After reading my last post, I thought I would be more positive this time. How depressing..lol Deonna is doing much better. She has the best manners when eating and saying thank you. She loves to order her food by herself when we are out and is so cute. She told me the other night that she was happy that I was her Mommy. Couldn't you just melt. More good news, my son Chris, just received his orders to Fort Campbell, Kentucky. We thought it was going to be Afghanistan, so Kentucky is so so much better. I am truly relieved. His wedding is May 30th and I love his fiance. She is the sweetest. Corey is doing great in school. He is working at the bowling alley at night and weekends and being very independant. He has a new girlfriend who I feel will be really great for him after the last one broke his heart. Keep your fingers crossed. Another great thing... we are hoping to be moving out and into the new house by the end of the month. Woohoo!!! We are so excited. No complaints tonite.. How lucky am I!!! God bless!!

Where does time go? I guess with school, building a house, helping a son plan a wedding, being sick again...etc.. who has time! Deonna is doing so much better in school. I think the curriculum is way too hard for a child who has been speaking english from the beginning much less for less than a year. She is no longer in the lower percentile in her group. She has progressed into the middle group, so not too bad. Her immaturity with social skills could stand for a little improvement. Don't get me wrong. They have improved greatly but I have to admit, it can be frustrating. I just tell myself that as much as I am frustrated at times, I know she is to. I have noticed somewhat of some "sneaky" or "manipulative" ways lately. I am trying to get a handle on this ASAP!! I know she gets away with alot of things at her Booshkas and her great grandmothers house, but some of that is her manipulating them. I don't remember my boys acting that way at all. I am hoping this will improve. She also has a terrible habit of putting things in her mouth. She was chewing on silly putty the other night. Yuck! I also bought her some Hannah Montana lip gloss today and I noticed she had chewed the paper off of it. Needless to say, it was thrown away and someone was not happy. But, she understands that we only put food in our mouth. So I explained that from now on, whatever is in her mouth that isn't suppose to be will be thrown away immediatley. No more "I'm sorry Mommy." Not when she knows the rules. Well, don't I sound like some old hag!! Sorry guys. It's just been a bad day. I hope everyone is well. Congratulations to a friend who recently returned home from Ukraine with her son! God bless!!

Happy Happy Holidays!!

It has almost a whole year since we first layed eyes on Deonna. It seems like only yesterday. The memories of that time are still so vivid in my mind. This cold weather reminds me even more. Deonna is so excited for Christmas and all that comes with it. She is not only excited about getting things but giving too and I am so happy about that. She doesn't remember Christmas at all. She loves candy canes and parades. She loves everything that is new to her and it always puts a smile on my face. She is doing much better in school, but hates homework. A typical child! Also, my son, Chris, will be home in less than two weeks and I can't wait. I haven't seen him in over 4 months! I have never went that long without seeing any of my children! I miss him so much! I have so much to be thankful for this year. Everyone is healthy. My entire family will be home. The new house is going great. My photography work is growing. Who could ask for anything more. I thank God for everything and everyone in my life. I wish the same for everyone! Happy Holiday and God bless!!

Fibro-what!!!!!

It has been so long since I have written. Time goes by so fast.
Deonna is doing much better in school. She can actually read fairly well and is learning her numbers also. She is still a little behind most of the children in her class but not all. She has improved greatly on hugging strangers. That isn't a problem anymore. She has become a tad bit bossy and is trying to talk back also. Note that I said trying to talk back. I am stopping that before it even gets started. She still tends to be a little rough with other children. She isn't trying to hurt them she just gets so excited. We continue to work on this daily. She has also started pouring on the tears when she knows she is in trouble. Girls are drama queens! The boys are still gone and I miss them so much. Corey will be home next Thursday and Chris will be done with basic training on the 31st and straight to Arizona for him until Christmas. We are planning on flying out to see him during Thanksgiving. I can't wait. I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia last week. I have been feeling exhausted for about a month now but I can't sleep. The pain in my body is unlike any pain I've ever had. I have had fourteen surgeries in the past so I know pain but this is different. The doctor prescribed some muscle relaxers but they make me so sleepy. I slept for almost fifteen hours!!! I guess I needed to get some rest but I can't do that and take care of Dee. So my plan is to cut the pill into four and try that first. Please pray for me. I need alot of energy to keep up with a little one. I have also started doing some photography again. I have four photo shoots this weekend. I am very excited about that. God bless!!

Bittersweet

School is getting better. Deonna is doing so well. Her teacher says she is so sweet and very eager to please. She is supposed to be able to recognize the entire alphabet by now but we are working at our own pace and she can recognize most and I am very pleased with the school and the teachers. She is taking speech and working with an ESL teacher four days a week. She has learned so much in the short time she has been home. She is one of the most loving children. Her sense of humor cracks me up. As for the boys, it seems as if they have been gone forever. Corey will be home on October 24 and Chris graduates from basic training on October 30th but leaves immediatley for Arizona until Christmas. It is so hard when you have to let your children go. I want them to be little again. I am very proud of them. Please pray for them and every soldier and also for every child to find their forever family.

School, Scissors and Soldiers

Can you say panic attack?! I have been close to one all week. School is hard!! She is expected to recognize the letters ABCDE in upper and lowercase and know the words I,am,dog and cat. All of this in three days! Might not sound like much but to her it is. Good grief. What happened to learning your colors and shapes in Kindergarten. It has been a while. My boys are almost nineteen but things have really changed. I am trying to keep a positive attitude but it's hard. I feel bad for her. She gets so frustrated. And to top it all off, she is having her pictures taken by a great photographer here in town tomorrow and what does she go and do? She cut her hair!! Right in the front! I couldn't believe it. She has had scissors for seven months and knew the rules and decides to cut it the day before her pictures. I can't reschedule or I lose my deposit and it was quite a bit. I called my hairdresser and she tried to cut her some longer bangs to hide the short ones. Help!!!
As for the boys, they are both gone now and I hate it. I haven't talked to Chris but once in a week. Corey is able to call about every three days. It's still not the same. I know it's hard for them too. I am proud of them but I miss them so much.
Please pray for all of the soldiers and for all of the parents who have children in Kindergarten!!

Beach, school and goodbyes

We are finally home! Deonna loved the beach. No fear at all. She would have stayed all day everyday if we could have. She was such a good girl. She loved my mom's pool and she slept late every morning!! I was very happy about that. She was very excited about eating shark at Aunt Catfish. Yum Yum!! The plane ride went great. If only it would have been that easy from Ukraine!
She had her Kindergarten orientation and testing. Everything went great. She will only go one day next week then start on a regular schedule after that. She is very excited. I am not as worried as I thought I would be. I know all of the teachers very well and I know she is ready.
Last, but not least, my boys are gone!! One is in the National Guard and he left on Sunday for eleven weeks. The other joined the Army and he leaves on Sunday and he will not be home until Christmas. I am so sad!! They both had college paid for and decided to do this. Don't get me wrong, I am very proud of them. But my heart is breaking!! I will miss them both so much!! I know they are having a hard time. Being twins, they have a bond that is unreal. Please pray for them and all of the soldiers!! God bless!!