Jr. Babcock was baptised in January. I can't believe how much he has grown you can see him with Damon & Devon. They also had a new addition to their family and now they have 4 kids. So they have their hands full. We were able to have Nancy and Larry come visit from Oregon where they are living now so we had some get together while they were here.
Jaden Luce my sister Laura's oldest was also Baptised. We were able to attend his as well. IT was nice getting together and seeing one another when we can at these special times.
Devon is paying Basetball this year and is doing pretty good. He is strong and quick at taking hte ball down makes some lay ups and shots even has had some 3 pointers but he is still learning to be on the defensive side, hands up and getting the ball back or even getting a turn over while being defensive. He loves to shoot hoops all day long. Its been fun watching his games each Saturday. Devon and Damon will both be playing indoor soccer next. Ben and I are are the coaches for both of their teams this year. Yea us!
As far as trouble well I hate to label and mention it but Devon is trouble. He gets around trouble and becomes trouble. The last two months we have been working with him tiring to figure out what the change was that came about at school. He is such a loving, kind, helpful kid but the last two months he became a whole different person. We were able to figure out a little about what went on. He received 3 pink slips from school one after the other. Now a pink slip at school is not good, you go to the office talk to the principle and have to have a parent sign them to return back the next day. He with several other boys would talk back, Devon being more mouthier then the others was sent to the Principles office for two months to eat lunch until it changed. Then he had a sub for two days and he just gave it to him and was so rude and disrupted that finally the next time his teacher had a sub he was suspended for two days and almost not wanting him to return back to school. I was beside myself. What is the change? What can we do to help him through this. My older sister mentioned puberty its the age. Then I was besides myself I didn't know what to do. With Devon it doesn't phase him. So I sat down with him, calmly and just asked what is going on what can we do to help, is something happen at school that we don't know about? He just started crying, no words and really upset. So I used the Spiritual side of things, well you are the only person who can help yourself. We are here for you and help you daily no matter what. I suggest if you don't know what to do and if you are upset they way you are channeling your anger is not working and hurting others around you so I suggest you saying a little prayer each morning or stop and think about what you are doing while being mad before you act upon it. He has been grounded for over a month now, in his room no TV, radio, computer, games etc. He is to read all day long in his room. He even tried getting out of it once he said he was bored and hated being home. I said next time your choices will be different then hu, there are consequences for your choices. Let me tell you its the hardest thing to ground a child and be so st ricked because the whole family gets grounded. We found out that Devon needed more love, more attention and more one and one with all that he does. He is an emotional, loving kid and wants us to tell him all the time how good he is doing, getting rewards when he is doing well. We worked out a program that he does well that once a month we have one on one time with him, a date night a place he would like to go to. My older sister shared a story with him and the minute you want to KILL your child is one you should sit back think, and be calm to see what you can do together. Now it doesn't work with every child and usually nothing works with him. I will tell you that his grades are better, he had a sub today at school and did well, the Principle is getting him out of his office and can eat in the cafeteria with his friends again. The biggest thing is that we are working together on his needs. I put allot of Faith & trust into this one. We needed to start now sense he will be 12 a teenager. I don't want it to be later. I want to thank you my family for their thoughts and ideas, sometimes you have to look outside to look in.
Devon we love you and you are doing well. Great job keep up the good work. As far as the other 2 Mindi and Damon as much as we don't like to label again, they are both straight A students. They work hard sometimes but love to do well. Mindi has been asked to do AP English next year for 9th grade. We are proud of her and Damon just received 3rd place in his school class by sharing a story he made up and told it in front of the class its called "Story Telling". I must say he had so many expressions and large words that I didn't know it was one of my kids. He has such a large imagination.
So if you haven't heard from us we are not lost of gone we were pulling it together! Love our friends and family.
The Babcocks
