Aint' Life Fine!

Life has been hectic and fun and grumpy and stressful, over the last few weeks. Summer has been a little lazy. The kids and I have had many many late nights getting ready for our play. SO, I decided that I wouldn't push them to be busy during the days. Unfortunately with a lazy summer comes a lot of computer and Xbox playing as well as a little reading and singing. While I am okay usually with all of these things in moderation, I am usually so much better at making my kids do some school work and chores before they get to do them. That hasn't been the case this year. A little disappointing for me as a mother, but I have also needed the rest both physically and mentally. So I am trying to be alright with it all.

We are in our final week of our play "The adventures of Tom Sawyer". We have 3 shows left to perform and then it is over. Miranda is the understudy for Becky Thatcher (the lead girl role) and was given a chance to perform itfor friends and family along with the understudy for Tom (Eli Bradford) during one of the dress rehearsals. It was wonderful to see her perform and shine. She even got her first kiss (onstage in front of everyone!)
It has been an awesome summer getting to perform and also getting to know everyone. There is nothing like the friendships you make spending every night with people. I am hopeful that the friendships made, not just mine but those of my kids will continue long after we finish this weekend. 
If you haven't had a chance to come and see us in the show, please do. It is a fabulous show that is really great for the whole family. It will make you want to get up and dance with us.
I am so proud of each one of my kids for the time and effort they have put into the show. It has been so much fun spending the summer with them and getting to see them do so well on stage. They are all wonderful performers. Please come see them and support us and community theater!!
Here are some pictures of our show. Some I took and some other people took (Ann-Marie Mair of Ring Lite Photography, our shows photographer and Kendra Creer Hill our shows videographer. Both ladies are amazing) I hope it's okay that I posted these?

Our phenomenal band!

our cast

Me (widow Douglas) teaching Huck Finn to read.

our scary villain Injun Joe (aka Jarom Loch)

these are of a dress rehearsal when Miranda was filling in as Becky Thatcher.

Our fabulous Tech crew.

Tom, Becky and Huck

Nastia is still plodding along with her treatment. I say plodding because that is exactly how it feels. She has gained almost 20lbs (is almost at the low end of her goal weight range) and is looking so much healthier. But she is getting frustrated because there are people that have been in the program with her that are getting to leave and her treatment is going slowly. Partially because she isn't as open as the other girls to do what is necessary to move it along. She has also been struggling with purging (throwing up after she eats) for the last few weeks. This has put her progress back a little way and it has also upset her because there are consequences that come when you purge in an eating disorder clinic. We have tried many things to help her understand why she is doing it, but it still continues. They have started her on medicines to help her digest food more quickly to see if that helps her at all. We are constantly praying that something will help her and that she will at some point understand what needs to happen and be willing to do it, to help her come home. But for now she is still there and is still very unhappy about it.
Thank you for all your prayers on her and our family's behalf. They are felt and appreciated.

I tell you these things not because I need advice or condolences or anything else. I share them with you because I know that many of you have been interested in Nastia's treatment and how our family is dealing with it all.  I know there are many of you that are very supportive of what we are doing but I also know that there are others that don't agree with us placing Nastia in this treatment, especially for so long. To you I say, please keep your opinions to yourself. I am not in a place emotionally to deal with harsh criticisms or any criticisms at all for that matter. This placement has been not only hard on Nastia but also on the rest of us. But as her parents and family we believe that this is the best course of action for her and so are dealing with it the best way we can. We understand that her not being in our home, brings up feelings of abandonment and memories of past experiences for her. We are dealing with all of those issues as they arise. I am so very grateful to those of you that have been supportive and willing to just listen when I feel like I need to vent. Sometimes that is all that we as women need, a listening ear.
Please only leave supportive comments. This situation is hard enough. I don't need to feel like I am a bad parent for doing what we feel is right for our child.