Report Cards

I like to stand on my front porch, drink coffee and plan my day.

Days rarely go as planned.

Today was my 13 elementary school kids report cards. I have never collectively seen so many A's amongst these children. Surprising A's as in Jose, 3 for Lily, nearly all for Chuy, and Scotty's report card was solidly impressive. CW and Sabrina absolutely scored as did Martin, Jojo and Allen. Paloma and Jonathan did their best as well. Jack's first kindergarten report card was wonderful. I really liked Tony's teacher comment that she's searching for the best way to teach Tony.

Tony has cerebral palsy and it is showing up more now than ever. His brothers, 3 of them the same age, are passing him in physical growth, academic progress and emotional stability. Tony's not obviously afflicted by CP but it is becoming more evident each year that it has placed limitations on him. Tony had zero speech until first grade and, even now, he is often difficult to understand.

I am going to need to find a great many services and resources for him.

Teachers usually adore him although he can be very trying. Lily has tremendous patience with him for some reason.

Adorable

When you adopt a young six year old boy you gotta think, "piece of cake."

But you'd be wrong.

It is never easy to adopt and the more children that I have adopted, the more is has been illustrated to me in an imaginative variety of manner. If that sentence appeared convoluted it would be due to the fact that the children have either greatly reduced or, at least, totally used up most of my remaining brain cells. Like the last two cells that are now waving bye-bye to each other.

I put Scotty in time-out last night for some disagreement that he had initiated with another child. Scotty is emotional, dramatic, anxiety-ridden and LOUD. He proceeded to throw himself down onto the floor and kick the tar out of the nearest kitchen counter. Instead of rescuing the cabinet or blowing sky-high over the continuous home destruction I merely noted aloud that he'd earned another few minutes of time-out so that he could hopefully re-think his reactions to behavior re-direction.

I can't begin to tell you how many times I had to repeat this process yesterday evening.

Scotty raged, kicked, screamed, raged, kicked, screamed, raged, kicked and screamed within ten feet of where I was preparing dinner while dodging his feet, arms and legs. I quietly reminded him about proper behavior while mashing 25 pounds of red potatoes.

Twenty-two year old Joe came in to pick up his daughter, Alyssa. Yolie, Lena, Tameshia, and Deysi all just kept talking to each other and ignoring Scotty who finally pulled himself together to eat dinner.

None of this was about whatever started it. All of this was just a now seven year old boy enraged at the many placements he has lived in and his fear of trusting this one. It is from fear, it is seriously emotionally draining, testing behaviors and his inability to comprehend the events in his life.

I don't get it either. I don't understand why children have to go through what all my children have been through. I just have to keep reminding myself that it isn't about me and that they now feel safe enough to explode and know that they will be protected.

It never gets any easier though for me to get through it all.

I just unloaded to my friend Emily and reminded myself that, at least, I do have a lot of emotional support when times are tough. I'm one of the more fortunate adoptive parents because of that one thing.

Scotty went to school with his underwear in a wad. He got out of the van crying and I've been expecting his teacher to call at any minute. It is 1:10 now and i haven't heard a peep from her, maybe he finally got a grip.

23 of my best years

23 years ago last month I took my 8 year old daughter, Sarah, with me to hear Mylon Lefevre in concert.

This was at what soon became what is now my old church. There couldn't have been more than 30 or so people there and Mylon LeFevre himself spent time afterwards with Sarah and I talking in the church nursery. He led us through the prayer of salvation and our lives were instantly changed forever.

I never share my testimony. I never talk about my life without Christ. I only look forward. My gratitude for my new life is immeasurable. I am as excited now as I was then. Maybe even more so as I have never looked back nor missed my old life.

Bible Study

This month my 4th and 5 th graders have a new teacher for Wednesday evening Bible studies after choir practice. The first time that Mr. Rick had them...they tried his patience. That night they'd had to meet in the nursery and jose laid under a crib the entire time. The girls in the class all complained to me that Jose wouldn't behave. I apologized to Mr. Rick. He was gracious to me but I knew he had to wonder how I managed to live with these kids and keep my head on halfway straight. Miss Lisa asked me to sit in on the class with them last night which, of course, I did.

Mr. Rick is a Bible scholar, very well versed and I was afraid that he'd teach way over their heads and lose his audience of hyperactive, restless 9 and 10 year olds. I couldn't have been more wrong. He had three rows of nearly 20 kids and I sat way in the back of the room. He had them transfixed. They listened and absorbed every single word, asked questions plus answered the ones he asked them. Correctly at that. I was amazed. He had to tell them, "no more questions tonight, it is past time to go."

This group included my formerly Level 3 son, Jose, who is now off all medications. He asked the most questions last night and the majority of these questions were even relevant to the information that he'd been given.

It is tough to get all this homework done, chores finished, supper cooked and dishes cleaned in order to leave the house by 6:15 in the middle of the week but I will certainly commit to trying my best to get the children there to learn. I was completely impressed by Mr. Rick's patience, wisdom and ability to reach the Bubbas.

Ray's Big Adventure

Yesterday while Sarah was getting her hair cut, Ray Ray stayed here with us. Ray absolutely adores the Bubbas and is positive that all they ever do is embark on fun adventures. After all, these boys have guineas, geese, roosters, hens, cats, dogs and baby chicks. When Ray gets tired of any of that, there is a massive sandbox and tons of toys with wheels. What more could a baby boy want?

Sarah came back from town later in the afternoon and asked the usual, "Where's Ray?"

The reply from one of the kids was, "out in the chicken coop." Not totally accurate as he was in the garden shed that leads to the chicken coop but with 3 ornery roosters, no way would he be allowed in the coop.

The final tally for Belinda was 9 baby chicks last weekend so she is presiding over them all in the larger chicken tractor where her babies are safe from disgruntled roosters.

After Ray left I fed the kids early again as they had their Christmas musical practice at church. Sabrina, Lily and Paloma all have speaking parts and they are beside themselves with excitement.

Tony and Lily's teacher ran by the house to helpfully drop off Tony's English book that he'd conveniently forgotten. So busted. His sheepish grin, lame excuses and eventual temper tantrum were priceless. Small town plus small school system equals kids not getting away with anything much...if at all. I cannot begin to retell all the times that teachers have let me know of incidences way before the kids get home from school. The kids never get it at all. "How do you KNOW all that mama?" is what I hear constantly. Like I'd reveal my sources?

Vanessa really got her rear end in trouble yesterday at school and last night at chuch I re-heard about it from three different adults who work at the high school. They were sympathetic while I sure wasn't.

Gas Shortage

Our governor, Sonny Perdue, decided before Hurricane Rita hit sw Louisiana that we might have a gas shortage for school buses so he cancelled school for two days. My silly friend, Merilee, suggested that I just feed my kids more beans to ease the gas shortage. Dern, I hate when someone thinks of a fart joke before I do. She's so right though, we could just have backed any one of us up to the school bus and gassed it up in a heartbeat.

So although I cooked 12 pounds of pinto beans this weekend for nothing (in regards to the nus theory) while the kids were home I spent an entire afternoon working in the back rose garden. We haven't had a decent amount of rain in six weeks after such a rainy July. I watered, deadheaded, pruned, clipped, weeded, manured and mulched and had a grand ole time while simultaneously cooking seven pounds of black beans to serve with brown rice, grated cheese, tomatoes and jalapenos. It is my kid's favorite comfort food tied with pinto beans. I could cook either dish every other night for years without a complaint around here although the kids would probably also ask for red beans, corn and rice eventually.

I brought in several vases of roses to fragrantize and beautify some rooms that look like a category Hurricane Bubba hit dead on.

Deysi and her baby, Big Al. are spending nights with us right now since her husband, Carlos, works nights. It's tough to have a week old baby and no help. Here there are another couple of dozen pairs of arms to help hold a baby.

Last night Joe and Tameshia brought Alyssa to Lilly, Jojo, Allen, CW, Chuy and Paloma's soccer game. CW spotted Joe immediately and got all happy about it. They played hard and it ended up being a tied game. At this age level they leave it at a tie. Yolie, CJ and Lena also came to watch.

Today Yolie is taking Lena for her ultrasound. I simply can't wait for the results.

Being 51 Years Old...with a 2 year old

All the other mothers at our elementary school are not 51 years old. The first time I had a kindergartner was in 1978 and I was 24 years old. 27 years later I still have a kindergartner and two even younger kids.

I take a dozen or so vitamins every day as is evidenced by my "medicine" cabinet. I saw a picture in a magazine of a typical 50 something year old woman's medicine cabinet and it had blood pressure medicine, diuretics, Claritin, Fosomax, Zantac, digestive aids, fiber pills and anti-anxiety pills, plus hemoroid ointment.

Downstairs in our kitchen I also have my mung bean sprouts, broccoli sprouts, alfalfa sprouts, tofu, wheat bran, unhulled sesame seeds, trail mix, sunflower seeds, flax seeds, soy milk, soy beans, black beans, red beans, pinto beans, lentils, brown rice, soy nuts, rolled oats, brewer's yeast and much more. Drinking water all day or herb teas instead of sodas also helps. Add the fresh, organic produce that my garden was producing before we went into a 6 week no-rain spell and, no wonder, I am bursting with energy.

I may still be an old bag of a mom for that kindergarten class but I'll bet that I am internally the healthiest old poot in the entire school building.

I want to be strong and healthy for all my grandchildren's futures as well. Great grandchildren also.........

Great Book

I love garden books and I ordered this from amazon.com. They give you a choice of so many used books as well.

This blog is serving as a scrapbook of sorts for us all to remember pictures, events and stuff that we've been through together as a family.

Hopefully it will also encourage other families to hang in there during tough times and, even more so, for others to consider adoption.

Big Al

Marcela has nicknamed my newest grandson Alexander to Big Al. He's a little chunk with long fingers and big feet. Carlos, his daddy, is right big also.

Big Al has a 48 hour stay at the hospital due to an infection that we are hoping is nothing at all. Jack and I ran over there yesterday to check on him only to find him nursing peacefully in his mom's arms.

Using my cell phone, 5 year old Jack took a picture of Alexander's long fingers but right now blogger won't let me load it dadgummit.

Sunday

Abuelita otra vez!

I had to go four days after becoming Alexander's abuelita before I found out that another grandbaby is on its way.
Jesse and Lena are expecting their first baby sometime in the spring.

I can't wipe this goofy grin off my face.

Evening Visit

Having Saray and T drop by with Heidi, Gianni and Isaac is a great cure-all. Isaac just sat his fat self down in my lap and brought my blood pressure totally down to normal after a very trying day.

Since they live over in Jonesboror instead of hardly a mile away like 5 of my other grandbabies I don't see them as often.

Tabby was delighted to have her other niece and nephews here to play with. Like Marcela before her, Tabby has stepped into the role of social director and party planner/instigator of our family.

Next Saturday there's a big party for Alyssa's first birthday and Tabby is thrilled at the thought of it.

Joe

Some days lay themselves out before me with a number of left hooks and challenges. Yesterday was one of them. Joe used to be the biggest chalenge in my life yet yesterday he came by to give me the bear hug I needed the most as I went from one headache to another. Go figure. The former behavior problem now providing comfort to his Big Mama.

I'll share the problems later when I can laugh about them. Right now I don't find it very funny.

Playing a Game of Sorts

Nando, 3, Ray, 1, Tabby, 2 and Tommy 1 are intently involved in this game. I took several pictures but someone was blurred in each one as someone was always moving.

Great Reading

This is a great book and, last spring, it inspired Sonny to build two different chicken tractors but tonight I've been looking on-line at other people's chicken tractors and I'm going to build yet another one tomorrow.

Ours is heavy, square and used crappy scrap wood. I have better scrap wood and I'd like an A-frame design like this one for Belinda and her chicks.

Belinda's Delivery

Joey just came running in the house at top speed yelling that he needed me to move the Guinea Hens who are half-grown so that he could have the chicken tractor because Belinda was out there hatching eggs. Lena pointed out that Joey was as sweaty as if he were solely responsible for delivering these babies. But, sure enough, Belinda had 8 baby chicks in the chicken yard and Martin and I watched her break open yet another egg.

I guess my ornery foul tempered roosters are worth the scratch feed I have to buy. Of course, they, and the other hens, were crowding the snot out of Belinda and we really did need to move her into the chicken tractor for her protection.

13 month old Tommy

Bureaucracy

Sarah and Carolina must have thought Tabby and Nando would distract Ray and Tommy while Sarah explained bureaucratic legaleese business matters. Notice the dog in the midst of three kids in one picture.

Where'd I GO?

Like some elderly lady we know (my mom) I dozed off last night watching Fox News. I love weather stories and Hurricane Rita draws me into the fray. The Weather Channel is an idea who time has come and I am endlessly fascinated.

My cell phone jangled me back awake at 11pm when Miriam and Vanessa's bus returned to the high school after beating a volleyball team an hour and a half away from here. Still in my pjs I picked up my pocketbook and skipped out to the van.

The kids were asleep, the house was dark, and Lena, Grandma and Grandpa were home to babysit as I made the 4 minute roundtrip. I left my cellphone by my bed and listened to some loud praise music in the van.

As we pulled back in the driveway 18 year old Edgar hollered out the upstairs bedroom, "Where did you GO?" in a high-pitched alarmed voice.

I replied, "I just went to pick up the girls," as I warily stepped through the formerly snake possessed garage in the dark.

Edgar came galloping down the stairs, "MOM, why didn't you tell anyone where you were going?"

OK son I assumed everyone was asleep. I just said, "I hope you didn't call my cell phone and wake up Tabby?"

"Nah," he repiled, "it didn't wake her up because I checked on her when I was looking for YOU."

Chill boy. It isn't like I have ever snuck out of my house to go to a party while they are sleeping. It isn't like he hasn't known where I am 24-7 for the past five years. Obviously I'm once again missing the point.

I had inadvertantly torn off his scab that was healing over his fear of abandonment when I thoughlessly drove off without explaining myself. I should have gone upstairs, woke him up and said where i was going.

I checked my cell phone and saw that he had called it 4 times within that 4 minute period that I was unreachable.

This never ends.

The Support of a Teacher

Tony and Lily's teacher, Mrs. Carr, came to their soccer game tonight. Last year she taught Allen and CW and they are still very attached, even proprietary, towards her. They heard her voice and their heads whipped around to see her cheering them on. For any kid, that would be a great treat. For my kids it is everything to them. Even Chuy, who never had her as a teacher, lit up when he saw her there.

They've all fought internal feelings of worthlessness brought on by being abandoned by birth parents. Years of therapy hardly make a dent in such a primal hurt. I've seen my grown children look at my other children and finally realize that a lot of adults seem to make terrible choices that hurt their children. My older children slowly begin to learn that it wasn't their fault.

But my little kids carry a lot of pain. Here they are in yet another family with other unknown adults. It takes years for them to realize that I am the real deal, that I won't desert them, kick them out, hurt them or neglect their needs. Teachers add another level of their security. Teachers who care, who show their love and their concern, who give them attention and feedback mean the world to my kids.

Miss Regina had sent me yet more of Jonathan's unfinished homework and called herself the "meanest teacher who ever loved them so much." That's hitting the nail square on the head. Jose's special ed teacher, Tyler, has come for the last two summers to swim with Jose knowing that Jose has a hard time transitioning into vacation. Foster kids are often moved when school lets out and my kids still irrationally dread that time of year. Mrs. Edwards taught my older girls and Mrs. Robinson knew Sarah as a youngster. The little kids don't believe me that the Biggers were ever little themselves, but they'll believe the teachers. Mrs. Parker has worked two years in a row twice each on teaching two of my kids. Bless her heart...both Tony and Scotty, both handfuls. So did Mrs. Yount with Martin, Jose and Baby Yolie all together two years in a row. You just can't buy that type of committment. Every single teacher at that school has gone to great lengths to work with, and help, my children.

All of my kids love school. None are real academic stars and the work frustrates them but they truly love going to that school. They look forward to it each day.

Mrs. Carr saw them win tonight. She validates them. They are all higher than kites right now over the win and but mainly over her presence there. I could see them all wanting to hug her but, for once, they thought the best of an impulse as they were sweatier than truck drivers.

To ice the cake we came home to a small copperhead snake in the garage and 4 of my dogs in the chicken yard which is a total no-no.

Jack & Mayra

When I got home yesterday in the afternoon from Big Al's birth (as Marcela has nicknamed him) Sarah had all my elementary kids doing their 30 minutes of reading time and Lena, Grandma and Tameshia were all here for back-up.

I made a great supper of barley, corn, soybeans and whole-wheat pasta in the shape of little stars. We grate cheese over every dish and add jalapaneos. However we did not get finished in time for church so only Sonny and Vanessa went.

Since my day hadn't been busy enough, the 1986 Tercel that Sonny was driving stopped dead at the 4 way stop and I had to send Daniel to the rescue. Monica and Dewayne had come up on them and were also helping except they still had Kortney and Tabby who were both giddy from overdosing on the atmosphere at Chuckie Cheese. Turns out it needs a new starter but, somehow my genius Daniel got the car and the kids home safely.

By the time everyone was home and in bed it was again 9pm and the laundry needed tending to. Brother.

Now Mayra needs a booster shot and Joey needs a legitimate Georgia shot record so Tabby, Nando and I get a field trip to the county health department with a grocery store stop for 8 gallons of milk, ten pounds of pinto beans, 10 loaves of bread and 6 more blocks of cheese until I can do serious grocery shopping tomorrow.

Garden? What garden? I WISH.

Working

Oftentimes I dream of the stress of working outside the home. I dream of being at a perfect job and then realizing with huge dismay that i simply do NOT have time to work somewhere no matter how great the salary could be. Usually that's when I wake up sweating.

When I was the mom of 30 kids I still worked in the school system. I obviously used my time much more wisely than I do now but it sure was stressful. My heart was at home and I am blessed and grateful now to be home all day.

My youngest kids have no memory of me ever having a job, my older kids remember how tough it was for me and for them. One time though Gina told me that she didn't want me to retire because when people asked her what her mom did, she didn't want to have reply, "Nothing."

I just stared at her.

Today's pictures

Ray Ray Today












Little Joe AKA Alyssa












Sabrina and Alyssa












Tabby and Kortney - going to Chucky Cheese with Monica & Dewayne for Kortney's third birthday. Tabby will be three in two more months

Baby Alexander

Alexander's Birthday

After directing traffic yesterday, getting Grandpa and Sonny to Edgar's cross country track meet, Grandma to babysit, 6 kids to a soccer game all the while connected to Deysi via cellphone I finally got everyone in bed so I could get to the hospital only to find that Deysi faced a long haul.

I knew that the next day was picture day at school and I really needed to make sure everyone was dressed nicely etc. Martin moussed his hair, Jack looked like a preacher, we got a comb all the way through Palmoa's mop and I had them all at school so that i could go back to the hospital.

Long labor but the short version is a C section was required as the baby's heartbeat slowed too much. Quick C section and out came a 7 pound, 11 ounce, 20 inch long beautiful baby boy.

When I got home silly Alyssa was entertaining everyone making Joe faces.

Carlos Alexander Is On His Way!

Appointment over, Deysi being admitted to hospital, hooked up to Pit Drip, water broken and I have run home to take care of details so I can go back and hold Deysi's hand throughout labor. Her husband worked all night but he's with her right now.

Sarah, Lena and Grandma are in charge at home...hope I can sneak away for the soccer game from the hospital, surely Baby Carlito won't come before midnight??? I gotta pack the snacks and leave CW in charge of that.

Grandpa is UPSing the errant bookbag for Fabian overnight. Is the bookbag errant or is Fabian? Like I need to squable with myself over my own vocabulary right now?

Raising the Speed Limit

I amped up my internal speed limit just to get it all done.

Two volleyball games last night plus soccer. Lena and Sonny went to the first volleyball game while I got 5 kids to soccer along with Grandpa, CW, Allen & Joey for cheering. Sonny ran back home to take Daniel to pick up his jeep which wasn't ready so on his 20th birthday today Daniel's driving my beat up old truck. After soccer we all hightailed it to volleyball where they (Miriam and Vanessa) beat an previously undefeated team. Grandma was babysitting and I had served supper at 4pm.

Meeting Deysi at the OB-GYN in an hour to see if she'll be induced today. Yolie down with Mastitis and sweet Sarah and Ray Ray babysat Tabby and Nando yesterday morning so that they wouldn't have to leave their comfort zone. Mondays suck for them, they miss their sister Memaw, and in their paranoid minds they think they'll never see her again. They can't be convinced to run errands with me, they're certain they won't get to return to our house ever again. They know that old, "Get in the van trick" from their years of foster care and uncertaintity.

Fabian left his bookbag here accidently on purpose so I need to drive 100 miles round trip to the ranch while Deysi is in the early stages of labor?

Volleyball has a game or an event every night this week. 3 soccer games and practice for the Christmas musical.

Our wonderful school system offers early morning tutoring so we left the house even earlier this morning, plus Wednesday and Thursday to take advantage of that. I was back home by 7:30 only to get a phone call from Sabrina about what she'd left at home.

I signed up for volleyball snacks 3 times in a row and soccer 3 times in a row, all this week for some reason plus Friday snacks in Mr. Carter's classroom for Allen and CW.

I never changed Joey's shot record from Texas to Georgia and darling Pam came through for me on that via fax. Mayra needs a booster shot and Sonny's wisdom teeth consultation was yesterday which involves me as he sure can't drive home after surgery. Kindergarten breakfast for parents this week and I need to squeeze in Paige ( the kid's adoption social worker) plus Dr. G, our wonderful psychologist who comes here on Fridays.

My life is aerobic. But, most importantly of all, I love a challenge. This IS my element.

Upside Down Sunday Results

Jack was King Baby of our family for five years but he's taken beautifully to being a big brother. I took darling well-dressed angels to church. I was proud of so many of my kids serving in some capacity or other. Sonny was a disciple in the illustrated sermon production today, Edgar and Chuck were ushers, Monica worked in the nursery, Vanessa taught the 5 and 6 year olds and Sarah was Sunday School greeter and she also made wonderful banana bread for our class.

I got to visit with people and sit with adults. Chuck's parents came, the kids behaved and it was a great service.

Then we came home to the usual inverse proportion to how well church must have gone today. Dull, uninspired service (which never happens) and I'd expect great behavior. Inspiring, uplifting church service as always and the kids make me pay for it when we get home.

Got my batteries recharged for the week and they are trying to deplete it all before lunch is through.

Kids who have only known chaos, confusion and unhappiness have a great deal of trouble sorting through unfamiliar happy times. The result is negative behavior. Don't even get me started about holidays.

Joey's Big Birthday Fun

Gito (14), Joey (17), Edgar (18), Fabian (13) and the ham, Tabby in her nightshirt, last night after the movies.

Years ago Joey was grounded to a grownup. If I went to the grocery store, Joey went. To the garden? With Joey. Sometimes he even had to go to the ladies Sunday School class because he was way too out-of-control to not be with an adult. This went on for several years. After police involvement (often) and many dead-ends for seeking treatment, Joey went back to Texas for even more mental heath services. He didn't do well there for a couple of years and I sadly doubted I'd ever see him again. I personally take failure to heart.

His caseworker, Pam, never stopped caring for him and dealing with him. For 49 months she was his parent figure. Finally Joey pulled himself together which is doubly admirable because he had little contact with us as his family back then. Once he snuck down the hall of San Antonio Mental Hospital and called me on their fax machine which I found impressive as he was fairly young at the time. We had sporadic phone calls but, basically, Joey pulled his own self up by his Nike laces.

He's been very up and down here. I periodically complain to Pam who truly understand his many difficulties but, overall, considering his very rocky past, he's doing AOK. His baby birth brother, Tony, has many physical and emotional difficulties due to their birth mom's chronic inhalant abuse. Their sister displays many aspects of RAD (Reactive Attachment Disorder) via manipulation, amoral behavior, deceit, an inability to care for anyone and massive self-absorption. One more brother here was almost unscathed by the fumes in utero, but he's not going to be an Rhodes Scholar.

So it was a very big deal that I let these particulars guys into 'out of sight supervision' territory last night. They've rarely ventured past my laser gaze unless they were with the youth pastor or at school.

Marcela dropped them off for the 4'oclock showing at the Dollar Theater for the movie Batman Returns. Edgar, always dependable, honest, and helpful, had a wad of dollar bills in his pocket left over from yard sales this morning. They were then planning on seeing the 7 o'clock showing of Fantastic Four which costs $2.00 each after 6 pm. Edgar didn't drive them since there were too many drunks on the road, according to me and the UGA 44-7 victory over UL-Monroe. 93,000 fans all over the road? I don't think so. Call me over-protective I don't care. I also made sure both movies were PG-13.

They called me about 9pm to come pick them up and they were bubbling over in a great mood after such a splurge for a family like us. We're so sick of sheet cakes since we have a birthday-a-week for life that we had sang Happy Birthday to Joey over ice cream sandwiches which is also a rare treat for this many kids.

Between the two movies Edgar had taken the other 3 brothers across the parking lot to The Mall. This was Gito's first trip there after nearly 11 years of living with me. He was spectacularly unimpressed. Who wouldn't rather play in the creek? He has my Shopping Sucks gene.

Fabian, home for the weekend from The Ranch, really earned an outing as he had declined to participate last week at running away from The Ranch along with some fellow housemates who thusly earned a free vacation to a Youth Detention Center. Never one to deny his first ridiculous impulse, we are doubly impressed that Fabian chose not to participate in that misadventure. To reward him using the good side of his brain, he is going with his Sunday School teacher today to hit golf balls. His teacher is the former golf pro at a nearby la-de-da country club.

It doesn't escape my addled mind that I am rewarding children for NOT running away or for NOT causing police involvement with our family but I simply have to celebrate small victories with my children wherever I may find them.

We, as a family, tend to drag out birthday celebrations for several days. Javy dawdled in Ebay for 3 days before allowing me to bid on 4 cheap Nintendo 64 games which we, of course, won since everyone else had Playstation 2, etc. Joey has his eye on plaid shorts at Old Navy that he wants me to buy so we will also shop on-line together with one hand while my other hand cooks supper.

We need to finish with Javy and Joey's birthday parties by Tuesday, September 20th, as Daniel will turn 20 that day and Deysi and Carlos will have their first baby who will be named Carlos Alexander prompting me to add yet another birthday celebration to our calendar.

That same day is also Anniversary Day for when Yolie, Daniel and Joe joined our family 14 years ago. No wonder I'm sick of sheet cakes as nearly every day is cause for celebration here.

Deysi's Visits

CW (9) and Deysi (29) .
Deysi's Big belly
Deysi and her husband, Carlos.

I can see from Yolie's blog that Deysi was out visiting between her house and mine. Last chance before the baby comes and none of us can wait.

Lauren's Cousins

Wish I could see Lauren light up as she sees Lily and Sabrina wearing her clothes. Tabby has nothing to do with these outfits, she just runs to get her picture made whenever someone holds up a camera.

Posing as an Angel

ADHD Team

Most of the kids on this team are my kids. This poor coach doesn't realize that all these strategies are going in one ear and out the other of the few that are even able to focus. Good thing that they are all physically agressive. Pure force makes up for the lack of ability.

Zooming in on JoJo proves my point. Does he look like he's listening???