An Outdoor Wilderness Program teaches an inordinate amount of skills that are necessary for life. When one adopts older children, one then parents kids who may not even have learned basic hygiene, zero life skills, and often have an inability to make simple decisions or choices.

I had one son years ago, be way too emotionally disturbed to function, much less excel at a wilderness program. He’d been sent there by our county’s mental health organization and within five months, at age 11, he was kicked out, eventually he spent... more

My seven year old son told me to look at the TV last night. “Mom, it looks like that guy’s dad is sitting next to a pile of tires in the house.” He was referring to Shaquille O’Neal and some white kid in his new show.

I replied, “Honey, that’s not his dad, that’s Shaq,” and I went on to explain who he was in the NBA.

I’m struck by the fact that my son just assumed that was the father because my family is comprised... more

I’ve had a lot of emails from other frustrated adoptive parents, many are complaining about a lack of available out-of-home placements in their area, leaving these exhausted parents to try and keep their families safe while managing out-of-control behaviors in disturbed children.

Bluntly put, there are some children who can not, should not live at home and this doesn’t mean that the adoptive parents failed to parent. Don’t condemn yourselves; there are plenty of others who’ll... more

I don’t meet many new people nor do I go many new places. My presence at home is absolutely and constantly demanded by my 39 children. I have too much to get done each day anyway, I need and I want to be home.

Yesterday on one of my few excursions out I met a lady who’d seen us at church. “Please forgive my nosiness; I’m just so curious about your family. Where are they all from?”

“Texas,” I’d replied, hoping to avert questions, trying to be sweet and polite, but my mind was elsewhere. Our church was hosting a summer supper and she invited... more

Eight of my middle school children have gone to church camp, leaving me rattling around the house with my nine younger children, ages 4-11. I have a good many older kids and tonight we are going out.

Our town has a dollar theater and we’re going to see a silly movie, Blades of Glory, just so we can laugh off some of the stress of our lives lately.

It’s not often that we get a chance like this, usually we have a heavy soccer schedule, or I just can’t get out the door what with all the... more

Brothers since they were 2 and 4, now they are 11 and 13, closer than ever. Both are even-tempered, easy going, fun loving guys who’ve been great sons and good role models here within our family.

The one on the left joined our family eight or so years ago along with his very troubled siblings. Maybe he intuitively sensed their issues, but he immediately bonded with the one on the right who is a grandson that I’ve adopted and am raising. They share clothes, a room, and all their thoughts with each other.

They’d had one of their rare squabbles... more

Seventeen years ago I picked up the phone to call my new kids. They were living in a foster home in Texas after an adoption disruption that had devastated them. I was excited about adding new children to our family; they were, of course, non-responsive and verbally non-committal. I drew out a few words from each child, then 6, 8, 11 and 12, hanging up the phone I still felt I could win them over with my love for them, not having a single clue how hard it would be tested for the next decade. I was 35 years old; I’d been a mama for 16 years by then, MAPP... more

Our church was packed today. The middle of the summer, a sweltering 95 degrees, people vacationing in the mountains, at the lakes and the beaches, yet one could hardly find a parking space at all for second service, first service starting at 8:30 also impressively full.

I won’t even mention our denomination, that’s not the issue. I believe that it boils down to a spiritual hunger; people want to believe in something, they want their world to make sense. Maybe I’m just projecting my own wants and needs but I believe this is what I’m seeing.

Life... more

I was talking over my own criminal tendencies post with one of my older daughters, reiterating that I was still dumbfounded to have to consider that all of my children came from backgrounds in which their birth parents participated in criminal activities.

My daughter reminded me of what I already knew but didn’t usually dwell on, the fact that my children were usually asked, forced or coerced into participating as well. Her sibling group came... more

Possibly I should preface this post with the statement, “Not all of my sons have been involved with the law.”

I am struggling hard with the concept of criminal activity. I have some very angry sons; boys who were adopted later in life, very traumatized, and they are demonstrating a clear inability to follow rules, no matter the consequences.

All of my children came from backgrounds in which there was considerable parental involvement with the police. They learned such erroneous concepts as, “The MAN is out to getcha!” There was no understanding... more