Update on Our Clan. . . Bring on 2018. . .

I have been away for a bit, life happens and we must continue.  Some days are more difficult than others with regard to my work.  It is quite sad sometimes the situations I must hear about.  My sister keeps reminding me I am where I am for a reason and that God has put me in this job with  a purpose.  I still cry some days as I am making my way home and I will call my hubby on the way and cry to him about my day. He is my rock and my cheerleader on those days that are so difficult (grateful moment).   It is hard to believe I have been with this company for over a year now.  I kept thinking they were going to fire me for the first 9 months I worked there, you know the old dog new tricks.  I had my PCI review last night, I worked night shift last night.  I  had a good review and they are pleased with my performance and for that I am truly grateful, this job came at a time when my family needed the income and I needed to be able to help my family.  My very sweet hubby carried our family for fourteen years and I would not take that back for anything, I was there for my kids when they most needed their mom.   My schedule is pretty flexible so, I am still able to be there for my boys if they need me. (another grateful moment). 
The hubbs had a banner year with his job and we have made great strides in paying our house off and saving for college.  We are thrilled Sprat will be going to his number one pick college in August with a merit scholarship, it will not cover everything but it is a nice start (grateful moment).  Big T has soared this year in his new school, I never know what he is going to come home with.   Big T is learning how to interact with local business members of our community.  He has made presentations for the business leaders and for the various eighth grade classes in the County. Big T took a test that is given to seniors right before they graduate to see where they will be placed in college classes and did really well and does not have to take that test again (grateful moment). 
Yes, I am bragging just a little but we had a rough go of it last year and I am just extremely grateful for the blessings we have been given this year.   I have said many times that God will bring us to our knees so that He can lift us back up again.   We have been lifted and I am humbled by his grace. 
We are struggling these last few months with family troubles with extended family, so I ask for prayers, God knows what our families need.   I am praying for peace, comfort, and strength for our families.  I probably will not be back until after the New Year, lots going on with work and family.
I hope you have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Safe New Year. 

Feeling like things might actually be ok. . .

Do you ever feel, as a mom, you cannot do anything right?  I have been feeling that way for quite some time.   Every time you make a decision for your kids you run the risk of screwing them up.  On the other hand, you also may just save them from some of the heart aches that you endured at their age.  We want to protect them and we pray that they will make something of their lives and be happy doing it. 
My oldest is a teenager, that alien that takes over your precious little Angel at the age of 12 ish.   Teenagers don't think they need their parents and certainly don't want to be seen anywhere near them.  According to the teenager parents do not know anything and our only purpose is to drive them places  and be a never ending ATM.  Please do not take what I am saying wrong.  I love my kids, even my alien.   It's just some days, you feel like you have done everything wrong.
The point,  I guess, to all of my rambling is to share something my alien told my dear hubby.  They were talking football,  naturally, and were talking about a boy that is being recruited by several different Universities.   My hubby tells that he heard the boy is looking at a University that is close rather than the two that are farther away.  My alien wants to know why he would choose the close one.  Hubby puts it simply, he doesn't want to be that far from his mama.  Brace yourself, here comes the earth shattering little tid bit that makes me smile.  My alien says, "yep, I can understand that.  I don't blame him."   Could this possibly mean I did something right and that I have not ruined him for life?   I always have said my alien would be the one to go off some where far away for college and never come back.  Maybe there is hope that he will visit and he won't forget about his dear parents.
The jury is still out on our soon to be alien.  I think he has a few more years of tolerability before he makes that ugly transformation to pure alien.  If you have or have had teenagers you know what I mean, if not please don't judge.  You do not know until you have been there.   Love, hugs, and prayers to all of you in the trenches raising teens.  Hang in there, there is a light at the end of that tunnel.