Woodstone Prairie

In fact, I’m going to be so busy I decided I should make myself up a schedule, just to make sure everything gets done…

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My Agenda - August 13, 2008  

1. Stay home

2. Enjoy children

       a. get school done

       b. watch a little of the Olympics 

       c. play some bingo

       d. watch R ride Blaze

3. Enjoy animals

      a. sit on porch and watch the funny interactions between Blaze, Tilly and Tucker

      b. work with Tucker

      c. spoil Tucker with sunflower seeds after working with him

      d. spoil Blaze and Tilly with treats too, as long as I’m at it

      e. sit under the big tree and brush out Quin and Emma, remind R to brush out Sweetpea

4. Enjoy being home

    a. knit when I feel like it

    b. nap a little when the kids are in quiet time

    c. sit outside and watch the mama deer and fawns that have been grazing out front lately, notice the bunnies and hawks that are always around but I often get to busy to notice… also watch for hummingbirds, maybe try and get a picture of one.

Ok, I think that’s it. It will be a grueling day, but if I stick with my schedule I think I can get it all done.

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Seriously though, I’m so looking forward to a quiet day at home. The past few weeks have been just TOO busy for me!

There has been good stuff going on…

We went to the big family reception for dd#1’s wedding on Saturday and had a great time. (They had a reception in Las Vegas right after the wedding, but since most of the family couldn’t make it out there, they had another reception here.) Unfortunately, I have no pictures of the reception to share… I forgot my camera at home that day, and was having such a good time I probably would have forgotten to take any pictures anyway!

Then on Sunday we went to a wonderful Special Olympics party… The kids swam (there was both a swimming lake and a pool there), paddled canoes around the lake, played volleyball in the sand, and just had a great time hanging out with their friends.

R and her friend in a two person canoe…

M loved paddling around… it made me wish we had a lake or pond close enough for him to get to do this regularly.

The kids are still working on their money/attitude program. They have slowed down some with all the work, but are still excited about the program and have been learning how to do some new, more grown up chores around the house… and earning money and good attitude “tokens” (for lack of a better word!). R was the first to earn the fun of  choosing a dessert and making it for the family. She make a triple chocolate cake, following the directions with just a minimum of help… It’s been fun having cake when it isn’t even anyone’s birthday!

We’ve had our little friend S here off and on the past few weeks too. I love having her here, but it’s also difficult… having three developmentally delayed adolescents in the house is complicated and not much gets done… but she is so sweet (when she’s not having an attitude) and loving that it makes up for the extra work and supervision she brings with her.

The Three Musketeers (M looks a little scary, I think…hope… he was just making a face!)

The serious….

…and not so serious work of bingo.

Note: Since she is still in foster care, I’ve (reluctantly) edited these photos so S’s face can’t be seen.

I also have spent more than a few hours lately agonizing over whether there is any way we could take her if her current foster care placement disrupts. (Which has been looking imminent) It’s been very tough trying to sort through the complexities of the situation… to think with my head as well as my heart. I’ve been spending a lot of time on my knees over this… Fortunately it’s looking less likely that the placement will disrupt, and I’m thrilled that things are looking up for S and her foster family.

So that’s what we’ve been up to, and today we are staying home… just me and two (not three!) kids. I’m so excited…

Well, it’s getting late, I’d better get busy, my agenda is waiting…