July 2013

Keith took on a new job....making a lot more money. Work was getting pretty slow at Southland...and with me not getting but maybe 20 hrs a paycheck....we couldn't risk him being laid off....so he went to work for Patricks Fab. Its been tough because I don't get to work much...if at all...because he has to work some Saturdays...and he works every Friday....so it only leaves me Sunday to work...and those days are so slow.

We still have been just chilling at home. I switched the kids rooms....so the boys would have the bigger room since there is 2 of them. I have been trying to decorate there room Camo/Hunting....but its been difficult to find stuff reasonably priced....!! The started off the summer sleeping in a tent....but that didn't last long because they would get rowdy and I just knew they would tear it up.

July has had long and BORING days. We have tried to clean...but the want to just isn't there. Kase started doing the clothes as his chore to earn $5 each week...he also helps Keith feed up too. KK does the dishes for her allowance so I started Coby with picking up the livingroom and dining room floors and vacuuming if needed....he has good and bad days....I just cant seem to keep his mind on the task at hand.

We went to Chick-fil-A for Cow Appreciation Day....we dressed up like cows and got to eat for free...even the kids got regular size value meals. I had wanted to do this...but just passed it off until Keith got home...and then I was hell bent on eating some Chick-fil-A.....:)

We had our CS July activity....Minute to Win It games were played....it was a blast. We should have had a bigger turn out except we had 2 family get the times mixed up. It was fun....just something to chart for the boys in July.

We went to Max's Bday party and the kids got to swim for 3 hrs...they had a blast and were water logged by the time it was over. Coby played mostly on the water slide with the younger kids and KK and Kase hung out in the pool with the older ones. It was nice visiting and just spending the evening with friends!!

Our family friend and long time school bus driver....Mr Lynn passed away this month. I have been so heart broken since I learned of his passing. He was such a sweet man. I never met him in town or on the bus that he didn't greet me with a smile. He will surely be missed!!

 

 

Chelsea informed me that her and Chris set a date...Sept 21, 2014......:)



June 2013

Summer is officially here!! Keith started working 4 days a week-10 hour days and I work Friday-Sunday so that we wont have to pay for childcare. It has made money tight....but its nice being with the kids....(ask me again in 2 months)...LOL

Boys went to Cub Scout Day Camp the first week in June. Melissa was so kind to stop on her way and pick them up each day. Coby built a wooden stool, made a bear claw necklace and went swimming. Kase got to swim and hang with the boy scouts. He says he wants to return next year to help out. The boys did the egg drop....and it was a flop...I used wood for the boxes. I didn't realize the heavier they were the harder they fell....it was fun...even if the eggs didn't make it!! :) The last 2 days of the boys day camp....I let KK go stay with Trinity so she wouldn't feel left out....crazy girl...

 

Kase had his first sleepover with a boy he met at Day Camp....Kota. He is in the Albany Pack. They were so much alike. Kase had a great time...and I was told he was well behaved...I'm so proud of him...

KK turned 11 years old on the 19th. We ate at China Palace on her bday...I asked if they could sing Happy Birthday....I didn't realize they were gonna make her a little "Chinese Style" birthday cake. She loved it!!

 

We did a family low key thing this year for her 'party'....she had Jenna come over....Trinity was sick and Izzy was out of town....but she enjoyed hanging with her friend. We had cake and ice cream....and then we grilled hamburgers, sausage and hot dogs. There was so much food!! :) She got a kitten for her bday....his name is Tiger. We rescued him from his foster home. She is in hog heaven because he is JUST hers. I also paid to put minutes back on her phone so she could chat with her friends over the summer!!

Our CS activity for the month was a trip to Tickfaw State Park. We went on a Nature Hike, painted with fish and played in the splash playground. Kids enjoyed the day...it was a nice change from always sitting at home or working on a Saturday!!

 

We have mainly spent this month just chillaxin' because we are down to 1 vehicle...so the kids and I have just been at home all day!! Hoping to head to Tx soon!!

May 2013

Mayfest night....Boys were the colorgaurd for the ceremony. Kase had been picked to weave the ribbon on the May Pole....but the week of Mayfest...he and another little boy got into a tiff in the lunchroom and so he was given detention which bumped him from May Pole. I was a little mad at first...but he needs to learn to control his anger....and that wasn't his only behavior prob for that day...so I accepted it.

Kaitlyn didn't participate this year...and boy did we have an attitude. She never likes someone else to be center of attention. Boys did a great job.

Kase turned 10...and had his bday party at ChuckEChees's in Covington. It was a great day...lots of fun with good friends!!

We had an end of the year camping trip the weekend before school let out. We had 8 boys present.. It was nice...we were in the back away from everyone. It was a chillin' weekend. We caught a lot of fish. It was so funny to watch Keith....he kept catching fish and he wouldn't stop. He was using Coby's rod and so Coby said they were his since it was his pole...LOL Weather was perfect...a little hot in the sun....but we were all shaded at camp....A guy had a telescope set up to look at the moon, planets, sun....and he let the boys look too.....I even enjoyed looking at the moon. He told us of a cool star map to download so we could find the planets and constellations...and it turns out they completed some of the requirements for the Astronomy Belt Loop....pretty cool, huh?

 

End of School....Coby had honor roll...and all A's in Spelling. Kase mastered on his LEAP so he get to go to 5th...and he rec'vd the BEST DEBATER award...I call it back talking...he says its debating...:/ KK rec'vd honor roll....so she was present a t-shirt and got a medal and certificate. It was really nice for the school to do that for the kids.

 

Monday afternoon...after the kids rec'vd there awards from school....Byronee...KK's little friend was killed in a car accident. She was thrown from the vehicle and the car landed on her. KK's world was shattered. We went to her wake. We met Jessica and Izzy there. It was so beautiful....it was a celebration of her life. Pink and Turquoise filled the room. Her coffin was white with a family portrait inside the lid. KK had brought pink roses to the church...the day before (mix up in times) and they were placed in her coffin next to her. KK talks of her often. She is always finding pics or things Byronee wrote to her. She will always be remembered.

April 2013

Nothing much going on...Keith and I are still adjusting...trying to work thru some issues to keep our family together. I never knew how much work would be involved in keeping a family together....:/

We held our advancements with Cub Scouts. Kase rec'vd his Webelos badge and Coby earned his Bear. So proud of my little cubs....they can't wait to be Boy Scouts and earn their Eagle.

Our pack's Raingutter Regatta was a success. We had 6 boys show up. We let the boys race by time and then calculated the times to award 1st,2nd and 3rd place trophys. Kase took 1st place. All boys rec'vd a participation medal. Coby lost 3rd place to Evan by milli-seconds....mainly because he wasn't trying. We wore eye patches and talked like pirates. Snacks included cheese its and apple slices turned into little sail boats.

Work has been a little slow. I started with another HH company...one that is a lot larger...hoping things will pick up soon.....

March 2013

We had our spring camporee....it was nice. I volunteered the pack to do a craft....so I wasn't with the boys when they were fishing...but they caught a fish each. I thought for sure Coby's was the smallest....but he missed it by a 10th of a pound or so. Oh well maybe next year. We got to spend time with our new friends the Matthews. It was nice to have great company around. The weekend was pretty uneventful....

Pa has been ill for some time....he's been in the hospital while they debate on whether to place a feeding tube or not. The family keeps looking for opinions...and switching doctors...but I know he's on borrowed time. He has been on antibiotics for so long that the thrush in his mouth prevents him from eating or taking meds without pain. Then he chokes when he does take something in his mouth. Its really hard to watch....We went camping with the pack an when we returned home...we went to the hospital on Sunday to see him...and let the kids say goodbye. He didn't look bad....just asleep. He had been asleep since Saturday. His fragile body had given up....he moaned when we would say his name but he had no strength to wake up. God called him home 3 days later.....I don't think I have ever been so relieved to see someone go. I will miss him tremendously but for 3 years I have watched the man he was deteriorate. He hadn't walked in years, his mind was lost, he didn't recognize any of us....his spark had faded. It was time....it was time for the pain and suffering to end. His service was nice....they had pictures up of the family and lots of pa when he was younger. Keith hadn't spoke to his family much since Nov....so it was a little awkward. He wouldn't even sit with his family at the front of the chapel. He wanted to sit with us. Mary Ann tried to talk to him at the burial but he wasn't interested. He's still sore about them taking that house away from him. He says she only feels that way because of Pa dying...that she will be herself real soon. RIP PA....we love you!!

The pack went to district derby. The boys took home the Most Spirited Pack award....we yelled our booty's off...LOL We made signs and wore our pack shirts to show our boys support. We had 2 place 2nd in their dens....Dylan as a Tiger and Jon Ross as a Wolf. SO proud of all the boys...they did an awesome job!!

Feb 2013

I turned 36 this month...guess I'm officially rolling down the hill now....LOL.  It doesn't bother me...its just a number....when I'm 55 I'm sure I will look back and wish I was 36....:)

Chelsea made 19....officially a young adult...and 1 year away from being in her 20's...where does the time go? She is still with Chris in Texas. We talk often....but I haven't seen her since she after graduation.

We had the Cub Scout pack Derby on the 2nd.....Coby took 1st in the Bears and Kase took 2nd. The track started to mess up...so the Webelos race was close and hard to call. Kase also won BOS.

This year I allowed the parents and siblings to enter and use the same rules. KK took 1st in the Siblings group and Keith took 2nd in the Dad's. :) We worked on those cars....trying to get to 5 oz...then it would be over....or under...and we would have to start again. I wish I had been with Keith at the PO box when he was weighing his car...it was over so he busted out the drill right then and started drilling wood off.....LOL KK duct taped her car...then added some bling. We put batteries in the back for weight and they ended up looking like a jet pack...LOL I made each boy a candy pinewood derby car to take home...along with a derby car neckerchief slides. Special thanks to Keith for helping with all those neckerchief slides....:) All boys rec'vd recognition....whether it was a trophy or certificate. Now we are getting ready to use our voices at the District Pinewood Derby in March.

Hello 2013

2-0-1-3....oh how strange it is to see, hear it, speak it!! I can still remember in the 90's when talk about 2000 was like 'futuristic'. I thought for sure by the time I was 35 I would be driving a car that flew like in Back to the Future...LOL Its really funny thinking back. I love to think back on my childhood and remember some of the conversations, relationships, and friendships that I had. I guess its a good thing most of us do grow up...LOL I remember hanging out with friends and not having a care in the world. I remember going to the movies...the local hangout...but cant really remember what I watched...LOL Its funny how life changes us. I remember wanting to be a doctor when I was young. I had everything planned out. How long it would take me to go to school....how long for internship....I was going to Harvard of course....and what I was going to spend my millions on...because thats how much doctors made...right? Boy...was I wrong. Here I am...I got close...I am a nurse. I do work along side doctors...sometimes it seems like I diagnose and treat more problems than they do. LOL I make decent money...though I could make more if I could find the time to go back to school. School...hhhmmmm...yes that is something I need to do....I need to finish school!! The kids are older....they dont need me as much...I need to finish my RN to better our life!! Guess this is where I will insert my New Years Resolutions....:)

1.Become closer to GOD. Be a better Christian. Speak his word and show my friends and family how wonderful he is and the blessings that he has given me. Pray more for others.
2.Go back to school---2013 is going to be my year....
3.Scrapbook about my Dad. I need something to look at when I want to reflect on him.
4.Use PL to catch up on scrapbooking. I really need to get caught up. My kids cant enjoy the memories I have captured if they are still on SD disks or my hard drive.
5.Build a better relationship with Keith. Try to be patient with him. Show him more kindness and love.

OK...I think thats a good start. I know a few of those will be a work in progress for the whole year...:)

This year has started off ok...a little bumpy 1 day last week...but working thru it...is the best part...it makes us stronger...and allows us to become better people. I decided to cancel my FB account. I really dont NEED it...and Keith felt so strongly about it interferring with us...that I had no right to disagree. I love him. and he is right....its not like anyone on there cant just text or call me. It will cut down on the drama too which we dont need any help with. Kaitlyn went and told the school officials about mine and Keith's fight...and so they sent an officers to talk to me. I was mad at first...at her...at them....just at everyone. First because we didnt do anything to her...it was a fight between he and I. He didnt hurt me or even threaten to hurt me or them. Second...those officials are so concerned with 'reporting' everything instead of trying to see why she felt the way she did...they would have seen she just missed MA and JP and wanted Keith and I split up so they could go back over there. I was sooo mad at her....this is the second time she has done this shit. I really could send her to a group home...and not feel bad about it....does she not understand...she is basically crying wolf and they could have arrested Keith...what was I gonna do...I didnt have money to bail him out. Then I calmed down and understood they have a job to do. I understand...they dont know KK...they dont know she is a hypocrit or that she makes stuff up all the time to get attention...like a lot of children. They say they treat every situation the same. I find that hard to believe....because the kids who are 'really' being abused or neglected...they arent talking...they dont tattle. So now...Im just waiting on the OCS call...cant wait for this one....this will be our 2nd. I just dont understand her....why she would put on this show...if she was scared she would have said something to us...that's how she is...she doesn't keep her thoughts in. I want to punish her but I havent quite figured out what will hurt her the most....so she will learn the lesson. She has to understand...she cant lie, or make out like things are bad here...just because she doesnt get what she wants. So I will start with taking her phone...

Thats it for now....

2012 in Review...

I have decided to try to stay up on my scrapbooking this year. Actually this is one of my New Year's Resolutions. I have decided to let go of the traditional 'scrapbooking' way and use the Project Life or Project 365 way. I will still create pages to suit those events that are special to me...but my everyday pics that I feel I need to scrap will be scrapped using this quick and easy method. :) ....and with my schedule....quick and easy is GOOD!!

I will be doing monthly speads....there is NO way I could do weekly or daily stuff.I will showcase the month highlights here...and those events will make my montly layouts. Of course birthday, holidays and such will hold there own merit in those months too. :)

For this post...I want to reflect back on 2012...where I have came from and where I am going.

WOW....2012 really did fly by. I am not sure why it seemed like the fastest year yet of my life...but it was. Maybe it was becuz I turned 35....or Chelsea turning 18....or maybe the fact that Chelsea graduated from highschool....yes HIGHSCHOOL....or the fact that Kaitlyn walked across the street and is now in middle school....:( ....There have been plenty of event for this year that make it sad...happy and a big part of changing my life.

Keith and I were 'officially' divorced in Jan. That one was really hard to swallow...but I did it nonetheless. I was so pre-occupied with trying to get Chelsea thru her Senior year....that I was able to postpone the tears till the summer....(more on that later).

Chelsea turned 18 on Feb 3rd and I turned 35 on the 5th. We celebrated together...just cake at home with the kids. She and I went out to eat...and I took her to play Lazer tag. :) This year and part of last year....has really been a struggle for her...with school, her family in Texas....and yes even she and I at times. She wanted to quit school....and I tried all avenues to show her the way...but ultimately it was decision...she would be 18 and I couldnt stop her. I spent countless hours on the phone looking for an alternitive to her going to traditional high school. We spent days talking to her councelor at school (not too helpful)...looking for ways to get her through these last few months....she only needed 1.5 credits. Well the day came...and she decided to finish. I have never been so proud of her in all my life. I know the challenges she faced and how easy it was to walk away....but she stood tall and decided to face them. Daddy would have been SOOOO proud of her. :) I know he was smiling in heaven on that day. I also am thankful that God brought her and Chris together....because he was a big driving force for her to continue to. I started working full time in home health at teh end of Jan. Its alot more flexible....

March was pretty wild trying to help Chelsea get her senior project done. It was CRAZY stupid. She had came to work with me in Jan...so she could see hands on what I did on a daily basis....and be able to explain her "career choice" to the judges. The kids and I went to Bouque Chitto State Park in March and went camping. Chelsea did care to go...so she stayed home. The kids had a blast. It was last minute...but we enjoyed just being out in the open in the nice air.

In April we were still working on Chelsea's presentation for her Sr project. Keith and I are swapping kids a week each. Chelsea decided to not go to prom...she said it just wasnt her :) Graduation is May 14th....oh we are so close!! :) Kids attended petting zoo and carnival for Kids Week. Same ole stuff just different year.

Kase turned 9 on May 5th. He had a pokemon party at the house. I rented a slip~n~dip and he invited several friends over for the day. Noah got to stay the night for his first ever sleep over. Mayfest was fun...kids loved it. It was bitter sweet for Kaitlyn because it was her last. :( Chelsea graduated on May 14th. We spent the day picking out her clothes, taking senior pics....and getting ready for 7pm. I did her make-up...that is a memorie I will treasure....LOL Chris drove to come see her walk...it was so sweet. We ate at Cracker Barrel after graduation. Chelsea decided to go back to Texas after we ate with Chris. I hated to see her go. It was so bitter sweet to see her leave. I had to keep telling myself that I had 3 things to do....raise her with morals, get her to age 18, and watch her graduate.....:) I was able to complete all these....so it was time to let her go....

Kaitlyn turned 10 in June. I rented the slip~n~dip again for her party. She had a Luau party and had 5 girls sleepover. Boy was THAT fun. LOL I was so ready to pull my hair out. LOL KK hadnt that Chelsea missed it. I went to go get pizza for the girls...and when I got back in my car on Monday to go to work....my A/C had went out. oh well...at least it still runs...so I can't complain. I have been working with a staffing agency to pick up extra shifts. Its nice to get instant money...:) July was fun...the kids and I popped fireworks at the house. I didnt have the money to go back to Texas...or a big vacation...so we had a mini staycation. I took the kids to play Lazer Tag at Safari Quest and they ended up getting a game for free :) The kids each had 5 dollars to play games with...and Coby struck 500 tickets on Frogger. We then went to bowl. I had coupons for each of the kids to bowl 2 games. Kaitlyn won the first and Coby won the second game. They werent too interested in the bowling....cant say I blame them...LOL I was never really a bowler either. :0

We went to Yogi Bear in August....right after school started. I had bought passess off groupon (love this site) and got us 4 passes for $30 bucks....regualar price was $80...gotta love those deals!! We only spent the day...but that was plenty. I met Amy for drinks and supper after we went to Yogi....she had found out that she will never be able to have a child 'normally'. I feel so bad for her...all she has wanted was to have a child of her own. Just doesnt seem fair sometimes. School started back...KK went to 5th...the big middle schooler....she has Mrs. Hart as her homeroom. She has joined band and 4H. Kase is in 4th...in the advanced class with Mrs. Williams. Coby wen to 3rd with Mrs. Populis. Coby turned 8 on the 28th. He decided to have his party at the Spaceport in Mandeville. It was wayyy to hot to have it at home. He had a special guest come visit hime....Darth Vader!!

I started as Cubmaster this year with scouts....not sure what to expect...but there was no one else to step up. September brought us another Hurricane...Hurricane Issac. Kids were with Keith for the actually storm...so I stayed here and rode it out. I was suprised...I didnt feel must of the brunt of the storm...this house is solid. I could hear stuff being pulled off the house...but felt safe. I had been having pains in my right eye since the weekend. I woke up tuesday and could barely see. Come wednesday during the 'calm' of the storm...I had to drive myself to the ER and get something for the pain. I ended up going to Lallie Kemp...since it was the closet. I was in and out in like 30 minutes...that really must be a record for them....guess the best time to go to that hospital is in the middle of a hurricane...LOL The storm had cleared on Thursday...so I ventured to check on kids since phones were out. The creeks were flooded...even Cooper Creek. I had to go down Landfill rd...go up to Hwy 16 and back down cooper to get to the kids. The wanted to come back with me....so I brought them home...it was much better for them...since I could open all the windows and they could play in the house...it was just too hot outside. I took them back about 4:30 on Friday....and when I got home...my lights were back on. I offered for them to come stay since I had lights...but they wanted to stay there. I had them take 'cowboy' baths when it rained....and the water was heavy coming down...I sent them outside with soap and they took baths. Everytime it rained after that...Coby wanted to take a cowboy bath....LOL Kaitlyn had her first middle school dance. I did her nails and makeup....and I went and chaperoned with some other moms. She had a blast. Not sure I am ready for this next chapter...

October was filled with scouting activities. We had 2 campouts. A family campout...Keith joined us...and a Centennial Camp where it was just me and Kase. I enjoyed the time with Kase...but it was exhausting having 2 camping trips back to back. We had a fall festival with scouts and visited the firestation. The boys are getting lots of publicity by being in the newspaper. We went to trunk or treat at the school...and then Trick or Treated in our usual spots...except we only went to one subdivision which turned out to be plenty.

Missing Chelsea like crazy by nov. Really wanting to see my baby girl.Keith and I decidced to make our relationship work....so the kids would have both parents at home. We both have alot of anger, resentment, and hurt that we need to get past. We have decided to see a councelor...and see if that will help. Kids were excited that we were gonna try...but his family not so much. They kicked him out of his new house...and pretty much gave him an ultimatum of either them or me...and he chose ME!!! All I have ever wanted was for him to take a stand....and now that he has...I have to try with all my heart. I have to forgive quickly. I have to laugh more. I have to be more affectionate. I have to show him that I have loved him for 12 yrs...no matter the tears, the pain, the ugly words. I still loved him. He says he is different. He says he understands now...how I felt...why I chose to leave. He says he never allowed me to see how much he loved me...but that he isnt gonna hide it anymore. I hope this is true. Only time will tell. He tells me thank you, he says Im sorry, he says I love you....everyday. I sometimes get caught up in the 'why now' and 'why not when we were married' but I have learned that "better late than never" is a very true expression...and I am so happy to be hearing it now...I dont care about the past. I made a mistake...and had sex with someone I had been talking to for a couple of months. I cant say I was looking for it...but I was looking for the compassion and comfort that usually comes after. I do wish I could take it back....because I wasnt true to myself. I didnt want him. I only needed him to fill the void from Keith. I wanted Keith but couldnt have him....at least not the way I wanted him. I hurt Keith...not knowing that I would...I still did. I have always thought he cared because he felt obligated too....or because of the kids...I never thought he did because he loved me...or I would have pushed harder for US. I honestly didnt mean to hurt him. Yes we were divorced...yes I had every right to move on...if thats what I had chosen. I just should have either ended what he and I were holding on to....or I should have persued it. I hate to say...but I probably would have walked away from him...because that would have been so much easier due to the past pain and hurt. But instead....I chose my path...and instead of bringing a wedge between us...it brought us closer. How can this be? Is it true that if you love something...set it free...if it comes back...it was meant to be? We have had many long talks. Lots of crying. Lots of yelling. We are trying to communicate and understand each other. Its a step...its a baby step...but a step toward us forever. We had Thanksgiving at home. Keith and I both cooked. Ham, Brisket, mashed potaoes, mac and cheez, green bean casserole (made by KK), stuffing and rolls. Me and the kids made placemats for the table. :) Work has been really really slow since the hurricane.

Keith proposed to me (again) on Dec. 1st....of course...we had a little tiff before...but he didnt want Dec 1st to go by without us being engaged since we couldnt be married. I really would have married him...but I dont want to start off on the wrong foot. We have so many issues to work through before we can truly start over that I think it would be best to wait. I hate it though....this would have been year #11. WOW...its hard to believe! We have been have some good and bad days...still tryin to find our footing in the new 'US'. We are doing more together as a family....thats a little strange...but I am enjoying it. Kaitlyn had her first Middle School Band Concert. She is growing up so fast. We decided to start a new holiday tradition with the kids....Elf on the Shelf. We had one...RJ but kase decided to touch him on the very first morning he arrived...so he had to go back to the North Pole. Then Holley Noelle showed up 4 days later with a note letting them know that Santa was giving them only 1 more chance to not wake up with coal in their stocking. :) Things were a little better...for a while. Kids had Christmas parties...I worked my way between Kase and Cobys class...KK of course didnt do anything special...its part of getting older. Christmas holidays crazy....money is tight since Keith is having to help with childcare...(he still hasnt spoken to his parents)...so his hours are cut...I am just now getting back on track...but playing catch up. Keith stayed up with me on Christmas eve...wrapping presents...which was our 1st time doing this together....it was nice...something I will always remember and be thankful for. Christmas dinner...we cooked...Ham, mac and cheez, potatoes, rolls...simple...but what we all love to eat. Again...wow...this year has flown by...guess thats because it was jammed back with stuff going on. New Years...we just hung out at home. It was raining so we didnt bother with fireworks. We watched the ball drop in Times Square....and watched all the fireworks around that people were popping....GOOD-BYE 2012

I'm BACK!!

I know...long time no see....! I haven't been totally absent....I started writing in another blog documenting daily life so I could scrapbook it. I have decided that I don't want another blog. I started this blog several years ago so that my daddy could stay caught up with our daily life here 500 miles away. So I decided that I would transfer what I wrote to this blog...and then continue to keep up with my documenting on here....so see ya around....:)

Oct-Dec 2011

Well Keith didn't win the election...despite his huge effort. I don't think I have ever seen him so persistent or passionate about something. I was proud of him. We rode in the fair parade to promote Keith's name. It was fun....we threw rubber bracelets and lots of candy and necklaces. The kids loved it...I think it was the first time they had been in a parade. The kids placed chickens in the fair...and won ribbons...KK entered a poster and won a ribbon. We went to a wallk-a-thon on Saturday morning....for the fair....and to help promote Keith's campaign. Keith made me so mad when the election day came. He wanted to stay at his mom's. I had been helping him....financially and helping get his signs and cards out....so it hurt me when he wanted to spend it with his family and not me. I should have just let him choose but I didn't. He ended up coming over here....but he had an attitude...so it wasn't very pleasant when the results came in and he wasn't winning like he thought he would. He didn't do bad....he rec'vd over 3,000 votes....which was high for a first timer. Anyway...Sunday we decide to drive around and pick up signs...and I get a phone call at 1pm from Tracey telling me Chelsea was missing. He tells me she had been missing since the day before. I was so pissed. I was so scared...I didn't know that her life with her grandparents had gotten bad and she just didn't want to go home. Several events inspired and she was found and Tracey brought her to his house. Well...she didn't want to be there....and Edith started her shit....so Tracey and I decided she was going to come back to LA to live with me. The kids went trick-or-treating and after I drove Chelsea to Creek Haunted House to have some just me and her time. It was freaking...even I was scared by the time we were done. :)

In Nov.....well the election is over and Keith and I are back fighting....guess he doesn't need me anymore. We had thanksgiving at home....it was nice to have Chelsea here. I started working in home health to be able to be with the kids more and not depend on Mary Ann or Keith for when I need to work. Chelsea is adjusting...but have a lot of difficulties too. She has a presentation to do and she is struggling because she has missed 3 months of school....but yet is still required to complete assignments from that time...so she has been really stressed about it....but chipping away nonetheless.

Dec....not much going on....continuing to work with UMR and HH....along with some agency work too. Chelsea is planning on doing her project on Nursing....so she is going to shadow me one night I work at UMR. Christmas was nice....love having all my babies together....Chelsea decorated the tree...that was funny....she has issues with the Christmas lights....LOL Once the kids learned she was decorating...they jumped in and wanted to help too...so it was a funny show watching them try to decorate the tree. :) We had Mexican casserole for lunch...gotta love it. Kids all got wayyyy to much...and Keith even got me stuff (from the kids) which I wasn't expecting. So all in all the end is coming to a close....Chelsea helped with the fireworks....she held the bottle rockets. The black snakes got the most raves!! :) Can't believe my baby girl will be turning 18 in a little over a month...and graduating high school soon after....2012 is gonna be a sad one.....