What I know to be true...

I have been doing a lot of thinking and talking to people I respect, since our famous "hole in the wall day". I have prayed and talked and listened and asked and cried and pleaded for help and answers.

I think we are going to take Skipper off the medications and see what we get. He has just not been himself since we started the whole medicate process and I don't like what it has done to him.

The whole problem stems from the multiple diagnosis that he has. Do we treat the ADHD? The Tourettes, the OCD, the rage, the depression?? And of course...that is alot for anybody to deal with and it would completely overload  his system if we medicated for all of them. So we have to decide which one has the most impact on his abililty to function in his daily living.

It is my opinion that the OCD didn't start until we started the first medication. That was suppose to treat the tics...but has proven to do more for his ADHD...and nothing for the tics.

Then we started the anger thing..and the OCD..and man, can he obsess over things...OH MY WORD!!!! Then we added the second medication.

Who knows..maybe we should take him off the first-but keep him on the second medication...that seems to work for his tics(sort of). See this is what I do, I talk my way in circles and come up with about a dozen different scenarios!

So pray...pray that things will smooth out for us. Pray that we do the right thing for him. Pray that we don't screw this up. That is my biggest fear...I can write it easier than I can say it out loud. 

I am so afraid that this is going to be too much.

I am afraid of what we might find out. 

I am afraid for him-for his future.

I am afraid that in this cruddy fallen world we live in-bad things happen and I am afraid that I will loose him. 

There..I said it, it is out there. I am afraid. I am afraid.

I...am....afraid.

I want to hide under a rock until this passes.

I want to burry my head in the sand and pretend that this doesn't exist. 

I am afraid of what else God will ask me to bear. 

I evidently do not have the faith in myself that He has in me.

I don't want to be the mom of 4 special needs kids.

I am tired.

I am worn.

I want to know why us?

Why my kids?-all of them.

My plate if full.

I haven't room for anything else have I? 

I guess that remains to be seen.

So again I will cling to what I do know to be true... I see the earthly..not the eternal . My thoughts are not His thoughts and my ways and not His ways. So for now..I will find comfort in Isaiah 55:

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher that your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields  seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace: the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Instead of the thornbush  will grow the pine tree, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the Lord's renown, for and everlasting sign, which will not be destroyed." Isaiah 55:8-13.

I was in Deals the other night, buying "treasures" for the chore store and ran across something VERY interesting!!

Let's see if you agree:

Yep...it's a toy snake. 

I do not like toy snakes...or real ones either. 

Nothing personal-just not a snake fan. 

But if it will get my kids to help out around here...I'll buy just about anything.

Then..I noticed something!!

On the bottom part of the package...does that really say what I think it says??!?

Sure enough...

Really??

 Do not swallow the toy snake??

 Ok thanks! 

Good thing I read the package, I have problems trying to swallow 24 inch long toy snakes!!

I am so in over my head!

My heart is breaking. 

I thought we had Skipper's anger stuff under control...obviously we don't. 

He got mad-at me...and kicked a hole in the wall. 

I really do not know what to do. I hate this. This is so not what I thought I was signing up for.

I need God and I need him in a big way.

Here I am Lord begging for you to hear me and show me what I am suppose to do with this. Please give me an answer...I am listening for you...please show yourself to me!

The clothes fairy...

Thank you clothes fairy for stopping by the house today while we were out on a walk!

The boys were so excited about them!

Scrappy LOVES the puzzles....ok, yes I know that puzzles are not clothes..but she left those too!

And the card ROCKS!!!!

Who knew the clothes fairy's name was Sherry...that is such a coincidence...I have a friend named Sherry! 

That is truly amazing!

A small tribute...

I have a favorite blog lurker as she likes to call herself...but I think of her more as a blog stalker!!! I kid..really!

She may be the funnest person that I know! And that is saying a lot..I know some dadgum fun people!! But that is for another blog.

My blog lurking friend is one of my very favorite people in the whole world! 

She always makes me laugh or giggle or roll my eyes and wonder what she will say or do next.

She has been known to bust a move when the mood hits. 

She loves my kids alot and it shows.

She is ALWAYS there..when I need  a last minute baby sitter or I just need a friend.

She is great and I wanted to toot her horn for her.

So... C.B. thanks for being my friend!

And God spoke...

Today, Scrappy and I were in the car coming back from physical therapy. It was just the two of us and it was so nice.  We talked and giggled and had a great time.

He looks over at me and says, "Mom, you need to be quiet, I need to talk to God."

I agree and turn the radio down and sit and wait for Jake to finish his commune with the Almighty.

Scrappy mumbles under his breath for a little bit and the tells me he is done and I can talk again.

I ask if he feels better now. 

He tells me he does and that, "God told me I could have a Chuck E Chesus (rhymes with Jesus) birthday party."

Great...now what am I suppose to do?? How do I convince him that maybe he misunderstood God. 

I guess I should start saving-huh??

Have a great weekend...Dallas

On my front door...

It was decided upon by the youngest powers that be that we needed a sign on our door telling the monster, bats, ghosts, bad guys and mad creatures that they are not welcome here.

So...monsters, bats, ghosts, bad guys and mad creatures....listen up...don't say you haven't been warned!!

Don't make these two come after you!! Trust me on this one!! There aren't as sweet as they may appear!

Balloon Pollution

Today we had some fun.

We are working on geography and learning the states. We released some balloons with our e mail adddress attached. It is our hope that the finders of our balloons will let us know the city and state they live in. We have a map ready for some fun. 

Then I broke up a huge fight between the 8 year old and the 4 year old!!

And then, I decided not to ask why the garden hose was in the living room.

Who is this kid?!?

Did this child really just use the word "butt head "in reference to Scar??!!

AAHH, Parenthood!

Where did that dumb-butt ever hear a word like that??!! NO...I kid I kid!  

We- wait read that I am seriously considering making an executive decision and dumping our TV because of things like this. 

Within the past year, we got cable and our lives have been "off" ever since. They turned into greedy potty mouths...and they don't get to watch a whole lot of it! That is what is the amazing part! But cartoons aren't what they used to be!!

I just think that we would be better off with out it.

We'll see what comes of it!

I think I have issues.

Hahaha hohoho hehehe...ok that is just funny! Um, Yeah Dallas, you have issues! We've met you. We know you. We've seen you. Sister you got issues!

But that is a whole other blog entry I believe. 

I am having that deep  deep down longing. I am having a yearning....

to paint the inside of my house!

Hahaha....hohoho! 

You thought I was going to say to have a baby didn't you!?! Oh now, come on. I see you there thinking- Good honk, is four not enough for them? Do they know what causes that? Are they competing with the Duggars?

Nope. I am very blessed in the boy department. Seriously folks...come on. 

We have been in our house 2 years now and I want to get rid of these blank white walls. I have 4 boys..only criminally insane people with 4 boys have white walls.

Mr. Dad is putting me off. I am not sure why other that we really don't need to spend money on paint at this moment..and we have 3 maybe 4 unfinished projects already going on around here. 

Anyway...I am going to start looking for paint. The first thing that I want to paint is the kitchen-walls and cabinets! 

We bought an old "flipped" house and man does it need some work. Lots of potential, but it is not anywhere realized yet. I think a bit of paint in the kitchen would be great.

I will keep you posted. Right now, the color of the kitchen is blah.....any color ideas?

My challenge for you

Yesterday. while watching the very informative and thought provoking "Backyardigans", I heard a new word and I am so ever confident that it can prove to be useful to all. 

So in the freakish event that you missed yesterday's episode and thus the new word, I Dallas, will share with you!!

Your new word for the day is....

PIRATTITUDE.... ( pi-rat -i-tude)

now I am sure that  you are wondering.."what Dallas is the meaning for such a word?"

Well, plain and simple, it is pirate attitude. Yes, pirate attitude.

Your job is to find a way to use this word today. Go on..you can do it. I believe in you!!

I am deeply appreciative of the Backyardigans for teaching my children this word, and also for teaching them to call worms...wormins. 

Thank you Nick Jr. for looking out for my kids and their vocabulary. Maybe George Bush should try watching Nick Jr. for some help with his vocabulary...I think that PIRATTITUDE is right up his alley!!

Only kidding George...you know I love you!!

Stone Cold Creamery and Make -a-Wish

December 2005(New Year's Eve) we got word from Scar's GI at Arkansas Children's that he had Celiac Disease. For those who are unfamiliar with what that is, it is an auto-immune disorder. When he eats wheat, barley, rye or oats, his body turn on itself and attacks the lining of his intestines...it eats away the lining on the intestines and this is where all of the nutrient absorption takes place. Celiac is not necessarily considered life threatening, but it can bring on a whole host of other things that are...like Lymphomas...malnourishment,  etc. 

Scar was refered to Make-a-wish and in May of 2007 his wish was granted. We were wisked away to Disney World. All expences paid, tons of fun instore and spending money!!

It really was a very magical experience. Free passes to all the Disney parks, Universal, Sea World. We stayed at the Give Kids the World resort. This is where the wish families stay. It was wonderful. Everyday there were goodies left on our table for all 4 boys. Food was all provied and when we arrived, our refridgerator was stocked FULL of gluten free foods!!

We made wonderful memoreis there and not having to worry about accommodating Scar's diet while we were there was like heaven. 

Now, back to the original story...

There are currently 11 kids in Benton, Washington and Madison Counties that are waiting for their wishes to be granted. I am on the NWA Make -a -Wish Council. We are the ones who raise money for the kids to get their wishes.  ALL MONEY RAISED BY THE NWA WISH COUNCIL STAYS HERE IN NWA. We are also looking for new council members..if you would like to be a part...please let me know and I will get you hooked up!!

Stone Cold Creamery ( in Rogers and Fayettteville) is having a wonderful event the month of September..they are donating portions of their sales all month to  Make-a-Wish. But better than that, on September 25 from 5-8, they are having the worlds biggest ice cream social. 

I would love for you to  come out that night and help us raise money for these kids to get their wishes.  Please consider coming and eating a little ice cream. We will have balloons and maybe some other trinkets for the kids...did I mention that you get ice cream??

I will post  more later when things have been finalized!!!

Look what I found...

I was looking through some old 

pictures and found some of Scar..ain't he a cutie!!

Do you think he looks a bit like Skeeter??

That girl....

I am sitting here listening to the relative quiet of my house this week. With 2 gone..it makes a giant difference.

However, there is a little girl across the street playing outside at one of the 3 neighboring schools and she is a screamer!!!

Wait...read that a  SCREAMER!!!!!!!!!!!

We hear her everytime she is out side.. Geesh child, give it a rest. 

Is she having fun? 

Is she being tormented? 

I haven't any idea...but I wish she'd zip it...she is ruining my moment here.

I think I am going to name her....why? Cause I have no girls. 

But if I did, she'd be the screamer out on the playground somewhere making others wonder EVERY DAY...what is her deal??

I think I will name her....(There she goes again!!)

And again..she is really fun to listen too...she makes me laugh! I wonder if she is like that in her class or does she bot(there she is again!) bottle it all up and unleash her fury at recess??

Ok, back to naming this faceless(again!!) and yet very know child...let's call her...Clarey. That is the name we were going to use if we were EVER to have a little girl. There you have it...Clarey.

Her scream is very distinct...we hear her lots and the boys have even asked about(once again she screams) and again...poor child, I really hope she is enjoying herself. The boys are curious as to why she makes all that noise!

Well, welcome to our home Clarey..we will listen for you everyday!! 

Only because you are so loud that we couldn't help but hear you!!

Down By 2

Skipper and Scar are spending the week with my momma and daddy. Daddy has the week off so they are going to do a week of "guy things!" Fish, build wood stuff in the workshop, work on a new room addition, pee outside, get ticks in uncomfortable places, spit, gather eggs, feed the chickens, maybe buy a few head of cattle, shoot the BB guns..and who knows what else.

My parents live on 80 acres in Northeast Arkansas..I'd tell you the name of the town, but it would mean NOTHING to you!! 

I told them to get their booster seats out of the truck and they got them, put them in Momma's jeep and then buckled in and waited till momma and daddy were ready to leave!

I am glad they get to go to the farm. It is an awesome place. One of my favorite places in the whole world...actually. Daddy got the weeks lesson plans and is going to do school with them. Skipper called tonigh(remember, he only left at 8:30 this morning) and told me they had already been fishing and that he was already doing school so he wouldn't have to do it tomorrow!! 

LOVELY...never that kind of excitement around here for school! ..No, I kid, that is one of the blessings of homeschooling. They can go spend a week with Nana and Papa! It was dad's idea...we will see if dad can take it for a week!

Scrappy already misses them a ton. He was a little upset when we got home from church and they other boys weren't back yet. I don't think he quite gets it.

I joked today that I may have to go steal me some extra kids while they are gone. It is noisy when they are here. I do not know if I can only handle the noise made by just 2!! (Thank you Bowman's for sending us Tucker tomorrow!!)

God's blessing to you....Dallas

CYSTIC FIBROSIS WALK

UPDATE.....

I am so excited to tell you that as of 7:47 pm Thursday nite...we have 26 walkers for Team Cameron!!! YEAH!! 

Is is still not to late to sign up!!!! Pass this on to any one who you think might want to come!! I bought balloons tonight!! 

Yes...I am bribing you with balloons!! PLEASE consider joining us...the more the merrier!!

***********

Ok guys- we are 4 days away from the CF walk here in Bentonville. It is Saturday the 6th at 10 am at the Bentonville Plaza. We are walking in honor of Cameron V from church! He is a kindergartner this year. PLEASE PLEASE come and join the group from Southside!! We would love to have some more in our merry group! 

It is a 2 mile walk and then there will be all kinds of fun things for the kids to do!! Please let me know if you would like to be a part!! It might be too late to get you a team Cameron shirt...but we would love to have you anyway!!!

Hope to see you there!! 

Dallas

Not so deep thoughts from the boys...

"I do not like that chickensaurus rex!!"- Scrappy

"Mom, I can not make my self disappear."- Scar

"Please do not get frustrated mom, but..." -Scrappy