Father's Day can be a difficult day for our kids...another painful reminder of what they missed out on, what should have been.
We took our bunch to church this morning and, as the pastor started his message entitled "God is Our Father", I glanced down the row. Not one of the six kids at church with us has grown up with their father. Most of the children we have cared for through the years have not had fathers.
Lucky cried through most of the church service and out into the parking lot. There's not much I can do for her except hold her and tell her I know how hard it is for her. I tell her that God is her Father and He will never abandon her. For some pain, there is no earthly comfort. Her wounds are deep and her feelings of rejection and abandonment define how she sees herself and how she views the world.
Recently, she participated in an author's fair at school. Her story was about a princess (whose name is a shortened version of her own name) and a guy (whose name is the same as her "crush" at school) at a ball. The first part of the story was a blatant rip-off of Cinderella and Snow White but the ending was original:
"Then something happened to her after that night. She appeared in a garden near the castle. She tried but she could not go back to the castle because her evil dad would not let her in. He was saying, "You are not my daughter. You are a fake." So she went back to (the guy). She asked if she could live with him and he said, "Yes." (The guy) and (the princess) lived happily ever after."
Daughters need their dads or they may end up like this princess, running to another man to provide what they are desperately needing. I can't change the beginning of Lucky's life. Her father abandoned her. That is part of her story. But the ending can be rewritten because God has promised to be a Father to the fatherless. He will not sit on His throne and turn her away. Instead, when she turns to Him, He will be filled with compassion and, like the father of the prodigal son, will run to her, throw His arms around her and kiss her.
And they will live happily ever after.
Showing posts with label holidays. Show all posts
Showing posts with label holidays. Show all posts
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Friday, May 8, 2009
Mother's Day Ironies
Just to prove that it helps to have a sense of humor about those days when it's tough to not be the "real" mom:
Ana was putting a photo into a frame so Lucky could add it to the gift for her mom while commenting to me about her dislike of this particular holiday. She flipped the words and sang soulfully, "Sometimes I feel like a childless mother...."
Lucky is the last of our kids who is still in the foster care system. My kids are adopted and the others are no longer in the system but back living with us in a more informal capacity. Lucky's mom is a very nice person but in five years has been unable to do what she needs to in order to parent her daughter again.
That's why I found it amusing when Lucky showed me the card she picked out at the store for her mom which read:
"You've Got This Mom Thing All Figured Out".
No comment.
Ana was putting a photo into a frame so Lucky could add it to the gift for her mom while commenting to me about her dislike of this particular holiday. She flipped the words and sang soulfully, "Sometimes I feel like a childless mother...."
Lucky is the last of our kids who is still in the foster care system. My kids are adopted and the others are no longer in the system but back living with us in a more informal capacity. Lucky's mom is a very nice person but in five years has been unable to do what she needs to in order to parent her daughter again.
That's why I found it amusing when Lucky showed me the card she picked out at the store for her mom which read:
"You've Got This Mom Thing All Figured Out".
No comment.
Nothing Personal
Preparing for what will hopefully be a low key Mother's Day after a couple of semi-stressful days this week which I can't blog about.
I've got nothin'...but Claudia's blog here is excellent and says it all.
I've got nothin'...but Claudia's blog here is excellent and says it all.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Fun Day
We had a pleasant Easter although we were minus Lucky who was at her mom's house.
Squeaker behaved well and appropriately although she did tell anyone who would pretend to listen about how she does not want to go to the local high school in the fall.
Most importantly we are safe from candy holidays until October!
Squeaker behaved well and appropriately although she did tell anyone who would pretend to listen about how she does not want to go to the local high school in the fall.
Most importantly we are safe from candy holidays until October!
Monday, December 29, 2008
Entropy
The breakdown begins. Lack of routine, too much sugar, too little sleep, and too much time together is starting to take its toll. Only a few cracks at present and we'll try to hold it together Macgyver-like with duct tape and Christmas ribbon until school starts next Monday.
Squeaker enjoyed her phone call with her sister then stayed up to late and broke down at bedtime because her sister is moving to Texas in the summer. Logic not being in great supply after midnight, she cried that her little sister is the only family member she stays in contact with and gets to see regularly. While she doesn't see any family members often, she has not seen or spoken to her sister since her mother's parental rights were terminated almost four years ago. Several of her family members including her sister's father are permitted to contact her, but sadly they never do. She is the one who maintains periodic contact with aunts, grandparents, sisters, and even her birthdad. This is the family that she would return to in a heartbeat if she could.
The Boss is having a post-shower meltdown this morning. He has discovered that if you repeat the same thing about a zillion times that it drives every grown-up within a ten-mile radius completely round the bend.
Lucky and Squeaker have been getting along reasonably well since Lucky has been gone for a good chunk of vacation. They have been doing each other's hair and nails and shrieking and giggling a lot. Lucky is a pesterer and that gets old pretty quick. She leaves tomorrow to visit the aunt and uncle that she lived with before she came here. They do a big New Year's shin-dig which we definitely don't, so I'm sure she'll be happy to go off to that while we play board games and eat cinnamon popcorn here. We'll enjoy the break from being asked every five minutes what we are doing today, what can she do now, can she take the dogs for a walk, can we go to the store, what are we having for dinner, do you have any more batteries.....?
The Boss is turning purple screaming "I want my puppy" so I guess it's time to go see if he needs any medical intervention.
Update: The Boss just switched to "I wanna get off the bed". Change is nice.
Squeaker enjoyed her phone call with her sister then stayed up to late and broke down at bedtime because her sister is moving to Texas in the summer. Logic not being in great supply after midnight, she cried that her little sister is the only family member she stays in contact with and gets to see regularly. While she doesn't see any family members often, she has not seen or spoken to her sister since her mother's parental rights were terminated almost four years ago. Several of her family members including her sister's father are permitted to contact her, but sadly they never do. She is the one who maintains periodic contact with aunts, grandparents, sisters, and even her birthdad. This is the family that she would return to in a heartbeat if she could.
The Boss is having a post-shower meltdown this morning. He has discovered that if you repeat the same thing about a zillion times that it drives every grown-up within a ten-mile radius completely round the bend.
Lucky and Squeaker have been getting along reasonably well since Lucky has been gone for a good chunk of vacation. They have been doing each other's hair and nails and shrieking and giggling a lot. Lucky is a pesterer and that gets old pretty quick. She leaves tomorrow to visit the aunt and uncle that she lived with before she came here. They do a big New Year's shin-dig which we definitely don't, so I'm sure she'll be happy to go off to that while we play board games and eat cinnamon popcorn here. We'll enjoy the break from being asked every five minutes what we are doing today, what can she do now, can she take the dogs for a walk, can we go to the store, what are we having for dinner, do you have any more batteries.....?
The Boss is turning purple screaming "I want my puppy" so I guess it's time to go see if he needs any medical intervention.
Update: The Boss just switched to "I wanna get off the bed". Change is nice.
Friday, December 26, 2008
I Should Have Worn My Serious Shoes
Made it through another Christmas! This one was way better than the last few years. Actually make that the last seven years since we started fostering.
Everyone was appropriate and grateful both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day----although not so much helpful with all the added cleaning up that the holidays require but I'll take what I can get and be happy with it.
We're having a very pleasant visit with C, teenage brother of Stickers. He's polite and easy-going just as I remember him when he was younger and lived with us.
We only had one small incident between the girls. Why do teenage girls have to be so snarky to one another for no reason at all? It's not the occasional rude remarks that get to me it's the justification afterwards. This time "Well, the truth hurts sometimes." What the heck? And when I suggested that when faced with the choice of being kind or unkind the right choice is kindness, she turned and walked away from me pulling out her cell phone. Whatever. I was done anyway as nothing I say makes a dang bit of difference.
And maybe it's just me, but I did feel just the slightest bit ridiculous addressing the situation while wearing sock monkey slippers.
Everyone was appropriate and grateful both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day----although not so much helpful with all the added cleaning up that the holidays require but I'll take what I can get and be happy with it.
We're having a very pleasant visit with C, teenage brother of Stickers. He's polite and easy-going just as I remember him when he was younger and lived with us.
We only had one small incident between the girls. Why do teenage girls have to be so snarky to one another for no reason at all? It's not the occasional rude remarks that get to me it's the justification afterwards. This time "Well, the truth hurts sometimes." What the heck? And when I suggested that when faced with the choice of being kind or unkind the right choice is kindness, she turned and walked away from me pulling out her cell phone. Whatever. I was done anyway as nothing I say makes a dang bit of difference.
And maybe it's just me, but I did feel just the slightest bit ridiculous addressing the situation while wearing sock monkey slippers.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Allegations Part 2 and Parties for 2
Stickers moved back in on Wednesday. She has always visited frequently and for long periods of time so right now it feels like a visit except that she brought her dog and has been hauling stuff upstairs and has already done a load of laundry. She needs to enroll in college classes here and has a job in a nearby mountain community lined up for after Christmas. Seems like she has things well in hand. Her 16 year old brother (who also lived with us five years ago) will come on Monday and spend Christmas with us.
We had another CPS investigator out here yesterday, this time asking questions about an incident more than three years ago that none of us knew about (if it even ever happened) due to allegations of a child we don't really even remember. Remember, we did crisis care and had hundreds of kids through our homes some staying only overnight and some for months. Thankfully, the allegations were not against us. Nothing came of it except that we stressed for an entire day from the time she called to her actual visit since they won't tell you what they are investigating. We cannot think of any way such an incident could have occurred with any child in our home. She questioned our older kids but Squeaker was the only one around at that time and of course she knew nothing either. Totally ridiculous. And they wonder why they don't have enough foster homes.
Tonight we celebrate Lucky's birthday (12) which is actually tomorrow. Tomorrow we celebrate The Boss' birthday (5) which is actually Monday. School is out today so let the holiday/birthday partying begin!
We had another CPS investigator out here yesterday, this time asking questions about an incident more than three years ago that none of us knew about (if it even ever happened) due to allegations of a child we don't really even remember. Remember, we did crisis care and had hundreds of kids through our homes some staying only overnight and some for months. Thankfully, the allegations were not against us. Nothing came of it except that we stressed for an entire day from the time she called to her actual visit since they won't tell you what they are investigating. We cannot think of any way such an incident could have occurred with any child in our home. She questioned our older kids but Squeaker was the only one around at that time and of course she knew nothing either. Totally ridiculous. And they wonder why they don't have enough foster homes.
Tonight we celebrate Lucky's birthday (12) which is actually tomorrow. Tomorrow we celebrate The Boss' birthday (5) which is actually Monday. School is out today so let the holiday/birthday partying begin!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Tasty the Snowman
We baked last night. Ana decorated a couple cookies for me and delivered them to my room for an early Christmas present.
Hmmmmm....only one left.
Let's have a look.
Kind of blurry. Maybe he's in a blizzard.
Check out that profile.
C'mon over here, Cyrano. I just want to show you something.
Chomp.
Look. Still jolly. Chomp.
Saved the schnozzola for last. CHOMP.
Look at Tasty go.
She made me a stocking too but I socked that one away last night. Ha! Get it? Socked. Ha ha ha. Oooookay, a little too much sugar for Monica and not enough caffiene.
Back to work and laundry.
Hmmmmm....only one left.
Let's have a look.
Kind of blurry. Maybe he's in a blizzard.
Check out that profile.
C'mon over here, Cyrano. I just want to show you something.
Chomp.
Look. Still jolly. Chomp.
Saved the schnozzola for last. CHOMP.
Look at Tasty go.
She made me a stocking too but I socked that one away last night. Ha! Get it? Socked. Ha ha ha. Oooookay, a little too much sugar for Monica and not enough caffiene.
Back to work and laundry.
How to Make the Kiddies Cry
Last week Tappy was here for respite and we were going out to choose a Christmas tree. Ana and I hate going out to choose a Christmas tree. We were trying to decide between a fresh tree or an artificial one with the peanut gallery piping in all around.
Let's not go out, we said, let's just use last year's tree! The ultimate recycling! How green of us....way better than regifting! Ana ran out to the side yard and retrieved it. It once was a six foot Douglas fir that we got free from our church. It was a nice little tree last year. We missed the tree pick-up with our trash service so we tossed it in the side yard. When it dried out we cut off the branches and burned them in our fire pit. What a bonfire! The neighbors probably feared for their homes. It was awesome. Now it is a six foot stump with short, spiky branches sticking out all over. Perfect! we declared.
Oh, the pouting and the whining that ensued. Pretty hilarious. Always fun to make the kids cry around Christmas time.
Here's our "cowboy tree" which now graces a corner of our dining room.
I think it turned out pretty nice indeed.
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Okay, so we got a little fake tree too. Here's how that one turned out.
Incidentally, one of the things we hate about setting up live trees is all the work it takes to get it into the stand and make it stand straight. So instead we spent two days trying to make the fake tree stand up straight. At least my arms didn't get an itchy rash like they do with a fresh tree, but frustrating nonetheless.
Next year this tree will become our "kid ornament" tree. Every year we give the kids a new ornament that goes on their tree. We still have a three foot tree for that but clearly need to move on to a bigger one.
This was taken immediately after I broke Peaches' really cool new handpainted ornament. And I thought I was done shopping...guess I'll have to go out and replace that one.
Let's not go out, we said, let's just use last year's tree! The ultimate recycling! How green of us....way better than regifting! Ana ran out to the side yard and retrieved it. It once was a six foot Douglas fir that we got free from our church. It was a nice little tree last year. We missed the tree pick-up with our trash service so we tossed it in the side yard. When it dried out we cut off the branches and burned them in our fire pit. What a bonfire! The neighbors probably feared for their homes. It was awesome. Now it is a six foot stump with short, spiky branches sticking out all over. Perfect! we declared.
Oh, the pouting and the whining that ensued. Pretty hilarious. Always fun to make the kids cry around Christmas time.
Here's our "cowboy tree" which now graces a corner of our dining room.
I think it turned out pretty nice indeed.
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Okay, so we got a little fake tree too. Here's how that one turned out.
Incidentally, one of the things we hate about setting up live trees is all the work it takes to get it into the stand and make it stand straight. So instead we spent two days trying to make the fake tree stand up straight. At least my arms didn't get an itchy rash like they do with a fresh tree, but frustrating nonetheless.
Next year this tree will become our "kid ornament" tree. Every year we give the kids a new ornament that goes on their tree. We still have a three foot tree for that but clearly need to move on to a bigger one.
This was taken immediately after I broke Peaches' really cool new handpainted ornament. And I thought I was done shopping...guess I'll have to go out and replace that one.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Christmas Party
We went to our agency's Christmas Party yesterday afternoon. It was nice and all the kids enjoyed it. Some great young people in the Navy who work at our local veterans hospital personally bought, wrapped, donated, and delivered gifts for some of the kids. Then they stayed to watch the children open them. A total hit. They seemed to enjoy it as much as the kids. One of them had been in foster care as a child and was later adopted. He was very excited to spearhead the Navy's involvement this year.
The Boss got some Transformers toys and was practically knocking over the furniture in his haste to open it (with the helping hands of two of the staff members little boys). He even sat on Santa's lap to get them something he had vowed repeatedly not to do.
Afterwards, he said "See, Mommy, you don't get me toys. Santa brings me toys!"
The Boss got some Transformers toys and was practically knocking over the furniture in his haste to open it (with the helping hands of two of the staff members little boys). He even sat on Santa's lap to get them something he had vowed repeatedly not to do.
Afterwards, he said "See, Mommy, you don't get me toys. Santa brings me toys!"
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Summing Up
Computer back in the shop. Back on the slowbie (again grateful yet impatient). Too hard to blog so will bullet point the day.
Better behavior from Squeaker after non-lecture but "this is the way it's gonna be" talk from me last night. Her appearance in our town Christmas parade is at stake so I think I'll get perfect behavior all week.
The Boss is hyper and crazy lately and asking if he can have a "big boy" come live with us. Also asking for a dad. I'll get right on that, son.
Lucky enjoying her new cupboard-under-the-stairs hidey-hole that Ana made for her this week to get away from Squeaker when she's being mean. "There's no such thing as magic!"
After 5+ years since she left, Stickers is ready to come on back home to us now that she is 18.
The agency imploring us to take more kids because the crisis shelter is packed and there are not enough homes. Would need a three-to-a-room waiver to make that possible since it's brother/sister sibs (girl 6 and boy 8--there's The Boss' "big boy") and we only have one room.
Tappy coming this weekend for respite.
The rude dogs keep getting out from under the fence. Why do we have dogs again?
Otherwise, all is calm and all is bright. Very much looking forward to Christmas this year minus the ever ungrateful Drama Boy and Sparky.
Better behavior from Squeaker after non-lecture but "this is the way it's gonna be" talk from me last night. Her appearance in our town Christmas parade is at stake so I think I'll get perfect behavior all week.
The Boss is hyper and crazy lately and asking if he can have a "big boy" come live with us. Also asking for a dad. I'll get right on that, son.
Lucky enjoying her new cupboard-under-the-stairs hidey-hole that Ana made for her this week to get away from Squeaker when she's being mean. "There's no such thing as magic!"
After 5+ years since she left, Stickers is ready to come on back home to us now that she is 18.
The agency imploring us to take more kids because the crisis shelter is packed and there are not enough homes. Would need a three-to-a-room waiver to make that possible since it's brother/sister sibs (girl 6 and boy 8--there's The Boss' "big boy") and we only have one room.
Tappy coming this weekend for respite.
The rude dogs keep getting out from under the fence. Why do we have dogs again?
Otherwise, all is calm and all is bright. Very much looking forward to Christmas this year minus the ever ungrateful Drama Boy and Sparky.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Happy Thanksgiving All
My laptop crashed and burned again so I have been neglectful of my working and my blogging but I'm back up on my borrowed replacement which I'm thankful I had not yet returned.
Drama Boy left yesterday and I'll blog on that tomorrow.
For now, just wanted to post my thankful list before I figure out how to transport fresh out of the oven pies.
On top of my list, I'm thankful that the adoptions on all my children are finalized at last. I love having to fill out forms now because I get to put their new names! God has blessed me with the gift of two beautiful daughters and a sweetheart of a son and then (dyenu!) bonused me with a grandson. They make my life so sweet despite the challenges.
I'm thankful for wonderfully loving and supportive parents; amazing, courageous, fun brothers and sisters and their spouses who are like brother and sisters. I'm especially thankful for my twin sister Ana, partner in crime since, well, before birth. Without her to laugh with about the craziness, I would have quit after the first few kids.
I'm thankful for my fun, funny, and adorable nieces and nephews....yes, the big ones are adorable too.
I'm thankful for the opportunity to minister to foster children, even though often we don't get to see the fruit of our labor, and for the churches and individuals who help us continue to do so.
And I'm thankful that we have a savior and redeemer who steps in and holds the broken-hearted, places the solitary in families, and loves us no matter what.
Have a blessed and happy day filled with much to be thankful for.
Drama Boy left yesterday and I'll blog on that tomorrow.
For now, just wanted to post my thankful list before I figure out how to transport fresh out of the oven pies.
On top of my list, I'm thankful that the adoptions on all my children are finalized at last. I love having to fill out forms now because I get to put their new names! God has blessed me with the gift of two beautiful daughters and a sweetheart of a son and then (dyenu!) bonused me with a grandson. They make my life so sweet despite the challenges.
I'm thankful for wonderfully loving and supportive parents; amazing, courageous, fun brothers and sisters and their spouses who are like brother and sisters. I'm especially thankful for my twin sister Ana, partner in crime since, well, before birth. Without her to laugh with about the craziness, I would have quit after the first few kids.
I'm thankful for my fun, funny, and adorable nieces and nephews....yes, the big ones are adorable too.
I'm thankful for the opportunity to minister to foster children, even though often we don't get to see the fruit of our labor, and for the churches and individuals who help us continue to do so.
And I'm thankful that we have a savior and redeemer who steps in and holds the broken-hearted, places the solitary in families, and loves us no matter what.
Have a blessed and happy day filled with much to be thankful for.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Just Another Day
The only thing I wanted for Mother's Day was for no-one to ask me for anything. I didn't want to hear a single sentence start with "Can I...?" or worse "Can you...?" or worse yet "Can you buy me a...?" For the most part, I got what I asked for.
We had a pleasant day after a frantic evening and morning searching for the missing car keys. I found them inside the printer. Don't ask. Not mentioning any names but looking right at THE BOSS.
I had anticipated some acting out from Squeaker because she was working up to it the night before and because my mom and dad arrived today from the east coast. She did pretty well and seemed at ease and not overly performing for attention.
Mother's Day is a toughy that we try to keep as low-key as possible. Drama Boy and Sparky bristle when they think someone is trying to take the place of their birth mom. Squeaker has a hard time getting through the day because she misses her birth mom a lot. Since everything to her is very black and white, missing her birth mom usually means that she is hating me.
Last night, I was talking to her about some self-injuring behavior she was engaged in. She became angry about something I said and ran crying upstairs saying, "MOM would understand!". Knowing her mom and knowing this statement was not true, I asked her later what her mom would do in this situation and she could only answer, "She would beat the crap out of me." Now that is a completely true statement but she almost immediately followed it sobbing "I just miss her!"
I know how much she misses her birth mom. We talk about it a lot. She remembers when her mom was not beating and belittling her that she was playful and fun. It saddens me that she is the only one who wants an ongoing relationship. The last time she called, her birth mother blamed her for everything that had happened then hung up on her. Squeaker was only eleven at the time. Despite it all, she loves her mom and misses her and often wishes that she was never removed from that abusive situation. This constantly comes out in her love/hate relationship with me. In her black and white mind, her mom is either a villian and I am the best mom in the world or her mom is idealized and she tries to punish me for not being her. I understand and, although it frustrates and irritates me, it doesn't hurt me even when she tries to hurt me with it.
It is even more painful for her because she is the only one of my kids repeatedly going through this. The Boss has been with me nearly since his birth and never knew his birth mom. Peaches' mother died and, while she misses her, she remembers her as a loving, caring mom. She has the emotional stability to form new, healthy attachments without all the baggage of having been abused and rejected.
I wish I could change things for Squeaker or do something that could bring her some comfort. Even if that were possible, I'm really not all that good at that kind of thing. So for now all I can do for her on Mother's Day is to hold her while she cries and mourns for her other mom and the old life that she lost.
We had a pleasant day after a frantic evening and morning searching for the missing car keys. I found them inside the printer. Don't ask. Not mentioning any names but looking right at THE BOSS.
I had anticipated some acting out from Squeaker because she was working up to it the night before and because my mom and dad arrived today from the east coast. She did pretty well and seemed at ease and not overly performing for attention.
Mother's Day is a toughy that we try to keep as low-key as possible. Drama Boy and Sparky bristle when they think someone is trying to take the place of their birth mom. Squeaker has a hard time getting through the day because she misses her birth mom a lot. Since everything to her is very black and white, missing her birth mom usually means that she is hating me.
Last night, I was talking to her about some self-injuring behavior she was engaged in. She became angry about something I said and ran crying upstairs saying, "MOM would understand!". Knowing her mom and knowing this statement was not true, I asked her later what her mom would do in this situation and she could only answer, "She would beat the crap out of me." Now that is a completely true statement but she almost immediately followed it sobbing "I just miss her!"
I know how much she misses her birth mom. We talk about it a lot. She remembers when her mom was not beating and belittling her that she was playful and fun. It saddens me that she is the only one who wants an ongoing relationship. The last time she called, her birth mother blamed her for everything that had happened then hung up on her. Squeaker was only eleven at the time. Despite it all, she loves her mom and misses her and often wishes that she was never removed from that abusive situation. This constantly comes out in her love/hate relationship with me. In her black and white mind, her mom is either a villian and I am the best mom in the world or her mom is idealized and she tries to punish me for not being her. I understand and, although it frustrates and irritates me, it doesn't hurt me even when she tries to hurt me with it.
It is even more painful for her because she is the only one of my kids repeatedly going through this. The Boss has been with me nearly since his birth and never knew his birth mom. Peaches' mother died and, while she misses her, she remembers her as a loving, caring mom. She has the emotional stability to form new, healthy attachments without all the baggage of having been abused and rejected.
I wish I could change things for Squeaker or do something that could bring her some comfort. Even if that were possible, I'm really not all that good at that kind of thing. So for now all I can do for her on Mother's Day is to hold her while she cries and mourns for her other mom and the old life that she lost.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
April Fools
Given the date, we decided it would be a perfect evening for Christmas caroling. Our teenage niece and nephew drove up to join in the festivities. We bundled up in hats, mittens, and scarves, put the littles in the wagon and the dogs on leashes and set out.
The results were somewhat disappointing. Maybe it's just our neighborhood, but we didn't find a very receptive audience.
To be honest, a few of them looked petrified.
The results were somewhat disappointing. Maybe it's just our neighborhood, but we didn't find a very receptive audience.
To be honest, a few of them looked petrified.
Monday, January 7, 2008
It's Not Over Yet
In the weeks since his birthday and Christmas have passed, The Boss continues to ask if we are going to get presents. I continue to tell him that Christmas is over. Yesterday at church we were able to pick up the XBox that someone bought for our family. They also gave us some bats, balls, and helmets which The Boss was eager to carry to the car. As he walked through the parking lot with his load he remarked, "See, Mommy, Christmas is NOT over."
Friday, December 28, 2007
So Much for Peace on Earth
I guess Christmas is over. The novelty of new toys bought two days of relative peace and quiet. The three tweeners also did pretty well at the store redeeming gift cards. They lasted until yesterday afternoon. Drama Boy and Squeaker have been assigned to write essays on kindness following a gossip session in the front yard about how much they hate The Boss. After wrestling and flailing all over the house Sparky and Drama Boy refused to take it outside or go settle down in their room and chose to shout at me instead. Bad move. No computers for them for two days. No electronics for Squeaker until her essay is done and her room is picked up. I just heard an "I hate you" from down the hall and I don't know if it's serious or joking. Sigh. "Isn't nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet!" (L.M. Montgomery)
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Christmas Moods in Rhyme
Porky: How we felt after a lot of yummy Christmas goodies.
Dorky: How we looked in our santa hats.
Mad: How Sparky felt when he thought Squeaker got a better gift (and how the grown-ups felt about his display of ingratitude).
Glad: How The Boss felt about all his new jets,trains, trucks, and transformers.
Tired: How I felt after staying up most the night loading music on ipods and assembling a radio flyer wagon.
Wired: Kids+Sugar+Presents. 'Nuff said.
Geeky: Because one of our traditions is Christmas caroling (rather badly) for the neighbors and we're bummed because we skipped it this year.
Reeky: Because the kids slept in their clothes and then went straight outside to play with their new toys this morning.
Stressed: Because all three cars need work, our front door got stuck shut on Christmas day and our handyman can't fix it, we're broke until the beginning of the month, and we have a week and a half of vacation left with kids who think they should be entertained every waking minute.
Blessed: Because a Christmas bonus paid for our holiday dinner (I give you my boss, the founder of the feast!), members of our church family gave us a Christmas tree and gifts including an Xbox (our PS2 was among the things stolen on the Fourth of July while we were helping at a church event), Christmas was much more peaceful and enjoyable than we anticipated (the holidays being a very difficult time for traumatized kids), guardianship for Drama Boy and Sparky finally went through, adoptions for Peaches and Squeaker should be early next year. We're blessed with a lovely house and more than enough stuff (despite the boys cries of lack and neglect because we choose not to have cable); terrific, supportive parents; wonderful siblings/siblings-in-law who are also some of our best friends; healthy, (sometimes) happy kids; gorgeous and amazing nieces and nephews; a very sweet grandma; dear friends that we do not see enough but love and miss; and of course the very best gift of God's own son.
Dorky: How we looked in our santa hats.
Mad: How Sparky felt when he thought Squeaker got a better gift (and how the grown-ups felt about his display of ingratitude).
Glad: How The Boss felt about all his new jets,trains, trucks, and transformers.
Tired: How I felt after staying up most the night loading music on ipods and assembling a radio flyer wagon.
Wired: Kids+Sugar+Presents. 'Nuff said.
Geeky: Because one of our traditions is Christmas caroling (rather badly) for the neighbors and we're bummed because we skipped it this year.
Reeky: Because the kids slept in their clothes and then went straight outside to play with their new toys this morning.
Stressed: Because all three cars need work, our front door got stuck shut on Christmas day and our handyman can't fix it, we're broke until the beginning of the month, and we have a week and a half of vacation left with kids who think they should be entertained every waking minute.
Blessed: Because a Christmas bonus paid for our holiday dinner (I give you my boss, the founder of the feast!), members of our church family gave us a Christmas tree and gifts including an Xbox (our PS2 was among the things stolen on the Fourth of July while we were helping at a church event), Christmas was much more peaceful and enjoyable than we anticipated (the holidays being a very difficult time for traumatized kids), guardianship for Drama Boy and Sparky finally went through, adoptions for Peaches and Squeaker should be early next year. We're blessed with a lovely house and more than enough stuff (despite the boys cries of lack and neglect because we choose not to have cable); terrific, supportive parents; wonderful siblings/siblings-in-law who are also some of our best friends; healthy, (sometimes) happy kids; gorgeous and amazing nieces and nephews; a very sweet grandma; dear friends that we do not see enough but love and miss; and of course the very best gift of God's own son.
Good Morning, Sweet Prince
The Boss' first word's to me this morning were: "Can I have Christmas again today?"
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