Busy!

So much is happening around here. Our caseworker managed to pull a few strings with the Y. Now, the two oldest girls, B and T2, are going to summer day camp. This has made my mornings quieter. You would be amazed at the volume of noise two girls can make.

Our original canoe trip was great. There have been others since; I wasn't on any of them. It has become drier and, therefore, a lower water table. The last trip down river had a lot of walking, not what I call fun.

The past two nights we have had severe storms with lots of thunder and lightening. At first I was concerned about the kids. But even when the thunder shook the house and the lightening made it brighter than day, they slept.

Nothing new has happened with the adoption. Bio mom came for her visit this time. She talked to the kids about moving back in with her. Ugh! I continue to struggle with wanting to pray for her and wanting to pray against her. Usually I do neither. This is where I need strength.

T2 continues to have bouts of horrible behavior and temper tantrums that are very difficult to ignore. Some light has been shed onto her problems. Now when the day turns sour at least I can understand where some of her frustration is coming from. That makes it easier to handle. But with the new knowledge comes heartache. When I look into that sweet smile, sadness and anger flood my emotions. She is a confused child trying to deal with adult issues.

C leaves for the Czech Republic today. It was been a long time coming. I have known that it was going to happen, but right now it feels too real. I straddle the fence on this issue as well. On the one hand, she needs to have fun and visit Lenny. Plus, we will have less conflict around here. On the other hand, she is an important part of our lives. It is going to be hard not seeing her. She is going to be gone for a lifetime: my mother's.

My mother isn't expected to live many more weeks. I find that hard to fathom. We went to visit her yesterday. Each time I see her, she is a little weaker. She puts on a good show. She and C cuddled in the bed together for about an hour. When my niece suggested she eat in bed, she jumped up, rushed to the restroom and then to the kitchen table. She suddenly found the energy to get up and get started. It was 2:30 in the afternoon! Later C admitted it was hard to leave because that was probably the last time she will see her grandmother.

T1 and C went with the youth to Daytona Beach. I held the fort. This week we are all tired. All meaning the adults in the house. The kids never get tired. They are always loaded with energy.

It is time to start my day. I have to take B and T2 to camp. Then, we are heading to Atlanta. I'm not too excited about going.