Quick Update

Well, things are going pretty good around here. Its been a hectic week, but that's ok. Sam's best friend Megan stayed with us last weekend and they were really well behaved! They played almost the whole time. They watched very little tv, and we made play-doh. I had found a play-doh recipe online that only used flour, water, and salt. I didn't have any cream of tarter so I couldn't use my mom's recipe for the stove top version. Well, I will NEVER use that recipe again! It was sticky, and then if I tried to add a little extra flour it got too dry. I tried mixing in a little oil, and that helped a little. The kids had fun with it, but they couldn't use the cut-outs on it. So, when I go to Walmart, I will be BUYING Play-Doh! I don't even think I want to try to make anymore. I will spend the $2!

Well, last Thursday Sam was supposed to meet with his new Big Brother, Corey. The we were supposed to be at our meeting spot at 6, but I had to run some errands first. So, at about 3:30 we were on our way up town, and 5 minutes into our trip I hear Sam talking to me in a really muffled voice. I turned to look what he needed, and he had blood all over!! His nose was bleeding bad and it was on his face, hands, coat, pants, car seat, and the floor! He has had problems with his sinuses, but never like this! I had him pinch his nose and relax while I drove to Urgent Care (about 10 minutes away). I was worried that they would think I was crazy to bring him in, but they were glad that I had brought him in. There are some issues that can have the same symptoms and appearances as a nosebleed, and I was thankful anything serious was ruled out. Thank God! They didn't have to cauterize it, but after pinching his nose, and sitting at Urgent Care for an hour and a half, he was not up to going to a sports complex. He had a bad headache, and was tired. So, long story summed up: we are meeting with Corey tonight instead. He sounds like a really good guy and for those who are like me and really concerned about safety, these are the facts:

• His background check was completed in November
• He is from a well known family
• His reason for becoming a Big Brother is based on the fact that he has recently beat a bad cancer and wants to give back.
• He goes to a church that I have been associated with for about 10 years.
• I have talked to his pastor (whom I also have known since I was a teen) who vouched for him on both safety and spirituality.
• This same pastor is his neighbor.
• He has been married for almost 10 years and has 2 children
• Is involved in charity work in the community and I believe this is the first to involve children directly.
• Has a great relationship with his family.

I am the type of person who figures all strangers are guilty of something and they must earn my trust and respect. Sam is a very aware child and knows what he should do in the event of some kind of mistreatment. With all we have been through, he and I have a very open relationship. He feels free to tell me anything that bothers him. He knows what people are and aren't allowed to do. He also knows what he should do if anyone tried to make him do something he doesn't want to. We have a rule around our house: If anyone tries anything in private, BITE! It will be very difficult for a grown up to deny an accusation with a bite mark exactly were there shouldn't be!! But, I will still covet your prayers for his continued safety! Thank you again for all of you who do add us to your prayers! We appreciate it very much!!

Well, its pushing 2:30 and I need to get around to go up town. I hope and pray that all you who read this and post your comments are having a safe and blessed week :)

Sorry This is so Long!

I did not realize that it had been a few weeks since I have been on here! I logged in tonight, and saw that 2 babies were born last week! Heather, a friend from the olden days, and her husband added a third cutie to their group. Her brother Chad and his wife added their fourth!! Congratulations guys! I was happy to hear all went well. I am sure though that Grandma and Grandpa are almost as tired as you! Thank God for safe travel :)

So, things around here have been going well. Sam is doing AWESOME with his new PACES! He likes to do his schoolwork in the evening, but that is working out fine. It really helps to have him a little more worn out! He doesn't fidget so much and actually concentrates much better. He is doing 2 pages a day in his 5 subjects, and he likes to do the hardest (the one with the most writing) first. I was worried when we started because he doesn't like to write, but the PACES really keep it balanced. He has not complained once! Thank you Jesus!!

Things are moving along with his dad. We canceled his visit two Saturdays ago due to the weather, so that has changed our schedule a bit. He was supposed to go for 6 hours this past Saturday, but Russell needed it to be from 9-1:30 instead. Sam got to go to Walmart, Discount Tire, and McD's for lunch. He is staying home this weekend since Megan is staying the weekend, and then I think Russell is planning to have him for some 'dark time' the following weekend. I am not sure when he is planning on us setting up a schedule. The counselor told him one was needed two weeks ago, but nothing has come of it yet. I just wish Sam spent more 'normal-quiet-time-at-home-with-dad'. He usually just wants to go to his dad's and play with his step sister, Katie, but they tend to run errands though. He did take Sam to see Bolt, which he loved! I just wish he saw that Sam wants to be able to lay on the living room floor playing with toys and make some good memories. I want my son to have that opportunity.

Sam is really just a homebody and really, really, really misses Katie! In the last 2 years, he has spent only a few minutes at a time with her. Mostly in passing. He loves her dearly, and worried about her following the abuse and the trial. He asked about her multiple times a day for the last 2 years!

I appreciate the prayers that people are offering up on our behalf! Thank you all!! We sometimes get lost when we don't know what we should ask for, so we rely on begging God's will be done, and for Him to prepare our hearts for what is coming. I have almost gone crazy at times; trying to figure out how to fix it all. I still have not (and don't plan on) thinking about the details of what Sam went through. He has worked through most of his issues, but every now and then, he just snaps and has a total meltdown. I can usually look back and find the trigger, and then we talk through it and follow up with his counselor. But enough about that :)

Well, I missed my deadline for signing up for my classes at KCC. I had a delay getting my paperwork and transcripts delivered on time. But maybe there was a reason for that, cause I got to talking to Samantha, my niece, and she talked me into looking into Baker College. I have looked into them in the past, but I am actually thinking that it might be my best choice. Price wise its between Davenport and KCC. Please pray for these decisions I am needing to make.

I don't mean to have only a 'complaining/negative' type blog. There are lots of good things I can talk about too! We found a recipe for homemade laundry soap on a friend of a friends blog, and it works great! It uses: 1 Cup Grated Fels Naptha Soap, 1/2 Cup Washing Soda, 1/2 Cup Borax. For light load, use 1 tablespoon. For heavy or heavily soiled load, use 2 tablespoons. (http://www.thefrugalshopper.com/articles/detergent.html) I read afterwords that the Fels Naptha soap can actually have some serious health risks with 'prolonged' contact, but you are able to use Castille soap instead. I am not sure if the difference between the two is more environmental in nature or if there is truly a heath risk. I am thinking that the same thing would happen if you were not using gloves while stirring and messing with traditional soaps like Tide and Cheer. My arms itch if I have to adjust the clothes in the soapy water and don't rise my skin good enough. So, I am just planning on being careful when mixing and using this homemade soap. It does work wonderful though! We were able to find the ingredients at our Meijer. If you call the number for Arm and Hammer, they will tell you where to find the Washing Soda. It is not the same as baking soda!!! Borax is sold at any Walmart, Meijers, and Target to name a few. Try it. You'll save a lot of money!

Other good things around here are...

1. Our roof is handling the weight of the ice and snow
2. Our puppy actually prefers to potty in the snow drifts! Less shoveling :)
3. Our furnace is warm and toasty.
4. I got my taxes done.
5. My before the holidays jeans still fit.
6. My hair is long enough to French braid. (First time in years!)
7. Family is safe.

I have lots to be thankful for, but most of all, I am excited about Jesus' soon return! The signs are happening so fast! Sam asks me to list them off to him sometimes! He sometimes will start crying because its not happening fast enough. My sweet angel is wanting to be with Jesus and all his family enjoying a true and eternal Peace.

God bless!

P.S.
I don't re-read my post to check for errors. I know that sounds really dumb, but I would end up deleting almost everything I wrote. So, please excuse the errors :)

First Post of 2009

I can't believe that the first week of January 2009 is almost over! Time is going way too fast for my liking. But, time can be cruel when you need it to move fast, because then it moves way toooo slowww. Like this past Saturday when Sam went to see his dad. Well, he left at 12:30 and was not home until 6:30. The clock in the living room chimes every 15 minutes and that was torture!

I know most people would think I am crazy for wanting Sam home all the time, but with his situation with his dad, I only feel safe when he is home. For those who don't know, Sam was abused by his dad in August 2007, and has just recently started to have contact again. His dad has a Very confrontational attitude and likes to do or not do the complete opposite of whatever Sam's counselor or I have to say would be good or bad for Sam's emotional well-being. This is becoming more stressful each day as I try to figure out what I should say and how to say it. This past week, he made a very rude comment about Sam's counselor, but since it was on the phone, I have no proof. I think I am going to actually have to take him to court in order to have it be that we only use email and texting to communicate. I keep telling him that I want/need to use email, but he says the phone is more "grown-up". Incidentally, this was after he said his rude remark! I have tried to explain to him that emails leave a paper-trail that will be cover both our butts. There wouldn't be all the he-said-she-said.

But let me move on to some things that are not so depressing! I am waiting for Sam's PACES to arrive in the mail. Last semester, his curriculum was a hodge-podge of books from Sam's Club, Dollar Tree, WalMart, and print-out from the internet. We also used the Time 4 Learning website. But, I don't have the patience to keep having to put it all together. I figured that with the PACES, there will be less time spent on figuring out what we need to work on each week. He is supposed to be in first grade, but when I did the diagnostic tests, he tested in the middle of second grade! I was so happy for him! I am starting him 2 PACES behind what they called for so that he will have a chance to learn the style of their teaching. Please pray for us as we make the change :0)

Well, right now Sam is watching Rita Rocks (Lifetime TV), and since its almost 9, I need to start getting the house ready for bedtime. Lexie (our 7 month old Springer) is already out cold :0)

I hope you all have the patience to follow along with the things that I babble on about. I will try not to be a complainer, but we all need to vent sometimes!

I hope you all have a great week, and I will try to put some more pictures up this weekend. Sam will be gone on Saturday from 1:30 - 7:30 so please pray that he will be safe and that his dad will comply with what Sam's counselor says is best. We have an appointment tomorrow at 10:00, so I will know what she thinks the next step should be. We just need lots and lots of prayer!

Thank you for taking the time to read this and for the prayers that I trust will be sent heavenward on Sam's behalf :o)