Ichiban...yum!

Well last night we went to Ichiban...Cameron's favorite Japanese Steak House. This is his annual birthday tradition, he always chooses Ichiban for his Special Birthday Dinner. The food is great, but the kids faces while they prepare the food is priceless. It doesn't matter how many times they see it, they look amazed every time. We really had a great time...and they ended the night with a pineapple boat and candles in oranges, singing happy birthday to both Cameron and Breanna. It was a great family night...thanks dad for picking up the tab.

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!

I thought it was warming up????

Well we started out early...Child Support office, then headed to Walmart for what was supposed to be a quick oil change...an hour and half later, I took the kids to CiCi's Pizza for lunch (I must have my head examined for that one). Cameron had another bad headache, sinus I think so I headed to Walgreen's on the way home for some meds for him. Nice afternoon at home...Chris played, Bre' watched a movie and Cameron took a nap. Ended up making my own throw together Jambalaya for dinner with some garlic bread...mmmm. Kids are showering and I'm going to get things straightened up and wait for Kevin to come home. We both have a busy day planned tomorrow.

Pammy's Jambalaya

2 boxes Rice A Roni Beef Flavor
4 1/2 cups water
4 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup taco sauce or salsa
1 can corn
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can beans, pinto or kidney
1 package of Kielbasa
Creole Seasoning, Garlic and Onion Powder

Melt butter in pot and add Rice A Roni (set flavor packet aside). Brown Rice then add water and taco sauce and flavor packets and seasonings to liking then urn to high heat. Drain beans and corn and add, add tomatoes, slice Kielbasa and add. Stir and Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and cover for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Enjoy!

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.

Double Birthday Celebration

Saturday was a busy day. We got the cakes picked up and delivered all the last minute stuff to the party and finished the set up. Headed down to Soddy Lake for the 1st Annual Pumpkin Fest. It was really cold but the kids had a good time just looking around and sipping hot cocoa. Then it was party time. We had a great kids menu of hot dogs, chili, slaw, chips, cake and ice cream. What more could a kid want? Breanna's side was done in Disney Princess Pink with a Castle Cake and Cameron went for the I'm to old for figurines on my cake and had just green and purple with balloon decorations on his side. Cameron got tons of money and lots of presents including a Tennessee Orange Digital Camera as well as Portable DVD Player. Breanna got money, tons of clothes, stuff to redecorate her room and lots of Littlest Pet Shop stuff. We had a great time with family and friends and the Pinata was a success as always. Sorry we missed any of you that couldn't make it.

By the way I'm out of practice on this blog and all the photos loaded backwards and since I'm headed to church you'll just have to forgive me this time. Hope you enjoy.

Breanna Special Birthday Dinner at Logan's

Well Friday night we took Breanna to a favorite place of hers. She wanted to celebrate her Special Birthday Dinner at the place you can throw peanuts on the floor...Logan's. We had a great dinner...Nana, Paw, Helen, Christopher, Cameron, Kevin, Breanna and I. And of course we did a few quick last minute stops at the store on the way home, so Breanna was in hog heaven. It was a great night.

Back to Organization

I don't really know how time flies by so quickly but it does. So many times I've set down and planned to log on to this blog and update everyone on everything. Things have been crazy...

Well, we survived summer. Not an easy task with every two weeks dropping your child off to who knows what for two weeks. All I can say in everything, "I'm so very glad that I have God in my life".

Cameron and Breanna started school. Breanna is in Kindergarten and Cameron is in the 5th grade. This is something I can't believe. These babies of mine just ain't babies anymore. They both love Daisy Elementary. Breanna is in Ms. Bishop's class and has about 20 classmates. She is really thriving and making friends, but of course with her chatty personality we really didn't think that would be a problem. Cameron has adjusted so well, he has three teachers, Ms. Grant, Ms. Hamrick and Mr. Lillie. He has become very social and if anyone know how he has suffered his whole life with socializing well you know what a blessing this is. He has overcome behavior issues it seems. Thankfully we have great luck with his medication and don't have to switch around a lot. He actually loves school and doesn't like to miss. His short term memory issues have landed him in detention a few times since he can't remember to turn in his homework. But you got to let your children know if they have any handicaps that society doesn't give them slack and they have to figure out a way to over come them. Problem is that he likes detention, it really isn't a punishment. He is also involved in after school Math tutoring with Ms. Grant.

Breanna is about to go to her eye doctor and check on that blind vision of hers. It is so sad to think of how bad her eyes are. I pray that as she matures her eyes change for the better.

Cameron is now seeing a psychiatrist and even though I had very negative issues it has turned out to be a positive experience. The stereotype isn't always correct and if you tell the doctors what you expect and how you plan to stay in control and only do what you are comfortable with they do listen...or maybe I got lucky like I always have. Funny how God looks after you and sends the right doctors in your path if that is what you pray for. It also amazes me that when you step up and tell the doctors exactly what your religious beliefs are that they are willing to share theirs and pray with you and for you. That in itself is awesome to me.

Well we have just survived the Swine Flu. Cameron had a bad case of it last Wednesday and had a headache through the entire time. After thinking he had Encephalitis and ruling out Meningitis, we now know that he suffers from severe migraines (something he may have gotten from me). At least we know and we can control it. Of course we have spent nearly $500 in a matter of 2 week on medicine not only looking forward to a doctor bill and an emergency room visit bill. Oh well!

Breanna goes on her first Field Trip tomorrow to the 911 Center, Police and Fire Departments. She is so funny. As a matter of fact this week Kevin and her were driving in the car and she said that they have to say the Pledge of Allegiance everyday and she is really getting tired of it, of course she recites it wonderfully. Anyway she went on to talk about the moment of silence and said that it was really hard. Kevin and I had to really laugh at that because we figure it must be the hardest part of her day. She is always talking, singing and role playing in her room, car, shower, you name it. So funny.

Well keep you fingers crossed that I can get on track and keep this up. Yep, I'm going to set an alarm on my cell phone to remind me to do this. Lots of things to report about coming up. Breanna's special birthday dinner at Logan's tomorrow night, the double birthday celebration for Breanna and Cameron Saturday, along with a quick visit to a fall festival that morning. Sunday is the Spaghetti Supper fundraiser for Winterfest and then we get a week off for Fall Break, which will include Cameron's special birthday dinner at Ichiban. All this and plus another addition to the family Christopher will be here.

Speaking of additions, we had one dog run off. Yep, Chloe was the only dog I ever knew that would climb out of the fence, run around and come back when she had made the day of it. Well one day she left and never came back. Of course we still have Mojo and Opie and now we added Dobie another dachshund. We just love those little wienies.