Been a while ...

Since it's been a while since I've updated what's going on, thought I would before I take Ryan to work.  May brings Connor's lacrosse season to an end with his last game being Saturday.  Hard to believe it's over but I'm looking forward to less to do each afternoon.  Earlier this week Connor and Kelleigh had their Art Fair where some of their paintings and ceramic masks were displayed.  They both love art and it was fun to see the variety. 

Connor's team's chalk art from the movie "Despicable Me" ...

Kelleigh's painting ...

We received the approval for the boys to both attend Mt. Carmel next year.  Today is Ryan's Change of Placement meeting and his schedule will be determined for next year.  Both boys will play football and Ryan will attend Summer School.  The kids get out of school on June 9th and both football and summer school begin on the 13th.  So much for any breaks!  C and K are both going to church camp for a week in July so Mark and I will have a chance to get away for a few days.

The challenges with Ryan continue.  His behavior and choices continue to spiral downward and got to a point the beginning of May where I told him to leave.  He packed up his backpack, took his Xbox and left.  I am over being disrespected and told him not to return until he was ready to do things our way.  I knew where he would go but told him I wasn't going to come after him.  I took his phone and transfered the money from his checking account.  He quickly realized he wasn't a street kid, slept in his friend's car, bought and used drugs, did a lot of walking, was hungry and tired by the time 48 hours rolled around and he called from a pay phone asking to come home.  He slept in the backyard until we met with his drug counselor.  He agreed that he couldn't make good choices on his own and was ready for help.  That lasted about a week and we are quickly approaching the same point again.  Prior to being kicked out he was caught shoplifting but, despite my request, they refused to press charges.  So much for a lesson learned.  To make matters worse, he knew that Kelleigh had been doing drugs for several months and didn't tell us.  She is now being watched and knows she'll be put in a program if it happens again.  Frankly, it's exhausting.  At least he shows up and takes his job seriously.

I helped my dear friend, Jill, last Sunday when we had to take their dear cat to be put to sleep.  He had kidney failure and was so very sick we almost didn't make it there.  I got their family this sweet frame and put a picture of him in it to give them yesterday.  I felt honored to be the only other person he would let be near him besides his family!  He was a beautiful, and huge!, cat and I'll miss my visits with him.

Buddy decided to join Jake in his Bat Cave ...

 Other than that, just the usual day-to-day stuff.  Lots of driving, enjoying the warm weather, and trying to get some house projects done that I've been putting off.