Losing thier brains...

I think my kids gave Scott (and all helpers) a run for their money...or in this case time (as no money was made or given). I asked Sarah this afternoon if they were really bad (as Gail had indicated) and she said, "Well, dad said they acted like they were losing their brains." Thank goodness I am not gone to often! This crew cannot do without brains!!

We met today with a group setting for Sam and while we were so very impressed with the program, we are not terribly hopeful.

Home again, home again, giggety-gig!

I drove into town last night to a quiet house, all my kiddos at church. I wish I could truly share the joy of being with my friends! There were 18 ladies in all, between the 18 of us we have 225 children, of those 126 are adopted, of those about half with fetal alcohol syndrome... very telling of what this group deals with. But in this group was so much JOY! So much laughter! So many funny comments about parenting and kids, all much needed reminders that I am not alone in my crazy life...others share that craziness too!

We stayed in this neat house outside of Hollister Mo (Branson):


I met so many friends from my yahoo group...I have been on this group since Sept of 2002! A long long time:)

Carri took awesome pictures!! I hope to post her group picture later!


We mostly sat around and shared and shared and shared!! We are so all uniquely individual, yet joined by so much common ground!






Renewed, Refreshed, Revived and Recharged:) A wonderful Retreat!!!

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!!