Teen retreat

I am back from taking the kids to a teen retreat. I had decided that I would stay at the camp and do whatever work was needed up at the camp. As it turned out the cooks helpers were not able to make it, so I worked in the kitchen all weekend. I was nto able to listen to any of the talks the teens listened to...but I heard Mike telling the kids to be servants to each other. It was a true blessing working in the kitchen, getting to renew friendships..

My poor camera

is not working properly...and I could just cry. No new camera in the budget right now....

brother update

Teen has been telling me almost every time I turn around that she loves me. and I tell her that I love her too.
The brother has a disturbing status on his facebook,,that he is going to get get super high, he knows he shouldn't but he just doesn't want to stop.

it makes me glad that wehn I talked to him yesterday, I told him that Teen asked for prayers for him at church and did it for years. And I told him that we still pray for him.

it was bound to happen...

as you all know,mykids are adopted. yesterday Teen was looking at her facebook and said "M" I said what about him? He asked her to be friends...and M is her bio brother...we have not seen him for years.
We used to have a relationship with him, his mother and other siblings. He used to live with us before he went back to live with their mother. We had visits after that, we would drive down to see them. One day, they disappeared..and then they called us about a year or 2 after 9/11. The mother, H, would make promises to send presents, and come visit but that did't happy. Phone calls would stop and then re-start. It tore Teen apart when they would call and when the calls stopped. I finally said enough was enough and told H to stop calling us.
So, M found her on Facebook...she friended him...and they have called each other...
He has "been away" and got out 6 months ago. He is still with his mother and the other siblings. The conversation between them was very stilted.
Teen is 18 now and thaat had been the agreed upon time to try to find him again....and he found her.
It has brought up questions for Son, who has no relationship with his siblings. he said that he tried to find his sister and so far nothing. I told him that while he is in high school, that is his job but when he is 18 I will help him look.

my latest fav snack

a bit blurry but oh so yummy!!!

My kids have confirmed that I am nuts...why else would i take pictures of Wheat Thin stix?? Because I want to share my new find with all my friends...

I wish you were here to have some with me.....

oh,never mind someone finished them...they seem to be a favorite with everyone here

annual family picnic

this s'more was made with one marshmallow...can we say sugar overload? I barely finished this one but the kids seems to put a ton away


Teen, DG, becky ( me), Son and Hubby



me with my brothers and step-mom and Dad

brothers and me with my mom

me and my brothers...

September 3, 2010

Son,14 and 9th grade...DQ,15 and 10th grade




Son....Woke me up the night before school to have a stain removed from this shirt...and then got up in the morning before me to shower and put on deodorant 2 times....yup, there is a girl he likes. I asked him who she is but he said he won't tell me because he doesn't want me to embarrass him on Facebook...who me? ever embarass any of my kids?




DQ ...yes here is the Drama Queen....you can't see but we streaked her hair, she hated it and wanted me to do it again but...I refused since we "permed" ( straightened with chemicals) her hair, then dyed it midnight black and then put in streaks. I told her she might go bald! she was so thrilled we didn't change it because her "peeps" told her they liked it!

Waiting for the bus....I think she stands too close to the road...but you know, I am the Mom and what do I know? LOL