Jonathan Gets Braces!

Finally all of his baby teeth have fallen out and the new ones have grown in... meaning that he is ready for "phase 2" of his orthodontic treatment. He was determined to get them put on before we left for Carolina, so we set up the appointment for June 29th. He was excited- especially to pick out the rubberband colors. He chose Duke colors- blue and black. He was in pain for about 2 days, but then adjusted quickly. I've been surprised at how many foods he can still eat... and his teeth seem to be moving already! He should be done in 18-24 months.

Cruel World

Here is a life lesson I have learned this year- this is a cruel world. People who are aggressive, who lie, cheat, manipulate, use, cunnive, steal, and did I mention lie?? get ahead in this world.

I am so disgusted with our legal system. Jon went into court and lied and/ or COMPLETELY exaggerated (to the point where it still counts as a lie) REPEATEDLY about EVERYTHING. He and his attorney tried to make ME out to be the liar- which didn't work, but was still frustrating because I had to waste a lot of energy and time defending myself about nothing. They are both unethical and have NO moral values or class. Zero integrity. ZERO. Scum of the Earth? Why yes. They even tried to blackmail me. Nice.

It is sad to say that this "man" used me 100%- and to think that I actually loved him at one time. He didn't deserve that love. He was a 32 year old drifter with no friends, job or income when I married him (despite all the red flags). When I inherited money, he agreed to marry me. And then did not want to give me back the money I put down on the house that I bought before we were married... and even - gasp- tried to collect half the value of my wedding ring- that I INHERITED!!!!! How low can you go!! Just ask Jon- he wrote the book.

He has used the kids to get himself more money. They are devastated. Especially my 13 year old. He cries and physically shakes and does NOT want to see or talk to his dad. It is heart breaking. But Jon has NO emotions (didn't even shed a tear when his mom died- and then has been angry with his sister for years because she "stole" any money involved with her estate). He doesn't care about ANYone- period.

Even I am shocked at the extent of the mean, disgusting person that he is... He is truly a mean-spirited and down right evil person. I believe he has some deep psychological issues. DEEP.

I have worked hard in my life. I have been honest and trustworthy- and am a person of integrity. I am nice to others and help whenever I can- I have never done anything awful or even remotely mean to Jon. He simply just used me. I followed all the rules throughout this process and... and it got me nowhere- on paper.

BUT... the other thing I have learned is this- friends and family are precious. Jon may have gotten what he wanted in court through all his lies and BS, but he doesn't have a SINGLE friend in this world- (except maybe his poor dad who is stuck with a complete underachieving, self absorbed, lying, cheating, controlling. money-hungry, emotionally abusive scuz-bag of a son). And... his children have ZERO respect for him. NONE. They know he is a selfish liar who never follows through. They dread going to his house and can't wait to come home.

And when it comes down to it, I would rather have the love and respect of my friends and family- and especially my precious children, than to have "won" like Jon thinks he has.

I pray for these kids- who are stuck seeing him over 50 times more than ever before. I want them to be strong and stand up for themselves. I pray that he doesn't continue to be emotionally abusive to them. I won't be there to be the buffer or to take the brunt of his mind-games and crap anymore. I pray that his "poor me" guilt trips don't crush their beautiful spirits. I pray that he doesn't continue to stifle their growth with their peers. I pray that he actually starts doing homework with Jake (he claimed in court that he is teaching him to multiply- despite the fact that Jake can hardly add). And I just pray for their safety- while Jon holes up in his bedroom when he can't deal with them anymore.

And if any of Jon's family is reading this... my advice to you is WATCH YOUR BACK. You have all been wonderful to me and the kids. I have enjoyed getting to know each one of you. But this person is scary sick in the head. Please don't let the "I'm Mr. Nice-Guy", over-the-top, insincere facade he puts forth to the public fool you. He is only out for himself. ONLY.

You wouldn't believe how mad he was when the Spores' farm was given to the state- or whatever that deal was so you didn't have to pay taxes on the property. He thought it was his "due"- and also does not think that any of the Spores' girls should eventually get any of this property because they don't have the Spores' name anymore (not to mention that all women are idiots and are inferior to him).

It is going to be difficult to even see his face around town- and I know he will be at EVERY event acting like super-dad temporarily. It will be hard not to vomit. But, I am going to be strong. I am not going to let my anger eat me alive. It will be hard, but I am determined. He is NOT worth my time. He has taken enough of my life from me.

I have to believe that what goes around comes around. He will ultimately be judged by God- and he can't "pull a fast one" on Him.

Playground Fun

Jayden came with me one evening to school to finish up my progress reports. I told her that if she was a good girl, I'd let her play on the playground for about 15 minutes before we left. Here are a few pix of my sweet baby girl busy playing!

The Life Cycle of a Butterfly

Jake bought a butterfly house several years ago in Carolina as a souvenir, and we FINALLY got around to ordering the caterpillars that came with it. Jake told me all about the life cycle (Jayden too), as they both were learning about this at school/ daycare. In these pix, we were releasing them into the world. Jake was so sweet to place one on Jayden's fingertips for her. 4 of the 5 survived. Jake LOVES this kind of thing, so I am glad we finally did it. He was more than patient waiting for me to finally get around to ordering the caterpillars, that's for sure!!!

Play Day at School (AKA "Field Day")

Play Day was on Monday, June 15th, and once again I was in charge of running it. All was going smoothly until over the weekend a student was diagnosed with swine flu and another person with meningitis. Parents and staff found out on Monday morning and flipped out- pulling their students from school. The staff was frantically sanitizing the building and soaking playground equipment in bleach first thing in the morning, and I wasn't sure if Play Day was going to happen after all. It was utter chaos! Ugh... Well, after everything got cleaned, students were allowed back into the building at about 9:30 (the ones who stayed waited outside on their fire drill lines), and Play Day started about 20 minutes late, at 9:50am. I was busy overseeing everything, but managed to snap a few pix of Jakey with his class at some of the stations. This year there were 8 activities: rest, jump ropes/ hula, 4 corners, soccer, parachute, gunny sack races, bucket toss, and obstacle course. There were 11 stations for the older kids (3-5 grade) in the afternoon. The movie this year was Chicken Little (shown during the time you're NOT outside playing). Kids also got their yearbooks this day and enjoyed signing each other's books and looking at all the pictures.

Fishing at Rocky Point Beach

Jake and Jayden

Here are Jake and Jayden on one of the last days of school/ daycare for the year. Jake sometimes helps her get to the car in the mornings when she "needs" help. So sweet! She calls these glasses her "bug-eye" glasses. I can't believe Jake's almost a 3rd grader!