Girl scout trip to humane society

Today we learned that roughly 4500 dogs and cats pass through our local animal shelter each year. I was totally amazed to learn they also take in small animals like fish, birds, rabbits, and ferrets to name a few.

It's always heart breaking to leave with so many loving pets needing a loving and stable home. A few of them broke my heart but I especially was saddened to see elder pets abandoned or left behind for one reason or another.

The girls thoroughly enjoyed the tour and even were able to bath and groom a couple dogs. I say a special prayer tonight for the many donors and volunteers who care so much for these loving pets. May these animals find peace and happiness all the rest of their lives in warm and loving homes.

The big hunt

For those who follow my blog I often talk about raising the kids to enjoy the outdoors and our appreciation for hunting and fishing. This year had heightened excitement as we were all together for the first time in 5 years.

My youngest son shot his first deer opening morning! How exciting for all of us to be there and share in the excitement. My husband shot a 8 pointer. Boy was he happy the boys drug it up a steep embankment for him. As for the rest of us... We seen plenty of doe but not a lot of luck this year with few opportunities to see buck. I did however, witness 2 buck fighting in the wild which was quite exciting. No, i didn't have the opportunity to shoot as i was in a bad position. We let our youngest shoot her beebie gun for the first time. Spent time with family catching up. Did some swimming and lots and lots of walking. The kids even took out some time and goofed around with my youngest brother to do some 4 wheelin.

What a blast! Truly a great year!!!

The dirty little secret

I hope be revealing this secret it doesn't bring a rash of phone calls, text messages and emails from long lost relatives. Theres nothing more frustrating then 50 lost relatives rushing in to act like your best friend when they think your gonna die and then disappearing once again. Honestly?
With that in mind, please respect our right to some peace and quiet.

Why is the possibility of cancer a dirty little secret for some men? Honestly! Isn't this a time to lean on family? Not all would agree. Some people, maybe through denial or anger try to bear it alone. My husband included.

I'm sure he will be angry but I'm about to disclose his dirty little secret. The truth is for the past week my husband and I have tried to stay strong and be there for everyone else when what absolutely no one knew was he was being evaluated for testicular cancer.

Thankfully, after further evaluation, it's looking like were safe for now although he does still have to meet with a specialist.

So why do some keep cancer a secret? Why are some embarrassed about cancers like testicular or breast cancer? Please, please remember to get checked and don't ever feel ashamed or embarrassed.

As it turns out he's at greater risk of skin cancer. He will have a removal in a couple weeks.

Just another curve-ball in our lives!

READY SET DONT GO

It seems like yesterday my oldest two kids were moving out of the house. I actually was extremely depressed. It was worse then any empty nest syndrome Id ever heard of. These kids were my life! If I had it my way wed all live like the Walton's for pete-sakes happily ever after. Lucky for me shortly after they moved out they both came home. Call it an adjustment period I got lucky to prepare. My poor kids must have thought I lost my mind as I just wanted to hang out all the time. What I really needed was them to be little again.

By the time the younger 2 moved out I was more prepared for the changes I would again endure. The fact were still raising our 6 year old helps alot. That poor child will never get rid of me. In fact, my grand kids are doomed.

None the less, as my 17 year old daughter was nearing her 18th birthday Miley Cyrus came out with the song "Ready Set, Don't Go". I think I cried my eyes out many times as I listened to that song and certainly its been fitting many times with my children looking back. After all, the best compliment a mother can receive from her child is the ability to fly solo. I had done my best in raising them to be responsible well rounded children. Even though I needed them and I didn't want things to change I knew in my heart they were ready. Not that by any means I had a choice; but I had to let them go.

Moving fast forward, amongst all my fears and tears I'm faced with yet another challenge. This time its not just about me. This time my older daughter came to me and informed me she's highly considering moving out of state! EEEEK!!! I know what your all thinking but I have a bigger challenge than how will this affect me. As the words came out of my daughters mouth I completely understood where she was coming from. After all, she gave us the greatest gift of all. She gave my husband and I a child. Wasn't she suppose to move on with her life too? I understood. It wouldn't be fair of me to hold her back. Her fiance is working there and the two of them have been living apart the past few months. I found myself once again listening to my trusty "Ready set, don't go". The problem is do I support my daughter or beg her to stay? Like the song says, shes waiting on my blessings for she hits that open road....

I'm worried that in her leaving it will deeply affect my youngest daughter. (Her birth child). What affects could this pose for her? How will she feel? Some things are once again going to need to be addressed and my thoughts are that this time we will need to seek the advice of a professional. We haven't said anything at this point as its not set in stone. My heart is already aching to even think of the pain this could cause. One thing is for sure.... things will never be the same and I'm not ready.

this is where I want to but I wont get in her way, of her and her dreams, and spreading her wings....

U of M offers new certification program for adoption professionals | Minnesota Public Radio News

November is National Adoption Awareness Month.

U of M offers new certification program for adoption professionals

by Sasha Aslanian, Minnesota Public Radio

November 1, 2011

St. Paul, Minn. — The University of Minnesota's Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare and the Department of Human Services Tuesday announced a new certification program to train social workers and mental health experts who work with adoptive families.

Minnesota families adopted 588 children from the state's foster care system last year, and 397 children were adopted internationally.

Department of Human Services Commissioner Lucinda Jesson said the new permanent families were reason for celebration, but the joy and hard work of adoption only starts with that adoption ceremony.

"We have 339 children under state guardianship awaiting adoption now. Many of these are adolescents; they're sibling groups who must be adopted together," said Jesson. "They have a lot of unique needs and that's where this training for the professionals who work with them will help so much."

The state contributed $120,000 in start-up costs for the certification program, which will train 24 people in the Twin Cities and 18 in Duluth this year. The state has designated $57,000 in scholarship funding for the first two years of the program. There are plans to expand to Stearns and Olmstead counties in the future.

Fintan Moore is in the first class to receive the Permanency and Adoption Competency Certificate (PACC). An adoptee himself and the father of an adopted son, Moore said there are too few professionals with the deep knowledge required to assist adoptive families.

"I've sat at tables at park buildings and Lutheran Social Services listening to other adoptive parents who have literally cried in front of me for support, for insight, for respite as they have tried harder and harder to raise children who live every minute of every day with the harsh and lifelong impact of early trauma, early neglect, early maltreatment and abandonment," Moore said.

Adoptive parents will be able to search a database to find professionals who have completed the PACC training.

Joe Kroll with the North American Council on Adoptable Children commended the state and the University for their vision in creating the program.

"[Minnesota] is probably one of the more adoption-friendly states in the country and it's because of the history of the people of Minnesota who have always reached out to folks in need," said Kroll. "A caring people and now we'll get some professionals who can help us through some of the tough times."