Alyssa's ear

Today we saw the doctor about Alyssa's ear. She didn't bust her ear drum, it just is infected really bad. He tube has gotten stuck trying to come out(this has happened before). We will try drops and if that doesn't work then she will have to have surgery to get it out and clean up her ear. We have been down this road before so we know what to expect. Lets just hope the drops work. On the other hand loving the sunshine!!!!

This week...

This week is going to be very busy for us. We have several doctor appointments and a trip to Springfield and Heather is turning 16.

Alyssa and Joshua go back to the doctor to talk about how the meds have been working or not working. Alyssa's sleeping meds work great! The ADHD meds made her tummy hurt all the time so she wont take them. I hope we can find something because even though her tummy hurts she does better with the meds. We are working on catching up on school, attitude, following directions, and putting others first(I know that can be a hard one for some adults).

Joshua's sleeping meds DON'T WORK!!! He is still up every night until 12 or 2. This makes for long days and nights for mom. The other meds seem to work for the most part but if we have plans in the evening the meds have worn off and it is hard for him to be calm. I know what some of you are thinking, more discipline or just spank them but that is not the problem or the solution. Spanking them just makes his anger issue that much worse. Joshua has been acting out a lot lately and we are hoping to get this under control before he gets worse. If you have any ideas we would love to hear them. Here is what we are working on.....
* using the toilet, not just going anywhere you want.
* lying is a big problem and the scary thing is he's good at it
* temper tantrums (I usually get hit, scratched and he also throws things)
* just plan listening and following directions. He will run out right in front of a car and see nothing wrong with it.
* going on the roof
* back talking

Brendyn is working on listening, following directions and communicating more. Brendyn acts like a 2-3 year old. He has to be watched at all times and gets into everything. Another scary thing is he still doesn't understand cause and effect. I hope we can learn that soon.

Miranda is doing well and getting ready to finish the 9th grade. Next year she will be home schooled and I think is getting used to the idea. Right now she is thinking about a summer job, turning 17 in August and enjoying hanging out with friends and having mom time.

Nobody ever tells you parenting would be this much fun! I love my kids and wouldn't trade them for anything. If you can't think of ways to help the best one is prayer!!!

This Thursday is Heathers birthday and we will be spending it in Springfield. Her caseworker needs her to do a short video for an adoption film. She doesn't know what it is for because with her special needs we don't want her to get upset if they don't find her a family to adopt her. Well I wouldn't want any child knowing because they have so much going on in their lives they don't need one more disappointment. This is not their fault! Teens are much harder to get adopted especially if they have special needs. We know God is in control but its hard to explain that to a child who wants a forever family. ( one of the down side of being a foster parent) So we are going to see my best friend Lori and her kids (hopefully Ryan also) and hang out for the day. We are looking forward to it. Heather can't wait for her birthday. She has been talking about it for months.

This weekend...

This weekend Miranda was in another school play. This one was called Peter Pan, it was a mixture of Peter Pan and Hook. (Two of the boys at school wrote the play) Miranda played one of the lost boys and had several lines. The little ones really enjoyed seeing their big sister on stage. She did a wonderful job. Unfortunately, it was a 3 hour play and by 9:30 I had a little one falling asleep (little Anthony) on my lap and Joshua could no longer sit still(surprised?!). We ended up leaving but got to see Miranda's part before we did. My camera is broken so I don't have pictures now but the school will have some at a later date.

This weekend I also got to keep my grandson Little Anthony. Again my camera is broken so no pictures. I enjoyed having him and getting to play with him. He did really well at the play (better than Joshua) and at one point saw Miranda and screamed really loud, it was cute and people laughed. Saturday night we went to rent movies and pizza (well we didn't rent the pizza) and on the way back it was pouring down rain. So I took all the stuff in first and went back outside (in the pouring rain!) to get little Anthony. Well he thought it was funny to go from one side of the car to the other and watch mema(that's me) get wet. He was laughing and had the biggest grin on his face! I finally got him out and was pretty wet by this point. Aren't kids fun?!?!

This weekend (Friday late afternoon) I was doing Alyssa's hair and noticed blood coming from her ear (and a really bad smell). So I asked her if she had put something in there or had been scratching it. She replied "I felt something in there and scratched it". So I got a cue tip (don't worry I didn't go in her ear) and cleaned up the blood. Well more kept coming out so I called the doctor and they got us right in. There was to much blood and blood clots they couldn't see all the way down but they believed she has busted her ear drum, again. Poor girl!! She has a very high pain tolerance and when it comes to her ears she usually will not tell us if they do hurt. So she is on meds and will see her EMT doctor Tuesday. I hope and pray that it is just that her tube got stuck again and caused an infection. She already has hearing lose in that ear and a busted ear drum would just make that worse. My kids have the worst luck with their ears, they get this from James (really they do, he had really bad ears to as a child and sometimes as an adult).

I hope you all enjoy the rest of your rainy weekend!

Painting Rooms Again

Joshua's room

Brendyn's wall (he was so proud of himself)

Brendyn's ceiling

Well this last week we had nothing planned. That is amazing for us. I was so excited and got things done around the house and enjoyed extra time with the kids. The little ones wanted me to repaint their rooms so Monday and Tuesday I painted Alyssa and Heather's room and Tuesday Joshua's room. (Pictures later after I get everything hung up) They picked the same colors they had already but different shades. So I told them this will have to last a while. I get tired of painting, but I am getting really good at it (and fast).

When I was all finished Tuesday evening Kelly invited us to play at McDonald's. So I asked Miranda to watch the kids while I took a quick shower. Miranda did and off we were to play. Well when we got home and I was putting the kids to bed I walk into Brendyn's room and there on his wall and ceiling is blue paint. Great job watching the kids Miranda! For some reason Brendyn feels his ceiling should be blue. He also painted a little line in Joshua's room. I know have one more room to paint (brendyn's) then I am going to paint the hallway. It needs it soo bad. I also need to paint the school room and Dining room. If you are in the area and would like to help please feel free to stop by!

My New Hair

Well, on Thursday I decided I wanted a hair cut. I had to return something to JC penny's and remembered they had a salon. So I went upstairs and made an appointment. The stylists name was, Tessa. I really liked her. I didn't know what I wanted so she talked me through some books and I showed her what I liked and she took it from there. This was the first time I let someone kind of pick my hair cut. Usually I say this is what I want, but this time I just let her do her thing. I like it and it is easy to care for and off my neck. I think I will really like it when it is about an inch longer but all in all I like it. I fell like such a grown up now.

Nature Center Trip

Miranda and Alyssa looking in the big fish tank.

Brendyn looking at a fish thing

My favorite animal, NOT

Great pictures boys :)

When we went to see the play we had a little time before so we went to the Nature Center. We went in the building to see all the cool new animals.

Grand babies

Duran at 7 months

Duran is such a happy baby. He is thinking about crawling. And suprise he loves his food.

Little Anthony at the play ground.

Nevaeh getting a bath in our sink.

Nevaeh

Naiona riding in the car.

I have had my grand kids off and on this month and have a few picture. So enjoy. I get little Anthony this weekend and I am looking forward to it. I still need new pictures of Kiera and Dman. They are the cuties grand kids in the world!!

Dentist

Again no pictures, but I wanted to tell you all anyway. Alyssa and Joshua had a dentist appointment this week and did awesome. Alyssa is cavity free!! Way to go Alyssa! Joshua on the other hand has 3. I knew he did and that's why we had the appointment. We can brush his teeth 10times a day and he still would have had them. The dentist said his back teeth looked great (those are the teeth I do). He is so sensitive that he always ends up crying which makes brushing your teeth that much more fun.

I was really impressed because Joshua let them look and clean his teeth this time. He is really growing up. They got new tooth brushes, toothpaste, floss and a toy. It was a great day at the dentist. So afterwards we went for icecream :)
Brendyn has an appointment next month so hopefully I can remember to take pictures.

Annie

This weekend we got to go see our cousin, Jazz, in a school play called Annie. This is one of my favorite movies. She played Sandy, the dog. Jazz did a wonderful job and it was a great play. They all did a wonderful job and I look forward to the next play.

The kids even sat still through the entire play. Alyssa and Joshua sat on the floor so they could see better and Brendyn sat with us. Heather also did a good job and didn't talk during the play. That is pretty amazing because I know being quiet is very hard for her. Way to go kids.

Joshua's Trip to Jeff City

Over the weekend (April 9-10) my sister Rebecca and my parents took Joshua for some special one on one time. This is the first time he has been down there by himself. He spent both nights with papa and nana and spent time on Saturday and Sunday afternoon with my sister, Rebecca and her family. Joshua enjoyed playing with Uncle John and his cousin Ross. I think his favorite time was at my parents house. Just because he got everything to himself, something he doesn't get at home. He played in the play room and out in the play house that we used to play in as kids. I can still remember watching my dad put the house together. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures of that weekend. Joshua still talks about it and liked how Max, the dog, slept by his door to keep him safe.

Alyssa was supposed to go down also but at the last minute changed her mind. She had become a very big mommies girl lately. I think now she wished she had gone. Thanks for taking Joshua and letting him have that one on one time, I know he enjoyed. We enjoyed the little break as well.

Autism Conference

April 8-10 we were at an Autism Conference. We learned lots and I have started some of the things we learned. We have started the token system and I now know how to do it the right way, which helps. Alyssa understands it, Joshua is getting it and Brendyn has no clue. But that's ok because we are working on it. We also learned how to help him communicate and interact with others. He is really good at drawing and if he can't verbally tell me he will draw it. It's really cute. Plus we are working with the communicative devise he has. I have more trouble with it then he does. Brendyn has a friend named Paul, and he is going to help us this summer with getting Brendyn to act age appropriate, like notice he is there and wanting to play with him. I think all men have problems with this. It's called ignoring on purpose.

We also have Brendyn working with a nutritionist. He has very poor eating habits and they need to be fixed. I understand its my fault but when your child cam out last you on the waiting game, you usually will cave in if its food. They must eat and drink and they know that. We are starting this summer because we will be more flexible and he might be more relaxed. I guess we will see. She comes Friday to make a plan. I just pray that I can be strong and help him through it.

I would also like to thank Amy(our foster daughter) for helping out with the kids!! YOUR THE BEST! Amy took care of the kids all day Thursday and Friday and had Heather all weekend so I could go see James play. Plus Joshua was a hand full Thursday so thanks for letting him come back on Friday :) Thanks again!

Another Show

The bass player. He is the baby of the group. He hasn't hit his Mid Life Crisis yet but he rocks on the bass.

My rock star!!!!!!

On April 10th the boys had another show. They played in Booneville and rocked the place! There was 3 bands and they were voted the favorite and got asked to do two other show at other places. They guys are having a really fun time and us ladies are enjoying the shows and getting some grown up time. I only got a few pictures but hopefully I can get some from our friends that went to the show. I only got two :( My friends Jennifer and Kelly got some really good ones so I will post those later. Thanks everyone who came out and supported the band!!

My friends Kelly came to the show and during a song was hit in the mouth by a mosh pit (?). I saw her go to the bathroom so I followed. She had bit into her lip and there was blood everywhere. Sorry Kelly :( Even after that we still had a great time.

Play Time

Looking for rocks to throw in the water. Their favorite thing to do!

Still looking. Joshua is also getting ready to jump from rock to rock. He ends up in the water :)

Great picture :) Someone was waling by and asked if she could take a picture for us. I thought that was really nice.

So cute. My three little ones. Now we are just missing the teens.

They are getting so big. I hate this ride but they love it. I usually have to force them off it.

Brendyn doing one of his favorites, climbing.

Ok because I am sooo far behind on my blogs I have decided to just put all of our play pictures on one. We have been to the park several times and play outside daily. The kids are having so much fun. Even Brendyn will go out and play for little bits at a time. Its so cute to see them all playing nicely together.

Happy 10th Anniversary!!!

Alyssa took this picture at Stephens Lake.

At the park. James dosent like this picture because he says he's going bald. I love this picture!WOW its been ten years with James! Who would have thought?? I can't imagine being married to anyone else. He is a wonderful husband!! James is so sweet, caring and really good at being patient with me :) (about money) I don't think there is another man in this world who could do that, its a full time job. So here is to another wonderful 10 years! I LOVE YOU JAMES.

For this year we decided to (again not do gifts) go to a really nice dinner at a winery. Well that never happened. We couldn't find someone to help with the kids. So we just did a mine date and hopefully will get to do the big romantic date another day.

I was going to do old pictures of us but the computer wouldn't work with me, to bad.

My birthday

April 1st was my Birthday and I turned 31! I can't believe I'm this old. We decided to go camping this weekend so when James got home, from a out of town training, we were packed and ready to go. We went to Finger Lakes in Columbia because James still had to work, but we also like this campground. We set up camp and the just watched the kids play. That evening we went to Steak n Shake for my Birthday dinner. I really enjoy this place and the kids got to have chocolate shakes, one of their favorites also.

For my Birthday weekend we also had some visitors. Brianna who is Miranda's best friend and Sabrina's three little ones. It was a full camper and tent! We did get a compliment at the restaurant for how good the kids were, so that made me feel good.

For my Birthday I got a picture frame with my kids in it that Miranda and Brianna put together. They are black and white pictures and very cute. Thanks girls!! James and I decided not to do gifts this year for each other. We got our basement finished and he got a man cave. All in all it was a very busy but good birthday.