What is "normal" today?

As parent of a grown gifted child, an ADHD child, and a bi-polar child who is gifted, I feel that my family will never be the "normal" that our society thinks it should be.  Our life is often kaotic, hectic, and messy.  I home school my two boys that are home, but yet I am thankful that they are home and not in this world that has become the outside.

I feel that the families in our society that we live in is no where near "normal".  Their families may not have the type of dynamics that my family is, but isn't that what makes us who we are?

I feel the word "normal" is way over rated, often we find ourselves wishing for the "normal" that others have, but truth be known  the grass is not greener on the other side. 

We all have what is "normal" in our life for our family.  My life may be hectic, messy, and often misunderstood by others, I accept it for the "normal" that it is, and I do not yearn to be in others shoes.    We all have our issues or matters that are different and God gives us we can handle on  a "normal" basis, and nothing more than that.

So if you find yourself thinking that your life will never be "normal", don't believe it for the life you have is "normal" for you and no else's "normal" would fit.  So hang in there and don't get discouraged, we are all normal just maybe a different kind of normal.

We are Blessed

Today is December 31st, the day before the New Year.  As I look back through this year I realize how much God has blessed me.  We have been through a lot of turmoil and God has helped us make it through it and made us stronger.

On November 27  I became very sick; I thought I had the flu.  I just babied myself and laid around for two days and figured I would feel better as the next day came.  I was wrong it just got worst. On the end of the second day I couldn't stand up on my own and the doctor said go to the emergency room.  I have been told this on a few other occasions and in the back of my head I almost didn't go because I thought they would just send me home.

My brother took me and my sister-in-law took the boys just in case; what a blessing because they did admit me.  I had to have emergency surgery for an abscessed intestine with a hole in it that was leaking poison into my stomach.  If I hadn't come in it could of killed me.  My family and friends rushed to the hospital to be with me while I waited for surgery; God puts so many people at your side when you need them, even strangers! 


God sent me an Angel that day, a doctor from Cleveland Clinic.  The emergency doctor was going to send me home, and a doctor from Cleveland Clinic came in and said he thought that the doctor was wrong and I should get a second opinion.  I told him yes I would like one and he examined me and said I need a surgeon now.  He also advised me to get an infectious doctor.   A half hour later and I was in surgery.  If it was not for the Cleveland Clinic doctor I would of died!  My boys would of not had a mother anymore and I would not be here to guide them to adulthood. 

I spent five days in the hospital and I thanked the doctor for saving my life.  The doctor said, I did not save you God did, he sent me to you that day.  I said yes he did he sent me an Angel and gave the doctors the knowledge to help me.

I came home from the hospital with a temporary colostomy, and a pic for antibiotics that I had to take through an IV for two weeks.  My mom came up to take care of me from Florida for 2 weeks. My sister-in- law came over everyday to help do the IV and do any running around that I needed.  She continues to help me as I get well.

All my family and friends have been here to help me as I re cooperate and God heals me. I am also thankful for the people (angels) that help you even when you don't know they are there; the silent helpers.
I am so thankful for this second chance to be able to finish raising my family and have the time to spend with everyone.

So as the New Year comes in I praise God for all the people that are in my life and all the Angels he has sent  to help me.  I know that God has a bigger plan for me and I will wait patiently while he reveals it.

Have Perseverance and know God is Always with you.  Be Strong, Be Safe, Be Thankful for all your have. Give your family and friends a hug, tell you love them daily.    Live today as if it was your last day, for we are blessed by everyday that God give us.   Do not hold grudges for life is short.  Give thanks to God daily for all you have, for you are truly blessed.

 Have a Great New Year.

TOUGH COOKIES

We are not in the land of Oz any more and it has been a very hard transition from one place or another.  The children enjoyed being able to have more freedom and I didn't have to worry about where they were or who they were with.

My home was robbed and I had to rush home without being ready to transition from one place to another easily.  It is very hard to get over someone coming in your house and going through your things.  I have insurance but it just can't replace items that had sentimental values.  I am very nervous when I unlock the door in the fear that someone has been in my home.  They where very careful not break anything and to make all look normal, I didn't notice I had been robbed until I went in my room.

I can not get over the feeling of being violated, and every time I think I am over it I find something else missing that I didn't realize.  Although we are fine and safe it took some time before the children where able to sleep in their rooms.  I guess it just goes back to how safe we was in the land of Oz and how violated I now feel in the Big Cold World. I know we will get through it but it is such an awful feeling, when something like this happens.

The eye opener though is how many people run to your assistance and lend a helping hand emotionally and physically.  I am very thankful to those who helped me fix items and feel more secure.  I am also thankful to all who listened and let me cry on their shoulders and gave me emotional support.  Thank You for continuing to get me through all the emotions of being angry, mad, and sad.  I feel blessed that we was not here when it occurred and that God kept us safe.

My family and I are tough cookies we will get through this and move on to the next challenge.  REMEMBER, God is always out there; he provides us with courage, faith, support,strength, family and friends. Also remember my favorite word, "PERSEVERANCE".

Summer is Almost Over

It has been a wonderful summer, I have really enjoyed spending time with my children.  We have been able to renew our bond with each other, without the hassles of a hurried life.   It is unfornunate that very often as parents we loose the bond that we once had with our children when they were younger.

Our lives become very rushed with having to be here or there for this or that.  I feel it is very important to be able to bond with your children and reconnect as often as possible to have a healthy relationship for you can handle the up and downs as they are thrown at you.

I will be going back to work shortly and know that my life will again become hectic and busy trying to squeeze everything in a day.  I can not believe how quickly summer has went by, the leaves are changing colors more and more everyday.  I know that winter is next and I am not looking forward to leaving campground Oz in a few short months.

We will all have to adjust to city life, and I am sure it will be a little rough for all of us until we get used the hustle and bustle.  As the cold winter days go by we will be counting the days until we can return here.

It makes me very sad to know the day to return to the city is getting close, I wish we could stay here all year. I feel my family is very protected from all the issues out there in the Big Cold World.

I am sure though if we here all year we would not enjoy OZ as much as we do now.  Enjoy what is left of the summer, I know we will.

It's Great Being 10 Years Old!

John is having a great summer here at Campground Oz, we live at camp during the summer.  We hate going to town, and love the relaxed environment that we have here.

John loves being 10 years old, he feels he has more freedom and can do more things independently.  He has really taken off this year.  He has finally started swimming on his own although he knew how last year. He was just so scared of everything that he was afraid to try.  He was swimming on top and one of my dearest friends gave him a swim mask and now he is swimming like a fish.

He also decided to ride his bike which has been a battle for about 3 years.  He was telling his friend how to ride his, so I said "John that sounds like good advice you should try that yourself".  He then went and got his bike, got on it and rode it!  I was amazed, I was yelling "He's riding his bike, John your doing it"!   It has been a great summer here! 

John has not had any melt downs and in fact both children are doing well.  I am sure there will be many adjustments in November.  I wish we could be here all year round.

Hope everyone else is enjoying the summer, enjoy your children they grow up very fast.

They think they are adults

Ahh, teenagers.  It takes a great deal of tolerance to raise them, patience, and the ability to let things go.  It is always good to remember that the next day starts anew, and you get to start over and try again.


It is amazing how soon they want the privileges of being an adult, but not the responsibilities of an adult.  It is very hard for them to see why they can't have those rights.  It takes a lot of patience to finish raising them, without wanting to  throw your hands up!


I feel our society has given our children too much freedom and they grow up so much faster than we did when we were younger.  Our children are still not mature enough to handle the outside world.


I have raised one teenager already and I have two more to go.  God will give me the strength I hope to finish the job, for this one is a lot different from my oldest.   He has no sense of time no matter what I do, to help him remember what time it is, I guess that is part of the ADHD.


One more thing to remember is that every child is different so what worked for the last teenager is not going to work for the next one.  Sometimes by the time you figure out what approach to use they are grown.


Oh well, we will get through it, for God never gives us more than we can handle.
Good Luck to all experiencing raising a teenager.  I wish you peace, patience, tolerance, moxy and the ability to let go of their mistakes.

Summer

I apologize for the long pause since my last post.  We are now in campground land until October.  I love it here, it is very relaxing.  The children have a great deal of freedom with a less restrictive environment.  The boys are doing great.

  I will be home schooling both children in school this year through Treca academy.  John is still excelling and will be restarting school in July, he is currently in the 5th grade at the half way mark.  He will pick up where he left off, that is the beauty of Treca the children can work at their own rate.

I hope everyone is enjoying the summer as we are and having a chance to relax.