My Ebenezer

I think the title says it all. Do you know how many freakin’ sharks there are off the coast of Panama City Beach? We were IN THE WATER this morning when we noticed several people out on their balconies pointing towards the same spot in the water. That’s all it took for me to walk on water with Princess and get the heck out of dodge.

There were FIVE large sharks in the water. We were about knee deep when I saw one swim by about 15 feet from us. I know that most of the time they are harmless, but come on. I ain’t swimming with them. Once we were up on the beach, we saw another one swim by in the same spot.

One of the rental guys jumped on a jet ski to go take a look (IDIOT) and I think he just pissed them all off because they were swimming fast up and down the beach. It was kind of funny to watch him slow down near a lady who was still clueless and then to watch her fly through the water to get to dry land. I’m sure that’s about how I looked.

They are still some swimming around out there - we can see them from the balcony. And a tour helicopter just flew around circles over the water where there were a few sharks swimming.

Where are the dolphins? I miss the dolphins.

Later today, we’re taking Speedy to ride go-carts around a really cool track. He’s going to be thrilled. We ate a “pirate ship” restaurant last night where he and Princess both got pirate hats and had a great time.

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While Speedy and I were in the pool, I was floating on a tube and he had his floaties on. He said, “i just want these off,” and I told him he had to leave the floaties on. I didn’t, however, say anything about his bathing suit which is was he was obviously talking about. Seconds after saying that, he proudly presented his swim trunks to me as he free-balled it through the water. (pardon the pun) Thankfully, no one was around so I quickly got his swim trunks back on him but I realized too late that I had both legs through one hole on the inside part.

Looking around to make sure no one was watching (there still wasn’t anyone in that pool) I quickly brought Speedy to the steps where I removed his trunks and them put them back on the right way. Now I’m wondering, which is worse? The 3 year old who really doesn’t know any better removing his suit or his 33 year old mom who does know better.

On a different topic, you know that kid who’s always peeing in the kiddie pool? I mean, most kids do that, but I’m talking about the one who whips it right out and pees in front of God and everyone right into the water and anyone who happens to get in the way. Geez, I sure wish his parents would teach him to not pee in public. While they’re at it, they could also teach him to not pee in the shower.

You guessed it. The kid pulling his trunks down just enough to let Mr. Winkie out so he could pee in the pool right in the FREAKING MIDDLE of it, that’s my kid. Good ole Speedy. So let me tell you a thing or two about this kids parents. They were mortified when he peed in the pool where everyone could see. I mean, at least be a little discreet, you know what I mean? But seriously, I’m dying and I’m also doing everything I can to not crack up laughing and pee on myself in the process. I grab Speedy and carry him out of the kiddie pool and we go up for the night. (it was time, anyway) All the way up, I give Speedy a crash course on why it isn’t okay to pee in the pool and why if he is going to have an accident he should at the very least KEEP IT IN HIS PANTS!

He knew he needed to pee. We were right there. He knew enough ahead of time that he had plenty of time to whip it out. So why in the world couldn’t he have gone to the restroom that was only about 20 feet away?

So you want to know something else about the kid’s who pees in the pool parents? They secretly think it is hysterical that their three year old did that and the hope your all-too-perfect-would-never-do-that-kid got in the direct path of his stream.

You know that kid in the pool who’s always peeing in the water?

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The day started with a bang, watching the dolphins as we had our breakfast. Then we headed down to the beach where we found the water nice and warm and very calm. Speedy and Princess both wore their lifejackets and thank God for whoever invented them because they both would have drowned without them.

Those kids are FEARLESS! Speedy takes off and jumps into the surf and giggles like a fool as the waves crash over him. Princess took a little more convincing but once she got used to it, she was almost asleep floating on the waves. I taught her a new word today, “Chillin’” !!!! That’s what she said when she and I got in a tube and floated around the lazy river. I assumed the typical tube formation (but through center) and she leaned against my legs and looked like a Diva with her leopard swimsuit and floppy hat.

We started at the beach, then went to the pool and then Princess crashed. She and Daddyo headed up while Speedy and I went to investigate the other swimming pools.

Speaking of, did you know that Speedy can swim? Yeah, I didn’t know it either but evidently he can. Sort of. Unfortunately, he can’t swim enough to get his face out of the water, but he can get from point A to point B easily enough. He got in major trouble twice today for attempting to make that swim without waiting for mommy or daddy to say we were ready for him to go. I’m glad he does so well, but I wish he were at least a little afraid. Of anything.

After lunch everyone napped a bit and then Princess and I went down to the lazy river and splash pad while Daddyo and Speedy went to get a few floats. We all met up in the lazy river and played for another hour or two before calling it a day.

Here it is only 4:30pm and I think we’re probably done for the day. Maybe a walk on the beach after dinner since Princess is taking her SECOND nap of the day now. She’s got it made if you think about it. She wakes up, eats, plays in the water and then starts the routine all over again!

The balcony on our condo is huge and we’ve been eating all our meals out there watching the sharks. Yes, I said sharks. There are 4 or so who hang out around this area of the beach. Nice, huh? How sad is it that daddyo comes running in here all excited telling me to look out the window - “look at that shark, he’s only about 10 feet away from those people right there!” Now, if he were alarmed when he said this, it would be one thing. But he’s not. He’s thrilled. I’m not so thrilled to think sharks may be swimming 10 feet away from me or my kids. Needless to say, we don’t go out very far.

Finally, Speedy is learning so much on this trip. He’s learning about swimming, about fish, about sharks and about peeing in the shower. Yep, he and daddyo were in the big shower getting all the sand off of them and this is the conversation I overheard:

Daddyo: Speedy! DO NOT pee on me. If you’re gonna pee in the shower, pee down the drain!
Speedy: Sorry, daddy. I’ll pee down the drain.

long pause

Speedy: DADDY! DO NOT fart in the shower! It’s stinky!

later this afternoon.

Me: Speedy, go pee pee on the potty and then come back and play.
Speedy: Sure, mom. Okay, mom.

walks into the bathroom

Speedy (to himself): I’m just going to pee pee down the drain in the shower.
Me: SPEEDY! DO NOT pee in the shower! Go to the potty.

We’re having a blast.

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So we decided to bring the laptop afterall, with strict rules about not checking emails. It’s come in handy already to look up places to eat, etc…

The trip over went very smoothly - we had a nice visit with family in Louisiana and we spent the night in Slidell, La. All four of us in one room and it worked out okay. We thought the kids would crash in the car when we left our relatives’ house, but they BOTH stayed awake until 9pm! Woke up when we got to the hotel but went right back to sleep, for the most part.

The funniest thing so far is Speedy’s enthusiasm. I think he likes being on vacation. When we crossed the state line into Florida, Daddyo said, “woooppeeee! We’re in Florida now” and Speedy went nuts in the back seat. “It’s so fun! It’s so fun! It’s so fun! It’s so fun!” I caught part of it on video with my cell phone, I’ll have to post it later.

This morning, we woke up at 6:30am and headed out on the balcony for breakfast. We got to watch dolphins frolicking in the water while we had breakfast.

We’re off to a great start.

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Okay, I’m just playing catch up with photos as I’m clearing my camera for our trip!

More painting in the Ebenezer household:

I couldn’t resist taking this picture. These are two of the adorable bathing suits I picked up for Princess! Aren’t they cute?

I painted Princess’ toes and Speedy wanted his done, too!

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Stella: through tears, “I just want them to know that I’ve changed. I’ve really changed this time. I know I was bad before but I’m not bad anymore. If they could just give me a second chance to show them. I want to go home. I want to be with my family. If they don’t give me a second chance I understand. I just want them to know I’m different now.”

Can you imagine being 15 and knowing that your family doesn’t want you because you’re “bad”?

As I was leaving today, Stella asked me how she could catch up at school. (she is one year behind) I told her to work hard and make A’s and B’s (she is incredibly capable of doing straight A’s) and then we could talk to her counselor at school. I suggested maybe summer school. She said she couldn’t afford to pay for summer school. (does summer school actually cost money?) I just smiled and told her that if she made the grades and decided she wanted to go to summer school to catch up that we would find a way to make it happen.

Stella moved to a new foster home last week and new foster mom didn’t have any information about medication. No meds, no prescriptions, no nothing. No evals so Stella could see the therapist or the doctor who might be able to prescribe appropriate medication. Case worker left Friday for vacation and isn’t returning until next week. Stella didn’t have enough clothes for school that starts on Monday. Stella wanted to see her bio family this weekend (which is allowed) but foster mom wouldn’t set it up because she doesn’t want bio family to have her contact information. Stella’s aunt was going to buy her shoes for school.

Enter Child Advocates.

Stella now has clothes for school (thanks, again, mom) and she will be spending the weekend with her aunt who will buy her shoes and get her hair done. All necessary records have been sent to appropriate persons so Stella was able to see the therapist and will also see the doctor this week.

Have you signed up to become a Child Advocate yet?

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Here’s the forecast for our vacation:

Sat
Aug 25 Scattered T-Storms
89°/76° 30%
4 Fair

Sun
Aug 26 Scattered T-Storms
90°/76° 40%
4 Fair

Watch for Lightning

Mon
Aug 27 Scattered T-Storms
89°/76° 40%
4 Fair

Tue
Aug 28 Scattered T-Storms
89°/76° 40%
4 Fair

Wed
Aug 29 Scattered T-Storms
88°/75° 40%
4 Fair

Watch for Lightning

Thu
Aug 30 Scattered T-Storms
89°/75° 40%
4 Fair

Fri
Aug 31 Scattered T-Storms
90°/76° 60%
4 Fair

Sat
Sep 1 Scattered T-Storms
89°/75° 60%
4 Fair

Watch for

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This morning after speedy had been awake about an hour, I said, “Guess what? Only 2 more sleeps until we go to FLORIDA!!!” His response? “Mommy, I want to go sleep right now.” LOL Never thought I’d hear that one.

Unfortunately, he is sound asleep right now. He was up early this morning so he was tired, but I put him in bed at 1pm and he never moved. Now I’m hoping he wasn’t thinking that if he went to sleep this would count as one of his two remaining “sleeps” before we leave for Florida. Poor kid!

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As we get closer and closer to vacation, I can hardly wait to get on the road. I originally planned to bring my laptop so I could share pictures and journal the trip but I think I’m going to skip that. It’s been a long time since I’ve really “unplugged” so I think i’ll leave the laptop here. I have to take my cell phone, obviously, but I think we’ll leave the computer.

That’s not to say that I won’t accidentally stop in an internet cafe and make an update or two. I just want to be able to avoid email.

Right now, speedy is having “rest time”. I can hear him jumping off of his bed over and over agian. I’m sure he’ll be nice and rested when “rest time” is over.

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Do you remember what it was like when you were in school and you did your back to school shopping? The fun of picking out new clothes and school supplies. The anticipation of the new school year. It’s been a long, long, loooong time since I’ve felt that way but I can remember even the first few years after college feeling that same sense of anticipation in the early fall.

Imagine that anticipation feeling more like dread and anxiety. Not worried about the school or the classes, but concerned because you don’t have enough clothes that fit to get you through a week. Worried because there is no one to buy those things for you. Sure, you get a measely clothing allowance from CPS and your foster mom gets so much money a month for your care, but still. When the clothing allowance is gone and your foster mom hasn’t yet received her check or its for the wrong amount or for whatever reason…..you’re the one left with less than what you need for school.

It’s not hard to understand how you could be without clothes. Even if you had enough a few months ago, you’ve lived in 5 different places in the last 6 months - you’re bound to leave things behind when you go from one place to another. And although you’re about to start a new school in a new place you know you shouldn’t get comfortable there because you won’t be there long. Your case worker is already talking about moving you again for reasons you don’t understand.

Most kids are worried about whether or not their jeans are cool enough; you’re worried about whether or not you’ll get the extra pairs you need.
Most kids are worried about how their shirts fit them; you wonder if you’ll have to wear the same ones every three days.
Most kids have plenty of underwear to get them through the week; you hope your foster mom stays on top of the laundry.

The saddest part of it all? This is not a new feeling for Stella. This has always been her life.

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