I'm so glad it's Friday! It's been a long week for me. Marissa is on a field trip and doesn't get picked up until 10:30 tonight so I have to stay up late for me! LOL I also might have to get up super early since I volunteered to help my sister at the kennel this weekend. It will be fun though. I like working there and I like working with my sister. It's not so much like work!

It's a pay week too which is awesome! So I just may take a small shopping trip this weekend just because I could! Also I have Kevin this weekend and he's totally not a homebody (so getting out of the house helps things a bit)

Last night I went to my sis' house to hang out, watch t.v. and chat. I brought my new laptop to show her. We both got talking about the possibility of both her and I being out of work this Spring and we brainstormed some ideas. They're dreams at this point, but these dreams actually have a chance at coming true. I'm praying on it and know that God has a plan. We'll just have to wait and see if number one (we are layed off) and number two (this new door opens as we think it could)! It's pretty exciting anyway! I could barely sleep last night.

I've had some self realizations this week and I've also had some very difficult talks with G about my feelings. I am so lucky that he is so understanding of my healing process and that he continues to show me that his love for me really is unconditional.

Kevin has been very angry with me again, but apparently he's been acting the same with his father. So he's pretty much just trying to manipulate us into getting what he wants. I touched base with his teacher though and she assured me that I'm experiencing a different kid than she is (Thank God for small favors!) She said he's doing well academically and has been positive, social, helpful etc. So I know that is a good thing and we will just keep working with him and being consistent with love and discipline.

These are just the troubles of an 8 year old. I'm learning (not just through being a teacher) that troubles of a teenager can be much more difficult and disturbing. Luckily Marissa is still a good girl (and I pray she stays this way) but I'm almost a step mom now too... And G's daughter is more like Kevin I'd say. She doesn't like boundaries or respect authority. She also doesn't like losing her phone and computer and friend privileges. But G is consistent with punishment and we just keep finding her sneaking and doing things that she knows she's not supposed to do. Sneaking around and lying...but to our face tell us how good she's being. I know that she has been through a lot and continues to go through a lot. But I also know that G is there for her like no father I've ever known. He's so tolerant and patient and fair, but not a push-over. He's proactive with problems. He takes his children to therapy. He's had her evaluated for depression. He spends quality time with her. He believes the best in her. I pray for him and for her...that soon she steps up to the plate.