2009 isn't off to a great start

Once again, I haven't posted in a while... wanna hear why?? LOL

Okay, my oldest son, Robby, was camping friday night with a few of his friends. Well, he's 19 and as you can imagine, there was a few beers in the cooler. He and his friends decided to build a bonfire, and then start goofing around. You guessed it, Robby fell in the fire! He's got 2nd degree burns on his right forearm, which will require skin grafting on Wednesday. I'm gratefull that it wasn't worse.

Wow, I sure hope things get a little better...

Wow, what a crazy ride

Anyone who has had a good friend or family member affected by drug or alcohol addiction can certainly relate to the wild ride that recovery can be. Sunday will mark our son's one month anniversary of his sobriety. So far, so good! I wasn't aware of the family involvement and how important it is, but we're going to do everything we have to in order to make sure, "Tyler", will continue on his recovery in a positive way.

I've actually considered encouraging him to start his own blog, but I'm not quite sure he's ready to put his life out there for all to see. I think it might be therapeutic, but it's a decision we'll let him make.

He wants to get his G.E.D. and join the military when he turns 17. He's a smart boy, he just has no desire to go to school (typical 16 year old), and that leaves us in a bit of a tight spot. We can make him go to school - but we can't make him pay attention in class, or stay away from the kids that use drugs, etc. Oh well, lets just focus on his recovery and we'll cross the other bridge when we get to it!!!

Teenagers part II

Wow, sorry it's been so long in between posts, but let me tell ya why:

We got back from the beach (which was wonderful) and two days later we got a call from my husband's ex telling him to come and get his son. Evidently he ran away. So, we drove down to Florida and started looking for him. We finally found him the next day. He had been at some kids house doing drugs. He told us he had been doing marijuana, LSD, Percocet and inhaling keyboard air dusters. WOW!!! Anyway, we drove him up to Montgomery and the next day he was admitted into a rehab facility, where he's been ever since.

We got to drive up to the facility Monday and Wednesday (yesterday). It's a 3 hour drive, so we've spent quite a bit of time on the road. But we got to see him yesterday and that was worth the drive. This is our first experience with rehabs and I've heard so many stories of failure, but we're being very hopeful. Although, I realize that it doesn't really matter what we want, or what we do, it all depends on the choices HE makes. He's supposed to be in there until April 4th, and then he'll have a 90 day outpatient program, followed by a year long less intensive program.

Anyway, we're taking this one day at a time. If you're reading this and have had a family member go through something like this, I'm open for any advice/suggestions. In any event, keep our son in your thoughts and prayers.

PS I guess the book idea will have to be postponed for a little bit. Besides, we haven't been getting a huge response anyway.

Going to the beach

Our anniversary is Thursday so hubby and I are going to the beach. Gulf Shores, Alabama is a gorgeous beach town that the teenagers haven't taken over yet. If you're ever down that way I highly recommend "Pappa Roccos" (home of warm beer and lousy pizza). None of that is true, but the food is awesome. We'll also have to make it to "Florabama". It still hasn't quite recovered from the hurricane a couple years ago, but it's pretty much a requirement for any visitors to Gulf Shores. Just go by and you'll see what I mean. I'll get some pictures and post them on here, it can't be that hard to figure out????

Okay, no Ty but we got Paulie

Hubby was able to get us in "behind the scenes" at the extreme makeover house. Ty was inside, along with some of the other regulars. But Paulie came out (he's the guy that wears the thick black glasses) and I got my picture with him and so did my hubby's daughter. He was the nicest guy!! I'm still a bit impressed by all the people that did all that work. Talk about an organized chaos. The program should air in April, but I'm not sure when.

If you're a fan, just watch for the house in Montgomery, Alabama and the Jordan family.

"A Pirate's Life for Mary"

His purple glazed eyes, watching the sea ahead of him. The sun low, shining horizontally onto the water and reflecting into his sensitive eyes. He had just woken up to the shattering sound of glass, the bottle he just dropped. Dazed, with a headache, his voice softly spilled out, "sunset or sunrise?" He could recognize that this was one such headache you feel you shouldn't have had ,but it pains with a strange gentleness that once it is actually over you begin to realize that the pain was after all good...

Extreme Home Makeover in my town

The abc show Extremem Home Makeover is in Montgomery, Alabama this week. I have to admit, I'm pretty excited because I watch that show religiously. I'm dying to meet Ty and the rest of the gang, although, I doubt that'll happen. They've picked a single mother who lost her daughter from a violent incident and her son a few years later from a drunk driving accident. She cares for her grandchildren, is very involved in MADD and church, and cooks for all the neighborhood. Seems very deserving in my opinion.

As some of you know, my hubby is a police officer, so he's been able to get access where most of us can't. It really is round the clock work, and it's all performed by volunteers. EVERYTHING is donated (people, time, material, etc). What a great concept!

**Hubby said he would try and snead me in to meet Ty, I'll let you know how that goes.

Read on, and post a submission to our story line below...and if you can't get enough tv, check this out http://www.linkbrander.com/go/73440