Friday, March 19, 2010

I really don't have time for this....

I need to be to someone's house in a few minutes to can my flour, sugar, and salt. I am excited about my emergency preparedness, and want to get it done before something happens.

Tyler's party was a lot of fun. I will post pics soon. I need to assign one person the camera at these fetes so I don't get such disjointed pics. Ugh. 14 shots of one kid in the jumper, and none of her opening gifts?? LOL.

Her baptism is set for the 27th, at 11am at the Dexter bldg. I am so lucky that another mom is so gung ho (it only being her second child) and is willing to set up the program, and print it out. Yay. I want Tyler's day to be special, but I am happy to hand it to someone else to do. :D I am so relieved that this is my last one. It is a lot of work and stress, and I just don't need either right now. :D

On a sad note, the girl I was trying to fellowship back into church has been attacking Tyler. I have defended Ty against these ridiculous accusations but her feelings are hurt. I have been driving the girls to school, and will continue I guess. They don't miss the bus, that is for sure. I don't understand how an adult feels it is okay to attack a child. She even admitted that it 'looked' like Tyler pushed her daughter down the bus steps. She didn't even see it, her older daughter told her. But, when I asked the bus driver, she said nothing like that happened,that the daughter was upset for being reprimanded. When I explained this to the mom, she said I was in denial. LOL. THe bus driver is in a conspiracy with me?? Whatever. I just feel bad that I have to pull completely away for the safety and well being of my kids. I hope she finds what she needs at church and continues to go. I just can't be the one to do it anymore.

Off to shower and arrive late for my appt.

Monday, March 8, 2010

Things change.

Bill and I, like most couples we know, started our lives together on a shoestring. Bill has always been in construction, and we rode ups and downs for many years. Our food budget was always the hardest hit, and I got very creative keeping the kids fed. The day Brittany turned eight, was right after our 15th paycheck. The check on the first went to rent, and food, and that was it. The one on the 15th was more flexible. It went for utilities, food, and whatever extra we absolutely needed. Brittany turned eight on the 19th, right after our check had cleared and I had a few dollars. But, I didn't have a car. So, I loaded 2 year old Hunter and 9 month old Chandler into the stroller, clamped 4yr old Kailey's hand to the stroller, and set off with Brittany and almost 7 yr old Cory to the strip mall 1/2 a mile away. All that was there was a Hallmark store, so we went in. For her birthday she got a copy of the Secret Garden, a cute little statuette, and a couple things of candy. I felt bad that I had to drag her, and she didn't get any surprises. We then wandered thru the grocery store and got a cake mix, some frosting, and decorations.

We walked home. I wanted to cry that I couldn't do better for her. But, she never complained.

Fast forward 12 1/2 years. It is now time for my youngest to turn eight. And how different are our circumstances. We are in no way financially solvent, but we are getting closer every day. We are throwing Tyler a BBQ jumper party. Same thing we did for Cameryn in January. I told Tyler she could pick anything she wanted for her party and that is what she wanted. Bill told me today to rent either a popcorn machine..or a cotton candy machine. We are also taking the kids to Disneyland to celebrate. Now, we have passes, so our put out is just gas. But the contrast is stark in my mind. How I wish I could go back and fix Brittany's eighth birthday, and give her some of Tyler's good fortune.

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Maybe a turnaround.

I have been so worried about Cory. Since his release, he has had no motivation. He lived with Bill's nephew for a while, who withheld food unless he did a specific list of things each day. As much as this grated on me, at least he had somewhere to sleep, and almost enough food. Nephew treated Cory as if he were a new recruit and he was the sargent. On top of this, Cory was not to mention church, his scriptures, or anything religion related in his home. Cory was severely yelled at when he stopped on the street to talk to a couple of missionaries. They, of course, were excited to find a member, and invited him to church. Cory was in a lot of trouble for that. We needed to find a new home, and fast.

So, he asked his good friend if he could move in with his family, and he would pay the rent he was giving to Nephew, to them. This family is strong in the gospel, and insisted Cory not only go to church (he was given the choice of the singles ward, or their family ward) but he enrolled in institute and a few college classes. I was happy to pay the rent to her. He called last week, and said he was given a calling. Yay!! He is on the 'Break the Fast' committee. LOL.

But even better. He said the Bishop has been talking to him and wants to ordain him an elder. I asked Cory if he had been completely honest with the bishop as to why he was in the group home and he said he had. OMSTars!! This is so exciting!! Of course, my mind ran ahead and I wondered to Bill if this meant Cory could serve a mission. He is still nineteen, and I think the cut off is 24. Miles away. A mission is a dream I gave up the night the police came. To think it may be possible after all is more than I ever thought possible. A true blessing.

Cory called tonight, and Bill told him my mind had already made the connection. Cory was a little disappointed because he wanted to surprise me with it. I am sorry, Son, but your mama is too excited to wait for the surprise. LOL.

I am giddy.