I feel like a newlywed!

It is pathetic when a cabinet of new dishes is an exciting event! It's been maannnyyy years since we've had a new set of plates, bowls, glasses, and placemats/napkins. Sure I've added to our set as they get broken, but it was becoming a mish-mash of things. So....take a look at the newly lined cabinet and our new dishes...

Isn't it so neat and fresh looking? Now...look at these gorgeous placemats (the napkins were a nuisance to find in black and brown but I eventually succeeded!) ...

Perhaps I'll be inspired to cook more now!

Fair & visit with Ryan

Thursday we took the kids to the Del Mar Fair. Connor was excited as he was an "Exhibitor" this year. His plaster mask based on "cubism" that he made in art class was entered and he won Second Place! We didn't know until we got there that he had ribbon'd so he was very excited.

Of course the kids did rides, we ate funnel cake, icies, pizza, burger, cinnamon rolls, bbq, and a hot dog. Walked through exhibits, petted animals and looked at what vendors were offering but were disappointed at there being no vintage car exhibit. Weather was perfect and we were tired when we got home!

Yesterday Mark and I went to see Ryan. He is doing good and we met other parents and boys throughout the morning. Following the meeting, everyone has lunch together then he asked if we would take him to get his hair cut and to get a couple of button-down shirts. He was disappointed that we couldn't stay longer but felt we needed to go with the younger two at home. Unfortunately it took 2.5 hours to get home with traffic. We will alternate visits from now on and next month the younger two can go if they want to.

It appears it's going to be a very warm day. We have friends coming over for dinner so will stop and get some things for that and maybe spend a little time with the kids in the pool.

Busy day!

Today was a busy day at our house! Mark had two doctor appointments and then went to do his consulting job. The kids and I went to the teacher store and got some math workbooks for the summer before heading over to see the new Toy Store 3 movie. It was actually a tear-jerker at the end! Then home for a little pool time when I got a text from Will and a picture of Ryan. He was up at the house today visiting the guys and seeing how Ry was doing. I was so surprised! Later in the afternoon we headed to Target for some bins to organize my office and craft things. Blanche went with us and we had some Cold Stone ice cream when we were finished. Since I was too full from ice cream for dinner, went into my office and did some organizing! You'll have to go to my craft blog to see the pictures tho (link at left)!

Father's Day

Happy Father's Day! It has been a quiet day around our house. Talked to my Dad and am busy making chicken cacciatore for dinner for Mark. He got himself a new, big computer monitor so that was his gift! Ryan called to wish him a Happy Father's Day and thank him for the opportunity to be there. A dear friend gave Kelleigh a beautiful white desk and chair for her room so she's thrilled. She's asked for a desk for a long time but I never found one that thrilled me. This one is perfect! It will lead to more of a cleaning opportunity than she thinks!

We were surprised to get a call this morning from Ryan who wanted to know if we were coming up this morning for the "Parent Meeting" (held each Saturday). I guess they didn't tell him we weren't "allowed" as he needs more time to settle in. I told him we'd be there next Saturday and he asked to call him back this afternoon. He said he was happy and liked the guys. All good news!

Late afternoon ... I talked to Ry and he told me about his roommates, he doesn't have a daily job assigned yet as you have the first week "off", he likes the meetings, asked if we were coming up next week, what we'd been doing, and then said he had to go! Surprisingly it made me a little sad when we were done but that's okay. He's happy and that's what is important.

I received this text a little bit ago re Ryan - "So far he is doing really well. He has a good attitude and has not been any kind of problem." Makes us very happy! If things continue to go well, he'll be able to call us on Monday.

A better day

I am feeling much better today and am at peace with our decision. I know Ryan is in God's hands now. I think about him all the time and know there will be hard times but we'll all be okay.

Remember the cute little nest I posted below? There are two babies with mom now! Only one shows in the picture but how cute is this?

A sad but hopeful day

Here is the picture I made for Ryan to take with him today. For those reading this who did not get an email, I will repeat the news below. Keep him in your prayers as he begins this journey...


It is with a heavy heart, and lots of hope, that I write to tell you that today we took Ryan to Torrance to enter a residential drug rehab program. As many of you know, he has been struggling with drug addiction since he told us eight months ago that he’d been involved for many years. Upon being transferred to Mt. Carmel due to a series of bad choices at RBHS, we enrolled him in an Intensive Outpatient Program of which this was his 18th week. While we saw improvement in many areas and are immensely grateful for the tremendous efforts and support shown by the program’s staff, it was time for the next step. It is an 18-month program of which we will assess at Christmas how he is doing and if he will continue there. We will have the opportunity to visit him on Saturdays for family group meetings as well as write and talk to him as those privileges are earned. He realizes this is what he needs although he is sad to be leaving home.

Mark and I are struggling with the fact we may never have him living in our home again but know that we must do this to save him. Now it’s up to him and he was ready to go. While you prepare to say goodbye to your kids as they graduate, nothing prepares you for that at 16. As you can imagine, this has been a difficult time for our family. Addiction is a family affair. The youngest two have been very patient with the level of effort needed for Ryan but now it is time to focus on them as well. While his contact with those outside of his immediate family is not allowed for a while, if you would like to send me a letter or note I will happily include with our correspondence to him. I know it would help him along his journey. I will post updates on our family blog should you want to check in from time to time – www.californiaodonnellclan.blogspot.com.

Thank You to all of you – teachers, coaches, counselors, friends – who have worked so hard to help him over the last year. It is our prayer that this experience will give us the successful young man that we know he can be.

Yippee!

It's the last day of school! No more getting up early...until Monday when Ryan starts Summer School! Mark's district goes until the 18th then he'll be off as well. Kelleigh wasn't able to go today as she's had a high fever for two days. Despite tylenol and a cool bath, her fever hovered at 102 degrees. Finally this morning it went below that and she's feeling "better". I've never had to do the bath thing to get any of my kid's temp down so it was a little unnerving. She was sad to not say goodbye to her friends for the summer but nothing that renting "New Moon" didn't take her mind off of!

I am excited that my Skype is up and running and "talked" to my parents today! Pretty amazing that you can see and talk to folks in real time clear across the country. Love it!