End of year

A funny picture of Etta...

One reason I struggle every day....

Winter Solstice

Merry Yule....

I am over a day late posting but we had a small simple Altar this year....

Gift giving....

7 kids and a grand baby opening gifts at Granny's house. Danny is an adult so he chooses to not participate. Paw Paw Steve was missed. I know he enjoyed the Littles in small doses. Connor and Annika never seem to enjoy spending time with us but they were at least present.

Granny tried something new to identify gifts. She put pictures on them. Pretty cute....

Happy Birthday Connor

15 years!!!!!

Ahhhh Juniper

On my lunch break today I ran an errand and saw some ornamental juniper shrubs. They had berries on them and I could not resist. I had to pick a sprig. I have had a rough past few days and evergreens always make me happier this time of year. I need to start on my Yule wreath. I may mix it up this year and add more candles and some color other than the color from the plants. We shall see what unfolds...

Today at church....

They had the Christmas Pageant today at church today. It was enjoyable and the littles got to play on the playground afterwards to run off some energy.

I can't believe this warm December weather. Lyn and Jaynie visited church too today. Afterwards Lily came over for lunch and a nice visit. The kids really enjoy her company. I do too... Lily is such a treasure to be around and a lovely young woman. 

Diapers for sale

Contact me for prices and more info.... susan200430@gmail.com

WIC well visits....

Etta and Elaina did well at their appointments today. Etta is barely on the chart at .5% for height and .1% for weight. She weighed in clothed at 20 pounds even. She has gained less than 2 pounds in the past 6 months. She is still tiny baby....

Elaina is doing well at 32 and a half pounds. She is at the 30th % for height and 4th % for weight. Her iron level was good and all is well.....

Winter Tree

Evan

A day at church... talking about symbols of the season

I have been avoiding going to church lately. I am proud to be a Unitarian Universalist. Not having many options of congregations makes it pretty difficult to visit other churches. UUCB is the only congregation in the Birmingham area. I have several friends there and the little kids have really been missing attending. Etta and I ended up in the Family Room so she could nurse. The service was about the symbols of the season. I really enjoy that topic so I buried some of my sour feelings and went to church. Connor and Annika really needed to participate in something so I am glad we went. 

You jut have to stop and watch the lobsters

Elaina always says they are sleeping....

Annika was just happy to get some sushi after her tutoring session.....

A sweet evening

It was so nice to welcome two of my teenagers home for the weekend. I love you Annika and Connor.

 

They both started their visit out really well. But, as usual because they are both so isolated while they are at their father's home they tend to not know how to deal with social situations. I tried really hard to encourage Connor to go visit his friend that lives on our street but he refused to go without Annika. When she isn't around he will go just fine. I feel he needs to get out of the house more. I don't believe his father will allow him to get his driver's permit let alone a job. He will be 15 this month and should be working on some goals toward adulthood. It may take him longer to reach those goals so he needs extra practice.

 

Annika enjoys hanging out with Eliot. Connor is very overprotective of the little kids. As he spends more time with them he will see that they are capable of doing things he doesn't expect like laundry and cleaning the kitchen.

Sweet big sister...

Etta says, "feed me, Eliot....."

A fever again?

Etta truly is tiny baby. She has a fever again. No other symptoms. This really must be part of her unique challenges. She has lost a little weight too and is under 20 pounds today. Hopefully she will gain back what she has lost. Sweet baby is still sassy as ever....

Scoring for Annika

I met with Annika's evaluator today. We went over her scores. She did above average in her language skills but with math she scored at half her grade level. I will do all I can to assist her in becoming the best she can be. I will not let her fall through the cracks....

My broken heart....

I found out the final judgment on Annika's court case today. The judge did not go in my favor. Annika will remain living with her father. I will see her on weekends but I feel so wronged. If I thought her father was providing for her better or even as well as I this would not be so hard. I believe I made a mistake when I let her go and she needs to be in my home. I will keep fighting. Connor needs more support too. He has no one looking out for him. Their father is just not a self sustaining adult. He lives off meager wages, our adult disabled son's SSI, and misplaced charity from an elderly woman who allows him to live in her home. He does not meet their physical or emotional needs. He won't even communicate with me about them. I miss my children.

A new herbal order....

I always enjoy putting together herbal special orders. It is always more special when it is for a newly post-partum mom....