Wednesday Whining.....

Okay so last night I had the bright idea to make my famous (to my family) fajitas in the crock pot. I was concerned at the amount of liquid it might create and so this is what I came up with.

http://www.livestrong.com/recipes/crock-pot-chicken-fajitas/

The only thing I don't do is use chicken broth usually but thought it might need it (maybe I shouldn't have).

Anyway true to my thinking...too much liquid. I also think the veggie are too done for me (for fajitas). So I tasted it and had forgotten that the crock pot holds flavor in and it is very spicy...very tasty also. Not a complete mess. I decided this won't go to waste, so I'm going to stir up some cornbread and make a casserole. I also think it would make a good soup by adding more chicken broth and either cream cheese or sour cream. So tonight will be a trial and I'll have to post what happens and let you know if we have all survived.

Cameron starts homeschooling Monday. So today we went over his schedule and I had him write his first day of lessons in his agenda. I'm not sure that letting him pick his agenda was the best, I had my doubts that is was a good one but thinking about letting him have control of things that might not matter much I let him make the final decision. The problem is he writes too BIG. I think that probably is just a personal preference...I know some people that write so small that you can't read it. Oh well, so not much space to write and no lines (that's another issue in itself, lol).

So I'm whining on a Wednesday...I still have the rest of the week to overcome and well really all this isn't so bad.

One last note without all the details...don't make excuses to your ex about why you can't pick up your daughter (2 different excuses in a matter of hours, neither of which are legit) for visitation and then post on facebook what you have been doing and it contradicts your story. You just told on yourself..of course we knew you were lying because it is typical.

Weekend is over.

Had a great weekend. Of course Breanna was gone and that always makes me sad. I got to spend Friday with my mom shopping and lunch. Dad also met us for lunch so that was a bonus. Saturday Cameron and I spent the day with the folks and decided to cook out the weather was so nice. We had hamburgers (no turkey, beef...lol), hot dogs, sausage, baked beans, chili and broccoli slaw. It was so yummy! My friend Cindy brought an Oreo Cake, we barely had room for a piece of that. I can not wait until every day is sunny and we can eat every meal outside, starting with coffee in our rockers. Sunday was full of just rain. Can't complain I guess, God is just getting the ground ready for those veggies we are going to plant. Cooked a big Sunday dinner of pork roast, honey glazed carrots, loaded mashed potatoes, corn, heated up those baked beans and finished off the broccoli slaw. Mom and Dad came and ate, Cameron acts like a toddler when my dad comes over. It's like my dad has never seen anything in the house and he has to show him everything and never wants him to leave. Four days of school this week and next week is Spring Break. I'm looking forward to that, but of course Bre' will be gone for 9 whole days UGH! I'll just have to make the most of things with Cameron. Gonna plan our PARENTS group picnic today, it will be next Wednesday for the whole family. If you are in the area get in touch to join us. I've got to get things in order for child support today. October I turned in about $8,000 in medical receipts and finally got notice of review in the mail Saturday. I probably have another $5,000 to turn in. Every time we get to this point I get so mad at the situation. Such a shame to miss out on your child's life because of money. If you have a child that you don't watch grow up, I just want you to know you are truly missing out on tons of blessings. Enough said. Well I need to get things going around here and make this a productive day. Hope everyone has a blessed day and remember to thank God for your blessings.

Just a good day, what can I say?!

Today was a good day! I took the kids to school so Cameron could take his Science Project without breaking his neck on the bus. This was a treat for them, it amazes me how much a child looks forward to riding the bus until they have to ride it, lol. While driving to work, Kevin called me and he got called into work. I love it when God provides extra income. Since our income tax has been delayed due to the bio-mom thinking as usual the rules don't apply to her, my job situation has changed and I've moved to two days a week and hopefully this summer it will be three and Kevin has picked up a few extra hours here and there. Cameron called me while I was at work today to tell me that he only missed two on his spelling test and got and 86. I am so proud of him. There isn't a day that goes by that I'm not amazed. When I got home we took Breanna to get her picture made with the Easter Bunny. Of course Cameron didn't want his taken...he's thinks he is too old. We had a really good evening as a family hanging out together. I will be sad this weekend since Breanna has to go on her visit. I plan on keeping busy with Cameron and doing some Spring Cleaning.

Do you ever have leftover BBQ? When I do I usually freeze it for later. Here is an quick, easy, cheap and yummy recipe the whole family will love.

BBQ Pita Pizzas

Pita Bread

Leftover BBQ

BBQ Sauce

Shredded Cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Take Pita Bread and brush lightly with BBQ Sauce, add leftover BBQ and top with Shredded Cheese. Bake for 10-15 minutes until Pita is crispy and cheese is melted.

This is a bargain meal. I buy the Pita Bread with the grocery store marks it down (paid $1.19 for a pack of 6) and keep it in the freezer until I get ready to use it. The BBQ was leftover and the BBQ Sauce was already in the fridge, so no extra cost involved there. I bought a pack of Shredded Cheese for $1.79 and didn't even use but half of the package (so some for another day). Basically we ate for less that $3.00 tonight....AWESOME!

Back On Track

Okay, lots has really happened and I just got to fill you in.

Well January finished with more sickness that seems to be lasting in spurts throughout the household.

February proved to be very loving. Kevin and Breanna attend the Father/Daughter Dance at her school. Cameron and I celebrated by having dinner at one of his favorite restaurants; Biba's Italian Restaurant. This proved to be a good trip because I was able to mimic his favorite dish; Tortellini Gabrielle the following week for dinner. Yum and what a savings.

March so far has just been more sickness and getting in to the spring cleaning thing. Although the most eventful moment is when we filed out taxes only to find out that Kevin's ex-wife just up and decided the rules don't apply to her and claimed Breanna. So with a lawyer on standby and the IRS working on the investigation, we will just wait for that refund. It really amazes me at how she continues to find excuses and ways to justify her illegal and odd behavior. Of course the icing on the cake for this is that instead of being Kevin's fault, she decided the blame should be on me this time. I hope it is worth it, the IRS Agent I spoke with said she could face not only paying back what she got, penalties, interest and perjury charges. Not likely jail time if she cooperates (that is kind of funny).

Oh, I almost forgot two of the biggest changes in our life. With Kevin's support I have begun a support group at our church. It is called P.A.R.E.N.T.S. (Praying and Reaching Everyone's Needs Through Support). We have been meeting every Wednesday since February and just this past week decided to meet the 1st and 3rd Wednesday's of the month (everyone is so busy). This is support/fellowship group for parents of children that may have a learning, mental or health issue. I really felt led to do this since all three of these issues are dealt with in our household and in the last 11 years I have basically not found any group that could just listen or offer advice on situations they have been through. We really wanted to be broad since we don't know what the community need really is, or what God has in store. We want everyone to feel welcome, even if you don't have a child with any issues we feel that daily parenting issues can cause enough grief and maybe just the average parent might want to be a part of our group also. Let me know if you are interested and I will get our information to you.

The next important factor in our life is that God is providing wonderful opportunities for the charity I've been working for the past year. Due to accepted grants, I have gone from 1 day a week to 2 days a week. And hopefully if we get the other grant we applied for it will allow me to work 3 days a week starting some time in the summer. I'm really excited about what I'll be doing and know it is for God. I'm also excited about getting a paycheck. YEA!

Well that should pretty much catch you up on things. I'm sure I left a lot out but I'm planning to really push myself and start this up again...3 times a charm, LOL!

Birthday Season Over

(Above are the photos of the food spread Candice did...soo goood!)

Breanna got up this morning feeling so excited that it was her birthday. She couldn't wait to get to school and wear her birthday hat. I had no idea what that meant so I asked her. She said her teacher Ms. Bishop makes them a hat on their birthday to wear all day. How cleaver that is, something so small makes these little kid's day.

Kevin ran errands and I worked at the charity for a while. Of course we were in a rush when school was out to get Bre' ready to meet bio-mom and Cameron's homework. Not sure if Breanna would be fed on her two hour visit (according to her they usually don't feed her on Friday for her weekend visit, so I had my doubts that anything was planned for this short visit) so I decided to make her a favorite peanut butter and grape jelly sandwich with apple juice and banana for dessert. Of course she love it, she's a kid. We dropped her off on time and I must say that arrogance must come naturally to some people. I'm sure we are all guilty of it a times, but some people just blatantly display it for what I guess is just a personal shove. First of all bio-mom was smoking (okay outside the car for a change) and didn't even budge to come get her daughter that she felt the need just a few days ago to express that she must have her on her actually birthday because she laid in labor all that time for her. I tend to think that I might at least look a bit excited. Bio-mom's sister instead proceeded to open the car door and grab her before she could finish telling everyone bye (a ritual we go through everywhere we go, not to mention bedtime), Kevin had to stop her so he could tell her bye and we'd see her in a couple of hours.

We headed to the hospital to visit mom. She was up and in a chair, had been exercising and doing her therapy. We had a good visit and it seems that she may get to go home tomorrow some time after lunch. I know she will be so glad just to be home. Recovery is so much better at home than a hospital. Of course it will make if much easier on my dad. He is so sweet, he is going to make sure she is taken care of and has everything she needs...while hobbling on his broke foot. The are the best parents.

Kevin headed out to get Breanna and Cameron and I headed to church. I took cupcakes for the kids birthday at church. They were given the option of taking them to church or school and both chose church. Cameron's class had a Halloween Party so the cupcakes were a great addition. Candice made some wonderful treats for the kids; hot dogs wrapped like mummies, bone bread sticks, pretzel and fruit roll up witches brooms, string cheese fingers, cheese pizza and ice cream punch with gummy worms. I'm thinking something else to but can't remember. She always has great games for the kids. The class is wonderful and Cameron really enjoys it. Breanna's class worked on crafts and enjoyed their cupcake party. She was so excited when she got there. Luckily praise and worship lasted a little bit longer than usual and she got there just as the kids were heading to the classes. She came to see me, hugged me and said where's my party? It is such a gift when you see a child's face light up. Don't rush those moments or ever let them pass you by.

After church we came home and got the kids all scrubbed up. Breanna said she was hungry and as predicted ate nothing on her visit (do some people just not think?). Not only that she let us know that she only got a sweater and pair of pants from her grandfather and not a single gift from anyone else. No cake, no small party, no anything...she was told that on her next visit that they would give her a party. I'm not an expert but it seems like that would be a little hard for a 6 year old to comprehend why a week before they put off her party, now on her birthday no party and is expected to wait another week and a half for her birthday. She was very disappointed. Of course she is beginning to get used to being let down and that just breaks my heart. And another issue that as a mother just blows my mind is the fact that bio-mom either is to prideful to tell us she needs us to send clothes for her when she comes down there or she just doesn't care or know what size her child wears. Most of the time Breanna comes home in clothes to small for her. This last time she came home with pants about a mile to long and shoes two sizes to small. When Breanna told her that she needed to buy her some new shoes tonight in a size 13 (she asked her size before she left) she was told to tell Kevin that he needed to send her clothes and shoes down there. When we got custody of Breanna, I specifically told Ms. Bio-Mom (sorry for the sarcasm) that we would pack her a bag for every visit and for her just to please just place the unwashed clothing back in her bag and return everything. I told her that is what I did for Cameron when he was visiting Jack. Her reply was, I don't need anything from you...I can provide anything my daughter needs. So that was that, from then on what she sent her home in would be what we sent her back in for each visit. It has been that way for three years now. So Kevin politely (and I do mean politely, no sarcasm) left a voice message to remind her of her own words and told her if she needed him to send clothes and shoes down there that she needed to let us know and not send messages through Bre'. Also told her that Breanna is growing and needs clothes that fit her and to please not to send her back in shoes two sizes to small, then he gave her what size clothes she was in I believe. We kind of expected a nasty little phone call, but well it's after 10:30 p.m. here and so far no call. There is always tomorrow. I don't mean to seem like I'm acting ugly, but you know...enough is enough, how selfish can one person be? I just want to tell her to wake up, Breanna is slipping away from her and she doesn't seem to care. On the way home from church she said, when I turn 8 I can make my own decisions. I asked her what she meant and she said you told Cameron when he was 8 he could decide whether he went to Jack's or not. She was right, that at least was something that we both agreed on...we would never force him to visit and eventually it just became a place he never wanted to go. I told her that if and when she ever felt that way she needed to talk to her Dad. I knew someday this would happen, just didn't know it would happen at 6. Another said point is that bio-mom as even express this to Kevin and is aware that Breanna will eventually not want to visit and this doesn't change her actions.

Okay on a very funny note; just as Cameron was going to bed Kevin found a song on the Internet that was a favorite of his when he was little. First let me tell you that when Cameron was born he had a hernia and it wasn't able to be correct until he was 5 years old. So technically he was born without a belly button. It was a protruding bump when the belly button should be about the size of a quarter and stuck out about an inch, I'm sure you can imagine (I'll have to find some pictures). Well he was a huge Veggie Tales fan and we happen to find a little song that says, I've got to tell you something...I ain't got no belly button and it quickly became his favorite. He loved to dance to it and pull on that loose limp piece of skin it finally became. I was so happy when they went in and repaired the hernia and made him a belly button.

I made Breanna some left over chicken and rice after her bath. She was so excited about her little party at church with her friends. I hope these kids are the ones she grows up and has strong bonds with. I know this is a little gross but just as she came to tell me goodnight I notice she had something in her nose and told her to go clean it out. Well I don't know how it progressed but she couldn't get it and told me to get it out. I just blurted out, no that's a monster booger and it must be holding on until Halloween...that sent her into a big laugh. On and on it went until Kevin tried to get it and finally, yep I ended up with the job. Afterward she kept asking for her birthday whippings. I told Kevin we really should reconsider punishments and spank the kids, when they beg for a whipping, 6 and one to grow on...you know you don't spank your kids enough, lol. So I started to give her her birthday whipping as she called it and she counted and kept counting to 8 and I said hey you are only six are you trying to get older to fast. She thought that was really funny. She said yeah I want to be big I'm going to be 10 next year. I told her no way, next she would want her own apartment and thank goodness she said no. Actually she agreed to living with me forever and when I get old she would be here to take care of me, so I should be good since both her and Cameron have agreed to this (I have a feeling I should have got that in writing, lol.). Okay so now Kevin had to do the birthday whipping and finally she could go to bed. I'd say this was a great birthday, not just for her but Cameron also. They had a big party, each got a special birthday dinner party and a church party...I'm jealous. Hey, they are only little for such a short time and I plan to enjoy every minute of it...no matter how exhausting it is.

Well, I think I need to head to bed...it is waaaaaaay past my bedtime. I can't wait until Judgement House tomorrow. I really don't know what to expect, but it is something Kevin and I have wanted to go to since we met and now Cameron is old enough to go.

Long day

Well I spent the day at the hospital, mom had her left knee replaced today. It has been 2 1/2 years since her right knee replacement, of course they did 2 other surgeries on that same knee afterward. I hope she has a quick and easy recovery. Dad is still hobbling around on his broke foot so I hope they get along good. Not easy having to lame people in the house.

Pretty non eventful other than the surgery. But something funny did happen that I just have to tell. I'm so bad. Breanna talked to bio-mom today and during the conversation I heard her ask where her sister was. She must have told her that she was outside playing because Breanna told her she didn't need to be outside by herself and then told her she need to have a parent watching her. You have to laugh when a 6 year old (well in 2 days) knows more about parenting a child than the parent does. Of course this is probably a typical thing down there. We may let the kids go out an play, but in this day and age...they are never out of our sight. Please watch your children at all times. They are too precious and anything can happen in a few lost seconds. Just watch the news!

End to a long weekend.

Last night was really upsetting to me, I guess it was a lesson that someone thought we needed to be taught. Kevin tried to call Breanna and well the ex wouldn't return our call. That is usually her justification that she can have some little bit of control. I hate to be angry but she should have thought about that before she gave her rights up to Kevin...at least we let her have visitation. As a mom and I truly feel in my heart that Breanna is my daughter, it is the worst feeling when you can't talk to your child. Wondering what they are doing and especially in her case what she might be exposed to. All I can do is pray that God keeps her safe and in his sight. I know he has a watchful eye on her but these times are so difficult. I've worried about her all night and day.

We all went to church today. It was Homecoming but I just couldn't bring myself to go without Kevin and Breanna. We couldn't have went anyway, during church Cameron came down with a bad headache and when we came home I had to give him some medicine. He slept until 4 p.m. And I have to admit I took a little nap during that time also. I really needed that.

A little after 6 p.m. I talked with Kevin's mom Reta and she told me that Breanna had been picked up. I'm so glad she is safe...such a huge relief. God is so good.

Well I just talked to Kevin and him and Breanna are on their way home, so I guess I'll get ready for bed so the water won't be cold for them. This is going to be a very busy week for us. There isn't a day that something isn't on our calendar and most days multiple things. We will start tomorrow out with the first day back to school from fall break...you know the day that is the hardest to get the kids out of bed. Then head to the hospital for mom's knee replacement and hopefully all will go well and we will be home just in time for the dreaded homework routine. Everyone keep us in your prayer.

By the way, soup, dip and pie was great...plenty for today so I didn't even have to cook.

Taking it easy...

Today was a strange Friday... a mix of work, relaxation and some fun. We slept in until about 8 a.m. and for us that was sleeping in. The kids straightened their rooms while I made biscuits and gravy for breakfast. After a Hearty Southern Breakfast, I started the daily laundry, cleaned the kitchen and the kids played for a while. Had to run to Walmart (didn't buy anything) just to sign and insurance paper to get Breanna's new glasses ordered... some new thing they do.

We came home and worked on our Halloween Treats. We decided to make Ghost Suckers and everyone pitched in. We will be handing them out at the Halloween Trunk or Treat at Christ Family Church Halloween Night.

Since it was raining this morning I thought I'd turn the A/C on because it was a little stuffy in the house. After about an hour I noticed it seemed hotter...yep it wasn't working. Dad came by and like before it froze up. We did survive the day with the doors open and breeze coming in since it did stop raining. Thank goodness dad came to the rescue...Kevin was at work.

Kevin is watching his diet and is trying to eat "heart healthy", so that means low-fat and salt-free. We shopped for some spices and decided on some Mrs. Dash. I've used it in the past a lot but had stopped buying it. I made Caribbean Baked Chicken, sauteed Squash and Onions with the Caribbean Seasoning and a little Orange Juice and then made some Garlic Scalloped Potatoes for dinner. It was pretty good and everyone seemed satisfied.

I had to drop Breanna off tonight to spend the weekend with her bio-mom...she had mixed feelings about wanting to go. But by the time we headed out she had stopped making excuses about not wanting to go. It must be hard to leave the place you call home and go to a place where you just aren't sure if people care for you. That issue seems to really be on this five year old's mind.

The boys are having game night, not wanting to read the directions and keep asking me everything. Kevin just got home from work and we plan to relax and watch some t.v. or a movie. Lately I'm wide awake again at night and he is sacked out before me...my insomnia is creeping up again. I wish I could just fall asleep like everyone else. You'd have to suffer from it to understand.

Oh, I wanted to share something with everyone today...

Be sure to teach your children that no matter what, it is always better to tell the truth. If you expose you children to learn that you tell lies or always try to cover something up, they will just mimic you. It becomes second nature and they really don't know any different. Think about this the next time you try to cover something up, make something sound better than it really is or just flat out change the facts...your child is striving to be you, and if you're a liar then you are teaching them to be one.

Hump Day!

Well we are finally at hump day, Wednesday. I had to work at Serenity Pointe today. I wish I could go more than once a week but my family needs me. It's nice to be needed. I love the atmosphere there, nothing like any work place environment me or anyone else has ever experienced I'm sure.

Kevin had all three kids today. He managed to take Breanna to the eye doctor and guess what her eyesight is improving just like he thought and her prescription isn't going to be as strong anymore. Still strong, but not as bad. He went and had his chest xray for his physical and the Xray Tech let Bre' watch...she got to see her dad's heart, lol.

They made a Halloween Haunted House today and I think it looks pretty good. I might have to taste it tomorrow.



Kevin decided to clean up the yard and all the kids pitched in and helped him...wonder what got into them. So when I came home the yard looked great and we decided to go to Walmart and pick out some glasses for Bre'. Of course we have to wait and see what the insurance if any is going to pay for since it was after 5 p.m. We picked out some really cute and stylish ones. I was hoping they would be back in time for school pictures but doesn't look like the will be. We decided to make use of all leftovers and made Kielbasa wraps for dinner, not bad. Kids got baths and had snacks. Then it was time to make a dreaded call.

Why does it seem that when you try to do the right thing, it just makes it worse? Breanna's bio-mom gets to spend time with her on her birthday, which is next Wednesday. Well, not only do we go to church on Wednesday nights but it is a school night, so we came up with a great plan that would benefit Breanna. The visitation is basically unscheduled and we are to plan it taking into account that it is either a weekend or weekday, the schedule and also the amount of time Kevin wants to spend with her. So we thought that since this weekend is her regularly scheduled weekend we would just see if she wanted to get her around noon instead of 6 p.m. and that would give her 6 more hours of visitation uninterrupted. The other option would be for her to get her at 4:30 p.m. and return her to us at 6:30 p.m. so that Breanna could attend church and we could take cupcakes to her church class. Keep in mind that would only allow for two hours and we figured that if she did that then she could just spend time in the area to visit with her instead of driving all the way to Bridgeport, AL (over an hour drive). So Kevin made the call so she wouldn't call us at the last minute. What a disaster... Not only did she feel like we were trying to control everything and dictate to her instead of looking at it like we were giving her a few options, but she decided to bring up the past all the way back to the Titanic I think...good heavens. So after a long accusing conversation she decided that she would have to consult her attorney to see what she says before she decides what to do. Why would you pick your child up an hour away, drive an hour back to your house only to drop them off a hour later and then make your child ride and hour back to their home missing church and a party they really want to have? Let's call that selfish and wanting to be in control. Forget Breanna has been looking forward to this party and loves going to church. It just upsets me to think that a parent would rather try to prove a point that to work things out, always trying to make themselves the victim (I could really tell some stories about that). So after thinking about it a little while, I figure as usual she will say she called her attorney and threaten us with something that we are supposed to be afraid of, but well last time that happened we found out her attorney basically had washed her hands of her little situation. So we are going to stick to our guns, she can do the Friday early pick up or spend two hours locally with her. Do you think we are being fair?

When I started this I wasn't going to be specific on certain things, but I think that our situation just might be helpful to others...sometimes it's nice to know you aren't the only one going through life with these issues. I found out that as a Christian you put other people first, especially your children..Kevin and I ask our kids to help make decisions and we do the best to follow through on what we say. Beyond your kids, I've learned you can't make people do the right thing, they have to want to. And sometimes trying to work things out brings out the worst in you. So remember like I try, I'm not perfect, but as a Christian I have to lead by example and that can be very hard at times. The sad part is we have a little girl tonight that thinks her bio-mom doesn't listen to her or really even care about what she wants...and the bio-mom is so blinded by her selfishness she can't see she is doing damage, not just tonight but on several issues in the past. I pray that all parents whether together, divorced or any situation keep in mind that the children didn't ask for this situation that they created and no matter how hard it is do what is best for them. God please give us all the wisdom you had for your son Jesus. You gave the ultimate sacrifice and in my opinion that had to have been the hardest thing any parent could have ever done. Thank you God!

Fall Break Begins

The kids have really been enjoying the first day of Fall Break. They have all played well together, which is such a wonderful blessing. I've been doing laundry and getting Cameron's medical files ready to take to Child Support in the morning...nothing like turning in $8,000 worth of medical receipts that need to be reimbursed. To bad I can't get that all at once...no such luck. Made homemade burritos for dinner and it was wonderful. They were quick and easy.

Quick and Easy Burritos

1lb ground turkey (everyone knows I seldom eat beef)
1 taco or burrito seasoning packet
1 cup chunky salsa
1 can refried beans
1 pkg spanish rice
flour tortillas
shredded cheese
lettuce
tomatoes
sour cream

Make Spanish Rice according to package. Brown turkey, add seasoning packet and salsa until well blended then add refried beans and cooked Spanish Rice. Then build your burritos just the way you like them.

Let me know if you make them. Nothing like short cuts in the kitchen.

Long time no hear huh?

Things get so busy sometimes. I can't believe Friday is almost over. We have had a pretty good week as a family. Church was good this week. Both the kids looked forward to Wednesday night service and had a great time. They seem to be making new friends and getting use to the new atmosphere. Kevin found out that his plant is going to shut down for Sunday. So that means he gets to go to church this week and we are very happy about that. We really like this church. Continue to pray for us to make a good decision.

Today Breanna goes to her mother's. I realized this week something very important. Not that I wasn't aware of it before, but that I really wasn't going about it the right way. Her mother and I are very different and will never be anything alike. I always realized I couldn't change her no more than she can change me. But what I was continually finding myself doing is trying to understand her. It can't be done. You have to be in those shoes to really understand what is driving someone to act and say the things they do. I finally have woke up and decided that God has room for everyone and I just need to accept her as she is and pray that we have a better working relationship with each other for the sake of Breanna. Nothing else matters, God will deal with each of us individually so why get all bent out of shape over something that you can't control. So I turned it over to God. Yeah I've done this before, but I don't think I realized how until now. All I know is I can do the best to make this work and as long as I do my best then I know that God will take care of my family. I can't worry about things I have no control over. I helped Breanna do a Mother's Day card for her mother and it really felt good. Breanna was a little upset over being told that she would spend mother's day with her mother and that Cameron would spend Mother's Day with his mother. It seemed to really concern her the way her mother had explained it. At first I got upset and then I thought this morning how can I do the best for the situation. I can't help what was said to her, but I could make it not seem so upsetting. So this morning I told Breanna that it was our special Mother's Day. That no one would have today as Mother's Day but me and her. We cleaned her room up together and tried everything on. She has grown out of everything and I had to take and get her practically a new wardrobe a few days back. We left to run and errand and I told her that since it was our special Mother's Day that she could choose a place to eat lunch. She chose the Huddle House. She had a waffle and I had a chicken sandwich and sweet potatoes french fries. We shared everything and had a great talk. While there she called to talk to her nanny and then we went by my mom's to say hi to her. To complete our afternoon I let her pick out some earrings to put on...pink guitars and painted her finger and toe nails. She keeps talking about how this is our special day. I think I made a great decision and she seems to have forgotten anything about what was concerning her.

Cameron is going to spend the night with his Nana and Paw since he has had a good week at school. He did get in trouble for talking today but I don't think that is so bad, it wasn't in class just in the hallway so we talked and he would try to be quiet next time. Mom said that Carl (my brother) and my dad were going to see Star Trek and that if Cameron could go we could get something to eat after we drop Breanna off. I had already planned on going with Cindy but since her crazy dog was acting up. Picture this...a mastiff that is scared of heavy rain, so scared and alone today that she got on the kitchen sink and wouldn't get down. Cindy's mother walked in on the dog sitting on the kitchen sink. How funny is that? So maybe Cindy will be able to go or maybe she will have to console her dog. If it works out, Cindy, her mom, my mom and me will get a bite to eat tonight. We shall see.

It's really been a great day so far.

Making Decisions

Today was just a leftover day and a typical Monday. The kids had a good time playing outside this afternoon. The rain finally stopped. They took the dogs for a walk one at a time to the end of the street. Cameron is really showing some responsibility and we want to really encourage it where he excels. He really shines when he gets to be the "big brother". Breanna's biological mother called and of course she was in a hurry to go with Cameron and barely talked to her. I think it upset her but you know how kids are they live in the moment. When they got back I asked her if she would like to call her back and she said not really. What do you do in moments like this? Like our situation I'm sure many of you find yourself having to deal with an ex. Breanna doesn't always want to speak to her or even go for visits but we still encourage it. Sometimes it is sad that the kids are in the middle and seem to have to do things just to satisfy a parent. I am thankful that Cameron's father is in agreement to allow him to make choices. He decides when he wants to see or talk to him and his father can call anytime but understands if Cameron isn't interested then accepts my update and we just keep the lines of communication open. I think overall communication is the best and to allow the child to have a little control of things is a positive thing, especially when they are back and forth like Breanna is. We just hope the kids learn to make careful decisions that leads them in the right direction in the future. Here's a tip - I believe you can build a child's self-esteem greatly by allowing them some control of certain situations and trusting them to make the right decision. Before long they will be making wise decisions.