It was a busy day as we got Ryan set up with his school and counseling schedules. He'll meet with his teacher - whom we both really liked - each Monday from 9:30-noon. He completed an on-line application for Ralph's so tomorrow I'll take him by to talk to the store manager about any possible openings for part-time work. He came up with a schedule that also included his AA meetings and work-outs so we'll tweek it as the week goes on.

Dad had his first treatment for the bladder cancer this morning and it went well - ten minutes once he got called back - so can't beat that! One down, five to go! I'm also excited that my sister has business in San Diego on 12/13 so she's going to spend the weekend before that with us. Kelleigh has her sights set on lots of shopping...and of course we have to get Aunt Crystol her raspberry creams from See's!

It's hard to believe it's been nearly a week since Ryan came home. I am constantly amazed at how much he has changed over the last five months. He is responsible, helpful, considerate, and enjoying time with his siblings. He has gone to several AA meetings, met up with his sponsor (who is a New Life graduate), met a new guy at church today, and tomorrow will begin his independent study. I pray it just keeps getting better!

This weekend the Christmas decorations got put up. The worst part is always dragging all the things out but I'm always happy when it's done and enjoy the change.

Welcome Home Ryan!

Ryan has been homesick for a while and we have been working with the program Director as well as his counselor about the best time to bring him home. His counselor went up today and, after discussing what life would be like if he returned home versus staying in the program, he chose to give home a try. We are welcoming back a very different young man than the one we took in June. We are very proud of his progress and excited to have him home! We have a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving.

Exciting phone call

We were excited today to get a call from Ryan's birth-great grandmother who lives in Germany. We had missed a couple of her calls and am so glad Mark was home when she called today. She is putting together a package of pictures for Ryan and told me how the other family members are doing (most of which was sad news). We are happy to be able to share pictures and make up for all the years we weren't in touch and look forward to a relationship with her.

Two weeks ago I took Ryan to get his picture taken for his junior year. He looks great and told us yesterday he is down to 225 lbs. which is amazing given he was over 260 when he got there five months ago. Picture below is he and the kids yesterday and Kelleigh with the guys' pet dog, Leah.

The kids have the week off and Kelleigh gets her cast off tomorrow - hurray! Got the last few things for Thanksgiving dinner today. Need to finish up a couple Christmas gifts since December is around the corner...yikes!

Today was an upsetting day as I talked to both Ryan and his house manager. Ryan admitted to me that he is very, very homesick and wants to come home. The manager is concerned he is not fully committed to the program and he needs to show he is or will be asked to leave. Since this is the program many boys come to when all the others fail, that was very upsetting news. I explained to Ryan that we love him too much to let him come home before he's better. There is no doubt between the holidays and the fact visits are so great since relationships are being healed that he thinks it would stay that way if he came home. Telling him he couldn't was very hard to do as we'd all love for him to be back. Saturday we will talk to him again so please pray that he finds peace and the desire to stay and change.

Cast #3

As you can see, Kelleigh is sporting cast #3. Because her wrist still hurts, she has a short cast for two more weeks. I imagine she'll have a wrist brace after this. At least the pink is nicer than the orange and black one!

I've been busy working on Christmas gifts as I wanted to give as many handmade items this year as I could. It's been productive and a fun way to spend my evenings. Would be so nice to have everything finished by the end of November . . . at least that's what I'm shooting for!

Had a nice visit with Ryan over the weekend. We went to Penney's and got his "junior" year picture taken as his school doesn't offer them for independent study students. Of course every family west of the Mississippi was there with their kids doing Christmas card pictures. It was a test in patience as one mother of a newborn changed her child into 15 different outfits. He looks great and has lost over 25 lbs. I'll post a picture when they arrive.

Friday the kids are off so a friend and I will be working on 50 ladybug baby shower invitations for her daughter. Here is the prototype:

Fortunately I have a machine to cut out the black body and red "shell" but it will still take us a while to assemble them. Her shell lifts up for the shower info. Cute isn't it?!

How did it get to be November already? The kids enjoyed what little bit of trick-or-treating they did last night and helped at a friend's with their haunted house. I'm not sure we even had 30 kids come by as most of them are too old now and no one ever wants to walk up our hill for a piece of candy! The kids were home by 8:00p, ate a couple pieces of candy, and that was that! Kelleigh was very annoyed that folks thought she was a pumpkin and asked me why they had to make her "bun" orange? I told her she should have asked them if they'd ever seen a pumpkin with lettuce and tomatos on them!

Mark and Connor went up yesterday morning to spend the day with Ryan and one of his housemates. They went to lunch at Johnny Rockets then to see the Facebook movie. Ryan was very excited and called me today to tell me what a great time he had. I spent the day working on some Christmas gifts as I'm trying to make as many this year as possible. My motivation is that it will not only force me to do something I enjoy but also be more meaningful to the recipients. Time will tell!

The maids were here this morning so my house is sparkly for a few minutes. Kell is counting down the days until she gets her cast off next Monday. I think I'm more excited than she is as I've seen enough of an orange and black arm!