well.....

Well- we have been through it again- a flood- yep pipe broke upstairs and we have been displaced from our home until right before Christmas-

if it not been for the love of friends- well... family Marcus and I would be going crazy-  ok well I would be anyway-

In the course of this first 3 weeks- I have learned to ask for more support and prayer then ever- for those of  you who know me well that is a step- I am a person - stubborn yep- independent yep- I can do it all yep. realizing its ok to ask for support - we all need it at times.

Marcus is learning its not all about him and he needs to share. we are learning as we go through this progress - blessed to have the people in our lives that we do- not sure where we would be without them right now.

How many of you can say you will open up your home to a single mom and her loving and challenging teenager? for a couple of months? I know 2 - in which I am thankful-

God is truly good- He is taking care of us and meeting our needs-

Trusting in Him- through it all- thank you Lord for your words-

At Thrive I was praying and a lady came up to me and said God has placed in my heart as I prayed to tell you I'll go. As I have prayed today this verse came up. Most versions begin with Ill go... how fitting the mountains translate into the rising waves. He levels the mountains or waves or floods in our lives he is there to go ahead and make the way

Welcome to 8th grade and craziness

Ok well we are surviving 8th grade barely - wow i did not think 8th grade would be this difficult- but I am learning and parenting is changing this year- i am having to lay down the law and at times it affects me negatively as the privileges he gets I enjoy so much watching him play.. Marcus is learning that this last year is tough and he has to study a little bit differently and a little bit harder. Its a change for both of us.

We are doing soccer again with Upwards- love this group of people - amazing - the love of the coaches is awesome.

 

some changes ahead for us- all good- can not wait to see what all God has for us-

end of summer review

well lets see - where to begin

beginning monday the 18th- i will have an 8th grader- where has the time gone- it seems like yesterday that he was just going into vpk- time flies- enjoy every moment- good bad and ugly

he is turning out to be a fine young man- we laugh so much more then we use to and he keeps me on my toes
he makes me so very proud- oh he drives me crazy at times but for the most part he is an amazing young man- time and love and commitment goes a long way. i often look back and wonder how we made it- only by Gods's grace. God is truly an amazing God to allow me to become his mom.

Over the summer I think he has been searching who he is- he asked me about his birth mom and we talk and i asked him if he wanted to see a picture of her- he said yes- so my heart sunk a little (shh dont tell him) but I always said i would be honest with him and help him anyway i could with knowing who he is. So i showed him a picture of his birth mom holding him when he was about 9 months old- it was the last time i think she saw him- He does look like her- and as more questions arise he will be told the truth- he asks we talk he moves on. in a few months he may ask more. at times for me its a little unsettling but i want him to know who his birth mom is and what his birth name that was given to him- he is ok with the name he has he just needs to know his history.

excited about the school year- soccer season starts in  couple weeks- which i love who he plays with Upwards at Myrtle Lake Baptist

I was recently asked to speak at the school - me - so excited-

looking forward to an amazing school year-

In Summer

So it has been a busy summer- Marcus went to camp for a week then I went to camp for a week. Talk about life changing for both.

I sit back and wonder why God would allow me to be a part of the #bestweekofsummer. Its not only life changing for the kids but for me as well. Often times we shelter ourselves and not realize how kids are affected by their home situation. I had girls crumble in my arms asking just to understand their situation.They came to camp for answers and I believe God answered them.

He renewed a fire in me for a dream I set aside.To touch lives in  our own area and areas beyond - to help parents with behavior challenged children and to let them know that there is help out there and a hope for the future for them and their family.

We must not give up on this generation- there are precious!

Smiling

Sometimes in life we get so busy- so overwhelmed so stressed we miss an opportunity to be thankful of what God has brought us through

Last night I was reminded as I was able to give some resources out in which we have used in the past-
Which made me look back on my blog here and be overwhelmed at where God has brought us through and to. He is truly Faithful-

I sit and am amazed at the hand He had in all we dealt with- it was not pleasant- but I learned so much

He gives us strength in our circumstances- He guides us and directs us - He gives us wisdom and discernment when we need it.
He allows people to come in our lives just at the right time to help us through those times-

I have learned that one of my sayings is true- and never really grasped it until more recent years- I would always be the one saying You are never alone- we are truly never alone- God has His hand upon our lives at all times we just need to be willing to trust Him and have faith in Him.

Lately this is what He is showing me- to trust Him- ( I have and will continue to do so) to slow down before I react to the circumstances I maybe going through

Recently I had a health scare ( or should i say a heart scare)- yep - did not share with too many- but I was not alone in the situation- He was with me- He allowed people in my life to be there for me-for us. He had it under control - he gave me wisdom and guidance through the whole thing. Oh i was a little on edge but knew it would work out- why cause He is the one who is greater then all things. Health issues- he has got it- financial issues easy as pie for Him- children concerns- oh he most definitely has that in His Hands.

So before you react take a step back and breathe and realize He has this under control- I am reminding myself of this daily -

end of the school year end of an era

well- i am glad to say the school year is over and marcus did very well- honor roll all year long- now for the summer- youth camp- last few track meets- maybe a sports camp- working out with mom and keeping the house tidy while i am at work. he begins 8th grade- we had a bumpy road last year with dealing with bullying from others but we made it through

so proud of him

now on to some sad news- we said goodbye to our beloved Isaac today- breaks my heart- he has been there through it all with me- through everything with marcus - he was always there- marcus' first dog ever- he will surely be missed and there is a hole in my hear today

well. life is busy in the household

so its been a month since writing- another school quarter is almost done- track season is approaching a close
chorus concert is done. busy with church and the list goes on

Marcus is doing well- he is a typical 13 year old- oh when he gets tired we still have grumpitis issues- and he turns into defiant Marcus

We had a little bit of a scare in the beginning of the month which ended me in the ER but I am ok-

The dog and cat are getting older - they have the old dog and cat syndrome going on. I am facing the fact they are getting older and probably are not going to be around  whole lot longer- which that will take a toll on me- as those two have been through it all with me- I mean it all

I will begin posting a little more in a few days, until then.....

We are still functioning

Well- busy time in the Danielson household- track season has come upon us and its been non stop- meets- practice- church - work and the list goes on-

changing occurring in me as well- this year is about me and let me say its been a little bit of the out of comfort zone- not cool- but its all good- change is good especially the change in me-
my friends (family) have said its about time I do things for me and take care of me. and see the me that everyone else sees- growing in who I am is a daily thing I am doing- its a stretch but it will be worth it
 I have added some updated photos

Bullying- I dont like it

ok- so we have been off the grid for a bit-that I apologize but we have been working through something's

Bullying-

• An Imbalance of Power: Kids who bully use their power—such as physical strength, access to embarrassing information, or popularity—to control or harm others. Power imbalances can change over time and in different situations, even if they involve the same people.
• Repetition: Bullying behaviors happen more than once or have the potential to happen more than once.

Bullying includes actions such as making threats, spreading rumors, attacking someone physically or verbally, and excluding someone from a group on purpose.

We have been dealing with this at Marcus' school- not too sure if I am happy how it was handled when initially informed- however I do like his teachers

You see Marcus has been bullied since October- who knew- I did not until the end of February when it all came to a head- it has begun with name calling and teasing about his glasses - then it was moved to being asked to copy homework and M said no and was called a  F... A... in which horrified me- he was also called the N word and everything hit the fan when I went to drop him off at school for an event and he did not want to be seen with me- why his answer I am white he is black and they will ask why- and I will have to explain- (meanwhile half his school is this way).

Well it was more to that - they know he is adopted he has shared his story with some- and with that the punk kids said his "real' mom did not want him - which tore him up inside - Once this all happened and I was able to discuss with him- I said honey - I am your real mom and your birth mom was not a matter of not wanting you it was a matter of she was unable to care for you.

You see adoption in our house is a positive word- we are open and honest when he comes to ask questions about his birth family.  so listen here don't mess with my son and don't knock him about being adopted- we have been through it all and back- and these punk kids are NOT going to bring him backwards-

Because it has affected him in a negative way- at home he was beginning to be disrespectful in an ugly way. I had no idea cause he kept in in so long - he said he thought it would go away- well its going to go away because this momma will not tolerate bullying-. this mom will make sure her son's well being is looked after-

I can see why so many kids are affected by bullying- and how things can happen.
Be involved in your kids lives- be their advocate- make sure you stay on top of the school- Take a Stand for your KIDS!

No one should be bullied.

changes

sometimes in life you need to change how you done things - to better yourself
trying not to be concerned what others think-making sure you line up with what God has for you-
some may not understand and its ok- some may tease, some may encourage you - some will just join you for the ride and encourage you as you go.

praying for amazing changes to come in my life- growing in all God has for me this year!

what has been going on

well as the previous post states my word this year is ME- a focus on me - so I have been riding my bike atleast 3 times a week 2 miles for now- eating better- pretty much stopped drinking pop- looking at more what I enjoy and taking the time to do it- right now we are still working on getting the house back to normal - back in July we had a flood- kitchen is still not done but we are closer then ever-
finding out that this whole flood thing has taken a toll on me- its stressful when your house is turned upside down especially when it is the entire downstairs-

I often say I can not cook or such- its not I cant I don't like too- and with my kitchen being a disaster area for so long I have come to a better appreciation for it and want to learn more about cooking- I know for some of you get off the floor-

I want to have people over ( my house is small but ...) and cook for them or just chill out- I am someone who does not do that at all- but its time- baby steps- nothing major

so here are some pictures of what its been like (this is when it happened) and some after pictures as well - not totally done

Among all the chaos in the house Marcus still remains on the honor roll- and has been hanging with a friend who lives around the corner- plus doing the normal middle school junk

ME

I know what a title- but its my word for the year 2014- is that selfish nope its not- cause I tend to not take care of me but everything and everyone else and put me last- so this year- more time for me- to read- to dive into a study of the word- to take more baths ( i know more info then needed)- time for adult time adult conversation- time to go workout - i mean it all is perspective and too many years i have focused on meeting others needs and not mine own- the word no may come out of my mouth more often if it does not meet my needs or my familiy's needs. time for me- that does not mean I will neglect things just rearrange things- so my word is ME