I haven't blogged in a long time. I am sorry. It has a lot to do with not a whole lot of things going on. Jack is loving kindergarten. Our latest development is his sudden hatred of the hot lunches at school. I had been paying the $2.50 per day for him to get the hot lunches. Most of the menu items are things he likes - hot dogs, chicken nuggets, and pizza. But I guess all of a sudden they are NOT things he wants for lunch and begged me to pack him a lunch. I think it might be because a lot of his class were packing their lunches so he wanted to join the packed-lunch crowd. So peanut butter sandwiches and carrot sticks and yogurt are now the lunch-time fare, which he seems happy with for the minute.
We also tried to put him in football. I should say that it was more Jim's idea to put Jack into football than mine. I was about to sign him up at Taekwondo (which is a major financial commitment by the way) when Jim came home and told me he signed him up for football - tackle football! With the full pads, helmet and the whole thing. I pretty much knew at the time that he was not going to like it, because he's Jack. He's a very sensitive child and does not like to be tackled. He is not a rough and tough kid at all. But I thought at the time we would try it for one season.
He started out with practice twice a week and then when I got there, found out that the practices lasted almost 2 hours! From 5:30 - 7:30 Tues/Thurs we were at football practice, which peeved me because I think getting home from football practice at almost 8:00 is a bit late for 5 & 6 year olds. I could tell Jack did not enjoy the practices. The coaches, in my opinion, were too harsh with the boys and were yelling at them too much. But it got him outside in the fresh air exercising, which is a good thing. And I thought that once we got to the actual games, he would start to enjoy the game. So I continued taking him to practices.
I could not get a schedule for the games, when they would start, and where they were, to save my life. The organizers of the whole thing were not too organized at all!
The last practice we went to, Jack was crying pretty much the whole time. He was miserable and my heart was breaking for him. He just isn't made to be a football player. Then at the end of that practice, they said they were upping the practice schedule to 3 nights a week for two hours each night! I went above peeved straight to blood-pressure boiling point. These boys are five and six years old! They do not need to be practicing for 6 hours a week plus add a few hours for the actual games!
I went home that night and was angry. I told Jim that I wanted to pull Jack from the team. I can tell that Jim is disappointed and wanted Jack to stay in the game, but everything as a mother was screaming to pull him. And that is what I did. I understand the importance of learning to be on a team, getting exercise, and all that jazz, but when my five-year-old is miserable, all that jazz is not that important.
Yesterday, we signed him up (took the financial committment plunge) for Taekwondo. He LOVES it and he actually is pretty good at it. He was better than some of the boys who had been taking the classes longer than Jack. The classes are two or three times a week for 30 minutes per class. A more managable time for both Jack and Mom.
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Who Knew?
I took Jack to the eye doctor yesterday. It was the same doctor that Jim and I both go to and we think she is great. Because Jack has just started school and reading and whatnot, I thought why not go and check on his eyes just to make sure everything is alright.
First of all, it was a full-blown eye exam. Jack did somewhat okay with most of the exam except when it came time to look into the camera to take pictures of his eyes. I was on the other end so I could see what the eyes looked like UP CLOSE, which by the way is way cool. But Jack did not want to keep his eyes open wide enough or long enough for her to get very many decent pictures. And I kept having to tell him not to touch the equipment or play with all the knobs on the lens machine. I just could read his mind saying that all the stuff in the exam room was great toys.
Then she had him read the screen across the room and this is where we ran into trouble. Turns out he inherited my astigmatism and the boy's vision is blurry! Who knew? She said that he is seeing about 20/40, which isn't horrible, but not good for his age.
So glasses it is. Jack, of course is so excited to get glasses and I let him pick out his frames, which are adorable on him, I have to say. But I just wonder how long he will be excited about the actual wearing of the glasses day in and day out. And how many pairs will be broken? She said that he doesn't need to wear them to play sports or around the house, but for school and reading they are a must. Poor kid, of course he had to inherit my bad eyes from me, he couldn't get his Dad's good eyes.
Kindergarten is going well. Of course, he doesn't share anything with me about what goes on during his day. I have gathered bits and pieces from the fragmented phrases he does say about his school life. He likes music class and he loves to sing songs, which he sings for me quite a bit when we are in the car. Love to hear that.
He does not like PE, which he has on Tuesdays and Fridays, but he does like his PE uniform that he gets to wear. Oh and he thinks changing in the locker room after PE is really cool because he gets to see what the other boys underwear are like. Sigh.
His best friend seems to be Cameron, who was in his K4 class last year. He doesn't like a kid named Kai because he always pushes him down while on the playground.
On Thursdays the whole school has chapel for an hour and even though he doesn't say much about chapel, he hasn't said he doesn't like it, so I guess that is a good thing. I have noticed that he is able to sit better during church on Sundays so maybe school chapel is teaching him something.
He is starting to read, but doesn't really like to. I know he knows more words than he says because when we are reading bedtime stories, I will ask him what a word is and after persuasion he usually comes up with the right answer.
All in all, he is doing very well. His teacher, Miss Hartwick always tells me he is so well behaved and helpful. I am looking forward to parent teacher conferences to see what he really is up to during the day instead of "I don't remember what we did today."
First of all, it was a full-blown eye exam. Jack did somewhat okay with most of the exam except when it came time to look into the camera to take pictures of his eyes. I was on the other end so I could see what the eyes looked like UP CLOSE, which by the way is way cool. But Jack did not want to keep his eyes open wide enough or long enough for her to get very many decent pictures. And I kept having to tell him not to touch the equipment or play with all the knobs on the lens machine. I just could read his mind saying that all the stuff in the exam room was great toys.
Then she had him read the screen across the room and this is where we ran into trouble. Turns out he inherited my astigmatism and the boy's vision is blurry! Who knew? She said that he is seeing about 20/40, which isn't horrible, but not good for his age.
So glasses it is. Jack, of course is so excited to get glasses and I let him pick out his frames, which are adorable on him, I have to say. But I just wonder how long he will be excited about the actual wearing of the glasses day in and day out. And how many pairs will be broken? She said that he doesn't need to wear them to play sports or around the house, but for school and reading they are a must. Poor kid, of course he had to inherit my bad eyes from me, he couldn't get his Dad's good eyes.
Kindergarten is going well. Of course, he doesn't share anything with me about what goes on during his day. I have gathered bits and pieces from the fragmented phrases he does say about his school life. He likes music class and he loves to sing songs, which he sings for me quite a bit when we are in the car. Love to hear that.
He does not like PE, which he has on Tuesdays and Fridays, but he does like his PE uniform that he gets to wear. Oh and he thinks changing in the locker room after PE is really cool because he gets to see what the other boys underwear are like. Sigh.
His best friend seems to be Cameron, who was in his K4 class last year. He doesn't like a kid named Kai because he always pushes him down while on the playground.
On Thursdays the whole school has chapel for an hour and even though he doesn't say much about chapel, he hasn't said he doesn't like it, so I guess that is a good thing. I have noticed that he is able to sit better during church on Sundays so maybe school chapel is teaching him something.
He is starting to read, but doesn't really like to. I know he knows more words than he says because when we are reading bedtime stories, I will ask him what a word is and after persuasion he usually comes up with the right answer.
All in all, he is doing very well. His teacher, Miss Hartwick always tells me he is so well behaved and helpful. I am looking forward to parent teacher conferences to see what he really is up to during the day instead of "I don't remember what we did today."
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Update
If you were reading the blog a few days ago about Jack making fun of the boy at church who had a speech impediment, well I had a breakthrough on the subject yesterday. It seems that Jack really truly thought the kid was talking funny on purpose just to be silly. And it makes sense because I really don't think that he has ever encountered anybody like him before. He brought it up yesterday morning as we were getting ready for school. He told me that the big kid was talking really funny. I told Jack that the boy had an accident by falling off his bike and hurt his brain and that is why he talks like that all the time. He is not doing it to be funny. He can not help it. I watched Jack take that information in and try to digest it. At first he argued with me saying that the boy did not have an accident quite emphatically. But when I argued back that yes he indeed have an accident, I saw Jack crumple in tears right in front of me. I think he finally got it. He understood that the boy could not help how he talked. A lesson learned about being sympathetic...hopefully.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Random Bites
Jack has chapel on Thursdays at school. Here he is with his chapel uniform. So cute. However he did end up breaking the clip off the tie on the first day. Last week, I used a paper clip to hold it on, sorta. But I need to get another one for this Thursday for picture day. This could get expensive if he continually breaks his ties!
Can you say spoiled? Jim picked up a tv at a garage sale for really cheap and put it in Jack's room. The cable thingy doesn't work, so he can't actually watch tv, but he can play his PS2 games and watch dvds. Yeah he is spoiled, but Jim and I have the family room tv back!In other news, Jack went to the dentist today and again the boy did not have any cavities. I swear he does not have my teeth because I get cavities really really easy. They took x-rays and the dentist said that Jack's teeth are "perfect". He also said that Jack should be losing his bottom front teeth within the next few months. How is it that my baby is losing his baby teeth? Anyway, he walked out with his prize, a monster truck, just what we need in this house is another monster truck.
Not Fair!
The new Planet Fitness gym opened up near me a few weeks ago. So Jim and I signed up and to tell you the truth I was dreading having to start working out. I am at my basic core lazy! The idea of sweating and hurting is just not for me. Yuck.
But when Jack started back to school two weeks ago, Jim and I started working out. I usually do 30 minutes of the circuit training and then 30 minutes on the treadmill. I have actually come to shall I say, enjoy it! Who woulda thunk it. And I am feeling better and thinking clearer than I ever did before. So it is a good thing.
I am also following the Weight Watchers diet of counting my points. I am not going to the meetings because I have been there, done that already. But I am following the diet and eating what I should to hopefully lose weight.
And the results after two weeks of working out almost every day and eating right? I have lost two whole pounds! Yippie! It is so not fair. I am convinced it is because I am in my 40s and pre-menopausal and my body is holding on to the fat for dear life. Sigh. But I will not let it get me down. I am enjoying the results from the exercise, but I just wanted to say - NO FAIR!
But when Jack started back to school two weeks ago, Jim and I started working out. I usually do 30 minutes of the circuit training and then 30 minutes on the treadmill. I have actually come to shall I say, enjoy it! Who woulda thunk it. And I am feeling better and thinking clearer than I ever did before. So it is a good thing.
I am also following the Weight Watchers diet of counting my points. I am not going to the meetings because I have been there, done that already. But I am following the diet and eating what I should to hopefully lose weight.
And the results after two weeks of working out almost every day and eating right? I have lost two whole pounds! Yippie! It is so not fair. I am convinced it is because I am in my 40s and pre-menopausal and my body is holding on to the fat for dear life. Sigh. But I will not let it get me down. I am enjoying the results from the exercise, but I just wanted to say - NO FAIR!
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Church...The New High School?
I have been thinking lately just how alike church congregations and high school are alike. At least in my church.
For the past almost three years, we have been getting together with a group of people almost every Friday night for a small group experience of fellowship and bible study. When it started it was only four couples who had small children, so we all had a lot in common. Well it grew and grew and grew to where it became a small church gathering with close to 40 people every Friday night. And that is where the problems started.
First of all you have those people who think they are the most important, do the most for the church, the church couldn't run without them. One person even told me that she was a "mover and a shaker" of the church. They also believe that their poop don't stink. Among these types, it seems like there is a contest to see who can do the most "stuff" at church.
Then you have the "cool kids" and some of these people are also in the group I just described above. They are the ones that "everybody" thinks are so fun to be around. They are the "life of the party" and have all the other "cool kids" over to their house for all the "cool parties". You know like the jock or the cheerleader in high school. But they only associate with the "cool kids" that they deem are "fun" enough for their little "cool kids" get-togethers. They also feel that actually doing a bible study where you have to actually open a book and read is beneath their "coolness".
There is also those who are the "cool kid" followers, but never actually are elevated to their status. They are so thrilled like a puppy dog to be allowed in their circle every now and then, but are talked about behind their back by the "cool kids" when they are not around, mainly because they just don't measure up in the "coolness" factor.
Then there are the "Nerds" of the church. These are the people who are normal, but may have a deadly "flaw" in the eyes of the other groups. One may like to talk too much about her disease (Multiple Sclerosis) or made the deadly mistake of opening up and sharing a painful part of her past that could be used to gossip about by the other groups. Or there is the guy who was born with a defect and therefore not like the others, making him an easy target of more gossip.
There is the "older" group who basically is anybody above the age of 50 and not to be friendly with because they have nothing in common with this group. As one person said "I am just not going to be friends with an 80-year-old".
And lastly there is the "floater", who befriends everybody, no matter what group you belong to. And this is the group that I like to think I am a part of. In high school, I was a part of this group also, so I guess it just goes to figure that in High School part Two, I would be in the same group.
You are probably wondering why I am going through all this. And it is because we started a new small group formation this week. We split up into smaller groups and started to meet in the homes again. I am hosting one in my home. In this new small group, there is a mixture of "nerds" and "floaters."
There are now three different small groups to choose from and the "movers and shakers" and the "cool kids" have formed their own group. They are not actually going to be studying anything bible related, just getting together for "fellowship" as they call it. I call it a "gossip and I-am-hotter-than-you" session.
But I guess the final straw for me was when all this "church high schoolness" started showing up on Facebook with statuses that are so juvenile and petty. In fact, they are not even high school, they are more like junior high playground worthy.
And in all of this, you noticed I never mentioned God, the most important reason to even have a church. That is because there is no God in all this mess. And I am sure he is very disappointed in his humanity that call themselves "Christian".
For the past almost three years, we have been getting together with a group of people almost every Friday night for a small group experience of fellowship and bible study. When it started it was only four couples who had small children, so we all had a lot in common. Well it grew and grew and grew to where it became a small church gathering with close to 40 people every Friday night. And that is where the problems started.
First of all you have those people who think they are the most important, do the most for the church, the church couldn't run without them. One person even told me that she was a "mover and a shaker" of the church. They also believe that their poop don't stink. Among these types, it seems like there is a contest to see who can do the most "stuff" at church.
Then you have the "cool kids" and some of these people are also in the group I just described above. They are the ones that "everybody" thinks are so fun to be around. They are the "life of the party" and have all the other "cool kids" over to their house for all the "cool parties". You know like the jock or the cheerleader in high school. But they only associate with the "cool kids" that they deem are "fun" enough for their little "cool kids" get-togethers. They also feel that actually doing a bible study where you have to actually open a book and read is beneath their "coolness".
There is also those who are the "cool kid" followers, but never actually are elevated to their status. They are so thrilled like a puppy dog to be allowed in their circle every now and then, but are talked about behind their back by the "cool kids" when they are not around, mainly because they just don't measure up in the "coolness" factor.
Then there are the "Nerds" of the church. These are the people who are normal, but may have a deadly "flaw" in the eyes of the other groups. One may like to talk too much about her disease (Multiple Sclerosis) or made the deadly mistake of opening up and sharing a painful part of her past that could be used to gossip about by the other groups. Or there is the guy who was born with a defect and therefore not like the others, making him an easy target of more gossip.
There is the "older" group who basically is anybody above the age of 50 and not to be friendly with because they have nothing in common with this group. As one person said "I am just not going to be friends with an 80-year-old".
And lastly there is the "floater", who befriends everybody, no matter what group you belong to. And this is the group that I like to think I am a part of. In high school, I was a part of this group also, so I guess it just goes to figure that in High School part Two, I would be in the same group.
You are probably wondering why I am going through all this. And it is because we started a new small group formation this week. We split up into smaller groups and started to meet in the homes again. I am hosting one in my home. In this new small group, there is a mixture of "nerds" and "floaters."
There are now three different small groups to choose from and the "movers and shakers" and the "cool kids" have formed their own group. They are not actually going to be studying anything bible related, just getting together for "fellowship" as they call it. I call it a "gossip and I-am-hotter-than-you" session.
But I guess the final straw for me was when all this "church high schoolness" started showing up on Facebook with statuses that are so juvenile and petty. In fact, they are not even high school, they are more like junior high playground worthy.
And in all of this, you noticed I never mentioned God, the most important reason to even have a church. That is because there is no God in all this mess. And I am sure he is very disappointed in his humanity that call themselves "Christian".
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Teenager at Five??? Or a Demon Seed??
Alright I don't know what has happened lately with the boy, but I swear he has turned into a teenager in the last two weeks at the age of five!
At school, he is graded on his behaviour each day by either a smiley face or a frownie face on the calendar. Well it was the third day of school and he came home with a frownie face! I ask him what was the deal with that and the first thing I get out of him was "do we really need to talk about this?" Well at that moment, I instantly went from a little perturbed about the frownie face, to an 8 on the richtor scale!
It seems that while they were lined up, he reached over and hit and scratched another boy in line and it was totally unprovoked by the other boy. When I asked Jack why he hurt the other boy, he comes up with "because I don't like to stand in line." aye aye aye.
The next day, his teacher told me he had a better day, he "only hit one time". But thankfully he has had smiley faces for the past week.
And then that brings us to tonight when we were at church. There was a teenage boy there who was in a motorcross bike accident a few years ago that resulted in brain damage. He has a bad speech impediment and speaks very slowly. While this boy was talking, I caught Jack sitting there and making fun of the poor boy! I immediately took him outside, gave him a spanking, and a lecture about not making fun of others. When we got home, I was putting him to bed and he looks at me with a defiant look and tells me that he was mad at me for yelling at him. Of course that made my blood pressure raise to sky high levels. I took his stuffed animals away from him and he proceeded to cry and scream for the next 15 minutes.
There are a few things that I will not put up with and being cruel and mean to others is one of them. I do not want Jack to become one of those kids. I know that kids will be kids, but I hope to instill some empathy into him.
At school, he is graded on his behaviour each day by either a smiley face or a frownie face on the calendar. Well it was the third day of school and he came home with a frownie face! I ask him what was the deal with that and the first thing I get out of him was "do we really need to talk about this?" Well at that moment, I instantly went from a little perturbed about the frownie face, to an 8 on the richtor scale!
It seems that while they were lined up, he reached over and hit and scratched another boy in line and it was totally unprovoked by the other boy. When I asked Jack why he hurt the other boy, he comes up with "because I don't like to stand in line." aye aye aye.
The next day, his teacher told me he had a better day, he "only hit one time". But thankfully he has had smiley faces for the past week.
And then that brings us to tonight when we were at church. There was a teenage boy there who was in a motorcross bike accident a few years ago that resulted in brain damage. He has a bad speech impediment and speaks very slowly. While this boy was talking, I caught Jack sitting there and making fun of the poor boy! I immediately took him outside, gave him a spanking, and a lecture about not making fun of others. When we got home, I was putting him to bed and he looks at me with a defiant look and tells me that he was mad at me for yelling at him. Of course that made my blood pressure raise to sky high levels. I took his stuffed animals away from him and he proceeded to cry and scream for the next 15 minutes.
There are a few things that I will not put up with and being cruel and mean to others is one of them. I do not want Jack to become one of those kids. I know that kids will be kids, but I hope to instill some empathy into him.
Monday, August 10, 2009
The Day Is Here...First Day of Kindergarten!
I could not let this day go by without blogging about the boy's first day of kindergarten! This is the day that I have been both looking forward to and dreading all at the same time. I have been excited because now that he is in school all day long, every day, I can now devote some of my time to me. I have plans to start back at working out at the new gym around the corner. I have plans to organize this house (can you ever be truly organized) and do some projects around the house. I am also debating in my mind about going back to work. Just the possibilities are very liberating in knowing that I have the hours of 8 am to 3 pm dedicated to me! But I have been dreading the day because it means my little boy is not my little boy anymore. I do enjoy Jack's company. He actually is very fun to be around and I treasure our time together. When he was in preschool last year, I would pick him up at noon and it would be Mommy and Jack time and we went to lunch at least once a week. But now he eats his lunch with all his friends at school. He now has his own life that does not involve me for seven hours a day.
He was so excited this morning as Jim and I were driving him to school. He got in the car and yelled out "kindergarten here I come!" I tell you that kid cracks me up all the time by the things he says. We decided to put him in the private christian school that he was going to for preschool. Yes it is a fortune, but for right now, we think it is worth getting that christian foundation and not to mention the better academics than the elementary school that is in our district.
It was so chaotic this morning when dropping him off. He has quite a few friends he made during preschool in his class, so that was a good thing. His teacher is great and the classroom looked like such a fun place to be. It was fun watching all the other parents with cameras in hand sending their kids off to kindergarten, and yes I was one of them!
When we picked him up, he was still all pumped up with excitement. His teacher sent home a note saying that starting next week, the kids will have homework sent home on Monday and they have until Friday to finish it. I think homework consists of one or two worksheets, but it gets them in the homework mode for the future. And Jack is thrilled to have homework to do. We shall see how long that lasts.
I couldn't get much out of him about what they did today, other than he enjoyed lunch and recess. Typical kid.
So that's it. The big day has come and gone and I survived it with very few tears. I know it has been a long time since I have blogged and for all those people who have mentioned it to me, I apologize. The summer was a bit traumatic in the Jackaroo house. But I am back and will be posting again on a regular basis.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
It Looks Like We Just Might Have Grandchildren ... and other Happenings
At Jack's five-year check-up, the doctor noticed that Jack's boys (yes I am talking about those) had not dropped like they should have by now. This of course made me very nervous about the possibility of not having grandchildren since they were supposed to be dropped fully by the time he was two. So we got a referral to go to the Children's Hospital in New Orleans and we made the trip over there on Monday. And thankfully all checked out alright. It turns out he has what is called "retractable testicles" and he has the ability to retract them when he gets nervous or turns cold. Every single man that I have told about this condition has informed me that would come in handy. But anyway, it is a condition that is nothing to worry about, except have to keep an eye on it and make sure that as he grows taller, they are able to still drop. So phew. Grandchildren are still a possibility.
In other happenings, the kid's get out of school on Friday. I am actually looking forward to not having to get two kids to school all before 8 am every single day. I still can not believe that Jack is going into kindergarten next year and will be a full day of school for him everyday. He is sooo excited about the whole kindergarten experience and keeps asking me when it starts. I also got his yearbook today and I have to say that I am a proud Mama because he was awarded with the Christian Character award for his class. We plan to keep him in this Christian school all the way through the 12th grade.
Tomorrow night Jack has his preschool graduation, which I am sure will be very very cute. He says they have been practicing for it every single day. The main event will be the kindergartners who will be in little cap and gowns as they "graduate". Simply adorable.
Things are starting to calm down a bit with Brandi. She made me sooooo mad last week when I found out that she stole a cell phone from a friend and did more than 5000 text messages and was calling people that she is not supposed to be in contact with. The theft was a felony and if our friends had pressed charges, she would be in a world of trouble right now. I do not believe I have been so angry and mad in my life and it has taken me a week to calm down a little bit. I am really wondering if we are doing any good with her. She just sits there and shuts down when I or anybody else tries to talk to her. But I am not willing to give up on the girl ... yet. At least I do have somebody that I can make do the dishes and other nasty chores around the house like pick up poop in the backyard. :)
In other happenings, the kid's get out of school on Friday. I am actually looking forward to not having to get two kids to school all before 8 am every single day. I still can not believe that Jack is going into kindergarten next year and will be a full day of school for him everyday. He is sooo excited about the whole kindergarten experience and keeps asking me when it starts. I also got his yearbook today and I have to say that I am a proud Mama because he was awarded with the Christian Character award for his class. We plan to keep him in this Christian school all the way through the 12th grade.
Tomorrow night Jack has his preschool graduation, which I am sure will be very very cute. He says they have been practicing for it every single day. The main event will be the kindergartners who will be in little cap and gowns as they "graduate". Simply adorable.
Things are starting to calm down a bit with Brandi. She made me sooooo mad last week when I found out that she stole a cell phone from a friend and did more than 5000 text messages and was calling people that she is not supposed to be in contact with. The theft was a felony and if our friends had pressed charges, she would be in a world of trouble right now. I do not believe I have been so angry and mad in my life and it has taken me a week to calm down a little bit. I am really wondering if we are doing any good with her. She just sits there and shuts down when I or anybody else tries to talk to her. But I am not willing to give up on the girl ... yet. At least I do have somebody that I can make do the dishes and other nasty chores around the house like pick up poop in the backyard. :)
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Sickies
Jack is home sick today. He woke up at 4:30 this morning yelling out for me. I first thought that he just had allergies because his eyes are all swollen, red, and watery. But he sneezed some pretty ugly green goop, so I figure there is something else going on. And with all the swine flu histeria going on, I guess taking him to school with green goop is not a good thing, even though the last time I checked, Mississippi was one of the few states with no cases of the swine flu.
So anyway, it looks like a day of Disney channel and whatever. The boy is very into drawing and coloring and writing these days, which I like to encourage. He loves to write an assortment of letters down and make me read them. It is fun trying to sound out the word "UIWMEW".
There has been more drama with Brandi and spent the entire day yesterday dealing with said drama. But that is a whole nother post and I am just too weary to even post about it right now.
So anyway, it looks like a day of Disney channel and whatever. The boy is very into drawing and coloring and writing these days, which I like to encourage. He loves to write an assortment of letters down and make me read them. It is fun trying to sound out the word "UIWMEW".
There has been more drama with Brandi and spent the entire day yesterday dealing with said drama. But that is a whole nother post and I am just too weary to even post about it right now.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Mother's Day at the Jackaroo House
I had a wonderful mother's day. The day started out with Jim making breakfast for all of us yesterday morning. We decided to play hookey with church because Jack was having a tee-ball tournament this weekend. The tournament started on Friday night and his team won. It was back to the ball fields at 9:00 on Saturday for another day of tee-ball playing. His team played two games and won both games.
On Saturday night, we took advantage of our built-in babysitter, Brandi, and Jim and I went to see Star Trek movie. It was a really good movie and even better getting away from the kids and having some time alone with Jim.
On Sunday, we were back to the ball fields. Jack's team won their first game, which meant they had to play again against the best team in the league and well we got slaughtered in that game. But truthfully, I was very happy not winning and having to stay for the championship game. It was 93 degrees with 90% humidity out there. The boys were exhausted and the parents were hot and sunburnt. I was very happy to lose.
Jack has actually improved alot in the tee-ball playing. He actually hit a few doubles and is starting to pay attention when on the field. His favorite position is catcher and takes his catcher duties very seriously by making sure the ball is placed on the tee just right everytime. He still has alot to learn and lots of practice, but he seems to enjoy playing. The season ends on the 29th and we will probably end up putting him in Fall Ball to get some more practice. I would say that this has been a positive experience for the boy despite the uncertain start.
On Saturday night, we took advantage of our built-in babysitter, Brandi, and Jim and I went to see Star Trek movie. It was a really good movie and even better getting away from the kids and having some time alone with Jim.
On Sunday, we were back to the ball fields. Jack's team won their first game, which meant they had to play again against the best team in the league and well we got slaughtered in that game. But truthfully, I was very happy not winning and having to stay for the championship game. It was 93 degrees with 90% humidity out there. The boys were exhausted and the parents were hot and sunburnt. I was very happy to lose.
Jack has actually improved alot in the tee-ball playing. He actually hit a few doubles and is starting to pay attention when on the field. His favorite position is catcher and takes his catcher duties very seriously by making sure the ball is placed on the tee just right everytime. He still has alot to learn and lots of practice, but he seems to enjoy playing. The season ends on the 29th and we will probably end up putting him in Fall Ball to get some more practice. I would say that this has been a positive experience for the boy despite the uncertain start.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Trying to Get Back Into a Rhythm and Frustrations
So today marks the first day of back to normal. Laura left yesterday afternoon after being here for two weeks. She was supposed to leave early Sunday morning, but her flight leaving Gulfport was delayed by 3 hours which meant that she was going to miss her connection and they couldn't get her on another flight until way late, which is against the Unaccompanied Minor policy. So we got her for another day.
So everybody is back to school. I kept Jack out of school most of last week just so he could spend some time with Laura and Brandi, who was out of school on spring break also. Ihave no idea why Jack's spring break had to be in March when every body else had it in April. But it is very nice to be back to normal.
We had some major drama yesterday around here. Laura could not find her cell phone when she was packing up. She and I tore the house apart looking for the thing. I had a sneaking suspicion that Brandi had taken it, but I really did not want to think that. So I had to take a very upset Laura to the airport without her cell phone. She was literally in tears because of what her mother's reaction was going to be. Her mother is downright cruel and won't give it up until she has belittled Laura. So Laura was scared to death to get back to California and tell her mother she couldn't find her phone.
So after I saw Laura off, I went to the High School and picked Brandi up and confronted her about the phone. She looked right atme and said she did not have it. I went through her pockets, bag and everything looking for it. We get home and Jim has to call Laura's mother and tell her about the phone. We both know that Brandi took it and wanted her to fess up. So Jim is telling Laura's mother to get the texting activity today because he is pretty sure that somebody took the phone. Brandi tells me that she wants to tell me something in her room and sure enough she stole the phone and gave it away to a friend!!!!!! I do not think I have ever seen Jim so mad in all the years I have known him. I have no idea what she was thinking. We do not let her have a cell phone. She has no phone privileges and no computer privileges and she can't go anywhere except to school and church. I do not know how to punish her for this. She continues to lie to me saying it was an accident. But I know different, because all day yesterday she was turning the phone off and on and knew exactly what she was doing. She has yet to apologize for it. She stayed in her room most of the night last night.
I am truly at my wits end with her. I am having second thoughts about whether we can help her at all. Can we change 15 years of neglect and abuse and having no consequences in 3 months? I was letting her get on Myspace when she first got here. She promised she would not talk to anybody but her friends. Well I later found out that she had been giving our home phone number out to strange men and talking to them. She also had Jack's picture on her page and claiming him as her own child, along with a bunch of other lies. Which is so dangerous considering that Jim is a cop and has probably arrested some of these people she was talking to. We live in the threat of somebody finding out where he lives and coming here with revenge. I was so mad at her that I was shaking uncontrollably that night. That happened about a month ago. And now the cell phone theft. I am really doubting whether we can do this whole foster thing. I thought we could change her life, but now I am not so sure. It is all very frustrating and disappointing.
So everybody is back to school. I kept Jack out of school most of last week just so he could spend some time with Laura and Brandi, who was out of school on spring break also. Ihave no idea why Jack's spring break had to be in March when every body else had it in April. But it is very nice to be back to normal.
We had some major drama yesterday around here. Laura could not find her cell phone when she was packing up. She and I tore the house apart looking for the thing. I had a sneaking suspicion that Brandi had taken it, but I really did not want to think that. So I had to take a very upset Laura to the airport without her cell phone. She was literally in tears because of what her mother's reaction was going to be. Her mother is downright cruel and won't give it up until she has belittled Laura. So Laura was scared to death to get back to California and tell her mother she couldn't find her phone.
So after I saw Laura off, I went to the High School and picked Brandi up and confronted her about the phone. She looked right atme and said she did not have it. I went through her pockets, bag and everything looking for it. We get home and Jim has to call Laura's mother and tell her about the phone. We both know that Brandi took it and wanted her to fess up. So Jim is telling Laura's mother to get the texting activity today because he is pretty sure that somebody took the phone. Brandi tells me that she wants to tell me something in her room and sure enough she stole the phone and gave it away to a friend!!!!!! I do not think I have ever seen Jim so mad in all the years I have known him. I have no idea what she was thinking. We do not let her have a cell phone. She has no phone privileges and no computer privileges and she can't go anywhere except to school and church. I do not know how to punish her for this. She continues to lie to me saying it was an accident. But I know different, because all day yesterday she was turning the phone off and on and knew exactly what she was doing. She has yet to apologize for it. She stayed in her room most of the night last night.
I am truly at my wits end with her. I am having second thoughts about whether we can help her at all. Can we change 15 years of neglect and abuse and having no consequences in 3 months? I was letting her get on Myspace when she first got here. She promised she would not talk to anybody but her friends. Well I later found out that she had been giving our home phone number out to strange men and talking to them. She also had Jack's picture on her page and claiming him as her own child, along with a bunch of other lies. Which is so dangerous considering that Jim is a cop and has probably arrested some of these people she was talking to. We live in the threat of somebody finding out where he lives and coming here with revenge. I was so mad at her that I was shaking uncontrollably that night. That happened about a month ago. And now the cell phone theft. I am really doubting whether we can do this whole foster thing. I thought we could change her life, but now I am not so sure. It is all very frustrating and disappointing.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Another Crazy Busy Weekend
First of all, thanks for all the birthday wishes. I had a great day. I took the kids shopping and got the girls easter dresses, yes even Brandi as shocking as that is. I will have to post a picture of her on Sunday. I got Jack a new pair of pants (I can not believe he is into size 6 now!) that can double as part of school uniform for next year and a shirt and a pair of shoes. Since we get 98% of his clothes as hand me downs, it was actually kinda fun to shop for the boy.
As for me, I got myself a pair of fancy jeweled flip flops that I can wear to church, but man they just are not as comfy as my croc flip flops are. I also bought myself a Nintendo DS with the brain age game and a Mario Bros game. HA! With all the kids in the house, yeah I might be able to play it sometime at the end of the summer, who knows. But it is cute and pink when it is being played by some child of mine.
It is so not like me to spend money like I did yesterday. Laura was looking at me like who has possessed this woman. But it was really fun to just say what the hey.
This weekend is yet another crazy busy weekend. We have plans to get together with the whole Clayton family today for Easter dinner. Of course the last minute family plans meant that I had to tell them at church that I would not be able to help out today at the Easter festival for the kids. Can't be at two places at once.
And of course tomorrow is Easter and that is always a busy day. But I promise to post pics of the kids all dressed up. Fun times.
As for me, I got myself a pair of fancy jeweled flip flops that I can wear to church, but man they just are not as comfy as my croc flip flops are. I also bought myself a Nintendo DS with the brain age game and a Mario Bros game. HA! With all the kids in the house, yeah I might be able to play it sometime at the end of the summer, who knows. But it is cute and pink when it is being played by some child of mine.
It is so not like me to spend money like I did yesterday. Laura was looking at me like who has possessed this woman. But it was really fun to just say what the hey.
This weekend is yet another crazy busy weekend. We have plans to get together with the whole Clayton family today for Easter dinner. Of course the last minute family plans meant that I had to tell them at church that I would not be able to help out today at the Easter festival for the kids. Can't be at two places at once.
And of course tomorrow is Easter and that is always a busy day. But I promise to post pics of the kids all dressed up. Fun times.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Happy Birthday To Me...
Today I turn 42. Wow that sounds old. My big plans today are to take Brandi and Laura shopping for Easter dresses. It will be worth every penny if I can get Brandi into a dress. The girl who wears nothing but Aero jeans and Aero tshirts. Then next on the agenda is to take them to the Hannah Montana movie. And Jack will be tagging along for all of this too, which will cause him to complain and whine mightily about how bored he is while shopping. Should be fun....
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
Tee Ball ... The Ultimate Frustration
Jack had his third game of tee ball last night and I just have to say that it is sooooo frustrating for Jim and I to sit there and NOT yell at the boy. He is on the 5/6 year old team and since he just turned five, he is one of the youngest on the team. Some of the boys are almost 7. So there is a wide variety of abilities.
But that is not what is so frustrating for us. It is the total and utter lack of concentration on Jack's part. When he is on the field, while all the other boys are paying attention and fielding the ball, Jack is in the outfield turning around in circles, shuffling the dirt with his feet, playing with his hat, throwing his glove in the air, pretty much everything BUT paying attention to the game. In fact, the coaches had to go out and tell him to go into the dugout at the end of the inning, when every other player was already in the dugout, except Jack who was turning in circles.
And this is not a laid-back tee ball league, no they keep score, count strikes, have an umpire, the whole shebang. It is the real deal. And for Jack to be in LaLa land is quite frustrating and quite frankly embarrassing. He doesn't seem to care. Even after we had a talk before last night's game when I told him that if he didn't pay attention, he would lose his PS2 game for a week. Well he has lost the game and I just don't know if that is enough to make him care about the tee-ball.
Sigh. Maybe he will get into Taekwondo this summer. So far we are 0-2 with soccer and teeball.
But that is not what is so frustrating for us. It is the total and utter lack of concentration on Jack's part. When he is on the field, while all the other boys are paying attention and fielding the ball, Jack is in the outfield turning around in circles, shuffling the dirt with his feet, playing with his hat, throwing his glove in the air, pretty much everything BUT paying attention to the game. In fact, the coaches had to go out and tell him to go into the dugout at the end of the inning, when every other player was already in the dugout, except Jack who was turning in circles.
And this is not a laid-back tee ball league, no they keep score, count strikes, have an umpire, the whole shebang. It is the real deal. And for Jack to be in LaLa land is quite frustrating and quite frankly embarrassing. He doesn't seem to care. Even after we had a talk before last night's game when I told him that if he didn't pay attention, he would lose his PS2 game for a week. Well he has lost the game and I just don't know if that is enough to make him care about the tee-ball.
Sigh. Maybe he will get into Taekwondo this summer. So far we are 0-2 with soccer and teeball.
Saturday, April 04, 2009
It Helps to Have Pediatricians for Friends
We have friends who are married pediatricians, who goes to our church and lives in our neighborhood. It comes in handy, like when Jack was having a strange rash and I just drove him over to Nichol's house to make sure it was nothing serious.
Well last night I talked to them about Jack's testicles, which by the way is kind of embarassing to be talking about. They were saying that a boy's testicles should be fully dropped by the time he is two. When I told them about Jack's having to be pulled down, but pop right back up is not that bad of a thing, as long as they can be dropped. If they couldn't be dropped, it would probably mean he would be sterile, but since they can be pulled it is a good thing. However, the fact that they pop up, means that they will probably have to go in and "tack them down" or release the muscle that is holding them up. They were a little surprised that this is the first time a doctor has mentioned anything and should of been mentioned during the two-year or at least the three-year check up. The fact that they waited till now to mention anything does worry me, but they seemed to think it is not that major of a deal, but is something that needs to be addressed.
Well last night I talked to them about Jack's testicles, which by the way is kind of embarassing to be talking about. They were saying that a boy's testicles should be fully dropped by the time he is two. When I told them about Jack's having to be pulled down, but pop right back up is not that bad of a thing, as long as they can be dropped. If they couldn't be dropped, it would probably mean he would be sterile, but since they can be pulled it is a good thing. However, the fact that they pop up, means that they will probably have to go in and "tack them down" or release the muscle that is holding them up. They were a little surprised that this is the first time a doctor has mentioned anything and should of been mentioned during the two-year or at least the three-year check up. The fact that they waited till now to mention anything does worry me, but they seemed to think it is not that major of a deal, but is something that needs to be addressed.
Thursday, April 02, 2009
Five-Year Check Up
Today was the day for Jack's five-year-old check up. Jim took him this morning, so everything that I am reporting is through him. It seems like he is a healthy boy. He is 45" tall and 46 lbs. Good grief that is only 3 inches away from four ft tall! Geesh.
I guess they checked his eye sight and Jim said that he did pretty well except for the really small letters, which is much better than I can do. Ha!
There is one thing that is of concern though. It seems that his testicles have not dropped the way they should of. The doctor can force them to drop, but they just pop right back up, which I guess is not a good thing for a five-year-old boy. I guess they should have dropped by now. So we are getting a referral to a Urologist in New Orleans at the Children's hospital there to see if any surgery is needed. Yeah slight flip out on the word surgery, but not too bad. Hopefully everything is okay and that won't be needed.
But other than that he is a very happy and healthy five year old boy.
I guess they checked his eye sight and Jim said that he did pretty well except for the really small letters, which is much better than I can do. Ha!
There is one thing that is of concern though. It seems that his testicles have not dropped the way they should of. The doctor can force them to drop, but they just pop right back up, which I guess is not a good thing for a five-year-old boy. I guess they should have dropped by now. So we are getting a referral to a Urologist in New Orleans at the Children's hospital there to see if any surgery is needed. Yeah slight flip out on the word surgery, but not too bad. Hopefully everything is okay and that won't be needed.
But other than that he is a very happy and healthy five year old boy.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Priceless
Cost of new bat ... $25
Cost of new batters helmet ... $12
Cost of new baseball shoes ... $25
Cost of new baseball glove ... $19
Cost of new bag to hold above items ... $20
To watch the excitement of a five year old boy who knows he is going to be playing baseball
PRICELESS
Cost of new batters helmet ... $12
Cost of new baseball shoes ... $25
Cost of new baseball glove ... $19
Cost of new bag to hold above items ... $20
To watch the excitement of a five year old boy who knows he is going to be playing baseball
PRICELESS
Monday, March 30, 2009
Take Me Out To The Ballgame...
So we started T-Ball tonight. It has been a nightmare to get to this point. I swear we are jinxed when it comes to team sports for Jack.
We signed Jack up for the t-ball in February, paid our fee and was told they would get in touch with us when practices started. Well time went by and we soon found out that our friends son was on his team with scheduled practices. I have spent two weeks trying to get in contact with somebody, which was very hard because their website had absolutely no way to get in touch with them. Finally I got the phone number of the league commissioner and gave him an earful about not being told that the season started. Well, of course because it is us, they lost our paperwork and had no record at all of us signing up, despite the fact that they cashed our check. Thank goodness I had kept our copy and proved that we did indeed sign up. At this point, the teams had been together and practicing for almost 3 weeks. So finally today I got a phone call from the coach telling me that they had a practice tonight, nothing like short-noticed.
So we showed up at the baseball fields with about a gazillion other teams there (baseball is huge around here by the way) and me trying to find our team not knowing what our team name is or the color or what the coach looks like. I walked all over there asking if they knew where coach Billy was and I got completely vacant stares. I finally found the coach and the right team. I then look around and feel like I am out of my league. It turns out that this is the big league T-Ball for the 5 and 6 year olds. The other kids have the special sports bags all lined up there with their names on them. They each have their own bat, helmet, mitt and full (just like the pros) uniforms. Me? I brought my five-year-old. That is it.
So it looks like I need to go out and buy a gazillion dollars worth of equipment. Jack's first game is on Friday night and he will probably not have his pro uniform by then. But at least Jack seemed to have a good time out there in a borrowed helmet and bat tonight. The coach said that he is not behind and should do fine on the team. People it is T-BALL, not the big-leagues!
So yes we are onto another sport. I just hope that I end this season with a better feeling than I did the soccer season. I sure am not starting it on a good note!
We signed Jack up for the t-ball in February, paid our fee and was told they would get in touch with us when practices started. Well time went by and we soon found out that our friends son was on his team with scheduled practices. I have spent two weeks trying to get in contact with somebody, which was very hard because their website had absolutely no way to get in touch with them. Finally I got the phone number of the league commissioner and gave him an earful about not being told that the season started. Well, of course because it is us, they lost our paperwork and had no record at all of us signing up, despite the fact that they cashed our check. Thank goodness I had kept our copy and proved that we did indeed sign up. At this point, the teams had been together and practicing for almost 3 weeks. So finally today I got a phone call from the coach telling me that they had a practice tonight, nothing like short-noticed.
So we showed up at the baseball fields with about a gazillion other teams there (baseball is huge around here by the way) and me trying to find our team not knowing what our team name is or the color or what the coach looks like. I walked all over there asking if they knew where coach Billy was and I got completely vacant stares. I finally found the coach and the right team. I then look around and feel like I am out of my league. It turns out that this is the big league T-Ball for the 5 and 6 year olds. The other kids have the special sports bags all lined up there with their names on them. They each have their own bat, helmet, mitt and full (just like the pros) uniforms. Me? I brought my five-year-old. That is it.
So it looks like I need to go out and buy a gazillion dollars worth of equipment. Jack's first game is on Friday night and he will probably not have his pro uniform by then. But at least Jack seemed to have a good time out there in a borrowed helmet and bat tonight. The coach said that he is not behind and should do fine on the team. People it is T-BALL, not the big-leagues!
So yes we are onto another sport. I just hope that I end this season with a better feeling than I did the soccer season. I sure am not starting it on a good note!
Friday, March 27, 2009
Storms and No Sleep
Last night was another night of really bad storms. I haven't heard how much rain we got, but it has to be A LOT. The way it sounded on the roof was pretty bad. And the thunder and lightening kept going all night long. I woke up about 12:30 and was pretty much awake until 4:30 when I went back to bed and got another hour and half of sleep. Of course at 6:00 I have to wake kids up for school.
Jim was on duty last night and I called him about 2:00 and he said that he couldn't see anything while driving. Oh and he got hurt last night by some drunk guy who was resisting arrest and elbowed Jim in the ribs so hard that they thought he had broken a rib or two. After going to the ER and getting x-rays, it turned out that he just had a bruised rib. But still quite painful and he is sleeping with some percocet right now.
And another strange thing happened yesterday morning when lightening struck my boss's neighbor's house (right behind him) and burnt the house down. My boss was saying that the flames were 20 feet in the air. I drove by there today and there is nothing left of the house but the bricks. How scary is that? Of course my boss is feeling pretty lucky today. Had it been 100 feet the other way, it would have been his house.
Anyway that is what is happening around here. Lots of bad weather, no sleep, and houses burning down. I am now off to pick Brandi up from school and take her to her therapist for her weekly appointment. Thank goodness a friend just came and picked Jack up so that I don't have to wake up Jim to watch Jack. Life is very busy and complex these days. Phew!
Jim was on duty last night and I called him about 2:00 and he said that he couldn't see anything while driving. Oh and he got hurt last night by some drunk guy who was resisting arrest and elbowed Jim in the ribs so hard that they thought he had broken a rib or two. After going to the ER and getting x-rays, it turned out that he just had a bruised rib. But still quite painful and he is sleeping with some percocet right now.
And another strange thing happened yesterday morning when lightening struck my boss's neighbor's house (right behind him) and burnt the house down. My boss was saying that the flames were 20 feet in the air. I drove by there today and there is nothing left of the house but the bricks. How scary is that? Of course my boss is feeling pretty lucky today. Had it been 100 feet the other way, it would have been his house.
Anyway that is what is happening around here. Lots of bad weather, no sleep, and houses burning down. I am now off to pick Brandi up from school and take her to her therapist for her weekly appointment. Thank goodness a friend just came and picked Jack up so that I don't have to wake up Jim to watch Jack. Life is very busy and complex these days. Phew!
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Saturday Stuff
** Brandi is at a youth retreat this weekend at another church. She was quite nervous when I dropped her off last night and wasn't sure if she wanted to spend the night because she didn't know any of the other kids there. We found out about this retreat from a lady who runs a foundation geared to help foster kids on the gulf coast. But she was brave enough to stay and from what I can tell, she is going to have a really good time.
** For the first time in I don't know how long, we have a Saturday that is not jammed packed with stuff to do. I have to run a few errands and tonight I am going to a friend's house for a Twilight movie party, but other than that I don't have to rush off to do something. It feels really nice.
** The weather here has been beautiful. It has been sunny and around 75. Gorgeous.
** Some stupid person on a barge ran into one of the bridges across the Biloxi Bay yesterday and a 60-foot section of the bridge fell into the water, along with a car. Nobody was hurt, but it will make the traffic around here really really bad for the next however many months until it gets fixed. There is now only two ways to get across the bay and that is not good.
** Jim has been working really hard on our front-yard landscaping. It is almost done. We now have a pond with a fountain, palm trees, and pretty plants out front. I will take pics and post them.
** I am very excited because Jack will be in his new school building on Monday. This building was supposed to be finished before the school year started, but that obviously didn't happen until after spring break. It is an absolutely beautiful building and it will be his school until he is in high school.
** For the first time in I don't know how long, we have a Saturday that is not jammed packed with stuff to do. I have to run a few errands and tonight I am going to a friend's house for a Twilight movie party, but other than that I don't have to rush off to do something. It feels really nice.
** The weather here has been beautiful. It has been sunny and around 75. Gorgeous.
** Some stupid person on a barge ran into one of the bridges across the Biloxi Bay yesterday and a 60-foot section of the bridge fell into the water, along with a car. Nobody was hurt, but it will make the traffic around here really really bad for the next however many months until it gets fixed. There is now only two ways to get across the bay and that is not good.
** Jim has been working really hard on our front-yard landscaping. It is almost done. We now have a pond with a fountain, palm trees, and pretty plants out front. I will take pics and post them.
** I am very excited because Jack will be in his new school building on Monday. This building was supposed to be finished before the school year started, but that obviously didn't happen until after spring break. It is an absolutely beautiful building and it will be his school until he is in high school.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
What Does That Say?
I told Jack to go clean up his room (it needs a major overhaul and major throwing out things) when we got home today. He, of course, grumbled about having to do it and asked me if I could help him. I told him that I could not because I was cleaning the rest of the house. His next question to me was "who is coming over?".
Alright what does that say about my cleaning skills or lack thereof? But to be truthful, we have our first home visit from the social worker tomorrow, so there you have it. I guess I do only clean when somebody is coming over. The social worker visit was supposed to be on Tuesday, but got rescheduled for tomorrow. If that were the case, the house would have been cleaned on Tuesday.
Alright what does that say about my cleaning skills or lack thereof? But to be truthful, we have our first home visit from the social worker tomorrow, so there you have it. I guess I do only clean when somebody is coming over. The social worker visit was supposed to be on Tuesday, but got rescheduled for tomorrow. If that were the case, the house would have been cleaned on Tuesday.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Just Shoot Me Now ...
Laura called and asked if she could bring a friend from California with us to Disneyworld when we go in June. I guess her friend's parents is willing to spend the dollars to fly her out here and all the other costs involved in a two week stay with us. I am not totally against the idea seeing as we do get five tickets at $99 plus Jim's free ticket thanks to the new military discount this year and we would be able to get her friend, Alyssa, in at that rate.
However, the whole idea of having THREE TEENAGE GIRLS with us is more than my brain can handle. Then I started to think about our lodging and the ONE bathroom and ONE room we have reserved at the moment. Can you just imagine trying to get ready with THREE TEENAGE GIRLS? As Jim said, he will just go sit in the bar.
So even though I totally love Shades of Green, it is looking like we will have to rent a condo with at least 2 if not 3 bedrooms and, most importantly, 2 bathrooms. I looked into some of the places and for the 6 nights stay, it really isn't much difference in the price, we would just not have the convenience of the transportation to and from the hotel. Because honestly, I just may lose my mind if I have to spend a week with FOUR kids in ONE hotel room. I don't care how nice and convenient it is.
However, the whole idea of having THREE TEENAGE GIRLS with us is more than my brain can handle. Then I started to think about our lodging and the ONE bathroom and ONE room we have reserved at the moment. Can you just imagine trying to get ready with THREE TEENAGE GIRLS? As Jim said, he will just go sit in the bar.
So even though I totally love Shades of Green, it is looking like we will have to rent a condo with at least 2 if not 3 bedrooms and, most importantly, 2 bathrooms. I looked into some of the places and for the 6 nights stay, it really isn't much difference in the price, we would just not have the convenience of the transportation to and from the hotel. Because honestly, I just may lose my mind if I have to spend a week with FOUR kids in ONE hotel room. I don't care how nice and convenient it is.
My List of ADD random thoughts
** Today we have our first foster care home visit, so I have a lot of cleaning that I should do, whether I actually do is another story altogether.
** I really really need to clean out our office. I am really good at stacking things and then when we need to find something, I am going through stacks and stacks of "stuff". I need to create a system where stuff comes into the house like mail, important papers, Brandi papers, Jack's "art" that it all has a place to go and not end up on my counter stacked. It has overflowed onto the dining room table.
** Jim's mother gave us a gorgeous crocheted table cloth that I want to put on the dining room table and make all pretty with the new centerpiece that I got for Christmas (still in bag), but alas I need to declutter the stacks of stuff first.
** I really need to finish our taxes. I do everybody else's but ours and I hate to do ours, especially now that I know we will have to owe.
** I also have to audit the books for church for the last two years. Just another of the things I got volunteered for because they know my previous occupation.
** I have been trying to build my Uppercase Living business and I am thiiiiisssss close to a promotion. I am very excited and I do love the company.
** Jack is done with soccer finally. He got his medal and was very proud of it. He also scored a goal on the last game and I missed it because I was talking to our neighbors at the time. But he doesn't need to know that, according to him, I saw it and it was the biggest and best goal ever.
** Brandi is doing really well. I found out that she has the best GPA of all the kids in foster care in the entire county. She also is going to be pre-enrolled at Southern Miss and will get her entire college education paid for by the state. I think she is realizing what an opportunity she has and is talking about getting her nursing degree. We are very proud of her and has become part of the family.
** Jack's spring break is this week and I am trying to come up with some things to do this week that will be fun for us.
** Jim is late coming home again. Police work doesn't end at shift time.
** I really really need to clean out our office. I am really good at stacking things and then when we need to find something, I am going through stacks and stacks of "stuff". I need to create a system where stuff comes into the house like mail, important papers, Brandi papers, Jack's "art" that it all has a place to go and not end up on my counter stacked. It has overflowed onto the dining room table.
** Jim's mother gave us a gorgeous crocheted table cloth that I want to put on the dining room table and make all pretty with the new centerpiece that I got for Christmas (still in bag), but alas I need to declutter the stacks of stuff first.
** I really need to finish our taxes. I do everybody else's but ours and I hate to do ours, especially now that I know we will have to owe.
** I also have to audit the books for church for the last two years. Just another of the things I got volunteered for because they know my previous occupation.
** I have been trying to build my Uppercase Living business and I am thiiiiisssss close to a promotion. I am very excited and I do love the company.
** Jack is done with soccer finally. He got his medal and was very proud of it. He also scored a goal on the last game and I missed it because I was talking to our neighbors at the time. But he doesn't need to know that, according to him, I saw it and it was the biggest and best goal ever.
** Brandi is doing really well. I found out that she has the best GPA of all the kids in foster care in the entire county. She also is going to be pre-enrolled at Southern Miss and will get her entire college education paid for by the state. I think she is realizing what an opportunity she has and is talking about getting her nursing degree. We are very proud of her and has become part of the family.
** Jack's spring break is this week and I am trying to come up with some things to do this week that will be fun for us.
** Jim is late coming home again. Police work doesn't end at shift time.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Soccer and My Thoughts
So today is the last day of the soccer season. It has been a long three months of playing soccer every Saturday morning. There were some REALLY cold days (38 degrees) and we were out on those soccer fields. Burr.
Truthfully, I am hoping that the weather forecast is right today and it really does rain because I am so done with the whole soccer thing. I have a bad taste about the whole thing. Jack was put on this team with this coach who's son is like a little soccer dyamo. Yes he is good, but I can tell the Dad really works him with a lot of practice. There are 6 players on Jack's team and only three play at one time, so the coach is supposed to rotate the players in and out during the game. Well this coach never rotated his own son out of the game and he usually played his three best players 90% of the time. Since Jack is not one of the best players (the kid got my athletic ability) he sits on the bench moping because he's not in playing. Last week, I finally had enough and said something out loud to Brandi about how the coach's son never gets benched and the coach must have heard that because he actually benched his son ... for 2 minutes. But it was to the kid's screaming fit for having to sit out.
Anyway, I am pretty sure we will not be doing soccer next year. I mean it was for 4 and 5 year olds and I had a mother come up to me and tell me that Jack needed to get in a lot more practice to be effective on the team and maybe I should sign him up for a workshop! They don't even keep score at this age! Yes I am fed up. I just wanted Jack to get out and get some exercise and have fun and it turned into this competitve cut-throat thing at four years old!
We are starting T-ball in two weeks. I have a better feeling about this sport and I think Jack will enjoy it a lot better. Just pray for rain today and we won't have to go to the last game!
I Know It Is Two Weeks Later ...
but here are a few pictures of Jack's birthday party. It was quite a success. We had close to 20 kids and their parents in our church's fellowship hall. We even had a pirate show put on by our good friend Brandt. It was fun.
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
Happy Birthday Baby Boy ... Five Years Old!
I can not believe I am writing your 5th birthday post. How is it that it has been five years since you and I met? We sure have been through a lot in the last five years, but I can say that you have changed my life in so many positive ways. You have taught me to be a better person through mothering you and I have to say that I am so incredibly lucky and blessed to be your mother.
Let's see what you have been up to in the last year. The first thing that pops into my head is your vocabulary has exploded in the last year. Oh my goodness you can come up with some zingers and make everybody around laugh so hard. I am not sure what level of vocabulary a typical five-year-old has, but I am positive that you more than exceed it. One time we were in the van and following Aunt Ann in her car. She proceeds to run a red light right in front of us and of course Daddy, the cop, has to call her and tell her that she did a no no. But you had to proclaim to everybody that you were "so Humiliated". You are very expressive and will use words like "adorable" "beautiful" and "attractive". It seems like everyday I am asking you where you heard this word or that word.
Speaking of words, you have started to read this year. You are constantly asking me how words are spelled. I really hope that you have a love of reading like I do when you grow up. But right now, I understand it is a frustration for you and we can only spend about 15 minutes reading your beginning reader books. I am so proud of you.
I would have to say right now that your forte is talking. I swear child that you could talk to a wall and have a conversation. You love to talk. There are some days that I pick you up from school and you barely take a breath talking and asking me questions. And your questions are very insightful for your age. Your topics range from death, God and Jesus, to the planets and how things grow on Earth. All very weighty subjects for a five-year-old and your poor mother trying to answer the questions!
You are very aware of your age and how long you have been around. You are constantly comparing to when you were a "three-year-older". You also want to be a "big kid" so incredibly fast. When I take you to school, you will look up to the high school kids with such awe and reverence like they are gods. And you are constantly asking me when you can go to big kid school. You are growing up way too fast, can you just slow down a bit?
You will start kindergarten this fall and start going to school all day long, an extra 3 hours per day. You are so ready for this big leap, however I am not so sure I am ready for it. I really do love our afternoons together. You are my buddy helping me run errands or going to lunch just the two of us. I am going to miss those three hours with my Jackaroo come fall. But I know that the school years is a time when you need to establish yourself independent of me and your Dad. But I am still going to be the room Mom and go to all your little parties while you still want me there. Because I know there will come a time when you will not want Mom showing up at school with cookies and cupcakes. I also know there will be a time when you will not rush to give me a big hug when I come pick you up and tell me that you love me right there in front of all your friends. So I am soaking it up all I can right now.
I have to say that you have one of the most tender hearts of anybody I know. You are truly a sweet and giving boy who shows love and compassion so incredibly easily. You are so giving and sharing that you will share the last of your cookies with anybody who asks. Your family is very important to you, including all of your grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. It is so much fun to sit and watch you at family gatherings as you make your rounds from one family member to the next doling out your brand of Jackaroo love. You are also one of the most loved kids in the world as you gather up all the hugs and kisses you can get.
Here I am going on and on about how wonderful you are and you are probably wondering about the bad side of Jack. Well to be honest, there is a very very small "bad" side. I can not remember the last time your father nor I had to spank you. Yes we have to get on you to clean up your toys and eat your vegetables, but for 98% of the time you are a joy to be around. You constantly amaze me at how wonderful you really are. When we took Brandi in a few weeks ago, I was afraid that you would be jealous and show it in many ways. But you accepted her as a new sister and show her such complete and true love that has me stunned. Even when our focus is on Brandi and her issues, you do not try to compete for our attention. It is as though you understand that Brandi needs us and you are not threatened by her. You understand that you have Mom and Dad's unconditional love and now Brandi needs that same love. Again, you are wise beyond your years.
And that brings me to your faith. I know they say that everyone needs to have the faith of a child, and in your case, it is the truth. I love to listen to you pray at the dinner table and at night before bed. It has taken me 40 years to get to the level of faith that you possess in your short five years.
As always, I will always be there for you Baby Boy. I can not wait to see what the future holds for you. I look forward to watching you grow into a young man that I know I will be proud of. This is a big birthday for you. You are no longer a baby and you have all of your school years ahead of you and all that entails.
Happy Birthday Baby Boy
Let's see what you have been up to in the last year. The first thing that pops into my head is your vocabulary has exploded in the last year. Oh my goodness you can come up with some zingers and make everybody around laugh so hard. I am not sure what level of vocabulary a typical five-year-old has, but I am positive that you more than exceed it. One time we were in the van and following Aunt Ann in her car. She proceeds to run a red light right in front of us and of course Daddy, the cop, has to call her and tell her that she did a no no. But you had to proclaim to everybody that you were "so Humiliated". You are very expressive and will use words like "adorable" "beautiful" and "attractive". It seems like everyday I am asking you where you heard this word or that word.
Speaking of words, you have started to read this year. You are constantly asking me how words are spelled. I really hope that you have a love of reading like I do when you grow up. But right now, I understand it is a frustration for you and we can only spend about 15 minutes reading your beginning reader books. I am so proud of you.
I would have to say right now that your forte is talking. I swear child that you could talk to a wall and have a conversation. You love to talk. There are some days that I pick you up from school and you barely take a breath talking and asking me questions. And your questions are very insightful for your age. Your topics range from death, God and Jesus, to the planets and how things grow on Earth. All very weighty subjects for a five-year-old and your poor mother trying to answer the questions!
You are very aware of your age and how long you have been around. You are constantly comparing to when you were a "three-year-older". You also want to be a "big kid" so incredibly fast. When I take you to school, you will look up to the high school kids with such awe and reverence like they are gods. And you are constantly asking me when you can go to big kid school. You are growing up way too fast, can you just slow down a bit?
You will start kindergarten this fall and start going to school all day long, an extra 3 hours per day. You are so ready for this big leap, however I am not so sure I am ready for it. I really do love our afternoons together. You are my buddy helping me run errands or going to lunch just the two of us. I am going to miss those three hours with my Jackaroo come fall. But I know that the school years is a time when you need to establish yourself independent of me and your Dad. But I am still going to be the room Mom and go to all your little parties while you still want me there. Because I know there will come a time when you will not want Mom showing up at school with cookies and cupcakes. I also know there will be a time when you will not rush to give me a big hug when I come pick you up and tell me that you love me right there in front of all your friends. So I am soaking it up all I can right now.
I have to say that you have one of the most tender hearts of anybody I know. You are truly a sweet and giving boy who shows love and compassion so incredibly easily. You are so giving and sharing that you will share the last of your cookies with anybody who asks. Your family is very important to you, including all of your grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. It is so much fun to sit and watch you at family gatherings as you make your rounds from one family member to the next doling out your brand of Jackaroo love. You are also one of the most loved kids in the world as you gather up all the hugs and kisses you can get.
Here I am going on and on about how wonderful you are and you are probably wondering about the bad side of Jack. Well to be honest, there is a very very small "bad" side. I can not remember the last time your father nor I had to spank you. Yes we have to get on you to clean up your toys and eat your vegetables, but for 98% of the time you are a joy to be around. You constantly amaze me at how wonderful you really are. When we took Brandi in a few weeks ago, I was afraid that you would be jealous and show it in many ways. But you accepted her as a new sister and show her such complete and true love that has me stunned. Even when our focus is on Brandi and her issues, you do not try to compete for our attention. It is as though you understand that Brandi needs us and you are not threatened by her. You understand that you have Mom and Dad's unconditional love and now Brandi needs that same love. Again, you are wise beyond your years.
And that brings me to your faith. I know they say that everyone needs to have the faith of a child, and in your case, it is the truth. I love to listen to you pray at the dinner table and at night before bed. It has taken me 40 years to get to the level of faith that you possess in your short five years.
As always, I will always be there for you Baby Boy. I can not wait to see what the future holds for you. I look forward to watching you grow into a young man that I know I will be proud of. This is a big birthday for you. You are no longer a baby and you have all of your school years ahead of you and all that entails.
Happy Birthday Baby Boy
Saturday, February 28, 2009
My Baby's 5th Birthday Party!!!
How is it that my BABY is having his fifth birthday party today? There is not any baby left in him anymore. Cry.
As you can see his birthday theme is Monster Jam Trucks! Gone are the days of Elmo birthday parties. We are actually having a combined party with another boy from church, Keegan. His birthday was Feb 20 and with Jack's as March 5th, today is smack in the middle of the two.
Since I didn't do any party last year except for small family one, I decided that this year I would do it up big. And big as in LOTS of kids. I invited all 12 kids in his class, all the friends from church and a couple of other friends, along with Keegan's cousins. In all total, there very well could be about 30 kids all under the age of 9 there today. What have I done to myself?
The plans include a big pirate show put on by a friend who does kid's birthday parties for a living. He is absolutely amazing with the kids. He hasn't clued me in on much of his plans, but he told me to plan on a 45-min show, with him dressed as a pirate with sword fighting and what not. It should be fun and I plan to video and will put a little snippet on here for ya.
Jack is way beyond excited at the moment. We have been counting down the days to the big party and I have to say that it was an advantage last night when I put him to bed. I told him that he had to go to sleep in order to wake up on his birthday party day. Kinda like Christmas. And truth be told, I am pretty excited about the whole thing myself. I can't wait to watch him today.
As far as his actual birthday on Thursday, well that will be a bit anti-climatic. I will take cupcakes into his school and then probably go out to dinner that night or something.
So I just may need your prayers today.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Happy Fat Tuesday!
Mardi Gras. Before I moved to the Gulf Coast, I really had no clue what Mardi Gras was or entailed. But ya'll, it is a HUGE Holiday here. I mean business and schools close down and the entire area goes nuts. And the parades. Oh my goodness. The parades! For a month leading up to the big day of Fat Tuesday, there are countless parades all over the coast. We went to one a couple of weeks ago and came home with more Mardi Gras beads than we need. But it is so much fun. As the floats go by, they throw things to the thousands of people ranging from beads, t-shirts, toys, stuffed animals, and candy. And you would be surprised how people are downright mean by shoving people out of the way just so they can get those cheap beads! It is crazy.
I had planned to take the kids to the big Biloxi parade this afternoon, but my stupid non-existent immunity has caught the crud that has been going around the area and the thought of standing out on the side of the street with thousands of other parade-goers just didn't seem as much fun as it did yesterday when I felt better.
However, Jim gets to go to the big one tonight in an official capacity. He gets to try to police all the crazy and drunk people. Hahaha. He should have some stories to tell when he gets home.
Happy Fat Tuesday ya'll! What are you giving up for lent tomorrow? I am giving up diet coke. I thought about giving up sugar, then I laughed. Yeah right with Jack's birthday party this weekend, that ain't gonna happen. So diet coke it is.
I had planned to take the kids to the big Biloxi parade this afternoon, but my stupid non-existent immunity has caught the crud that has been going around the area and the thought of standing out on the side of the street with thousands of other parade-goers just didn't seem as much fun as it did yesterday when I felt better.
However, Jim gets to go to the big one tonight in an official capacity. He gets to try to police all the crazy and drunk people. Hahaha. He should have some stories to tell when he gets home.
Happy Fat Tuesday ya'll! What are you giving up for lent tomorrow? I am giving up diet coke. I thought about giving up sugar, then I laughed. Yeah right with Jack's birthday party this weekend, that ain't gonna happen. So diet coke it is.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Ummm.... (crickets)
So I was driving today and thought of a really good, funny, and cute post that I just had to post on here. And now a few hours later when I get a chance to post it? Ummm... yeah no idea what it was. So stay tuned ... maybe. That's all I have right now.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Brandi
It has been two weeks since Brandi moved into our home. I have to be honest that I was scared to death. Leading up to the big day, I was having anxiety attacks about what this decision would do to our family. I tried to pinpoint what exactly I was afraid of and I really could not pinpoint one particular thing, other than it was an unknown change to everything. But God would not let me back out of this and kept niggling my brain that this girl needed us. And he was right.
When I think of Brandi's mother, I can't help but get angry. She threw away three girls (from different fathers) all because of drugs and men. Brandi floundered and wasted away in the system for the past 6 years being shuffled from one home to another facility. So that when we met her last summer, I don't think I have ever met an angrier girl in my life. She was living in the girl's group home with 8 other girls whose parents threw them away as well. I remember when I first met Brandi, I did not have nice thoughts for her. But Jim could see something of himself in her and started to show her some love. By the end of the week at the youth church camp, she was actually smiling and joining in the activities. She was opening up to us and telling us a little bit about her life. She just needed love like all of us does. She never had the opportunity to feel that unconditional love that Jack and Laura take for granted. That every child needs and deserves.
Last night she told me that she has never been happier in her life living with us. She has fit right in and is a pleasure to have in the house. She goes to church with us and is enjoying being part of the youth group. She has raised her grades to As & Bs. How she managed to get to 15 without being a drug-addict, school-dropout, or worse, is beyond me. She is a good kid. And I really can't wait to see what the future holds for her.
When I think of Brandi's mother, I can't help but get angry. She threw away three girls (from different fathers) all because of drugs and men. Brandi floundered and wasted away in the system for the past 6 years being shuffled from one home to another facility. So that when we met her last summer, I don't think I have ever met an angrier girl in my life. She was living in the girl's group home with 8 other girls whose parents threw them away as well. I remember when I first met Brandi, I did not have nice thoughts for her. But Jim could see something of himself in her and started to show her some love. By the end of the week at the youth church camp, she was actually smiling and joining in the activities. She was opening up to us and telling us a little bit about her life. She just needed love like all of us does. She never had the opportunity to feel that unconditional love that Jack and Laura take for granted. That every child needs and deserves.
Last night she told me that she has never been happier in her life living with us. She has fit right in and is a pleasure to have in the house. She goes to church with us and is enjoying being part of the youth group. She has raised her grades to As & Bs. How she managed to get to 15 without being a drug-addict, school-dropout, or worse, is beyond me. She is a good kid. And I really can't wait to see what the future holds for her.
Remind Me Again Why We Have a Dog
I came close to using Jim's gun this morning to shoot our dog Molly. It was 3:18 am in the morning and she started barking in her full grown-up voice at me. Telling me that I HAD to get up NOW not later. It didn't matter that I smacked her doggie face a few times. So I got up, let her outside to do her business and then waddled myself back to bed. But noooo she wouldn't let me do that. At 4:08 am, I gave up the fight and let her win. sigh.
I normally could take a nap after taking the kids to school, but that is out of the question since Jack has no school today, tomorrow, or Monday. Cry.
I normally could take a nap after taking the kids to school, but that is out of the question since Jack has no school today, tomorrow, or Monday. Cry.
Monday, February 09, 2009
Turning 5!
I can not even believe that Jack will be turning five in less than a month. How is that even possible? Kindergarten this fall???? Five is big kid status. Yikes.
I just started to plan the birthday party. I had originally thought about doing the Chuck E Cheese thing, even though I so dislike that place. But a friend at church brought up sharing a party at the church with her son turning 7. A friend does kid's birthday parties and actually puts on a good show with kid's songs. Of course it will be crazy with all his friends from church and school, but should be fun. Oh and the theme the boy wants this year? Yeaahhhh that is monster trucks. He is over-the-top crazy about monster trucks now. We created a monster by taking him to monster truck jam last weekend.
For those who have emailed me and asked about how things are going with Brandi, our new foster daughter, things are going well. I plan to dedicate a post about her and how she is adjusting to our family in a day or two. It is an adjustment on both sides, but for the most part, it is going really well.
I just started to plan the birthday party. I had originally thought about doing the Chuck E Cheese thing, even though I so dislike that place. But a friend at church brought up sharing a party at the church with her son turning 7. A friend does kid's birthday parties and actually puts on a good show with kid's songs. Of course it will be crazy with all his friends from church and school, but should be fun. Oh and the theme the boy wants this year? Yeaahhhh that is monster trucks. He is over-the-top crazy about monster trucks now. We created a monster by taking him to monster truck jam last weekend.
For those who have emailed me and asked about how things are going with Brandi, our new foster daughter, things are going well. I plan to dedicate a post about her and how she is adjusting to our family in a day or two. It is an adjustment on both sides, but for the most part, it is going really well.
Monday, February 02, 2009
Yep We Are Rednecks
We went to Monster Truck Jam in New Orleans on Saturday night. We were right there with all the other rednecks and I have to say that it actually was fun to watch those big trucks smash the cars and everything else in the way. And Jack? Yeah he was in heaven. I think I had more fun watching him watching the monster trucks. And just in case anybody out there is thinking about attending a Monster Truck Jam, I have two words for you. Ear. Plugs. They will be your best friend. Below you can see we forked out $20 for Jack to get a pair of tire ear muffs.
Grave Digger flying through the air. Oh yeah and we had to buy a Hot Wheel Grave Digger for the boy. Yep we are raising a redneck for sure.
Grave Digger flying through the air. Oh yeah and we had to buy a Hot Wheel Grave Digger for the boy. Yep we are raising a redneck for sure.
The outing was also our first family trip with our new addition to our family. Brandi came to live with us last Thursday. The adjustment is going well. She is going to school and is opening up more and more to us. She has been craving a family for so long that it is fun to see her relaxing and loving to be part of our family. Jack is also loving having another big sister around. He was talking her ear off in her room the other night as she was settling in. I am just very happy that we are able to help her and hopefully be a positive influence in her life.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Big Announcement
I have a big announcement to make. Jim and I are becoming foster parents to a 15-year-old girl that we met last summer on the youth trip we chaperoned for church. Her name is Brandi and for some reason we made a connection with her. We since learned her story and found out that she has been in the foster care system for the past 6 years ever since she was abandoned by both her parents. Her mother is in prison and her father is not in the least father material. She has been in numerous foster homes and she is currently placed in the Methodist girls home.
It has been a long process with lots of prayers and thoughts leading up to this decision. I feel that God placed Jim and I on that youth trip for this reason and we are supposed to take this girl in. But that doesn't mean that I don't have a lot of fears and reservations about the whole thing. There has been so many times that I have wondered what in the world are we doing? How is this going to affect Jack? How is this going to affect our family? Can I handle being the foster parent of a troubled teenage girl? Am I ready for this commitment?
Tomorrow is the home study and if all goes well, she should be placed in our home within the next week. I am scared, excited, nervous, thoughtful and prayerful all at the same time. I'll keep ya posted on how it goes.
It has been a long process with lots of prayers and thoughts leading up to this decision. I feel that God placed Jim and I on that youth trip for this reason and we are supposed to take this girl in. But that doesn't mean that I don't have a lot of fears and reservations about the whole thing. There has been so many times that I have wondered what in the world are we doing? How is this going to affect Jack? How is this going to affect our family? Can I handle being the foster parent of a troubled teenage girl? Am I ready for this commitment?
Tomorrow is the home study and if all goes well, she should be placed in our home within the next week. I am scared, excited, nervous, thoughtful and prayerful all at the same time. I'll keep ya posted on how it goes.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Christmas Hits
I thought I would share with you the top Christmas gifts this year. There really weren't that many misses this year, mainly because we kept it simple this year and thankfully so did the rest of the family.
My favorite present is the Melissa & Doug easel if nothing but it saves us hundreds of pages of computer paper. Now when the boy wants to express his artistic self, he just has to go to his easel and draw his little heart out and NOT to our printer paper tray. The easel is set up in our office by the window just like a real artist's corner and all. I do need to get the accessories for it like the roll of paper and paint cups and what not, but right now he is happy with the dry erase part of it.
The second present was from Laura and again utilitzes his artistic abilities - digitally. It is the Fisher Price Arts and Crafts Digital Studio. All I have to do is hook it up to my laptop and he sits there and does all kinds of cool things. It keeps him occupied for like an hour or more at a time, which is always a plus.
So there is my review of the top 3 gifts this Christmas season. He also got a real accoustic guitar from Santa, but I am thinking that we need to look into guitar lessons for him soon since he has a real desire to learn how to play.
My favorite present is the Melissa & Doug easel if nothing but it saves us hundreds of pages of computer paper. Now when the boy wants to express his artistic self, he just has to go to his easel and draw his little heart out and NOT to our printer paper tray. The easel is set up in our office by the window just like a real artist's corner and all. I do need to get the accessories for it like the roll of paper and paint cups and what not, but right now he is happy with the dry erase part of it.
The second present was from Laura and again utilitzes his artistic abilities - digitally. It is the Fisher Price Arts and Crafts Digital Studio. All I have to do is hook it up to my laptop and he sits there and does all kinds of cool things. It keeps him occupied for like an hour or more at a time, which is always a plus.
And the third present is the Fisher Price Kid Tough Camera. This camera is actually a pretty nice camera, considering its a kid's "toy". It is very easy for Jack to use and he goes around snapping pictures all day long of the rug, wall, dogs, and whatever else he sees. You can download the pictures just like a regular camera. And there is a way you can hook it up to the Arts and Crafts Studio above and add cool effects to your pictures. I haven't done that yet, but soon.
So there is my review of the top 3 gifts this Christmas season. He also got a real accoustic guitar from Santa, but I am thinking that we need to look into guitar lessons for him soon since he has a real desire to learn how to play. We also now are a video game household, something I said we would never be. A friend gave us his old Playstation 2 game system with a bunch of games. Right now the favored and current addiction of the boy is Cars where he can race Lightening McQueen all over the place.
Friday, January 16, 2009
A Good Problem To Have
I think that I have mentioned on here that we have friends who hand down clothes for Jack. It is such a money saver, since the only thing that I have bought him to wear in the last year is three polo shirts for school, underwear, two pair of shoes, and two Disney t-shirts on clearance. I am so grateful to our friends for this. Well last night, Jim brought home a huge bag full of clothes from the police station. I tell you, this kid has more clothes than me and Jim put together. I have his closet full of clothes. All six drawers in his dresser are full. And I have overflow, out-of-season clothes in the guest bedroom! I am running out of space for this kid's clothes. And they are really nice clothes, even better than I would have bought for the boy if I were the one buying.
So yes, it is a nice problem to have. Thank you Leslee and Trevor for sharing!
So yes, it is a nice problem to have. Thank you Leslee and Trevor for sharing!
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Is It Really Only Thursday?
Only Thursday? Really? Because I couldn't tell ya what I did each day this week except feel awful. I went to the doctor yesterday simply because I did not want this thing to turn into a month-long thing like I had last fall. So I told him fever, blah blah, coughing, blah blah, body aches, blah blah. He said that he didn't think I had the actual flu virus, but probably just a head cold because "the flu is really bad" and I guess in his eyes I wasn't "really bad"?? But he did a flu wash to find out anyway, which by the way, is really kinda gross to do. I have never had that done before. He sent me home with some cough medicine, sudafed, and nasal spray.
At 6:00 last night, he called back and said the lab results came back and yes indeed it was Type A flu virus. Even though I did have the flu shot, I still got the flu! He said that the flu shot probably made it weakened, but still! So it seems that Jack, Jim and I all got the flu probably sometime while in Disney. There was one time that this guy did a huge sneeze right in front of us and didn't even try to cover it. I thought at the time "EWWWW", now I wonder if he graciously gave us the crud. Laura, who also had the flu mist, did not get the flu thankfully. Jim and Jack did not get the flu shots. I tried to get Jack his, but they were all out of the pediatric ones by the time we went there.
Poor Jim has had to be in training all this week for Criminal Scene Unit. Yes, he is going to be a real life CSI cop. But he couldn't miss the training, despite the flu.
Thankfully, we are slowly getting back to normal. Jack has been back to school the last two days, although now I feel guilty because his teacher was out sick today with a fever. Uhoh. Jim is feeling better and just today I think I might feel better. But I am following the Doctor's orders and resting today while Jack is in school this morning.
It is cold here, well not as cold as some of you up north, but none the less, cold. It was in the 20's last night and tonight is supposed to be in the teens. I am really wondering about sending Jack to play soccer on Saturday with the temps in the 20's. Especially after getting over the flu. Poor kid, he has played one game out of four so far this season. But that is what you get when you schedule the season for December through February!
At 6:00 last night, he called back and said the lab results came back and yes indeed it was Type A flu virus. Even though I did have the flu shot, I still got the flu! He said that the flu shot probably made it weakened, but still! So it seems that Jack, Jim and I all got the flu probably sometime while in Disney. There was one time that this guy did a huge sneeze right in front of us and didn't even try to cover it. I thought at the time "EWWWW", now I wonder if he graciously gave us the crud. Laura, who also had the flu mist, did not get the flu thankfully. Jim and Jack did not get the flu shots. I tried to get Jack his, but they were all out of the pediatric ones by the time we went there.
Poor Jim has had to be in training all this week for Criminal Scene Unit. Yes, he is going to be a real life CSI cop. But he couldn't miss the training, despite the flu.
Thankfully, we are slowly getting back to normal. Jack has been back to school the last two days, although now I feel guilty because his teacher was out sick today with a fever. Uhoh. Jim is feeling better and just today I think I might feel better. But I am following the Doctor's orders and resting today while Jack is in school this morning.
It is cold here, well not as cold as some of you up north, but none the less, cold. It was in the 20's last night and tonight is supposed to be in the teens. I am really wondering about sending Jack to play soccer on Saturday with the temps in the 20's. Especially after getting over the flu. Poor kid, he has played one game out of four so far this season. But that is what you get when you schedule the season for December through February!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
The Never-Ending Flu
Whatever this is called, flu or Hell, it is bad. Poor Jack is going on the sixth straight day of having a fever. He went to school yesterday because he managed to go all night without the fever, but when I picked him up, I could tell he felt bad and sure enough, he had a 101 fever. And he was up (and me) most of the night groaning and coughing. So no school today. I am calling the doctor again today because he just took his last dose of Zithromax antibiotics and it doesn't seem like it has done a whole lot for him. So here we are again, shut inside watching tv. Seriously one can watch Garfield only so many times before you go insane. I am close.
As far as me and Jim. I think I got off with a light case of the stuff in comparison to Jim and Jack, thanks to my flu shot I think. I have a cough and feel lousy but I think that has more to do with having very little sleep and if I could just get a good nights sleep, it would make me feel a lot better. Jim seems to be getting better, but not really. He still has a fever, but is in training all this week for work and can't allow himself to take anytime off.
Oh and my house looks like a hurricane hit it with various medicine bottles strewn all over the kitchen counters and blankets and pillows all over the family room. Ugh.
As far as me and Jim. I think I got off with a light case of the stuff in comparison to Jim and Jack, thanks to my flu shot I think. I have a cough and feel lousy but I think that has more to do with having very little sleep and if I could just get a good nights sleep, it would make me feel a lot better. Jim seems to be getting better, but not really. He still has a fever, but is in training all this week for work and can't allow himself to take anytime off.
Oh and my house looks like a hurricane hit it with various medicine bottles strewn all over the kitchen counters and blankets and pillows all over the family room. Ugh.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Not going to answer the phone anymore
I have decided that answering our home phone is just an invitation to grief. To make a long story short, when we moved our cell phones from AT&T to Sprint, we did it on the very day that our contract was up. I called that day and talked to AT&T and they said that it was okay to end our service without incurring any more charges. Well that was back in September. Lo and behold with no warning or anything we get a letter from a collection agency saying we owe over $600 to AT&T!!! What? I was so mad that Jim decided it best that he called them. Well after a few phone calls here and there and a couple of days, we got it all straightened out. Seems that we still had 8 hours left on our contract and they were charging us for early termination fees. Don't think so. They finally fessed up and said we did not owe anything. However, their sharks, err the collection agency, did not get the memo and are still after us. Calling every single day. Many times a day. And when we do talk to them, they are downright nasty. And we don't even owe the damn thing! We are this close to getting an attorney.
Well anyway, on top of all that, I just got a phone call from yet another collection agency asking for Jim. Again another nasty person on the other end (do they take nasty tests to get the job?) and said that Jim has defaulted on his XXXX credit card. I am all HUH? He mentioned something about owing $4500 and $2800 on two cards. I tell him that I had no idea what he is talking about. He is extremely nasty and says that we HAVE to pay these balances. I am telling him I don't know what he is talking about. We pay our bills. He then asks me if our address is such and such. Um no never lived at that address. Oh is your husband's middle name Wendell? Um that would be NO also. It wasn't even our debt! Just another guy named James Clayton they are trying to find and is going through the white pages for every James Clayton? And treating them like dog poo? At the end, he literally said "I guess I have the wrong number" and hung up! No apology no nothing. No sorry for me thinking my husband went out and ran up two credit cards with no payment. No sorry for the possible divorce! Just "oops wrong number".
I am giving up answering the phone.
Well anyway, on top of all that, I just got a phone call from yet another collection agency asking for Jim. Again another nasty person on the other end (do they take nasty tests to get the job?) and said that Jim has defaulted on his XXXX credit card. I am all HUH? He mentioned something about owing $4500 and $2800 on two cards. I tell him that I had no idea what he is talking about. He is extremely nasty and says that we HAVE to pay these balances. I am telling him I don't know what he is talking about. We pay our bills. He then asks me if our address is such and such. Um no never lived at that address. Oh is your husband's middle name Wendell? Um that would be NO also. It wasn't even our debt! Just another guy named James Clayton they are trying to find and is going through the white pages for every James Clayton? And treating them like dog poo? At the end, he literally said "I guess I have the wrong number" and hung up! No apology no nothing. No sorry for me thinking my husband went out and ran up two credit cards with no payment. No sorry for the possible divorce! Just "oops wrong number".
I am giving up answering the phone.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Our Turn
It seems that Jack decided to share his sickies with his mother and father. I woke up this morning feeling that wonderful achy, chills, fever, with a cough feeling. Jim walked in this morning from working all night and said first thing "you sick too?". Yep both of us got the crud. Joy. Joy.
As for Jack, he hasn't had a fever since late yesterday afternoon when he had a 102.8. He seems to be feeling much better almost back to his energetic self. But with the latest development of Jim and me, it looks like another day of staying in. No church for us today. I figure if this stuff is that contagious, I really shouldn't be spreading it to the entire congregation.
As for Jack, he hasn't had a fever since late yesterday afternoon when he had a 102.8. He seems to be feeling much better almost back to his energetic self. But with the latest development of Jim and me, it looks like another day of staying in. No church for us today. I figure if this stuff is that contagious, I really shouldn't be spreading it to the entire congregation.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Lazy Saturday
We here in the Jackaroo World are having a lazy Saturday. Jack has been sick and we ended up taking him to the ER yesterday because I couldn't get him into see the doctor for two days and they told me to take him to the ER. Thank goodness for free military medical. Long story short, he has the flu, which makes me upset because I tried to get him a flu shot, but they were all out of the peds shots. Hopefully my flu shot sticks and it doesn't spread to me.
But after two doses of antibiotics, the kid is already feeling better and was dancing to the Jonas Brothers on tv this morning. He is supposed to have a soccer game today, but I am obviously not taking him there today. I am kind of relieved that he is not going to be playing because it rained in biblical proportions last night and I can just imagine what that soccer field is like. One huge muddy mess. Yuck.
So now Jack is watching Disney channel, and I am web surfing. The laundry is calling, but it can just keep calling for a bit more I think.
But after two doses of antibiotics, the kid is already feeling better and was dancing to the Jonas Brothers on tv this morning. He is supposed to have a soccer game today, but I am obviously not taking him there today. I am kind of relieved that he is not going to be playing because it rained in biblical proportions last night and I can just imagine what that soccer field is like. One huge muddy mess. Yuck.
So now Jack is watching Disney channel, and I am web surfing. The laundry is calling, but it can just keep calling for a bit more I think.
Thursday, January 08, 2009
Pictures on the Beach
After last year's horrible fiasco with Sears pictures, I decided that this year's family picture would be something different. I met a friend last summer who is an amazing photographer and decided that she was going to do our pictures this year. So today we went to the beach and she took our pictures and they turned out great. She just emailed me a 88 pictures to choose from and now the hard part is choosing which ones I want. I will post them as soon as I get them.
After the pictures, we went to lunch and upon coming home Jack threw up all over the driveway. Nice. So we have a very sick boy with a high fever. Fun times.
But that didn't stop Laura and I from going to get our massages that we scheduled yesterday. It has been like three years since I have had a massage and it felt so good. Much more relaxed to deal with a sick Jack. The key to motherhood might just be more massages!
After the pictures, we went to lunch and upon coming home Jack threw up all over the driveway. Nice. So we have a very sick boy with a high fever. Fun times.
But that didn't stop Laura and I from going to get our massages that we scheduled yesterday. It has been like three years since I have had a massage and it felt so good. Much more relaxed to deal with a sick Jack. The key to motherhood might just be more massages!
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
Disney 2009 Recap
We got back from our Disney World trip last night. It was a whirlwind trip of three days in the parks. We did three parks in three days, exhausting to say the least, but fun.
The big news is that for the first time in 7 trips to Disneyland/world, we did not have to use a stroller! Jack was quite the trooper and walked all over three parks for three days with absolutely no whining. There were times when I wanted to whine about my feet, but he just kept going and going. And what freedom it is to have no stroller to have to worry about it all the time. Loved it.
The other big news is that Jack rode all the big rides that he could. He rode Tower of Terror, Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain and Expedition Everest, which there were many adults who looked at that and said no way. I was very proud of him for getting on despite his fears. And of course, after he got off each ride, he would exclaim "That was totally awesome!". There was one ride that he did not say that however, and it was the Dinosaur ride in the Animal Kingdom. The poor child was terrified of dinosaurs to begin with, but after that ride, he will never even utter the dinosaur word ever again.
We stayed at Shades of Green again and I just have to say that I LOVE that place. We had poolside room where all we had to open up our sliding glass door and walk 30 feet to the pool. It was so nice and the kids took advantage of the pool every single night. I took advantage of the wonderful hot tub next to the pool. Ahhh. Pure Bliss after a long day in the parks.
We had planned to take a couple of years off before going back to Disney, however, just last week, Disney came out with an amazing promotion for retired military that we just can not pass up. Jim gets a free five-day park hopper and we can purchase five 5-day tickets for only $99 each. That is like a savings of over $1000! So just tonight, I made reservations to go back to Shades of Green in June after Laura gets here for the summer. Couldn't pass that deal up at all.
Below are a few of the many pictures I took while there.
Jack and Laura with the Mickey statue in the Shades of Green hotel.
One of the nights in the pool.
On the bus to Hollywood Studios.
The first day was at Hollywood Studios. This show was simply amazing.
Waiting for the parade to start. You should of seen the gooey mess from the melting popsicle that poor Jim had to endure.
We saw the show, Fantasmic, for the first time. I have to say that this was my favorite part in all of Disney. The show is stunning.
The second day we went to the Magic Kingdom. Here is Jack and Laura in the car. Jack was quite a crazy driver.
Jack studying the map figuring out our next move.
We had lunch at the Crystal Palace with the Pooh characters. That is a very nice restaurant, a place we had never been before.
A really pretty picture of the castle. Notice the blue skies. We had absolutely perfect weather everyday with the temp in the high 70's. Perfect.
Another really pretty picture of the castle at night. I do not believe that I have ever seen the castle lit up all diamondy like this before. It was absolutely beautiful. I am still a kid when I see the castle. It is pure magic.
The third day we went to the Animal Kingdom, which was a more laid-back day compared to the Magic Kingdom. That is if you can call waiting in line for 30 minutes to ride Expedition Everest where you plunge down a mountain and go backwards super fast as laid back. But it was all fun. Here we are all dressed in our ponchos about to ride the river rapids ride. Dontcha just love the fashion statement. Cute.
Our last hurrah was the Lion King show, which is spectacular. At the end, they pulled a few kids out of the audience to join them in the grande finale number and Jack was among them. He got quite a kick out of being in the show.
The big news is that for the first time in 7 trips to Disneyland/world, we did not have to use a stroller! Jack was quite the trooper and walked all over three parks for three days with absolutely no whining. There were times when I wanted to whine about my feet, but he just kept going and going. And what freedom it is to have no stroller to have to worry about it all the time. Loved it.
The other big news is that Jack rode all the big rides that he could. He rode Tower of Terror, Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain and Expedition Everest, which there were many adults who looked at that and said no way. I was very proud of him for getting on despite his fears. And of course, after he got off each ride, he would exclaim "That was totally awesome!". There was one ride that he did not say that however, and it was the Dinosaur ride in the Animal Kingdom. The poor child was terrified of dinosaurs to begin with, but after that ride, he will never even utter the dinosaur word ever again.
We stayed at Shades of Green again and I just have to say that I LOVE that place. We had poolside room where all we had to open up our sliding glass door and walk 30 feet to the pool. It was so nice and the kids took advantage of the pool every single night. I took advantage of the wonderful hot tub next to the pool. Ahhh. Pure Bliss after a long day in the parks.
We had planned to take a couple of years off before going back to Disney, however, just last week, Disney came out with an amazing promotion for retired military that we just can not pass up. Jim gets a free five-day park hopper and we can purchase five 5-day tickets for only $99 each. That is like a savings of over $1000! So just tonight, I made reservations to go back to Shades of Green in June after Laura gets here for the summer. Couldn't pass that deal up at all.
Below are a few of the many pictures I took while there.
Jack and Laura with the Mickey statue in the Shades of Green hotel.
One of the nights in the pool.
On the bus to Hollywood Studios.
The first day was at Hollywood Studios. This show was simply amazing.
Waiting for the parade to start. You should of seen the gooey mess from the melting popsicle that poor Jim had to endure.
We saw the show, Fantasmic, for the first time. I have to say that this was my favorite part in all of Disney. The show is stunning.
The second day we went to the Magic Kingdom. Here is Jack and Laura in the car. Jack was quite a crazy driver.
Jack studying the map figuring out our next move.
We had lunch at the Crystal Palace with the Pooh characters. That is a very nice restaurant, a place we had never been before.
A really pretty picture of the castle. Notice the blue skies. We had absolutely perfect weather everyday with the temp in the high 70's. Perfect.
Another really pretty picture of the castle at night. I do not believe that I have ever seen the castle lit up all diamondy like this before. It was absolutely beautiful. I am still a kid when I see the castle. It is pure magic.
The third day we went to the Animal Kingdom, which was a more laid-back day compared to the Magic Kingdom. That is if you can call waiting in line for 30 minutes to ride Expedition Everest where you plunge down a mountain and go backwards super fast as laid back. But it was all fun. Here we are all dressed in our ponchos about to ride the river rapids ride. Dontcha just love the fashion statement. Cute.
Our last hurrah was the Lion King show, which is spectacular. At the end, they pulled a few kids out of the audience to join them in the grande finale number and Jack was among them. He got quite a kick out of being in the show.
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