No days gift opening today......

Today would be Stuarts day to open.....but....Stuart is in Missouri at his girl friend Hannah house. He was due home today, but is apparently having soooooo much fun he is extending his trip until Friday. So...no days opening today.

Another driver....almost.

Today Carlton went to test for his permit....and passed!! He is really happy..lol:) Of course! Now for the practicing part:)

Sweet People

Today a lady called and said she had a delivery from my son Caleb. Sarah answered the phone and in a few minutes a sweet lady from an area church was in my driveway. Their class bought a gift for area soldiers children and in my case, the soldier's mom:) I was so very touched (could cry if I think about it too much). They bought me a beautiful necklace...the one above. There are some people who truly think of meaningful ways to make a difference. I love that! I also had two very dear friends give big gifts today...I am always so humbled by the sweet spirits of those I love!

There are no words that fully say what I want to say....except for the ones that have been around for thousands of years...THANK YOU!! I sincerely hope that I can be as gracious and loving and giving!!!

Love this!!

I love this song. I like this video with it better than any I have seen.

Grandmother's Chex mix

Grandmother's Chex Mix is almost akin to GOLD around our house:) Chelsea made lots for everyone at the beach and after sampling her "gold" I decided we could enjoy a little of that too. This morning I have it in the oven and in a while we can feast:)

Seth helped me this morning, love having helpers in the kitchen!

Chex Mix:
1 box of Cheerios
1 box of Rice Chex
1 box of Corn Chex
1 bag of pretzel sticks
a pound of pecans (or mixed nuts), we add a pound of cashews too
6 sticks of butter
1T salt
1T garlic powder
1/4 c Worchershire

Melt butter and last 3 ingredients and poor over cereal and pretzels (we do snap all the sticks in half....thank you Sethie!)

Bake on 250* for one hour, stirring every 15 minutes

Cool and enjoy!!

PS...this does make a bunch...Seth is snapping the pretzels in half the recipe...be prepared:) AND you can make this recipe with no nuts...I do one recipe no nuts for Stuart and Scott....it is still wonderful:)

Fish Tales

Daniel and Ryan stayed with our friend Ms Gail while we did out running trip to Atlanta. Daniel brought this beauty home with him today! No fish tales!! We have pictures:)

Sam....

I have not posted much about Sam being home. For lots of reasons (most I cannot explain).

I do find at times I am pretty sure that nothing has changed. I am also pretty sure that nothing "can" change. Sad, very sad. Yet, while sadness it huge, it is still hard hard hard to deal with the day in day out.

These things I know:

1) Sam refuses to be honest about his feelings and behaviors. Everything is "I used to be that way, it's not a problem now." He so much wants to be home that he will not talk about his feeling with us or the therapist who is in the house 3or4 hours a week.

2) Sam is frustrated (in spite of denials) that he does not have the same freedoms as others. There are safe guards in place that MUST be there....he does not like them. 'Nuff said.

3)Line of sight? A HUGE order and not very realistic (I have to go to the potty sometime).

4)Appeals are still in play....we are still waiting. We have enrolled him in school, which would begin in Jan, but hope that the appeals are resolved by then.

5)There are so many "between the lines" that could be spoken, but not enough time to even begin.

I have had several ask....just updating....kinda.