I have been quiet this week and as we wind down summer. I took the kids to meet their teachers on Thursday and the kids were great. I don't mind meeting them but it is so stressful deciding what to say and what not to say. I don't want to share all their business but they need to be aware we are not "normal". We get stares and questions every where we go, the school is no exception. My kids are like little rock stars, everyone knows one of my kids. (Yes, I know it is b/c I have one in almost every class but let me dream it is b/c they are so popular for just a minute.)
The twins' teachers just got a letter I printed off the internet for teachers about attachment disorder, I hope they read it this time. Ruthie has the same teacher as last year b/c she is in the MID (Mild Intellectual Disability) class. She will be fine. Emma's teacher has already asked me to commit to a day a week to be in her class. Patches' teacher was way too friendly and confident of herself. I hope it doesn't become an issue. Michael was retained so he will be in the same class with the same teacher. He left and told me his teacher called him her friend, he is in love. She also was the only teacher to attend the party in June. I hope she understands a bit better and I don't have to let her have it again.
There was only one child's schedule that caused me so much stress. She has so many teachers and her issues are so scary to discuss with strangers. What do I say to keep every one safe but not turn them against her? How much do I say? (Hey, watch out b/c my beautiful kiddo here will groom and molest any kid she can steer from the pack is not an option.) I ended up explaining it the best I could without telling them too much. I reminded them that they couldn't tell a soul under the HIPPA Law and that any friends she makes are perfectly safe outside of school b/c she is so closely monitored at home. I sure don't want anyone running to a bunch of parents to say "watch out for that girl" b/c they worry that she is befriending someone. I explained she is healing and working very hard towards her goals and hopes to build a social life this year. I am not concerned about other students b/c she is the youngest in her school and her peer relations are so important to her. I asked that she not be alone with a single child, in charge of any child, and not allowed to roam the halls without supervision except during classroom changes. They are to call her on everything and she is fully responsible to follow those rules w/o reminding. The really hard part to swallow is this child doesn't care if they know. She is not uncomfortable at all. I am not sure how to take that, is she so comfortable with her mistakes and the fact we love her regardless of her behaviors or is it she has no emotions? Likely the latter.
Michael has been without a pull up for over a week and no "spills". I am so proud of him and more importantly, he is so proud of him.
Patches has asked that I not go to the school. I hope she is OK, she insists she will be. She knew a couple of kids in her class and even though she stood with her head buried in my back the entire time, she said she could handle it. (Poor girl is looking a bit weird with poison ivy all over her face, arms, and legs. I am sure someone will comment on it and she will go off on them. I will be asked to stay at the school to protect others from her outbursts.)
We didn't have a night out, we canceled on my MIL b/c it was too much work. Sad, I know. I want to have an evening alone but it just isn't the right time. As of tomorrow, I will have a spare bed in our extra room and she can come and spend the night w/o worry. I plan on using her for that in the very near future.
Saturday, August 02, 2008
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Peaches?
The kids came in with T-shirts full of peaches, we had no idea we had 2 peach trees. Our grapes and a gazillion more blueberries are ready, too. Mmmmm
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
The kids all got letters from their new teachers. It is becoming real for them. I am so excited!!!! Open House is Thursday night and they will get to meet them. I am dreading the rest of the shopping for school supplies b/c of the cost. It is mind numbing.
It looks like I have a hot date with my DH tomorrow thanks to my MIL.
It looks like I have a hot date with my DH tomorrow thanks to my MIL.
Monday, July 28, 2008
School
On Wednesday or Thursday, Cyr asked to see their Life Book. I have all photos of their parents and put up, at their request. It was just too hard for some of them to see the pictures every day on the fridge or in their room. Their Aunt had put together a beautiful book for them with all their newborn tags, foot prints, and pictures. They took turns looking at it and acting out later.
Patches has been having the most difficult time but I am not sure if it was just the book or that combined with school starting soon. She is acting crazy. She has flipped out every day since and yesterday lasted about 7 hours. She goes off when asked to do the smallest thing like scoot over so another child can see the TV while they play the video game. Seems like it is simple enough, right? No, she starts shutting down and when there isn't enough of a reaction from us, she goes into a full fledged "I hate this family" fit. It gets old regardless of the reasons. At least she wasn't violent again.
Have I mentioned lately that I am ready for school to being? I loved having them home for the first 6 weeks but then we all get bored and tired of the family time. LOL I will be making sure they go off to camp next summer b/c only the 3 youngest won't qualify, what a week that will be. We have Open House on Thursday, they are shaking in their boots waiting to meet their teachers while I have a sense of dread about being understood this year.
Patches has been having the most difficult time but I am not sure if it was just the book or that combined with school starting soon. She is acting crazy. She has flipped out every day since and yesterday lasted about 7 hours. She goes off when asked to do the smallest thing like scoot over so another child can see the TV while they play the video game. Seems like it is simple enough, right? No, she starts shutting down and when there isn't enough of a reaction from us, she goes into a full fledged "I hate this family" fit. It gets old regardless of the reasons. At least she wasn't violent again.
Have I mentioned lately that I am ready for school to being? I loved having them home for the first 6 weeks but then we all get bored and tired of the family time. LOL I will be making sure they go off to camp next summer b/c only the 3 youngest won't qualify, what a week that will be. We have Open House on Thursday, they are shaking in their boots waiting to meet their teachers while I have a sense of dread about being understood this year.
Saturday
We originally had hoped for some sort of openness with our children's family and thought it would include their parents. That changed when we discovered they had been sexually abusing them. We continued some level of openness with the extended family but really thought it would be an occasional thing. It's more than that. We have developed a wonderful relationship with their maternal aunt and uncle over the last 2 years that will some day include unsupervised visits for the kids. We are beginning to build a relationship with another of their maternal aunt and uncles, I am sure it will be quite a long time before we consider unsupervised but we will be planning visits and are now talking about a vacation together. Their gparents will always be highly supervised around the kids b/c I do not trust the Gma and both have habits of drinking to the point of passing out nightly. I adore Gpa, he is a real character and loves to talk to me at length about his new dentures or his last run.
We were invited to a family get together yesterday and I was a bit hesitant b/c I wasn't sure how comfortable I would be with tons of strangers around the kids. I have visited with every one separately but not all at once. It went beautifully, we had the best time. We were a few minutes late due to traffic (on a Sunday, who knew) and I was a bit frazzled but we made it. Lunch was ready and it was good. They insisted I bring nothing and do nothing. This is not me and I felt out of place about it. The kids loved serving themselves and drinking Coke. The Aunt's dogs had recently had 7 puppies so she teased me and told the kids they could each have one. My kids not "getting" the joke got excited and started trying to decide who got which one. All I had to do was look at them and they began to laugh realizing she had pulled one over on them.
We left and went to the river shortly after eating. Every one splashed around and slide down the rocks for hours. We never ran out of things to say and laughed so hard our bellies hurt. Every one has tried very hard not to step on toes and learn boundaries. I noticed each family member needed to have the time with me to explain why they didn't step up for the kids, I assured them they did the right thing b/c the kids are were they needed to be to heal. There is no way they could have parented these children even with the best of intentions, I have spent my entire adult life preparing and training for them and barely made it through the first year. The kids left feeling so proud of themselves for all the compliments they received on their manners and behavior.
It cemented for us that they really need to continue previous family relationships on some level. It has helped them understand where they came from and what happened in a realistic light. It would never have been the same just hearing it from us, they needed to hear it from the people that were there. It makes us all sad the parents are who they are and can't be a part of it. I did learn one very sad thing that explains why he was so willing to believe our kids, Patches had told him years ago and he thought she was not being honest and did nothing. He is carrying a lot of guilt for that, as he should.
When we left, their cousin asked me if she could call us Aunt R and Uncle M. It made our day, all of us. They fully accept us as the parents of their nieces and nephew w/o question. They believe my children. Most importantly, they love my children.
We were invited to a family get together yesterday and I was a bit hesitant b/c I wasn't sure how comfortable I would be with tons of strangers around the kids. I have visited with every one separately but not all at once. It went beautifully, we had the best time. We were a few minutes late due to traffic (on a Sunday, who knew) and I was a bit frazzled but we made it. Lunch was ready and it was good. They insisted I bring nothing and do nothing. This is not me and I felt out of place about it. The kids loved serving themselves and drinking Coke. The Aunt's dogs had recently had 7 puppies so she teased me and told the kids they could each have one. My kids not "getting" the joke got excited and started trying to decide who got which one. All I had to do was look at them and they began to laugh realizing she had pulled one over on them.
We left and went to the river shortly after eating. Every one splashed around and slide down the rocks for hours. We never ran out of things to say and laughed so hard our bellies hurt. Every one has tried very hard not to step on toes and learn boundaries. I noticed each family member needed to have the time with me to explain why they didn't step up for the kids, I assured them they did the right thing b/c the kids are were they needed to be to heal. There is no way they could have parented these children even with the best of intentions, I have spent my entire adult life preparing and training for them and barely made it through the first year. The kids left feeling so proud of themselves for all the compliments they received on their manners and behavior.
It cemented for us that they really need to continue previous family relationships on some level. It has helped them understand where they came from and what happened in a realistic light. It would never have been the same just hearing it from us, they needed to hear it from the people that were there. It makes us all sad the parents are who they are and can't be a part of it. I did learn one very sad thing that explains why he was so willing to believe our kids, Patches had told him years ago and he thought she was not being honest and did nothing. He is carrying a lot of guilt for that, as he should.
When we left, their cousin asked me if she could call us Aunt R and Uncle M. It made our day, all of us. They fully accept us as the parents of their nieces and nephew w/o question. They believe my children. Most importantly, they love my children.
Friday, July 25, 2008
The AT Agrees with You
It was an anxiety attack. I feel stupid about it b/c I feel like I could have handled it better than I did. I was exhausted and sore from earlier and when I struggled to gain control of Ruthie and just couldn't hold her it freaked her out. She was scared and began really freaking out. She had been screaming that I wasn't keeping her safe and I usually don't call my DH into it b/c he becomes too protective of me. I don't need that, I am always fine. Not always, now. He is the most gentle person I know but the few times he has seen them attack me he flips out. It doesn't help. He yells really loud and says things that don't help b/c he goes into "protect my wife mode". It is sweet on one hand but they are already so out of control they need the parent to be calm. I try to sing softly when they are held and blow on the back of their sweaty necks while they try to pinch, kick, and try to get loose. It calms them down quicker if I am calm. I am not always as calm as I would like to be but for the most part I focus really hard on making sure the other kids are safe and then the child losing it.
We are all fine this morning and Ruthie is up my rear end. She has this irritating habit of hanging on my neck. I am not kidding when I say she actually wraps her little arms all the way around my neck, folds her fingers together, and lifts her feet. She expects me to function like this. As I sit here she is leaned over my back, laying on me with her hands around my neck. As of today, she will no longer be allowed to do this. She will be given attention when I want to give it to her and that's it. It is all about control and desperation for her. Last night was all about control. Her AT is very concerned b/c there is no reaching her when she is like that. She is a completely different person. She does remember most of it so we know it isn't that she has more than one personality but it sure feels that way when it happens.
Michael and Ella will be getting a new therapist next week b/c our male AT is so busy and he is required so much in court. They are growing rapidly and I am fine with changing b/c she has trained with our other AT. Both of these kids are easy and manageable. It's hard to believe Michael is considered manageable but he is. Ella is just a victim, she is not a lot of trouble to parent other than that. They almost present as normal children, all he has to do is learn to interact with peers. He isn't that bad, he just doesn't get things that most kids would get. His intense cuteness more than makes up for it. LOL
We are all fine this morning and Ruthie is up my rear end. She has this irritating habit of hanging on my neck. I am not kidding when I say she actually wraps her little arms all the way around my neck, folds her fingers together, and lifts her feet. She expects me to function like this. As I sit here she is leaned over my back, laying on me with her hands around my neck. As of today, she will no longer be allowed to do this. She will be given attention when I want to give it to her and that's it. It is all about control and desperation for her. Last night was all about control. Her AT is very concerned b/c there is no reaching her when she is like that. She is a completely different person. She does remember most of it so we know it isn't that she has more than one personality but it sure feels that way when it happens.
Michael and Ella will be getting a new therapist next week b/c our male AT is so busy and he is required so much in court. They are growing rapidly and I am fine with changing b/c she has trained with our other AT. Both of these kids are easy and manageable. It's hard to believe Michael is considered manageable but he is. Ella is just a victim, she is not a lot of trouble to parent other than that. They almost present as normal children, all he has to do is learn to interact with peers. He isn't that bad, he just doesn't get things that most kids would get. His intense cuteness more than makes up for it. LOL
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Weird Moment
Patches went off today and hit her brother b/c she was mad at Ava. Made perfect sense to me, too. She threw her glasses at Cyr, screamed she hated me at least 10 times, being the equal opportunist she is she announced she hated all of us individually, threw some toys, and finally refused to leave the playroom and began swinging at me. I had to get her on the floor quickly and managed to do so w/o hurting anyone. I had to hold her for almost an hour so my muscles were shot this evening when Ruthie decided it was her turn.
Keep in mind I haven't slept well lately, I had to hold an extremely strong child for quite a while earlier, and I went swimming for 2 hours this afternoon. I was in no shape for Ruthie at bedtime when she refused to pick up her stuff. I asked her to step out of the room and go downstairs with me for a bit. Perhaps she heard, "I am going to kill you now" or "I think you should die" b/c she went off like I said just those things. I was taken back b/c I fully expected she would head down the stairs to sit for a few minutes before heading back up to finish. She attacked me, I picked her up under her arms and carried her downstairs. She kicked me and the walls the entire way down. I put her a few feet from the computer to sit on the floor. She continued acting like she was going to be murdered and had to fend for her life. I was baffled and eventually had to restrain her. The bad part was I was so weak that I couldn't. She is the tiniest 9 yr old I have ever seen and have always been able to properly restrain her w/o so much as a real struggle from my part. I couldn't hold her. My DH stays back b/c he doesn't know how and is afraid he will scare them, I always have things under control and this should have been no different. Realizing I had no strength or that she had become super human, I changed strategies when she screamed she "hates it here and we are mean to kids". I moved and offered her the door. I had to get out of the room and pointed to my DH to take over. He yelled at her and she panicked, didn't move a muscle for a few minutes.
Meanwhile, I was panicked b/c I was hyperventillating. I have never done that. I felt high and couldn;t catch my breath. I began to get scared and didn;t care what the hell she was up to. I couldn't speak. I was shaking so hard and sweating. I still feel weird and it has been a while. He helped calm me and I was able to deal with her consequence of cleaning the playroom after sitting long enough that I knew she was back to herself. You never realized how important it is to properly restrain to maintain control and safety until you can't.
(I am feeling all fuzzy and weird so I am not sure how well I described this and will double check it later.)
Keep in mind I haven't slept well lately, I had to hold an extremely strong child for quite a while earlier, and I went swimming for 2 hours this afternoon. I was in no shape for Ruthie at bedtime when she refused to pick up her stuff. I asked her to step out of the room and go downstairs with me for a bit. Perhaps she heard, "I am going to kill you now" or "I think you should die" b/c she went off like I said just those things. I was taken back b/c I fully expected she would head down the stairs to sit for a few minutes before heading back up to finish. She attacked me, I picked her up under her arms and carried her downstairs. She kicked me and the walls the entire way down. I put her a few feet from the computer to sit on the floor. She continued acting like she was going to be murdered and had to fend for her life. I was baffled and eventually had to restrain her. The bad part was I was so weak that I couldn't. She is the tiniest 9 yr old I have ever seen and have always been able to properly restrain her w/o so much as a real struggle from my part. I couldn't hold her. My DH stays back b/c he doesn't know how and is afraid he will scare them, I always have things under control and this should have been no different. Realizing I had no strength or that she had become super human, I changed strategies when she screamed she "hates it here and we are mean to kids". I moved and offered her the door. I had to get out of the room and pointed to my DH to take over. He yelled at her and she panicked, didn't move a muscle for a few minutes.
Meanwhile, I was panicked b/c I was hyperventillating. I have never done that. I felt high and couldn;t catch my breath. I began to get scared and didn;t care what the hell she was up to. I couldn't speak. I was shaking so hard and sweating. I still feel weird and it has been a while. He helped calm me and I was able to deal with her consequence of cleaning the playroom after sitting long enough that I knew she was back to herself. You never realized how important it is to properly restrain to maintain control and safety until you can't.
(I am feeling all fuzzy and weird so I am not sure how well I described this and will double check it later.)
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Forever
Sometimes I don't think as I write, I assume you all can read my mind. Earlier I didn't explain that I was at 2 different places for the IEP and registration. The IEP was at the school and then we went to the county office, that is where we saw ll the officers. Try to keep up people. LOL
Kalee is here and has been very nice. She has a migraine and refused medicine until bedtime. Poor girl has been really quiet.
Ruthie and I were watching The Soup and she quietly told me she isn't going to see her parents again. I thought it was a question until I looked at her face. It was a statement. She has been back and forth with this, she loves them so much. She asked who was going to keep her safe after she was 50. Puzzled, I asked her what she was talking about. Last week, she told me she wasn't going to leave here until she was 50 and I told her I needed that in writing. It has been bothering her since, who would keep her safe? I reassured her she could stay forever and she asked for me to put it in writing. She is so funny.
My Dh won tickets to a movie premiere and dinner at Outback next week for telling the entire city that our kids had lice for the first year they were home. Horrible, huh? It was awful and now embarrassing. He was not quite accurate about our ordeal but it was as he recalled it. I think they gave him the tickets b/c they felt bad for us. We so rarely get out, I am looking forward to it.
Lisa A., will you be attending the RAD dinner Friday?
Kalee is here and has been very nice. She has a migraine and refused medicine until bedtime. Poor girl has been really quiet.
Ruthie and I were watching The Soup and she quietly told me she isn't going to see her parents again. I thought it was a question until I looked at her face. It was a statement. She has been back and forth with this, she loves them so much. She asked who was going to keep her safe after she was 50. Puzzled, I asked her what she was talking about. Last week, she told me she wasn't going to leave here until she was 50 and I told her I needed that in writing. It has been bothering her since, who would keep her safe? I reassured her she could stay forever and she asked for me to put it in writing. She is so funny.
My Dh won tickets to a movie premiere and dinner at Outback next week for telling the entire city that our kids had lice for the first year they were home. Horrible, huh? It was awful and now embarrassing. He was not quite accurate about our ordeal but it was as he recalled it. I think they gave him the tickets b/c they felt bad for us. We so rarely get out, I am looking forward to it.
Lisa A., will you be attending the RAD dinner Friday?
There Must be an Award
I had an early morning IEP for Ruthie and she will be promoted to the 4th grade. She didn't pass the CRCT but she was closer than ever. She is being promoted through her MID program and will continue to receive individual help with all her subjects. I asked if they would please consider taking the kids this week instead of waiting until the 4th. They didn't take me seriously.
Patches is going back to school and we went to enroll her today. I figured they had all the paperwork and it was just a simple switch but they want a copy of her attendance, the declaration of intent to homeschool, and a utility bill. I will be back in there tomorrow to drop everything off. The kids were a bit nervous being surrounded by officers, they must have folks go off up there, there were at least 6 officers around the room. Ruthie asked if we were at the jail, sure felt like it.
Emma's sister, Kalee, will be visiting us. She is coming today. I think she will go home Friday. I love that child. Our home is very different from her home and she tends to complain to get her way. I hope she doesn't starve while she is here. If there was an award for Most Likely to Hate My Cooking, she would win.
We had a horrible storm here last night. I have never witnessed so much thunder and lightening so close. We have a lot of branches down. It gives me an excuse to send the kids out to clean up their misc. toys or cups and move the branches off to the woods. They really need to get busy on those blueberry bushes, too.
Any volunteers to clean my house?
Patches is going back to school and we went to enroll her today. I figured they had all the paperwork and it was just a simple switch but they want a copy of her attendance, the declaration of intent to homeschool, and a utility bill. I will be back in there tomorrow to drop everything off. The kids were a bit nervous being surrounded by officers, they must have folks go off up there, there were at least 6 officers around the room. Ruthie asked if we were at the jail, sure felt like it.
Emma's sister, Kalee, will be visiting us. She is coming today. I think she will go home Friday. I love that child. Our home is very different from her home and she tends to complain to get her way. I hope she doesn't starve while she is here. If there was an award for Most Likely to Hate My Cooking, she would win.
We had a horrible storm here last night. I have never witnessed so much thunder and lightening so close. We have a lot of branches down. It gives me an excuse to send the kids out to clean up their misc. toys or cups and move the branches off to the woods. They really need to get busy on those blueberry bushes, too.
Any volunteers to clean my house?
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
A Bday Party
Emma and Michale went to my MIL's house over the weekend and will attending Emma's sister's bday party today. Actually, this very minute they are arriving. My MIL is so funny, she took both the kids to get their nails done. My son loves to have his nails painted so all summer I have kept both his toes and fingers painted black. My DH does not even try to understand has decided to not say anything else about it. My MIL didn't like the black and took him to have them redone in blue. LOL Apparently, that made it less "rocker dude" for her.
She is such a trooper for taking them to the party full of people she doesn't really know and she does this with a smile. I don't know of anyone else with such patience and flexibility with our children. When we had teens she always accepted them without questions for as long as they chose to be with us. When they pop back in our lives, she acts as if they never left. She is wonderful at making them all feel welcome. She has been a rock for all of us throughout this adoption and has become a very important resource for our children.
The kicker is she is also willing to accept Emma's sisters as her own, again w/o question. After this party she will be bringing both Emma's sisters to her house and the oldest will come here w/o Emma for a few days. She she is so parentified and is used to no rules even though her mother is desperately trying to implement them now that she is parenting sober. Emma and Gracie will stay on at Nanny's for a few days and then on to her mothers for a couple more.
She is such a trooper for taking them to the party full of people she doesn't really know and she does this with a smile. I don't know of anyone else with such patience and flexibility with our children. When we had teens she always accepted them without questions for as long as they chose to be with us. When they pop back in our lives, she acts as if they never left. She is wonderful at making them all feel welcome. She has been a rock for all of us throughout this adoption and has become a very important resource for our children.
The kicker is she is also willing to accept Emma's sisters as her own, again w/o question. After this party she will be bringing both Emma's sisters to her house and the oldest will come here w/o Emma for a few days. She she is so parentified and is used to no rules even though her mother is desperately trying to implement them now that she is parenting sober. Emma and Gracie will stay on at Nanny's for a few days and then on to her mothers for a couple more.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Psst....
You might want to get some work done instead of reading my entire blog at your place of business. Just so you know, I can see you every time you look. LOL I am flattered, really, your almost done reading the entire thing. It is too bad that you won't comment. I hope you enjoy getting to know us through this instead of having the relationship we should have had. I noticed that one of you is spreading it around to a couple of friends or is that another family member? I don't mind at all. Read on, just don't lose your job over it.
My Family
Some of my family has found my blog, they were upset about my feelings regarding our relationship. I am sorry they are hurt but it is how I feel. I know many of you have relationships that have deteriorated since your adoptions and understand. Mine felt pushed away in the beginning and instead of sharing this with me and learning more about why it was so important, they backed away. I don't know how to make them understand that their presence in their life was still as important but that they had to respect our unusual parenting style with children as traumatized as ours were. Can outsiders understand? What have you done to encourage your family's relationships with your children but maintained the boundaries needed to help your children? I am at a loss. Obviously, either I am not explaining it right or it is impossible to understand unless you see it first hand.
Our children came to us highly sexualized. They tried to seduce any man that came within their sight, they humped anyone that slowed down enough for them to latch on, and they were willing to go home with anyone that seemed nice or had a nice car. We had to set extreme boundaries about who they could touch (mom and dad), who they could sit next to or on (mom and dad), where they could be in relation to us (line of sight), and who could give them things like food(again only us). I know you all understand the need for this but it does isolate our extended families to a certain degree. What aunt or gparent doesn't want to hug and kiss their new addition? To what extent is it our fault that they feel left out? How do we include them safely? How much do we share or force the information on them? What if they aren't interested in the reasons? I have deeply hurt my family and that was never my intention. They are exactly who I needed. I needed someone to talk to, someone to listen. I was so alone. My poor DH barely understood what our lives were like when he was at work. My sister, Kiki, only saw a glimpse a few times and was shocked. She had thought I was exaggerating. ( I have been known to be a bit over the top to be silly about things, not about serious things) Our lives are just so hard to imagine or maybe I am just really bad at explaining.
I can only hope they continue to read here and get to know us better.
Our children came to us highly sexualized. They tried to seduce any man that came within their sight, they humped anyone that slowed down enough for them to latch on, and they were willing to go home with anyone that seemed nice or had a nice car. We had to set extreme boundaries about who they could touch (mom and dad), who they could sit next to or on (mom and dad), where they could be in relation to us (line of sight), and who could give them things like food(again only us). I know you all understand the need for this but it does isolate our extended families to a certain degree. What aunt or gparent doesn't want to hug and kiss their new addition? To what extent is it our fault that they feel left out? How do we include them safely? How much do we share or force the information on them? What if they aren't interested in the reasons? I have deeply hurt my family and that was never my intention. They are exactly who I needed. I needed someone to talk to, someone to listen. I was so alone. My poor DH barely understood what our lives were like when he was at work. My sister, Kiki, only saw a glimpse a few times and was shocked. She had thought I was exaggerating. ( I have been known to be a bit over the top to be silly about things, not about serious things) Our lives are just so hard to imagine or maybe I am just really bad at explaining.
I can only hope they continue to read here and get to know us better.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Thursday
I was quite frazzled and made things worse when I answered the phone before I had showered. It was their other aunt she sucked me into an interesting conversation that caused me to lose track of time. I was late. I hate being late. So now I am late and nervous about court. This is not a good combination.
I managed to get the kids to their former foster mother's home and have a couple of minutes to give her my schedule. The kids informed her I tried to kill them on the way there by going 90 miles an hour and weaving between cars. She laughed and said, "Like old times here, huh?" She is great. We went over the rules for the kids and I gave her permission to beat them if they misbehaved. The kids thought that was really funny. I left her to be tortured by 11 kids, she is the idiot that invited all her nieces to see the kids, not me.
I get to the courthouse and had to park at the end of the parking lot. It made me long for Ella so I could park upfront and save the long dark parking garage walk. I managed. I walked in the front door to be immediately forced through a metal detector. Of course, I beeped. Once I assured them I was free of firearms, I went to the D.A.'s office. They let me in and I waited for them to make copies of the children's letters to the Judge. As I was sitting there I began to riffle through the pocketbook I brought just in case I needed to puke. I never carry one and had grabbed one that Frankee left behind. I had dumped it out and threw in a few things to look like I knew what I was doing. As I am sitting within spitting distance of half the county's deputies and the D.A. I noticed small green flakes of what I instantly hoped was oregano. I slammed it shut. I was beginning to sweat. They finished up and I went into the courtroom, placing the bag a chair away, just in case. Never thinking about the fact it had MY DL in it and they would probably recognize me a mere chair away. I prayed they didn't have any drug sniffing dogs.
Everything was fine for the next 3 minutes. Then I saw the Aunt come in and was even more relieved. The courtroom was basically empty when the Judge came in. We stood and sat. he got right to business, I think we were 2nd or 3rd. There was dead silence except for me coughing during most of those cases. I was called to the front without even a word about what they expected from me. I had been told he was lenient and the mother's family had found a family friend to put up his property. I was very frightened she would be getting out and I would have to tell the kids. The Judge read the letters while everyone on each side spoke, he never looked up or really said anything except, "$75,000 cash bond each". It didn't sound like much and I figured any house would cover that, I was worried.
The A.D.A. chased me down to tell me this was good news, it was the highest this Judge has ever set. Their Aunt told me to calm down b/c this guy's house was not worth anywhere near $150,000 value needed for each of them. She explained the property had to be doubled. Whew!
I ran back to get the kids and tell them the great news. The Aunt met me there and we followed her to her SIL's to meet the new cousins. Everyone was shy and stood around in the yard without really talking for a few seconds. I walked right up and hugged the new Aunt and both her dds and nephew. Nanny had shown up without an invitation when she heard we would be there. I had to explain in no uncertain terms she was not to discuss the parents with the kids. She did well. She does this other thing that is going to be an issue for me, she whispers in the kids' ears. Specifically, Cyr's. She told me it made her uncomfortable but she wasn't inappropriate. Nanny lied to me about Papa wanting to spend the night at out home. I agreed it would be great after the trial. I later discovered Papa won't go anywhere and didn't ask her to ask. Why lie?
We left after 2 hours and went to see the Det. The kids wanted to thank her and she wanted to speak with them herself. I had no idea the Sheriff's Dept was connected to the jail. It did not go well. It was like the Domino effect, one after the other. Ruthie completely lost it and was wailing within minutes. I held her and noticed Ella had tears running down her face, next Patches asked to see her father in jail and Michael went to the floor. I smiled and explained it was time for us to go. She patted my back and asked where I found the strength to support them all.
We obviously couldn't go straight back to the Aunt's house with all this squallering. I knew they just needed to have some Southern comfort food. Off to Mama's Country Cafe' for fired pulley bones, country fried steak and gravy, mac and chez, greens, boiled cabbage, corn, northern beans, and strawberry shortcake. Mmmm. Michael had a difficult time choosing and I knew it was him having a hard time with his emotions. What kids doesn't know which dessert to take when they have the option of taking one of each? I told him to take his time. He eventually chose a molten chocolate cake and managed to wear part of it.
When we got back to the family they were quiet and it was uncomfortable for the first few minutes. I knew the new Uncle was like his father, quiet and non emotional. I like his father so I knew I just had to warm him up a bit. I always feel like I need to do all the work with my children's families whether they are my foster children or adoptive. The family is never sure what to say or where the line is. I make it clear they have the same roles and they are still family. I try very hard to bring some laughter into the situation early on to lighten things up. Papa walked in and helped. He made fun of me a bit and then his grown son saw that I was OK. Things just got better. I was forced to listen to Papa tell me every detail of getting his new dentures. Thank goodness his son informed him, "no one gives a damn about your teeth, Daddy." (yes, we still call our father's Daddy after we are grown and parents ourselves here in the South.) I could have said the same thing a couple of hours later when he began to tell me of all his previous indiscretions trying to confess all his sins, I guess. I let him off the hook, I don't care what you have doen or how much you drink and smoke as long as my children are not exposed to violence or anything illegal. He seemed to relax b/c I know he has straightened himself up in the last few years.
We started home at dark. Cyr cried in the car asking why this had to happen to her. We picked up Emma at my sister's and made it home about Midnight. Michael was up until 3AM and once he settled, I went to bed and watched TV. Overall, it was a great day.
I managed to get the kids to their former foster mother's home and have a couple of minutes to give her my schedule. The kids informed her I tried to kill them on the way there by going 90 miles an hour and weaving between cars. She laughed and said, "Like old times here, huh?" She is great. We went over the rules for the kids and I gave her permission to beat them if they misbehaved. The kids thought that was really funny. I left her to be tortured by 11 kids, she is the idiot that invited all her nieces to see the kids, not me.
I get to the courthouse and had to park at the end of the parking lot. It made me long for Ella so I could park upfront and save the long dark parking garage walk. I managed. I walked in the front door to be immediately forced through a metal detector. Of course, I beeped. Once I assured them I was free of firearms, I went to the D.A.'s office. They let me in and I waited for them to make copies of the children's letters to the Judge. As I was sitting there I began to riffle through the pocketbook I brought just in case I needed to puke. I never carry one and had grabbed one that Frankee left behind. I had dumped it out and threw in a few things to look like I knew what I was doing. As I am sitting within spitting distance of half the county's deputies and the D.A. I noticed small green flakes of what I instantly hoped was oregano. I slammed it shut. I was beginning to sweat. They finished up and I went into the courtroom, placing the bag a chair away, just in case. Never thinking about the fact it had MY DL in it and they would probably recognize me a mere chair away. I prayed they didn't have any drug sniffing dogs.
Everything was fine for the next 3 minutes. Then I saw the Aunt come in and was even more relieved. The courtroom was basically empty when the Judge came in. We stood and sat. he got right to business, I think we were 2nd or 3rd. There was dead silence except for me coughing during most of those cases. I was called to the front without even a word about what they expected from me. I had been told he was lenient and the mother's family had found a family friend to put up his property. I was very frightened she would be getting out and I would have to tell the kids. The Judge read the letters while everyone on each side spoke, he never looked up or really said anything except, "$75,000 cash bond each". It didn't sound like much and I figured any house would cover that, I was worried.
The A.D.A. chased me down to tell me this was good news, it was the highest this Judge has ever set. Their Aunt told me to calm down b/c this guy's house was not worth anywhere near $150,000 value needed for each of them. She explained the property had to be doubled. Whew!
I ran back to get the kids and tell them the great news. The Aunt met me there and we followed her to her SIL's to meet the new cousins. Everyone was shy and stood around in the yard without really talking for a few seconds. I walked right up and hugged the new Aunt and both her dds and nephew. Nanny had shown up without an invitation when she heard we would be there. I had to explain in no uncertain terms she was not to discuss the parents with the kids. She did well. She does this other thing that is going to be an issue for me, she whispers in the kids' ears. Specifically, Cyr's. She told me it made her uncomfortable but she wasn't inappropriate. Nanny lied to me about Papa wanting to spend the night at out home. I agreed it would be great after the trial. I later discovered Papa won't go anywhere and didn't ask her to ask. Why lie?
We left after 2 hours and went to see the Det. The kids wanted to thank her and she wanted to speak with them herself. I had no idea the Sheriff's Dept was connected to the jail. It did not go well. It was like the Domino effect, one after the other. Ruthie completely lost it and was wailing within minutes. I held her and noticed Ella had tears running down her face, next Patches asked to see her father in jail and Michael went to the floor. I smiled and explained it was time for us to go. She patted my back and asked where I found the strength to support them all.
We obviously couldn't go straight back to the Aunt's house with all this squallering. I knew they just needed to have some Southern comfort food. Off to Mama's Country Cafe' for fired pulley bones, country fried steak and gravy, mac and chez, greens, boiled cabbage, corn, northern beans, and strawberry shortcake. Mmmm. Michael had a difficult time choosing and I knew it was him having a hard time with his emotions. What kids doesn't know which dessert to take when they have the option of taking one of each? I told him to take his time. He eventually chose a molten chocolate cake and managed to wear part of it.
When we got back to the family they were quiet and it was uncomfortable for the first few minutes. I knew the new Uncle was like his father, quiet and non emotional. I like his father so I knew I just had to warm him up a bit. I always feel like I need to do all the work with my children's families whether they are my foster children or adoptive. The family is never sure what to say or where the line is. I make it clear they have the same roles and they are still family. I try very hard to bring some laughter into the situation early on to lighten things up. Papa walked in and helped. He made fun of me a bit and then his grown son saw that I was OK. Things just got better. I was forced to listen to Papa tell me every detail of getting his new dentures. Thank goodness his son informed him, "no one gives a damn about your teeth, Daddy." (yes, we still call our father's Daddy after we are grown and parents ourselves here in the South.) I could have said the same thing a couple of hours later when he began to tell me of all his previous indiscretions trying to confess all his sins, I guess. I let him off the hook, I don't care what you have doen or how much you drink and smoke as long as my children are not exposed to violence or anything illegal. He seemed to relax b/c I know he has straightened himself up in the last few years.
We started home at dark. Cyr cried in the car asking why this had to happen to her. We picked up Emma at my sister's and made it home about Midnight. Michael was up until 3AM and once he settled, I went to bed and watched TV. Overall, it was a great day.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Real Quick
I have so much to share. We had a long, hard day with the bond hearing and visit with their entire maternal family. I just didn't want to make you wait until tomorrow to hear that the Judge set the bond at $75,000. They are not able to come up with property or money to get out and will remain incarcerated until they go in front of the Grand Jury. Turns out this is the highest bond this Judge has ever given and every one there was very pleased he took the kids letters so seriously.
I learned some really funny stuff about their family. A little teaser, for Papa's (maternal gpa) 50th birthday the family got together for a party. Two people went to jail, there were 2 fights (2 boys and 2 girls), someone broke his leg, someone was shot, and another left town. I will never drink with these people and I asked to be left out of all their gatherings!!!! Oh, my kids were at this shindig and remember it.
Did I mention I really like these people? Yes, they get a bit redneck with booze but sober they are very kind to us. LOL
I learned some really funny stuff about their family. A little teaser, for Papa's (maternal gpa) 50th birthday the family got together for a party. Two people went to jail, there were 2 fights (2 boys and 2 girls), someone broke his leg, someone was shot, and another left town. I will never drink with these people and I asked to be left out of all their gatherings!!!! Oh, my kids were at this shindig and remember it.
Did I mention I really like these people? Yes, they get a bit redneck with booze but sober they are very kind to us. LOL
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Still Learning About Their Lives
Cyr was a bit slow and secretive with her final letter to the Judge today. I was cooking dinner last night while several girls were finishing up. They are all about about the same thing, Don't let them out b/c they will hurt other kids and kidnap us. They told us they would. They deserve to be in jail. Cyr's was not only longer but sharde more insight. The thing that surprised me (almost b/c she has hinted around at it for awhile) is that if he lets her out she will go have sex with men for money, just like before and her father used to punch her face, hard then tell her she deserved it.
The other kids were just talking about old times when Ella asked them if they remembered that one time he chased her (she has CP and has trouble running well or with any speed) and their father kept hitting her with his belt. She fell a bunch of times and her just kept after her. She ended up being beaten in the face, arms, legs, back, and butt. She had big "puffy stripes" everywhere. I didn't ask anything, I just kept cooking. I know they are safe now and I dread the things I learn in the future.
They are so excited about visiting their former foster mother today while I am in court.
The other kids were just talking about old times when Ella asked them if they remembered that one time he chased her (she has CP and has trouble running well or with any speed) and their father kept hitting her with his belt. She fell a bunch of times and her just kept after her. She ended up being beaten in the face, arms, legs, back, and butt. She had big "puffy stripes" everywhere. I didn't ask anything, I just kept cooking. I know they are safe now and I dread the things I learn in the future.
They are so excited about visiting their former foster mother today while I am in court.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Grass is Always Greener
We have the Bond Hearing on Thursday and the kids will be staying with their former foster mother for the afternoon. Afterwards I will be taking them to meet their cousins and Aunt M2 for the first time. This is their mother's brother's wife, her dd, and their 14 yr old dd that no one knew about until last year. Same child their parents have been "babysitting". We are all thrilled to meet them. It will be a very long day for us, I am sure we won't be home until after dark.
We spent the day at the pool. I love hearing my oldest and my niece argue about how cool the other's mom is. They both think they got the short end of the stick and their's is too strict. LOL My niece thinks I am the best!
We spent the day at the pool. I love hearing my oldest and my niece argue about how cool the other's mom is. They both think they got the short end of the stick and their's is too strict. LOL My niece thinks I am the best!
Monday, July 14, 2008
Smurf's Disease
I am turning into a smurf. I have my nieces here for the week while Kiki is in Savannah for a Chief's Conference. I love it when they are here but this time I was asked to dye their hair blue. This is right up my alley as an aunt and I agreed to do it. Of course, now I have to do half my kids' hair. too. Last night we spent a few hours bleaching out the girls' hair that was black before we could put the violet color on. First step went well. Second step is a semi-permanent color so I didn't put on the gloves thinking it would wash off. I was wrong. This is after I washed, no scrubbed is more accurate, for about 10 minutes.
Their hair is really cute but faded a lot so it will require another dose today after the pool. I didn't do their entire head, only a small portion of their hair at their neck and above their ears. It is really cute when they put it up in a pony tail, otherwise you can't even tell. My son now has a purple mohawk. It looks like he was rolling around in the blueberry bushes. This combined with his black painted finger and toe nails, he is beginning to look a bit rock n rollish. I figure it is summer and this is a way for him to get himself "fixed up" like the girls and still look like he is a boy so my DH doesn't "comment" to me me. I have drawn the line at make up in public but he is free to wear it around the house b/c the girls are. I told him later I would do it for him so he looked like he is part of a band. Dad is gonna die when he sees that.
I hope Patches and Ruthie are having a blast at their Nanny's house. I sure miss them. It's funny how empty the house can feel when one of my kids are gone. You would think I had so many I wouldn't notice.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Happy Birthday Emma
Patches is having a very difficult time this weekend. She pitched a huge fit yesterday and today trying to sabatoge herself with my nieces here. She always humiliates the other children about their wetting issues in front of others. I think it is to take the ficus off of her but it ends up really hurting the other kid's feelings for being outed for no reason. That was yesterday and I was "entertained"for well over 2 hours with hair pulling, scratching, and punching. Usually I ask her to do this in her room but with the new information I asked her to stay on the sofa next to me and to my surprise, she did. She hurt herself b/c she felt bad about hurting her sister's feelings, how sad is that? I hurt you so now I will hurt myself. She has huge claw marks up and down her arms, she drew blood. Once she comes back to reality, she is fine for the day.
Of course we had to wake up today and start all over. She was asked to spend the night at my MIL's and she got frustrated about getting her clothes together. I asked her to wear her sandals and pack 3 out fits. Their clothes are stacked in outfits so it is as simple as taking the first 6 things in the pile. It took her an hour and I began to lose my patience when she couldn't find her shoes. Eventually, the entire family got in on the search. I showed her a bucket in the playroom with shoes in it (I have no idea why they were there) and she took about 60 seconds to take the 8 steps tothe bucket and then she picked up her sister's shoe and stared at it. I told ehr to try again, in a firm voice and tried to tug on her Tshirt to bend back over. I missed and got a patch of hair. I barely tugged and she started filpping out. In no way could this have been painful or abusive, I barely touched the hair before I realized it was hair and not her shirt, which I was barely going to tug at. I apologized as she began flopping on the floor screaming. I couldn't contain myself and actually laughed out loud at how ridiculous she was being. She ran to her room and several of us followed b/c now we were moving on to packing for a new kid since she obviously would not make it. Em had asked if she could go. We packed while Patches beat herself up in the corner and you will never guess what was in the closet ON TOP IF EVERYTHING? Her sandals. She could not have opened the closet or they would have bitten her. She later, much later, agreed she didn't even look in the closet even though I asked her to several times.
Today is Em's birthday, she is 7. She is such a joyful child, I am grateful to be one of her Mom's. Yesterday was her younger sister, Gracie's 6th birthday. Her Mother couldn't make Em's 1st birthday party b/c she was in the hospital. She hasn't missed one since and we coordinate their celebrations so they can be there for both.
Of course we had to wake up today and start all over. She was asked to spend the night at my MIL's and she got frustrated about getting her clothes together. I asked her to wear her sandals and pack 3 out fits. Their clothes are stacked in outfits so it is as simple as taking the first 6 things in the pile. It took her an hour and I began to lose my patience when she couldn't find her shoes. Eventually, the entire family got in on the search. I showed her a bucket in the playroom with shoes in it (I have no idea why they were there) and she took about 60 seconds to take the 8 steps tothe bucket and then she picked up her sister's shoe and stared at it. I told ehr to try again, in a firm voice and tried to tug on her Tshirt to bend back over. I missed and got a patch of hair. I barely tugged and she started filpping out. In no way could this have been painful or abusive, I barely touched the hair before I realized it was hair and not her shirt, which I was barely going to tug at. I apologized as she began flopping on the floor screaming. I couldn't contain myself and actually laughed out loud at how ridiculous she was being. She ran to her room and several of us followed b/c now we were moving on to packing for a new kid since she obviously would not make it. Em had asked if she could go. We packed while Patches beat herself up in the corner and you will never guess what was in the closet ON TOP IF EVERYTHING? Her sandals. She could not have opened the closet or they would have bitten her. She later, much later, agreed she didn't even look in the closet even though I asked her to several times.
Today is Em's birthday, she is 7. She is such a joyful child, I am grateful to be one of her Mom's. Yesterday was her younger sister, Gracie's 6th birthday. Her Mother couldn't make Em's 1st birthday party b/c she was in the hospital. She hasn't missed one since and we coordinate their celebrations so they can be there for both.
Friday, July 11, 2008
A Good Mother
I took the kids to the AT today and told them everything the kids have told us about the locked room. Every one except Michael and Ava talked about it in more detail. I have had a hard time listening b/c of my own emotions but with the AT there to keep the conversation going we heard a lot more. They will all begin EMDR next week to focus on this memory. I am so proud of my kids to have survived their lives before us. They are so brave.Our male AT is sure Ruthie is attaching to us, I believe that, too. He is very concerned at her response to stress or how she reacts when Michael is acting out. She has always struggled to maintain her composure and more times than not, she loses it. He and I have discussed the possibility that she is disassociating. Today we are both confident that is the case. She rocks in the fetal position, hurts herself, and screams at me in a babyish voice about how mean I am and she loves her real mom (there are other things she says that don't make sense but this is the usual theme). It is hard to see in this picture taken awhile ago, she is twisting her arm all the way around trying to break it off. While doing this she is crying, rocking, and threatening to tell the police I broke her arm.
Cyr said nice things about me, (you can close your mouth now) she told the AT that I did what I said and I protected the kids from their parents. She has a hard time showing it but we could tell she is impressed with me just a little. She has been waking me up with coffee several times this week. I hear her get up and she calls to me to wait a minute and then brings it to me in bed. She is "working hard to be a good daughter now that I am being a good mother". Her words, huge step.
Ava will be going to respite for a few days as soon as we can locate a provider. It is for her safety and our sanity. The kids have all kicked her out of their room b/c she constantly annoys them. They want to hurt her, I am having a hard time controlling my feelings as well. I wouldn't hurt her but I know I am not being an extra loving mother right now. We need a tiny break.
I have mentioned before that I feel that they needed a lot of guidance to learn basic things like how to play, proper manners, how to express their feelings, how to be a friend, how to help someone,how to ask for help, and many other normal things. Something we learned early on is that they really wanted to know these things, they wanted to fit in. I have taken a coaching type role in parenting. They get the love and affection of a parent but we also give them responses to things, practice, and repeat until they are good at it. Both our ATs told me today that they have been using our kids as examples, they came to us so damaged and violent and are now able to have nice conversations with other staff members in the waiting room, control their sexual feelings, ask to talk about their feelings, and want to heal. They are not the same kids they were 2 years ago, I couldn't be more proud. I do want to tell the rest of you that are parenting traumatized kids or who are waiting for their children, I am sorry you will have to settle b/c I got the best kids in the world.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Hate, What To Do With It?
A couple of kids crawled into mu bed this morning, we used to not allow this but have recently decided that we need to bring some normalcy to the family and this is a good way. They crawled in and the discussion got deep quick. They wanted to talk about their parents. They struggle with loving them and what they have done to the kids. In this conversation that happens almost every day with at least one child, I learned something new that has my blood to the point of boiling. I am mad b/c I should have known, I should have guessed it and I have been causing the very thing that scares them the most when I do something that every family does at some point.
When a child starts to get out of control, I send them to their room to "get a grip" and they are welcome to rejoin us "whenever you are ready". Seems harmless enough, right? They would scream, kick the walls, wet themselves, hurt themselves, and even hurt others if they came around. It is b/c it is a trigger for them. I discovered today by the mouthes of 4 children that their parents would lock them in their room EVERY DAY, all day. Their parents had a routine of arguing every moment together so before work they would place them all in one locked room while they argued and he would go to work. She wouldn't let them out until he came home. They would cry and beg but she never did, they would soil themselves and starve but she wouldn't budge. They had to sit there without toys or food, all day. When he would come home they were let out to make themselves dinner and watch the "scary movie" and witness the horrible event that has caused them to be in jail. I am sick. It makes me remember when they first came home and we had to shut their bedroom doors at night for their safety, Cyr would have these horrible panic attacks about shutting the door, no wonder. Something I have never allowed myself to think much less say out loud, I hate them. I hate what what they have done but I also have extremely strong feelings of disgust for them. I need to work through this b/c it is not healthy for me to feel this way but for today I will sit in it.
When a child starts to get out of control, I send them to their room to "get a grip" and they are welcome to rejoin us "whenever you are ready". Seems harmless enough, right? They would scream, kick the walls, wet themselves, hurt themselves, and even hurt others if they came around. It is b/c it is a trigger for them. I discovered today by the mouthes of 4 children that their parents would lock them in their room EVERY DAY, all day. Their parents had a routine of arguing every moment together so before work they would place them all in one locked room while they argued and he would go to work. She wouldn't let them out until he came home. They would cry and beg but she never did, they would soil themselves and starve but she wouldn't budge. They had to sit there without toys or food, all day. When he would come home they were let out to make themselves dinner and watch the "scary movie" and witness the horrible event that has caused them to be in jail. I am sick. It makes me remember when they first came home and we had to shut their bedroom doors at night for their safety, Cyr would have these horrible panic attacks about shutting the door, no wonder. Something I have never allowed myself to think much less say out loud, I hate them. I hate what what they have done but I also have extremely strong feelings of disgust for them. I need to work through this b/c it is not healthy for me to feel this way but for today I will sit in it.
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
Name Calling
I took the kids to the pool this morning and since it is Pass Holder's Only on Wed, we normally have a great time b/c there aren't many others there. Not the case today. There was a group of about 15 kid and 3 women, now I assume they were a camp or daycare but since people assume that about me and are wrong, I don't know for sure. They were horribly behaved children. Lots of wrestling and screaming, it got to the point the Lifeguards stepped in a few times while these women chatted up. After 30 minutes, there was a high pitched scream and every one turned. One of the boys had been hit in the nose and there was blood EVERYWHERE. It was shooting out of his cupped hands and his face was swelling instantly. I felt so sorry for him until I found out we would have to leave b/c with blood in the pool they automatically closed it for the day. Damn it, man.
I took the kids to Walmart to do our 3 cart grocery shopping. I commented to them about how different it is to take them now compared to 2 years ago and you could hear a collective sigh. I laughed, they are so cute. What did I ever do before them?
I threaten my children, not like you think. Before we go anywhere we go over the expectations. I expect them to keep their hands to themselves, stay close, use an inside voice, not ask for things, not to talk to strangers, not to hug strangers, and so on. It changes depending on the activity and the folks there. One thing never changes and Cyr pointed out that I forgot today before we got out at the pool. She said, "You forgot to threaten to beat us til we bleed." All the kids started laughing. I know it sounds terrible but since I don't beat my kids, they know I am always kidding when I mention it. It has become a family joke of sorts. It will make them smile when they are shutting down or starting to. All I have to do is ask if they need a beating or want one. They beg for them, "please beat me , beat me". A beating in our house is basically a tickle session where I pretend to spank them and they squirm, giggle, and get a swat. They enjoy them so much that I actually warned our AT and our SW before the adoption that if they ever said I beat them to be sure to ask if they had fun before they reported it.
We call our kids silly things like most families do. We use things that make kids laugh and what makes kids laugh better than rear ends and poop. Again, this doesn't sound good on paper but in person it is very loving and silly. Here are a few of the many names I call out to them. Turkey butt, turd bucket, butter bean, sweet pea, skinny minnie, toad stool, my little crazies, toe jam, and love buckets to name a few. I heard my son call me his little crazy today at the pool, it was so sweet. What do you call your kids?
It was finally printed in the paper, they didn't tell all the charges, they fibbed. It made it seem much less of a case and it was on purpose. I love that Det.
I took the kids to Walmart to do our 3 cart grocery shopping. I commented to them about how different it is to take them now compared to 2 years ago and you could hear a collective sigh. I laughed, they are so cute. What did I ever do before them?
I threaten my children, not like you think. Before we go anywhere we go over the expectations. I expect them to keep their hands to themselves, stay close, use an inside voice, not ask for things, not to talk to strangers, not to hug strangers, and so on. It changes depending on the activity and the folks there. One thing never changes and Cyr pointed out that I forgot today before we got out at the pool. She said, "You forgot to threaten to beat us til we bleed." All the kids started laughing. I know it sounds terrible but since I don't beat my kids, they know I am always kidding when I mention it. It has become a family joke of sorts. It will make them smile when they are shutting down or starting to. All I have to do is ask if they need a beating or want one. They beg for them, "please beat me , beat me". A beating in our house is basically a tickle session where I pretend to spank them and they squirm, giggle, and get a swat. They enjoy them so much that I actually warned our AT and our SW before the adoption that if they ever said I beat them to be sure to ask if they had fun before they reported it.
We call our kids silly things like most families do. We use things that make kids laugh and what makes kids laugh better than rear ends and poop. Again, this doesn't sound good on paper but in person it is very loving and silly. Here are a few of the many names I call out to them. Turkey butt, turd bucket, butter bean, sweet pea, skinny minnie, toad stool, my little crazies, toe jam, and love buckets to name a few. I heard my son call me his little crazy today at the pool, it was so sweet. What do you call your kids?
It was finally printed in the paper, they didn't tell all the charges, they fibbed. It made it seem much less of a case and it was on purpose. I love that Det.
Sunday, July 06, 2008
An Early Morning Getaway
I got Cyr, Emma, and Ruthie up early this morning and we snuck away to Waffle House. I have been craving it since I read about Theresa's kids bugging her about it, I think it was Theresa. It was so good, anything, even if it is smothered in grease or should I say especially smothered in grease is great when it is served to you. It is so cheap for me to sneak away with a few of them at a time, we ate for $20 including tip.
After our bellies were full we ran to Walmart for few groceries. They were so well behaved, no one was run over with the cart or complained about being ready to go once. They rarely ever ask for things anymore so that part is always a breeze. I found book bags cheap and since school doesn't start for another month I decided to go ahead and get them while the pickings were good. I picked out 3 smaller ones for $5 each for all 3 1st graders and got the other kids regular size ones for $10 each. They are colorful and cute. Everyone was pleased.
One thing I have learned is that if I buy something and bring it to them, they love it. If I take them shopping, they always like the expensive stuff. I usually do almost all the clothes and shoe shopping alone and bring them home to try on. They are NEVER disappointed and have no idea I bought only off the extreme sale rack. I also love to shop at thrift stores like Salvation Army and Goodwill, SA has 1/2 off on Wednesdays. I hardly ever even look at their shirts, I buy jeans, shorts, and jackets there and supplement with new shirts at Old Navy, Sears, and The Children's Place. It is almost time to buy new tennis shoes and I will have their feet measured at Walmart and then later go shopping by myself, some of it I will do online but most is in the stores so I can return it if they hate them or need to adjust the size quickly. I am so glad most of my kids have no sense style b/c it would make my job so much harder.
*If your name has mom at the end or if it has mama at the end, when you send me a comment it doesn't give me your email, you must write it out. LOL One of you has tried to do it twice and forgotten, you crack me up.
After our bellies were full we ran to Walmart for few groceries. They were so well behaved, no one was run over with the cart or complained about being ready to go once. They rarely ever ask for things anymore so that part is always a breeze. I found book bags cheap and since school doesn't start for another month I decided to go ahead and get them while the pickings were good. I picked out 3 smaller ones for $5 each for all 3 1st graders and got the other kids regular size ones for $10 each. They are colorful and cute. Everyone was pleased.
One thing I have learned is that if I buy something and bring it to them, they love it. If I take them shopping, they always like the expensive stuff. I usually do almost all the clothes and shoe shopping alone and bring them home to try on. They are NEVER disappointed and have no idea I bought only off the extreme sale rack. I also love to shop at thrift stores like Salvation Army and Goodwill, SA has 1/2 off on Wednesdays. I hardly ever even look at their shirts, I buy jeans, shorts, and jackets there and supplement with new shirts at Old Navy, Sears, and The Children's Place. It is almost time to buy new tennis shoes and I will have their feet measured at Walmart and then later go shopping by myself, some of it I will do online but most is in the stores so I can return it if they hate them or need to adjust the size quickly. I am so glad most of my kids have no sense style b/c it would make my job so much harder.
*If your name has mom at the end or if it has mama at the end, when you send me a comment it doesn't give me your email, you must write it out. LOL One of you has tried to do it twice and forgotten, you crack me up.
Friday, July 04, 2008
Don't Forget YOUR Email Address
Some of you I could track down on my own but there are 3 of you I can't. I hate to post you name here or make you feel bad b/c you think I didn't invite you. If you did not receive an invite, comment again and give me your email address.
(Funny how even as an adult I worry about hurting someone's feelings over something like this. Maybe a little more therapy for me, huh?)
(Funny how even as an adult I worry about hurting someone's feelings over something like this. Maybe a little more therapy for me, huh?)
The kids are playing store and it never fails, someone is a foster kid and someone is a CW. I wonder if that will ever change. 
Jace and Elvis are under my chair, this is their spot when I get on the computer. They are so darn cute sitting under there panting away.
We picked these last weekend and made a Blueberry Cobbler that was eaten in one sitting before I could take my "after" photo. The kids claim to not like them but sure were eager to eat them up. We have 16 blueberry bushes in our yard and I am sure we will be eating them until we are all sick of them.
A Little Stressed
I have again invited everyone that has commented, there was one person that didn't and it is b/c I didn't get an email and I couldn't pull up your profile to get it. Please try me again and you will be approved.
I will still post here about the kids, I will give updates about the case but very vague ones.
The kids are doing amazing but there are signs of stress. Ruthie had her first accident in over 18 months last night. She is talking about her feelings about masturbating obsessively every time their names are brought up. Cyr is over parenting everyone again, including me. (I don't mind so much b/c it almost gives me a break. LOL) They are asking to "camp" together and I feel that they are far enough along that they can handle it so there are sleeping bags everywhere in the living room. They are playing nicely together and that in itself is a miracle. They are concerned when one child leaves the group for any reason and another tends to follow to check on them. It shows how far they have come. One last thing that really surprises me about them today, they are volunteering to clean! Who does this? I think it is to keep busy but I am not gonna argue, clean away. When they are done here, anyone else need a little work done?
I tried to make plans for fireworks today but they are not interested at all. Pool, yes but no other outings.
I will still post here about the kids, I will give updates about the case but very vague ones.
The kids are doing amazing but there are signs of stress. Ruthie had her first accident in over 18 months last night. She is talking about her feelings about masturbating obsessively every time their names are brought up. Cyr is over parenting everyone again, including me. (I don't mind so much b/c it almost gives me a break. LOL) They are asking to "camp" together and I feel that they are far enough along that they can handle it so there are sleeping bags everywhere in the living room. They are playing nicely together and that in itself is a miracle. They are concerned when one child leaves the group for any reason and another tends to follow to check on them. It shows how far they have come. One last thing that really surprises me about them today, they are volunteering to clean! Who does this? I think it is to keep busy but I am not gonna argue, clean away. When they are done here, anyone else need a little work done?
I tried to make plans for fireworks today but they are not interested at all. Pool, yes but no other outings.
Thursday, July 03, 2008
She Confessed
She admitted everything and much more. She will testify against her husband so the kids don't have to. I am so grateful she did the right thing and told them everything the kids said was true.
Thank you all so much for your kind and supportive comments. I have added everyone that asked so if you didn't get an invitation, please do it again. I plan on updating here for the basics but all the details will be private so it can't be Googled and our location discovered. I hope this will keep our privacy but give me a chance to say what I really think.
Kids are sleeping later and later this summer. I feel like I have won the lottery, I know I don't ask for much. They used to be in such a high state of fear that dawn was about all I could hope for. This week alone I have had to wake them at 9:30 twice. Woo Hoo! Now I have to train my sister not to call me until after that. Yes, you, Kiki. Last night I didn't go to sleep until after 4AM. Too bad I wasn't bitten by the cleaning bug. My house is a wreck.
Kids are sleeping later and later this summer. I feel like I have won the lottery, I know I don't ask for much. They used to be in such a high state of fear that dawn was about all I could hope for. This week alone I have had to wake them at 9:30 twice. Woo Hoo! Now I have to train my sister not to call me until after that. Yes, you, Kiki. Last night I didn't go to sleep until after 4AM. Too bad I wasn't bitten by the cleaning bug. My house is a wreck.
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
A Separate Blog
They were arrested this afternoon and charged. They refused to talk with the Det. so I am sure the kids will have to testify. Some lovely things were said in the back of the officer's car that were recorded and will be very incriminating. The Det. informed me that there will be 2 other arrests tomorrow and they will each have 3 charges against them.
I have decided to make a separate blog that I will discuss this part of our lives in private. I am too afraid that people will be looking for us b/c this case has turned into a much bigger case than I imagined. The Det. is very concerned about us b/c all the adults will be linked quickly. If you would like access to it, please send me a comment with your email address. I will not publish any comments with your personal information on it.
The kids are all doing great, so far. They called their Nanny and Poppa to ask if they were mad at them for telling on their daughter. They were very supportive and confirmed their love repeatedly. Everyone agrees that they belong in jail if they did the things the kids claim and that we all believe the kids. The Gparents do not know what the kids have claimed but told them to be strong. I know they are in a tough place and I am grateful they can put themselves aside for the kids.
I have decided to make a separate blog that I will discuss this part of our lives in private. I am too afraid that people will be looking for us b/c this case has turned into a much bigger case than I imagined. The Det. is very concerned about us b/c all the adults will be linked quickly. If you would like access to it, please send me a comment with your email address. I will not publish any comments with your personal information on it.
The kids are all doing great, so far. They called their Nanny and Poppa to ask if they were mad at them for telling on their daughter. They were very supportive and confirmed their love repeatedly. Everyone agrees that they belong in jail if they did the things the kids claim and that we all believe the kids. The Gparents do not know what the kids have claimed but told them to be strong. I know they are in a tough place and I am grateful they can put themselves aside for the kids.
Today They Pay
My kids' Aunt called this morning at 7:30AM, she was very upset about the situation their parents have put all of us in. She is planning a birthday party for her Step Son and became upset knowing we can't attend and have a normal relationship with her family until things proceed. We talked for several minutes and she seemed to calm down. About 20 minutes after we hung up, my phone rang again and without looking I answered thinking it must be her again. I was wrong and I believe the Aunt has some psychic ability that we were bot unaware of previously. It was the Det. calling to tell me she WILL be arresting the parents today. She has the warrant in hand and is just confirming their address before heading out with a bunch of officers.
She called me back a few minutes ago to update me on the best news of all. She will be charging them with 3 counts of Aggravated Child Molestation (3 had to be dropped) and 6 counts of Child Molestation each. Wait, it gets better. My children had reported for years that they had been molested multiple times by a man named Tex, he is developmentally delayed and couldn't be charged. This made no sense to the Det. or myself but it is what everyone believed, until today. He will be arrested and charged with 3 counts of Aggravated Child Molestation TODAY! I am currently pacing the floor waiting for the Det. to call me and tell me it is done, she promised she wouldn't go home today until all 3 are behind bars.
She called me back a few minutes ago to update me on the best news of all. She will be charging them with 3 counts of Aggravated Child Molestation (3 had to be dropped) and 6 counts of Child Molestation each. Wait, it gets better. My children had reported for years that they had been molested multiple times by a man named Tex, he is developmentally delayed and couldn't be charged. This made no sense to the Det. or myself but it is what everyone believed, until today. He will be arrested and charged with 3 counts of Aggravated Child Molestation TODAY! I am currently pacing the floor waiting for the Det. to call me and tell me it is done, she promised she wouldn't go home today until all 3 are behind bars.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Delayed Again
The deadline has been postponed, again. I am not surprised but disappointed. The kids have no idea and that does help up us get through. I believe our Det., I believe she is doing all she can. She promises that she has enough to prosecute 3 charges for each parent. She also shared she has some really amazing evidence and testimony to prove what my kids have said. I was really impressed that she managed to get this so many years after the incidents. She has all her supeneas for the closed adoption records and their father's juvenile records. It will take time to get the adoption records but DFCS is working with them, finally. They can't find the charge on his juvenile record that the old investigator swears she is sure she charged him with. The Det. has another interview with her today to find out why it isn't there. She remembers both sisters made allegations so it should be in the adoption files. The latest victims were unable to make their forensic interviews due to a car accident the night before and should be rescheduled today for this week. I wish things would move faster but it is more important they do it right.
We discussed the media issue again. She is worried this will be a huge case here, they will release their parent's names after the arrest. They will not comment after that. She feels these people know enough people that would love to have a minute of fame they will say anything. I am concerned our name and location will get out. Many know our name, we are not listed, and only their former foster parents and Aunt/Uncle know exactly where we are. I feel like we are covered but not confident. Any suggestions?
We discussed the media issue again. She is worried this will be a huge case here, they will release their parent's names after the arrest. They will not comment after that. She feels these people know enough people that would love to have a minute of fame they will say anything. I am concerned our name and location will get out. Many know our name, we are not listed, and only their former foster parents and Aunt/Uncle know exactly where we are. I feel like we are covered but not confident. Any suggestions?
Saturday, June 28, 2008
We couldn't help it
I have something to confess, we have added another member to our family and this one was not planned for. I had answered so many ads on Craigslist looking for a Pug that I kinda lost track of who was who. One of the guys I talked to gave us Elvis but earlier in the week I had spoken to a really nice lady and misunderstood our conversation. I thought she was weighing her options when she said she said she would be talking to her daughter about us and get back to me by Friday. She meant she would tell her daughter and see us Friday. She called on Friday and became almost frantic when I told her I thought she had decided to keep him. Turns out she had taken him to the vet, washed all his 400 toys, and even had her family come to say goodbye to him. I felt terrible for her and called my DH. He was game so we now have a second Pug and he is actually the age she claimed, 3.5 yrs. He is so darn cute. The dogs get along fine but do not really play together for more than a minute or so b/c Elvis is so tired. His age has become incredibly obvious when we brought home the young guy. Now we have a cuddler and a runner. The younger guy seems to know his name so we are keeping it, he is Jace. He doesn't stop moving until he passes out. He follows me around like I am a giant treat. He has a favorite place to sit as you can tell in the picture.
Friday, June 27, 2008
The Deadline is Today
I love the name Oliver! We ended up voting as a family and decided to go with Elvis for a couple of reasons, he kinda sings to you, he is very charismatic, and he is really over weight but still adorable. He is so entertaining and loves to be in the room while the kids play, he will leave if they surround him. I don't even like to be surrounded by them. (The kids have him in a doll pack and play and he went right to sleep.)
Emma is feeling a bit better today. No tears and she has talked to her Mother on the phone. She had said yesterday she didn't think she wanted to go to her sister's party but now has changed her mind. She is really starting to get what adoption means, loss. Her Mother has vowed to help her understand the truth about her adoption, her own behavior and instability issues forced her to make this choice. She promised to not have so much fun at her house so it doesn't look like they always have fun b/c they don't, they have to save every penny to have fun when she comes. I love her Mother and how much she loves our daughter, she always has her best interest at heart.
Today is the day they are supposed to file that warrant. My stomach is a knot. I am not worried they will arrest them, it is b/c I am afraid they won't, AGAIN. We need this to happen, even if they aren't found guilty b/c the kids don't understand all that yet. They want then to go to jail and even weeks would be enough in their minds.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Random Things
The dog is quite the charmer and I am thinking we may go for Jack, as in Jack Nicholson. Patches likes the name Jack b/c of Jack Sparrow even though her all time favorite crush is Will Turner (Orlando Bloom but she has no idea he has a real name, LOL, she argues about this every time). He is so tolerant of these kids, he just lays there as they pet him, put glasses on him, and play around him. I know he like it b/c I have taken him out of the room and he goes back on his own. He is eating up all this attention. The kids are doing VERY well enforcing the rules with him.
Emma is home. I tried to take a photo of her for the before and after but she is a mess. She has been crying for about 30 minutes on and off. She hates leaving them behind, she worries so much for a little girl. This is the hardest she has ever cried after a visit. She doesn't want to live with her, she just wants to live closer to her. It breaks my heart. (When my MIL brought her home she honked in the driveway as a greeting to all of us out there. Ella was walking the dog for the first time and started running towards me screaming and crying. Who knew a horn was so scary?)
I just overheard a few of my kids playing. Patches was yelling at Michael and then Ruthie, "You have to go to jail b/c you are the Dad. Real Dads are bad and go to jail b/c they hurt their kids. Hey, how did you get out of jail?"
Ruthie said, "My foster mom got me out b/c kids don't go to jail only parents do."
Ella said, "Hey, do people eat dogs? Can I take the dog to jail? I like hot dogs. Do you need ice cream money in jail?"
Ruthie, "People who get out of jail should get killed. If everybody doesn't do their homework, I'm gonna kill them."
(Think anything is on their minds? Ruthie is a bit over the top on the killing thing and I am so gonna keep an eye on Ella and the dog, LOL)
Emma is home. I tried to take a photo of her for the before and after but she is a mess. She has been crying for about 30 minutes on and off. She hates leaving them behind, she worries so much for a little girl. This is the hardest she has ever cried after a visit. She doesn't want to live with her, she just wants to live closer to her. It breaks my heart. (When my MIL brought her home she honked in the driveway as a greeting to all of us out there. Ella was walking the dog for the first time and started running towards me screaming and crying. Who knew a horn was so scary?)
I just overheard a few of my kids playing. Patches was yelling at Michael and then Ruthie, "You have to go to jail b/c you are the Dad. Real Dads are bad and go to jail b/c they hurt their kids. Hey, how did you get out of jail?"
Ruthie said, "My foster mom got me out b/c kids don't go to jail only parents do."
Ella said, "Hey, do people eat dogs? Can I take the dog to jail? I like hot dogs. Do you need ice cream money in jail?"
Ruthie, "People who get out of jail should get killed. If everybody doesn't do their homework, I'm gonna kill them."
(Think anything is on their minds? Ruthie is a bit over the top on the killing thing and I am so gonna keep an eye on Ella and the dog, LOL)
An Old Man
When we decided to re home Fonzo we knew we would have to get another dog. I began just checking out Craigslist and seeing what was available and what was a good breed for us. I knew I didn't want to do the puppy thing again and definitely a much smaller one. Last night my DH picked up this senior citizen (they claim he is 6 yrs old but he looks much older than that). He is a retired Medic Dog, his first owner died and he ended up in the Humane Society, he was purchased by a young woman and she has had him briefly when she discovered he needs alot of attention. She was looking for a little dog to run and snuggle with. He is not the one. Snuggle, yes, run is not in his vocabulary. OMG! He is so well trained and behaved. He is making himself right at home. He goes to the door and whines, if you don't respond with quickly taking him out he will jump on the door and bark at you. He is a picky eater, we gave him a "treat" b/c the last owner did it for every trick and he spit it out at us and barked. He "talks" to you to get you to do things for him like feed him or rub his belly. He pees on EVERY puff of grass outside and them kicks dirt on his poop. He is a fur ball and shedding like crazy so I need to get a good brush for him to keep that down. He listens and seems to almost understand what you are telling him and turns his head like he is relating. The kids really like him (I know anything new is great) but the little ones love that they can participate in taking him out. Poor thing can't run or tug too hard and he stands at the bottom of the stairs and waits for someone to pick him up, when we don't he kinda mumbles and then follows. He is constantly at my feet but will go to a kid for love if they call him. This is my kinda dog! His name is Preema. I hate the name. He doesn't come to it so I think we can find another. Any ideas?
Cyr tried to sleep with him but he whined and she brought him back to me. We chatted for awhile (me and the dog) and begged to sleep with me on the sofa (whole other story something about me snoring and no one else can sleep, a bunch of lies if you ask me. I don't hear anything). When I explained he needed to sleep on the blanket on the floor he would look at it and look at me then bark. This went on for quite a bit. Eventually, I just kept pointing to the blanket and he went over there walked around it and laid down. He gave me one more mumble and decided to sleep there. He woke me up this morning with a quick bark in the face and a run (sorta) to the door.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
The Not Knowing Is What Hurts
I have made a decision to help a woman I believe to have been wronged in adoption. Of course, I hear only her side but it rings true. It makes me so mad that young women are forced or coerced into adoption when it is the furthest thing from their minds. They are pressured by their parents, SWs, or agencies to place their child with the promise of getting to remain in their lives.
Then there is the other side, the desperate couples that want a child so bad they would do almost anything to be a parent. They trust their agency, SW, and attorney to do the right thing. There are also the people that will say anything to get the child with the intention of closing things afterward once things are final. I can't tell you how many times I have been asked "Why do you still talk to them?" or "Just tell her anything but once you finalize you don't have to do it.". So many of the adoptive parents fear their child's family. I am not talking about foster care adoption, I am talking about domestic infant adoptions. Is it they know they aren't the "real" parent? Why are so many insecure? They are unwilling to look at it from their child's point of view. I have a passion for open adoption that came naturally to me. I had no idea what it was called or exactly what I wanted when Emma came to us. I just knew I couldn't keep this young woman from her child b/c I felt insecure.
I hope I can help this woman, I will do my best to try to reunite her with her daughter. I will not give up until I can at least let her know she is OK. After seeing recent pictures of her child, I am concerned about the child's emotional state. She has the "walking dead" look that I remember my children had in pictures. I can't undo what has been done but I hope to put this mother's mind at ease that her child is safe.
Then there is the other side, the desperate couples that want a child so bad they would do almost anything to be a parent. They trust their agency, SW, and attorney to do the right thing. There are also the people that will say anything to get the child with the intention of closing things afterward once things are final. I can't tell you how many times I have been asked "Why do you still talk to them?" or "Just tell her anything but once you finalize you don't have to do it.". So many of the adoptive parents fear their child's family. I am not talking about foster care adoption, I am talking about domestic infant adoptions. Is it they know they aren't the "real" parent? Why are so many insecure? They are unwilling to look at it from their child's point of view. I have a passion for open adoption that came naturally to me. I had no idea what it was called or exactly what I wanted when Emma came to us. I just knew I couldn't keep this young woman from her child b/c I felt insecure.
I hope I can help this woman, I will do my best to try to reunite her with her daughter. I will not give up until I can at least let her know she is OK. After seeing recent pictures of her child, I am concerned about the child's emotional state. She has the "walking dead" look that I remember my children had in pictures. I can't undo what has been done but I hope to put this mother's mind at ease that her child is safe.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
More Than I Thought
My house has never been so clean! Everything is in it's place and I have nothing to do. The few kids I have, Cyr is with DH at work and Em is at her Mother's, are behaving so well. I am actually bored. How does that happen?
Just a couple of things, the kids talked to their mother's parents today. It was brief but they enjoyed it. I had to put a stop to anything about their parents on this call b/c I was afraid they would share that the parents are about to be arrested and the Gparents would give them a heads up. The conversations were short b/c they had received a call just before us that Aunt 2 and 3 had been in a car accident and were taken to the hospital in an ambulance. I have no idea if they are ok or not, their only car was totaled. Selfish me wonders how they will have their forensic interview on Thursday.
The other thing is one of my children has confessed to almost obsessively masturbating. I knew it was happening (not as often as it is) but when she told me about it she expected a huge confrontation. I was supportive and she was surprised. We talked about what made her feel tingly and I noticed a pattern. She is doing it when she is stressed. It seems to comfort her. She has hurt herself doing this so much. Now I get to hear every time she feels tingly so we can talk about it. Oh Goody.
I almost forgot, I noticed today that none of my kids brushed their teeth (trust me, it is THAT obvious) or dressed this morning. I asked them to all bring me their toothbrushes for paste. They all fell in line except Ava. I knew something was up when she started smiling and asking for a new one. Turns out she has been using it to clean the rocks they find in the yard. Let me rephrase that, she has been allowing Patches to clean the rocks. LOL The last time they showed me a clean rock was 2 days ago, no wonder the girl smelled like she ate poop for breakfast. I told her dirt won't hurt her to brush her teeth with it and put it in the dishwasher. (I put mine and my DH's in there for good measure)
Ava has been hurting me a lot lately. Not sure what is up but it came to a head for me today. Many of them have gone through this smile and hurt Mom at the same time thing. You all know what I am talking about, they hug you and elbow you at the same time kinda thing. Anyway, today she asked to rub lotion on my legs (yes, it is a privilege b/c my legs are so soft and beautiful). She kept putting too much lotion on then and scratching it off, it hurt and I told her so about 6 times. Then she wanted to do my hair (again a privilege but only b/c I love it and want them to do it, LOL fooled them) and she brushed SOOO hard I had to ask her to stop. Later she was fixing my makeup (at this point I have no excuse, I am lazy, they love to do it and I let them). She poked my eye MANY times and it dawned on me it was intentional so I made her stop touching me for the rest of today. Tears burst out her tiny eyes and you would have thought I told her "no air for you". I told her she didn't fool me and she STOPPED! It still surprises me at how she can manipulate everyone, including me. She is a real character, kinda scary.
Just a couple of things, the kids talked to their mother's parents today. It was brief but they enjoyed it. I had to put a stop to anything about their parents on this call b/c I was afraid they would share that the parents are about to be arrested and the Gparents would give them a heads up. The conversations were short b/c they had received a call just before us that Aunt 2 and 3 had been in a car accident and were taken to the hospital in an ambulance. I have no idea if they are ok or not, their only car was totaled. Selfish me wonders how they will have their forensic interview on Thursday.
The other thing is one of my children has confessed to almost obsessively masturbating. I knew it was happening (not as often as it is) but when she told me about it she expected a huge confrontation. I was supportive and she was surprised. We talked about what made her feel tingly and I noticed a pattern. She is doing it when she is stressed. It seems to comfort her. She has hurt herself doing this so much. Now I get to hear every time she feels tingly so we can talk about it. Oh Goody.
I almost forgot, I noticed today that none of my kids brushed their teeth (trust me, it is THAT obvious) or dressed this morning. I asked them to all bring me their toothbrushes for paste. They all fell in line except Ava. I knew something was up when she started smiling and asking for a new one. Turns out she has been using it to clean the rocks they find in the yard. Let me rephrase that, she has been allowing Patches to clean the rocks. LOL The last time they showed me a clean rock was 2 days ago, no wonder the girl smelled like she ate poop for breakfast. I told her dirt won't hurt her to brush her teeth with it and put it in the dishwasher. (I put mine and my DH's in there for good measure)
Ava has been hurting me a lot lately. Not sure what is up but it came to a head for me today. Many of them have gone through this smile and hurt Mom at the same time thing. You all know what I am talking about, they hug you and elbow you at the same time kinda thing. Anyway, today she asked to rub lotion on my legs (yes, it is a privilege b/c my legs are so soft and beautiful). She kept putting too much lotion on then and scratching it off, it hurt and I told her so about 6 times. Then she wanted to do my hair (again a privilege but only b/c I love it and want them to do it, LOL fooled them) and she brushed SOOO hard I had to ask her to stop. Later she was fixing my makeup (at this point I have no excuse, I am lazy, they love to do it and I let them). She poked my eye MANY times and it dawned on me it was intentional so I made her stop touching me for the rest of today. Tears burst out her tiny eyes and you would have thought I told her "no air for you". I told her she didn't fool me and she STOPPED! It still surprises me at how she can manipulate everyone, including me. She is a real character, kinda scary.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Off Again
Emma left to go to Six Flags for the day and then back to her Mother's house for a few days. As much as I tell myself she will be fine, I worry the entire time she is gone. It's not a worry I have if she spends the night with a friend, I worry she will be in an accident or something and I will never forgive myself for letting her go. I miss her terribly already. Several kids have complained about being bored, trust me this doesn't happen here, they claim they miss her too much to have fun. She is the life of this house. I guess while she has fun we will just sit here and wait for her return.
I took this very early this morning, she was so excited to leave it was pure torture for her to stand still. She refused to have her hair done and I had to practically hold her down for sunscreen.
On a different note, we had sent in our application to attend a camping weekend with a local group we belong to for families of children with special needs many months ago but had been put on a waiting list. It didn't look good b/c they were so over booked. To my surprise, we got an email this morning that we are going!!!!!!! It will cost us $200 for an entire weekend in a cabin, with activities, and food. I am so happy we are going.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
A Nice Afternoon
The kids are loving the blueberry bushes, I have found their hands covered in blueish stains from the juice. They are so excited that I have had to tell them not to touch them again b/c they are not ready. We have raspberries, grapes, plums, blueberries, and apples coming in but none are ripe enough to be stuffed in their little mouths. Patches doesn't even like blueberries but she is eating them.
I have started a new consequence for Ava and Michael, it can apply to them all but they are the 2 that have the toughest time on a daily basis. No more discussion, if they cross the very clear line of driving us crazy, no pool that day. They go dressed in clothes and sit in the shade and watch us giggle and play for hours. On days we can't go to the pool they can enjoy some peace and quiet in their rooms.
Michael is in his room today. I tried too many times to talk him through his anger this morning and gave up for the day after he slammed his bedroom door repeatedly trying successfully to wake his sick Dad. This was, of course, after he was obnoxious for a couple of hours downstairs. He will eat his meals separate from us and since he has calmed down I brought him up his case of Hot Wheels. Now we will have a stress free day and so will he. He just loses control. We, him and I, are supposed to be trying to talk through his anger so he won't get in trouble but instead he lashes out at me. The girls know exactly how to get him, I will see them do it and intervene to protect him from losing it and I become his target. Most of the kids do not read emotions, very difficult to explain if you don't live with it. I have to tell them my emotion, repeat it several times usually, and promise they are not in trouble over and over to get their attention or trust. I have begun to whisper to him and Patches b/c it gets their attention better. He just doesn't get that I am on his side at the time. He screamed at me in the face today when I said, "I am on your side, I am trying to help you." Maybe tomorrow, probably more like next year.
I have started a new consequence for Ava and Michael, it can apply to them all but they are the 2 that have the toughest time on a daily basis. No more discussion, if they cross the very clear line of driving us crazy, no pool that day. They go dressed in clothes and sit in the shade and watch us giggle and play for hours. On days we can't go to the pool they can enjoy some peace and quiet in their rooms.
Michael is in his room today. I tried too many times to talk him through his anger this morning and gave up for the day after he slammed his bedroom door repeatedly trying successfully to wake his sick Dad. This was, of course, after he was obnoxious for a couple of hours downstairs. He will eat his meals separate from us and since he has calmed down I brought him up his case of Hot Wheels. Now we will have a stress free day and so will he. He just loses control. We, him and I, are supposed to be trying to talk through his anger so he won't get in trouble but instead he lashes out at me. The girls know exactly how to get him, I will see them do it and intervene to protect him from losing it and I become his target. Most of the kids do not read emotions, very difficult to explain if you don't live with it. I have to tell them my emotion, repeat it several times usually, and promise they are not in trouble over and over to get their attention or trust. I have begun to whisper to him and Patches b/c it gets their attention better. He just doesn't get that I am on his side at the time. He screamed at me in the face today when I said, "I am on your side, I am trying to help you." Maybe tomorrow, probably more like next year.
Friday, June 20, 2008
The wait is almost over
Maybe I share too much, I'm not sure but I have no one to go into details with as we continue this process to have the parents pay for what they have done. My DH wants to know but he is frustrated with all the details, he gets really mad it is taking so long and they are still out there.
I got another update from the Det., this time unsolicited. She have me a deadline for the end of her investigation part, she will then go back to the D.A. to get the warrant. I had been told this was already in hand but maybe she has to get a fresh one or something added, I don't know. They are still going to continue to try for old information but what the kids have said is enough to prosecute them. I have told no one but you, June 27th. I almost jumped for joy. This whole thing has my stomach in a knot every time it comes to mind. Some of the kids want to testify, they want them to pay, others don't understand. All will feel better when they are in jail.
I got another call from Aunt 2, I am beginning to like her, too. Funny thing is both married into the family and Aunt 1 claims that is why I like her, she's not blood related and crazy. LOL I believe there will eventually be Aunt 3, she has expressed interest in getting to know the kids and was horribly manipulated into the family. She met, fell in love, got pregnant, and got married to their Mother's brother. Only after she had her son did she discover her husband was a convicted child molester and was not supposed to be around kids. He was arrested on failure to register and she has been scared to death he will get out this Oct and want to see his son. She went Monday to DFCS to see what she has to do to keep him away from her and her child. I like that about her. I also like that she discovered their parents had another little girl at their house for days at a time and ran to Aunt 2 to ask what to do. They called last night and I gave them the Det.'s cell and they called immediately and reported it. The parent's moved to another county so she sent over a deputy from that county to check on things. We should hear how that went today.
I got another update from the Det., this time unsolicited. She have me a deadline for the end of her investigation part, she will then go back to the D.A. to get the warrant. I had been told this was already in hand but maybe she has to get a fresh one or something added, I don't know. They are still going to continue to try for old information but what the kids have said is enough to prosecute them. I have told no one but you, June 27th. I almost jumped for joy. This whole thing has my stomach in a knot every time it comes to mind. Some of the kids want to testify, they want them to pay, others don't understand. All will feel better when they are in jail.
I got another call from Aunt 2, I am beginning to like her, too. Funny thing is both married into the family and Aunt 1 claims that is why I like her, she's not blood related and crazy. LOL I believe there will eventually be Aunt 3, she has expressed interest in getting to know the kids and was horribly manipulated into the family. She met, fell in love, got pregnant, and got married to their Mother's brother. Only after she had her son did she discover her husband was a convicted child molester and was not supposed to be around kids. He was arrested on failure to register and she has been scared to death he will get out this Oct and want to see his son. She went Monday to DFCS to see what she has to do to keep him away from her and her child. I like that about her. I also like that she discovered their parents had another little girl at their house for days at a time and ran to Aunt 2 to ask what to do. They called last night and I gave them the Det.'s cell and they called immediately and reported it. The parent's moved to another county so she sent over a deputy from that county to check on things. We should hear how that went today.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Our Dog is Gone
After our party Saturday night the kids heard the dog running around the room his crate was in, he had gotten out of it. No biggie, he has opened the crate before but never in the room he was in. He had gotten into stuff and chewed lots of it up. They took him outside, fed him, let him run a bit, and returned him to his crate. The next morning I smelled something awful as I came down the stairs and got Cyr up to take him out knowing he had probably pooped in his crate. He did. He was lazy all day Sunday, not really eating or playing hard. Monday night he still wasn't better so we decided to take him to the vet Tuesday. Yesterday he was fine, wagging his tail not playful but much better so we decided not to take him. I took the kids to Vacation Bible School and he was walking around drinking water, seemed fine. I left to pick up the kids and got a call from DH, Cyr had called him b/c the dog laid down and wouldn't get up. I was home within 10 minutes and found him dead. What is so shocking is that he was fine, he seemed so much better and active. My kids and DH are devastated. We had to drag him onto a tarp and then a wagon to secure him from wild animals. My DH is going to wrap him up and take him to the vet in the morning b/c we tried and can't bury him here. The ground is so hard we dug for 2 hours and couldn't get past the rock and roots.
I sent the wrong kid to Bible School
To answer the question why my sister is being weird about her pregnancy, I think it is b/c I had such a hard time with pregnancies. I couldn't care any less about it but my family is kinda weird about it with me. I think the other reason is she is unmarried (like I was a virgin until marriage, though I do tell all my nieces b/c there is no proof otherwise, LOL) and the father is a man she dated before and discovered he was married and had 2 girlfriends in different cities. She got pregnant before from him, had an abortion that he refused to help her with after she hemorrhaged and had to be hospitalized, and contracted a VD from. Maybe she thought I might say something about his past behaviors, I am sure he has turned his life around now for her and the baby. He lives a state away and visits almost every weekend, what could I possibly say to the contrary?
My oldest is becoming quite the arguer, she used to be so passive aggressive and since she has begun working in AT, this is changing. At this point, I am entertained and enjoy the banter as long as she is respectful. Yesterday she had me on the floor laughing so hard b/c she will do it over anything and really stick to her guns about it even with written proof she is wrong.
I sent 5 of my 7 to Vacation Bible School this week, one had Summer School to attend and the other is my oldest. We are not Christians, we are Unitarians, I feel it is important for the kids to learn about all religions and discover their own beliefs. Up until this summer they were unable to attend things without me but since we are becoming a normal household they were thrilled to go and have behaved very well (for them).
After they return each day I read what they learned about and try to discuss it with them. Only Emma is paying attention or retaining anything. The others just stare at me like I am speaking French. Yesterday they learned that Jesus is the son of God. Cyr jumped right in and corrected me saying that God was the son of Jesus. I politely insisted she must have misunderstood and moved on. This child refused to let it go, she went on and on about how she was forced by her old FM to attend church so she should know. She then tried to convince me that different churches believe different things, I agreed but insisted this was one they all agreed on. She was so furious I started to laugh, not a nice thing but a reaction that couldn't be helped. She did eventually give in and stop fighting but insists she is right. She did not think it was funny when I called the old FM to giggle with her about it, she was a good sport about it all though.
My oldest is becoming quite the arguer, she used to be so passive aggressive and since she has begun working in AT, this is changing. At this point, I am entertained and enjoy the banter as long as she is respectful. Yesterday she had me on the floor laughing so hard b/c she will do it over anything and really stick to her guns about it even with written proof she is wrong.
I sent 5 of my 7 to Vacation Bible School this week, one had Summer School to attend and the other is my oldest. We are not Christians, we are Unitarians, I feel it is important for the kids to learn about all religions and discover their own beliefs. Up until this summer they were unable to attend things without me but since we are becoming a normal household they were thrilled to go and have behaved very well (for them).
After they return each day I read what they learned about and try to discuss it with them. Only Emma is paying attention or retaining anything. The others just stare at me like I am speaking French. Yesterday they learned that Jesus is the son of God. Cyr jumped right in and corrected me saying that God was the son of Jesus. I politely insisted she must have misunderstood and moved on. This child refused to let it go, she went on and on about how she was forced by her old FM to attend church so she should know. She then tried to convince me that different churches believe different things, I agreed but insisted this was one they all agreed on. She was so furious I started to laugh, not a nice thing but a reaction that couldn't be helped. She did eventually give in and stop fighting but insists she is right. She did not think it was funny when I called the old FM to giggle with her about it, she was a good sport about it all though.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
The Family Curse
Yes, Ava did join the fun, she had a lot to make up before she could join us but she managed. All my kids behaved but Patches had a really difficult time joining in. She tends to be standoffish but comes across as rude. I had to escort her up to the moonwalk and get a few siblings to invite her in and kinda walk her through it. It is so hard to watch her suffer around other people. I found her too many times to count hiding in her room or behind the grill. She eventually cried after everyone left b/c none of her friends showed up, Emma chimed right in and said none of hers did either and that helped her feel less left out.
I took the kids to Vacation Bible School this morning. I tried yesterday but too many were out of control and ruined it for everyone else. We talked about it for quite a long time and we managed to go today. I was so proud of them, Michael and Emma will be in Michael's 1st grade teacher's class, the twins will be together, and Patches is alone. I was tickled to sneak in and see Patches had found a classmate from school and hooked right up. Cyr refused to go so she could stay home with Abbie and Ruthie is in summer school. Smella is going to 2 different Bible Schools, one with our kids and one at night with her friend, Emma. She is so excited to get to leave with someone besides Mom. DH asked her if she was learning anything about God and she said she was but claimed all she really did was play.
I got a call this morning from my niece Kaka, her mother is due to have a son any minute and I figured that was why she called. It wasn't. I need to back up a second and explain that I am not currently speaking to her mother (or mine) for several reasons but a couple surround this new baby. My sister refused to tell me she was pregnant for months, refused to allow anyone else to tell me, refused to return my calls, and when she discovered it was a boy (first boy born into the family in the last couple of generations so it is a big deal) she refused to call me and told my mother to do it and she called my other sisters to tell them. My feelings have been hurt, she knows this and refuses to speak to me so I made a decision to stop my relationship with her, why beg someone to be in your life. In the middle of all this, my mother always takes a side, anyone but mine (well known amongst our family this is a pattern) and made the comment that this was her first grandson (I guess my son doesn't count). I refused to go to the Baby Shower due to this strained relationship and they never gave me one so there, I am being petty. At this shower, everything she received for her child was blue, she purchased all her bedding in baseball themes, boy diapers, etc. Figuring she was all set to deliver any day, she opened everything up, washed it, and set it up. She went to the doctor today and they decided to do another ultrasound and discovered something was wrong. Her son is missing his penis and has grown a vagina. ROFLMAO! When I called Kiki, she wasn't surprised b/c she swears it is a family curse, for some reason our wombs rot off any penis trying to grow. I do feel bad for my sister, she has nothing for her daughter now and will have to either wear a lot of blue with bows taped to her head or buy a lot of new stuff.
I took the kids to Vacation Bible School this morning. I tried yesterday but too many were out of control and ruined it for everyone else. We talked about it for quite a long time and we managed to go today. I was so proud of them, Michael and Emma will be in Michael's 1st grade teacher's class, the twins will be together, and Patches is alone. I was tickled to sneak in and see Patches had found a classmate from school and hooked right up. Cyr refused to go so she could stay home with Abbie and Ruthie is in summer school. Smella is going to 2 different Bible Schools, one with our kids and one at night with her friend, Emma. She is so excited to get to leave with someone besides Mom. DH asked her if she was learning anything about God and she said she was but claimed all she really did was play.
I got a call this morning from my niece Kaka, her mother is due to have a son any minute and I figured that was why she called. It wasn't. I need to back up a second and explain that I am not currently speaking to her mother (or mine) for several reasons but a couple surround this new baby. My sister refused to tell me she was pregnant for months, refused to allow anyone else to tell me, refused to return my calls, and when she discovered it was a boy (first boy born into the family in the last couple of generations so it is a big deal) she refused to call me and told my mother to do it and she called my other sisters to tell them. My feelings have been hurt, she knows this and refuses to speak to me so I made a decision to stop my relationship with her, why beg someone to be in your life. In the middle of all this, my mother always takes a side, anyone but mine (well known amongst our family this is a pattern) and made the comment that this was her first grandson (I guess my son doesn't count). I refused to go to the Baby Shower due to this strained relationship and they never gave me one so there, I am being petty. At this shower, everything she received for her child was blue, she purchased all her bedding in baseball themes, boy diapers, etc. Figuring she was all set to deliver any day, she opened everything up, washed it, and set it up. She went to the doctor today and they decided to do another ultrasound and discovered something was wrong. Her son is missing his penis and has grown a vagina. ROFLMAO! When I called Kiki, she wasn't surprised b/c she swears it is a family curse, for some reason our wombs rot off any penis trying to grow. I do feel bad for my sister, she has nothing for her daughter now and will have to either wear a lot of blue with bows taped to her head or buy a lot of new stuff.
Monday, June 16, 2008
We Survived
This was at the end after they opened presents. Patches looks like she is dying or wishes she was. Michael is trying to smile for every flash. Ella was JACKED UP on sodas. The kid must have had a 12 pack herself. 
Ella jumping from the slide to the moonwalk, never slowed down.
Just random kids jumping.
Cyr and her miniature boyfriend, it is hard to tell here but she is much taller than he is. I was worried they would kiss and they refused to stand near each other. What a relief that was, not mention her cousins tortured her about standing closer, hold his hand, when were they getting married, how many eyes would their babies have, you name it, she wishes she hadn't invited him, I am sure b/c they never left her side.
Uncle Todd did the cooking and then he did this for about an hour. He claims he had a good time, I think he was just pretending so the kids would leave him alone.
After the events I was in so much pain I took some pain medication and laid down. My DH told me he had everything under control and not to worry. I stayed there all night. The next morning I woke to find they never did have dinner, he claimed they were not hungry. I started to look around for things to clean up and discovered the reason they weren't hungry was he let them graze on 50 bags of chips and and about 4 cases of soda all night. I thought it was weird they were still up chatting way past midnight. He is so funny, it never occurred to him they would overdo the sugar and chips.
I forgot to add that the Aunt, Uncle, and their new cousin (he's 15 and was unknown to the family until recently) were a huge hit. The kids were thrilled they came and they were so great about answering questions for them about their parents. Tons of kids came and even a couple of Moms from the online group I keep trying to fit in.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
