9:45 am...I'm not sure I can keep this up...

Today is Friday, Noah & I have been alone together since Tuesday. Les is in SF, Kim is in NY & DC, I don't want to bother Melissa...I hate being a complainer and would rather look strong.

Noah is a very unhappy little 3 year old. He has been spitting, kicking, biting, running and hiding all week. He is used tobeing able to do just what he wants to do without supervision...

I want to do foster care but this isn't at all fun. I know life is hard for Noah. He is a smart kid and that is a big part of the problem...I really want to do babies but then we have the middle of the night stuff. How do I know if I am supposed to keep doing this???? Please God, show me what I am supposed to be doing.

Our Last 3rd of July Party

Last night was probably our last time to host our 3rd of July Party in our front yard...the end of an era...

We realized that the trees in the yard (the Fookes house) across the street from us have grown too tall, our palm tree which was removed this spring covered the street light and now the light is too bright, and the fire works are not as high as they used to be, all make it difficult to see them.

Yes that was a run-on sentence but it was meant to be!!! We had about 50 people here!

Matt, Janet & Aspen were here July 1st - 3rd...we saw them mosttly on the 2nd when Jen came for the day with the kids. Even Molly came. this was her first time back in years! Melissa and the kids were here on the 2nd and had a lot of fun with their cousins. Avery did great but didn't seem to feel very good on the 3rd and cried a lot unless Melissa held her. She loves her Mommy! Riley wasn't able to come on the 2nd but was here for the fireworks.

Janet was the art guru. She brought modeling clay, beads, paint, stamps, canvases, and entertained only the way she can!!! She is the favored aunt (except for Leia who loves aunt Melissa!)

Lydia brought her friend Emely, she is staying with them for the weekend. They go to the cabin every 4th of July weekend.

Family stuff can be very stressful...mostly bcause of expectations...We expect a lot and then when they aren't acheieved, disappointment sets in. I won't say anymore than that!

Tonight we go to the McConnell party at Paul Bunyan Camp. We have tickets and Les, Kim and Raedean will be going with us. I'm looking forward to spending the time with our friends!

Floyd hasn't been feeling well and is unsteady on his feet. Blood test results are being waited on and then...only God knows what is going on right now. I know that they are scared. It sucks getting older.

We got our 18th foster child on June 30th

Noah is a sweet little guy, 3 years old from Trinity County.  He is pretty easy until he gets tired. Then it is all down hill. But isn't that how it is with everyone!!! He is social and could use more kids to play with!

Cabo San Lucas...

It is Tuesday and we have been in Cabo since last thursday!  What a wonderful relaxing time it is!!!!

Kim and Les gave us the gift of accompanying them to Pueblo Bonito/ Sunset Beach as our 40th Anniversary gift...We are so overwhelmed by this.

We have been doing a lot of reading, visiting with each other,eating great fun food, sitting by and in the pool!  This is what heaven could look like!!!

Pueblo Bonito (PB) is a beautiful place! built with quality in mind. The people who work here are pretty much friendly and accommodating! We have had room service, lunch by the pool, dinner overlooking the ocean!  The view from our room is so great!  We have spent much time sitting and looking!!!

The resort is on the side of a cliff and has a street system that is so amazing!  Golf type vehicles that can seat up to 9 guests transport you around ! they are very knowledgeable about the property and so you just tell them where you want to go and you get there quickly!  Transprt is just a call away!

We went and looked at 2 other PB properties...the Rose' and the Blanca...can't compare with the Sunset!  Kim and I had a fun time painting yesterday and today we will pick them up, and maybe do more!!!!  I am going to get a toe ring made today!!! We are going to get peso's for all the grandkids and have them drilled for necklaces!

It is a wonderful place and I would love to come back sometime!!!!

Foster Care 2015...

Well it is the end of January 2015 and our foster care roller coaster continues... We have had 12 kids to date. Bobby and Sonja, Jerry and Vanaya, Rowan, Giannah, Violet, Katara, Russell, Chastity and Shawn, Rylie...Each child has had their own different challenges and personalities!!! The boys have been the most difficult in the long run. Bobby and Jerry made us think for an extra second when asked if we would take Russel & Shawn (I'm really glad we said yes to them!)  We have had Violet the longest - it was 1 year on January 15th, 2015 and we had Katara for the shortest amount of time - 5 days! February 19th is the court date in which Violet's Mom could loose her rights to services, which will mean that the kids will be up for adoption. After a lot of gut wrenching talking, praying, taking council from family and friends we decided that we couldn't adopt Violet. Our age is a huge factor...enough said.

Bobby went to live with his mom and we heard that they were doing well and her case was closed.

Sonja went to live with an aunt & uncle and that she won't be going back to her dad...he's a bad dude.

Jerry and Vanaya are back in the system...we don't know anything else than that...so sad for them.

Rowan is living with Jennifer and Dave and they are working on adopting her (her name is Leia now).

Giannah went to live with her dad's twin sister, but last we heard she had gone to live with her mother again.

Violet is still with us until at least February 19th...

Katara went to live with her Grandmother.

Russell, Chastity, & Shawn were moved to a forever home but then was moved again when the family couldn't be approved for adoption...

Rylie is with us now...not sure for how long, 

So many kids with so many selfish drug using parents....It is an epidemic of epic proportions and most people don't really understand this.

I don't see it getting any better unfortunately....

Three little boys.

This morning was a pretty amazing one. I had the joy of not just caring for Bobby but for two other sweet little guys!!! Hayden is 19 months & Ryan is 11 months. They look like twins they are so close the same size. ( the two together only weigh half of what the Bobbster weighs!!!). We did fairly well until the green eyed monster came for a visit! It was hard for both Bobby & Daisy to share my affections! Crackers became the best common denominator... Every boy received a cracker & Daisy became a stalker! She withstood hair pulls etc to look for cracker chunks!!! Let me just say... Both Daisy & Bobby took a long nap nap after the boys left! It was a long morning for them & a fun one for me. !!!!!

Morning all!

8:05 am. Sonja on her way to camp...Les going to a breakfast meeting ...Bobby still asleep after a late night watching fireworks at the McConnel party...Me? I'm sitting here on my Grandmas swing enjoying a cooler morning & reading my book du jour !!! Mmmmmmmm!!!😉

Life as a foster parent

It's been about 2 months now since Sonja & Bobby joined our lives... Seems like it has been longer in so many ways. They have wormed their way into our hearts & caused us to try & figure out how to become the parents we never were. They are so different than our children and grandchildren. They have seen & experienced things I hope they will never have to again. My grandchildren are so sweet & kind. Gentle in so many ways. I am proud of my girls and how great they have been parenting their kids. All 7 will be productive & outstanding adults just like their parents. I know that Matt & Janet will be amazing parents.
Going to counciling & attorney appointments with Sonja & 3+ hour visits for Bobby... Things kids shouldn't have to think about... Wondering who they will live with. I pray that the time with us will be a time that will make a difference in their lives.