Confusing Kid

It is these kinds of things that just confuse me. Last night we ate dinner and at dinner, Jason and I decided to go swimming with the kids afterward. As he and I cleaned up the kitchen, the kids got changed into their swim suits. 2 of our children were ready to go so I escorted them out to the pool area. The last of the small kids was done and C opened the back door for her so that she could join us. I saw see wearing her swimsuit at the time and she saw us swimming. I figured she was going to come in.

The three small kids and Daddy and I splashed and played in the pool. The water is cooling off, the pool was shaded by the house, and it was nearing time to get the small ones ready for bathes. WE had been out there 45 minutes in total. C finally came out. I was already drying off and calling a last minute warning to the little ones. She was disappointed that we were leaving. She tried to tell us to come back after the kids were bathed but that wouldn't make much sense as we shower with the younger ones and we told her that we wanted to relax in front of the tv since we hadn't seen eachother the previous night. She was SO upset.

We went in to bathe the kids and she stayed outside- telling me to shut off the radio. Then once I did it, telling me she changed her mind and to turn it on. Games. So many games. She came in about 20 minutes later with a last attempt to have us come out once the kids were cleaned. WE declined and she went outside crying, pouting, and clearly sending a message.

I honestly believe she NEEDS to control me and her father. I asked her what she was doing the whole time we were outside and she said she was playing inside. She would have no opportunity to control us if she chose to swim with us. And she would have had to share her time with the younger ones, too. She pouted for about an hour and of course came in shortly after she communicated her disgust out in the pool. After a shower and time to "cool off" she did reaclimate which is a good step for her. We didn't give it much attention and that seemed to work for this instance.

The Normal Build Up

As we suspected (knew) would happen, but had hoped against, C is back in her normal cycle. After her blow up from camp, she felt bad and I do believe didn't ever want to do "that" again. She came home, earned back nearly all of her priveledges over a couple weeks time, with a few bouts of regression that were mild. But as of Thrs, I knew we were on the road to another blow up...

She came home Thrs. in quite a funk. Didn't want to talk about it but shot me dirty looks, short comments, etc. She had an appointment with B at our house which seemed to bring her out of the mood. I knew that was just temporary.

Yesterday, Friday, she had it dialed up. A few examples were at dinner she was eating with the worst manners she could muster up. I would ask her to "stop chewing with her mouth open", then she would just change to a different but equally repulsive behavior. By the end, she was taking her fork against the empty plate and scratching it to make a horrid squeeking sound. Again, asked her to stop. She held the fork up in the air and dropped it onto the porcelein plate. Her brother covered his ears and said "that too loud". Later, she brought her remote controlled boat into the pool, placed it in front the of swimming kids and told them not to touch it. She was wanting to antagonize them the way she had been me. No one is safe from it.

So today was supposed to be a church event this morning that she wanted to go to. I think it was cancelled and no one called us because we were teh ones complaining that they moved a Wed night event to Sat and they have since decided (not just because of us, but because of several families) that Wed are going to work better. Anyway, no one was there. Of course, it was my fault in her world... she begins putting her feet up on the dash and opening the glove box with her toes. Please stop. Then leaning the chair back and sliding it with rough motions. Please stop. More of the same.

I mention the in appropriate behaviors from the past couple days to her in passing and get defensiveness. I tell her she needs to find the appropriate ones...

So we decide to go to the library as a family. In the car she plays with a toy phone and holds the button down so the noise won't stop. I ask her to stop. She picks up a baby doll and makes it "cry", I warn her that she needs to stop with the senseless noises or she will be writing sentenses. She then begins making ticking noises. I tell her she will be writing sentences when she gets home... then of course, she pouts and begins with her mouth like a 4 year old. Dad pulls over the car and asks her to uncover her ears and look at him. She doesn't. He tells her she will lose a privelege if she doesn't comply. She won't look at him but puts her hands down. He tries to tell her that this is the point she needs to make a decision about how to behave going forward. That she can come out of today with no worse than sentences or she can lose her priveleges that she has earned back... silly him for thinking he could speak. He is cut off, muttered at, etc.

She goes to the library and tries to check out DVD's which we don't allow. Then we are the bad guys for her not having any books... more of the same.

She is home. Sitting at the table "not hungry" with lunch in front of her. Making paper airplanes out of her sentence paper, switching seats, trying to get up to go get her favorite pencils instead of what dad got her, and I am ignoring her but not allowing her up except for going to the bathroom. We have our other children on the opposite side of the house to keep them from the stress of it all.

No, this isn't a big blow up- Yet. It will be. She makes it so hard to enjoy her. I slept an extra 10 minutes this morning because I knew she would be gone in a car with Daddy and I wouldn't have to see her until 10am when she returned from D group at church. Sad. I want to want to be with her. I love her. I really do love her.... but honestly, I am so hurt by her so often that my guard feels like it is permanently up. She wanted to know when I wanted to finish the movie we started watching last night together and I can not answer her honestly. I say what I should as her loving mom, " We will watch it later today" but honestly, who wants to sit in a fish tank with a shark? Especially the shark that ate your right leg last week and your left pinky today?

Don't Know What to Do

I know I haven't posted in a while. It isn't because life hasn't been happening, rather I just haven't had the energy between kids, the move, fighting for variances, dealing with birth families, etc. I just am out of energy at the end of the day and with summer have no private time during the day AT ALL! So... it has been a while.

We are at family camp in California right now. The theme is New Beginnings which is ironic in so many ways and yet inspiring in others. Anyway, it isn't going well... started rough and by today, I am in tears and as broken as a mom can be. I am surrounded by mentally retarded, autistic, CP kids that all behave better than my 12 year old... and the wool is pulled over most of the eyes around us. Those that see the "true colors" have tried to comfort me and tell me it is "typical teen stuff"... if they only knew.

I love her dearly. Her Dad and I have decided to strip away all, and we mean all, of her priveledges when we get home. This means no tv, computer, phone, gymnastics, school clothes shopping, church camp, etc... starting with square one. If I thought this would actually work, I would be more excited about it. I honestly don't think anything will work. Do you know what set her off? She didn't pack enough shorts so was upset about one being in the dirty laundry. She complained about the time I woke her up, etc, etc... after lunch she asked if she could swim with "friends" and we told her that we were going to go kill time before building bird houses and then she could go... that pushed her right over the edge for the second or third time since we have been here. She "hates" us, is going to tell Beth, told a worker here that she doesn't even want to call us mom or dad (poor her) and refused to comply with not beating the walls when others were trying to nap. Then she started hitting herself in front of us, for attention and pitty. I told her I was concerned and that she would need the nurse to come and evaluate her and that she would need to tell the nurse how much pain she was in because we said she couldn't swim right then... said it real nice and she, for only a moment, thought wiser of it and decided to stop. But the attitude is unchanged...

She heard me crying and now is sweet as sugar. I am sure she now feels bad but she got what I think she wanted- me totally hurt and broken. She was going to stop at nothing until she got it. How do I keep doing this? How come nothing we have tried seems to help this cycle? She does great and then just turns SO NASTY. Is there anything that will help her short of a miracle from the Lord? How do I protect myself in this and my other three children??

Just so we are clear, we are likely not doing vacations with her for a long while. This is just not worth it... don't know how we will manage vacations going forward. Not really fair to the other three for them not to get to come and all the kids to have to stay with Nana. Not really fair to us to cancel all vacations... I think we should leave her with Nana and go as normal. Your thoughts?? This is the second vacation in a row like this and we were told in the car "that she never gets to go anywhere fun".

Any and all help welcome.

What is going on?

So, on Friday evening we told C about the fact that Aunt and Uncle had decided that it would be best for her to stay here as she wanted. We were very clear in saying that the first step in getting adopted has happened, but that the courts have to decide if we are the best home and that they may look for family first. I have told her that G'ma has said she could stay and Aunt and Uncle have said that, but the courts have the final say. She was SO OVERJOYED. It was awesome. Again, she was mostly unwilling to hear the part about possibly not staying, stating later that night in her prayers that it was a 99.9% chance. The things she hears sometimes!

Anyway, we took her to a movie at church on Saturday morning and a friend from her group invited her to spend the night and to just leave church and start the day with them. We agreed to it and she went to spend the day and night with one of her 2 best friends. We would pick her up as we always do after first service at church so that she could help teach the 4 year old class with Daddy and I.

I picked up a pretty angry daughter. She said she had fun. She rubbed it in my face that her friend's mom makes home made scones and home made icecream and I don't. She was very ANGRY. We let it go at church but by the time we were walking to the car, I had to confront her. I told her that her attitude was entirely unacceptable. In the car, she was goating and rude to the babies. Again, I had to stop her and suggested she go to her room and get her family face on when she came out.

I made lunch while she listened to the radio in her room. When I told Dad the specifics of her behavior, he went up to see if she wanted to talk it through. She didn't. She said "Things are NEVER ok." THat was all she would say. She chose not to come down for lunch. I went up and told her it was hard to understand how she could be so angry at me when the last we spoke we were talkign about going to Disneyland and her being adopted. She had nothing to say. I asked her if she was ready to be with the family. She wasn't. I moved her onto the green couch with a journal and told her when she was ready, she can get off.

I can not figure it out. I know she is tired, but this isn't just tired. This is mean, hurtful, angry behavior. Is it that she was with her friend and now misses her sister more? Is she processing the finality of adoption? Is she comparing us to the other family and seeing that we aren't perfect? It sucks. Whatever it is, it sucks. I told her that it makes me not want to let her spend the night if this is the way I will be treated afterwards.

We will see how long she stays there. Sh eis one strong willed child. I think it will be most of the afternoon, just to make a point. I don't know what else to do. I will not be offering her any more food until dinner. If she choses not to participate, that is her choice but I will not be re-fixing any meals or rewarding the behavior with snacks.

OMG Part 2

So this Saturday we have a meeting with bio grandma and a different aunt. It is set at a park near their home which is no where near ours. I make a potatoe salad the night before and get melons, soda, juice, pretzels and hotdogs so we can Q it up and enjoy some extended time there.

We are to meet at 11:30. We left a message on G'ma's phone on Thrs and then again on Friday. No returned calls. WE were nervous as to if they were coming. Well, let's just say that at 12:30, J calls G'ma's phone and she ANSWERS. She said she lost our numbers, didn't check her machines, was there the week before waiting for us and that she would stop what she was doing and come. By 2:20, they were not there. My tots had pink cheeks and were SO ready for naps. We loaded up one upset C and headed out the parking lot... only to have C leap up in the back seat as she spots G'ma and Aunt pulling up in their car. J cast me a look like, " NOW WHAT??". We turned around and J drove around and occupied the tots in the car for the next 1.5 hours while me and C did a shorter version of a visit. C was SO elated to see them. They took jewelry off of their necks and things off their key rings to give her. It was... crazy. I was tolerant. I was exhausted. I had plans to do laundry and get ready for the Super Bowl party the next day but C was so let down so it all got put aside. And then, through it all, Dad and I were the bad guys for making the visit end after 1.5 hours with the tots buckled in car seats. It is funny how the bio G'ma can do no wrong. She did defend us having to leave, which I really appreciated.

Later that evening, I took C for a Blizzard. She was obviously more moody than normal, up and down with the emotions and understandably so. I asked her if "inappropriate" things were said by her grandma to her and her siblings as E had indicated a few nights prior. She told me that they were told that bio mom would get out of jail, clean up, and then go and get all the kids back and they would all live with G'ma happily ever after. She didn't understand why this was inappropriate. I explained that it was not possible because once a child is adopted, no bio mom can come and reclaim the child. Adoptions are forever, and forever, the adopted child will have 2 moms. She was upset. A and D, the sibs, have been told this same lie. They are all "counting" on this lie to come true. What kid doesn't want their bio mom to love them SO MUCH that they give up all they know to just love and take care of the kids?? Of course. But to be told it could happen is a totally different thing.

As she cried, we talked. She said that she didn't really want to live with her bio mom. She wants to live with us but be able to spend the weekends there sometimes. With her mom now getting close to being released, I felt I should confront this "dream." I told her it could not happen and why. I explained that we are entrusted to keep C safe and that her mom has a history that is unsafe. So then she asked if she could spend the night with bio G'ma. It was the same answer. She cried as I held her and she asked why God didn't bring us together through happy times instead of these bad ones? Of course, I had no answer. Poor kid.

Later that night, she seemed to be much better. She had released the emotions. I asked her if she still wanted to be adopted by us and she informed me that it was just a stupid question. She does.

The meeting with Aunt E was very revealing on the dealings with bio G'ma and the history there. I did softly confront G'ma on some of it and got really sketchy behaviors from her. She was defensive without being attacked. SHe just "doesn't know what she did wrong". I can't believe that. What is it about people not willing to take ownership? She blames AUnt E for everything saying C was in a prison but when C was turned over to Aunt E in second grade, C was vomitting from the stress created through all the moves and uncertainty and violence and drugs that she had experienced. Yet all of C's issues are on AUnt E?? Why do they even bother with the blame game??

Anyway, adoption of a child is adoption of a whole set of new relatives, really. So it is REALLY interesting when they are so unrelatable in many ways but hold such value to a little girl.

J, behaviorist, want to shoot me an email on how I should be dealing with the fact that bio mom is getting out in a few months?? C desperately wants to see her. She is aware that she will NEVER be left alone with her while she lives under our roof and why. Should we allow her to see her or not?? How do we prepare her either way??

OMG Part 1

So we did have our meeting with Aunt and Uncle. They invited us into their home and made every effort to make us comfortable. The house was as clean as I think it may ever get, all dogs outside, and the front door open to air out the smoke. They had made their decision the night of the meeting at T Stone. They just needed some information about how we viewed a few things to confirm their decision. We were NOT asked about visitation going forward or asked ANYTHING of. It was surprising. Rather, E said that she had more people sticking her nose in the way she parented and that she promised to not do that for C. She wants us to adopt C!!!! So does Uncle. We told them that healing needs to happen for C and that we hope that taking her permanency off the table will allow C to feel comfortable in seeing the whole family in fun and healthy ways. We would like to do BBQ's at the park and things like that. We actually feel like we could have a somewhat healthy relationship here, going forward.

Of course, the problem now becomes the logistics. I do believe Aunt and Uncle will hold to their word. They called CPS on Friday and again today to ask for the papers to be drawn. CPS has not called back. We will not be telling C about any of this until that paper is signed and we know how CPS is going to proceed. Will they be recommending to the courts that she be adopted by us? Will they be seeking relative placement first?? We want to have answers to the many questions both we and C has on these issues. We are eager to proceed, as is AUnt and Uncle. PRAISE GOD!

Meeting with Aunt and Uncle, TONIGHT

CPS has allowed J and I to meet with Aunt and Uncle tonight. We are going to their house under the pretenses, according to the discussion when the invitation was made, that they are strongly considering consenting for their rights to be removed. I am nervous. The tone on the phone call was very calm, defeated, and matter of fact. I do feel bad for them. They try and they care, but they don't know what they just don't know. They are limited by their own experiences and hardened to compromise or further learning in the family structure route. Anyway, we plan to meet them with love and understanding regardless of the outcome or their true intent. I know that E said that G was tired and that this stress was litterally killing him. I think they are looking for a resolution in which they could again see C and get this over with sooner rather than later. I do think some closure here would lead to great growth for C as well. I will let you all know how it goes no later than tomorrow. If you are a believer, please hold us all up in your prayers as we embark on this "journey". We want to really meet them where they are at, without judgement or false pretenses.

Meeting Yesterday

As you know, we had the meeting with Bio Aunt and Uncle yesterday. It was uncomfortable at best. After speaking with CPS as to how sibling visits would transpire, I went out side to meet up with my family and leave. C immediately approached me and asked "Why am I not going to visit my aunt and uncle any more?" I asked her to get in the car and then I began to explain as simply as possible that a family can not see two therapists and that until a decision to stay with Mrs. B for services or until the judge allowed for a different plan to be in place, that visits with them would be suspended. She tried to ask clarifying questions but when I answered, she snapped back at me. I let it go. She was obviously stressed.

She was wearing a new necklace. Not new... new to her. She brought it up moments later, proudly showing it to me. Turns out that her bio mom from jail sent it to aunt G and that aunt G gave it to A, the sister to give to C. So here it was. From jail to C's neck. I have specifically asked Aunt G to NOT send the letters from bio mom's jail to C until this situation is more resolved. The poor child is in a state of emotional confusion as it is and yet, look what happened. Is she being intentional in her pursue to get bio mom's stuff to C or is she not aware enough to relize what she is doing?? Either way, I don't know how you feel, but it is NOT appropriate. Her bio mom is getting out of jail soon but has a history of gang and drug issues- enough to spend more than one stay in jail. How is this going to be addressed? How does CPS feel about involvement and contact by bio mom?

So C was stressed last night. She was short, moody, and BOSSY! We let more go than normal given the situation. I asked how things were with her brother and sister. She had fun with them.

I put her down for bed and had a moment to talk. I asked her how she was feeling when her aunt and uncle told her that they weren't going to see her for a while. She didn't know. I asked her how she felt about it now. She was casual and stated that it made her sad. I asked "sad for you or sad for them?" She replied ," Sad for them." I guess her uncle was crying adn she doesn't want to hurt them. She said that she didn't mind seeing them, she just doesn't want to live with them. I think she was really happy with the way things were with visitation at Beth's. She felt safe. She, in a weird way, did enjoy seeing them in this safe environment. I don't think she cares two flips about seeing aunt, but uncle, she feels bad for. She had so much as said that even uncle is treated mean by the aunt so she feels relatable with his situation.

The whole thing is so sad. It is sad that aunt and uncle can't even see where the divide in the whole therapy situation exists, let alone compromise on how to get to a place that works for everyone. As much as C doesn't want to go back to living with these people, I think she even feels bad that they don't get it.

School Situation

What can I say?? I put an email into the principal and got an email back saying it was being forwarded to the "right" people and that I should hear something soon. I got a call on Friday. It was a lady from the special education department who tried to tell me that according to the notes from the IEP meeting, I was just plain wrong. That her testing was done. I couldn't help but to correct her, telling her that I was told that they didn't want to pull her out the last week of school before break because she would miss all of the holiday fun and that the OT hadn't gotten around to it and that we would be going over it after I completed the at home tests they sent me away with. Not to mention, C said she had only been pulled out 1 time and it was only for one test. She quickly backed off and said that she sees so many children that she must have them confused. As if that helps me.

She offered to put C into a tutor program through Special Ed that pulls her out the last 20 minutes of each class period for help in a small group setting. The teachers had suggested this once they were asked by this lady what they felt C needed. I loved the idea and asked that it be put into place, however, I STILL WANT THE TESTS DONE and I want the scores. I was told that the psychologist at the school that hasn't returned any letters or calls was out on leave so that once she got back, I should hear something. I will give it until the end of this week and follow up again.

I also put in for a school variance. I noticed on the form that Open Enrollment is now over. I don't know who I will need to talk to in order for her to get a slot at her existing school for next year, but I want to get this done. I do feel that of all the options, her staying in the school will prevent us from having to repeat the process of getting the school on board with meeting her needs. First, we need this school to support the child and teachers. Then, we need to keep her at the school to avoid any issues going into next year.

I will keep you posted as we hear more...

A few week update

Well, I have been bad and haven't written for some time. SOrry gang!!!

Today was a great meeting with J, our behaviorist. I always get so much insight as to "why" C does some of the thing she does and how to go about bringing positive reform. Thank you, J, for the insight. It is a priceless session that we have!

Anyway, there have been good and bad moments over the past few weeks. We have had time out like I do with my tots several times but I have found her to respond in the same way a 3 year old going to time out would. And I have also found it to be hugely effective. I doubted all of it before I did it, but have done it again since since it has really seemed to resolve the issues at hand.

I have also chosen to confront C on the idea of "hating school." Her teachers have told me that she seems to really enjoy it so I have told her that I know she DOES enjoy it. That has made for a couple pleasant days this week and I hope to keep going in that direction, but am now armed with some great tools if she regresses in this area. I will not tollerate that doom and gloom that has been associated with school. I am expecting more from her and without that expectation, it will be hard for her to rise to that level.

WE have also had some brilliant moments. She is doing SO MUCH better. We went to our cabin this weekend and she went sledding. She had a blast and other than a sore bum, she came out one happy child. She tolerated us watching the Cardinals game, but barely. She LOVES to be the center of attention and bides for it if it isn't freely given. I think we handled it well and she did, too. Still a ways to go, but we are getting there.

I am going to my mom's house to scrapbook tonight. I am looking forward to it and again, I have new tools for how to respond when she tantrums at the thought of me having fun without her. I am anxious to see how it goes- a good kind of anxious. I will be leaving this event early tonight to take C to a birthday party she got invited to. A late night skating party! There aren't many so we try to let her go whenever possible.

Well, That is it for now. I will try to get back on this thing more often. Thank you to you all for ALL your support. She is really doing quite well and I am eager to keep her growing in the right direction, Lord willing!

Pout Bout

So most of you know that CPS was not represented at the meeting last week. Visits are suspended until CPS makes a ruling as to where and how the visits will proceed. WE have not heard on this. I will post once we know.

Things have been so good around here, until yesterday morning. C has been wanting to wake up before me. She readies herself and then once it is really time to get up, she is all ready to head down stairs and eat. She eats quickly and then wants to snuggle with me on the couch and watch cartoons. Well, yesterday morning I messed up the alarm clock and overslept. 15 minutes after I was supposed to have gone up to get C, she was in the laundry room stomping around and banging into things to wake me. I went in and appologized that my alarm had not gone off which was received with tears and comments about pants she wanted to wear. I informed her that I had just done laundry the day prior and she needed to just wear a pair from her drawer. She STORMED upstairs. The tots were asleep prior to her new rant in her room. I heard mild bangs into the walls and closet doors being "moved" quite firmly. I decided to ignore it and just wait for her to come down. I think she was doing the same- waiting for me to come up.

Finally, 10 minutes before the arrival of her bus, she came down stairs. She began to cry and said she had no time to eat breakfast. Choices, it is all choices. She was up now for over an hour and had just gotten dressed. That is not my fault... anyway, I explained that she would need to hurry. I sat next to her and while she shoveled in the cereal and prayed silently for her. She finished and we prayed together. I talked to her about how she needs to have grace for MOMMY making mistakes. It happens to all of us... I did not intentionally wake up late. She ended up ok and headed off to school.

Homework has been light since we have been back but she is still down on school. She comes home tense. She is starving for my attention and affection and really struggles with controlling everything going on in the house. My sweet, relaxed, gentle child that I had acheived during break seems to be gone again. It frustrates me. I don't know what to do about it, though. I ended up pretty frustrated last night at trying to do something like get a drink for a tot or work with the AASK worker here for the monthly report and C trying to pull me out of it and onto something she wanted me to see or do... not because she needed me or even really had something to say... she just can't handle sharing me. That is so much pressure on me and last night I finally told her that I just can't do so many things at once... It would all just have to wait. I thought she would get mad, but instead, she realized she had gone to far....

AMAZING

Wow!! No really... WOW!!!

C woke up a few days ago with a totally different attitude. We talked about being positive and were more direct in our redirecting over the issue but I do not give that talk or our redirecting any credit for ALL the change that has come in the last three days. J and I are STUNNED. She is really growing up. She is looking to please others before herself, she is staying positive, she is sharing, taking an active roll with the tots, etc. I CAN NOT SAY ENOUGH. I have enjoyed her like I always want to... She doesn't try to fight for control over it but is going with it. It is really, really wonderful. I just want to hug her and love her... and she lets me! I have told her the changes we see and how we can tell that she is trying hard to stay positive and how fun she is to be with. It is really fantastic.

She woke up crying this morning because it was Saturday. She dreads school starting again. So sad to see. Daddy hugged her and held her and told her to try and enjoy today and she did!

She is really into this physical fitness thing. I am loving it. It is so good for her to get up and get moving. She is so strong! And for the first time ever, Daddy and I see her pushing through where she would normally quit. She wills herself to acheive her OWN success. Normally, she compares herself to others and gives up "knowing" she can't acheive what they do. This is a test against herself and she is doing so great. She ran with Dad far today and about died, but pushed on to sprint to the finish line. She is popping out pushups and bragging to her cousin all about it. She has done over 100 situps today. WOW! I have told her how great I think she would be at gymnastics and she wants to do it. We are wanting to enroll her this summer when she has more free time. I do think she will love it.

Anyway, 1000 steps forward in the last few days. I am one PROUD mamma. She is SUPER HAPPY and told me that she always has been since she has been here but I can tell that it is reaching a new all time high. Let's hope that school can keep her feeling great about herself!

What a DAY

Well,

I think God performed another great miracle in life. I woke this mornign to the sweetest gift I have ever receieved and it was from my daughter. C made me a scrapbook with a note in it stating how much she loved me and wants to obey and that even when she is angry that she never stops loving me. It took hours to make and is so pretty and special. She is working very hard to be positive and she is refreshed and refreshing! WOO HOO!

I had made a house rule list to post yesterday... No Interrupting, Say "Yes, Mommy" rather than debating, Be kind to others, use good manners, and clean up after yourself. We intended to start the new year off with this rule list and still do, but have been relishing these great moments for now!

We went GeoCaching this morning. We were all disappointed that we couldn't find the two treasures we set out for. Bummer. She handled it really well, though. YIPPEEEEE!

Off to a great start this new year! Hope yours is going as well! Ours couldn't be any better!