I wish I could write out everything I am feeling here, but I am sure my ex would find some way to twist it and use it to his advantage, so I will just say that me and the boys are good. Great actually. What we first thought of as terrible has turned into an amazing bonding experience. We spend our days doing the things I did as a kid, in the same house I did them, and my kids think they are just as much fun as I used to! I taught Aidan the skill of walking across the lawn on a rolling barrel, both boys now love to crawl through any culvert they find, we take long walks, visit old neighbors that have been here as long as my parents have, and feed the ducks just like I did as a kid. I love to see them take joy in these simple things in life. It is nice to get rid of the distraction of video games (Not that there are not video games here, just when I force them to put them away) and really play. We snuggle when we watch movies and Zander always has a part of his boy touching me when he sleeps. He's kind of like a magnet, if I move he follows, its kind of funny. I know this because I test it often as I lay in bed not sleeping, missing my husband terribly.
I gave the boys home haircuts the other night... I do not reccomend this but I have no income so I really didn't have a choice. they actually look pretty cute. Pictures won't upload right now, I will try later... they are on facebook if you want to see :)
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Thursday, June 17, 2010
stuff they don't write about in the parenting books
Today I am writing with tears on my face and a heart in turmoil. Aidan is having a very hard time and I don't know what to do. Let me give you a little back story:
Ryan and I divorced when Aidan was a year and a half old, just a baby, he has no memories of his mommy and daddy as a couple, or even of us getting along. That is just sad. In the beginning we split custody 50/50. Ryan remarried shortly after our divorce was final to a nice girl with 2 kids of her own, I wasn't too far behind in marrying Adam and his 3 kids. After only about a year Ryan was divorced again and within a few months of that he had a new girlfriend who moved in with him along with her 3 kids. Somewhere in there Aidan started school and the 50/50 arrangement was not working out. We went to court and had it changed to be as fair as possible to both parents. As far as divorced parents Ryan and I never really did well. Ryan could never get past the emotions and the hatred he felt for me and I was overly protective and wanted to know what was going on with my son at all times.... it is hard to let go even a little bit when you have a 5 or 6 year old boy that goes to another house for days or weeks and you don't hear from him. Back in 2007 Ryan had an incident with his oldest stepson. I am not sure of the details but I think the boy lied to him and Ryan lost his cool. The boys mother was out of town at the time but Aidan was there, along with her other 2 kids. The account I got from Aidan was that his dad hit, punched and pushed the 14 year old boy and then when that wasn't enough took all the boys furniture out into the street and destroyed it. I do not know what really happened that night, but the next day Ryan's girlfriend called me and said that he was in jail because he had badly beaten her son. Ryan stayed in jail for a few weeks. At this time the only information I had was from the girlfriend and from Aidan. I knew that there was a police report, and a hospital report, and that he was in jail. I did what any mother would do and took this information to a judge and requested sole custody. I was awarded sole custody and Ryan was allowed supervised visits. When Ryan got out of jail I was very supportive. I took Aidan to see him, invited him to my house and eventually I felt it was safe for Aidan to go to his house. Neither of us ever went back and changed the newest custody order but we worked off an honor system so to speak. We made an agreement between the 2 of us that Aidan would go to his house every other weekend, school breaks and half of summer. This worked for a while, Ryan got himself together, found a new job and became engaged again. Aidan had alot to work out in counseling during this time, seeing his dad beat a child left a deep scar on him and he was angry that because of this he had lost his step mom and siblings.
When it came time for Aidan to have his long summer visit with his dad last year he went for a few days and then called me to ask me to pick him up. I told Aidan we needed to talk to his dad, so I went over there and tried to talk things out with Ryan. In my opinion Ryan acted very immature about the whole thing, talking to me with threatening words and gestures in front of Aidan. In the end Ryan said "if he doesn't want to be here then just take him and leave" This resolved nothing, but when Aidan heard his dad basically giving him permission he was done. I still do not know the true reasons that Aidan wanted to leave that summer, he told me that it was because no one at his dad's house was ever happy or nice and he had a "yucky" feeling over there. I can understand that as Ryan is an extremely grouchy person in my opinion. We went for 3 months without Aidan even talking to his dad. Aidan didn't want to call and Ryan said that since Aidan was the one that wanted to leave it was his job to call. At some point with the help of a good counselor we were able to get Aidan and Ryan back on track and visits resumed. It was around this time, about September that Adam and I started having big maritial problems. There was one night in particular that got out of hand. We were arguing and I was antagonizing him mean things were said from both of us and Adam got mad enough that he threw a mesh type lunch bag in my direction and it hit me in the face. Aidan did not see any of this, but he did see the mark on my face. The next day is when I made the wost decision of my life. I took Adam to school and drove myself to the ER. I had had a terrible headache and wanted to get it checked. The absolute truth is that I was being vindictive and wanted it on record that my husband had hurt me in case we ever came to a custody battle. I didn't think about the repercussions this would bring, I was thinking on a purely selfish level and both Adam and I will have to deal with the backlash of this decision for years to come. Adam was arrested despite my pleas to drop it and my statement to the police that I had not told the whole truth at the hospital. The guilt I still feel today for this incident is enormous. Ryan took this incident and said that Aidan should not be around Adam. I tried to tell him that he was being unfair, Ryan wanted forgiveness for the incident with his stepson, but he was not willing to give Adam the same forgiveness. He has used this over and over, and still to this day says he doesn't want his son around my husband.
That brings us to the present. Aidan had a counseling appointment on Wednesday and Ryan came. During the appointment Ryan got angry, the subject of Aidan calling Adam dad was a big one for Ryan. I tried explaining that Aidan loves both of them, that just because he considers Adam dad does not mean he doesn't consider Ryan his dad. Aidan feels that he just has 2 dads, I think that is is great that him and Adam are so close. I feel like Ryan would rather I be married to someone who is not nice to Aidan because that would raise Ryan's status. During this appointment Ryan got very angry, the counselor even told Ryan that he was showing alot of anger. Ryan takes his anger out on Aidan. Ryan is emotionally abusive to Aidan but won't admit it. Every time Aidan goes to Ryan's house he comes home either angry or completely depressed. It is common for Aidan to come to me crying to talk about how his dad treated him during the visit. I used to ask Aidan to call me when he is at Ryan's house but Aidan told me recently that
Ryan and I divorced when Aidan was a year and a half old, just a baby, he has no memories of his mommy and daddy as a couple, or even of us getting along. That is just sad. In the beginning we split custody 50/50. Ryan remarried shortly after our divorce was final to a nice girl with 2 kids of her own, I wasn't too far behind in marrying Adam and his 3 kids. After only about a year Ryan was divorced again and within a few months of that he had a new girlfriend who moved in with him along with her 3 kids. Somewhere in there Aidan started school and the 50/50 arrangement was not working out. We went to court and had it changed to be as fair as possible to both parents. As far as divorced parents Ryan and I never really did well. Ryan could never get past the emotions and the hatred he felt for me and I was overly protective and wanted to know what was going on with my son at all times.... it is hard to let go even a little bit when you have a 5 or 6 year old boy that goes to another house for days or weeks and you don't hear from him. Back in 2007 Ryan had an incident with his oldest stepson. I am not sure of the details but I think the boy lied to him and Ryan lost his cool. The boys mother was out of town at the time but Aidan was there, along with her other 2 kids. The account I got from Aidan was that his dad hit, punched and pushed the 14 year old boy and then when that wasn't enough took all the boys furniture out into the street and destroyed it. I do not know what really happened that night, but the next day Ryan's girlfriend called me and said that he was in jail because he had badly beaten her son. Ryan stayed in jail for a few weeks. At this time the only information I had was from the girlfriend and from Aidan. I knew that there was a police report, and a hospital report, and that he was in jail. I did what any mother would do and took this information to a judge and requested sole custody. I was awarded sole custody and Ryan was allowed supervised visits. When Ryan got out of jail I was very supportive. I took Aidan to see him, invited him to my house and eventually I felt it was safe for Aidan to go to his house. Neither of us ever went back and changed the newest custody order but we worked off an honor system so to speak. We made an agreement between the 2 of us that Aidan would go to his house every other weekend, school breaks and half of summer. This worked for a while, Ryan got himself together, found a new job and became engaged again. Aidan had alot to work out in counseling during this time, seeing his dad beat a child left a deep scar on him and he was angry that because of this he had lost his step mom and siblings.
When it came time for Aidan to have his long summer visit with his dad last year he went for a few days and then called me to ask me to pick him up. I told Aidan we needed to talk to his dad, so I went over there and tried to talk things out with Ryan. In my opinion Ryan acted very immature about the whole thing, talking to me with threatening words and gestures in front of Aidan. In the end Ryan said "if he doesn't want to be here then just take him and leave" This resolved nothing, but when Aidan heard his dad basically giving him permission he was done. I still do not know the true reasons that Aidan wanted to leave that summer, he told me that it was because no one at his dad's house was ever happy or nice and he had a "yucky" feeling over there. I can understand that as Ryan is an extremely grouchy person in my opinion. We went for 3 months without Aidan even talking to his dad. Aidan didn't want to call and Ryan said that since Aidan was the one that wanted to leave it was his job to call. At some point with the help of a good counselor we were able to get Aidan and Ryan back on track and visits resumed. It was around this time, about September that Adam and I started having big maritial problems. There was one night in particular that got out of hand. We were arguing and I was antagonizing him mean things were said from both of us and Adam got mad enough that he threw a mesh type lunch bag in my direction and it hit me in the face. Aidan did not see any of this, but he did see the mark on my face. The next day is when I made the wost decision of my life. I took Adam to school and drove myself to the ER. I had had a terrible headache and wanted to get it checked. The absolute truth is that I was being vindictive and wanted it on record that my husband had hurt me in case we ever came to a custody battle. I didn't think about the repercussions this would bring, I was thinking on a purely selfish level and both Adam and I will have to deal with the backlash of this decision for years to come. Adam was arrested despite my pleas to drop it and my statement to the police that I had not told the whole truth at the hospital. The guilt I still feel today for this incident is enormous. Ryan took this incident and said that Aidan should not be around Adam. I tried to tell him that he was being unfair, Ryan wanted forgiveness for the incident with his stepson, but he was not willing to give Adam the same forgiveness. He has used this over and over, and still to this day says he doesn't want his son around my husband.
That brings us to the present. Aidan had a counseling appointment on Wednesday and Ryan came. During the appointment Ryan got angry, the subject of Aidan calling Adam dad was a big one for Ryan. I tried explaining that Aidan loves both of them, that just because he considers Adam dad does not mean he doesn't consider Ryan his dad. Aidan feels that he just has 2 dads, I think that is is great that him and Adam are so close. I feel like Ryan would rather I be married to someone who is not nice to Aidan because that would raise Ryan's status. During this appointment Ryan got very angry, the counselor even told Ryan that he was showing alot of anger. Ryan takes his anger out on Aidan. Ryan is emotionally abusive to Aidan but won't admit it. Every time Aidan goes to Ryan's house he comes home either angry or completely depressed. It is common for Aidan to come to me crying to talk about how his dad treated him during the visit. I used to ask Aidan to call me when he is at Ryan's house but Aidan told me recently that
every time he calls me his dad gives him a guilt trip saying things like it would be nice if you wanted to call me like you do your mom, or I don't know why you can go a week without talking to me but you need to call your mom every 2 days. It got so bad that Aidan just doesn't call me from his dad's house anymore. He says his dad makes him feel like "the worst person in the world" and a terrible son. Ryan tells Aidan all the time that Adam isn't his dad and he has no right to call Adam dad. I wish Ryan could be happy that Aidan is treated well and loved by his stepdad. After the counseling appointment Ryan told Aidan if he didn't want to come over this weekend not to bother. Aidan went to give Ryan a hug and Ryan pushed him away, Ryan then went to his car and punched it so hard it sounded like a gunshot twice. Aidan was scared and started crying as Ryan peeled out of the parking lot like a madman.
After coming home and talking to Adam about it we came to the hard decision that Aidan was not safe at his dads house... emotionally, and it is not fair to continue putting Aidan through the abuse. There are many more instances of this abuse so we decided that the right thing to do was to keep Aidan out of that situation until Ryan can figure out how to treat the kid with respect. I called the court to be sure that I was within my rights as far as custody goes and they confirmed that the custody agreement states that Ryan is allowed visitation that is supervised by me. I hated to pull this card but I feel like I had no choice. I told Ryan that Aidan would not be coming until we figure something out. I put a call in to Aidan's counselor and leaned that they do offer family counseling. I am leaning towards telling Ryan that him and Karla need to attend family counseling with me, Adam, and Aidan before we go back to regular visitation. I don't know how this is going to go over but I think it is in Aidan's best interest.......... any advise on this matter would be greatly appreciated!
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Busy but happy:)
I just wanted to throw in a quick post to let everyone know that we are still here, it may seem like I have dropped of the face of the earth (or at least the Internet) but I have just been busy.
The boys are doing fantastic. Adam is almost done with his 2nd semester of law school, and is doing amazingly well. In true Adam style, he has decided to take courses all summer, and on all his breaks which should have him graduate a whole 6 months sooner than he was planning. He is a brave and strong man, and I know he can do it, but he will be working VERY hard until he graduates!
Aidan is almost finished with 4th grade.... wow how did that happen? He made the honor roll again and has continue his run of straight A's. The adjustment to a big city has been a bit tough on him, kids grow up so much faster down here it seems, but he is enjoying all the extra activities available to him through a bigger school. This year he has been in the zoo-ology club, orchestra, soccer, and now basketball. He will be starting cub scouts again in the next few weeks.... he is a busy little boy!
Zander is great, he is such a love. Daycare has turned into an enjoyable experience and he loves church. He gets called in primary just about every week to go up and help with a story or song. He walks around singing primary songs all the time now, "Follow the profit" is his current favorite. I may not be 100% a loyal church-goer, but I think it does amazing things for my kids and that alone motivates me to be better.
I am still working for the census, It is a very cool feeling to be a part of such a big and important task, and it is amazing to see just how many people are living in our country... numbers bigger than I can even fathom. I know that we will be finished with the job in the next 2-3 months, so I need to start looking for something more permanent but I am enjoying what I do so much that I don't want it to end! I think I have made a few lifelong friends through this job, people who were put into my life just when I needed people like them. I am very thankful for the blessings that this job has brought!
We are all enjoying the spring weather and spending quite a bit of time at the swimming pool. I am looking forward to a great summer! Love you all!
The boys are doing fantastic. Adam is almost done with his 2nd semester of law school, and is doing amazingly well. In true Adam style, he has decided to take courses all summer, and on all his breaks which should have him graduate a whole 6 months sooner than he was planning. He is a brave and strong man, and I know he can do it, but he will be working VERY hard until he graduates!
Aidan is almost finished with 4th grade.... wow how did that happen? He made the honor roll again and has continue his run of straight A's. The adjustment to a big city has been a bit tough on him, kids grow up so much faster down here it seems, but he is enjoying all the extra activities available to him through a bigger school. This year he has been in the zoo-ology club, orchestra, soccer, and now basketball. He will be starting cub scouts again in the next few weeks.... he is a busy little boy!
Zander is great, he is such a love. Daycare has turned into an enjoyable experience and he loves church. He gets called in primary just about every week to go up and help with a story or song. He walks around singing primary songs all the time now, "Follow the profit" is his current favorite. I may not be 100% a loyal church-goer, but I think it does amazing things for my kids and that alone motivates me to be better.
I am still working for the census, It is a very cool feeling to be a part of such a big and important task, and it is amazing to see just how many people are living in our country... numbers bigger than I can even fathom. I know that we will be finished with the job in the next 2-3 months, so I need to start looking for something more permanent but I am enjoying what I do so much that I don't want it to end! I think I have made a few lifelong friends through this job, people who were put into my life just when I needed people like them. I am very thankful for the blessings that this job has brought!
We are all enjoying the spring weather and spending quite a bit of time at the swimming pool. I am looking forward to a great summer! Love you all!
Sunday, February 28, 2010
This family that I love....
We are so great about taking a family picture for Christmas every year, and sending it out as our Christmas card, but this year we slacked, I didn't even send out Christmas cards at all! But I did make sure we got our yearly family photo in, so here they are, the Staley family December 2009.
We took this picture on the top floor of our apartment parking garage, one of dad's favorite places to take the boys (and me) to take in the views of the city, which Aidan really loves. The law school Adam attends is in the background.
Dylan and Lyndsay here, Dylan just turned 14 in January and has turned into not only a remarkable kid, but a very valued friend to me... not in the I will tell him all my problems kind of friend, but he has a sense when I am having a rough day, and he will just take it upon himself to pick me up and twirl me around until I have to laugh, and it works, and he cheers me up! I really love that boy! Lyndsay is 15, getting very close to 16 which is a very scary number with teenage girls, she will get to date, and we already have guys lined up to take her out. She is beautiful, funny, smart, and most of all the nicest and most genuine person I know. I am so proud and lucky to get my "bonus kids" and I don't know what I would do without her presence in my life! I you guys!
We took this picture on the top floor of our apartment parking garage, one of dad's favorite places to take the boys (and me) to take in the views of the city, which Aidan really loves. The law school Adam attends is in the background.
Here is Adam looking super sexy and super proud.... he is living his dream in law school and doing a fantastic job at juggling all that he does... I love this man! And then there is me, in a forced picture, just because I made everyone else take one.....
Dylan and Lyndsay here, Dylan just turned 14 in January and has turned into not only a remarkable kid, but a very valued friend to me... not in the I will tell him all my problems kind of friend, but he has a sense when I am having a rough day, and he will just take it upon himself to pick me up and twirl me around until I have to laugh, and it works, and he cheers me up! I really love that boy! Lyndsay is 15, getting very close to 16 which is a very scary number with teenage girls, she will get to date, and we already have guys lined up to take her out. She is beautiful, funny, smart, and most of all the nicest and most genuine person I know. I am so proud and lucky to get my "bonus kids" and I don't know what I would do without her presence in my life! I you guys!
These.boys.are.amazing! Aiden Tanner on the left is a month older, Aidan wolfe on the right a month younger, they were for 7 years our babies, but they have both grown up into amazing (and very different) boys! The are both 10 years old now, Aiden Tanner plays the Chello and is in the Chess club. Aidan Wolfe started playing the violin but we moved to a school where that was not available, so he has been focusing this year on zoo-ology and is just about to start volleyball. They are both smart beyond their years, and have 2 of the sweetest little boy hearts in the whole world! I cannot say enough how much I love them!
Sweet Zander Sky is the Angel sent to my by god, he has saved me in so many ways, and I adore this little guy. He is 3 years old now, and growing up way faster than his mom wants him to! He can be a naughty little 3 year old, but look at that smile, and those eyes, and tell me you would be able to resist pretty much any thing he did!?!?! Zander loves to snuggle in the mornings, and he is a great smuggler. He loves to hug and kiss, and just the other day in the car he saw a teenage girl with dark hair and blurted out "look mom, its my sissy, she is soooooo gorgeous! that coming out of a three year old mind is amazing! I adore him!
These pictures of Lynz and Dylan warm my heart, they have such a wonderful and unique relationship, the 2 of the truly love each other, despite the few insults thrown out once and a while, this is the true Lyndsay and Dylan, comfortable with each other always, and so happy to show their love!
Lynz even convinced me to get in on a picture with her, and I am so glad I did, I love that smiling face next to me, and I love the not quite mother daughter, but close all the same relationship we share!
To top it all off here are a few pics of my sweetie and I, about to enter our 8th year of marriage, and planning to celebrate many many more!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Ups and downs
When I say that I mostly mean downs, but I am trying to stay positive here.
Today I took Zander to the dentist for some fillings. I already felt terrible about allowing my 3 year old to get cavities, but we smiled through it and went in September to get the fillings. The dentist gave him an oral sedative, which did nothing but make him run around like a crazy man all day, we cancelled the appointment and could not schedule and IV sedation until now. We went in today and found out that in addition to the fillings he needed he also needed his front 2 teeth capped because they were thin and the nerves were in danger of being exposed. I signed the paper and then I cried, alot. I feel like a huge failure as a mother here.
He came through just fine and was excited that he could feel immediately that the Dr. had made his teeth bigger and stronger. He has been "wiggly" all day due to the effects of anesthesia, so I have tried to keep him calm.
This after noon I went to see my urologist, who was supposed to get all the records of tests done by my previous urologist this summer and go from there, but somehow he decided if he was taking over my care he wanted to re-do all the tests. These tests are time consuming, and to be honest they hurt like heck. I cried again. I was then told that they could schedule the first test Thursday the 18th at 10:30. I told them I am starting a new job on the 10th and will be off by 3:30 every day, could they work around that..... "No, we only do these procedures on Thursdays between 10 and 11" I said Okay, can you put me on the cancel or no show list? "No, we don't have one, do you want the procedure done or not?" Of course I have to get it, but I am afraid I will loose my job. I cried even harder yet. I did hold it together until I got into the hall, but then I lost it. I sat down and just cried. A nice old man who had heard the whole thing came up to me and said that he would pray for me, and that things would work out. He talked to me until I was able to smile and the tears stopped.
The ups are that Adam and I are doing well, he is enjoying school. Aidan is happy and healthy, and Zander is the tornado that I love.
I would give anything for a friend here, just someone to sit and chat with, but this city does not do that I guess, at least not where I live.
I am just sad, tomorrow will be a better day I am sure, I will try to post then with some happy thoughts!
Today I took Zander to the dentist for some fillings. I already felt terrible about allowing my 3 year old to get cavities, but we smiled through it and went in September to get the fillings. The dentist gave him an oral sedative, which did nothing but make him run around like a crazy man all day, we cancelled the appointment and could not schedule and IV sedation until now. We went in today and found out that in addition to the fillings he needed he also needed his front 2 teeth capped because they were thin and the nerves were in danger of being exposed. I signed the paper and then I cried, alot. I feel like a huge failure as a mother here.
He came through just fine and was excited that he could feel immediately that the Dr. had made his teeth bigger and stronger. He has been "wiggly" all day due to the effects of anesthesia, so I have tried to keep him calm.
This after noon I went to see my urologist, who was supposed to get all the records of tests done by my previous urologist this summer and go from there, but somehow he decided if he was taking over my care he wanted to re-do all the tests. These tests are time consuming, and to be honest they hurt like heck. I cried again. I was then told that they could schedule the first test Thursday the 18th at 10:30. I told them I am starting a new job on the 10th and will be off by 3:30 every day, could they work around that..... "No, we only do these procedures on Thursdays between 10 and 11" I said Okay, can you put me on the cancel or no show list? "No, we don't have one, do you want the procedure done or not?" Of course I have to get it, but I am afraid I will loose my job. I cried even harder yet. I did hold it together until I got into the hall, but then I lost it. I sat down and just cried. A nice old man who had heard the whole thing came up to me and said that he would pray for me, and that things would work out. He talked to me until I was able to smile and the tears stopped.
The ups are that Adam and I are doing well, he is enjoying school. Aidan is happy and healthy, and Zander is the tornado that I love.
I would give anything for a friend here, just someone to sit and chat with, but this city does not do that I guess, at least not where I live.
I am just sad, tomorrow will be a better day I am sure, I will try to post then with some happy thoughts!
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Holiday fun...
Our holiday has been the most fun few weeks of this year, by far! Aidan got out of school on December 20 for Christmas break, the other 3 kids arrived on December 22, which was a day we have been counting down to for months! Their arriaval brought all sorts of excitement, and in that excitement a little bit of chaos, but it was a good chaos, all 7 of us were happy and super excited!
On Christmas eve we went out to Adam's parents house and met up with Sister Jen and her 3 kids. We had a White Elephents gift exchange which was all sorts of fun. The girls had a battle over some biolage hair product, and the boys battled over frisbee's and footballs. Zander took up the strategy of just sneaking around when people were not looking to switchfor the 2 or 3 gifts he really wanted. The whole thing was adorable and fun! After the fun day with mom mom and pop pop we went over to visit our great friends Dirk and Racheal Harper. We visited, exchanged cookies and love, and it was a great day all in all.
Christmas morning came and with our normal rules (Kids can come out of their bedrooms from the time we tuck them in Christmas eve night until we knock on their doors Christmas Morning) I told Dylan to go in and wake up the younger kids at about 6:30. I got a scream of "Jen, Vomit emergency!" and came running. Apparently Aidan Wolfe felt sick but thought he could hold it in and by the time he lost it he couldn't get to the bathroom, so he just leaned over the middle bunk in our bunk bed and puked all over the floor. He of course didn't come to alert anyone because he had been threatened with terrible things if he came out of his room, so he didn't, and left it for mom to clean up in the morning..... Fantastic! So Christmas fun got put off a little while as I cleaned up the disgusting mess that decided to give us a Christmas surprise. So
after a good shower and a change of clothes we were ready for our festivities!
after a good shower and a change of clothes we were ready for our festivities!
Here is the big pile of presents for our family
Everyone got just what they wanted... Lyndsay got good running shoes, Dylan an innerframe backback for a hiking/camping trip him and Adam are planning. Aiden T. got his covetted camelback, Aidan W. got the bike he has wanted for many months, and Zanders prize was a spongebob painting book (from his stocking) He also got a VSmile game system which he loves. Everybody is in heaven
Our new years was fun as well, but that will be for another post... maybe tomerrrow!!
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Still alive and kicking :)
I am not much for writing lately, I have been in a funk, and I try to keep my blog as a happy place, one where I can go back later and remember the good in my life. The good is still there, it is just burried under a huge pile of stress and depression that I am having a hard time digging out from under.
I am still looking for a job, not a fun thing at all... I finished my associates degree this week, so I am hoping that will help me out in the very near future. Adam took his last final for the first semester of law school earlier this week... Yay for him, I am so proud! This year has been the hardest in either of our lives, and yet he is still making the effort and succeeding in law school. My number 1 priority is to make next semester less stressfull for him!
The kids are doing well. Zander loves his daycare, and he also loves church. I hadn't been in quite a while but we recently started attending again. I accidently put him in a sunday school class for a few weeks when he should still be in the nursery until January. He was pretty ticked off when we discovered my error and he had to start going to the nursery, but he has an idea of what to look forward to in just a few short weeks now, and he can't wait to officially be a sunbeam!
Aidan had a perfect report card, is on the honor roll, and loves his school and teachers. Last weekend the Arizona Science center had a free admission weekend so we all wend down to check it out.... Aidan was in little geek heaven! He soaked up every minute of it!
The other kids will be here nex week, we are all so excited to spend some time with them, and thanks to some members of our church, we are able to have a few gifts for everyone despite my lack of income. I am so so thankfull for that (our bishop also got Adam and I a brand new queen size bed after a year of nothing but an air mattress..... merry christmas to us!
More posts and pics promised when our family is reunited on Tuesday!
Love you~
I am still looking for a job, not a fun thing at all... I finished my associates degree this week, so I am hoping that will help me out in the very near future. Adam took his last final for the first semester of law school earlier this week... Yay for him, I am so proud! This year has been the hardest in either of our lives, and yet he is still making the effort and succeeding in law school. My number 1 priority is to make next semester less stressfull for him!
The kids are doing well. Zander loves his daycare, and he also loves church. I hadn't been in quite a while but we recently started attending again. I accidently put him in a sunday school class for a few weeks when he should still be in the nursery until January. He was pretty ticked off when we discovered my error and he had to start going to the nursery, but he has an idea of what to look forward to in just a few short weeks now, and he can't wait to officially be a sunbeam!
Aidan had a perfect report card, is on the honor roll, and loves his school and teachers. Last weekend the Arizona Science center had a free admission weekend so we all wend down to check it out.... Aidan was in little geek heaven! He soaked up every minute of it!
The other kids will be here nex week, we are all so excited to spend some time with them, and thanks to some members of our church, we are able to have a few gifts for everyone despite my lack of income. I am so so thankfull for that (our bishop also got Adam and I a brand new queen size bed after a year of nothing but an air mattress..... merry christmas to us!
More posts and pics promised when our family is reunited on Tuesday!
Love you~
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