joy from the ashes...

Nearly a year ago someone did this to my truck.  We woke up at 1 am to the sound of a horn blasting & my stepson's truck burning in the street.  After investigating we found our truck ablaze just 3 feet away from our garage door.  This all happened during the stormy divorce of my stepson.  We have suspected as to whom did this.  After gathering evidence  and nearly a year the police have closed our case.  They say they cannot prove anything against anyone.  

I am disappointed but not surprised...this felony arson happened just a few weeks after our robbery, and a few other crimes in our neighborhood, after this fire all the crime stopped...the police in my town are not used to such crimes...as a matter of fact about 10 of them stood mouths gaping at our fire.

I am left with trusting God as always He makes all things right...plus who every did this and they are close to us, they will have to live with this for the rest of their lives...we have moved on...what we value ... family and our love for them  is still very very much alive...

The boys started football last week.  They are on a new team in a new league, so they are really just learning.  Jake gets the game, but thinks too much and Cody just goes out and tackles.  They are having fun that's what matters.

school's in

School's in...so is summer...it's HOT here again. In the 90's today, but lucky me has an air bus. I have wheelchair disabled children who need the air, so lucky me gets to benefit too, by a nice cool ride.

The first day of school I was greeted by the biggest smile from a handicapped junior high girl who is so good at controlling her wheelchair with her head I was left smiling myself. Every morning so far she thinks I am the best thing ever.

All the kids I have on my routes are awesome and so far so good ...

Tomorrow is going to be hot again, but next comes the three day weekend!!

last day of summer...

Today was my last official day of summer, it was a heck of a day...

First, as I was eating my shredded wheat cereal, I broke one of my teeth..I see a crown in my future, but when do I have the time??
Then, my husband who is not a over the road driver told me he'd be gone at least until Thursday...he's been gone since Sunday early am...
Then, we had a huge thunderstorm, again...more rain...more water in my basement, it's an old basement, but really more water?
I had some issues with some parents on my route already...school starts tomorrow and already they are fussy...

I did get to see the boys, Cody was covered in mosquito bites one so big it made the side of head swell, I put tea tree oil on it ... they haven't been here in a couple of days so they they were wild...they have their first football game Sunday...excited for that...


Tomorrow's the big day...I haven't had a route in 3 years, I have always been the sub and done sports trips...wish me luck!

Happy birthday J-land!

This pic is from August 2004...not a gray hair is sight!!

Happy birthday J-land! I met Barb on a prayer site, which now is gone. She encouraged me to come to aol Journals. Little did I know that this simple act would turn into a long time close friendship between Barb and I...guess that's what made us all so special! Relationships that have stood the test of time.

My first entry was about my family drama! I still have family stuff, but I am still the optimistic Rose!!

I have been married 16 years now, our kids are grown, some married, some not, and now I have 4 more grand kids...still driving the school bus ... and still I love my life!!



Here's my first post-----

"It's a good day"

1 Comment - Hide Original Post

I made it through the birthday party yesterday!!! Mark's ex has decided that she is the main Grandparent in his son's little boy's life. But I knew that when I married Mark 9 years ago. It was nice just to enjoy the party and just be me. I didn't feel all nervous or like I had to behave a certain way. But for a 1 year old Jacob got enough gifts for 10 kids. Oh well, he's the first...they always get spoiled don't they? I was able to talk to Mark's ex too. That's a step in the right direction. They have 5 kids together and there will be 4 more weddings and many grand babies ... peace is better than the bitterness that used to follow all of us before. I guess Loving others and the Golden Rule do make you feel good!! Today was pretty good. The kids are all home for the summer, including Tim who's 22, Eric who's 19, Dale who's 17 and Liz 15...I have to remind myself to treasure these times they will be all back to college, high school and me driving the school bus come August and then I won't have these crazy times...Gotta always remember to stay in the moment!!

calidream13 said...

Hi mom, Dont worry when I have babies ull see them everyday even when you dont want to!
Love Liz

June 28, 2004 9:01 PM

Dayton goes to school...

Today little Dayton started all day Kindergarten...he was 5 in July and only barely 5 he's in school ...all day...he's the baby...but now he gets to be the big boy and go to school on a school bus. Not my district, but a school bus all the same.

The other two have football in the evening so they aren't spending the night here during the week until they get used to the new schedule. I went to their practice this evening and Dayton proudly told me he just loved school. And because he was nervous about spelling his name he spelled it to me just prove how smart he truly is...but of course I already new that ! <3!

are you ready for some football!??

Holy smokes all my family is on Facebook, so you will see more here!! I love my family, but let's face it you can't spill your guts on that social network, right?

I love them, but as the Mom/mother-in-law/step mom/grandma...I sometime have to keep my big mouth shut...but sometimes I need an outlet!



I swiped this picture from Jeremy...the bigger boys are on a football team...I get to relive my kids days of playing. I had 4 playing at one time! It should be interesting, the older one Jake is all business, knows the game, and loves the sport. The second one Dakota has no clue about football, could care less about the rules, gets mad when anybody tackles him, and is basically playing because after the second week of practice they were short players and recruited him.

Should be an interesting season...their games are on Saturday so another reason I need to be around and not driving sports. I betting we should a lot of fun.

BTW! Yesterday was my 23 rd year of being sober!! God has truly blessed me with 23 years of freedom!! I no longer am consumed with the thoughts of escaping into a bottle of vodka!

I am truly blessed!!

I love my journal!! I went back in time and realized that no matter what has gone on in my life I have always let my up beat, look at the bright side mentality guide me. I am feeling some worry in my life right now. Letting some negative thoughts creep in....so I took a trip in time, realized God has always brought us through and now I am a happy and positive ROSE again!

My job is starting back soon, the routine of work will help a lot...plus my regular paycheck will help us relieve some of my worry. I am taking a special service route this year, along with a midday route. I feel I should be around at night and Saturdays. I love being the super sub and sports driver but I love being with my family more.

smiling Lil!

Isn't she a doll!!?? My daughter in law has been setting up for her school year and her regular sitter is on vacation...so this granny gets to hang out with this happy girl!!

It's true what they say, being a grandma is the best JOB ever!

My husband said I should whine about not winning the lottery today ... and then tomorrow we will win it!

eating my words!

r


sometimes I think my kids have bugged my house with hidden mics!! look who I got to babysit today!!

BABY KALEB!! He's so funny ... he loved all my personal attention and had to show me all his noise light filled toys!

hubby had a heart to heart with his son...telling him that we really want to be in his son's life...and here he is....more visits to come!

felling...oh oh feelings....

Sometimes I wonder about (adult) kids today...my own children were raised to be caring, fair and honest...so fair so good. They try extra hard to spend time with all of us. My son (daddy to baby Lilly) even has his dad and I take turns babysitting, if we miss our turn we miss our turn, but so far so fair. We shall see how fair it is when she is 2, and naughty but no one can predict the future. The other two are great about spending time with us.

My husband's kids on the other hand...not so much. His middle son is married to a girl who is sweet but spoiled, the apple of her parent's eye, so now Kaleb is the apple of their eye. We have never baby sat the now 10 month old child...this breaks my husband's heart. We rarely see him as her parents are there every day and my husband works a lot. Again, sad face for me as I am very protective my husband. He got the blame for his younger two son (out of 5) being bums.

This would be fine, but she likes to broadcast their activities (whole family pics, meaning hers, babysitting by her sister, trips to fun places) via facebook.

I feel like history has repeated itself as I remember when Jacob was the only and my husband's ex used to hog him...2 boys later they live with us...and I am basically the lone sitter...it'll be interesting see what the future brings in this situation. I am grandma boot camp for naughty boys.

Until then I hope my husband understands...and realizes that everything does even out!

pool!

Finally got a pool rather than spend the hundreds of dollars to join the local pool/water park....this pool wasn't too expense and will even accommodate an adult or two!!

I've written a couple of posts but they are mostly whiny moments...so I skipped posting them. I think I am past the guilt of not working this summer. I am such a control freak and feel I should be out there working my butt off, when in reality I am needed to be the home base for my family.

My husband started another new job a couple of months ago. Trucking work is usually long, many miles, underpaid and for my husband's last job not enough work to keep him in a good living. He now works for a large Tanker company that keeps him busy, & makes him use his mind as he has to load and unload the Tanker. Not an easy job. His hours are still long and physical, but he is cutting his time as he gets more experienced. While this process is going on I need to be at home to keep him sane.

Also, the boys are here often and my stepson is on call for his tow job. They are better when they are here as I expect them to be respectful and I keep them busy. I just run them and let them explore our neighborhood parks, creeks, plus there are enough kids around to keep them busy.

Here and there my son and his wife have needed me in a pinch to watch my little baby Lilly. She knows my voice and whenever I come over her head snaps around and she gives me a big grin!

Hubby and I have also had some time to go to a concert at the local fest.

For the 4th of July weekend we will have no kids here...so we are going to work on the house...and have some alone time.

So today I reminded myself again to enjoy my time off and I'll be back to the school bus soon enough!

tore out the ceiling tile

I walked around this job long enough...plus there were no little ones here to breath in the dust...




down came the ceiling...wasn't too bad...and no "critter" came down either! my house has been known to have mice and bats!





Next the men will put up the dry wall...and I will attempt to mud and tape, plus the dining room needs mud and tape. Then paint and rip out this nasty old carpet....

Then on to the bathroom!!

love this pic of baby Lilly...her mommy took it!!


My husband started a new trucking job, which technically is not a road driver, but requires him to drive hundreds of miles a day. He gets up in the middle of the night and usually isn't home until late afternoon. My grand sons still live here part time. My stepson started a tow truck business that requires him to be on call. Hours at my job are few and far between because of budget cuts, so my awesome hubby asked me to just not work this summer at all.

Then I'd be available for my grand kids and to hold down the fort for my husband who is trying to get acclimated to his new rather challenging job.


Last school year was very challenging. Our director was let go, and admin was in charge for a couple of months. We do have a new director now which is great, she is a good manager and was a driver for the district for many years. She knows our needs and is a great leader...our last director was basically invisible and a smart aleck who no one respected. Our group has had no discipline for years so hopefully some control can be implemented just in time for next school year in the fall!!

This summer break will be great for me BUT I need to discipline myself to get my long list of work that I want to do around my house...which includes, a lot of painting!

Better get going!

summer!

The boys...

I am not working this summer, or at least not driving the school bus. I will be doing some remodeling in my house (painting, etc) plus babysitting the boys a couple of days a week.

SO ... I am going to do some updating and blogging.

I miss my blog!!

Here's how big the kids have gotten...the boys are above ...

baby Kaleb

baby Lilly

update pics of my babies....

Cody with baby Lilly...she's nearly 2 months old! We get to baby sit Friday night.



Grandpa and baby Kaleb! He's now 6 months old!

a family day....

All the grand kids...baby Lilly, Jacob, Cody, Dayton & baby Kaleb....


My son Tim had a family day so I was lucky enough to have all five of my grand kids together in one house!

Plus my three children and three of my stepsons...plus their partners...


Life is good!




Just the boys...

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Happy Valentine's day!!

Look how big I am!!

Kaleb and Grandpa...as a matter of fact Grandpa hogged him !!

meet....baby Lilly!

Meet my new Grand daughter! Baby Lilly!!