Five fabulous days with my children

The end of five fabulous family days.

I was able to have one on one time with each of the kids over the past five days. Time actually with Michelle, Mandie and their children as well. It is so important to spend quality time with the ones we love. Time not watching TV, or caught up in commercial items. I needed to catch up on where each are in their personal lives, who has relationship issues or inside questions that moms are suppose to know and help direct through life. Keirsten is experimenting with the first time vocalizing having a "boy friend" although it is not supported through me as of yet. Having a male friend at school "you lay claim" on as "my boyfriend" is all it is today. Dating comes with maturity. Today we work on all relationships; sibling, girlfriends and ok we will start the boy friend talks. Responsibility talk was a couple years ago and at that time boys were yuck! From then sexuality is open conversation here. Kaitlyn as you read is exploring expressing her choice and opinions.. yikes this is untraveled water for me... I just thought it wasn't possible she would have a view which was not mine first...not mine at all... really I thought she would go with whatever made mom happy. Steven is moving into the pre-teen clothes conscious kid. He wants a lap top for Christmas and has expressed the fisher price style as long as it looks like a real lap top is all good.. see I have a couple more mom power years with him.. His interest in girls is minimal; Emily...and I have no idea who Emily is yet. Then I have Jordan who the more I give my time to, he wants more.. Cutting that cord seems like a hard job I haven't faced yet. Tressa, she is the fireball right now. She talks up a storm and has so much insight..and EARS that have not one problem... sonar hearing. It catches me off track when I feel comfortable talking pig Latin about "Santa" and she is right there, ears wide open and so quiet you forget she is there taking it all in. She has so much to say and so funny. DRAMA school is in her future. Lucas, wow! anyone who knew him would be impressed with his growth. Facial front eye to eye conversation (no words) but you know what he is saying and he understands EVERYTHING now. He is a very smart boy. He runs for kisses, knows how to enlist others to play, how to join in play and most of all doing all the normal boy things to get into trouble (good trouble) showing he is picking up the normal testing limits as an American boy... The past five days were needed because the next five weeks will be full of appointments, activities and holiday hustle and bustle. God bless all the children waiting for families through the holidays. Please if any of you are thinking about adoption go to www.reecesrainbow.com to view waiting children. Many children in the US wait as well.

reality rocked me today

Tressa and I went to the store to get her glasses adjusted one last time for school tomorrow. We grabbed a couple items from the near by grocery store and headed back to the van. As we were exiting the store a little boy about her age said "look how fat that girl is" The Mother hit the boy up side his head and we walked on. Once outside, Tressa said to me; "Did you hear what that boy said to me?" I asked her what he said, "He said mean words to me" I was in a place I was prepared to be at that moment. SHE IS SEVEN..... I said; Oh I think he said something about his mom because I saw her hit him upside his head for saying something. Tressa then goes on to tell me that kids in her class say the same mean words. She said one boy moved his seat to not sit by her. My heart broke and out of no where I said...Would you like to just stay home with me so people wouldn't say mean things to you???? If I could have taken those back and said something with more wisdom I wish I may I wish I might I wish I hadn't said that tonight...LOL Really it isn't the answer... I told her it isn't nice for people to Say anything bad to others if they hurt their feeling. Some times kids just do not have manners. She said she loves school very much and soon she will be a teenager..not sure where she was going with it...but the subject was getting lighter. I asked her if she wanted me to work harder with her on her diet? She didn't say much more, just talked about other subjects... She is seven years old for heavens sake. I never thought this would start in first grade. I think maybe I need to make extra effort to dress her in upscale outfits other kids will wish they had and over look she might be a bit heavier than the average although she isn't the heaviest child I have seen on campus... I am struggling with this at such a young age. LOOK YOUR BEST is going to be my motto for her.. then she will feel her best. She has great self esteem and if we focus on keeping that high we can get through these moments by talking... now I need to get prepared for these type incidences.

Now I need to find some great places to shop for her.... More focus at Ross I think. Jr petite stlye.

It was a mom and Kaitlyn afternoon. She went to Ross and picked out a dress...and the outfit you see in the picture (skirt/top/leggings) Ask me (YUCK) she loved it! Said it is just like Hope's from school.... Mandie said she is going to fit right in on Monday and be a cool girl. OK, then a dress for the party...Oh please.... I BEGGED her to like this sleek red dress that looked sleek on her... she was stuck on this black and white dress that hugs the thigh and scoops at the neck to the point it had to have a tube bra under it to not expose her breasts.... The clerk said this is how it works..so why didn't the dress just attach a dickie????????? isn't that from my day?????

The clerk had no idea what a dickie was. Once the clothes were figured we went to the toy isle to have Kaitlyn do her shopping. A book for Steven, a stacker for Lucas, and some cars for Jordan...as we stumbled upon dinosaurs to make and paint she was ready to buy something for Kaitlyn...lol (herself) She informed me how much Kaitlyn loves Dinosaurs and NEEDS to buy this. She chose a Bratz doll for Tressa and Shhhh she has a ------- for Keirsten. (Keirsten reads this blog!) Everything at Ross was so reasonable.

So I bought the red dress AND the B & W dress... once we got home Mandie hoot & hollered over the beautiful sophisticated red dress and said "oh perfect for the party".... and Kaitlyn fell hook line and sinker. SCORE! Red dress for the party. B & W dress she is going to wear to school and to the kids play night. TEENAGERS..... gotta love them! I had hoped with her having Down syndrome I would be able to play the mom card through these years.....I am wrong again.
We are having a family portrait done at the party is why we are working on coordinating outfits for the party. The photographer is going to do one for free!! Yeah! We need a good picture with Lucas in it with us.

Cool Kaitlyn

It is cooking.....smells so good

Fresh Turkey vegetable soup. The fresh home grown vegetables..

How many were like Oh my gosh! No they are not from our garden this time, too soon. My parents grow a garden as do friends who brought us these for Thanksgiving. Mandie comes tomorrow and is looking forward to our soup.

Florida home grown fresh veggies

Lazy day after...

The kids get up so darn early...... the little ones.

We used to push it back to 8 am ( stay in your rooms until 8 am house rule)...what happened to that?? I try my darnedest to hold them until 7 am now. Kaitlyn and Keirsten would sleep until 2 PM if left alone (most weekends.)

Actually Kaitlyn got up just before lunch and seemed upset that she isn't getting breakfast "FIRST" she came running out to the kitchen when I announced that lunch would be ready in five minutes that she didn't have breakfast. Breakfast is first mom; she said. I had her look at the clock and explained breakfast was hours ago... it is lunch time.

No crazy shopping for me this year. I had laps of anxiety feeling I missed a great deal somewhere. I hopped on to the computer a couple of times, sent things to the "shopping basket" walked away and when I came back they didn't seem important today. I need to focus on getting the life insurance paid and the van insurance and this month is new tag/title renewed...not fun to land in December each year. SO the three pack of High School musical Barbies didn't seem the important purchase today, I tried hard to get the dual pack of Guitar hero III Wii for their big gift but it just didn't happen...(SOLD OUT) was the theme.

Yesterday in conversation Keirsten stated this year it is different . When we need to buy like a new pair of tennis shoes we have to save and think about it, plan for a purchase like tennis shoes... I think she is getting it??? NO MORE CREDIT CARDS/ NO MORE EQUITY LOSS IN OUR HOME! We live with in our means. It is much easier said, than living, when the kids were use to never hearing; "Not today."

Time to turn my attention to the kids. Have a wonderful weekend.

Thanks for this giving day...Friends & Family

A 22lb Turkey
5 boxes of stove top stuffing plus fixins'
10 lbs of potatoes mashed
six packets of gravy with drippings
3 lbs rutabagas smashed
Yams candied
4 lg acorn squash baked tender
4 bags green beans made into yummy casserole w/ cheese
3/4 gallon of home made salsa & chips
6 2ltrs of soda, 2 qt tea, coffee, 3 boxes juices and 2 gal milk
2 pumpkin pies
apple pie
chocolate pie
key lime pie and two containers of cool whip.

and when all that is gone........which is now! Happy Thanksgiving.

It is bath time......relax time and then mommy's time....

My gift now is that......Michelle left a nearly full jar of cranberry juice. I have an unopened can of pineapple juice and Connie brought a bottle of rum for house warming.......and the three lead to MY FAVORITE BEVERAGE!!!!!!

God bless everyone, it has been a wonderful day....Good night.

Look new clothes for the holidays sz 5!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

It is going to be a very busy day in our household which I hope to capture in photos. My parents, most all my children and their children along with close friends will be here to share an active day and meal. We have the bird ready to go into the oven, acorn squash cooked, pies made; apple, pumpkin and key lime and sugar substitute chocolate cream. The green bean casserole is prepared and ready to go into the oven, potatoes and gravy will be done in the morning along with stuffing, rutabagas and yams. Lots and lots of finger food, chips, cheese and home made salsa are out in the kitchen. We have the Wii game ready to test every one's abilities in many areas...music, sports and cheer leading. We have a few other surprises as well. Mandie and Michelle were here all day preparing the food, helping the kids clean their rooms and gathering the extra chairs and tables for added seating. We all sit together for our Thanksgiving meal..

From our family to yours; HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Boys clean their room for company

Swallow study shows normal little boy

At the hospital waiting his turn to drink/eat on x-ray view.

Some mornings you just do not wish to face......

This was one of them. Tressa was up in the middle of the night "bored" and looking for something to do... She said it was "so funny" when "the letters popped off your laptop mom" then proceeded to tell me "I laughed so much"

Needless to say I was not laughing. She lost her life cereal choice for breakfast. I just wasn't prepared to deal with this... She has lost her favorite toys for the weekend... No remorse at all....HELP!

The keys were hidden and the laptop closed so that would tell me she knew it was wrong????

My schedule has taken a nose dive

The morning has set the day into a tail spin.

We got to the orthopedic surgeon on time, Jordan's arm is not healing. The break looks the same. The bone is not healing according to the time frame bone is suppose to form new bone naturally after a break. I made a "funny" stating his bones must also have Down syndrome.... he didn't get it??? (takes a little longer) maybe later in the day he got it??? The Doctor asked me how he would do in a temp cast, one that would be able to be removed, to allow the arm/elbow to move about.. I explained it might be on a total of five minutes a day if it is, CHOICE. The eye path is one of the toughest medical treatments next to him wearing/refusing to wear glasses I have had to deal with. Nothing more than his cooperation. He can not stand the work it takes to use his weak eye. My vision, if the real cast is not placed on him, is that we get home and with in 24 hours we have a more severe break. I was informed that 2 more weeks is max for the cast because at that point it is dangerous for the arm/elbow to be immobile for so long. The break was October 12th and it is November 25th with no use of the elbow/muscles all that time. Jordan chose purple this time for his cast color, it went to red and blue but when the final decision was asked he said purple.... I had hoped for green since he is a "tree" in the school play..LOL practical mom thinking.

Tressa had a great day, she received a beautiful pen with fiber optic pink spoofing out the top... from the treasure chest for good behavior...YEAH TRESSA.
I have to blog on her practice for her part in the school Holiday play which will be Dec. 9th. She has 2 lines..(assigned to her) and then four songs to learn. I had to get a copy of the CD because it was hard to help teach songs when you don't know the tune. The kids' school is great about things like that. Well, it was obvious we need a lot of practice. Jordan belts outs LOUD sounds (not in tune)..Tressa squeals words at her rate..With a little help we will have it down by play night. Tressa just needs to be confident in the words to keep up and I need to cut about 3 words off each sentence for Jordan to sing words not sounds. Focus on the first and last word to say properly. This will be a fun experiment. I will try to do a video on the blog.

I am wide awake... and see the time it is... Michelle stopped by to take the kids out for dinner. Denny's (kids eat free on Tuesdays.) So they get to practice ordering and requesting. It is getting much better, their voices are louder, their requests are understood and they are requesting refills to the point it is almost too often. Tressa did well with choices and remained calm with the entire meal. I need to figure a way to slow her down. She eats way too fast. Maybe teach her to count between bites?? Maybe she can ask each person how their day was before taking the next bite? She loves to talk! That just might work...

I fell asleep at 7:30 pm and need to do final close of the housekeeping. Mandie comes in the morning (no school) and I have Lucas in the hospital for a swallow study to get speech services rolling. He gags on food not soft or through the processor and they want to be sure nothing medical is going on before they push on with oral therapy at school. I watch him..I lay the money on LAZY! He is just like Steven when it comes to food. Easiest road to take. enter the mouth and swallow....chewing takes energy... working muscles they don't want to work at... Muscles you and I don't even think about using. It seems odd when he is a thumb sucker, I would think that uses those muscles but I guess they are not the same ones.

until tomorrow.. Sleep.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOSHUA.. the big Two Zero

Happy Birthday to you... Happy Birthday to you...Happy 20th, YEP! 20th Birthday Joshua, Happy Birthday to you! We love and wish you great success in your 20th year of living, IN THE FREEZING COLD!!! LOL Happy Birthday from Sunny SW Florida family.



An early morning it was....
I woke very early 4 ish and fell back asleep. It caught me off guard and I thought the alarm failed. I jump out of bed at what I thought was 6:10 am and race to get lights on, waking children quickly as I would only have ten minutes to get everyone dressed, lunches made and prepared for buses to arrive.. I am racing, making lunches in record speed. Rushing Tressa through morning bathroom, dressing and getting Lucas out of bed dressed with out him opening both eyes.. I have a Doctors appointment I can not miss this bus... It would set my day off. Whey! we made it. No bus, and they are all ready. I open the door and inform the children when the bus comes we need to get right on; no dilly dally as it is running late.... I then begin to worry we might have really missed it...Hmmm.. it does appear rather dark outside. The moon is still up.. Yes, we are on the drive way to speed up loading on to the bus.. (looking at the moon) Wow, the bus isn't here still...... I go back into the house PUT ON MY GLASSES and we are outside at 5 AM!!!!!!!! the bus comes at 6:28 am. I go get the kids, we go back inside, put on coffee and read the kids a book. Tressa tells me she has a head ache... Lucas is a grump... so I make a little breakfast snack and drink. I read a nice holiday story and they are resting until the bus comes. The next five days of sleeping in (7 am ish) and enoying our time non stress will be great!

Thankful for all we have

I have reached the max on the holiday party. We have over 200 signed up guests, using the law of average on how many will no show because of unforeseen issues like illness. The list of gifts have been sent into the fire station and the donations for food are coming together. The hall is paid and insurance was covered by a dear friend. Christmas, the time to give when you can and share what you are able. I am cash poor but full of giving of myself, my talents and time. MY HEART!

I can tell you I have talked to over 60 families in the last weeks and each family has a story. Most are getting by; feeling the recession in some form. Very few are fortunate to not be feeling the hurt. Then there are the few that just make you so thankful for what you have. The families who have the bread winner out of work unexpectedly. They are loosing their homes, or have lost them. Their electric is off and they have no phone. They are in such dire straights that asking what their child wants from Santa seems almost inhumane. BUT, they are quick to answer for their child and they have a direct answer and most say they will be easy to please.

I had one family which was almost to the point I thought it was a prank call. The women would have been the actress of the year as I felt her pain so deeply. The sorrow that has come upon her family in the last 18 months is just incomprehensible, something most of us wouldn't live through in a life time and this family has had it happen in 18 months. Mom's life is terminal due to brain cancer and her five children have varied degrees of disabilities, one with leukemia and their Father passed away 18 months ago and their grandfather who helped role model passed this past year. Pray for this Cape Coral family as they need lifting through these very tough days. they will share in our Holiday party to have a moment of peace and fellowship.

God bless all those hurting at this time and may the new year bring peace and happiness in our country.

Hangers lots and lots of hangers.......LOL

THANKSGIVING LUNCH W/ STEVEN

I am off to Steven's classroom for their feast. It is a "Buddie" program Steven's teacher has advocated to be involved in. It is bringing gen ed students and kids with special needs together throughout the school day for friendships. Today the parents on each of the "Buddies" will meet.

I have been to many trainings on this program and have not yet seen it work locally. It is exciting to see the beginning. I just wish it was NATURAL for our country to just be inclusive... a shame we have to create situations but HEY it is a start.

Tomorrow is cast off and redo the x-rays for decisions on if Jordan will need surgery. I am praying the bone has healed for all our sakes.

The morning has been one hand bleach bottle spray and the other a rag.. I washed baseboards and got that grimy part of the refrigerator on the bottom off and bleach white clean. mirrors are Windex and now off to a prepared lunch.. camera is in my purse.

If you hear hesitation...... this is no secret that I resist this classroom setting and it is difficult for me (life skills) I am in denial that I even have a child in this setting although for all the reasons he is there I am OK and confused on how I should deal with it.. It goes against everything inside my heart....but this is about him. A discussion I will postpone until a later time. Today i am going to celebrate all we have, all this school and teacher have done for him and the fact that this new program is starting because this teacher really is trying.

Yes in a pull up..

Hey he has something on.

Remember the days..

sensory issues!

Sunday mornings

It is wonderful outside this time of year. The kids woke up all extra early like their usual weekend morning is. By 8 am breakfast if over and they are outside playing before the sun is completely up. Our home faces to the east so the back can be a bit chilly in the shade of early morning. I sit on the back porch sipping hot coffee watching the kids play, rocking in a comfy chair. Steven is a sand box box. He can sit and pour sand for an entire day is left to do so. With a little encouragement he moves to the swings, with one eye on the items he has in the sand pile to pour to be sure no one runs off with his items. Kaitlyn is Mother Hen to Lucas trying to get him to d this and do that..He is frustrated and runs from her after time. He would love to be left to his own meandering about the back yard searching for what ever comes his way. Kaitlyn then moves to jumping on the trampoline with her ipod on and Jordan drives about the Yard in his 4X4 truck offering rides to siblings and some make believe friends. He is busy in charge of his early morning life. Tressa is not my outdoors girl much of the time. She has planted herself with a container of new play-do. She loves to make and create things with her skills and imagination. I see many OT skills improving; her hand strength as she squeezed the dough through a cylinder making a long roll, then cutting it with plastic scissors into smaller logs. She then is rolling the parts into flat pieces and using cutters to make bears and putting into a box... making gifts she said. All peaceful on a Sunday morning. One thought you will not hear me mention much is it is these moments I wish I had a partner to share this with. Seems almost romantic to me.. I am aware many men do not enjoy parenting as much as I do.

It is the Sunday before Thanksgiving which is not a stress for me, even knowing 24 people are coming over. I only worry about getting the house "clean" my kind of clean. With the grown kids helping out with making dinner these days, Thanksgiving is not so overwhelming as when they were all small. My mind is stressed about the month of December and making Christmas here for some very Americanized children understand what a recession means; to the spirit of receiving. I am not worried too much about many of the kids here. Some, I am sure I could re-wrap their toys they haven't played with in time and they would equally excited. I am sure the worry I put on myself is for not. My focus this year is on educating about greed and how our economy got us where we are. This is where my mind is this morning and most likely from the TV left on overnight, hearing the infomercials about feed the children here in the US /as my mind was awakened today. The thought that children in the US can be starving and in the same country several jets were flown to Washington DC to be be there for hand outs for our tax dollars at 20K jet travel each makes me ill. I hope people respond to this act and send emails, letters, protest to the greed and wake up AMERICA, I do not expect every person to go to the extent I have to help society. I pray they do something. My family knows that greedy kids get what??? NOTHING!

A productive day

We started off in the house with a hot breakfast and cartoons until about 11 am. Outside to clean up the yard and weed out anything not working, no longer used or plain old out grown. The boys are notorious about getting into the shed and dragging items out. All is put away, the yard picked up and the back patio clean. We got rid of all the excess and made notes to what we need to get....#1: A basketball hoop. Our last one rusted through and broke. The kids miss it and tend to throw their basketball on to the roof of the shed or house. This begins the who can throw what farther..and many items are on the roof of the house. Lunch with Hot Chocolate, short rest period and free play. Some jumping on the trampoline, others swing and the little ones nap (mom too.)
Keirsten searched the web for a holiday dress to wear to the party 12/19 (child support in and burning a hole in her pocket, whopping $40.00 for four kids every other week!!) (I know better than nothing) We found some deals although not trying it on might bring a time issue. Keirsten, Jordan and I ran up to shop at Ross for a holiday dress for Keirsten. She found a beautiful party dress for $16.00, which she will be able to wear to the 8th grade dance as well. It is very pretty on her. The boys each got Polo's similar to one another, I will pick up slacks to match before the party. Two more weeks for CS again.. Baths, bedtime routine complete and meds are taken... off to the family room.
Alvin and the chipmunk's on tonight so movie night and early to bed as we are all struggling with cough/cold season.

Are you one in a hundred that can read this?

Cdnuo​lt blvei​ee taht I cluod​ aulac​lty uesdn​atnrd​ waht I was rdani​eg.​ The phaon​mneal​ pweor​ of the hmuan​ mnid,​ aoccd​rnig to a rsche​earch​ at Cmabr​igde Uiner​vtisy​,​ it dseno​’t mtaet​r in waht oerdr​ the ltter​es in a wrod are, the olny iproa​mtnt tihng​ is taht the frsit​ and lsat lttee​r be in the rghit​ pclae​.​ The rset can be a taotl​ mses and you can sitll​ raed it whotu​it a pboer​lm.​ Tihs is bcuse​ae the huamn​ mnid deos not raed ervey​ ltete​r by istle​f,​ but the wrod as a wlohe​.​ Azanm​ig huh? Yaeh and I awlya​s tghuh​ot slpel​ing was ipmor​antt!​ If you can raed tihs rpsoe​t it.

Animal control and School Bus!!!!!!

OMG


I look out the front window... Animal control has pulled up.....HERE COMES THE BUS!!!

The bus driver is so smart! He slows down and does an extra turn about.... The animal catcher needs me to identify the dog. I rush to the van, yep that's him. The dog is going to be adopted by a family who can take him and the bus driver comes up with the Dog catcher willing to leave right away.

Everything went smooth. The kids know the Dog is going to be adopted and have a new mom and dad with children of his own. No drama.....all went well, good reports from school!

Ayden and Grandma went to pick up a couple things

A couple things...

That's it.....

Kaitlyn and her ipod

Kaitlyn's new ipod is loaded with hip hop music and some oldies... It is hysterical because she can not help herself from singing and moving to the music that none of us can hear. She was waiting for her bus at the end of the drive way this morning and all the neighbors walking and riding by were taking second and third looks for the "noise." This would be Kaitlyn's version of singing... She can not hold a tune nor express the words in expressive articulation one would be able to understand... Not to seem mean, but the sounds are like groans of real pain at the same time her body is showing signs of enjoyment in dance.

I SAID HYSTERICAL!

Yesterday ended exhausting... My 14 almost, 15 year old "typical" so they call her; some even say "normal" child, who actually has serous ADHD hidden under her beauty....

yesterday was a day of doctors appointments, with my morning starting off odd because Jordan was not himself. I forgot morning meds which then set Tressa off as soon as she realized (a block from the house on the morning bus ride) I get a call from the school clinic, I will be on my way with not only hers, but Jordan's medication.

At school I learn Jordan is not acting himself at school either. The normal things he prefers to do, he is resisting.. I take him with me for his annual physical, pick up Kaitlyn for her physical and head to the doctor. Jordan goes into infantile mode. He will not obey for anything. He won't get weighed, doesn't want to stand, sucking his thumb...ALL VERY ODD! It is a three hour span of waiting, working with the staff, getting all the tests run, getting through the two physicals...I need to get him home.. more meds to fill for annual treatment of allergies. We get home, feed Jordan and things start to mello.

5pm:
That almost 15 year old comes barreling into the house WITH A DOG!!!! Yep, when she got off the bus and walked home; some nice man stopped her and asked her if she would like this BIG puppy.... he even gave her dog treats to be sure the dog would follow her. AND AT MY FRONT DOOR HE (DOG) ENTERS. Keirsten is squealing with excitement. Thank goodness Barbie, the behavioral specialist, and Mandie, my in home support help, were in the house at the time... The mature adults all quickly squashed any idea of this dog joining our family. THANK YOU!

Now, how do you take a dog back in front of six very excited children, who for a split moment thought they had a dog. I now learn that the nice man was a neighbor to people who moved out of state and left this dog behind... we really have no one to take this dog back to but the nice man whom we have really no idea where he lives because he wasn't at a house when this all went down... so the story goes from the 15 year old.

Now, my bigger concern is after 12 years of stranger danger preaching...MY 15 YEARS OLD; what the heck is she talking to a strange man, taking a dog AND DOG TREATS, from a total stranger.

The dog is not leaving on his own, this is becoming more and more obvious. The kids are trying to get him a drink and food...NO NO NO. This is getting all the children very active and running out the front door. Jordan wants to repeat the good byes over and over, now instructing the dog to go home. "Go home dog!" In time we get everything back on track, bathes and bedtime routine and to sleep... I leave the dog in hopes someone will choose him to be part of their family overnight. Calling the dog police seem cruel since I know they are over crowded already.

Question: What is better than an alarm clock????? A BARKING DOG!

Jordan jumped out of bed and ran to the window, was dressed in record time.

Don't get me wrong, I love dogs and the smiles I see on my children's faces enjoying this dog dog. BUT, reality is, they do not follow through on the care of pets, that would be left on me. I am not in that place right now so not fair to a pet. I know this breedof dog is not any breed I would want for my children. I do not have the energy to train a puppy....and many more reason; We go on mini vacations a lot and this would be another responsibility we just do not need on our plate. So we will allow dogs to visit...but not live here.

Hhhhhhoooooot! Hot.

Aydie baby pudden pie..... this is what the kids sing when he comes over. My miracle grandson (16 mos old) who now spends time with me during the day is learning more and more words... His visits remind me of not leaving coffee on the table, putting things that mean a lot to up higher than he can reach. and we again have outlet plugs in ALL the outlets. Boys, they are the best!

PWS parenting-partnering with others

I called the school. Tressa's Principle is out for the day in a training so I am going to speak to Mrs....the assistant principle whom Tressa stole from. I have not had a lot of contact with this asst. so not sure how it will go. I explain Tressa's actions and she responds with no emotion that she was unaware it was missing. That some one had given it to her and she meant to put it into her drawer. She went on to say Tressa was not in her room for anything bad. That the school play they are all gearing up for gets to be to long for Tressa and so when her piece is done she hangs out with the asst principle in her office and office area.... It was light and she asked me if the chocolates hurt Tressa.?????????????????????????????????????? I informed her they are gone. I went into explanation on how much we do to PREVENT and part of this is areas Tressa is aloud to enter are secure. Yes, we have mishaps and at that point we readjust our preventions. It as clear the Principle has not shared his insight on this disability to his upper staff to the extent they need to be aware. I will have him deal with his staff as HE KNOWS WHERE I COULD GO WITH THIS. I am sure he understands it is serous enough to call it putting her life in danger. NEGLECT?? possible so we need to educate and pre-think . This is the red flag that "enough" is not in place at school.

UP CLOSE: A MOTHER'S VIEW

giving away a copy of UP CLOSE: A MOTHER'S VIEW

An adoptive family with children whom have Down syndrome and two they adopted international live just north of where we live are offering this book as a drawing if you would like to enter please visit their blog.

www.cornishadoptionjourney.blogspot.com

It is venting time.................................

What else...SCHOOLS

I really truly know the depth of concentration one must have to deal with my children...I am their Mother. I am one, not a system so I do know them all much better to do preventive measures BUT...........


My day started (last night) when Kaitlyn got off the school bus without her brand new clarinet.. She claims that a girl (my friend) took her clarinet in math class. I asked her where it is and she said her friend took it... I call the school and no one is there.. #1 concern is that the administration leaves their post before all the children are home??? I do not feel that is safe.

I call the school this morning to inform them Kaitlyn came home with out her clarinet and she states it is in her math class or someone took it who is in her math class. I hold while the front office checks with the teachers opening their classrooms. No one can find it. The band instructor verifies it is two days old and he seems very saddened. The front office staff inform me that she should keep a better hold on it as it is so small anyone could steal it by putting it into their back pack. I inform her that Kaitlyn has a para professional and that any time she transitions on campus she is supervised for safety.... HELLO!! Again she says yes but this instrument is so small it could be put into a book bag.. I am not feeling any easier.. I inform her that we are at the Doctors office and will be on campus soon. I inform Kaitlyn she is going to play the trombone from here on..LOL ( I AM KIDDING)

I stop at Toys R Us to exchange Kaitlyn's ipod which will not load music or play properly. I have had the receipt in my purse for days and it is not there.. I take about a dozen deep breaths and say a prayer that things will not push me over the top in exchenging this ipod right now as I am not settled on the clarinet. My mind envisions kids doing all sort of things to Kaitlyn on campus if they would steal her clarinet..I am letting this rise inside me from all the past uneasy feelings I have had since she entered middle school... and this clarinet is really the glue holding me together to keep her in public school (middle school) so the meaning is HIGH PRIORITY.

So we go into the store and this very very nice man takes everything so gently and Kaitlyn explains it doesn't work and the two of them so nicely exchange the ipod for a new and off we go.

I am driving to the school feeling the blood boil. Why am I doing this I am asking myself??? I call a parent liaison with the school system to help calm myself and possibly get her help so we can retrace Kaitlyn's tracks and find the clarinet. I just do not in my heart believe some one would steal her clarinet... (not that her PSP wasn't stolen at breakfast last year) that is a more desired item. So I vent into an answering machine..It helped. I call a friend and stay calm driving to the school. I have vision of pulling Kaitlyn out,....I know a Valium would have been good at this point but I will not resort to medication...I can see Kaitlyn is more distraught than I which keeps me on edge.

I take again deep breaths and enter the school... There sits her clarinet waiting for her arrival..YEAH! The front office staff request her to not leave it any where and keep hold of it. I request it be placed into her book bag after today. I feel OK, and go home.... the day is progressing with lots of dirty tasks getting completed..PILES of stuff needing to be gone through sorted thrown out or put away..chaching...one pile down...two piles down..I am on a roll... It is time for me to put things away for the kids to come home.. I put dinner into the oven, help Steven with homework and lock up the kitchen for the 3 little ones arrival. They are home. Home work to the table, Tressa has only one sad face on her paper (daily report) and wishes to negotiate the TV time.. (no TV with sad faces) but she wants me to know it was a little tiny sad face. SHE KICKED HER TEACHER..little tiny sad face my--- so she is keeping her distance from me and telling me all kinds of nice things about the decorations I have put up for Thanksgiving..even told me I looked nice today..( I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN) She agrees to play in her room with no TV, without a fuss. I check on her and she is not there.. She has gone into the boys room and turned on the TV for "Lucas" just being a helpful big sister.... and she returns to her room. I am patching Jordan's eye and helping him with home work...NOT PLEASANT. Something tells me to check on her again..LUCAS' book bag is on her bed with left over lunch containers he didn't eat. she has them opened but doesn't appear she have eaten anything, YUCK.... so She says she is sorry, I tell her how dangerous it is to eat things not kept refrigerated. Checked dinner and something told me to check on her again....

SHE HAS A TIN BOX OF GODIVA CHOCOLATES!!!! milk Chocolate pearls! (EMPTY) I am livid. Who gave you that? Mrs......, her assistant principle..I said what was in it? (I am thinking maybe she wasn't thinking and gave it to her for an empty container) + (not a wise decision either) Tressa clearly says, REALLY GOOD CHOCOLATE.....................where there a little or a lot...She clearly says A LOT and so I ask, Does Mrs... know you have this? NO she relays. I ask her how did she get Mrs. .... Chocolates? I got them when she was talking to Mr. ...another assistant principle... and so I ask her what the two were talking about? Tressa replies; How much they miss Kaitlyn. I call the school and none of the administration is still on campus, I left a message to be called first thing in the am... Going back to Tressa she informs me when she cries in class she goes to Mrs...office.

This is all settled and Kaitlyn gets off the bus with no clarinet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LUCAS age 5

Cute

Both Kaitlyn and Tressa wear these for sleep..I brought them home from my trip to Russia and it seems they have really taken to them. Breeding High Maintenance girls???

My morning routine. Five am to Five thirty Tressa wakes up for the day needing to rinse herself from an overnight pull up. Even if she empties herself before bed she wets and many nights #2. Once she is in the tub, I start their lunches and Lucas' breakfast which all get made and packed for school. This morning Jordan woke up which is not usual and he said he needs a snack. This starts the balance of our routine shifting. Tressa hears and wants her grapefruit for a snack. (She got a grapefruit from the tree last night) I quickly get kitchen duty over to lock up. The morning medications are complete the deadbolt is locked..Hench, Jordan's "snack" locked inside and he is not mentioning anything,,,, He must not have been that hungry. He is really packing on weight now at the age of 8 when he has been skin and bones up until this point. I remember the Doc telling me I needed cookie parties before bed to get weight on him..

On to getting teeth brushed and clothes on.. We use to get clothes on first then I would change half of them for having tooth paste on their shirts. So once their faces are washed teeth brushed potty over and ready to get dressed we are like robots... one at a time assembly line they do as much as they can (some of them) and I finish by tightening shoe laces, adjusting pants, checking belts, then to their hair. Tressa HATES HATES HATES to have her hair brushed. I mean it sounds like she is being tortured which sets others into stress so I try very hard to have her hair as much done the night before after her shower. Some times I braid it into small sections which last 2 days. It is a nightmare to deal with. Lucas and Jordan are easy and Steven can manage his own morning care although leaning over him during piano this morning his hair smelled like outside and sweat... Sorry teachers..the bus was coming so we sprayed with body fresh after shower... Hope that didn't make it worse. He also is just getting use to wearing deodorant every day and many I think he misses. He is 11 but needs the protection.

Once the bus comes 6:45 the three little ones are off and Steven starts his piano. (He is not into it) Kaitlyn jumped on first today and he thought he was getting out of practice. Actually Steven would love it is I just let him play in the water and sand his entire life and not seek anything from him.. Well not true, he enjoys his "chores" It is rewarding to him to have responsibility. He cleans his room, takes out the garbage everyday and out to the road and back for pick up. I want to get him recycling next. I remember when he was little his chore was to turn off the lights in rooms no one was in. Took it serous. Lucas has that chore now and keeping the garbage can lid shut. He seeks it when he enters rooms. Lucas doesn't have the whole concept people in the room and not yet, it will come. Light are off a lot.. it is getting dark early now so it has become annoying although I told the kids the response he gets, reinforces his action. He turns off the light, they are scream.... He laughs and runs off only to return and turn the light off again.

With the three gone, Steven's bus comes about 7 am, use to be 15 after but now it is earlier. Keirsten is tough to wake up now and I put coffee on for the smell can help rise her. She gets herself ready for school with some morning on target and others... She does not see the importance in taking her ADHD medication although admits her life is out of control when she does not take it.. Has trouble with her mind she says. OK, then help me out at almost 15 why would the two not connect... on medication things go better, off medications out of control.. This is a pit fall in some morning between her and I. She doesn't want me to watch her take it like a little girl but if I don't she goes out into the kitchen, gets distracted and "forgets" to take it and then off the bus 5 days for acting up in the morning, out of school for disrespect verses perfect reports when on medication.... HELP!

Kaitlyn who is 14 is primping herself in the bathroom during this time and many days packing her book bag with things that SHOULD NOT GO TO SCHOOL. I have to be very careful about her packing. Some calls from school have been extremely embarrassing.

Keirsten leaves for her bus at 8 and Kaitlyn's bus comes at 8:45. She has ample time to practice piano and clarinet.

9:00 am I am in front of the washing machine, dishwasher, bathrooms etc with a cup of coffee near by. I have a routine for the house t stay on top of things. I must say it hasn't been going as smooth with the extra volunteering. I have put in about 32 hours each of the past two weeks volunteering to the community holiday party and it shows.

What a day, I am in full speed ahead with the holiday party. FIFTY FIVE families signed up to date. Doing a large spread sheet is interesting learning all the features as I stumble upon them.
I am logging the family, their address and phone, all the children age and gender and their gift wish. The next is after the party logging what they got and where it came from. I am learning a lot from the folks who have done this for years. Some still have the spirit and another needs to retire. (Scrooge)

Kaitlyn had her braces tightened today, the appointment was made awhile back not thinking it was during school near band time. We raced to and back from the appointment so she was able to play her new clarinet in band today. She didn't have to fine #142 case and it not there... SHE HAS HER OWN. She is so proud.

Returning home I learn Jordan is not keeping on his patch over his eye at school and it is interfering with his education. I will do it at home, his Doctor called and we are switching medications to help him get over this cold/cough.

Lucas' appointment for his gag reflux has been rescheduled because CMS scheduled during Kaitlyn's Wed Doctors appointment and now it is of all times on the date and time of another appointment... I will call to try and re-schedule myself with my calendar to plan from.

Camera located, most children asleep and it is 7:30 THIS ROCKS!

While pulling out clothes for morning the missing camera was in Tressa's underwear drawer...HHHuuuummmmm and she promises she didn't take it. She said a mean person would take "your" camera only. Real drama in her talking. When I "view" photos the last few are of her headboard, hamper and throw rug, and HER FEET lol I show her the photos and she maintains her innocence. I am not sure she really understood how I know it was her. So we made a deal, if she wants to take some pictures she is going to ask, have me help her the first few times and then try to take some on her own but ALWAYS WITH PERMISSION. Might be a Santa idea... She asked Santa today for Play-doe and the flower making factory or DORA??? i had no idea she liked Dora still. Jordan wants to be Santa...can't seem to give in on that wish. He will not tell anything material he wants for Christmas only states he wants; TO BE SANTA. Kaitlyn wants a DS and Keirsten a PSP, Steven giggles and if you suggest items very enthusiastically he respond OH YEAH. Lucas is all good with a plastic hanger.. It is so funny he has to move hangers..He can reach the lower level closet shelf and so he "Collects" the empty hangers.. You can tell when he has been around by the amount of hangers in the room...LOL It is a running joke when the subject comes up for Christmas gift ideas...LUCAS HANGERS.... He is a mover boy. Just picks up anything, no damage just moves it to another area of the house and where he drops that items he picks up something else and moves that to yet another location.. I am sure the laughter this brings today will fade soon.

OH I NEED TO RUN, Most of the children are asleep and I hear a clarinet warming up and it is too cold to put her out on the back porch. HOT TUB is my goal before 9 pm.

I AM COLD!

I must admit I like a little weather change although I can not shake a chill today. I took the kids to the park all afternoon while I worked on the Holiday party spread sheets to add all the RSVP families and preparing Santa's wish list. I moved the picnic table into direct sunlight. The sun in the afternoon kept me able to deal with being outside. NOW, Oh my goodness, I am bundled as if it were 5 below zero. I guess the cold I am fighting isn't helping. The kids seem unfazed, figures. At the park the kids all ran into friends they knew from around town. We were at a park far from our home, one that is a favorite for the kids. (no photos, missing camera alert) YIKES!

Hot Lasagna and Texas toast for dinner, hot cider and quilts on their beds... I hear more coughs from Keirsten, Jordan, Tressa and myself. Early to bed.

She is loving her own clarinet

One row of the garden planted

We have reg. and cherry tomatoes planted in the ground.

Pumpkin seeds went into the ground on the far side..???

Squash and cucumbers are going in this week.

They are upset as the move has wilted them a bit and they are not as healthy looking as when they were in their pots.

PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE

The real question is; will practice make perfect...LOL

LAST NIGHT'S LIFT OFF

Three hours from our front door.

SEEDS to PLANTS

Boys area

It is written into my planner "today is the day to stay home and clear the clutter."... I have always had the ten minute madness rule. If you have never done this it is amazing what a household can clear up (pick up and put away) around the house with a timer going for ten minutes and made to be a game for fast fast fast... you can literally get your house picked up and presentable in ten minutes with everyone working it. It even becomes more productive over time when the kids have a "spot" to focus on. This started back when we were a foster home and got the call "I am on my way" I KNOW I KNOW normal households are not spotless if they are living healthy lifestyles but my OCD shines in some areas and this is one. Trust me there is dust, something under the couch and bedrooms which need attention...but when the front door opens I do not go into anxiety mode....LOL

ALL THE KIDS IN SCHOOL today, yippee... We are holding on to the semi annual cold and cough longer than I 'd like. I believe the handling of all the money and in the face of all the public at the return to SW FL time is adding to this. When the seasonal residence flock back into the city the locals are exposed to virus' from all our the world as we are a vacation destination. Lucas got his flu shot the other day while at the Doctors.

The fundraising for the holiday party has become a job. It is so humbling to hear how others are having it right now, we are all fortunate who have our heads above water. I remember last year how grand it felt to host this party for the community and yesterday it started for this season. I listened to a women who has faith as the only answer why she is holding on to optimism for life. This party will be spectacular for families here.

I smell coffee...

Somebody??? Anybody??? I need a push....

It was a good day

Not as productive as wished, but all in all a good day... we are at 450 dollars to reach 695 by the 19th of this month, I feel good we will reach the goal. The remainder of the funds can come in spurts as time get closer to the Dec 19th party. The hall requires to be paid 30 days in advance. The next is table top items and insurance.. We are close.

The kids are ready to get back to school, Kaitlyn and Steven were with me until dinner time when I drove them home for preparations to be up for their buses in the morning. Keirsten finished out the night with us. Mandie was wiped out when I got back and went home a little early.

Jordan was clingy tonight as they went down to sleep. The others were ready and asleep quickly.

Some cute kid memories today is Keirsten having "gas" today and Mandie making comment about it... Keirsten said "I do not have gas" I asked her why Mandie was saying that and she said "Because I have been farting all day and I do not know why"

Each of the kids have their Walmart holiday catalog full of toys... They circled pretty much EVERYTHING in the book. I told them to go back in the book and choose their 4 favorite items. Kaitlyn said " Mom Santa is broke too" Steve snaps out "WHAT DID YOU SAY" Kaitlyn tells Steve Santa is broke, Steven says "OH NO HE'S NOT" and keeps circling many items... I am cracking up as the two of them went into a conversation about Santa, money , the sleigh and endless toy bags.... They have it all figured out.

Keirsten's voice is raspy tonight so we will officially all be on antibiotics tomorrow... Our medication regiment is getting more complex... flu shots are in order!!!!

Working at Walmart today..

We are setting up the PODS Angels (501c3) collection table to get the funds for the Holiday party being held December 19th. We get 8 hours to be set up today and Thursday and that is it for our Walmart.. Wish us luck... I will post pics tonight, Kaitlyn and Steven are going with me.

Tressa sends Thank you notes to friends and family

The first part of each note was written personal to the relative/friend about the gift she received for her Birthday therefore private, although I found her recap of camp cute and willing to share.....


straight from Tress'a mouth....(keep in mind she has Prader Willi syndrome)
I want to tell you about camp, I sleep and lost my flashlight and cried loud and louder to wake everybody up but I didn't wake up Kassie and Elizabeth who are my very best friends. Kassie came in my room and read my Tinker Bell book to me and when it was morning Kassie come in and wake me up saying "Tressa, wake up and come down" And then I had a little accident on the top bunk bed so I took a shower and then get ready for everybody wake up and for we go and eat breakfast and I say I want cereal, and toast no butter. And go to breakfast, and sit down, and Kassie makes my breakfast for me and my toast and after her give me my breakfast I started eating and when we were done finished I sit by Kassie and say Hi to ELizabeth (these are two camp counselors) And Elizabeth says Hi Tressa How are you doing, then I said Fine Elizabeth. When we get done eating breakfast and then I went on a walk in the trees and I needed to go poop and I needed to go into a place (out house) to go to the bathroom with Kassie and Elizabeth and I sit down and there was toilet paper and then Kassie helped me. And I said yes Kassie please help me and her say alright Tressa I will help you and next them called the nurse and said do you have a book bag for Tressa and I said yes them have a book bag for me. I had a little poop on my underwear and I needed to put on clean ones and we come back to that place and eat some lunch......

NOTE: I coach her now about the walk they went on because she went from lunch to dinner---MARY

On the walk, I ask Kassie what will we have for dinner and her say, we have different foods for dinner......(Ok what did you see on the walk) I see water and in the water I see fish and they were jump and jump and jump and they go down in the water and make big splash. We sit down and then I get up and go to one of the campers on that place on the road and see that fish again. And then when the boys leave and we wait a couple minutes and we leave too and go back to the cabin, girls in cabin 4 my cabin and boys are in 2. Nurse in cabin 3. And next we sit down for dinner and then after that I have a little bit of Birthday cake and we sing Happy Birthday to another person who was 100 years old that is very very old. I sleep two times at camp. Mom came to get me after I sleep two times. At camp we saw a fire outside it was rid and yellow and orange. We had to stay far back it get really really hot. We sing songs when we saw the fire. OH I made bead bracelets and I made one for Kassie and one for Elizabeth they loved them. I made one to bring home too for Mrs Lacata. I loved my camp.Hugs,Tressa

The plumbing issue is fixed

YEAH!!!! No more water sopping out the side of my house. It appears that when my son, Kory "fixed" an issue last January he bent the copper pipe and it scrapped the concrete block it was in cased in and it tore... They busted the concrete block, replaced the pipe, reset everything and put concrete back to cover the hole. Brought in a bill and WALLA .... Not near as bad $$$ as I had expected. I can take the repair invoice to the water company for a reduction in my bill. Win win should come out even.

BIG SISTER POWER and the little brother LOOK!

Kaitlyn wanted to make "SOUP" today.... She was having a maternal day and Lucas had enough... I know the soup was started with broth, a cup of frozen mixed veggies and a piece of fish then some instant potato's all boiled, blended and cooled for eating...
All kidding aside, he loved it and his bond with Kaitlyn is GRAND. The two of them are best buds, he just gets a little tired of her some times.

No school, plumber is on his way...

We have no school today, hanging out for the plumber and after he is done we are heading for the nature walk. I have yet to get the children into rhythm of sleeping in on days off from school..anyone please give suggestions.. they not only get up but get up earlier than school days. 5 am this morning and with no school Miss Keirstens friends were calling at 1 AM and she was not here...I suppose she USUALLY intercepts and I would not know calls are coming in at 1AM since phone privileges are off at 9 pm....

Simple things in life we do not even think about.

How many of us really think about our kitchens??

I was able to leave mine unlocked and move freely for 2 days and today I must admit it was a tug to have it locked completely. Not such a tug when you feel the struggles brought on from it not being locked. SO a little out of step my first hours back on although now like an old shoe.

The kids had a wonderful time, were happy to see me and tell me about their weekend. Tressa especially giving details with all the hype and fine detail. Her hair was french braided down both sides of her head to cover the odd hair cut job. Her 7th Birthday weekend will forever be her first camp experience. She told me she cried a little but her nurse told her first time campers usually cry their first time... Tressa's version is she got bit by a bug the nurse couldn't find... the more likely story. Tressa is highly allergic to bug bites and has two bites on her side. No one would know other than the day after a knot forms where the bug saliva is. She would not have a problem sleeping away from me for a weekend....any where, with almost anyone. Her first account was cereal this morning and toast, THANKSGIVING DINNER last night and all the foods specifically along with not forgetting the small one piece of pizza I agreed to Friday night.

The report from camp is that they were all perfect. Jordan surprised them and Steven didn't speak the entire weekend. Keirsten reports Kaitlyn was a handful of attitude... It all went past too fast as they report as well. Their clothes smelled of camp fire which was a grand memory smell for me. Many High School bon fires have lasting memories in my mind.

The new puppy (stuffed) was the favorite gift and her name is RIVER of course. Tressa's, River, a female stuffed black lab puppy. .

From the wee hours of morning to the wee hours of night.

Today has been full and productive. Last night after dropping the kids off to camp Lucas and I returned home late and fell asleep fairly quickly. It is amazing how I seem to always feel the need to be Mother... I found myself on half my bed to give room for the children coming in through out the night...BUT no children came...LOL so I scrunched in a portion of my bed for no reason...but HABIT.

Lucas and I took our time to get up this morning, had a hot breakfast and went into cleaning mode. Well I did, it started with washing the couch cushions, throw pillows and arm rests. Then a trip to Tressa's room starting the transformation from hearts and flowers to Tinker bell, fairies and flowers. With no need for two dressers I moved one out, added a shelf and put a dresser in the boys room. This move required major cleaning.. even dusting ceiling fans and frames on the walls.. Almost like nesting although I did have a few cups of COFFEE... off to laundry because cleaning anything that includes my children means laundry is involved. The washer was going all day even getting to throw rugs.. Lucas was happy to be home alone, finding all sort of things to move and rearrange from where I had put them. I took all the Halloween items down and replaced with Thanksgiving. New things interest the little man. I was smokin' to even take EVERYTHING out of the china cabinet, hand wash paper towel dry and replace along with getting ready for our 5 pm Miss Quince' party. This would be my first, and boy was it fun. We dressed to the 9's and headed to the party. My grandsons were in the ceremony and many friends attended. Lucas was GREAT with the loud music sound system and tons of food and drinks. He ate his first peanut M&M tonight. The first went well, second not so well and he wanted more although visually you'd think he didn't want it although he would put more into his mouth..HUGE step for him!! By 8 pm he was not holding on much longer so we headed out for home. Lots of missed calls to return and follow ups on some upcoming events.

UPS brought a couple packages today; Tressa has regular contact with her birth family as they are extended family to us now. They live in the state of WA and had gotten a new puppy this past summer. A black lab named River. Tressa calls this puppy her "new birth dog" and today she got a stuffed black lab from her birth family for her Birthday. She will be so happy when she comes home to find her "River" on her bed. Her grandparents got her Tinker Bell bedding and her birth parents a couple wonderful dress up outfits she will LOVE. Tressa is into comfort,,,and these are perfect. Kaitlyn (Birthday a couple weeks ago) got a new Bible today with her name engraved on the front leather cover. Tomorrow when they return they will all be very happy.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TRESSA GIRL

7 YEARS OLD TODAY! she meets camp eligibility TODAY!!!!!

She is wearing her new High School musical outfit to school and we built her up to remind her today is CAMP DAY! Foundation for Dreams, DREAM OAKS CAMP, check it out on line.

Yesterday was most likely her worst day ever. I am having difficulty with the note sent home from her school. She had a really bad, very bad day....so bad the school could not locate her book bag after a total melt down and a BUCKET OF CANDY THROWN TO THE FLOOR....Now, even my new readers can put 2 and 2 together. If there is a bucket of candy ANYWHERE near Tressa YOU are asking for difficult behaviors. I just can not seem to educate the folks in charge just exactly what a piece of candy, soda machine, anything edible in her sight or hearing (wrappers) can do to a moment, a day.... life in general for her. Even if she doesn't respond at that moment it is in her mind, it is working her mental ability and she is heading for some sort of BEHAVIOR we will not like.. So she had a really bad day yesterday and it didn't seem right to allow for all the hoopla last night for a family "party" so we are on track with stopping to "go out for dinner" (still sticking to her list) on the way to camp.

Jordan has a broken arm, sinus infection and chronic cough on extra meds. Kaitlyn has an ear infection, psoriasis on her scalp with all the other mumbo jumbo in her life, on extra meds. Steven woke up with a raspy voice....YIKES, Tressa-well , Lord please guide her today....she is just usual Miss Tressa, Keirsten has been kicked off the bus for five days for excessive talking..yep no excessive talking on the school bus??? AND! No school Monday or Tuesday here. So "I" NEED THEM IN CAMP ......LOL HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO TRESSA... right... she has been so looking forward to camp since she knew camp was NOVEMBER 7th... I can only laugh as my throat is fighting off something, it calls for rain, it is still in the cold snap and my children are scheduled for a weekend of camp. Mandie suggests I get a hotel room down the street from camp and sleep the two days. lol Our in home behavioral person text to be sure I was doing something special for ME this Tressa darlings Birthday camp weekend.... well this is all in the crossing fingers stages at this point. Once I get through the 6 pm camp intake physicals and I actually walk back to my van ALONE.... I will believe...I WILL BELIEVE.....LOL so off the computer and finish packing, driving Keirsten to school, getting something over to the school for her BIRTHDAY celebration and gas up the tank! THEY ARE GOING TO CAMP! I will catch up with photos, the camera is going to camp.