Friday, June 25, 2010

what is cooking with the campbells?

well, it is definitely hot down here in Tejas! I mean HOTT! But it's all good. As July approaches here are the updates in the Soup home:
We ended up taking my stepdaughter back home. Things just got unfathomably difficult. However, I'm still hopeful that some day things will get better. Right now we are going to back off and let her decide if she wants to come visit, rather than forcing it. It's been somewhat difficult (she didn't even call on Father's Day), but we feel as though we need to respect our decision to do that.
That being said, things are so much better at home. I feel like we're finally enjoying our home. Even though it's hot as Hades, I enjoy sitting on the back patio and watching my dogs play (drink in hand of course!). I haven't had much of a summer yet. When Abby was here, I was permanent chauffeur taking her to camp, Vacation Bible School, play dates etc. I didn't mind it at all, but I never realized how much driving can tire a person! I am writing 7th grade Language Arts curriculum, so that has keeps me busy. In addition to that, I subbed twice last week for summer school and attended the AVID conference the past four days. I actually enjoyed the AVID conference, but it was nice to sleep in this morning. One really cool thing about AVID is that it is nationwide so I ended up seeing my 7th grade Science teacher and 9th grade English teacher at the conference! Who would've thought? Some other highlights from the AVID conference: riding the DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit= read: light rail)....it was kind of liberating (I've never lived in a city that was large enough for a light rail..although Dallas's public transportation is minimal) until I sat in a seat full of questionable liquid (I hope it wasn't PEE!), getting lost at the Hyatt and ending up in the kitchen, getting lost at Union Station, Mr. Bill embarrassing our group, getting in a debate with the people in my morning strand over the legalization of drugs, oh and learning strategies to meet students' needs and prepare them for the college curriculum.
I'm hoping July and August will be less busy, but I'm afraid it won't. We have friends coming to visit both months and some trips to make. My high school reunion is at the end of July and we're hoping to squeeze in a weekend trip to Austin as well. We are having people over for the 4th of July and for Murad, Sampson and Maya's birthday. We had hoped to take another cruise, but Murad doesn't finish his summer semester until August 9th....bleh! I'll be glad when he's done!
I am excited about the rest of the summer and 2010. Murad will graduate in December and will sit for the LMSW exam. With that, he's hoping to work at the VA Hospital here in Dallas and if things work out he would make our current salaries combined....which means if we have kids I could stay home. However, y'all know me. A. I love to shop so we need that extra money. B. my personality is not that of a stay-at-home mom. I am not internally motivated, so I would be one of those moms who lives in her pajamas rather than be productive. Plus, I grew up with a working-mom and saw the value in seeing her go off to work each day. I knew she had a life outside of the home that did not revolve around me. And in the era we live in, kids need to see that the world does not revolve around them. sometimes my students teach me invaluable lessons! However, I think stay-at-home moms work harder than the public gives them credit for. I have so much respect for what they do day in and day out and they rarely get a break.
Well, that's it for the soups! Hope your summer is well. I will post pics when I can of our home!

Monday, June 14, 2010

hilarious

Hip-hop artists' real names



My top two favorites:
Drake - Aubrey Graham
Akon - Aliaune Damala Bouga Time Puru Nacka Lu Lu Lu Badara


I wanna know how many girls would like to scream Akon's real name at a concert or during sex!

Friday, June 11, 2010

i am an adult

I have to remember that. I have to. I can't be upset. She's eight. She's homesick. It's expected. It's not personal to us. For the past year and a half her mom worked all the time and now that she's able to be home, my stepdaughter feels like she's missing out. Of course she does. What eight year old wouldn't want their mother. Plus, she comes to Texas and her daddy has a new house in a big city that she never really was comfortable with before. In her hometown, she knows everyone and where everything is. Here everything is big and scary. I have to understand that and know that she is not taking it out on us. We are the adults. We have to help her through this time. pray that we will!

Thursday, June 10, 2010

what i've seen

things are different this summer. my stepdaughter used to be so eager to come spend her summers here and now she's not. She whines and cries every night. She has good eventful days, and then when it's time for bed is when the whining starts.
She used to be so sweet, kind and generous. She used to have nothing but nice things to say about people. The other day she had a play-date with my friend's daughter and she called my friend mean for making her clean up her snack area. She would've never done that before. She used to take pride in doing the right thing. I feel like I don't know her. I can't blame her though. we are the product of environment and when no one has held you accountable for your actions, why start now.
I so wanted for her to be accountable. I wanted her to be healthy. I wanted her to have a chance at going to college. I wanted her to be safe. I wanted her to have a childhood as close to normal as possible. I have to realize that these wants are just not possible. I know I don't always quote it right, but one mother from "Autism: The Musical" said something very powerful. "I have to accept that my child's normal is not what I wanted it to be." And I have to accept the same for my stepdaughter and learn to be okay with it.
Her mother wants another chance to be the mother she couldn't be before. And I understand that and I accept that. Besides, I think if it is possible, safe and healthy, then a mother should be with her child. I just hope that it is the safest and healthiest option for her.
Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers, especially my stepdaughter. Let's make this the best week and a half possible!

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

this is it...

Well, this is it. I've prayed and thought about this long and hard. Mr. Soup and I have done everything in our power, but it's not going to happen. For those of you who know, Mr. Soup and Abby's mom planned to have Abby come live with us permanently. They both agreed that it would be best for her future. However, that has changed. I'm kind of numb right now. I feel like for so long, I wanted to make Abby's life better. I think I almost obsessed over it. Now, I feel like I finally have permission to let go. We can focus on our little family. I know people probably have lots of opinions on this matter, but I ask that you respect Abby, our family and her family. I just wanted to let everyone know that she will not be coming to live with us. this is it.