OMG - you mean there's more?

Hormones are your greatest enemy!

2010-04-16T14:24:00.000-07:00

I am not sure whose hormones are more out of whack ... my 44 year old hormones or my 16 year old's hormones!!! But if something doesn't happen soon, one of us isn't going to make it. I do not know what God had planned when he put pre-menopausal women in the same home as teenagers. Then throw a toddler in the mix and it just doesn't mix well. Thank goodness for tennis & naps - because today Abbie is out playing tennis and Natalie took a three hour nap! I will take small victories!

Since moving back home I have gained 20 pounds and lost most of my freedom. We are considering buying a home in Fort Benton. I am not sure that is wise. There are no jobs for me here and it is too stinking cold!! I am constantly under the judgment of family where as when we did not live close - they kept their comments/thoughts to themselves. Mainly they were not aware of our day-to-day dealings. Bigger problem - I hate to move!!

I realize that in todays world - my problems are nothing compared to what a lot of people are going through! The nice thing about this blog - I can hit a "publish post" button and send my thoughts out into the vast web - I am not really expecting any advise or words of wisdom, but it is a load off my chest!

Amber, Mo, Abbie & Natalie

2010-04-14T16:48:00.000-07:00

wow - an update .....

2010-04-14T16:37:00.001-07:00

A lot has happened since I have last blogged ... imagine that - it has been over a year. My son moved to Montana to live with us, went to Northern Montana College in Havre and then dropped out! My girls are going to school at the local high school, playing volleyball and cheerleading. Mo and I are in the process of adopting my 3 year old great-niece. It has been some process. Her brothers have been adopted by another family - we went to Billings to help celebrate their new family. My mother is fit to be tied! She is not handling it well. Part of the adoption process you have to read their file - to find out how they came about being in the foster care system. After reading Natalie's file - if she was left in the wild to be raised by wolves, she would have been better off than living with my niece and her loser live-in, father of her three children excuse for a parent! I worried that I was 44 years old, my husband is 51 and our biological children are 20, 17 and 16. Worries no more. After dealing with the seriously flawed state system and seeing first hand what drinking and drugs can do to your parenting skills - we will manage just fine. I can't imagine my biggest flaw as a parent being a drop in the bucket compared to the mess we saved Natalie from.

I am currently not working and need to do something with my nursing license. Mo and I looked at a bigger home today but we are still considering moving to Garden City, Kansas. I am afraid to move to a new state ..... me, fearless mover over the years .... doesn't want to mess up Amber in her senior year and doesn't think Abbie can handle it.

We made it!

2009-01-27T10:41:00.000-08:00

We made it. We are in Montana.....

Hurry up and wait

2008-10-11T11:23:00.001-07:00

Well, we have to wait until November 3rd to go back to court. The judge who was supposed to view Kyle's case was actually on the school board when the trees were planted and so we were put on another judge's calendar. But, here's an update about the other juvenile cases: I think I reported that the three boys who beat up the farmer and left him for dead (permanent damage to one eye) the police are not prosecuting. The farmer is suing the boys in civil court for damages. One of the boys is counter suing for two million. UGH. The three boys that destroyed ($200,000.00 worth) the teachers home: one went to court and got six months in jail, $10,000.00 fine and he agreed to testify against the other two. The second boy is taking his to the state supreme court because he wants to be tried as a juvenile and not an adult as the first boy. Nothing on the third child as of yet. After a tremendous amount of pressure from the public - the last two boys are suspended until they meet before the school board regarding being expelled from school. They both can not play football (season is almost over). They were escorted off of school property and informed of this. Now, what little I do know, I do not agree with most of this. After the mess with my son - what ever happened with innocent until proven guilty? Doesn't apply in Crooked Crittenden County Arkansas that is for sure. I think the boys should be punished for the damage they did. I know it happened to be a teacher's home, but I do not think the school should have involved themselves in this. I don't believe it was a crime against her because she was a teacher. It was because one of the boys lived by her and knew they were heading out of town - opportunity.

Okay - new happenings at my school. A boy brings a gun to school, shows it off, scares a student to death so he runs to the office and tells about it. Come to find out, it is a bee-bee gun (fashioned like a glock similiar to what the police carry). The boy is arrested and taken to the police station. All to have SUPERINTENDENT DAN SHEPPARD SAY THAT IT IS NOT A WEAPON, IT'S A TOY AND DO NOT PRESS CHARGES AGAINST HIM FOR BRINGING IT TO SCHOOL HIDDEN IN HIS BACKPACK. Whew...... glad I got that off my chest. And now to get on my soap box once again....

MY SON DRIVES A FRIEND TO SCHOOL, DROPS HIM OFF TO DO A SENIOR PRANK, DOESN'T EVEN STEP FOOT ON SCHOOL PROPERTY AND HE IS CHARGED WITH A FELONY AND EXPELLED HIS SENIOR YEAR................. What is Marion, Arkansas coming to?

The police officer that works at my school is furious. Can't say I blame her. Anywho... someone from the police department called a reporter, when he showed up they asked him to pick up the "real" gun.... between the bee-bee handgun and the gun our school police officer wears. You guessed it..... he picked up the bee-bee gun.

For those of you who have never had to deal with Al Sharpton or Jessie Jackson.... last year a 12 year old boy was shot and killed by a police officer when the boy pointed a similar toy gun at him in a parking lot at 10 p.m. in our neighboring town of West Memphis. And Dan Sheppard is not going to charge this individual with bringing a weapon to school. The only thing the police can charge him with is disorderly conduct.

I guess this is God's way of telling me, Yes, Stephanie, it is time to go home.

3 months... really?

2008-10-03T19:19:00.000-07:00

In three months we will be heading to Montana for good. Hard to believe.... Haven't packed a thing nor been home long enough to do laundry let alone pack a single thing. Who in their right mind moves North in the winter? Something 'aint right about that......... then again I haven't been right for some time! Court on Monday - pretrial. Not sure what that means, but I guess I am about to find out.....

books, books, books

2008-09-26T18:42:00.000-07:00

I have recently (within the last year) joined a book club. Way expanded my comfort level - I was stuck in the murder mystery funk.... anyhow - I have enjoyed some great reads! Thought I would share some of them:

1. Woman in Red

2. Good in Bed

3. Garden Spells

4. Firefly Lane

and at the moment I am reading "The Shack" which I think will top them all!

It's all about the hair!

2008-09-26T18:34:00.000-07:00

No lie - you play better volleyball with your hair done right! Well, somewhat better v-ball. We placed 2nd in the tournament. Got creamed by valley view. They play great ball (it must've been the hair)!

And this says it all!

2008-09-24T17:39:00.000-07:00

http://reneeswope.blogspot.com/

You need to go to the above blogspot and watch the video - awesome!!! totally awesome!

It's been a long time!

2008-09-24T17:30:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I have posted. I have driven almost 500 miles or more this week going to volleyball games/tournaments. My butt is getting bigger than Texas! I drive, sit and then drive home again! The Jr.High girls placed 2nd in the tournament. Only to be beaten (totally and without mercy) once by the Valley View team. Sr. High... not so great.

One of the four boys who destroyed the teachers house got 6 months in jail, $10,000 fine, and five years felony probation. I work at the school where the teacher teaches. This particular mother told her that she ruined her sons life. HELLO.... it was your son who destroyed her house. I am trying to keep this all in reality check as we go to court on Oct. 6th to see what the sentence is handed down to my son for driving his friend to do a senior prank. I feel for the boys and their families, but Lord have mercy.... I truly believe my son would not break into anyone's home and destroy one item in it. But, kids do the stupidest things and sometimes they pay dearly - just like my boy is.............. I am just glad he didn't beat the stew out of a farmer nor did he damage anybody's property. Gotta look for the silver lining people!

The above mentioned family also is moving............... kinda like us............ wonder if there is any crazy connection there? hmmm......

She took it well!

2008-09-01T16:39:00.000-07:00

My mother took the news of Kyle being charged with a felony and expelled from school, getting his GED and going to college news real well. She is ecstatic that we are considering moving back home at Christmas. I have to admit, the longer we are here - the harder it is for me to want to move. I hate snow......... I hate the cold .......... I hate driving on icy roads........... UGH!!!! I love summer, I love the sun, I love the beach. If we move - I may never set my toes in sand again (or for a really, really long time). What to do? The cosmic question that I send out to the internet world, not really expecting a response......... but I will take any advice I can get!

P.S. 5 - 3

2008-08-28T18:28:00.001-07:00

We made the front page 5 times now.............. the three boys who beat the farmer up - 3 ...

I guess it is better to try to kill a human than a tree...........

Volleyball & Prison - that is my life!

2008-08-28T18:13:00.000-07:00

We (I use the term loosely here) have started volleyball season. This basically means that 2 - 3 times a week I will rush from my job to jump in my car and travel up to two hours one way to watch approximately fours hours of volleyball. As my butt becomes numb on the bleachers I will cheer for both of my girls - one on the junior high team and one on the senior high team. I will consume large amounts of food that I know are no where near any of the food groups that are good for you and suck down Dr. Pepper by the gallon! After becoming near comatose from all the calories and lack of movement, I'll drive home - first stopping once again at the school to drop my oldest daughter off at her car (heaven forbid anyone ride the bus home from a game!).

OOOHHH - update! The irony is KILLING me - but, the three boys who beat the stew out of the farmer????..........Yeah ........... the case got thrown out. Go figure.......... who knew, I mean really, who knew that you could beat someone up so badly, leave them blind in one eye in a ditch for dead and no problem - you get off. But heaven forbid you drive a friend to do a school prank & don't participate in the least - I am sure he will get life in prison.............UGH!!!! Oh... and I STILL haven't told my mother! Any ideas on how to break the ice? Oh yeah mom, Kyle is charged with a felony for dropping his friend off to do a senior prank, got expelled from school, got his GED, scored so high they gave him a scholarship and he is now a freshman in college. So, don't worry about coming down in May for his high school graduation or receiving any senior pictures/announcements in the mail. Oh by the way.... we are moving home at Christmas. I can hear her hit the floor now!

Just me venting!

2008-08-27T16:29:00.001-07:00

Made it to Wednesday. It has finally calmed down at school. I have never passed out this many medications ever! The incoming 8th graders are a mess (in more ways than one). I have to work at the k-1st grade building on Friday. There is a very sick child who has to be fed with a syringe. We are a school NOT a hospital, but some classrooms you wouldn't know it. I truly feel if you are not able to be educated in the least bit - school is not for you. I am not saying anything against the handicapped - the majority of them can be taught a lot of things! But, we actually had a child who had no brain - just enough of a brain stem to tell his heart to beat and his lungs to expand! That child sucked millions from our school district's money. We HAD to provide everything for him to get him to school and while at school and then home again. The parents got to keep and demand more equipment from us............. okay - I am off my soap box. I know a lot of people are not aware of the dollars that go out of our budget for children who need 24 hour care and during the school day - the school provides it.

I guess I am still stressed out from my son. Nothing new to report - other than he did get his GED and received a scholarship for doing so well on it. We have been back to school for two weeks now and have had about three kids arrested for drugs and violence. Makes sense doesn't it? There are violent offenders/drug dealers sitting next to your child at school, but my child gets expelled his senior year because he drove a friend to do a senior prank. UGH!

Anyhow - I have vented - my brain wont explode and I no longer have a kitchen table (the people who bought it at the yard sale came and got it (darn))..... oh, I have yet to break the news about my son to my parents...............

Lord Have Mercy!!

2008-08-18T17:50:00.000-07:00

Well, what started out to be a pretty good first day back at school ended up rather.... well, sucky to be exact. After lunch I got a text message from a friend saying "I just read the newspaper and know that I am praying for you." Let me tell you when a text comes across with those words - you know it can't be good. We hit the front page for the fourth time! Mind you three men beat the stew out of a farmer and left him for dead and he is now blind in one eye ALSO four juveniles vandalized a teacher's home to the tune of $240,000.00 (that's right - no type O there) and they HAVE NOT made the front page four times. WHAT IS UP WITH THAT? My son gives a friend a ride and is charged with a felony! I am telling you, if I could up and quit my job today, I would. The school superintendent told me that it would not be privy information to the newspaper.... the information being that Kyle got suspended. Once again the paper made it sound like Kyle cut the trees down. I couldn't get home fast enough and refused to take my youngest daughter to Walmart to get her school supplies............ I'll have to leave the house soon enough to go back to school in the morning (after everyone has read the paper!). Both of my girls had to sit through first day back to school lectures where the "tree cutting/vandalizing issues were repeatedly brought up. When one family member screws up - everyone suffers. I don't care what anyone says - it's a family sentence.

Lord have mercy!!! Oh yeah, my husband was nice enough to cook dinner AND take Abbie to Walmart for school supplies. I will repent and return to normal tomorrow......... tonight, I am going to feel sorry for myself.

Always up for fun!

2008-08-17T17:49:00.000-07:00

Here are the rules for “6 Quirky Things”:

1. Link back to the person who tagged you
2. Mention the rules on your blog
3. Tell about 6 unspectacular quirks of yours
4. Tag 6 following bloggers by linking them
5. Leave a comment on each of the tagged blogger’s blogs letting them know they’ve been tagged.

Okay.......... here goes...........

1. I shave my legs everyday - yes, everyday!!! My friends think I am crazy! (possibly)

2. I eat PB & J on toast every morning

3. I was born in Germany (military brat)

4. My husband is a better cook than I am and my kids are not afraid to tell you that!

5. I was the oldest woman in the hospital delivering my 3rd child - with braces on my teeth to boot!

6. I would die without caffeine ( no lie )

It's been a while!

2008-08-17T17:39:00.000-07:00

It has been a while since I last visited! ha! Been busy at work. Had to go back to school the first of this month. Tomorrow is the first day of school! It is always fun to be there when the new 8th graders are lost and so unsure of themselves. It will be total chaos! My youngest daughter will be joining me at my school! She has the advantage of knowing the school because she always had to wait there for me to get off of work. We have our school computers blocked - so I can't blog or check on any blogs! :(

My husband is home - this is not a good thing. He was supposed to be flying until September - this will really cut into our income. We may be leaving for Montana a lot sooner than planned!

My son has taken his test for his "Arkansas State Diploma" - that is french for GED. If he passes he will use his scholarship to start college as a freshman on Aug. 28th - say a prayer that it all goes well. I just say he clept out of his senior year............ a slight embellishment there....

but it sounded good. Still have not told my parents anything. They are still at the Oregon coast on their 50th anniversary trip. They will be home next week............ I'll do it then........

No lie - 68 degrees!

2008-08-03T19:44:00.000-07:00

Wasn't kidding - it was cold in Montana!!!

Gas is UP and Temps are DOWN!

2008-08-02T19:46:00.000-07:00

Montana.....

There were beautiful sunsets................. if you can see it through the bug stained windshield of my truck......

the gas was at an all time high - highest I paid was in Montana (Billings & Eddie's Corner).. AND the temperature was 68 DEGREES when we got there (WHAT IS UP WITH THAT???).

Of course it got hotter than all get out during the day! but we FROZE at night!

Of course we stopped by Mount Rushmore on our way through the ENTIRE state of South Dakota....... (the kids are posing as the appropriate president!). Great stopping place even though I fell on the "strenuous trail....." Nothing serious, just a bruised knee and ego....

Then of course I make the kids pose every year in Fort Benton in the tee pee and along the river walk......... it's a mother thing!

On the road again!

2008-07-31T07:57:00.000-07:00

We made it home (FINALLY). That is the longest drive! But, we will be making it again here shortly. We are going home to stay in December. It was a hard decision, but now a relief that it is made. My biggest loss will be my job that I dearly love! I am the school nurse at our local junior high. I have the same hours as my kids. I am able to attend every sporting event they are in (volleyball, basketball and cheerleading). I don't even have to pay at the home games because I am an employee. The school board and superintendent are aware that my son did not go on school property nor cut down any trees. He just dropped off the young man who did do the damage. For several years now, the seniors that have done the pranks have gotten off with paying for the damages. They have never been able to "punish" anyone because they had graduated. Not so this time, my son has become their target of "making an example" out of. They have even told me that. I see both sides of the argument. I know they need to stop the pranks. But the punishment does not fit the crime. My son would be expelled for half the school year and then be sent to the alternative school for the last half. He will not get to graduate with his class (if he is able to catch up on his expelled homework and graduate at all). He is not allowed on school property.

I will post pictures of my trip asap! I did enjoy my time there and feel a load taken off of my mind!

Almost there

2008-07-22T10:41:00.000-07:00

Made it 98% of the way. Stopped off in the little town my husband grew up in and where we lived the first twelve years of our marriage. Tomorrow we are going to the town I grew up in where the reunion/50th is going down!

If you get a chance - check out the website (look to the right of my blog) MetroDad. He is a great read!

I will post pictures when I get home!

Lord have Mercy!!

2008-07-17T19:54:00.001-07:00

For the next couple of days I will be on the road to Montana, that's right - 1800 miles, 32 hours,five states, five adults and two dogs............... Just to see my parent's 50th!!!!

Inspiring video

2008-07-17T12:32:00.001-07:00

http://www.vimeo.com/1211060

Was unable to download the video itself - but so worth watching!!

Montana

2008-07-17T07:43:00.001-07:00

Talked with the lawyer and he said to go to Montana as planned. It is such a looooong trip! 32 hours of driving. I tried calling the Superintendent of our school to see about postponing their meeting regarding my son until I get home. I do not think that they will, but I will ask. Our lawyer will show up on our behalf. I have to call again - he wasn't in the office as of yet.

Today I am going to concentrate on packing and getting ready to leave early, early tomorrow!

The letter

2008-07-16T12:50:00.000-07:00

Got a letter in the mail from the school board. It isn't a good one! My son will more than likely be expelled. He will not be able to graduate from the school he has attended since the 5th grade. UGH! He has a 4.0 at the college where he takes two hours of class. He even won a scholarship from that school (good for one year after high school graduation)...... he will not get to "walk" nor attend any sporting events or have any privileges that come with being a senior.

I do not know what to do.

Who am I?

2008-07-15T11:14:00.000-07:00

I have been enjoying reading others blogs. You get to look into the lives of others, see some pictures, and then reflect on your own life. I have read sad blogs, funny blogs and inspiring blogs.

I think back at where I saw myself when I was graduating from high school, going to college - where did I see myself down the road? Certainly not where I am now. That is for sure. Our family has had so many ups and downs - it would certainly depress you if you looked at the entire "elephant" - but, when you consider we are still going, barely some days, that says a lot.

This is just a crazy question I am putting out to the Internet galaxy.................. are you where you thought you would be in this point in your life?

Yeah, it's Monday!

2008-07-14T15:10:00.000-07:00

The company has cleared out! We had a great time and will be seeing them again real soon. We are driving to Montana this week (hopefully by Thursday) and the in-laws will be flying to Montana from Florida. I am going to my parent's 50th wedding anniversary party. They are just going to see my husbands father (mom passed away a couple of years ago) and their sister that lives in Fort Benton. It is a 32 hour drive! I am hoping to drive straight through now that I have two drivers (son & daughter) to help! Lord have mercy!

We also own four airplanes....

Too bad they are crop dusting airplanes and carry only one (the pilot). We own four yet can't afford to fly and have to drive 32 hours...........

that is just messed up!

I wasn't kidding!

2008-07-11T08:30:00.001-07:00

I wasn't kidding...............I need to clean my house. After looking at my messy kitchen....

I got this from my daughter's room (is that mold? I think it is) hmmmm, must be for a summer science project.....

Then off to see about the laundry......... nah, that can't be good!

Maybe these crazy kids of mine will help?

Company's coming....

2008-07-11T08:05:00.000-07:00

My husband called the other day to tell me that his sister and her family were coming to stay the night with us. They had been to Branson for the 4th and on their way home to Navarre, FL. Her husband is a Captain in the Air Force. They have two boys..... wanting to help take our Christmas picture on the beach at Thanksgiving. So, excuse me while I go clean my house!!

ya gotta love them!

2008-07-10T18:39:00.001-07:00

Here are the little girls: Princess & Baby

The big girls: Gracie & Bell

and the wild bunch!

before the rain.....

2008-07-10T15:06:00.000-07:00

It is now raining! The good news is I did get in a couple of hours at the pool with my girls. I am taking care of a friends pool and plants while they are at the beach (without me!). My son met with his lawyer at 4 and came back with a much better outlook on life. I am grateful for this.

I do not condone destructive behavior but I can't imagine destroying an 18 year olds life before it even begins. There is still hope for him......

My life, my mess

2008-07-10T07:40:00.001-07:00

Summer is slipping away. Believe it or not, life goes on (with or without you). Each day is easier than the last. I was sleeping on a float in my girlfriends pool in her backyard when I got the call that my son had (or was in the process) of getting arrested. I haven't been back to her pool since. That was about two weeks ago - give or take. Can you believe I can't actually tell you the day it happened? I am on my summer break, I work at the school and am off until August 1st. I don't keep up with days or the time! Unless something important is coming up - then I remind myself every now and then what day it is. We are in a "holding pattern" as my pilot husband would say. All we can do is wait. July 30th my son will plead "not guilty" (by reason of insanity - mine) to the felony charge. What happens after that.... I do not know. I believe we get a court date. We will all go - the girls included. We hurt as a family, we heal as a family. This isn't just happening to my son, we are all living this nightmare.

P.S. Clarification

2008-07-09T12:37:00.000-07:00

I should probably clarify the felony part............ make no mistake, he has been charged with a felony. We had a bondsman ($1,500.00) and hired a lawyer ($2,000.00/retainer) and we will be going to court.............. but I haven't completely ruled out all hope for my son. As reckless as he can be - he can be so smart (is that a form of bipolar I wonder?) Anyhow.... my son gave his friend a ride. That is his greatest crime. That and the fact that his friend (whom he gave a ride) took a chainsaw to the high school and sawed off five trees in the courtyard. Criminal mischief, felony. We made the papers, three times so far, front page. The only thing the paper got right was his name and our address. They made it sound like they plotted and planned and destroyed together. As far as their statements (and the police report) his friend took 100% of the blame, wanted to do a senior prank (my son still hasn't stopped saying "I wasn't a senior"), and copied what others had done before him. There was no plotting or planning. Only instead of cutting one tree down, he cut five. My son never stepped foot on school property. He never got out of the vehicle. He just dropped his friend off and drove away......

I made the mistake of saying (yes, OUT LOUD and in public) that I know my son didn't do it, he isn't motivated enough to do five trees. Technically he didn't.... but there is this little tiny problem we are having.... the law in Arkansas says he did. My son was held back in the first grade, therefore he hasn't graduated yet - but he did turn 18...... He is an adult (at least in age). We will pay, in more ways than one, for my son's stupidity.

Did I happen to mention that my son has a full scholarship, good for one year after graduating from high school? or that I work for the school........

My #1, my son

2008-07-09T10:06:00.000-07:00

It is hot and humid out today..... with chances of rain.:( Ate lunch with him today (usually everyday). He is acting his normal self with no sense of reality. Hard to believe that he is going to be a senior this year. He technically, should have graduated this last year. Part of me wishes that he had.... He is in no way ready for life. It is mainly my fault. I have not prepared him for anything. The two girls are much easier to relate to and deal with. I always thought Mo would step up to the plate and take over raising him or at least help. He never did. I should have known and changed my strategy when he hit 13. It is too late now. He has been charged with a felony........