Updates

Several updates - everyone has been asking how all the kids are doing at Betty's house - so here's the run down:

Victoria had surgery last week & actually is doing better then they expected, although she is being a bit picky in what she will eat - so she didn't get home until yesterday. She came through surgery really good! If the surgery is successful - she will not throw up all the time like she had been doing. They basically wrapped the top of her stomach around the base of the esophogus to keep the food in her stomach better.

Tim (Betty's Tim) is still in the psych hospital. Within the first couple of days he had been able to sneak an entire second breakfast - which in our opinion was good - because then they got to see how sneaky he is and how obsessed he is with food. It sounds like he might be coming home some time this week. We are hopeful that they have a good plan to help him with his obsessions and sneaking.

Marcus - where to start! Marcus has become the chronic run-away. He came home last week while Betty was in Peoria & brought three girls home & went straight to the basement with them. The babysitter was beside herself & called Betty who called me. By the time I got there, the girls were just leaving & the babysitter was shaking. He had started screaming at Tim & then cussing Tim and the babysitter out. I'm sure I didn't get through to him that if his goal is to get out of the system & be on his own - he can't behave that way.

Well he stayed at Betty's for about two days & then ran again (this was after the counselor told him that he couldn't go). He has been gone from Wednesday until last night! He showed up just before Betty got home with Vicky from the hospital. My Chris was there waiting to babysit Vicky for a few hours. Betty got home within a half an hour of Marcus arriving. Marcus picked the lock to get into the basement even!

Long story sort of short - he was removed from Betty's and taken to another home. In his room there were multiple dirty dishes hidden, cigarettes, a full ashtray, an empty alcohol bottle, broken glass & three holes in the walls!!

Betty has stated she is not going to take another teenager! I don't blame her! I actually think that placing Marcus in the Lincoln Challenge (as they threatened him with) would have been a very good place for him to go. It would teach him discipline and self-worth! Two things that I think alot of kids in the system lack!!

Our house - Amie is feeling better! She even told her teacher that she felt better yesterday!!