NO LIGHT AT THE END OF THIS TUNNEL...

I have always led a very busy life...to say the least. I didn't realize how busy and hectic until I emailed a good friend a few days ago. By the end of my catch you up email, I had written a book. I guess more happens each week then I realize.

With Joshua all finished with high school, I do feel like a small weight has been lifted off me. I do mean small....because he is self sufficient. Now I just worry about what time of morning he will wander into the house and how much beer he will consume during a weekend of beer-pong. He will be heading up to Lubbock soon to spend a few weeks with Chelsea and see how the college kids live. Won't have to worry about him one bit those two weeks......NOT!

Amanda is being nursed back to health by her very good on the eyes physical therapist. She injured her shoulder and knee during volleyball season. I am trying to find a reason to see him myself...as I am sure he could fix all my problems. :) Anyway... the coach has not being very cooperative of doctors orders to sit out 4-6 weeks. I finally had to take it to the head of the athletic department before the doctors orders were followed. A very stressful situation for me to say the least.

Tommy's cardiologist ordered a test on his adrenal glands (because of his high blood pressure) a few weeks ago. The adrenal glands came back fine, however there appear to be some notches on his lungs. He doesn't smoke, but his parents did and since lung cancer has been in his family he was referred onto a Pulmonologist (lung doctor). So now we wait again to see what these notches are.....I am keeping my fingers crossed.

I took both Carter and Samuel to a new speech therapist at the elementary school last week. Next year is kindergarten and I thought getting them in now with that therapist would help ease the transition when school starts. Since Samuel has hearing issues, they are concerned and want him admitted now into the Pre-K program so he can receive special services. This classifies him as a special ed student which is very hard for me to swallow. He is a smart boy and I hate for him to be classified this way so young just because of hearing issues. Apparently the special ed department is quite different that it was when I was in school. It would mean putting him on a school bus everyday. He would be in a regular classroom with all the other kids, but taken out each day for one-on-one speech therapy and if necessary would be fitted for special hearing equipment. I know the one-on-one would be great for him and I really believe they have his best interest at heart. However, this has all been overwhelming to me.

As far as Carter is concerned, although his English needs the most work, he isn't eligible because its a language barrier not a language disorder. They are bringing in a Russian translator to be certain. So, I am just going to have to keep working with him and hope that he learns enough by August so he doesn't start out behind.

I knew that adopting these boys could lead to challenges later in life for them. Both of their mothers were alcoholics and drank heavily during pregnancy. FAS (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome) can show up at anytime during their life. I knew there could be hurdles but so far these boys have done wonderful. Regardless, I know I am so lucky to have them as my children.

Thank god that I am the only one that doesn't need anything medically speaking. knock knock

I will just have to continue to be the glue that holds us all together......

It Only Took Her 5 days!

Well...finally after 5 days of being grounded, Miss Amanda, finally apoligized. She had been playing the silent game with me since Sunday and although the peace and quiet was nice, I did win that standoff!

I am sure her lack of communication with the outside world finally got the best of her. (No cell phone, no computer, no friends, no activities...just us old foggies, a dumb brother and two loud 5 year olds)

I'm still not sure if she is really sorry for her behavior or if she thought that by apoligizing she would get her stuff back. Which is why I told her that "Since it took you 5 days to admit what you did wrong, you will have 5 more days of being grounded."

See what being stubborn gets ya? If she would have only taken responsibility days ago, she would already be off the hook. Just a little bit of information you withhold until after they apoligize. (learned that in parenting 101)

You know as unfair as it might be...as parents, we get to make the rules! At least thats what my Dad told me when I was a teenager......

He Did It!

Today is Joshua's last day of high school and it brings an abundance of emotions for me. Yep, I am a crier...especially when my children are involved..

I am so proud of his accomplishment, although at times it was very rough, he made it though to the end and did whatever he had to do to get there. Including summer school, correspondence courses, cheating, ect. (Don't judge, we all did it)

I am sad because I know that in a few short months he will be going off on his own...and wow...I am really going to miss him. I love his sense of humor and how he makes me laugh every day.

I am scared because this is really the true test of parenthood. Does he know enough to survive on his own? Did I teach him everything he needs to know in order to be an honorable person in society? Did I teach him enough about how to make the right decisions? Does he know not to call Mom at 3am, when he's in a drucken stupier at a party?

I remember when I moved out on my own the day after graduation. My Mom was crying as I drove away and I remember thinking to myself, "Good Lord, I'm not dying, just moving out on my own." Well, now I know how hard it must have been for her. I am dreading the day when I he leaves for college, I know I'll be a basket case.

Josh is really a good kid. He has gotten in his share of trouble over the years...however he always seemed to learn from his mistakes. He accepted his punishments with maturity because he knew that he deserved them.

Josh...it was an uphill struggle at times, but I can't tell you enough how proud I am of you. I know that you will have a great time in college and I am confident that you will make an excellent art teacher. I love you!

Worries of a 5 Year Old

So this about my best attempt to draw my kitchen/dining room and living room area, please keep in mind these skills were learned in drafting 101 in high school Yes, that was 20+ years ago and although I did pass, I am not sure I learned anything. I did get carried away adding the dining room table and furniture, it was fun!!

Any who..... You will notice the two black dots that are sitting at our kitchen bar. Those are my two youngest sons, Samuel and Carter, who every single day argue over sitting who will sit on the end. I am not real sure why they fight over it....one would think because the one on the end could see the TV, however in the morning we don't turn on the TV so I guess they argue just to argue. The stools are exactly the same...I just don't get it.

Thrills and joys of parenting, I guess.

So to maintain my sanity, I am teaching them how to take turns. In doing so...they are about to drive me crazy. At least two times a day one of them will ask me, "It's my turn to sit on the end of the bar, right MOM?" They ask this while driving to school, sitting on the potty and even when tucking them into bed. Oh, the woes of being 5 years old and having your biggest worry be when it your turn to sit at the end of the bar.

At least they have mastered the idea of taking turns, which I am happy to be breaking my arm to pat myself on the back.

Little Russian Faces

January 7th marked Christmas for the Russian Orthodox Church. So each year we get together with our local FRUA Chapter (Families for Russian and Ukraine Children) for the annual Father Frost Party. Unlike Santa Clause and his elves, Russia has Father Frost and the Snow Maiden. I love going to this party each year because it really puts into perspective how many children have been spared the institutionalized life with loving new families. Watching these kids grow and play together is so satisfying.











It is mostly a get together for the kids to play while adults retell their stories over and over again, but non the less I love hearing them. The event is catered by the local Russian Deli and although it isn't to my liking, it fits the mood and celebration perfectly.


It was great to see our friends from Georgetown and their precious children. Carter and Jena (who were friends at the orphanage) really were happy to see each other. I wish I knew what they were thinking and what they remember.

This really is an event that most of the kids look forward to each year. It amazes me that they all seem to understand that these kids came from Russia just like them. It is a connection that they will remember and cherish forever.

Oh these sweet faces...I am overwhelmed with joy just watching them play and be happy. I wish that every person could visit those orphanges and really get an understanding of what a difference has been made in their life. We will be looking forward to the next get together in the spring. Maybe by then, more children will have made their way home.