Afternoon at Papa’s

We went to Papa Malcolm's house today. He fed us and we hung out. It was nice to have everyone together and for the kids to get to know Jackson. 

Jackson’s Party

It is Jackson's third birthday today. We went to Incredible Pizza with his parents, Grandma & Papa to celebrate. The kids enjoyed the buffet, video games, and watching Jackson ride on the go carts.

Mexican Food

Papa took us out for Mexican Food this evening. It is a yummy Mexican Restaurant across from their neighborhood. Picture above includes: Lexi, Grandma, Papa, Jordan, Mom, Aunt Paige, Katherine, and Jaxson.

Artwork on the Beach

Aunt Vicki offered to work with Lexi on an art project this afternoon. I came to the RV park this evening after work and snapped a few pictures of them. What a beautiful setting to be inspired. They turned out great.    

Smaller Trunk or Treat

This evening, we drove up to Spring to do another Trunk-or-Treat. Papa's son-in-law, Jason, owns a car dealership that had big Halloween plans. The kids got dressed up and enjoyed getting more treats and prizes from the trunks of cars. They also loved seeing their little cousin, Jackson, dressed up as an Ewok. Later, we went out for dinner at a Mexican restaurant. 

Wedding Off

Steve came over this afternoon and told the kids that he had called the wedding off.  For the past week, he had been talking to me about his major doubts.  I had brought up a few things that I thought he should consider like the fact that he wasn't telling ANYONE about the wedding.  I just think when you are really in love, you want to share the news.  We talked about the positives and negatives, but I said it is all up to him.

I asked Steve if he had made the effort to ponder, fast & pray about this.  He said no, but that he would.  He spent the beginning of this week doing just that.  By yesterday evening, his mind was made up and he was at peace.  Of course, he had to break it to her gently.  I gave him some advice, but I don't know how the conversation went down exactly.  I bet it was very difficult.    

It has been one crazy month for Steve and his fiance.  I know the dream of being married is often so strong that people forget that it takes an extra special person to make it wonderful.  I believe that he has learned a lot about himself, life, prayer, love and the importance of family this month.  I hope this inspires him to continuing working on improving himself and moving forward.  

Weekend with Dad

The kids were with Steve and his fiance this weekend.  He text me a few pictures of the fun activities. Last week, I decided to make gifts for the kids to take to their future step-siblings.  I made matching snowman skirts for Lexi and Savannah.  They wore them to church on Sunday.  

Lexi Appreciation Day

Yesterday, I got a call from Lexi's school counselor.  Lexi came in crying and wanted to talk about all the changes that are happening in her life.  That is probably strange for some kids, but Lexi has always expressed her feelings and is very open and talkative about what is going on just like I am.  We basically talk about everything.  She has been visiting the school counselor since the counselor introduced herself to her Kindergarten class and invited any of them to come and talk to her when they were sad.  Lexi probably goes overboard.  She goes in to tell her that she thinks a kid is being rude and is probably a bully.  I know she complained a few times in kindergarten that her teacher wouldn't let her go that day.  I told her sometimes work needs to be done too.

Anyway, her counselor called to say that she was starting a little therapy group for kids in Lexi's family situation and wanted to know if Lexi could be part of it.  She hand picked the kids.  It starts in January and is going to be called Banana Splits.  I thought it was a wonderful idea because we don't really know any other families that have divorced  parents or step-families.  It would be good for Lexi to feel that others are in our situation.  I think some of the anxiety of the new step-family and what that entails will lessen this weekend since Steve is taking the kids to be with them.  

The timing of that phone call and what I had planned for today just happened to be good.  We have been doing a new system that I came up with called Happy Family Points.  We have a chart on the refrigerator.  When the kids follow the routines I have listed (meal time, getting ready in the morning, and bedtime) as well as when I see them doing something extra nice for someone in the family, they get a point.  When they have 25 points, they are rewarded with a day dedicated to them.  Today was Lexi Appreciation Day.  She got to pick out what we were eating throughout the day and we spent extra time telling her how much we love and appreciate her.  She really is a wonderful part of our little family and we love her more than word can say.  

Future Step-Siblings

We spent the afternoon with Steve's future wife & step-kids.  This was the first time I got to meet them and Lexi and Jordan's second time with them.  Sarah (his girlfriend) drove down here and we met at a local park for the kids to play for about an hour.  Then we headed to the mall to watch a movie.  We saw Rise of the Guardians.  They were all very nice and we enjoyed getting to know them.  

New Family Members

A week and a half ago, Lexi and Jordan got to meet the special lady in their dad's life.  She, Sarah, sounds very nice and he is head-over-heals in love with her.  They are madly in love with each other.  It was a big moment because soon, Lexi & Jordan will have a new step-mom, step-sister (six year old Savannah) and step-brother (8 year old Aaron).  The plan is for me to meet her pretty soon and I am definitely looking forward to it.