Wanting to Blog

I really do want to blog. I haven't forgotten. I have just been going through an awful invasion of privacy and haven't had the heart. I've never come across someone who doesn't just want to be part of your life, but to actually step into your life without your permission and cause commotion. I wanted to say trouble, but decided I wouldn't. God is in control after all. So much is happening. Good and troubling. I know we have to keep on keeping on. Some days that's easier than others. I'm making my blog private for a while. Maybe things will get back to normal. I'll be blogging more. For sure. Keep us in your prayers.

Getaway

Keith and I had a fantastic weekend. We try and go away once a year and spend some time together. It means so much just to sit and talk and spend time together. I'm already looking forward to next year! LOL A great friend looked after the four teenage boys for us while we were gone. I so appreciate it. It was a worry off of me to know the boys would be entertained and would not act up. They are always good away from home. Tabitha and Staisha had the rest and said they were all really well behaved also. Small miracles happen. School was cancelled Friday and all the kids were home. Tabitha hadn't counted on that and when I talked to her at 6:00 that morning I could hear panic in her voice. All the kids had fun playing in the snow. We got delayed with the snow, but still enjoyed getting away for a little while. You look at things different after being out of the main stream and being able to breath without constant redirecting, cooking, cleaning, and the ten million other things that goes on around here. Unfortunately as soon as we got back BAM! stuff happens. Oh well. Such is the life.

Grades !!!!!

I am so struggling with parenting my teenage sons. If they were 6 years old I would spank their behinds, ground them from cartoons, or make them sit in time out. I can't do ANY of that with my teens. Two of my teenage boys are failing. BAD. Not by a few points but my 20 and 30 points. I have grounded them. Their attitude: Mom I'm gonna bring it up. My teacher hasn't put in my grades. Its not my fault. Everyone is failing that class. I am so SICK of it. I guess they think I want them to make good grades for me. I can not get it through to them that if they fail high school classes they will never make it at college. Let alone get scholarships to pay for college. There is not enough support from the school system. Why would they let these boys play sports? I mean even if they break track records and win at state in wrestling what is that doing for their life? They can not make a living at wrestling or track or basketball. They are not THAT good. So what should i do? One boy does seem to get it. He is just so la de da. Oh I'll get it up. The other could care less. When told he was grounded and couldn't go anywhere he went ballistic. He knocked things over, cussed and said he was going to fail everything. So how can I get it through to him. If I let him suffer natural consequences like failing a class, what is that teaching the other kids. Just let it go. I Can't. I just can't parent like that. I am trying to parent and teach responsibility. What can we expect out kids to do in this world if they don't show some kind of understanding that the world doesn't bow down to them. No one in this real life will make exceptions for them. If you have any ideas I'm open to them. Therapy is already involved. Mentors are already involved. I tried to get teachers involved, they made promises that they did not follow through with. They did a little so they could stay in the sport and then just let it go. What can I do to make them understand? Thanks for letting me vent.

slowly slowly slipping away

Seven of my children are in HIGH SCHOOL. Sometimes I forget they are growing up. I still see them as children who need me. BUT they don't! They see themselves as grown. I see them as little kids. I guess we are both gonna have to change our prospective. They stay so busy. It makes me happy to know they lead full lives, but also sad because they aren't spending time with me. 5 of the 7 were sitting on the foot of my bed tonight just hanging out and talking. That's good right? I see so many videos, magazines and advertisements where the kids have on earphones and the mom is talking on the phone or watching TV and they are not communicating. I love talking to my teens. Sometimes I have to bite my tongue about my real opinion, but mostly I try and be honest with tact. I have a good relationship with all of them, and hope I continue to do so. I am so proud of them all. 18 is not old enough to be making decisions without me! LOL

Bear Hunting

Keith took Austin and all of the boys middle school and down fishing today. Austin was so funny! He came in and was so excited. He insisted he had a big fish on his line and it got away. He's 7 and already telling fish tales. Then when we were talking about what else he would like for daddy to do with him he said "I want to go bear hunting and get me a big bear! It was a good laugh for everyone! Keith went with the boys mostly just to spend some time with them. They went to Andrew's basketball game at 10, then fishing at 1:00 and them he took them and several of the girls to Selena's basketball game at 4:00. He was busy all day. I know the boys loved it. 2009 is the first year since we have been married, that he hasn't worked Sat. Even when his time was cut at his main job he took on a part-time job. I have never had to worry about where the house payment was going to come from, but the down side to that was I had to attend a lot of kids games, concerts, and events by myself. I'm glad he isn't working so much. Money is tight but it's worth it to have him around more. Well it's worth it most days! LOL

On the Road Again...

I'm off to the psychologist office with 4 this morning. This week has included another therapy appointment, a dentist appointment, 3 at the clinic(which was a waste) and I took my granddaughter to school one day. Just a day in the life. Honestly when I don't have anything to do I think I'll rest and then bam! it's time for the bus and I don't know what I've done all day. I'd like to voice a complaint here. The clinic we use is awful. I have lived in the same county all my life. I've dealt with many professionals. This county clinic is one of the worst and maybe the worst I have ever dealt with. We have been there twice now in the last 2 weeks for 3 TB test. The office clerk waited until I had signed in and filled out information cards to tell me they couldn't see us that day. Why didn't they have it posted on the door. NO NURSE or Can't do TB test today. One day they weren't giving the test, and the next time we went they didn't have a nurse. So if the clinic is suppose to serve low income people, and lots of times this means low educated people, what do people do that had to pay someone to bring them, or had to budget their gas to have enough to make the trip? And who do you complain too? I've looked for a number posted, but there is nothing! I am going to attempt to go again on Monday. If it doesn't work this time I WILL find a way to have my voice known. They are suppose to serve the community. I have talked to other moms who feel the same way I do. It is horrible to be made feel like your beneath them when there for services. I'm not complaing about the nurse's who I have dealt with, its the front office people. So if anyone knows of a complaint line let me know. I'm off to drive in the rain!

Family Time

Today Keith's sister Patty and her family came over for a late lunch. I became good friends with Patty when we were 14(OMG) and met Keith shortly thereafter. Even after Keith and I got married Patty and I were inseparable. We stayed close all the years our girls were growing up. Then life just got to fast. We still see each other occasionally but I miss the closeness she and I use to share. She was my best friend. She has 2 cute cute granddaughters. Just like mine her girls live close to her and her life is wrapped up in them and her job. Today was great. We actually set it up to get thank you notes out. Hopefully we can start planning something once a month or so just so we can get together and talk.

We were invited out last night with some dear friends. We have both adopted children from the foster care system and all of us love the Lord. They were so much fun to be with. I get so caught up in day to day life that I forget to make time for friends. I am on the go during the week and then spend time with the kids on the weekend. If we do get any free time Keith and I spend it together. I am making a promise to myself to start having friends over. We use to get together once a month with 2 other adoptive families and play cards and games and eat. Now I don't see them very much. Most of their kids are grown or teens and I'm still parenting a 6 year old. I'd still parent a newborn if I could. I know , I know, I'm getting older. But I still want to. So my promise for this year is to be involved with friends more, invite people over more, and be more sociable.