Hello there all! Jesushelper, I remember when both my children were babies and think back to how precious and beautiful that time was and I realize my husband worked through most of it. Running a small business is hard work but he is tenacious and spends his life trying to provide us with a good life. You are so blessed to have that time with them and they are so blessed to have you be so excited about being with them. IT is a wonderful thing, family. It can also be the worst thing. Yet we have the opportunity every day to make it better, to enjoy it more and to be thankful for the joy in our lives. This brings us to the awareness of love all around us, as start puts it. TOmorrow is never promised, but we have today, right now, this minute, this moment to feel that way and be better.

Hey guys, my dad's place is so pretty, I thought of you and shattered I saw a nice pond and dock with your name on it! My dad is great, it was nice to see that sparkle in his eye, I get that from him and I miss him more than I thought... I have never gotten a hug like that from him ever, actually I think there were two of them. He misses me and I am glad. I thought he wasn't coming around because he didn't want to but now I know I was wrong. There are issues that hold him back but again that will have to wait for another post! Anyhow, we made it, I won the bet, we got out by five AM, I can't believe I actually woke up at 4:15. I am trying to use this laptop, I am not used to it at all. Just to let you know I went to church for all of 6 hours. That is how long the drive was and there was no denying God the whole way! I hope he likes a little rap and rock cause the kids and I sang all the way here... Hope all is well. Hugs, Start

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Originally Posted by shatteredsoul

Hello there all! Jesushelper, I remember when both my children were babies and think back to how precious and beautiful that time was and I realize my husband worked through most of it. Running a small business is hard work but he is tenacious and spends his life trying to provide us with a good life. You are so blessed to have that time with them and they are so blessed to have you be so excited about being with them. IT is a wonderful thing, family. It can also be the worst thing. Yet we have the opportunity every day to make it better, to enjoy it more and to be thankful for the joy in our lives. This brings us to the awareness of love all around us, as start puts it. TOmorrow is never promised, but we have today, right now, this minute, this moment to feel that way and be better.

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Shattered,

Growing up I had a biological father that was not there for most my life. Later on I had a stepdad that raised me but of course it was not the same. To this very day he is a workalholic. Seven days a week. Caused friction and tension and much more. It showed me and taught me what is more important in life. I am completely the opposite because of the way I was raised up. That is why at the beginning I said my only true Father, is God. How he was my role model. Even with extra time with my baby and my wife sometimes I feel it is not enough and that I need more. All I know is that I am a better person today because of what experiences I have had in the past. It is a beautiful and precious time and I hope and pray that my baby boy and wife and any future children will benefit and have even a better future because of the values and presence of a committed husband and both parents being their for them.

Thank you Shattered for what you wrote.


Joe

I am glad to hear you got there safe, start. I can picture the pond and the dock right now, I am ready to jump in and do a cannonball! Or just fish off the dock and watch the sun go down. Well, I know that feeling of missing your dad, and getting that kind of a hug knocks you all the way back to childhood. I mean feeling safe and happy in his arms. I am sure he is happy to see you and a those smiling grandkids! I am glad you enjoyed your own religious experience along the way, living in the moment is the grandest gift of all!! I will be singing rap and rock as soon as I start the car, so I am just as guilty! HUGS to all!

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Originally Posted by startover22

Hey guys, my dad's place is so pretty, I thought of you and shattered I saw a nice pond and dock with your name on it!! My dad is great, it was nice to see that sparkle in his eye, I get that from him and I miss him more than I thought....I have never gotten a hug like that from him ever, actually i think there were two of them. He misses me and I am glad. I thought he wasn't coming around because he didn't want to but now i know I was wrong. There are issues that hold him back but again that will have to wait for another post! Anyhow, we made it, I won the bet, we got out by five AM, I can't believe i actually woke up at 4:15. I am trying to use this laptop, I am not used to it at all. Just to let you know I went to church for all of 6 hours. That is how long the drive was and there was no denying God the whole way!! I hope he likes a little rap and rock cause the kids and I sang all the way here.....Hope all is well. Hugs, Start

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Start, I am so happy for you that he missed you and that you have got an embrace of a loving and caring father. So happy that you had an excellent drive there. Rap and rock is all good, lol. Quality time with your kids. Happy things are well for everybody. That your there safe and sound.

Lots of hugs to all.

Joe

Oh Jesushelper, they already are benefitting from it, they already are. You learned through loss and disappointment and pain, that is truly the most insightful thing you could gain from such an experience. I wish you didn't have to endure such a childhood, but from what you didn't have, you give to your family and hence, you have in a different but just as fulfilling way. I am happy to know such a committed and loving husband and I think your values and presence seep through the pages of these posts for all to read. You are right, you have one true father and you are honoring him well.

Hey shattered, I loved the trip, my dad was so kind and was as patient as a 59 year old man can be with the kids. He had picked flowers before I got there and put them in the most beautiful vase I have ever seen and he also bought me a little blooming plant at the store so I could take it home with me. (keep in mind my dad doesn't buy things for ANYBODY) OK, I will go on and I will get to the point later: My kids, well, he went to the grocery store and bought a bunch of "kid food" he bought these special fishing poles that look like shot guns or something, musta been spendy, you can only get them on T.V... he gave my some a 1916 boyscout knife, my daughter a nice fishing pole and tried to buy her a pair of shoes at the hardware store (they were too small) took the big kids down to the rodeo. He spend every waking moment with my kids, he never took one nap (HE ALWAYS TAKES A NAP) You guys it was so crazy, every time the kids walk out, he would ask was I good to you? What about this situation, did I handle it right, did I pay attention? He listened and ask why I never told him about some things and I said well, I thought it was your job to find them out and then we just sat there laughing, almost crying at some points. Too wonderful of a trip. Loved it. I am pooped but I loved every minute of it. So now I get to my point, this man has been sort of distant for almost 15 years, not gone but he is distant, he married a woman that we all never liked and still have a hard time being around her, I think he has something up his sleeve, I think my dad wanted me to know he was sorry for the mistakes he made, I told him I was sorry too, but if he would have really cared about what I said "back then" I would not have done half the stuff I did and gotten myself into trouble. I want to say that, Love was all around me, there was light at the end of my tunnel, and I am learning to this day about the man I have known for 32+ years. Thanks for listening to my rave! Hope you guys had something change in you this weekend. It was remote and beautiful where I was I am in awe.

I am so happy and excited for you!! This journey really was life changing it seems! Yes, I understand and I can relate. I think we are more similar than we know! He really was reaching out to you and trying to discover where and when he went wrong in anything along the way. What more could a child ask for?? NOt that you are a child, but to him you always will be his little girl. IT sounds like he doted on the children and enjoyed every minute of it. What a blessing!! I wonder what's the similarity, my dad is also a remote and beautiful place. ITs great to get away and be a part of something so simple and breathtaking at the same time. I am sure you weren't worried about laundry or bills till you got back. The house I am sure needs a once over. I know when I go away with the kids, he might have tried to clean up, but it ain't the same!! LOL Well, you are right, light and love are all around you and it is radiating outwards as bright as the sun!! I got to put on glasses so I don't go blind from it! HEEEE HEE. Its amazing ,how parents can pleasantly surprise you when you least expect it. Good. I am glad everything turned out great, it couldn't have been a better time! Welcome back friend !

I missed you Shattered, I could have used your words when I was talking to my dad, yours seem to flow much better than mine. I sure didn't have a problem getting them out though... LOL Ya it has been great. I know he had a nice time. I am going to go get some stuff done. I will be back on later. Hope you had a good week end. Hugs, Start

AWWWW thanks start. I am glad you missed me! Well you know what I mean. I don't think that my words flow better, I just don't shut up long enough for them to stop pouring out. I think you are one of the few who like to hear me go on and on. What you say is pure, and beautiful and simple. Simplicity is a good thing. I am still working on that. I scare people away with my gibberish. I am sure whatever you shared was from the heart and it was music to his ears, with all of you there, the LOVE was ALL AROUND HIM!!

Hey Joe, thanks for the greenie, you are too sweet. How is the house? Done redoing it for the "big" boy. Just wait till he gets in the dishwasher and refuses to come out. Sh-- I have so many wonderful pictures of my kids in mischief... I wish I could get an album together just of those pictures alone, that would be so funny!! Jett he was about 1, he got out the flour and eggs and butter and spread it all over the floor drew pictures in it, I was laughing so hard when I found him, he is still doing things like that and he is 5, sheesha, those were the good ole days! Come back Joe, no more cheap shots, you got to post honey! And might I ask where is Proud? That girl hasn't been posting, remember practice makes perfect!!

Proud, is resting right now. I am just dropping in to say hello...

Lol Cheap shots, I thought you liked my greenies. Lol

Oh don't get me wrong I think you owe me a lot of greenies considering you gave me a reddie a while back. I haven't even been posting on new threads so I can hardly give any feedback anymore, you guys are taking up my precious great advice. LOL anyway glad she is getting rest, she seems like a very lovely woman, she needs to open up a bit, make sure she gets on, k?

Cmeo Cmeo No I Ma Wiaitng OFR A RPEONSE. Plaese Respnod SONO.

Hee hee

k, I wlli od ym bets ot gte erh to open pu.


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I think that 100 greenies to balance out the one reddie is good enough. Come on now and give me some slack will you, where is the love now.? Lol

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Yes, she does need to open up. She will eventually. It does take time.

Joe

You are such a nerd.

Gee thanks that is so nice of you. Meanie.

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You siad that ew cluod wirte aoute ayntihg.

There was an experiment about how if you just mix the words up and when you read it your mind can still figure out the words even though they are mixed up is that not so cool or what.

There is so much more where that came from, I am spunky today... better look out the spunk is going to get you, LOLOLOLOLOHAHAHAHAHAHALOLOLOL

I have to say real quick that "I live with my family where I belong" is the best one I have seen yet! Love it Joe... OK back to the spunk..

Ti si sceince, the way the brian can figrue out wodsr eevn when thye aer lal mixde pu.

Thank you start, That is exactly how I feel.

I live with my family, where I belong.

Do you need me to come to your house and whoop you up? It is kind of cool though... I need to get my work done! See you soon. Laundry and kitchen floors await me.

Well, talk to you later. I need to go to. Good to see you so happy and spunky. Have a great evening.

Edit::::::::

Hope you had lots of laughs. Hee Hee

Joe

WOW,

Joe gone coo coo with his spelling.

Hello start I am back, How are you doing?

I have been busy with Joshua. It is hard to go on the computer now. Before it was easy going on the computer. I was looking for art stuff on the computer before. I was looking how to do 3D art on the computer but no luck :(. Joshua is pulling my toes while I am typing on the computer. I should go now. Going to get Joshua ready for bed.

Hey you Proud, glad to here you are good. Tell that little one to go play so you can have a moment. I usually get on here at rest time or in the morning before all the kids come here. What kind of art are you looking into? What do you mean 3-d art on the computer? I have never seen it before! I hope you don't mind me giving your husband crap, he seems like he needs it! HAHAHAHA Just kidding. Did you guys get it all kid proofed? I have been there before but make sure you don't put too much away cause you will never be able to bring it out until he is older. I learned that lesson with our third boy. The first two never touched anything but our 3rd boy was absolutely crazy, he got into everything I didn't bring my pretties out until he was four... I learned my lesson for the fourth baby!! Hope you have a good night. Hugs to you, Start

Hey There,

Letting the baby play in the playpen. So I can come on the computer. When the baby naps I try to nap as well. I am not a morning person like Joe. He pops out of bed even when he only has 2 hours of sleep. When I was talking about the 3d art is like the cartoons that you see on television that looks so real. I like art and I am artistic.. That is my strong area..
I do not mind if you give my husband crap, sometimes he needs it. Lol
Thanks for letting me know, not to put too much stuff away. I just like to put my art stuff away. I need to find a better place for it soon though.

Ah ha, I love art, but I am no good. My kids seem to have their daddy in them, they are great artists... I hope Joshua has your talent! 2 hours of sleep would kill me. 8 hours or you better watch out. No kidding! As long as you keep your pretties out and teach him the word no and that you mean it when you say it, you will be great! Hope you are having a nice day! Hugs, Start

My son is an excellent artist, he usually makes more art on the table then he does on the paper though, LOL. He draws every football teams uniform, helmet with colors and all. He also loves drawing cars (race cars). I wish he would go to art class, but when I take him he says I want to go home. Well, as long as he is being creative it doesn't matter where it is right? Keep on letting him expressing himself anyway he likes! I pick my battles.

Is your husband into football like mine? Go Hawks Go Ducks! Woo Hoo

On my mothers side of the family there are different artists. I put some of my art stuff on the computer to save it. I think Joshua will be an artist as well. I see him looking at art pictures and paintings a lot. I am teaching him already what to tcuch and what not to touch. I am having a good day. Joshua is breaking through more teeth today.

About the football, my husband is not a football fan. He is a hockey fan. Lol canadians.

Shattered that is hilarious about the art on the table and not on the paper.

Proudmama

Ha, I caught you this evening... Good to teach them young. I am glad to hear your day is going good. Mine is almost over for the kiddo part at least. They go to bed and I might get a few minutes to myself! Lot's of kids here to day so I am tired. One of the foster boys are testing me to my limits today so I think we got that handled! Whew! God night to you Proud. Hope you can get on here more than once a day! Hugs, Start

How many kids around today start? I am sure they are just a bundle of energy bright and early.Even when kids test limits they are testing to see if they are really loved and if we are going to be consistent, damn parenting is tough!!

Just mine (4) and the 3 foster boys, more will show up later. I love them but they sure know how to push my buttons... Eating breakfast right now, it is quiet right now. It sure is hard to get 7 kids and 2 adults a shower every day though. But I am doing it. No dirty kids here. NEVER!

Does swimming in the pool count as clean? LOL I hear you. You must have some electric bill! How many towels a day do you wash. I am so jealous of your homemaking skills.

Swimming does count. Nana has a pool and they go almost everyday, my husband gets off at 3:30 but the kids don't leave her until 6 or 6:30 so he picks up our own kids and takes them up there sometimes they are gone till bed time. Fine with me, takem all you want I say to him. I love a clean home, laundry is my favorite thing to do and I don't like snotty noses on kids. So I am constantly wiping. I am known as the "WIPER" noses and butts LOL!! There is nothing like coming home from the store to a clean house or leaving for the week end and walking in and finding that all you have to do is put away some camping stuff cause everything else is done. That is my happiness. I know there should be more to my happiness but really there isn't! I have been doing a lot more laundry since the boys got back so I might not like it as much, instead of 2 or 3 loads a day, I do 4 or 5, just a matter of how many have peed and what sheets might have gotten soiled. The foster boys were not potty trained when I first started watching them 6 months ago, at age 5 and 4 they needed to be so I gave them an m&M every time they went, three days later they were good to go, the 5 year old still has more than one accident a day but hey, we are breaking ground. Am I just going on and on like you? You are rubbing off on me Shattered, I love it though! I need to visit with the boys

Enjoy those babies!! 1Feeel the love! I need to have come spread some of that cleaning cheer at my house. I love a clean house and the smell of clean clothes, I suck at putting away laundry! I need help. I do clean up pretty well, tidy up. I hate dusting and crap I am allergic. Anyway, do your all your deeds, remember just when you think no one is watching, remember God sees you!! YOur hardwork and true dedication is recognized! I am glad to see you let yourself go a little more with each post. I love to hear your thoughts, especially when they go on and on. I love you wondertwin.

I can't keep up with you all of these different post, I am going back and forth back and forth and laughing at the same tme. YOU ARE KILLING ME! I would clean yours but mine takes up all of my time, and it is killing me too!

I am trying to keep up with YOU silly! Ha Ha. I am getting dizzy myself, but you are worth it. Sorry charlie, but when we finally meet up, You will be disappointed in my laundry skills. I hope you can save me AAAHHHHHHH!!

I will save you. I just have to ask if you are wearing clean undies today? LOLOLOL

What undies? No just kidding. I clean the laundry, I just let it sit there and pile up instead of putting it away nicely. Nobody wears dirty socks or underwear, even if I have to buy them first!! Uh yes they are! LOL

I leave mine on top of the dryer and washer all the time, I never said I put it away. That is the worst part about it. I can wash, dry, and fold but I make the kids take their crap upstairs (when I think about it0 and they usually comply! I hang all shirts and make them do it to.. Oh my I am a brute. I am not very good about other things, like blow drying my hair always occures in the kitchen, I can't keep my eyes off the kids or something will happen Guaranteed!! I file my feet in the living room and I pee with the door open all the time. Sound strange yet? Yup, and if my milk is more than three days in the fridge, you won't see me drinking it. Left overs will be eaten the night after or not at all. I am weird now that I think aobut it!!