Why does someone who loves to write find it so hard to keep a blog going?? I was going to be so faithful at doing it!! Oh well, it's like the rest of my life 'hit or miss.'
Dale and I are enjoying being here at mom and dad's (for the most part). The electrician has been to put in a new box and some plugs, Dale has put the new livingroom floor down, we just picked up the new livingroom set, and the furnace will be put in around the first of May. That may be it for this year, we're not sure yet. I'd like to do a little painting and so would mom.
We still have a little snow in the back yard, but we hung the laundry out for the first time this year today. I can't wait until every bit of snow is gone and we can go sit in the back yard, but by then it will be bug season!!
God has been very gracious with all of us this winter, no pneumonia! Daddy got it twice last year. Thank you Lord. I would covet prayers for my shoulder, and for my youngest daughter Lesley's biopsy.
Mom, Angie and I are off soon to Ashley's bridal shower. Ashley is my oldest granddaughter. She is getting married on May 28th. The first grandchild to get married. Her husband to be, Kyle, is a great guy. Dale took him out to lunch today, I know they will have a good time.
Well, it's time to go for now........

New Journeys

It's been a bit since I last posted and a lot has happened. We have been trying for over six months now to make things continue to work with Stephen, but to no avail. He just has so much anger bottled up inside and doesn't know how to let it out properly. He is on medication for mood disorder not otherwise specified, and in counseling. The last time he was told no and confronted about a lie he had told, he went ballistic again. We just cannot handle him anymore, the verbal and physical, and breaking of things is just to much. We turned him over to God, but he is not following God at the moment. He is now living with our youngest daughter Lesley and she has guardianship. It is good because he can finish out his senior year in the high school he was going to, plus she is younger and more with it. I sure hope it works out, it's only until June and by then he will be 18 and hopefully will graduate.
Do not take sadness from this post. We went through our six year journey to get Stephen and DJ into our home and adopted, and we made it through that journey. There have been many journeys with the boys and most of them were good. Now Dale and I are on a different journey and the boys are on their own journey. I would do it all over again with no hesitation. Kinship care is worth every minute of it.

A Passion for kin who care.

It has definitely been a while since I have been here. I just want anyone who is raising a relatives child to know that they are not alone. My husband and I have been and still are there. We are still raising the youngest of the two grandsons that we adopted. He is 17, a senior in high school and hoping to be off to Ohio Technical School next July. I cannot wait to experience the empty nest again!! Would I do it over again......yes. Was it/is it worth it.....yes.
If you want to talk to someone who is in your shoes and knows how you feel. I am here.

Oh, to be more faithful.

Faithful, not only to God but in the little things also. After all God is faithful in the little things concerning us. For example, I was asked last Friday to sing a special on Sunday morning. Saturday I chose three of my background cassettes but could not decide. So I left it in God's hands. Someone on FaceBook said to just take it into my own hands because God was to busy with bigger things. I said "no" God will let me know in the morning because he is also in the small stuff. "Guess what?" God did let me know which song to sing and it went along with what Pastor was speaking on that day!!!
So what is my 'small stuff' that I need to be more faithful in?? Well, blogging for one thing. Keeping up with the family. Keeping on schedule with my school work. Getting on with the sewing I want to do. Keeping up with the housework. I probably could go on and on but you get the idea. The thing I need to do first and foremost is to get faithful in daily devotions with God. In taking time just to be alone with Him, talking to Him and praising Him. I am DETERMINED.

Today is July 8th and I cannot believe where the summer is going. Actually, what summer??? It seems as if all we have seen is RAIN!! I'm beginning to develop "web feet!!"
I had a rotator cuff repair done on July 2nd and am on the mend. I guess I was expecting miracles, you know....back to normal yesterday? But the recovery process is a little slower than that, but I can do more and more every day.
I just posted a story called "Thorns." I had seen this story before and forgotten it, this time I will save it and print it off. It reminded me of how I thank God for the good times, good things, healings and blessings; but I do not remember of ever thanking Him for the "thorns." Aren't they what help us to grow, to become stronger in our faith? Please read it, I think it will inspire you to start thanking Him for the "thorns" in your life.
DJ is going nuts!!! He is still home on vacation (the last week) and there is nothing to do. He has a new girl..... thinks they should hang out 24/7 and I think her parents would let her. We won't let DJ do that. We give him an hour or so a day. We are trying to teach him how to have a real relationship. How not to say "I love you" after just 4 days. That he should not be kissing her already. Am I totally out of reality??? Am I that old fashioned?? If so please tell me. They look at me like I have horns.
Stephen is at camp still. I sure hope they have had more sun than we have had here at home. He found out that being with a bunch of younger kids with a week of rain isn't exactly fun.
Dale just hangs in there.
Well, that is it for now.

This is the second week with Stephen gone. DJ is home for a two week vacation. He is kind of bummed because we were going to go to RI this coming weekend, but I have to have shoulder surgery this Friday. He will get over things, we'll keep him busy if it ever stops raining.
I had been really down since Friday night when we picked Stephen up, he and I got into it hot and heavy on the way home. I spent all day Saturday alone in my room and Iwasn't going to go to church today because we aren't a family we are just a bunch of people living in a house. But God said, you need to go to church, be with my people and hear my word, so I did. I heard wonderful words, and found out that I cannot nor should I try to control things. I just need to put them in His hands and rest in that. Sometimes for me that is easier said than done. But I am going to really pray hard that He will help me with this. I know He is faithful.

The Power of Prayer

Nobody knows the power of prayer,
But somebody must be listening there
With a friendly ear for the heart that calls
Someone who knows when a sparrow falls,
Miracles lie in the power of prayer;
Faith that can banish the soul's despair!
Hope that can shine like a holy light
And brighten the spirit's darkest night!
When earthly help is of no avail
There is one Friend who will never fail;
Just lift your eyes - the answer is there,
For nobody knows the power of prayer!!

Author Unknown