[lucyjoy]

Ever notice how when one kid acts up the rest of them follow?

My 8 year old decided he wanted to see his former adoptive mother so I called her. She promptly sends a package. That softball left a lovely nose bruise and 2 black eyes, but hey...Then he cut his hand opened and crashed his bike(found out just what those helmets were good for).

My 13 year old stole my wedding ring earlier this month and was not happy to find out how many chores that was going to take to pay off as whatever he did with it, he apparently has no way of getting it back. He was angry that I left town without him and that I made him go to church camp without me. He liked the camp but still thinks I'll leave him or give him away.

My almost 15 year old has bi-polar and the doc thought summer was a nice time to change the meds. Maybe he'd like to observe the child himself as I can live without the violent rages. This darling child isn't up 5 minutes and he's arguing with his little brother. He threw a 2 hour rage and punched a hole in his wall yesterday because the 8 year old said he'd called him a brat.

On the upside, my 16 year old that keeps going back and forth as to whether I'm a good mom or he should kill me decided at church camp that he'd like to try having a relationship with God instead of evil. Hope it lasts for him.

The 16 year old twin is doing well but did get into a fight with his 17 year old brother yesterday morning(however, the older boy jumped him)

The angry 17 year old is having girl issues and doesn't handle relationship issues well. He's planned to move out this week but darn his car broke down last week in a bad area of town while driving to a concert he wasn't allowed to go to. Then someone tried to steal it breaking the steering colomn. Guess that's one way to learn a lesson. He also went to church camp and has a little better attitude since his return.

My other 17 year old ran away last week He stopped taking his meds and is angry with me for pulling his license and getting rid of the car he was driving. In the 3 months he had his license, he had 2 tickets, hit 2 cars, and got drunk and played car tag(they were really playing tag hitting each other)and crashed head on into a dumpster. He tried stealing the car last Monday but the police stopped him at 4 am and called us. Even though he had been drinking, they refused to take him in.
They did ticket him for driving at 4am as it's not legal for kids under 18 to do that here(but they can live wherever they want). He split later that day without the car. He did come get his stuff yesterday as it was his 17th birthday. He did threaten to come back and steal other stuff he wanted by whatever means necessary. He threatened to burn down the house last year when he was off his meds.

My 21 year old is expecting his first child in Nov. A boy, of course which I intend to spoil rotten. My son, however, is having surgery this month to repair his shoulder using muscle from his chest. Sounds very painful.

My 22 year old is enjoying the new family he latched onto. He seems happier then he did a few months ago so if it works for him, it's all good with me.

So, that was all in the last week and a half. Who knew this could be so much fun?!

[SuzBerg]

Thank you for making my life seem easy! I will never (well maybe not never) complain that my life is hard again! Your boys are blessed to have you for a mom. I enjoy reading your posts. Hope your week gets easier!

[crick]

Lucy -are you the ringmaster or the clown?

[lucyjoy]

Unfortunately, I seem to have lost the control. Guess that makes me the clown!!

[Barksum]

Wow. Are you tired? I'm worn out just reading about it! Hope things level out for awhile so you can get your breath for the act in the next ring!!

[Indy]

I don't know how you do it. Here I am working with porno material, lying, stealing, general teenager behavior and I feel at wits end. Then there is you, who is dealing with so much more and living through it. I don't know whether to tell you congratulations or extend my condolences. Like Barki, I was wore out just reading the post.

I really don't have any advice, as it sounds like you are handling everything. I am amazed! You are in our thoughts and prayers. I don't have anything else to offer.

[lambeausam]

I sure hope next week is better! Is the son that punched the wall one of your experienced drywall repair guys? If not, I bet he will be when you get done with him. Also, why is it doctors think changing medication is best done when the kids have the least structure, such as vacation or school breaks. I really think the doctors should get to babysit for the week of med changes, or at least until they get the right combination/dosage.

Sounds like you are on the verge of a MAJOR ice cream party! Shall I dust off my scoop?

Sam

[crick]

Sam - You are right! Lucy needs a huge sundae! Get out your scoop & I'll bring the whipped cream.

Lucy - No, no...it's the clown who really controls the circus. The ringmaster just thinks he has control and then gets eaten by the lion. The clown gets eaten too, but can at least laugh about it. Which really brings him back to the control. See?
(I went to school for this! lol!)

Hope today brings you at least 1 kid who is having a "normal" day and that the 17 year old doesn't go too long without his meds. Sigh...and the police? Well, that shocks me...usually they love to arrest people for dui's. Absurd...

[ajjhmf]

Ok, I'm never going to complain again. Lucy, I don't know how you do it. You're a beacon of light to us all. I second the Ice Cream Party. You deserve it!

Blessings,
Jenny

[Lorraine123]

LucyJoy -

I think we all joined the circus when we decided that we wanted these special needs children to become a part of our families.

I have said many times that my household is like a 3-ring circus. Granted, some of our circuses are more active than others, but we all have circuses nonetheless.

Really, could you imagine a day without a crisis of some sort???? (although I would give it a shot).

You are an awesome mom. Keep up the good work you do with your boys.

Lorraine

[lucyjoy]

Glad someone thought this sounded exhausting. I was beginning to think this tiredness was old age setting in early(I've only been 29 for 8 times or so).

Sam-dust off the scoop-or never mind, a spoon to the carton might work.

Crick-the police here don't arrest kids hardly ever for anything as Juvi is always full of repeat offenders and has no room. It's a court problem as the police would love to haul them all in. I will give them credit, though, as they do take me seriously, don't blame stuff on me, and are at my house in less them 5 minutes if I tell them a kid is out of control. That keeps me from getting seriously injured at least. However, they also inform me that assaulting parents and running away is a common teen occurrance where we live-hmm, wonder why? Maybe if they actually enforced the laws it might help?

Of the 7 who are suppose to live here right now, 4 are usually not any trouble at all but once in a while just really have a major brain lapse and usually at the same time. The other 3? Well, 2 need serious meds and the 3rd is in the hands of God as there is nothing but his soul that could bring about change for him. It's not a medicatible problem.

I think after the psyc doc babysits for a week, the Mo govenor and the representives that voted to cut subsidies can take a turn. I could use the rest.

Lorraine-I don't remember signing that circus paper and they failed to cover it in my pre adopt classes!! Guess I should have read that fine print!! I agree with you, though. Who'd have ever thought of all the weird stuff these kids come up with!?!

Thanks for the support. I really need some right now to keep me sane.

[lambeausam]

Well, my friend, this is the best I can do with our distance. So, enjoy your cyber ice cream!

Okay, I tried to insert a picture here and now it's not working