Stephen has always written stories and such and I was told that allowing him to blog might be a good idea for him. So, if anyone is interested… his stories, or beginnings are at Stephen’s Thoughts & Writings. He’s really anxious to think what other think. So if you are interested… please leave a comment.

Thanks!

Mon

These two singing and dancing are my kids. Well, two of the four. It’s a bit dark, but you get the idea of the spirit. hee hee

Hi there!

My dearest husband took off for a day to Utah for a reunion of our training group. It’s funny, ’cause I’m so happy for him to get out and get away for a bit of time to himself. He’s had such a rough time as of late… what with things here at the house, his father being at the end of cancer, and a load of work. I’m glad he’s taking this time to go have some genuine fun.

He and I have been married since May of 2006 and integrating a family has been very interesting and at times a huge test of our spirits. We’ve done great in my opinion, but there are always times when each of us, married or not, need time to ourselves. Because even when you are married, I truly believe you are still individuals as well.

I remember when marriage was simply something I didn’t have a need for. I was a single mother for upwards of 10 years and did very well on my own. I was quite independent and simply “knew” I could take it all on. I did take it all on, and succeeded.

Then the issue of marriage came up and he and I simply “dived” in. We ran away and got married and happilly. Both of us had stated we would never get married again, and that we didn’t “need” to be married. Funny, as much as we said it was as hard as we ran to do it.

Life being a combined family has its ups and downs to be sure. But I have to say, sharing this life with him is simply wonderful. No doubts there.

The children are doing well. Stephen has been happy and healthy, James has been happy too – After all mom has been home 24/7 and given them both ample family time.

I work from the time I get up to the time I go to sleep now. Owning your own business requires that you take care of your clients – and I have to say it’s very enjoyable. Having the ability to work from my home and be with the kids has been very refreshing. Although, we pay for an office in a city away… I have been working from the house to be sure I’m home right now for Stephen.

I’m getting a bit antsy. I haven’t driven since June 14th of this year and my brand new (under 4k miles) Lexus is dusty in the garage. Not being able to drive has taken a bit of a toll on my good natured self. I sometimes feel very “caged” and totally dependent on my husband to get me from point A to point B. I’m sure my license will be good in at the most January of 2008. Although the 6 months hits on 12/14/2007 – it does take the California Dept. of Motor Vehicles quite a while to process paperwork. So I’m giving it until January so I won’t be let down.

After all of this happened with Stephen I noticed how much love and caring those around me had to share. Family came out of the wordwork to be sure all was well. Friends were right there for me when I needed them. Including my “Blogging” friends. Thank you for the uplifting comments and emails. You are appreciated.

Well, enough rambling and back to work.

My love to you and yours…

Sincerely,

Monica (albiet caged, but still smiling)

I just published a post I wrote last week but never published. So I thought I’d bring the information to a close, and move on a bit.

Stephen is 15 and attempted suicide by taking a mix of prescription medication he found around the house. He was hospitalized for a bit, and we did indeed get him back on Monday. He’s home now and has been very understanding of his mother trailing his every move. The medicine he’s taking for bi-polar makes him so sleepy, but otherwise he says he feels good.

I have a positive view on life and I believe that truly we go through life learning what our spirits get to learn. However, this has taken a bit of a toll on me and I’m having a brief moment of panic every few minutes then I get so tired I feel I could sleep in the very spot I’m at.

So, that’s what’s been going on that blogging hasn’t happened.

Love and Light to you and yours… I’ll just keep being overbearing momma for a bit more.

Love Monica

So, I’m sitting here at a screen staring a bit blankly at my posts and comments.

This week has been extreme for me and my family. My son, Stephen, attempted suicide on Tuesday luckily unsuccessfully. However, it wasn’t without incident. He’s currently in a phsyciatric facility for emergency teens. Or, something like that.

The doctor said “bi-polar” and here’s medicine. I’m hoping to bring him home Monday.

Me and My Stephen
Happily updated by: monicaford.

There are so many reasons I’m thankful. I thought I’d mention each of my babies.

Today is Stephen’s Day.

At the time, he was maybe 6 or so? It was taken in 1997 I believe. He’s now 15 and 6′1". He works at Cold Stone… and, he’s well… growing up.

Wouldn’t it be nice if we were to truly understand how fast time flys? Times like this photo were abundant then. If we could just make time stand still and re-play it. That’s what my photos mean to me – they are my capture of feeling and life in a snapshot.

Stephen is a beautiful soul. In so many ways… I’ll tell you more when I update later.

My children are each so beautiful that I thought if I had an entry for each I could keep going to to update with my "thankful fors" it would be nice to read when they are older…

Love and Light,

Monica

So I called my daughter finally.  She’s doing well and we had a good "get it out" session.  Seems she’s been upset about how I’ve changed since I got married to Daniel.  Well, she’s right.  I told her she’s right. 

I asked the boys too what they thought, and they agreed.

Before Daniel I was a single mom for about 10 years.  It was just me, my kids and my job.  So they got all the time in the world when I got home from work.

In pops Daniel and my time is cut between my kids and my husband.  Tough to do.  Tough to get used to on all sides.

So, the kids have had less time with me and they have noticed ofcourse.

The things you gotta do ya know?  It’s tough but I love them all and I make efforts everyday to be sure each has attention, but it is difficult in a new marriage.  I’m getting there.  Slowly but surely.

As for everything else that happened, we’ll mend as we go.  But alot of damage has been done.  Just need to get past it I suppose.

Jess is doing good, all A’s and B’s so the move for her is a good one.  

I am happily married to the man I will be with until I die.  My children are only with me for a short time and we’ll make the most of the time we have.  But I just know that others that go through marriages after divorce or widowing with children – they have struggles too.  Just need to get through it.

I love my babies and my honey.  I am truly lucky to be so "blessed".

~Mon 

The photos are up under Event’s Pics ~ Halloween 2006    Enjoy.  I know we did!

My Handsome Husband! Whatta Hunk! 

Me and My Little One

Was that my daughter? Nope, just the wind.

Have you noticed HOW many kids have cell phones? What’s up with this? I don’t know that they know how to speak anymore other than text message eachother. Hee hee.

James is in Freshman football at his high school. WOW the amount of work they have him do. And to think, picking something up off of the floor was difficult. Guess I should have bought a whistle for him to listen to me.

As for Stephen… he’s not a gonner yet to the teen thing. He and Daniel J keep playing their games and having fun. But when will I lose those two to teen years?!

Argh. Was I this bad?

Wait, nope… I was worse.

Okay, then thank GOODNESS I wasn’t my mom.

I need to go yell at them to pick up…