Digging out . . .

I am digging out from an incredibly crappy life lately. Dustin is truly embracing the wango tango like never before. I am seeing glimpses of what our future could hold and I am fighting it with every fiber in my being. I will not let it happen. We will get through this. We will be a stronger family. We will give him every opportunity to excel. Teenager hormones suck.

I have been incredibly busy with my photography which is good. I really enjoy it. I am building a my client list and continue to get referrals from my die-hard families.

I broke the news to the kids this year that Santa doesn't leave the presents, we do. We are making a concerted effort to de-crapify Christmas. We are definitely spending less and making it more memorable with traditions and with giving. We are focusing on giving to others in need this season and we are not spoiling our kiddos. They are old enough to understand the true meaning of Christmas and they really don't need a bunch of junk.

We have been having some issues with the littles and their behaviors so we have also started a new behavior mod system. It is working the best of any we have tried. Each child has a small ball jar and they get pennies for good behavior, helping others, kindness, and polite behavior. They can earn anywhere from 1-10 pennies and then they go and physically put pennies in their jar. When they fill their jar they will take it to the grocery and put it in the coin counter. They get what they earn and even a date with the adult of their choice. We shall see if it continues to work.