apple picking

Took all the kids to pick apples a couple of days ago. I said all the kids, actually just the younger ones. Well, the younger ones and 2 older ones and grandbabies. We all had a great time. We made a whole day out of it, visiting friends later. All the kids slept well that night.
I made six yummy pies. The kids kept asking if the apples they picked were in the pie. Next time I'm going to let them watch me peel and slice the apples. October is moving right along. I looked at the calender and couldn't believe half the month is almost over. Halloween will be here before you know it. All the kids have gotten out the costumes and are making plans. They get so excited to dress up. We don't do anything scary, just fun. Clowns, big babies, princess, old men and women, ballerina's and cheerleaders are some of their favorites. We will be carving some pumpkins soon. I love all the fall festivities.

FAITH'S BIRTHDAY

Faith just turned 7. She was just 3 weeks old when I got her. I went to the hospital when she was born, I knew she was mine then. I sure have went through some stuff within my family who had a different opinion of what "I" needed to become her mom. She is a such a huge blessing to me. I love her with all my heart. We have another birthday this month. Destinee will be the magic "18". Actually we have another birthday too. My grand baby will be ONE year old. It's hard to believe a whole year has went by. The Lord has been good to us in the last year. We have went through some trials but have come out triumphant! Thank you Lord. One of my sons is living with his bio dad. It broke my heart but it's has turned out to be a good thing. He is doing well in school and has learned some valuable lessons. My oldest daughter at home is also wanting to move out. She is still a senior and has big issues to overcome. All I can do is lead and guide at this point. Law says 18 is old enough. For children that have suffered trauma and neglect it is not old enough. In my opinion, 18 isn't old enough for some birth kids who haven't suffered. I'm just trying to remember who is in charge and not look at a small puzzle piece. I know I am walking in God's will. I still falter sometimes. I still say things I shouldn't. I still do things I shouldn't. I still think things I shouldn't. I still pray, a lot. I guess it gives me a better prayer life.

I have no clue what Austin is doing in this picture. He was probably disappointed in Faith's gift. Not something he could play with. LOL

Girls!

I have so much drama out of my teenage girls. The two oldest today got into an actual pushing and shoving match over a pair of shoes! Destinee couldn't find a particular pair of shoes. She wanted to look under Doreese's bed for shoes, Nope, Doreese knew the shoes were not under her bed and didn't want Destinee to look. Of coarse Destinee was sure Doreese was hiding her shoes. Why? Who knows. It became a full blown knock down drag out. The shoes were not found and to top it off Doreese's shoes can't be found now either. What in the world are these two thinking? Doreese is 18 and is determinded to move out. Destinee will be 18 this month and is thinking the same thing. That's OK with me. I just would like for it to be done the right way and not with threats. When I start intervening in disagreements, and arguments it's "I'm moving out! You can't tell me what to do." OK--GO! I'm tired of the drama. OF coarse after everyone calms down, she's not going any where. But it takes me saying hurtful and mean things to get these girls to listen. WHY? I don't think they get that life is not a bed of roses no matter where you live. You still have responsibilities. You still have to take care of yourself. No one is going to do it for you. You have to learn to get along with people. Even people you don't like. DJ learned this the hard way. Life is not always greener on the other side. Teenagers in general think life owes them something. The ones that do work are allowed to spend their money on what ever they want. Do they save any? NO. Do they buy any real valuable life things...like a car. No. They are expecting me to do it. They are in for a real surprise. All of their money is spent on trendy clothes, movies, eating out and junk. I don't know how either one of these girls think they could move in with someone else and be supported. Not to mention all the extra curricular activities they are in. Doreese has a perfect plan laid out for her life. She is going to be accepted into a college that will work with her learning disability, help her get the education she needs. If she does get mad and move out, she will lose this opportunity. Destinee too has a good plan. If these two girls could just look down the road and see where they will be if they do not follow through with their education, they would listen to mama. But how many kids actually listen to their mama?

Record of today

Left the house early this morning, stopped to get gas and headed to the pediatricians office. One had hurt his finger playing football, another had hurt his wrist(opposite of last time) and another needed ADHD med refills. No broken bones, thank goodness. A sprained wrist, a sore finger and a refill. Then I hurried to drop one off at the high school. He really wanted to stay out, but he has missed so much school being in therapy every two weeks that I insisted he go on. Then I stopped by the house to start another load of laundry and grab a glass of tea. Then I dropped another off at school and headed to the orthodontist. We were there quiet some time. Anthony is now to the rubber band stage of braces. I left in a rush, stopped by the house to try and find Selena's red band shirt.(and start laundry) She needs it for a parade tonight! Didn't find the shirt. Did find that my two 18 year old girls live like pigs. With 18 kids you would think the oldest ones room would be the cleanest, Nope! I seriously have to have a talk with them. Then I rushed off to get Anthony to school. Dropped him off and came straight home. Oops! I forgot I was suppose to look for a long sleeve pink shirt for Daivon. Thankfully Tabitha was out shopping and a quick call to her produced a beautiful pink shirt. (tie too) Daivon will look great at the homecoming dance this Saturday night. After taking care of the shirt deal I heated up leftovers for lunch. Put Makayla down for a nap and sat down at the computer(after starting laundry). A knock at the door.....I'll be right back.
It is a guy from a funeral home. Yikes, do we have pre arrangements? Well that is something he will have to come back about. Keith will have to be in on that decision. So it's about 15 minutes until the bus runs. We do home work for an hour everyday. Kids read out loud to me and I help them with math and spelling . Then I have to pick up Isaiah, Hannah, Tyler, Andrew and Katelynn from Good News club, take Promise and Cora to cheerleading practice and maybe make it back to pick up Selena, Marvin, and Krishawanda from Band. As well as Daivon from Varsity football practice. All while making it to Anthony's JV game before it ends. Whew! This is a typical day. I am on the road 4 out of 5 weekdays. I'm not complaining, I know what I got myself into. When people say at least all of them are in school, I just agree....They all are in school. But I sure don't get to relax at home all day. I have to go do laundry, and then the bus will be here.

Birthday Pictures

They grow up so fast.

News

A lot has happened since my last post. My 12 year old little poodle died. Broke my heart. We buried her in our yard. We had a birthday celebration, We have another in a few days. They have cut Keith's hours again, where we will cut back I don't know. I got all but one conference done and I forgot that one. Austin had his first special needs soccer practice and LOVES it. Cora and Promise have had 3 cheer leading practices and both are over the moon about cheer leading. My electric oven is on the fritz. My gas oven still works so I'm not in a total pinch but we use both ovens regularly. I toured a college for Doreese that is perfect for her, I absolutely loved it. However I think her boy friend is talking against it. She would be about 3 and a half hours away. D.J. moved out. Not a bad thing, but not a good thing. He has already changed his mind and wants to come back. Still working on that one. Destinee turns 18 next month. I hope she still lets me have some influence on her life. 18 is so young. I only have 7 kids home today. A first I think. I hate silly bands, too much auguring over them. Hopefully Keith and I will have a date tonight. Hopefully!

more than one conference

I had a conference this morning at 7:15, whew!, I just made it. I don't like leaving my house until all of the kids are on the bus. I took the elementary kids with me but left middle and high school to get on without me. This is only the 2ND time in 25 years I've ever done so. I usually always have either Tabitha or Jennifer, Staisha or Brian make sure everyone gets on. Not that I have any reason to believe that they would not. It is just I had rather KNOW that they did without worry. Or what ifs. Destinee will start to drive in October. I am thankful. That will lesson a load on the family. I am really strict though about first time drivers. I won't let too many of them ride with her. I know how kids are to try and impress someone, or take a dare, or just plain be careless. I know she will be glad as a senior that she doesn't have to ride the bus any longer. Her and Doreese.
I have 3 more conferences today. 1 tomorrow, and 2 next week. That takes care of elementary school. Middle school will be next. High school is usually just once a year. If all of the meetings go as well as Faith's did today I will be extremely happy! I know they will not though because I have one who is acting out. Nothing really bad, just hide and go seek in the library, burping contest at lunch, his folder not signed one week, calling someone a name(stupid) and some homework not turned in. I know he has some issues going on right now. BUT he has to get it together. This year is really important for him. He is on a border line right now for an IEP. He can do it. He just has to apply himself. I've had kids go either way at this point. Some have overcome and one has chosen to get all the attention and help she can. Sometimes wanting to do it is more important than being able to. I'm off to another conference.