Finally after 7 YEARS!!

Well, finally after 7 years we are able to visit the kid's unrestricted. I had a hearing with the family court on Thursday of this week and although it seemed like an impossible, daunting, and pointless task, there was a lot of work that had to be done and, thanks to the help of my family, especially Sherri, and many friends, the battle is over for now. We are able to visit the kid's for 4 hours on Saturday, and 4 hours on Sunday. Good starters since we normally get two and have to pay for that privilege. This visit, our time doubled and we saved $200. Now we are closer to being a normal divorced and separated family. Later this summer we will try to get a week or two at a time here at home. So, for now we are very content.

The first picture is my favorite. These are the kid's sitting in the back of my car. That's right...the back of my car! This picture, of course, will be enlarged and framed and put in our bedroom, probably on my dresser. I already have a frame for it. Curved glass with brass frame in the middle.

Anyway, we had a blast. When we first set out, I got on the freeway headed to a shopping center and I had to leaned over to Sherri and whispered, "I can't believe this is happening. I don't know what to do!!" I was scared out of my pants. I had always watched other peoples kids and just did what their parents asked me to do. Now I was with Sherri and we were trying to move a mountain, figuratively speaking. So, we took the kids shopping at Target. They each got to pick out a toy. That was fun. Soooooo many choices, so little money. I could have said purpose, but the purpose of toys is to make kid's, and their dad's happy. This is a picture of the kids holding their treasures in the back of my car...that's right, the back of my car!

Here is another view. Had to do one from each side of the car. That way I am sure to always at least get one in the picture. A good one anyway.

So off we go to Petsmart! This was a very interesting visit because we had no intention of purchasing anything. However, the kid's wanted to go so we went. They were having a pet adoption day. Mean dog day is what I call it. They were barking and trying to eat the cages to get at the other dogs and small children. Some medium sized children too. These are some of the best pictures I have ever taken of these two. Something about petsmart just memorizes them.

Both of the kids seemed to like the lizards and the frogs the best. Go figure. This picture of Lily was very lucky for me. She held still just long enough for the camera on my phone to catch it. Again, one of the best.

This next one is Colby and he is making faces at the fish. That is always interesting too because I wonder if he was trying to communicate. He assured me that he was just making fun...but I'm not so sure.

When he discovered the turtles, that was it. All over. "DAD DAD DAD DAD DAD, Can I have a turtle?" of course the answer was "How many do you want?" He said, "just one." and I said, "you'll have to ask you mother." How's that for knowing what to do?

Then we went to lunch at EXTREME PITA. Imagine a Subway, where they use pita pockets instead of bread and they grill all of the meat for you. Man it was good. Here are a couple of us stuffing our faces.

So anyway, that is about it for the pictures. After lunch we went to CrackerJax. That is kind of like a Scandia or Family Fun Center. We Spent $40 on tokens and $10 of that went into the claw machine to retrieve goods. I have finally figured those out and was able to get two stuffed animals in only 3 tries each. How's that for a money saver. It was pretty loud in the arcade and after about 30 minutes LilyAnn started to get distressed about the noise. So we all took a break and went outside to the picnic area to regroup. We decided to give Colby one spin in the Jax Jr. go carts. Man he is funny when he rides those. I only have that on video in the camera so I'll not be able to add any yet. Maybe I can update it once I get the video going.

Anyway, we went to the park for about 10 minutes. It started to rain as soon as we stepped out of the car. so we headed back to the hotel and there was mom waiting. We actually had a conversation. I introduced her to Sherri and all seemed to go well. I got a picture mail from Lily on the way home and about 3 phone calls. Man that is sweet. Everything has seemed to improve 100% just over the last week. So, we are excited for the future.

It rained all the way home.we had thick rain for a while, and misty stuff the rest of the way. Once we hit Hoover dam there was no more rain. Hmmmm weird. Anyway, that is about it for now. I am soooooo glad the visits have changed. I was just about ready to throw in the towel. We Love everyone and can't wait for you to meet the Kid's. they are great. Sherri is only 5 weeks from the new baby being born. I am totally excited about that because I will instantly have a new friend.