R & R courtesy of Scott

This morning I got my hair done (part of my Christmas gift from Scott) and I had a massage (also part of my Christmas I have not had a chance to use up yet!). As I left at 10:30 am I called Scott. He said, "Well, I hope the massage helped because I have some bad news." Don't you hate conversations that begin that way?!!

It appears that the TNCare appeal we won (fair and square mind you) has been turned over by the "Directive Suggestions Unit". Seriously, a judge ordered it all and some crazy "Unit" just said, "nope". All that time, work, money....all that investment and now? Now we have to go get Sam..Tomorrow. They wanted us to come today, but were kind enough to wait until tomorrow. Back at square one. We "can" appeal, but why on earth?? It appears that if TNCare doesn't agree they simply overturn it anyway.

It is with much guilt, but I am still going on my retreat. I so want to visit and in all truthfulness, if Sam is coming home? I will seriously need the recharge!!!

I spent all afternoon sending email and printing applications and going to pick up faxes. I am frustrated. We have several christian level 2 group homes we are aware of, yet in my frustration today I ranted to Scott that they have all "sold out" to money. IF Sam were a state pay? Beds pop up everywhere! But with Sam being private? Those beds are all gone and the waiting lists are so long we might seek help elsewhere. Scott talked to me about sitting down with one such children's home worker and seeking help. I am now finding myself really realistic. IF we call and they don't have a bed? I would be wasting my time to go chat...should they find a bed after our chatting? I think I would be 10 times as offended!! Not how Christians should behave! I am simply sad. I am happy to say that while he majority of Church of Christ Children's home are fully supported by the State, we have been extremely blessed that the Baptist Children's home is not(HUGE blessing that continues to benefit Carlton).

I understand the money aspect, truly. But I feel it's like spending all the church money on feeding the poor but never feeding those members, those Christians, who are hungry! THAT is sad (and I feel simply wrong...but that is my opinion).

I will be on R & R and Scott will be in overdrive. What a great husband to send me on!!

R & R

This weekend I am going on a trip. I have been on an Adoptive MOMYS group for many many years. As moms of lots of kiddos we have much in common. Every year they have a retreat and I always wish I could go but have never been able to make it. This year, when I planned I had no children in Making Music and no other big plans. Sarah is on reserve to babysit until Scott is home. Of course as it usually goes, John has his play. Drat! But, they will be preforming next Monday and Tuesday too, so I have been given permission to go to school and watch (and take pictures!). Stuart joined his clubs making Music (sigh!) but I am blessed to have lots of people who will take pictures and video it all so I can later watch.

I am so thankful Scott realizes I need this trip. When it was planned in Branson (within driving distance for me) I decided I better go! Usually the retreats are in Michigan or far far away places where lots of neat MOMYS live:) I will drop everyone at school on Friday and head that way!! I hope to have lots of neat stories to share!!

On a funny note...

At the softball game the other night I had to tell the dad who is organizing the smoked bologna fundraiser that I could not help this weekend because I would be out of town. Mercedez was listening and said, "You're going out of town?" I nodded. Seth said, "You're going out of town?" I said yes and he said "Seriously?!" In truth I rarely leave without someone:) After a few minutes Mercedez said, "Awwwww, you're just joking! Friday is April Fools Day!" I laughed. I had not thought of that. I smiled and said, "And the joke is that I really am going!".

I feel certain they shall all be perfectly fine! And me? I plan of soaking up the companionship of kindred spirits and returning home renewed:)

Old news and new news...

On Monday night Tasha's first game was moved to play at home. Mercedez, Seth and I all went and watched the Tigers win both games!! Tasha hit a double and a triple!! She played a great game:)

If I had a cool photo shop (haha and skills) I would remove the girl in the background of this NEAT picture!! Love capturing these kind of shots!! Perhaps Caleb can fix it all up for me when he gets home?? :)




Last night was the dress rehearsal for Making Music at FHU. Rosie, Tasha and Mercedez all went with the youth group to see big brother Stuart!



My little sister Sandy came to Savannah yesterday with her two youngest boys Chance and Cooper. We met my dad and Clara Ruth for lunch at DQ. Afterwards Sandy went shopping and the boys and I went to see Jacob at the grocery store. Sandy and Chad have instilled such GREAT manners in their boys that they called Jacob "Mr. Jacob". I laughed and said at 6'2" he looks like a "Mr" :) We bought junk stuff that little boys like...you know they real good stuff like Gatorade, root beer and candy:) Then we came back to the house and visited with Ms Gail's puppies and then played with Bronte'. What FUN!! Sarah stopped by headed back to her follow-up appointment with the Dr who removed her wisdom teeth. I snapped this picture with my phone (which is oh so obviously NOT goo quality). BTW, Sarah had a great appointment! Everything looked good. He asked how she did and she said, "well, on Sunday (two days post op) I ran two miles." He announced she was more than fine and he wished all his patients could say that!




John's Senior play is this weekend!! He is excited (haha...even if those weren't his actual words!)! I love this picture of him....he is so happy on the inside...even if you can't tell:)

Facing a GiAnT!

A few weeks ago at a game Tasha was sitting with Sarah and I when she said, "No one will beat the blue team, they have Will Shelton." I quickly said, "Tasha, no ONE person wins a game, it's a team effort." Sarah turned to agree when she saw over my shoulder a "blue player" and stopped mid sentence to say, "Is that Will?" At Tasha's smile and nod Sarah said, "Sorry mom, I was agreeing with you until I saw HIM!" The kid isn't even skinny...haha. Ryan might hit his knees! Well, as you can see from last night's game....Ryan is slightly above Will's knees!




Last night the boys played the Blue team for the second night in a row. On Monday night they were even at half time and lost by 15 after they got into foul trouble.

Last night was Jacob's first night to solo coach. Scott is in Mississippi all week and was not there to help. Before I say anything about the game I want to say this...Jacob's behavior was exactly as a youth ball coach SHOULD be. The other Coaches jumped up and down with very non verbal language and very loud verbal language. Jacob sat on the bench, took advantage of the ton of time outs the other coach called and even called a few himself. He was encouraging and I am very proud of him!!!

As to the game? Our boys were down 18-2 in the first quarter. "Goliath" got into foul trouble and the coaches took him out for the second quarter. At half time we were up by 3 and the other team never took the lead again. We won 46-43. Our boys were even in foul trouble and our non-starting team played the last minute (that actually took more like TEN minutes to play). The game ended with Daniel holding the ball and, as Jacob said, giving some kid a piggy back ride:)

It is not the winning or losing that makes the game, it's the way you played. Well, last night the green team played hard! It was awfully sweet to have those kind of victories because this morning on the way to school we talked about how some things seem impossible and in the words of Michael, "But, they're not!". That is what I want the boys to take away...you may not always win but your effort always counts!!!

GREAT GAME boys!!!

Puppies

Ms Gail our dear friend has a sweet dog who just had puppies. My kids LOVE them...well, duh! They're puppies, who doesn't love these faces?








I have found that it is especially nice to have a FRIEND with puppies! :) We are thankful that Ms Gail shares the joy with us!!

It begins!

Softball begins today. Tasha was up and ready! It's a yucky rainy day, but the game must go on! It is an away game, so we will not be traveling to it. I took these pictures last week at practice...this one is of Tasha getting ready to bat:




Headed to her position in the outfield:



And Tasha's usual position in the outfield:



Good Luck Tasha!! Make it GREAT:)

Excuse me.....

I sometimes want to say to my kids, "excuse me, let me save you from yourself!!". Tonight I stood with a teenager and was totally exasperated. Someday, in that far off future my kids will be adults and they will "see" the error of their thinking, of their behavior, of their paths of destruction. In that future (a gazillion miles from now) I really think they'll say, "Thank you for saving me from my stupid self!". Truly, I really believe that.

But today? Well, today I am the ridiculous crazy overbearing mother who is pretty opinionated about "right" from "wrong". On this day I yield all the power of a parent and it can be sweet or tough to hear...always depending on (I know you have to get tired of this word!!!) CHOICE!

How do I tell my daughter there is a WHOLE WIDE WORLD out there that she cannot yet even imagine? How do I tell my son that the joys of the life are NEVER wrapped up in one person? How do I explain to my teenager that PEACE is a gift beyond measure? How do I tell my daughter that her self-worth is more important than all the gold in Fort Knox? How do I tell my son that winning is NOT everything but the way you PLAY is the deciding factor of success?

I have to stop and remind myself, "Excuse me, they are CHILDREN! They have NO CLUE!! But God gave them YOU to guide them!!"

When put that way I know God has great empathy for the life of a parent:) God certainly knows how much I love my children. God certainly knows all the hopes and dreams I have for them. God certainly understands the success I desire for each and every one of them!! And God knows my heart pushes them to be the very best people they can be.... as I know it simply makes them better at EVERYTHING!!!

So, excuse me as I do the very best job I can.......

Waiting for Caleb....

Caleb is less than a week (I think...by all reports) away from leaving Afghanistan and returning to Germany. I love this picture of him. He was playing his Ukulele with some other guys during an 8 hour jam session to raise money for wounded soldiers.

Caleb has already bought a new Uke which is waiting here for him. This one is an electric ukulele:) Seth took this picture to send to Caleb to show him what it looked like:





And his new crazy hard case arrived:



We are very very ready to hear Caleb make us some music! I shall simply be happy to sit and see my neat son!! Hurry up Army and send my guy home!!

Jacob's "Farah"

When Jacob was little he called Sarah "Farah". She and he share a silliness. Sarah is always silly. So in honor of Jacob's birthday I will post some silly Farah pictures:) As you can see from the picture above....he gets the silly from Sarah:

Happy 19th Birthday Jacob!

Today Jacob turned 19. It is a harder to accept than most birthday's. Jacob was our last birth child, the last baby I carried and delivered. I nearly died when I had Jacob (who was taken by emergency c-section). It was after Jacob's birth and the understanding that he was the last I could "have" that we decided to adopt. Jacob has always been so easy in so many ways! He never ever minded giving up that "baby" position. He's now 14 times removed from that position. I'm glad. He is such a great big brother! Jacob has shown a great work ethic to the other children while maintaining a sweet life of service. He is always sweet to his momma (and I LOVE that ...haha...ofcourse).

Happy Happy Birthday Jacob Scott Smotherman!!!

Gigi's

On our way to the Zoo Sarah spotted a Gigi's. Gigi's Cupcakes are truly incredible! We stopped on the way home from the Zoo so everyone could load up on way too much sugar:)

ZOO:)

We love going to the Zoo. The kids have Spring Break (well, two days of Spring Break) this Thursday and Friday. I was so glad Doug and Sarah went along too...they are both neat kids and a huge help!


I think one of the neatest parts about having big brothers and sisters along is the fast that they have FUN and everyone see it!




I see lots of copying ...like this picture:





The weather was beautiful (a tad bit cool...but perfect!). I love spring with all the flowers and trees...



Everyone had a fun day and I got some cute pictures of my kiddos and a few animals too!















And Seth would say, "enough pictures mom!"