[Lilathe]

busy busy busy just like Louise :P
oh and we have a new one --- all the way at the bottom-- little 4 year old girl, cute as a bug....

(not real names)
Ann, our 16 year old is learning to drive, she goofed off and didn't get her learners permit until she turned 16, so she is just not driving with adults and won't get a "real" license till January. She is doing MUCH better emotionally, back to being just that really great kid she was before her first mother stopped visits. She is in all "gifted and talented" classes and making A's and B's. She hurt her knee badly last year in athletics so won't be doing sports this year.

Diane (15) is keeping her teachers on their toes. She has an IQ of about 160 and can use it to confuse her teachers or parents into letting her do things we really didn't mean to.... Thank goodness she is a low problem child or we would be in for it. If she ever gets ready to let loose on us, we will all be in trouble hehe. She choreographs dance and movies with the younger children, some of her home movies are truly professional quality.

Rose (12) still working on some issues around boys and men. But has made huge strides in relationships with other children her age. She still tries to put herself in vulnerable situations with males, so she isn't allowed to go anyplace without at least a 16 year old supervising. She is simply beautiful and attracks boys like flies, so it makes it harder that she is functioning at 6-7 years old mentally, plus being provacative to any older males she is exposed to. But it is improving, slowly but surely.

Lynn (12) ahhh such a joy... so sweet, loving and kind to everyone else. She is playing basketball and soccer this year and forgetting to read her books for her English grade at school. hehe. She is doing better in school than what we hoped, and is maintaining A's,B's and an occassional C in regular class placement.

Nichole (10) such a little helper, she wants to do everything around the house. I actually have to MAKE her quit helping clean. She enjoys cleaning (imagine that). She is playing basketball, volleyball and taking art this year. She has some issues with lying and attention seeking behaviors at school that we are working on with counseling. She was mild RAD/attachment disordered at placement and we have had a few ongoing issues with it, but thankfully most are gone other than the lies. She makes us smile every day now.

Marie (10) such a joy. How she managed to come out of her life with a smile on her lips and no major lingering issues, I will never know. So funny, loving, kind. I think she has only had consequences for a behavior once in the last 5 months.... She struggles in school but works hard. She will be playing sports with her sisters.

Collette (9) just my little angel. A bit bossy and wanting to tell the other children what to do at times, but other than that just the most wonderful child imaginable. School is a bit hard for her because of the lead poisoning before she came here, but she is working up to her potential. She is also an awesome basketball player.

Gabriella (8) running out of ways to say what a joy my kids are.... Gabby is such a "mother" type to the younger children. She begs to be allowed to pick out their clothes or sit beside them in the car. (she was the baby for a long time) she thinks they are her little baby dolls to play with. She is making straight A's in school though her reading is a bit slow. She will be playing basketball as well, and if you have the ball, she WILL get it from you.

J (7) a smile that just lights up the room. His teachers say when they are getting stressed, they just look at him and get a quick pick me up. He wants to grow up to be a priest or a firefighter and throws a ball like a professional. He is really struggling in school even though we held him back a year. His psych is running tests this year for learning disabilities.

Chad (5) such a sweet smart little boy.... hugs and kisses galore for anyone that will let him.... but such a bundle of energy and NEVER shuts up. laugh.... makes me want to bang my head some days ... but all in all a sweet, kind, compassionate little boy. He loves playing with smaller children, being so easy and helpful with them. He likes it best if they will let him play "daddy" and get their stuff for him. He wants to grow up to be a Dad, and according to him he is going to be a great Dad.

B (4) our newest... what a bundle of energy. Our "challenge" for a bit... . Screams bloody murder if she wants something that someone else has. Screams if she wants a drink. Screams if someone opens the door and she isn't going out it. Screams if you try to brush her hair. Screams if you don't brush her hair... hehe she just screams. but it is getting better. She is learning to take turns, to stand in line at school.... her first week in pre-k (she needs speech and the school offers it) she went to the princials office no less than 6 times.... some kind of new record I think. She is in a class of only 7 children and two teachers, so they are really working with her and with us to help her. I don't think it is any long term issue but rather just from her life before and being bounced about. We are just holding our breath for the first three months (rofl).
But she does crawl up in my lap at least 5 times a day and say "I just love you so much" and draws me pictures at school... it is all worth it.

[louise]

lovely update....thanks.

[Late Bloomer]

I don't know how you do it Lilathe! What a wonderful update. You have certainly found your calling...