Today was NOT a fun day. All of us were home sick with the flu. Honestly I am not sure who felt the worst, because all of us were pretty bad.

I think this has been going around the city for the last couple of weeks and most of the people at my office who have gotten it were fine after 24 hours. I hope that is our case.

Prayers for feeling better.

Today Middle Boy and I had our probation interviews. There were a whole lot of questions about the way we communicate and interact with one another. There were also a lot of questions about rules and routines at our house. The purpose is to determine the right course of action for Middle Boy.

I also had to ask questions about his hobbies and his friends. Not the easiest thing in the world when he lived here six weeks and then spent eight weeks at the juvenile center and now 10 days back at home. He has moved around a lot. I am not sure that he has had a lot of friends over the course of his lifetime.

Not sure what the course of action will be, but the probation officer was REALLY nice.

Praises for this whole thing going smoothly for the most part.

As of tomorrow our home is becoming a complete dictatorship.

What I learned over the long weekend is that asking Middle Boy and Younger Boy to do things will not EVER get them done. Things must be on a list with a deadline and the associated consequence listed next to it. There will be no surprises.

When I ask if you have taken your meds you shouldn't act like I am asking you something in a foreign language. You take meds every day.

When I ask if you showered it shouldn't be a surprise. You should shower every day.

When I ask if those are clean clothes you are wearing you shouldn't be shocked. We have more than enough clothes for you to wear two or three outfits a day...no need to repeat.

If you don't have your shoes on and it is time to go there shouldn't be confusion about why you need to get them on. We are leaving.

Brushed your teeth? Not challenging.

We are going to work on routine. This seems to be where we are stumbling right now. Adding Sophie to the mix has actually helped, because taking care of her isn't optional. They made a contract with me and there are terms in the contract which are pretty clear what will happen if they don't keep up their end of the deal.

Prayers for this dictatorship. Both boys told me during a family meeting that it will work better that way for them.

After about fourteen hours without heat we are now cozy warm again. The lowest I think our house got down to was 53 degrees. That is nice for a spring day outside, but not so much in your home.

Praises the repairs were not too costly and the repairman was able to come today to fix the problem.

Younger Boy must have thought about it long enough and decided he finally wanted to call Older Sister.

It is SHOCKING how much she sounds like Older Boy on the phone. Same voice inflections and everything.

The first call was very short and awkward. They didn't have much to say to each other.

The second call they talked about all of their favorite things. They talked about wanting to see each other. I think there is something in the works for that, but I am not positive. I need to check with Mom J.

Both nights that he talked to her he had nightmares. I don't know if it is just a coincidence or not. Both nights he was screaming in his sleep. I am going to talk to Therapist J about it on Thursday.

Praises for healing relationships. Prayers that this can be a healthy family relationship for Younger Boy.

Our furnace went out during the night. It is now 53 degrees in here. We are waiting for a repairman to come out and fix it. It should be in the next couple of hours. So until then we are doing our best to stay warm.

Praises we were able to get someone to come out today.

We went to church this morning. I was kind of irritated wiht the boys because they left part way through to use the restroom and never came back. Apparently they stayed at the back of the church for the second half of the service.

Afterward we went and picked up Middle Boy's cell phone at C's where he left it on Thursday. Then we went shopping for groceries.

We decided to do a family activity so we went bowling and then watching Kung Fu Panda 2. The bowling was good. Both boys had a good time.

Praises for another good night.