddy dearly for giving them the gift of family:) Sandy is such a great mommy.....I know I have said it before....yet watching Chance (turban wrapped guy above) tell me what he was going to be when he grew up? "A Christian" I realize how truly special!!! I have a bunch of brothers and sisters, yet Sandy is the only faithful Christian in the whole bunch. (My sister Stacy was a Christian and truly lived as she wanted.....for Him, but is now in heaven) It makes me so very sad to realize that the rest have chosen the lifestyles they have!! Certainly was not because they were brought up to not go to church.....they all did .....they all knew the Bible........all were educated and were baptized. I am being harsh I know, I pray that they will all have a change of heart. All the more reason I count Sandy as one of my greatest blessings!!

So my day was sweet and my time so well spent:)