So much done today

I'm trying to get a lot done before we go to the hospital next week.  I'm trying to make sure that since we'll miss our usual grocery shopping day, I have enough for Brian and the kids while I'm gone.  Trying to get as much ready as possible.  Next week is washing Cole's blanket to bring to the hospital.

Today, we got the house cleaned, monthly shopping done, downstairs steam cleaned and my haircut.  I always trim in between cuts.  I just can't justify going and spending $25 every 6 weeks.  So I usually trim the back in between so I can wait about 3 months between cuts.  I always do fine, but I had it too short in the middle of my neck.  Brian was really afraid, so I had Kaelin cut  it.  Yep, I told my 11 year old how to do it and she confidently put the scissors in one hand, took a comb in the other, straightened my curls and trimmed away.  She really didn't do bad at all.  Brian could NOT believe she even attempted it.  So am I stupid, brave or very trusting?

So tired and glad the day is over and so looking forward to next week being over and Cole being okay.

17 Years

of Cole.

He was my first born.  Like all of the other kids, he'll always be my baby.

Love my Cole Cole and I hope he has many more wonderful birthdays.  it took a little extra effort to get these candles out.  I just grabbed some and didn't realize they were relights.  And they, apparently, were really good ones!

Making an effort

to get back into taking pictures.  Not professional, but fun snapshots of the kids.  I've just not taken the time to grab the camera in so long and poor Jaemin really is the typical baby and has fewer pictures than the other kids, so I'm going to really, really try.

Cole's Therapy

We decided that between Cole spending so much time at his friend's house so he can play pool and needing something for him to do inside while he recovers from his surgery, it would be good to get a pool table.  We had been thinking about it for awhile and kinda watching, but we kicked it in a little bit when there was more of a reality he'd probably need his heart fixed again.

We finally found a good deal on a table on craig's list and put it up today.  We had to do a lot of purging, which really just meant throwing out puzzles that were missing half the pieces, etc.  Not a big sacrifice.  We actually were able to rearrange the rec room to make a little more sense and now there's about an 8x10 living room area (seriously small I know) and then the bookshelf with some toys and books is lined up in the hall from the garage and then the pool table area.  But it works and the kids are super happy....at least the older 3 that can play pool.  We figured with 5 kids, it would be a good investment and way to spend more time together and also to get to know their friends.  We played several rounds tonight and had a lot of laughs.  Mostly at the expense of Chase and I because we're so bad, but who's really keeping track.  The boys thought the gloves that came with the set were pretty funny, but then got attached to them saying they could shoot better.  And one of these days someone will have to google what the set of tiny balls are for.  I have no idea.

We were playing a game where we each had a number and you had to make sure it didn't get knocked in.  If it did you were out.  Brian couldn't remember which one his was, so I reminded them they needed to keep better track of their balls and well, Chase couldn't stop laughing.  Such a 13 year old.

And when I asked the big  boys to show me their gloves, little man Jae had to join in with his brothers.  That his hand front and center.

And my little Jae loves his picture taken and despises wearing clothes.  This is usually all he'll wear.  Needs new Ninja Turtle pants.

Such an awesome gift!!

Korea found a baby (younger) picture of Jaemin.  I've never had one until he was 5 months old and sitting up in Seoul.  Nothing prior to Seoul.  I had asked before and they said they had nothing.  But, I asked again and they found this.  It looks to be newborn and he looks so much like Chels (side by side).  He IS SO cute and looks just like the Jaemin I love today.  My heart just beats.

this is my truth

Maybe if I actually write it all out, I'll accept it and give my my own hopes and dreams for my kids and let them have their own.  I shouldn't even say hopes and dreams as much as  letting them suffer the repercussions of their actions or nonactions.

I love my kids, I love my husband, but we are not perfect.  We're not perfect spouses, we do not have a perfect marriage and we do not have perfect children nor are we perfect parents.  My struggle is and has been, for a long time, watching Cole  struggle so much in school.  I sometimes wish I had known then what I know now.  I wish I had known that heart conditions come with neuro delays in emotional  and social areas and ADHD is extremely common to go along with the difficulties of a heart condition as serious as his.  Maybe then, I would have gotten an IEP.  Then, when he was younger would he have gotten more help and been a more  confident student.  Maybe he just really never did care?  Maybe it's time that I just let go and realize that regardless of his inattention to school and the ability to really dig in and study due to his heart condition or maybe not due to his heart condition, there is nothing I can do.  I can't help him.  I can't change things.  We have bribed him in every way possible.

It is no doubt that since he found out about having his surgery his grades have slid.  He's been able to barely get that B average and slide in there, but now it's not even that.  It's not terribly lower, but lower.  I know he's scared.  He won't say it.  He won't admit it, but what teenager wouldn't be scared of something so big they've never encountered before?  I know some teenagers take this kind of life and flourish.  They don't let it get to them.  He's just not that kind of kid.  I don't think he really doesn't think he has to get good grades and do something with his life.  I think a part of him, right now is paralyzed with some fear.

I need to let go.  I need to let go of the hope of him becoming 'that' kid.....'that' student.  The one who doesn't let the disease get to them and no excuses.  He is scared, he does let it get to him and he just is who he is.  He's not going to suddenly pull his grades up and say "hey, I'm in charge of my future and I care".  There.  I said it.  I'm saying it and hoping I can let  it go.  I'm hoping I can quit trying to fix it.  Let him really fix it or......not fix it and fail on his own.  I will always love him.  I will always care, but I can't do it for him.  I've tried for years to help him.  It's time he does it for himself.  I don't want to ever be able to say I told you so.  I will always have hope that he will get it, but I can't dream about that anymore.  He is his own person.  After Saturday he will only have one more year until adulthood.  I can keep trying to help him and give him my pearls of wisdom when he'll hear it, but it is HIS life.

Different kinda night

I reluctantly let Cole go to work last night.  It was supposed to drop snow, ice or both at some point, but they couldn't seem to narrow it down at all.  Our weather forecasters this winter have not done a good job at all!

The girls, Jaemin and I watched the end of Thor and had some popcorn.  They definitely enjoyed!

I knew I wouldn't sleep well since Cole had to work past midnight.  I'm sorry, it's ridiculous that McDonalds lets almost children manage their restaurants without enough sense to send a 16 year old child home when ice and sleet set in.  He had our 4 wheel drive, but nothing fairs well on this stuff.

1am came and went and nothing.  He finally called and said he'd made the 10 minute drive in 40 minutes!  He said it was really, really bad.  Well, then he tried to back down the driveway and slid all the way down until our swingset, dog kennel and basketball goad stopped him.  The kennel is bent (Camo was in the house due to the cold) and he sheared the basketball pole clean off.  I think it scared the crap out of him.  He was crying.  I told him we didn't care about the pole or the dent it might have left in that almost 20 year old truck.  I was really thankful that he had made it home in one piece.

Needless to say, this morning we had a talk about just parking in the yard at the top of the hill, who cares about the yard.  We also told him that a stupid minimum wage McDonalds job is not worth his life and next time he has to tell them if it starts he has to leave.  His life doesn't depend on that money, but his life does depend on him making it home alive.  I told him after his surgery he needs to look for a job that isn't so stupid and immature and irresponsible to their employees.  Brian and I decided we need to get an estimate on some more concrete at the top so he has a place to park without worrying about him hitting the house or sliding into the woods on nights like these.  I'm tired of being up, worried for hours like last night.  Hopefully, it won't be terribly expensive, but we have to do something.  Chase will be driving in 2 more years and we'll have 2 of them to worry about.

God please keep my kids safe.  And please let adults who are responsible for them have a better head on their shoulders than these people have.