It's getting better

It has been a really rough week for us. James has been an absolute beast. Last Sunday I had to carry him football-hold style out of sacrament, never to return. I then carried him screaming to Sunbeams. Constant tantrums this week! His Uncle Christopher had to carry him kicking & scratching to preschool on Tuesday (okay, that was kinda funny, because I only heard about it & Christopher called me-desperate to just bring James back home). Ugh. I have no idea what's going on with him lately. All I know is our sweet, cuddly James is now angry all the time. I remember Alec acting up a lot during the home stretch to his fourth birthday, so maybe this is the same situation?

Then there's Alec's school situation. We have fasted and prayed multiple times, with no clear answer. His class has several severe behavior issues. 3 boys with blatant anger-management issues & several violent ones. (Alec's been stabbed with a pencil in the chest, knocked down & kicked several times & constantly bullied). Unfortunately, Alec, at least at this stage in his life, is a complete follower. As a result he's become angry & violent (hmm, maybe that's where James is getting it?). Alec has regressed behaviorally in class & academically. I feel sick to my stomach sending him to school. Bear in mind this is a charter school, that should be safer & more controlled than a public school. So frustrating. So, they forced his teacher to resign Thursday morning. I feel sick about it. Friday whilst I was in class, one boy got into a huge fight in the bathroom with an older student & two others got into a fistfight in class. So, we're debating between homeschooling & putting him back into his assigned public school.

Friday night Paul and I took it to the temple. I was SO uptight and stressed about the situation, which is only making it more difficult to make the correct decision. The amazing peace that washed over and relaxed me halfway through the session was amazing. I cried through a lot of the session, but felt so much calmer after. Thank goodness for the opportunity to attend the temple. We've got some guidance now, so on to happier topics!

Today is my birthday. The boys spoilt me this morning with cards & colored pictures.

Alec built me a 'paperweight spaceship' from Legos. 

James created a cute Mr Potato Head & proudly showed me the secret stash stored for me "...to make more, mommy!" 

They sang & hugged & kissed me. 

Paul even brought me breakfast in bed!

Which Evy begged for. Immediately.

I loved every second of it! 

ALL my siblings called and sang to me. 

My mom made me my favorite: eggplant Parmesan for dinner, and strawberry pie for dessert.

I'm stuffed for tomorrow even! Too bad the Broncos weren't having as good a day. Not that we're into American football, but I grew up in Colorado, so it was disappointing to hear how horribly they lost.