All good things must come to an end.

Tonight Seth played his last game as a Hardin Co. 7 yr old All Star. We played Lexington in an incredibly close and exciting game. We lost in the 6th inning 28-27. It was such a shame for the boys to loose after playing such a hard game, yet much nicer to leave the tournament due to a close game than a crushing game.

Tonight Seth had the last out of the game. He had a pop up foul that the catcher caught just beautifully. I am so very thankful for Seth's great attitude. He knew it was a lucky catch and he also knew there was nothing he could do about it. On the way home I talked to Seth, wondering how he was "really" doing. He really was doing well. We talked about the fact that in every single game played, someone gets the last out. Tonight was Seth's first time to have that happen. He is a fun kid to have and an even greater sport!

Traveling with Dad

Mercedez, Rosie and Tasha are traveling this week with Dad. They left Saturday night after Seth's ballgame and will be back Friday. Scott and the girls are attending the Mississippi Manufactured Homes Meeting at the beach. It has been, in the past, a boys trip. Our boys have all grown up and none were able to be with Dad, so it has evolved into a girl trip:) The girls have had Dad pull over so they can take pictures(like the ones above). I laughed at lunch Sunday when Jacob said with a smile, "wow, I bet dad really loves that". I know the girls are having fun:)

I Heart faces: Wedding Bells

My daughter Chelsea's roommate Suzanne was married this Spring. I know this picture is not "One" face, yet it is the faces of those who love the bride so much: Her friends!! A very special picture!

Still moving on...

Seth's 7 year old All Stars team won tonight against Chester Co in a very close game. So we are still moving on....

Should I worry??

I sent this link to Sarah.

With the link was this note:

Watch were you put your hands! Snakes do live in the wild and are every bit as dangerous as a Bear!! Love, MOM

This is her response:

we are not gonna get bit by a snake but the possibility of us getting eatin by a bear is huge. just tellin ya.

As Sarah has fun traveling across the country I am very very prayerful. In truth, the "eatin by a bear" is pretty low on my list of "motherly" concerns...lol:)

ALL by herself!

I was talking to Nancy about the kids and cooking while she was here last weekend. I really do have some "great in the kitchen" girls. But, I do not have any(little girls) that prepare (aside from sandwiches) a WHOLE something (meaning requires ingredients, a bowl and an oven). I am always underfoot, watching. This morning the boys had the Men's Breakfast at church. So Mercedez, ALL BY HERSELF, made muffins for the girls. I did not walk into the kitchen one time. She did not ask for help. It was a supremely independent venture. One with excellent results! She was so funny:) Love life skills and really love the confidence that goes with being able to preform them well!

Hardin Co vs Boliver

Seth team lost last night. It is really sad to see losses when they boys are looking so much better as a team. But, that's always sports, by the end of a season everyone is at the top of their game and looking good together. Most importantly, the boys see that too. Seth played the mound and did really well. He had some excellent stops and throws to first and one line drive caught. When I asked him how that felt he smiled and said, "That was great!". We will head back tonight to play Chester Co. If we loss we will be finished and if we win? I suppose we will live to play another game (at least).

This picture is one of my season favorites...Seth and Daddy. I am usually gathering up kids and headed home when this takes place. Seth and Daddy always come home together. Last night Doug stayed home with my movie watchers and only Bella and Dad watched (with me taking pictures). They brought us home and Seth went back with Dad to watch some of the next game. Neat bonding time!!

Fishing

Stuart's persistence finally paid off...he and Harvie had a nice evening of catches:) They pulled in the driveway just as we had walked back from the ball field.

Value?

The Value of a Life. I was thinking about the death of Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett yesterday. Yes, they are very much part of my childhood. But in retrospect my great-grandmother, my grandfather, my mother and my sister were more important to me than any celebrity personality. In our society we seem to value life differently. Larry King yesterday said his show was set to do an entire episode in remembrance of Farrah, then Michael died and they would be "mentioning" Farrah but Michael Jackson was "bigger" and he would now be taping two shows. So I guess Michael trumps Farrah on entertainment value?

I am sad, as I would be for any loss. I watched Fox for a little while yesterday, my children who really have absolutely no idea who either person is, thought Michael looked like the "guy from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory". Value is sometime simply relative.

To me? Neither one is (to my knowledge) a Christian. Not one time did I hear that in the course of surprise and sadness yesterday.

This all reminded me of an article I read by Yanki Tauber. It is about the laws and logic of Judaism. It had several points I really loved:

"....every individual human life has absolute, not relative, value. One times absolute is just as absolute as 10,000 times absolute. Seventy years of absolute value is just as absolute as one year or one hour of absolute value."

"... unless life has absolute value, it ultimately has no value. And unless we accord absolute moral significance to our actions, they are ultimately of no moral significance, and before long, we're deep in the jungle."

I appreciate the value of television...It provides for the income of many individuals...It provides some education, some humor, some news, some (excuse me) crap....it is to me a "thing" we use(sometimes wisely sometimes unwisely). What concerns me is seeing that "tool" begin to place value on human life. That's sad and it is wrong. Sad that the news will sometimes just report "shock worthy" losses.

The American Heart Association says there will be "850 Americans" die EVERYDAY due to Cardiac Arrest. SO in truth, yesterday Michael Jackson's family was one of 850 who lost a loved one. There is much sadness, but ALL these individuals are special to someone.

I suppose it is times like this I do reminisce about childhood things, about songs or TV shows, but the value of life? EACH are precious.

fix it!

The early worm might get the worm, but at my house the early riser is what I blog so much about. I am up and going pretty early and up pretty late, but so often I forget the middle of the day, or just get so busy I can't stop and add the funny or moment to my blog.

This morning as I was blogging I kept hearing a saw. Finally got up and went outside. Jacob, who had been gone from home hours, was under the tree using the table saw. I walked out to watch him and his buddy Kade build walls on the trailer. Apparently Jacob (who gets mulch all the time and never had trouble) found out to get gravel he had to have closed sides on this trailer. So he just came home and built them. I laughed at them, but it was all together and not likely to go anywhere.

I love the "fix it" attitude. When faced with an obstacle Jake didn't just quit, he didn't wait for dad to come home, he didn't whine or complain....he just fixed it!

Sweetness:)

Scott is one of those Dad's my kids (who get up in the morning and are watching) will say, "My Dad always began his day in prayer and devotional". This morning a few of the girls joined him on the porch. I snuck around the house to get a picture (not a great one as I did not want to interfere with their time). I love great examples and Scott is certainly a great one!

2-5th grade Car Wash

Yesterday the 2-5th graders had a free car wash. It was a big hit:) I arrived to pick them up, watching the wash the last van. I loved the picture where Ryan is wash the antenna (lol) and it was very obvious that while Victoria "might" have helped wash earlier, she was on he third cup of lemonade when I arrived:)

My Junior and Senior high kiddos went "cavin" but I missed those pictures...but not the excitement of almost never getting there, crawling, climbing and devo conversations:)

Ye of little faith....

Oh Ye of Little Faith....I wanted to use these words with my Daniel this morning. Daniel did not have faith that the right/fair thing would happen and took matters into his own hands...or rather took the phone into his own hands....

We have a wonderful Christian friend Mr Harvie. Harvie loves to fish and so do my boys. Harvie has taken my boys(with Stuart when they take out the boat) fishing several times this summer. Those times have fueled my boys love of the sport! Harvies boat has a 4 passenger limit, so of my three (able to go, want to go guys) only two go each time. This week Ryan has been twice and Michael and Daniel once. So when I was up late last night talking to Stuart about who "gets" to go, it was of course Michael and Daniel.

This morning at 6 AM Daniel calls Harvie (not asking me or dad first) to take him fishing. He woke Harvie up, who woke up Stuart. Dad found out and really talked to Daniel about calling so early in the morning, especially without permission. Dad really has no idea who has fished or what was fair....but I did. When I walked down stairs Dan was watching for Harvie. I called all three boys together and we had a "meeting" about using the phone, about when we need permission and about inviting yourself as opposed to receiving an invitation. The meeting ended with the decree that Michael and Ryan would be fishing today. Dan through his disrespect and unwillingness to follow the rules would be staying at home.

Oh ye of little faith! All was going so well (even though he could not "see" it) right up until he decided to break the rules and take matters into his own hands....a WHOLE bunch of life lessons caught up in that!!

This morning was a hard morning for Dan (and it's only 7:23 AM). It's the hard ones that I hope make the next ones easier!

PS.The picture about is of Daniel reading to Mark Anthony (my friend Gretchen's fellow). Daniel can be a really sweet guy! One of the reasons as parents we work so hard to teach our children....so the sweet and wonderful guy is an appropriate label!! And the picture below is of the guys fishing today:)

Shoe vending...

I was looking at the news tonight when I saw an article about vending machines that distribute shoes! What a neat idea! I'm getting one for my back door. Then my children can buy thier own shoes when they lose the ones I buy:) lol! Oh well, maybe not, but it really was a neat thought. There are some really creative people out there!! BTW...The cool machine above is a Reebok machine.

Moms and thier talks....

So I realize the "mom talks" does not stop at 18 years old(lol...just ask my grown daughters). But I also know I am not unusual. Others moms have those talks too. I laughed as I read C Jane talk about her mom and their conversation on modesty.

It matters not what the topic is....a mom has a strong view:) I love reading about mom's. It is just too neat to me. I have talked to a friend this week about being a mom (well, actually about how hard it is to be a mom)and I was reminded of a few of my favorite mom quotes:

"A mother's love for her child is like nothing else in the world. It knows no law, no pity, it dares all things and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path."
-- Agatha Christie

"By and large, mothers and housewives are the only workers who do not have regular time off. They are the great vacationless class."
-- Anne Morrow Lindbergh

And last, my personal fave...haha!

"Mother is far too clever to understand anything she does not like."
-- Arnold Bennett

"babatizin"

Today at the pool the kids were all playing when I noticed Seth and Victoria. They were "babatizin" as Seth keeps saying and I do not correct that little slip which is so out of character for him. He is my last little one to say those things:)

But I smiled really big as I listened in on his and Tori's conversation.....

Seth asking for the confession said, "Do you? Do you Tori?"
Tori smiled and said, "Yes!"
Seth then said as he babatized her, "Because God loves you soooo much!".

I loved that. Simple. We are saved because God loves us soooo much! I love that Seth gets that part:)

LONG days....

This morning Sam and I were up and on the road by 6am. But the picture above is what I saw when I stepped out the door before 6 AM! Jacob and his friends working, putting out mulch. THANK YOU THANK YOU guys!!

Above is the face of a happy Sam. With full understanding of his behavior problems in mind....I decided not to tell Sam exactly where we were going. I just could not drive 3 hours with a child in a rage. I told him I had an appointment(which was true). As we sat in the waiting room I explained that we were there to see Ms April to talk about his behavior. And we did talk, intake to this new rtc (residential treatment center) took nearly 7 hours in Memphis plus the 2.5 of travel each way. The day was incredibly taxing mentally. Questions like "has Sam ever threatened to harm himself?"...yes...."What exactly did he say?" ...blah blah(choose for my young readers to NOT be specific)....."What was the date"....00/00/00...."What were you thinking Sam?".... "consequences?"...this one I will print...Sam responded...I have to stay by mom for the next 24 hours or until bedtime. It goes on and on and on...for about 7 hours.

While I was gone this morning John left on his HOSA trip. He will be spending the next 4 days at the Opry Land Hotel. That will be incredible! I love visiting there:) GOOD LUCK John as he competes this week! Chelsea being awesome, took this picture of John as he left (thank you Stuart for getting him there on time!!).


As I traveled back Chelsea called and told me Doug had broken off part of his cellphone, while trying to hook it up to charge and it went into his fingernail. I called our wonderful NP and we ended up at the ER. I drove in from Memphis, met Chelsea at the hospital, traded cars and went in to be with Doug. He will be fine, but what a freak thing!!

Chelsea left from the hospital to go to Murfreesboro. Scott;s mom had caderac surgery and is doing well, but needed a playmate:) I am so jealous of the card playing and game playing! I know Chelsea will love being with Grannie and Pa!

While I was at the hospital with Doug, Scott took the kids on to church. Thankfully we are eating dinner at church during our summer series and my children all ate with Scott.

After leaving the hospital I ran by the nursing home ( I was already running behind) so I stopped to see Granny before she went to bed. I took a couple of pictures of her and Caleb and hung them on the wall. I sat in her wheelchair across from her enjoying a few minutes of "settle" and loving getting to chat with Granny. I got up to leave for church, hugging and kissing Granny, only to realize the wheelchair cushion had been peepee'd on. My white pants now wet(and smelly). It could have been a straw added to the camel's back, but I simply chose to laugh about it. What other choices are there??

I made it to church, enjoyed heaing Marlin Conley, one of my college professors at Lipscomb speak. His son Andy and I were good friends in college. I realized very quickly that Marlin Conley has not changed one bit! Which made me feel very old...lol:)

After church the youth group went to see "UP" and I tagged along (to bring my children home). I love that sweet movie!

Now I am home settling my mind once again (but not sitting in pee). My soft and wonderful bed is awaiting! That thought is almost enough to revive me for a second round...lol...almost!

It is really best that some days just end. This one brought great blessings, right along side the tough stuff....isn't that life?

PS. I will be blogging and sharing "Sarah and Stella" pictures later. They are on their second day of their adventure. They are in Russellville Arkansas with Stella's Grandparents tonight!


PSS. I have gotten letters from Caleb. He is doing well:) Although he has assured me that all his letters are copyrighted and I do not have permission to blog them...lol:)

Incredible!

I mean that in the toughest of ways. It is incredible to me what my children sometimes think and how they behave.

This morning I was up (with Sam) and headed to Memphis before 7am. Scott had been up for hours working outside. Ryan, Jacob and his buddy Nick helping out too. I am thankful for those good helpers! Scott sure does need them.

Sam had to go with me to Memphis due to incredible/horrible behaviors the day before. He did sit though the family session with me, Zack and his neat worker. I sure do like his worker! I love up and up, mean what you say, fair and faithful people....and she certainly fits that bill. Most of all? She holds Zack accountable. wow! Sad that is so impressive, yet in this world of excuses it is so very refreshing to have accountability. There has been little to no progress made on Zack's part. He is in the MOST optimum place possible, with a skilled staff and he still chooses to not work on his treatment. He takes "you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink" to a whole new level!! My mom/worker (alone) talk left me sadly optimistic. Sad that we are his 11th month of rtc with NO progress, if anything only regression and new inappropriate behaviors. Freewill is REALLY awful when you have a child who opts to not make good choices!

I headed home with Sam. Sam's behavior has been escalating and we have really struggled with coping while awaiting a bed in an rtc. After his behavior yesterday Scott called again and left a message. They called back today and we have an intake meeting in the morning at 9 AM. Those late and early readers please say a prayer for Sam. We have waited and waited for this placement. Last rtc was not successful and we feel this one will (we pray) be more successful!

Scott and I spent the evening with a child who is unwilling to help themselves. The incredible/gracious/consequences ridden FREEWILL pops up again. How I wish I could be all that my children wanted me to be....but that is so unfair. I WILL fall short. I will NOT be perfect. Neither of those are great surprises.... But, on the flip side? My children will disappoint me. They will make choices I disagree with. They will be children. Although when they grow up? It is time to put childish desires behind and live life BIG:)

I sat talking to John a long time tonight. John is my cup half full child. Optimism is strong in him! I smiled and told him he was like me....I would like to think I am optimistic. I mean, seriously, I adopted a whole bunch of kids expecting to give them "Happily Ever Afters". Then I realized, I can love my children....care for my children's needs...send them to school....take them to church...give them an example of a loving Christian home.....and it is STILL their choice! You can only make yourself happy!! Happiness is a choice, a state of mind, a decision. I am so thankful John chooses happiness in his life!! Tomorrow morning, as I take Sam, John will meet at the school to leave for his HOSA National Championship. I KNOW he will be incredible. Incredible in victory or defeat, he is just that kind of guy! I LOVE that:) More importantly, I love John!

Happy Birthday Scott!!

Today is/was Scott's birthday! At any age you should appreciate the very fact that we are still here....but each new year makes us especially grateful to be with those we love. I Love Scott dearly and cannot imagine life without many more years together!

The picture above is a funny one, although only to those who were within listening distance. Sarah told Seth, as he was standing at her side, "You know Daddy is a hundred year old?" Seth looked at Dad and said "How old are you?" Before Scott could reply Sarah whispered (loudly), "Seth, Daddy's old he can't hear you, talk louder." Seth screamed, "HOW OLD ARE YOU?" Scott overhearing the whole conversation just laughed. Seth was kinda serious though:)

Age is truly a concept that matters not to young children. Love? That matters a whole lot! Scott may not be a hundred, but he has at least a hundred years of love stored up for his family!!

Mr Michael

Michael is a neat young man. He's a worker. He's a smart fellow. Although sometimes a tad bit smart mouthed...he follows a small line of my kiddos who are sarcastic. While I appreciate and sometimes find great humor in sarcasm, I don't usually like it in my children!

We have some children who take things apart, yet Michael seems to be following in Jacob's footsteps and can actually put things BACK together:) This morning, before 7am, I looked out the window to see Michael working on the lawn mower. He said the blade wasn't cutting level and he was fixing it:)

Over the weekend, while he was gone to Cincinnati, we moved him to a new room. A BIG surprise. The room was earmarked for Dan, but that changed due to behavior so now it is Michaels! Below are a couple of new room pictures. He could just about blend into the wall with his blue shirt:)

I Heart faces: "Let’s Hear It For The Boys!"

I have several boys:) A baker's dozen to be exact. It's really hard to find just one boy picture! But I chose this one...I took it at the pool last week...Michael has the most beautiful blue eyes which make for a really great "face"!

Visits:)

Stuarts sweet girlfriend Anna came to visit. She has graduated from college and it has been an adjustment for her and Stuart to find time to get together. Anna lives in Arkansas and while it isn't a long trip...work does put a damper on visits! We are so glad she is here. I took this of Anna and Stuart as they left this afternoon to go fishing:)



Carlton came home for a weekend visit. It was short but nice. He is doing well...certianly growing! Above is a picture of Calrotn and his youngest birth brother Daniel...they look so much alike!!


Stella Stella Stella...that seems to be all you hear when Stella arrives:) Stella is here this weekend too. She and Sarah are about to leave on thier Montana adventure!