Father's Day

The rains continue here in Florida.  Just today we've had three sudden huge downpours, then it clears up....it's similar to when a hurricane is coming and the rain bands start.  I love rain & thunderstorms but our internet connection has been spotty to say the least!

My thoughts today are on Father's Day.

I grew up without a father.  I have ONE memory of my father.  I was about 3 years old and my great aunt (who I was living with) took me over to my mother's house.  She was sick or something and my aunt was taking her and the kids some food.  My father walked in, I didn't know him well enough to even respond to him but my older sister ran towards him.  He pushed her away and yelled something at my mother and left.  Looking back, I assume he was drunk.  Nice memory huh?

When I was in college, I got a silly idea to write him, so I did and enclosed some pictures.  Never heard from him.

One day after Steve was born, I got a phone call from a woman, she identified herself as my half sister and laughed.  It was odd, she told me she was calling to say "our" father died.  She wanted to know if I wanted to be included in his estate.  Of course, I was in shock but quickly answered NO, there was nothing he had that I wanted or needed! 

The only father figures I had was first my great aunt's husband, Poppy, Matthew Phillips.  They were in their late 60's when they took me to raise.  He already had lung cancer and died when I was only three years old.  I can remember him letting me sit on his lap and drive the car in the big field.  I also remember waving to him from the parking lot of the hospital.  He was in his room looking down.   That was just days before he died.

Then a couple of years later, my great aunt's brother moved in with us.  Uncle Mack Hines was wonderful to me.  I loved the years he lived with us.  He was a smoker but was afraid to ever light up inside!  He drove a brown Ford truck that he let me climb all over and play on.  Never do I remember him saying a harsh word to me.  When I was 12, he also died of lung cancer.  Just broke my heart.

So when I married Jon, I appreciated that he had a strong father.  His dad was a great influence on his life and how he views the world.

Jon is a wonderful dad.  From the day Steve was born, Jon embraced his role as a dad.  He was totally involved.   Then when Sam came along, he continued to embrace being a dad.  Maybe because of Sam's  difficulties, he embraced his role of a father, now with a special needs son even more so.   No one but God knows the things we went through with Sam from birth to about 5 years of age.  The times we almost lost him, the weeks and months spent in hospitals, the crazy trips to Miami to try and save his sight and then to New York.......   And during all this craziness, Jon embraced becoming a dad to a little boy from China.  You guys only see how things have worked out.  But when we adopted Shad we EXPECTED a completely blind child, with severe mental retardation.  We didn't know Shad's only issue was blindness in one eye.  BUT Jon embraced becoming his daddy, even when we thought things might be more challenging. 

Then we've had all the years of the five of us being together.....till I saw a little blind girl's sweet face....  Within days I knew I wanted us to adopt her but really didn't know WHAT my husband would say.  So I met him outside one afternoon when he came home from the prison and told him I thought we should adopt her.  He told me he'd already prayed about it with some of the inmates at the chapel and he was ready to do it too!  He embraced Sarah in his heart just like I did!

Then when we had the chance to adopt Selah and was given her info right before we left to go to Ukraine....  it was ME with doubts....he had no doubts, he said 'let's do it"  He embraced Selah even quicker than I did!  And his acceptance of her, helped me to accept her too.

Getting to meet the girls together, in a stinky orphanage room, we both had tears running down our faces.....what a moment.....

Then that summer, we became a family of seven, every moment is so precious to me.  The pictures are bittersweet.....we were so happy, no doubts that we'd done the right thing.....

Our first family trip to NY together....smooth....

Then the accident happened..... life stopped.....dreams changed.....

I was actually afraid my husband might hurt himself the first few days following the accident.  He was devastated and I knew it not so much by what was said, as by what was not said.....  Then I thought he would leave the ministry, he was broken hearted by the accident.   Again it was not so much what he said.......    It was an awful time....

But he was still Selah's daddy, he sat by her side, learned everything that needed to be done for her.  He actually learned how to do all the things like changing the trach and gtube long before I could bring myself to do it.  He was with her every day at the hospital.  He embraced being her dad.  It was not the plan we had for her at all and the accident will always forever darken our lives....  BUT I love that Jon put all his energy into helping her instead of feeling sorry for himself of letting guilt over ride his life. 

So now as we live out our lives, I'm so thankful for the man I married and how he has loved our children and put them first above career, calling or anything else.   There are many things I respect about him but how he has been as a dad, is just remarkable.   I may have not had an example of a good dad in my life but my children certainly have had that example. 

Hope you all have a great weekend......

Busy Thursday

Steve has been working at Habitat for Humanity, doing work hours for our family.  He has really enjoyed it.  Today he was asked to supervise four other workers as they had to move the thrift store all around.   (I think all the other workers were there to do community hours for the court - I told Steve he was getting a jump on being an officer)  The staff have told me how good of a worker Steve is, it makes me proud:)   Tomorrow he has an appointment wit the recruiter at the prison.  He is looking into every thing he has an interest in before he makes a final decision.  Saturday he takes the ACT test for college, so we are covering every possible avenue!

We have had crazy rainy weather today.  It seemed like "pre-hurricane" weather with huge rain bands, and in between the sun would come out.  I LOVE bad weather so it was my kind of day!  I think the next week or so will be like this, so we'll get plenty of rain. 

I spent the afternoon cooking, much to my family's happiness!  I usually do two meals at one time.  today I boiled chicken for a good chicken noodle soup and also for shredded  chicken for the fettuccine  I made!  I made alfredo sauce from scratch- yum!   Salad and garlic bread and "healthy" brownies too!  Sarah loved my chicken noodle soup, she ate 2 big bowls of it.  I used noodles made from veggie puree, I didn't cook them all the way so they wouldn't get soggy in the soup, they turned out good.  I had so much soup that I was able to freeze some (I do that without the noodles so when I defrost, I just boil some noodles up so they'll be fresh)  I'd bought a big package of skinless boneless breasts on sale so I have shredded chicken left over to use in something tomorrow.  I'm thinking a chicken rice casserole that everyone loves.  Let me tell you my family is all about food!  I would NOT want to get stuck with any of them during a famine, they'd take my food!   

I have a confession to make.....my garden just didn't do much this year.   It seemed like everything matured faster than normal.  I buy plants at a certain place and a certain brand....  I think the plants had issues.  Everything I planted from seed did fine.  The potatoes and the onions which were another brand did fine....  But my plants didn't do good at all.  I had okra but now they are all gone.  The collards got a bug and nothing I could do seem to make a difference, the tomato plants were stilted.   None of the peppers grew at all.  Peppers usually grow even if you don't water them!  The squash plants I bought died (the ones from seeds did fine)   I think I'll buy plants from a different store and a different brand next time, or grow them myself!  All the root plants that were from seed/roots (carrots, onions, sweet potato and potatoes are good.   I've never had such a bad year with the summer plants!    In some of my Square Foot Gardens I grew grass....unreal!  So I carefully weeded the grass out and replanted them on a few sandy spots we have in the yard.  Figure people buy plugs of grass, I could just use what was in my SFG!   LOL  I try to use everything!  With all the rain, it looks like the plugs are growing.

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http://euromaidanpr.wordpress.com/2014/06/12/ukrainian-orphans-forcibly-taken-to-russia/#more-11759  More news from Ukraine!

"The armed militants also prevented the evacuation of 30 children from the children’s shelter in Kramatorsk. Everything was prepared to transport the children, aged from birth to three years, many of whom have severe congenital disabilities. However, someone from the staff revealed the plans to representatives of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic. They arrived in the building, spent the night, and in the morning prevented the removal of the children. Children from the orphanage in Kramatorsk had been successfully evacuated earlier. Afterwards, the director of the orphanage was summoned to the “commander” of the city and questioned about the reasons for the removal of the children."

Most certainly the children's shelter being talked about here, is the baby house my Sarah was in.....so very sad!!!!!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q977zU2J1ww&feature=youtu.be  this video is from the town Selah was born in.....  I could not get it to play as it is so cloudy here and we have terrible internet. 
I was in that town.....unreal!

I couldn't get this to play either but I think it is Torez

Pray for Ukraine.....pray for the orphans and their caregivers!

Playing Catch Up!

Well I gave myself a bit of a vacation......after dealing with Shad being sick and Steve away at camp....I was so busy till Steve got home on Monday.  He had a great time and really took this time to get to know some older Christian guys better.  He really felt like being at camp helped him to clarify his life better.  He came home with a ton of dirty clothes and some good memories. 

The last couple of days, we've had storms during the times I would go on my blog.  Our internet gets knocked off so easily as we are on satellite.  And we also DVR'd a three part series of WW2.  Actually it started back on WW1 and before and showed how everything came together to form the "perfect storm" so to speak.  We are only at the beginning of WW2 because each part is 2 hours long and it's hard for us to get it done.  So altogether things just conspired to keep me away LOL

Do you remember Baby Sabrina?  She is the grandchild of some close friends of mine.  She had man complications at birth due to the lack of care the doctor delivering her gave them.   Well I got to meet her today.  She is just gorgeous!   A beautiful 6 month old little girl, chunky as she can be:)  Oh my goodness is she adorable!    Her sweet parents have been given a lot of bad news about what her abilities will be in the future.  Please pray for them and for her as they seek out medical assistance!  They are taking her next month to Boston Children's to see if there is any help they can give her.  Pray for a safe trip and some good news!    Her mom, grandma and her came over for lunch today.  Her grandpa and uncle stopped by also to drop some things off.  It was good to see them. 

We also had a couple of guys from the church here to work with Steve on the lawn.  He had gotten up and had about half the lawn done before they got here.  He didn't think about them needing volunteer hours for school. 

Then we had a teacher here for about 5 hours.....our nurse.....  we had a full house for Pizza~

Later I ran out to meet a friend to get a pedicure (actually I just got a foot massage) and we went to Publix together to get supper.  She was grilling steak and that sounded GOOD!  so I got steak too and some other things (of course)   My friend also has 5 kids....so we kid around together that we have 10 kids between us with SIX baby daddies.....  see If you can figure that one out.....

Get back home in the SECOND hurricane of the day.  I LOVE Florida thunderstorms, just not when I'm out in them!  Get soaked coming in then hadto change clothes,  tried to get supper going so it could be done by the time Jon got home.  Who was I kidding?  Realized the dog had peed (despite being on chux) all over the laundry room.  (yes I love Brownie....my 14 year old Lab)   so I start cleaning the laundry room and found litter (as in cat litter) all behind some plastic boxes....NOT HAPPY with a certain boy.   Then as I go back to the kitchen....I noticed Sarah, who a certain boy was supposed to be watching...Poop all over the rug.   Then the wet vac had to be used.....  By this time I was "fit to be tied"  Not one of my best parenting moments! 

THEN I had JUST sat down and a homeless man comes up.....poor guy we fed him, Steve got him some clothes and then he & Jon took him to Lakeland, where he wanted to go.  By that point, I said I really hoped we were "entertaining angels unaware"   I was about DONE for the day!

So that's the recap of the last few days, with emphasis on today LOL!

So anyone heard about this?
http://www.wtsp.com/story/news/local/pascocounty/2014/06/09/mom-wants-answers-bus-aide-slaps-son/10236725/?sa=X&ei=efaYU5npHYn6oASKpIL4Ag&ved=0CAYQpwIwAA   

This happened in our county.  The bus helper smacked a 10 year old autistic boy over & over....  I've had so many problems with the Pasco Co School District, I am not surprised by this.  I heard on the news tonight that the mom has began legal proceedings against the PCSB and has same attorney that was Casey Anthony's attorney.  Well I don't' blame her!   To be honest, I'd would have a lawyer if I were her! 

I have many thoughts running through my head about this.  I've heard that parents have complained off and on about him over the years.  I just let a teacher go a couple of weeks ago after she yelled at Sam in front of me repeatedly.  I figure if she'd do that IN FRONT OF ME, what the heck would she do if I was not watching her????    She always seemed irritated  with him, and never could get through to him.  We have another teacher who keeps his attention for 2 hours on some days and he doesn't want her to leave. 

There is a blog coming on, I just don't' have the time to write it all down.  I feel my kids have been so let down by the school district here.  It's been a "hot mess" one problem after another.  If I just document this year alone, I've told several teachers not to come back to my house or I've told their bosses.  Our experience has been either the very best or the very worst, not too much in between.   I have a reputation as a hard mom to get along with and I'm glad of that and will always be that way.  The funny thing to me is, my other kids go to a private school where in all these years (about 8 now of having a kid or kids there) I've never once gone in to complain about a teacher or had any problems at all.  I support the teachers and they support us!  I have trust in them and in the administration of the school.  Steve went to another school before we came here from K-3 to 3rd grade, never had an issue.....  So I wonder where is the issue?  Is it me or could it be the school district?  

Anyhow  look for a blog about our experiences, documented. 

Please continue to keep my father in law in your prayers.  He is actually in a rehab~we really didn't think he'd make it.   One doctor said last weekend that the family should stay close by......   please continue to pray for him, he is 86 years old with several health issues. 

Friends Graduating and Family Update

Last night it was two of Steve's closest friends' turn to graduate.   They all attended the private school together for years before Steve began homeschooling.  It was a sweet ceremony. 

 

Steve Drew and Austin

 

Steve & Drew.  Drew was the salutatorian for the class

 

Just as the three boys are close friends, so are the three Mamas!

We each stood with our boys!

Kandi & Drew

Austin & Karen

Me & Steve

 

 

Then we headed out for a Grad party....got home way too late:)

 

Steve had to get up this morning to go back to youth camp.

(So if you are wondering if he is embarrassed or sunburn....please know the idiot didn't put on sunscreen!!  I'm ticked with him since I sent him off with all kinds of sunscreen)

 

Shad was feeling sick yesterday and worse today so I took him to Urgent Care and he probably has strep ....yeah.....   The doctor was kind and gave him a shot, so hopefully he will be better quicker.  She also put him on an antibodic.   I think she saw my face....   His first test came back negative but I guess that happens quite a bit.  She said he looked like he had strep on the back of his throat and she was going to treat him as if he did.   She was sure he has it.

 

The little ones are fine.  Selah is still having a lower oxygen rate and higher heart rate than we like but nothing else is off.  Our nurses feel she may have gotten stretched too much in PT, it seems her right leg is sore. Poor baby!

 

Jon's dad is still in the hospital and really needs prayer! 

 

We've heard that the baby house that Sarah was in prior to being sent to the adult mental institution has been taken over by Pro Russian forces.  I'm hearing it on line and on one of the nightly news shows. 

http://inforesist.org/terrorists-robbed-shelter-for-children-in-slovyansk-photo/?lang=en

so surreal......very sad!

 

Please pray!

 

 

Steve's Grad Pictures!

 

Well let's get this thing started!

 

 

 

 

 

Pomp & Circumstance

 

 

I shared about Steve after his video was shown....I cried....a lot!

 

 

 

 

 

Johnny shared the Commencement address

 

 

 

 

 

 

the sermon

 

 

 

Awarding Steve's diploma

 

Prayer

 

Celebration!

 

yes he got his cap stuck!

 

 

 

Sam's favorite teacher came to see him.

 

he sniffed her

 

 

It is really Ms Heather!!!!!!!!

 

Steve's board and some pictures

                                                                       the boys get to eat first

 

Anna served and you know we had to have Swamp Punch & Fried Chicken!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

my beautiful niece and brother in law

 

 

 

Steve's friend Paige

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gabe, Jonathan and Sam

 

Jonathan & Steve

 

the grads

 

Steve & Drew!

 

More Grads

 

Anna, Steve and Paige

 

Steve & Paige

 

 

the whole gang

 

 

 

What a FUN day!

 

Hope you enjoyed the pictures.  It was a great day!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Let it go!

Yesterday I met my close friend (who happened to be my college roommate) for lunch and thrift shopping....we had such fun......

LOOK what we found!  Solid wood!






Look what I bought!


 Good old Salvation Army!!!!!

Look what made it home today!

 

Now we have room for 8 people around the table!  Our kitchen is small and even tho it doesn't look like it, we have enough room with it in the kitchen.  I'm looking forward to when we move and have a large dining area! 

 

Steve went with me to pick it up today, wasn't sure if we needed our trailer but we managed to get all of it in our van.  I figured if we could get three kayaks in there, we could get this in there!  We only had to take the leaf out to do it, very easy.  I enjoy doing things with Steve, I realize that all too soon he will have his own life/family and we won't have as much time together. 

 

 

So I'm really going through our house as I have time and simplifying.   After working today, I was able to take a bunch of stuff to a thrift store that supports missionaries.   My kids hate when I get in this mood....but I hope to have everything gone through and thinned out long BEFORE we move!   My goal is to keep our home as clutter free as possible.  It's hard with the kids, they get given something or they hang on to things.  The little ones have various medical things so we have so much stuff everywhere.  The nurse and I worked on Selah's room and de-cluttered it to some degree. 

 

I'm keeping our old table for now, not sure if I'll use it in the new house.  I may have a use for it in the big shed.  Or I may take it to a furniture consignment shop. 

 

There is also  a consignment shop I take kids stuff to and have made quite a bit of money over the past year.  A few days ago, I just took a load there too. 

My thing is if something hasn't been used, worn or played with for a year....it needs to go! 

 

So in the famous line of the famous song....."LET IT GO"  

 

Steve's Grad!