What a weekend

I had a very very busy weekend! It started with Bonita's birthday celebration Saturday afternoon. We took her to lunch at the restaurant of her choosing, which turned out to be Red Lobster. (I told the kids that I would do something big for their 13th birthdays, which is why Linda got a sleepover this year. Next year will be Bonita's big party).

From there we were supposed to get L to her surprise birthday party at the church. We had a few hours to kill in between the two, so we all hung out at my house with the kittens.

We finally headed to the church to surprise L for her 16th birthday. She didn't suspect a thing and was so surprised! It was a really fun time and she was really blessed.

After the surprise party, my friend Chris decided to have a sleepover for the teens at her house. But, she wasn't going to be home until after midnight. Jen and I decided that it probably wasn't a good idea for the teens to be alone in a house all night, so we went to the party. :) (I didn't have my camera, so no pictures).

Bonita and Linda were invited as well as J, another preteen who is about to be a teen. It was really exciting to see the older girls mixing with the younger ones.

Jen and I left around 3 a.m. to go home and take care of the kittens. Unfortunately, the news after we left was not good. Apparently Linda and Bonita were acting up quite a bit and really frustrating the other girls (Chris was asleep and unaware of what was going on). It made me very sad to hear this, but I wasn't completely shocked. Bonita and Linda face such a battle (and they aren't the only ones). They know how to act, but whenever I am not around they don't always think to act right...cause at home they get away with a lot more...and are influenced by very different things.

The encouraging thing was what the teen who told me about Linda said. She was telling me how the girls were acting and she said, "I don't think they knew that we don't act different outside of church". How encouraging!!! I talked to several of the older girls after the sleepover and they all said it really showed them that they need to be focused on being role models and examples for the younger girls, as well as spend time with them and mentor them. So, while I was disappointed in how the girls acted, I'm excited that other teens are stepping up!!

Okay, and finally....the surprise you have been waiting for...



















I got a van!! One of the families here in Philly got a new van, so they gave me their old one! Its perfect for getting around the city with tons of kids! I won't be taking any road trips in it, but with gas prices, I won't be taking many road trips anyway.

Thank you Jesus!