So many new things in so little time

Sarah Joy 2yrs 5 months

My mother Kathy and Andrew James

Olivia Kathrine-Rae 7 months

Caleb Michael 9yrs 9 months

Caleb playing wiffle ball

My beautiful Anna Marie playing wiffle ball

Caleb Michael such a sensitive fella <3

Emily Elizabeth my little princess

three of my five princess's

John Mark my knight in shining armor!

Sarah Joy, John Mark and Jingle Bell

My favorite 6yr old princess Leah Renee

Leah Renee working hard on her puzzle

Sarah Joy lost in thought during a fun time of swimming

Olivia Katherine-Rae and Leah Renee

My right hand man Andrew James 14yrs old

 Our life as we once knew it was shaken to shambles in an instant.  After trying to work things out for 11 yrs and waiting for things to change, I could not take it anymore.  My children were in fear, I was in fear and the mental and emotional and sometimes physical abuse that was taking place in our lives.  Watching someone you love killing themselves in any way is the hardest thing to do.  So I finally put a stop and said enough.  I called a friend and asked for help leaving and getting into a safe environment.  She knew of a place right away and that was it...withing 8hrs we were packed moved and unpacked with children in bed sleeping.  God was definitely moving! 
     It has been a long hual, alot of emotions in the first week and alot of tears were shed.  After being away for almost 2 months now, I have seen my children come out of their shells and smile and run and play and not have the fear of what was going to happen later.  I have seen my children allow themselves to be angry and mad for the first time in their lives.  My children are acting like children and that is the way it should be. I know that I am not raising children, and that I am raising adults...but for now they ARE children and should be allowed to grow up slowly, it takes a long time to grow up and instill moral and Godly men and women, it should not be something that you immediately insist upon.  As for me I am relaxed and at peace for the first time in the 11 yrs that I have been married.  I am not up at all hours of the morning and evening trying to keep things in order after cleaning, cooking, taking care of the children and finances all day long. I am able to sleep at night with no one coming in at all hours of the night into the early morning hours wanting me to go to the gas station to get cigarretts and beer.  My life is calm and I am able to care for my children to full extent they need me to.  When I wake up in the morning I dont lay in bed wishing I could just go back to sleep because,  here we go again, I actually get out of bed usually no later than 6:30 and I get myself dressed and my hair done and makeup on because I feel somewhat good about myself for a change.  I enjoy my days and being a mother and I go to bed anticipating the next day and I cant wait to start tomorrow! 
     I know that not everyone would agree with the steps that I have taken but through much prayer and thought, I do believe that I am doing what is right for my children.  If it had just been myself in that house...I probably would not have left, but God has given me the blessing of raising 8 beautiful children and I take that seriously.  They cannot protect their hearts and minds and bodies that is what God gave these little children parents for, so that falls in my lap, it is my responsibility.  I love my children and would not trade them for all the treasures in the world.