Breakfast

Chad took all of us out for breakfast at the Hockinson Cafe.  So good.  We enjoyed our meal and the company. 
Before we went he gave the little man and the little woman their birthday presents.  He wasn't sure what to get them and they don't have great long lists, so he gave them cash.  We put that up so it doesn't disappear before they can spend it.  The little man is thinking about saving it until Xmas and adding it to whatever he might get then.  He already has a nice wad between Chad, Nana Nita and Mommy.  The little woman already spent the money she had received before.  But she still has a nice amount to buy something with. 
We made better plans to get together more often.  As I have stated many times.....we appreciate those who take time out of their lives to keep connected.  Whoever knew that Ky and Chad would be such an important part of our family. 

Happy Birthday

My little man turned 8 years-old today.  And what a day we had. 
He invited friends to go bowling with him.  Two came and one brought a brother.  It really was the perfect number.  They rolled two games and every one said they had tired arms.  They enjoyed it so much.  It was fun watching the boys figure out what they needed to do to not roll gutter balls.  He received two Nerf guns (luckily not that one he really wanted). 
He had a nice video visit with his Mommy and siblings in IN. 
Then Chad and Ky came down and took the kids to play laser tag and glow in the dark put put golf.  The kids loved that.  We made plans for breakfast before Chad and Ky headed back north. 
Came home and had cake.  And then the Amazon truck arrived bringing that all important Nerf gun. 
Daddy came home and gave him a drone he had so the little man was a happy camper. 
Our new things just makes things better.  We make our plans and go on with our day.

Thankgiving

And it was oh so quiet.  I cooked the turkey that came in our box from Catholic Community Services.  And it was tasty. 
Some little tidbits;
The gravy was the best I have ever made for Thanksgiving.  I've only been doing it for a few years....since the year Mom could not do it anymore.  And every year I have done it wrong.  Not really, but it's not Mom's way exactly.  This year I did it totally different and it was delicious.
Stove Top Stuffing's box says you can use it to stuff the turkey.  You can, but it doesn't taste all that good.  Next year we go back to the old way.  But we are still grateful for what we had this year. 
We opted out of pie because we have cake tomorrow. 
We had one guest, Mike's friend.  The only thing said to me by Mike mostly all day was asking if that friend could eat with us.  Well I'm not going to not feed someone if I have the food.  And that guy was so appreciative.  He told us many times how much he liked it. 
Small meals are not bad.  We still had the togetherness.  But next year maybe we go to Mexico with Pat. 

Nerf Gun Hunt

I have been on a hunt for a particular Nerf gun that the little man wants for his birthday.  He has seen it at two stores.  But when I went to those stores they were both out.  Oy.  Just my luck.  So when we had a few minutes today we went online to see if we could find it.  That and I wasn't exactly sure what I was looking for. 
We found several and he pointed out which one was the "right" one.  I ordered it and Amazon promises to have it here for his birthday. 

Tiny Invites

The little man took little invites to his friends today.  He wants to bowl on Friday and wants his friends to join him.  I couldn't find my actual invitations (because I can never find anything).  So we just made our own out of half index cards.
So far he has two coming who didn't even get the invites but msgs from me to their parent.  I really hope they don't all show up.  It will be what it will be though.

Mad Sad

The little man's therapist came by today.  I was in the middle of throwing out a lot of garbage from the garage.  Mike has claimed that space, gone through everything multiple times, brings in so much more garbage, and thinks no one has any say about how things go out there.  I found the wrapping from my lunch containers.  Dave bought those for me the summer before he died.  I tend to stash stuff until I need it and then he died and I couldn't open them.  Well no matter now because they are gone. 
The therapist and I talked about how far the little man has come.  We talked about how much help Mike was at first.  We talked about how much help he is not now and that really it is time for him to move on.  Because behaviors are already poking back in to the family dynamic and a lot of it is the stress of living with an addict.  Addict not in recovery.  Most interactions with the kids are negative.  He immediately sends them to their room. Or gets very loud.  I know he feels like he has to be louder than them, and he is, but at this point it doesn't help. 
The home specialist had told me to have a conversation with Mike when the kids were present.  Stating that if he wants to parent, I am happy to step back and let him lead.  But he has to be here to do that.  And being here, doing that, means being sober.  And if he can't do that then it really is time to go.  The kids already know he has checked out of the parenting gig.  And I know they have a lot of emotions around that.  Mad and Sad or as Oh says on "Home" madsad.  Me too.  I don't need life to be harder though.  It is hard enough. 

Family Thanksgiving

It was our family Thanksgiving tonight.  I picked up Mom.  We had our Omaha Steak Thanksgiving meal.  The ham was so good.  Thanks again Leo. 
I'm pretty sure this was the last Thanksgiving that we will be able to bring Mom to.  I noticed she is forgetting how to use utensils.  She got very very tired.  She didn't talk too much.  Just quiet.  We are just grateful that she could be with us. 
The little woman hugged her immediately upon her coming in the door and then told her that she loved her.  I think she knows also. 
A little side note...that turkey is still sitting on my driveway.  It thawed out completely on Friday and today it wasn't even cold when I touched it before going to Pat's house.  Wonder when I can safely throw it away.