Carlton and Zack

Scott and I spent Sunday with Carlton and Zackery. It is rare that Scott and I are both able to be away at the same time. I am ever so grateful to Sarah (and Paden) and Stuart for watching my crew. I laughed and told Paden that it surely must be love, nothing else would keep him there with the Smotherman heathens otherwise:)

We picked up Zack in time to eat lunch at Shoney's with both the boys. Those two sure can pack away some food!!
Scott and the boys played putt putt golf....






The boys rode go-carts....





It was good for us both to have time with Zack and for Carlton (Zack's oldest birth sibling) to be with us.




This morning, early, Scott and I were at the courthouse to relinquish our parental rights on Zack. NOT ever where we expected to be, not ever what we wanted to happen, but done...none the less. We have been so blessed to live in a small town, to know most everyone and be known by most everyone...this morning the judge actually encouraged US! He told us to not let this one situation discourage what we do...affirmation was very nice on a day like today. The DCS worker stated that they were looking for an adoptive home with no more than 2 children, preferably none and the State's Dr. had stated no children in the home under 15 years of age. Again, confirmation to Scott and I that the opportunity or feasibility of Zack ever coming home is nil. But, in the appropriate placement he is safe and those around him are safe and with that safety comes the opportunity of successful living. Some things in this life are so sad...this is among our greatest.

Weekend sights...

I always love the "view" around the house...these are the pictures (and I am like a broken record...but it always holds true) I see these moments in my mind:

Stuart and John watching football (I am pretty sure it was Alabama and Auburn).


My wonderful son-in-law and sweet daughter Chelsea, headed back to Georgia...


Scott and Michael...they worked a long time in the yard (it looks great!).


Tori trying to be as tall as her uncle Chad...lol...not happening:)


Jacob in his dirty glory...come to think of it I can't believe he's sitting on the couch!


Scott beating Carlton arm wrestling...to Carlton surprise:)


Chelsea, who shares my love for snapping!


Michael running the football in the boys game:)


Sarah and sweet Cooper!


My oldest and youngest....love this picture!!


Bo showing Sarah and Lita how to play basketball:)


Bella and Doug laughing at something Mercedez said...


Mercedez and Lita in their favorite place...by the fire!


Funniest of ALL...Chelsea was plucking Sarah's eye brows and apparently decided Sarah needed to loose a hunk of skin too! The laughter made everyone smile...and thankfully Sarah survived!

GIFTS

Our family is continually blessed by wonderful individuals. Many are those whom I cannot mention and am so thankful for! Such as B:) I could spend my whole life looking for the words to express my gratitude and love, but words just don't seem to hit the spot. My tears at the gift? My heart so full of love? Our needs so often meet by those gifts? I simply consider those individuals as gifts from God, because they are!!

This year, a tough year at our house with the economy and Scott's job, we have backed up and reworked our "doing's". My incredible big kids gifts offering gifts of Christmas that simply blew Scott and I away!! We are always thankful for the lives our children lead....they are just GREAT people period!! But, their love for family, their understanding and gracious giving? Scott's words were, "we need more kids like that!!" and he didn't mean the gift...the meant the HEARTS!!

We are blessed, so much more than we deserve! God is so good and we are ever grateful for our family and friends!! May they all have safe a holiday and be able to enjoy the joy of this season:)

How Thankful I Am!!

I have been a bit crazy. Nothing new, but the situations, the happenings...new. So I am in the New Crazy phase currently. In the midst of that new kind of crazy I have had some HUGE blessings. You know I always have those blessings, I just managed to stop, "smell the coffee" and ENJOY them:)


Chelsea and Bo were here on Friday, HUGE joy! I stood for hours (literally) in the kitchen with Chelsea. We baked and talked and even made some grocery store runs. Joy. Simply being with my big kids is true happiness. As I worked on "Thanksgiving" dinner on Saturday Chelsea and Sarah did their thing....one could be in the middle of sweeping and the other just waltz right up take the broom and tell her "run get your shower" and finish sweeping. I nearly cried when that happened...isn't that silly? I seem to be currently stuck with Tweens and Teens who would rather DIE than offer that kind of friendship/sisterhood/Christian/be nice attitude. But, those attributes in action? Pure joy to a momma! Funnier still was Sarah's song on Friday night. All the kids drew a name of a sibling and wrote why they were thankful for that sister or brother. We read them after dinner on Friday ...how fun! Sweet, silly, true, beautiful....all rolled into the moment. Sarah wrote a song to Bo about stealing her sister:) He really didn't steal her, but the song was hilarious. I am pretty sure it ended in a "make it right" by making me a aunt (something she is relentlessly encouraging). I love the laughter and engaging conversations with my big kids and I love watching the younger ones follow suit. I am so thankful for my family. So very thankful for those who are being successful. I am eternally thankful for those who are Christians, those who live GOOD lives and are serving God as they should. Success.



There were about 44 of us celebrating at my house on Saturday. I sure do love my family. The kids helped with the table arrangements above...of course candy would have to be part of the arrangement:) I imagine half of it was gone, or rather consumed, before any company arrived! The folowing are pictures mostly taken by Chelsea at lunchtime.









How very thankful I am to God for my incredibly wonderful family!!

iPad

Doug has a new toy. He is loving his new toy. Reminded me a lot of Caleb when he got his on his leave home. I shot the picture above as the group tried to help Doug on a word game he downloaded. It is pictures like this that play again and again in my head....my big kids and little kids simply enjoying together!! Family....what a gift!!!!

Sarah!

Sarah is one of my most favorite people. I LOVE her heart! She teaches pre-school and (even though I'm her mom I feel I can say truthfully) she's incredible! She has had one of the little girls home with her three nights this week (mom is pregnant and has been at the hospital and appointments). She has patience and a lovely humor that makes her a joy for all ages!! Scrapbooking, chocolate covered strawberry making and NOW.....crafty and cooking:) Sarah made the most wonderful peanut butter pies to take to Paden's families Thanksgiving meal today. AND she created and made this incredible Turkey shirt for Tori!! So cute:)

Longer days yet.....

This morning, after getting kids to school I spent an hour and a half at the Doctors office with Mercedez (she has strep). The positive? We made it to level EIGHT on my kindle word game. Mercedez was so excited at finding really hard words, "I'm really very smart!" she said. I agree. I did laugh at her when we were stuck on level 8 and I told her, "We need to get John to look at this, we need some fresh eyes." Mercedez replied, "well, his will be really fresh because he just got out of bed!" lol:) True!

I then met Scott at DCS for a two hours phone conference meeting. L---O---N---G!! But, perhaps fruitful? We are cautiously optimist we might perhaps maybe get help with Sam?

I then came home and picked up Mercedez and we met my sweet sister Sandy at the Mexican Restaurant for lunch. What a RARE and wonderful treat! She caught us right before we left town and I am so glad she did!!!

After grabbing a way to quick lunch Mercedez rode with me to Millington to pick up Carlton for Thanksgiving break. It was really neat to be able to spend those hours with Mercedez. Carlton is home and ready to hunt. He's already in bed (his hunting buddy will be her at 4:50 in the morning!).

My long day is about to end with my very nice bed!

HATE is a strong word.

Yesterday I was on my way to Knoxville with Stuart (a 16 hour running session and visit with Sam) when Scott called. The DCS worker had called in a panic because she did not have her paperwork completed on Zack and wanted to know if we were already at the courthouse. Scott told her it was our understanding that the court date was NEXT Monday. She then realized she was on the wrong week.

We talk to Zack several times a week and I visit every other week or as often as possible. We no longer have any kind of session as we are considered "mentors". It really incredibly sad. Can he live at home? No. But next Monday his ability to even consider his family, that family will be taken from him. I really do feel that way. False hopes are given to Zack. Adoptive homes are dangled in front of his face, yet they cannot even find a foster home who is willing or able to take him. Last week he called telling Scott he was "sick of these people" and he wanted to come home. It might be that his behavior plays into the "sick of these people". The DCS worker told Scott "Oh, Zack is doing WONDERFULLY!!". Scott wanted to ask about the fight he was part of this week...but refrained. That is why he can't come home. That is why we are at this point. Zack has serious behavior problems, serious limitations (as we are not sure to what degree his behaviors are even "choice").

I am not sure why the worker feels the need to exaggerate. Perhaps because she wants to make us feel bad or perhaps she is trying to only be positive? Either is wrong. Moderation will go a lot further in the long run. The truth? He is doing great for a level 3 residential setting! He is a happy guy. He is ignorant of the seriousness of the world, of the seriousness of his actions. In some worlds that ignorance is bliss. To parents who understand the impact? It's hard. We DO love Zack. He makes us laugh. I can smile at the silliness, because I am warped when it comes to him...I find the "I threw a chair at him cause I couldn't find anything smaller" funny. I have to find it funny because otherwise I would just cry. I truly HATE the consequences of his STUPID birth mom who did drugs and forever changed the course of his future!!!

That said, the reality is simple. Zack cannot return home because of safety issues. And due to those impulses, we will be his parents for 6 more days and then he will have no one. I HATE the rules that say we are forced to do that if he can't come home too!! As Scott said, "We are backed into a corner and have no other choices." That corner is a really terrible place to be :(

BEAUTIFUL weather!!

I love pretty days like today. We enjoyed a wonderful morning worshipping God with our terrific church family! Then home for lunch and lots of playing. These are some of the things I "saw" with my camera:)

Stuart and I acted (as he would say) "creepy" and went to take pictures (unknowingly at first) of Sarah and Paden roller skating. How funny!






I watched my Doug as he was so very seriously involved in the Titans game....


And then so seriously NOT involved in the Titans game...lol:)


Jacob checking out the truck before heading hunting. Scott thought it was the transmission, Jacob thought it was the fuel filter...thankfully they were both wrong and it was only the spark plugs!!


Stuart playing with the boys.....





LOVE LOVE LOVE these days!!