If the Sonnens Went Bad

Would-be robber shoots himself in foot, gets stabbed, then arrested, police say.

Elizabeth and I had a laugh over that headline today.

“That would happen to us if we went bad,” I said.

Baby Steps

I am beginning to see progress. Baby steps, but steps in the right direction.

Until I am working full-time, I will be spending my days writing and submitting.

I began a story for Chicken Soup today.

Tomorrow we will go to LPHS to see if we can FINALLY get Lizzy’s schedule set up.

Kyle and I were at the hospital yesterday. That man means the world to me. Friday we get the results. He will be fine. I won’t allow anything else.

Orientation

Elizabeth and I went to Lincoln Park High School for her orientation this morning. We didn’t get very far. She’s not in the system yet. But the principal and counselor assured us that all would be well by the time that school starts.

Elizabeth has forbidden me to visit the school with her anymore. Apparently, she did not appreciate me recruiting a friend for her.

C’est la vie.

Good Day

Elizabeth and I kept busy this afternoon. We stumbled through Chicago until we finally reached the The Anti-Cruelty Society . I love it. It is a no-kill operation. But they do not provide boarding, which is what we are looking for.

After leaving the animal shelter, we went to good old Ed’s. This time our waiter really didn’t like us. It wasn’t just an act.

As always, Elizabeth was being coy with the camera.

Still hiding.

Aha! I got her! I used the old ‘pretending to look at the picture that I just took’ trick. (snicker, snicker)

As I said, we were at Ed Debevic’s restaurant,

home of the flying pig.

I mistakenly ordered Atomic Fries. Whoops. Big difference between those and Cheesy Fries with ranch dressing.

Thus I was forced to wear the dunce cap.

Better luck next time, Susan.

From there we went shopping for school clothes. It was a successful mission: pirate flip-flops!

What Dreams May Come

Why I love this movie:

~the strong love between Annie and Christy which reminds me in so many ways of the love between Kyle and me: enduring, devoted, forgiving, and kind

~the force of Annie’s love for her children

~its accurate depiction of severe major depressive disorder

~its accurate depiction of stereotypical responses to a person suffering from depression

~the beauty of the sets

My favorite scene is the one in which Christy asks the tracker to tell his children that he will not leave their mother.

Elizabeth

I would do anything for my children. I considered writing that I would throw myself in front of a train, as a woman in Chicago reportedly flung herself in front of an on-coming train yesterday. But I digress, as usual. I would do anything for my children.

Elizabeth was all pumped for this move. She was adament about coming even after the big chaotic string of confusion. But thinking about it and living it are two different things. She was in tears last night. It broke my heart. I was ready to gather up our things and head for the train station right then, but she said that she still wanted to give it a try. She misses her siblings. She misses her friends. She misses her cat that returned home the night before we left. But most of all, she misses her dog, Isabella.

This morning she feels a bit  better, but is still nervous. I told her again that we can go back. She said that she really wants to stay and try school here. If she is still not comfortable after that, then she will say that she wants to return to Blue Springs.

I’ve got her back. Kyle’s got her back. Neither of us want her to hurt.

So for now, we wait.

Dear God, I love that child.

Pics Taken Today of John, Hannah, Elizabeth and me!

This is John doing his Ray Charles impression. I’m his backup singer.

To the right is a photo of Hannah, Susan and Elizabeth. We are contemplating the great mysteries of the universe.

Center: Susan Sonnen

Below: Susan and Hannah                                                            Below: Susan and Elizabeth: L for Love!

Brag Time

I am so very proud of my children. Literally, my chest swells with pride when I think of them.

As I mentioned earlier in the week, the boys have stepped up to the plate once again.

They do what needs to be done.

They do what is best for their family.

They did not learn these things from their father. In fact, he taught them the opposite. They figured it out on their own. They know the value of family. They honor their family. They love their family.

And my daughters, they are spirit and light. They are fighters. They are real women. Like their mother, if you knock them down, they will get right back up.

I am so very blessed.

Truly, no one is more blessed than I am. My children and I have been through numerous challenges, including a trauma of one of our own. Many people would expect me to be displeased with the way my life has proceeded. Not so. Think: do the people who have everything and want for nothing realize the strength that they possess? For that matter, can they really possess strength if they have never been tested?

I am blessed.

My children are my heart.

Life Goes On

My children are (along with Kyle, my beloved) the most resilient, strong and faithful people that I know. I cannot adequately describe the pride that I feel for them. It is an honor, and that is no exaggeration, to be walking through this life with them.

Approved!

I am thrilled to announce that my ex-husband has given his A-OK for the move to Chicago! Yes! I really don’t think that he could have stopped us anyway, but it’s nice to have the words on a legal document and no court battle.

He hasn’t spoken to Hannah and Elizabeth for four years.

A word of caution to young women:

Do not marry a jerk!