concert

Sunday we went to church and had a relaxing afternoon. Monday night we took Selena, Kieanna, and Cora (Selena and Kieanna are in the second picture, last two on the right and Cora is in the first picture) to a concert. I got tricked into this concert. Jennifer got the tickets..Tabitha told me Oh mom Jen has tickets for the girls to see Demi L in concert. I can't take them I'll be out of town. Jen can't go she's leaving to close on her new house and Staisha doesn't really need to go because of her being pregnant and all. ( Although I did rope Staisha into going with ME. She wouldn't go by herself.) I know you and the girls will enjoy it. HAHA I don't know how they did it. But I ended up in the Gwinett Arena with Ten thousand tweens screaming. I know the girls enjoyed it and and won't ever forget it but wow am I old. I remember taking Tabitha and Jennifer to The New Kids On The Block concert, but I remember I liked it too! Oh well. Some more memories made. Oh and we had to pay $3.50 for a DRINK! My kids better love me!

Bowling

We took the kids and went bowling a few days back, they really had a blast. I don't really like to bowl but I like to watch the kids.

Today has been a hot one. The kids played outside a while then played in the pools. We have 4 kiddie size and one large (do it yourself) adult size. Everyone is in their rooms now watching a movie. They do not have cable in their rooms but everyone has a TV and VCR/or DVD player. The little boys lost theirs for a while because they broke the wire off that goes to the DVD. We have every game system there is. The children aren't allowed to play everyday but have played much more this summer than during the school year. The boys have a Jr. size pool table that they have put to good use lately. The girls prefer board games or clothes. When I say clothes I mean they try on outfit after outfit, and ask each other "does this look better with sandals or flats? or does this necklace go better or the other one." They are as concerned at 12 about how they look as I was at 17. The little girls (6-10) play barbies, Hannah Montannah, High school musical, bratz or some such other type of doll house stuff. The little boys 6 and 8 mostly want to play outside, if forced to stay inside they will play legos or rescue heros. I am enjoying sumer with school being out and getting to sleep later, but the kids are ready to go back. I've done some school shopping already but still have much more to go.

Keith and I are going to watch Pride and Prejuice. My favorite movie. Let's hope the kids will watch their movie long enough for me to finish mine.

our House

This is our house. We have built onto it 4 times. I love my house! I hope all of our kids have great memories growing up here. It is on the same property I grew up on. Stability is a big part of my childrens healing. A while back we were talking of moving and not one kid wanted to. A big new house did not entice them. So I guess we will stay put.

I took Daivon to the Dr. about his wrist and it turns out it is not broken it's just a sprain. Thank you Lord! He is very active in sports at school and in band and a cast would not have worked for him. He and Anthony are going into high school. Both are A-B students with great attitudes. I am very proud of them.

Therapist

Today was a busy day on the road. We were up and out at 7 am. One child sees a psychologist in Athens once a week. It is about a 45 minute drive. It wasn't too bad at first but it's been a year now and I'm ready for the visits to change from weekly to bi-weekly. Or monthly would be even better. 5 other kids see therapist. Not all on the same day, and for all different reasons. We have used the same psychologist for about 8 years now. I really like her, shes a mom and a christian as well as a good psychologist. All of those combined make it healing ground.

The little girls are playing dress up. Faith just came in and showed me her "show". too cute! Summer has slowed down to a drag for some of the kids. We have been skating, bowling, to the lake, rented movies and games, gone to the park , shopped and walked the mall, all more than once. Now they want to move to something else. Mom I'm bored... I think I need to start assigning some cleaning chores to those so bored. Some have books from the library. Maybe if everyone reads one book we could do something fun.

Dinner tonight is spaghetti. I'm going to try a new recipe for garlic cheese biscuits. I need to run to the store for some more salad dressing. With so many ,everyone likes something different. I guess I'll go make a cake for dessert. I need to ask Staisha what kind, being she might want something special. We did find out her baby is a BOY! Just what they wanted . Really what we both wanted. A healthy baby. The doc said everything looked great. So we are excited. Now off to bake a cake...

Supper

Most of the time when people find out we have such a large family, one of the first questions ask is What do you cook? So I thought I'd give an example of what I (we) cook. I can't take all the credit because my older teenagers cook just about as much as I do. At about 12 years old they want to start helping so that is when I start training. YES sometimes it's more trouble but they eventually learn and then they are proud and want to show off their skills so it helps me out a lot. Now by the time they turn 16 or 17 the fun part is over and they are ready to let the younger ones do it all. SO far it has worked out well as all of the kids are like doorsteps.

Breakfast this morning was pancakes. It took 3 boxes and 1 large bottle of syrup.

Lunch was grilled cheese sandwiches and bean soup.

Snack was fresh peaches.

Supper or Dinner is Blackeyed peas with ham cooked in, cucumber salad, macaroni and cheese and cornbread.

We cook pretty much the same as everyone else just much more. I do lots of stews, soups, and casseroles. And the kids always want bread, either biscuits or cornbread some times garlic toast or rolls.

If I can figure out how to post pictures I"ll post some of the house. It's big but not big enough.

Best Friends

Staisha is my youngest birth daughter. She is 20 years old and was married a year yesterday, which happen to be Fathers Day. She is also going to have a baby in November! We find out what it is tomorrow. They want a boy I want a girl..Mostly I want a healthly baby!!

Staisha was only 5 when we started fostering. She had to share more than any of the other children because of her age. When we first started fostering we took in lots of little ones. I was in heaven. Staisha understands my desire for adoption/mothering moreso than the other older ones do. I always share kids that are available with her and ask her what she thinks. I ask the other girls too, I just don't always get the OH Yea, mom go ahead sign from them, as I do from Staisha. She is living 2 doors down from me ,and I couldn't be happier. Tabitha(my oldest) is also living next door now with my 2 grand babies. I love having her (and my grandbabies) close. They lived in Texas for a while and I sure did miss them. Jennifer is moving to Tennessee in July. I'm thrilled! She's going to Vanderbilt for her Doc. degree. I sure am gonna miss her. I can truly say my grown children are my best friends. I hope I have this same reltationship with all my kids. Brian is another story for another day. He and I are too much alike and don't see eye to eye. I love him though. With all my heart.

Doreese is 17. My oldest adopted child. My how time does fly. It seems yesterday she was crying because she was afraid of the hair dryer at 4 years old. She is a great kid. In fact they all are. I am blessed to be their mom.

Fathers Day

Happy Fathers day all! It has been a good and stressfull day for us. All the kids showered Keith with lots of love and kisses, hand made cards and well wishes.

It also brings back memories of the bio dads. Some have some good memories while others have only memories they wish they could forget. And yet still others can't remember anything at all. All of these emotions make a whirlwind temperment. Two have gotton into fights over nothing, and two of the boys have said words not allowed. I know I have to be understanding and patient as they work through some of the stuff, but I will be glad when it is all behind us and everthing is back to normal.

Two different bio dads have been called and wished a Happy Fathers day. I allow this not for their benefit but for the kids. They feel they are stepping up to the plate to do the right thing even when their fathers did not.

The grown kids took Keith out to lunch after church today. I know he loved it.

So another holiday we survived, more memories made, and more blessings abound.