A Concert and sledding

Eddie Ray is 3rd from the right side. He di such a beautiful job!

Sledding on Saturday, it started off not feeling so bad but after 2 hours I was frozen. and quite ready to go home for hot chocolate and homemade cookies.

Little Dan could not get enough of the snow. He looks like a little snowman!

Eddie Ray is a champ on the snowboard, I'm gonna have to find a way to get him one for christmas.

This is Alec, Eddie Ray's friend we call our 4th son. He always seems to be with us. Ya gotta love him.

A new Step

We had our visit with the worker assigned to Rick. He asked Rick who his real parents were? He said" Their right beside me" Do you have biological parents why yes I do. But these are my real parents. Well how do you feel about them? I love them. Do your parents love you? Yes. How do you know? I just know. Well this guy went through all the ways we show our love. He says Do you respect them? No I'm very disrespectful, why? I don't know. Do you trust them? Yes. Do they trust you? No my mom has stayed upset that I've stolen from her in her bedroom while she sleeps. I asked what finally broke the trust completely? I gave her a Mountain Dew bottle and she took a big drink, only it was moldy pee. This was said while smirking. Wholly cow the dude's whole demeanor changed. You could have made mom very ill!! Dan said but she was for 4 days. He told Rick he can see that we have tried everything. So now it's up to him to change he must follow the program or he will reccommend the state take him to keep the rest of us safe. And his past behaviors are criminal and will no longer be tolerated. He's treatment scedule will be 1 day family, 4 days intensive skill building. Rick came in our room last night and said I'm willing to give my all to this treatment I will love and respect, and I will gain back you trust. I cried my eyes out there is hope, please pray for us that this works. I am frustrated by his behaviors, but I've always loved him. And want us to stay a family, all 5.

22 Years of Heaven

It's hard to believe it's been 22 years. We always said he robbed the craddle and I the Geriatric ward. Tee Hee. It was 82 degrees and no wind far cry from today's weather. These are my favorite pictures. I'm so glad Marianne and Deanne could join us for that day. The next best day of my life was welcoming my three beautiful sons. So it's only fitting we all be snowed in together.

Pieper's pizza-popover party featuring All I Want for Christmas is my 2 front teeth

All I want for christmas is mt 2 front teeth!

Ooh the Pizza

Chef Eddie Ray makes the popovers cherry and apple. They were yummy.

The 3 boys made the crust. Choppped a variety of pepers onions mushrooms. Dan did the italian sausage for Dad. And Rick topped the pizza. All 3 did an excellent job.

Christmas Festivities and such

Today we went to the go Kart Racing. It was an awesome time. There were suppose to have remote control car races. But none but Rick showed up. Dear Grandpa Ron,
Thank you for giving me your remote control car it is really cool and it is fun to drive
Thanks, Ricky. We agree with Rick it is awesome! Everyone has really enjoyed the chance to play with it. Question is where can you get more in that size and style?


Mom and Dad relaxing, gearing up for their 22 anniversary on Wednesday. Yeah.

Making cookies with the neighborhood kids. We read books, sang carols, watched a movie too.

This is all the gang together again to put up the christmas tree. Fun Fun.

Reactive Attachment Disorder

I feel compelled to explain this so people better understand. It is a real disorder. What causes it? A child being neglected and not being loved when they are young. You can not take a pill and make it go away. A child's core is so damaged they do not feel and connect the way others do.
We have had people say you've had him long enough shouldn't he be over it? He seems like such a little thing. I bet if he came to stay with me I could fix him. Sorry but some people have hurt him bad enough to be around them he shuts down and hides.
Some have said I walk around looking unhappy, I'm sure I do. Imagine getting up at 6 am everyday to coax a child out of bed and he doesn't get up til 6:30. Then he will refuse to take his meds it's always a battle. Then you need to go through belongings to make sure he doesn't have anything he's not suppose to. If your lucky you can get him out of the house without him yelling about some percieved injustice. If he's angry at his brothers he'll 1-2 boxes of cereal so someone has to go to store for others to eat. During the night he has creaped around and stolen from others in their sleep, so you must get it back. Then off to school, I take my afternoon break so I can check and make sure he is where he is suppose to be. Volunteering, detention, or tutorials. I can not trust him at home with my other boys as he breaks out windows, smashes walls, once tried to drive my van and broke it, set his matress on fire, started a fire in my garage, chased my youngest and his friend with a butcher knife laid the blade up aginst their body. He doesn't understand what he has done is wrong! No one got hurt. You can get him to do the homework but to turn it in is another story. He has a learning disorder also one of his teachers told me"Your son does not have a learning disorder but he is mentally ill." Really are you a psych major. You can catch him doing something wrong and he'll tell you that is not what you saw. At night I can't sleep because he's always up and roaming smoking stealing. He likes to call me stupid if I know he's taken something and I can't find it, see I didn't take it. Example lighters in his pockets, coats, shoes, and the latest rubberbanded to his forearm! He goes to a doctor 3 times a week for 2 hours. Now he is starting remeidial services to help with skill building. My whole life revolves around protecting him and others. I miss those of you from church but honestly come Sunday Morning I'm so exhausted all I want to do is sleep. Can I see how church can help? yes, but somedays I just can not move. The other day he became angry he got consequences he broke his glasses in 2. I said how did that serve you? "I just cost you$300.00 ha ha" Now he's mad it's taken over a week to get them fixed. Really cause that's $300.00 out of christmas and grocery money. Does he want to be this way? No but it is so ingrained into who he is. According to the experts if he can get mostly me or anyone else to yell or cry endorphins are released in his brain bringing him comfort. So after everyone's upset he will calmly come over say I love you can I have a hug. I wish you wouldn't sound so angry mom. Then continue on til the next time he feels life has not gone his way. You know how they say love your child when they are most unlovable. So each day I must start my day with optomism. And pray with a dilligent heart that when I tell my son I love him, he will here it. When I correct his behavior they will be a glimmer of understanding. That he will not equate love with material things. That he will hear the positives he's done for the day. He hurts so bad inside he wants others to hurt too. He steals to feel close to those people. He lies because that is what he's done for so long. If there are some of you I've let see him and now put on the breaks please understand I am doing the best I can to love, serve, and protect my son. Hopefully this makes sense to you all.

I'm Thankful for....

I was gonna do this yesterday but I became so caught up in the day. I'm so grateful to have found my husband 23 years ago. Although we've had our ups and downs, no one has ever loved and understood me like him. All he has to do is give me that look and I am 18 all over again. I'm so grateful when I suggested kids net 7 years ago he agreed. Who would have ever known the journey we would embark upon. It has not always been sunny skies but I wouldn't trade it for anything.
We bought the boys a book a couple years back by Marianne Richmond called "I love you so..." It explains exactly how I feel. It talks about the moment we met I knew without you I would fret. Then it has a part where the child asks what about when I'm naughty? and it says My love you doesn't change with the turning of the day. I may not like the naughty things you do, but I always love you. With each new challenge comes an understanding and a hope.
I am so grateful for Rick who keeps me on my toes trying to keep up with him. I'm grateful for the moments when he allows himself to relish in the happiness. I am so grateful for his ability to draw and paint to express himself and add joy to others lives. I am grateful for Lil Dan who is my great big helper. He is always there to help you, we call him our peacekeeper. He is so full of energy. My Eddie Ray who fills my world with wonder I've been amazed by all he does. I love his hugs and kisses just before bed. Quiet times reading a book or watching a show. I'm so grateful for scripture time and family activities.
I am so grateful for all my brothers and sisters who have been my support system. You each mean then world to me. And for their spouses and children who bring so much to my life.
I'm so grateful for blogs that keep us each updated on each others lives.
I'm grateful for good friends who listen and help when one really needs it. Thanks Kelly.
Thanks to all who helped and supported us as we adopted the boys. Your faith in us meant the world and still does.
I'm grateful for our my wonderful church friends who love us and help us despite our shortcomings.
I'm grateful for Mom and Dad who have always been there even when I wasn't smart enough to listen. I'm grateful for the moments we spend together. I'm Thankful for Aunts and Uncles who have always loved me despite choices I may have made.
I'm thankful for memories I have that weaves each of you into my life.
Most of all I thank a loving and wise Heavenly Father who loves me so much he has given me exactly what I needed at every point of my life. In the words of Rick "Heavenly Father knew we were suppose to be a family he just had a different to follow for us than most. So we would never take one another for granted"
Thank You we Love you all!