Well, the moving date was moved up a day. So, today Marcus left us for his biological family. I have such mixed feelings about this move, I'm having trouble processing the mixed emotions. I am happy for him and his family- that they get to be together. I am relieved to not have to deal with his obnoxious behavior anymore and to get a chance to teach my children appropriate behavior without the constant influence of a child with serious behavior problems. I am very sad to see him go. I am worried about how he's going to be raised for the next 15 years. I am afraid all the work I have done and all I have taught him will be undone. I worry that he won't get the nutrition that he needs. I ache for my children who are going to realize more fully in the next few weeks what this move means to them- a loss of a brother. Sometimes I feel like crying to think he's gone. Sometimes I feel like dancing a jig because of the freedom of not having to have "line-of-sight" constant supervision hanging over my head, and I won't have to kiss ugly bite marks on my babies, and I won't have to plug my ears all the time, and I won't have to take him to all of his appointments all over town. BUT, there is an empty bed in the boys room, there is an empty seat at our table, and there is a scared little boy out there wondering why he can't see his "Daddy," "Mama," Brigham, Bekah, and Hyrum anymore- Wondering why no one sings his "I am a Child of God" to him at night- Wondering why no one knows what he's talking about when he talks about wanting to be a missionary and go to the temple- Wondering what he did wrong to lose 5 people he loved.
Marcus, if you ever read this, know that you were loved by us, that we miss you, and that we hope you have learned enough to become a strong, happy, healthy boy. Even though you turned our world upside down and drove us crazy- we still love you.
Showing posts with label Marc. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Marc. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
A Big Change
Today I attended the court hearing for Marcus. All the attorneys, his caseworker, and the judge all agreed that it was in Marc's best interest to send him home to live with his mother. There were many stipulations placed on her in order for this to continue, but she has come a long way and is well on her way to being a successful mother. I am glad for him and his family's sake that he is able to do this, but I am very sad to be loosing one of my children whom I have some to love. He has turned our lives upside down and has made the last six months the most stressful and hard 6 months I've ever gone through, but I have learned so much in trying to work with and teach him and in the process fell in love with this little fellow. I am going to miss him terribly, despite the relief of not having to deal with his outlandish behaviors. Not to mention the other children who are loosing a brother next week when Marc leaves. I can only hope that I have prepared them to accept this and that we can all work through the grieving process together.
I hope Marc and his mom can be successful in their journey together. I have done a lot to set him up for success as long his mom follows through with the programs I have set up.
I've known and taken care of him (daycare before foster care) since he was 11 months old, now I'm not sure if we're going to see him again. We're sure going to miss him...
Marc at 12 months old
Marc 15 months old
Marc 2 years old
Marc 3 years old
PS-The kids haven't been told that Marc is moving home yet because it will set off their behavior and we don't need any more stress than we already have right now. So if you see us don't mention the fact that Marc is leaving in front of the children- not, until moving day: Nov. 4th.
I hope Marc and his mom can be successful in their journey together. I have done a lot to set him up for success as long his mom follows through with the programs I have set up.
I've known and taken care of him (daycare before foster care) since he was 11 months old, now I'm not sure if we're going to see him again. We're sure going to miss him...
Marc at 12 months old
Marc 15 months old
Marc 2 years old
Marc 3 years old
PS-The kids haven't been told that Marc is moving home yet because it will set off their behavior and we don't need any more stress than we already have right now. So if you see us don't mention the fact that Marc is leaving in front of the children- not, until moving day: Nov. 4th.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Marc's first day of school
Marcus started Head start on Friday!
He was so excited to be able to go to school. He's very sad that there isn't a bus for his class, though. So, he has to ride in the "white van" to school. His head start teachers are very expereinced. One has been teaching at headstart for 17 years and another has been teaching for about 30. They are amazing teachers and his classroom is full of top quality martials. He really lucked out getting into the program he did, because not all of the head starts around here are top quality. 
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Future Missionaries
We've finally found suits for all our boys! Gotta love thrift stores!
What you see before you is four future missionaries! We belong to the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. All of them are carrying copies of the Book of Mormon. They're almost ready to go out and share the gospel of Jesus Christ to all the world! (Well, maybe in about 15-18 years when they've grown a little more.)
In our church young men are expected to serve a full-time mission for 2 years they can apply for this when they are 19 years old (at their own expense). Young women aren't expected to serve missions because their primary responsibilities are to become a wife and mother. But, if they don't have marriage prospects by the time they are 21 they can apply to serve a full-time mission for 18 months. Young men and women are sent all over the world preaching the gospel in many languages.
They teach that Christ was born on this earth!
That he atoned for our sins, died for us, and was resurrected making it possible for us to return to God our Heavenly Father after we die.
They teach that there is a LIVING PROPHET on the earth today! President Thomas S. Monson (who is pictured below in the center, the other two are his counselors) is the prophet of God on the earth! He teaches us under the direction of the Lord Jesus Christ who is the head of our church. Oh how we love our prophet dear.
Brigham, Rebekah, and Marc love to sing the song, "Follow the Prophet" as they march around the house. They recognize pictures of him and when asked who the prophet is today they replay with "Thomas Monson" or "President Monson". Well, most of the time... A few months ago I asked Marc "Who is the prophet today?" He said "Thomas the train." : ) Well, I guess for a three year old that's close... maybe.
Brigham, Rebekah, Marc, and Hyrum are preparing for missions not only by dressing like them, but by learning about Jesus. They are learning to pray, they are learning the scripture stories, they are learning the articles of faith.
Brigham's favorite article of faith (which he has memorized along with about 4 others) is "We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the gospel are first faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, repentance; third baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost."
Marc's favorite one is "We believe the bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly. We also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God."
Rebekah's favorite is "We believe in the same organization that existed in the primitive church, namely apostles, prophets, pastors, teacher, evangelists and so forth."
Hyrum's favorite one is, as he says: "Holy Ghost" He doesn't have his memorized yet, but he's still really young. "We believe in God the Eternal Father and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost."
What you see before you is four future missionaries! We belong to the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. All of them are carrying copies of the Book of Mormon. They're almost ready to go out and share the gospel of Jesus Christ to all the world! (Well, maybe in about 15-18 years when they've grown a little more.)
In our church young men are expected to serve a full-time mission for 2 years they can apply for this when they are 19 years old (at their own expense). Young women aren't expected to serve missions because their primary responsibilities are to become a wife and mother. But, if they don't have marriage prospects by the time they are 21 they can apply to serve a full-time mission for 18 months. Young men and women are sent all over the world preaching the gospel in many languages.
They teach that Christ was born on this earth!
That he atoned for our sins, died for us, and was resurrected making it possible for us to return to God our Heavenly Father after we die.
They teach that there is a LIVING PROPHET on the earth today! President Thomas S. Monson (who is pictured below in the center, the other two are his counselors) is the prophet of God on the earth! He teaches us under the direction of the Lord Jesus Christ who is the head of our church. Oh how we love our prophet dear.
Brigham, Rebekah, and Marc love to sing the song, "Follow the Prophet" as they march around the house. They recognize pictures of him and when asked who the prophet is today they replay with "Thomas Monson" or "President Monson". Well, most of the time... A few months ago I asked Marc "Who is the prophet today?" He said "Thomas the train." : ) Well, I guess for a three year old that's close... maybe.Brigham, Rebekah, Marc, and Hyrum are preparing for missions not only by dressing like them, but by learning about Jesus. They are learning to pray, they are learning the scripture stories, they are learning the articles of faith.
Brigham's favorite article of faith (which he has memorized along with about 4 others) is "We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the gospel are first faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, repentance; third baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost."
Marc's favorite one is "We believe the bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly. We also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God."
Rebekah's favorite is "We believe in the same organization that existed in the primitive church, namely apostles, prophets, pastors, teacher, evangelists and so forth."
Hyrum's favorite one is, as he says: "Holy Ghost" He doesn't have his memorized yet, but he's still really young. "We believe in God the Eternal Father and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost."
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
First Day of School
Brigham and Marc got to start preschool this summer and are loving it! They are in a classroom with about 7 teachers and 10 students, plus service providers like speech pathologists and others. So they almost get one on one attention at school in a high quality environment! They sure love it!
They get to ride a "bus" (it's really a big 12 passenger van) and they got to get new back packs and new shirts! They decided on matching shirts. They love every minute of school!
Monday, April 26, 2010
Happy Birthday Marc!
Guess Who's Three?
Marcus!
Marcus!
Marc had his third birthday on April 19th! He was so excited about his train cake. This was my attempt at culinary creativity. I thought the idea was great, but the final product could use a bit of improvement, but luckily three year olds don't really care as long as it looks half decent and tastes good.
Everyone seemed to enjoy the cake. It didn't eat any because it had three things in it that I can't eat: Milk, wheat, and refined sugar.
He was blessed to have his grandmother "gran", his great-grandmother "grandma", his auntie Lisa, and his Uncle Troy come over to help celebrate his birthday! That made him happy, but aldo sad that he couldn't "ride in Gran's car." He wanted to go home with them. :(
But, while they were here we had a good time. Gran brought a pin the tail on the donkey game for the children to play. They had fun with it, although, they didn't really "get" it.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
and then there were four...
This little family that consisted of a dad, mom, and three children has just been expanded-whether temporarily or forever we can't be sure. (sorry I post a lot of bath pictures, it's so much easier to get them to stay in one place long enough for a picture when they're contained.) :)
Last week we received a phone call asking if we would take a little boy (who used to be in our child care) as a foster care placement. I couldn't get a hold of Timothy because he was in class and the case worker needed to know within the hour. So, I said yes and an hour later I was the mother of four toddlers. Timothy came home to a surprise. "Congratulations we're going to have another child- he's already joined our family. Is that okay?" (Not that there was much he could do about it by then...but luckily he was fine with it.)
Meet Marcus: He is an almost three year-old boy who loves balls and fruit. He likes to play outside and play "with chickens". Marc (as we like to call him) has been in our child care off and on for about 2 years. So he is familiar to us and has made a fairly smooth transition into our family. Still, as you can imagine, he was pulled away from his mother and hasn't seen her for over a week and misses her and his other family members. He had a hard time going to bed and sleeping the first two nights with us, but is doing well now. Luckily his grandma sent his favorite blanket along with some of his other stuff two days after he was placed with us. He is attached to his blanket and likes to chew on the corners. As you can probably see in the picture below, the corners are black (but clean) because he chews on it so much.
It has been a bit of an adjustment for all of us adding him to our family. It's also hard not knowing how long he's going to be with us. But for now he's ours and we'll love and take care of him.
Last week we received a phone call asking if we would take a little boy (who used to be in our child care) as a foster care placement. I couldn't get a hold of Timothy because he was in class and the case worker needed to know within the hour. So, I said yes and an hour later I was the mother of four toddlers. Timothy came home to a surprise. "Congratulations we're going to have another child- he's already joined our family. Is that okay?" (Not that there was much he could do about it by then...but luckily he was fine with it.)
Meet Marcus: He is an almost three year-old boy who loves balls and fruit. He likes to play outside and play "with chickens". Marc (as we like to call him) has been in our child care off and on for about 2 years. So he is familiar to us and has made a fairly smooth transition into our family. Still, as you can imagine, he was pulled away from his mother and hasn't seen her for over a week and misses her and his other family members. He had a hard time going to bed and sleeping the first two nights with us, but is doing well now. Luckily his grandma sent his favorite blanket along with some of his other stuff two days after he was placed with us. He is attached to his blanket and likes to chew on the corners. As you can probably see in the picture below, the corners are black (but clean) because he chews on it so much.
It has been a bit of an adjustment for all of us adding him to our family. It's also hard not knowing how long he's going to be with us. But for now he's ours and we'll love and take care of him.
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