How to move forward from here?

We had a meeting Monday that really got under my skin and for me to say so is big. Long and short of it, we were being discourage to register Sean for a Boy Scout event for fear of him misbehaving as he has done in the past. Now when I say in the past, I mean more than a year ago (from what I can piece together).

I have never denied the fact that Sean has obedience issues. He was diagnosed with Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD) 3 yrs ago, along with his AD/HD (I). But he has made GREAT strides in recent months, more so outside the home, but improved none the less.

This trip is a big deal because the scouts worked to sell trees at Christmas to pay most of their way. Sean worked really hard and the adults supervising while he was there have commented many times on his positive presence on the lot. But they STILL keep bringing up the past. It is very irritating that they refuse to see the present. And this was one of 3 major events over the last 9 months that have marked improved behavior from Sean.

The scout troop adults "voted" that they would not prevent ANY scout from registering for this event, the decision for him to go was left to us. One parent was particularly attacking and kept pressing us for an answer, saying that we were already beyond the deadline....... Then she proceeded to say that she would not let her child go if we registered Sean! Of all things??? Is she trying to say that Sean is a direct threat to her son's safety? I was floored.

Rick and I had not made a decision up until this, but our hesitation was due to current financial constrains, not Sean's behavior. We went to the meeting, asking that the adults who had expressed concerns tell Sean about how they feel so that he could understand that his past behavior was damaging. We wanted him to understand from them what he had done to frustrate them. We felt it would be good for him to face the truth of his actions in our presence so that the facts were clear to us all. We were in hopes this would be a powerful tool to impress upon him how it's not just about the moment - his misbehavior has consequences. We were hoping this would help him to understand that he must consider this while he is on the trip.

The group refused to talk directly to Sean, or at least the parents voicing most of the concerns did. (Two of the male leaders did talk to Sean after the meeting, but more about what this event entails rather than how his past behaviors are a concern.) At the tail end of the adult meeting, the tables were turned to us and we were being "attacked" in how we were handling this. It was all too completely unreal.

The committee chair and his wife did talk to us alone after the group dismissed, they were very encouraging. Sean's Aunt and Uncle (who are adult leaders) talked to Rick at their home afterward and they felt that Sean would not be a problem. Tommy even talked to Sean and told him about the concerns and what he could do to help the adults see his better side and that he had changed. These are the things that helped Rick and I decide to find the funds so that we could send Sean on this "once in a lifetime" trip.

Please pray that over the next 3 months, we are able to implement some plans that will help encourage Sean to build some good habits in dealing with authority figures. Improvements in this one area will go a LONG way for Sean on this trip.

Life has been BUSY!

Well, I've been away for awhile, as you can tell. I got busy with The Grocery Game and right on the heels of "getting it", Girl Scout cookies came in!!! Not only am I busy as we usually are trying to sell enough cookies for Cait to earn a week at camp (600 boxes), but this year I am trying my hand at managing 8 troops in cookie sales.

Each has their own cookie chair who work with me to get things moving. On Feb 14th, I was supervising the movement of over 20,000 boxes of cookies from the warehouse for these 8 troops. What a day! I had several of parents from my troop and (despite the advice to the contrary) we moved all cookies in under 5 hours. We were told to expect it to take 7-8 hrs, and I set my mind that it'd be done MUCH faster, and so we did!! It's amazing what can be accomplished with some help!

Things are going well at the home-front too! Cait seems to have settled into a groove and school is going much better this term. Rick and I have really seen some maturing (in some ways) which has been nice to witness. She has also been INUNDATED with lots of contacts from colleges. She asked tonight if Rick and I can sit down and help her go thru things. Now that's a change I liked hearing - she initiated something with us to do!

We still struggle with Sean, but I keep reminding myself to be aware that some of this IS normal for 14 yr old boys. He's showing much improved behavior, etc in the classroom these days. But we are still struggling with evening homework, chores and some behavior. It's moving forward, but sometimes feels like at a SNAIL'S pace!

Shopping has been going REALLY well. This week's purchases resulted in saving almost 50% (I paid close to the same amount of my savings!!!) We are still trying to make some other improvements, but we are doing MUCH better and we have groceries instead of struggling to get by until the next check! Now that's a great deal.

Grocery Deals

Ok, I am very new at this but I am already having fun. Rick got the Sunday paper on his way home from 1st service and I started cutting out coupons when I got home. We had let our cupboards get VERY slim, so we were having to really restock alot. We bought ALOT of groceries (needed 2 carts), but I stuck to the list, only buying BOGOS and what I had coupons for - we spent $274, saved $86! Granted we ran out of some things before the week was half over, but I was excited. I had seen in WD ads that chicken breasts and pork loin was BOGO, but I didn't get by there until Tue evening on the way home. They were out of both, so I got a "rain check" from customer service - unlimited quantities and I have 30 days to use the coupon!!! WOW, that buys me some time, so I requested 4 of each (only paying for 2 ea). Since we do not get weekly checks, I am planning to hold the coupon until after the next payday!

I also discovered (I said I was new at this) that sales run Wed- Tues. The kids LOVED V8 splash, but went thru it REALLY fast. It was no longer BOGO at Publix, so I bought Juicy Juice BOGO on Wed. Guess what, V8 Splash is BOGO this week at another store, so I'll go there tomorrow, maybe Monday. I just bought a few things on the BOGO tables at Publix Wed, spent $32, saved $26 AMAZING!

Looking forward to another week of "The Game".

Presidential Campaign rally!

Well, when Faulkner announced that the Mike Huckabee campaign had been granted permission to hold a campaign rally at the Multiplex I was abit surprised. I told Rick about it and he wondered if the kids should go. I thought "When do most people get a chance to go to a Presidential Campaign rally?" I know I never had been to one, so I thought "Sure, the kids should go!"

Well, they were not too thrilled about it. We actually had to force Cait to get dressed. When we got there, they saw several folks they knew, so they must have decided it wasn't all THAT bad. We were able to go up to the balcony and really get a good view of the stage and everything. That was pretty cool.

When I decided we should all go, it never occurred to me that Chuck Norris was a big supporter of Huckabee. Well, he was THERE! I've always been a big fan, especially of W,TR series, but never considered the fact he'd be there - how cool is that!

Well, I won't get into the politics of the day, but it was a unique experience. Caitlin admitted that she had a good time (which almost killed her to admit!) and Sean got his ball cap signed by Chuck Norris. Not bad for a Saturday afternoon in Montgomery.