While we were in Nashville, I made friends with this girl staying in our hotel. She was there recording an album, and is the lead singer for a band called The Mercies. They're based out of Dallas. Very Melissa Etheridge-y. If you live in Dallas, check them out!

Izaih is like a teenager already. He is so sassy and has such a little attitude. He reminds me of myself at 13. I want to pull my hair out.

"Mommy, quit talking. You're making me angry."
"Mommy, leave me alone."
"Mommy, I don't want to."
"Mommy, you're annoying me."
"Mommy, go away!"

Most 4-year-olds have a hard time obeying. But he NEVER obeys. Not even the simplist requests. Come here, put your shoes on, stop, eat, look at me, hold on, pick it up, etc. etc. etc. are all met with, "I - don't - WANT - to!!!!!!!" For the love of Pete!!! We're even super strict with him, too. He never gets away with disobeying or being rude. That doesn't cut it with us. We're meeting with the preschool director tomorrow to discuss options because not much is working with him there, either. He receives all these services and therapists that come in to help him, yet he still has such a hard time. Our therapists in the past have said that they've never seen a child like him, and that he breaks the mold. He needs to be put in a lab and studied or something, because therapies that work with every other traumatized child don't work on him. Kidding about the lab part. But it is very frustrating.

I have to keep reminding myself of where he was when we got him and how far he has come. It's insane how much he has progressed. From a child so "bad" not a foster home in the state would take him, to almost your average kid (minus a few things). I should be thankful: the cussing, hitting, smearing feces, running away, breaking everything in sight, horribly-acting-out-ridden child has almost vanished. But God, why did You pick US to parent him? Thank you wonderful friends and family who have stood by us, supported us, and helped us through the tougher-than-tough days with him. Thank you for helping us to raise our beautiful son and for loving on him and being angels in his life. We seriously could not do it without you!!!!!!!!!!