- PRETTY YOUNG LADY -

brit has prom the end of april & she's so excited - she's been asked by a young man boy [sorry, i feel i must call him a boy or it'll seem she's so much older than i want her to be!] named riley - we're to meet this young lad sometime soon so we can 'check him over' & see if we approve - here's the dress she's picked out & it fits her beautifully - she doesn't want anyone to comment on the hair as she's done nothing with it all day, except wore it in a ponytail, so for the pics, she just pulled it up, as she said these pics are 'all about the dress' - what do you think? - doesn't she look pretty??

- MOM GOT TO SEE DUSTIN!! -

when dustin went to westville, anyone/everyone that wanted to visit him, had to fill out a request form & mail it in - we all did that, but now we're just waiting to be approved by the prison & then we'll go visit him - well, they approved my mom for a visit with him on saturday :) - she went & spent about 3 hours with him & had a wonderful time - here's a picture that they had taken yesterday - she said he looks good & acted well too - i'm so happy that someone in our family was able to hug him & i can't wait for it to be my turn!! [just so you all know, dustin's the TALL one on the right & mom's the short one on the left]

- BAKED BEANS -

One day I met a sweet gentleman & fell in love. When it became apparent that we'd marry, I made the supreme sacrifice & gave up beans. Some months later, on my birthday, my car broke down on the way home from work. Since I lived in the countryside I called my husband & told him that I'd be late because I'd to walk home. On my way, I passed by a small diner & the odor of baked beans was more than I could stand. With miles to walk, I figured that I'd walk off any ill effects by the time I reached home, so I stopped at the diner & before I knew it, I'd consumed three large orders of baked beans! All the way home, I made sure that I released all the gas. Upon my arrival, my husband seemed excited to see me & exclaimed delightedly, "'Darling I've a surprise for dinner tonight." He then blindfolded me & led me to my chair at the dinner table. I took a seat & just as he was about to remove my blindfold, the telephone rang. He made me promise not to touch the blindfold until he returned & went to answer the call. The baked beans I'd consumed were still affecting me & the pressure was becoming most unbearable, so while my husband was out of the room I seized the opportunity, shifted my weight to one leg & let one go. It was not only loud, but it smelled like a fertilizer truck running over a skunk in front of a pulpwood mill. I took my napkin from my lap & fanned the air around me vigorously. Then, shifting to the other cheek, I ripped off three more. The stink was worse than cooked cabbage. Keeping my ears carefully tuned to the conversation in the other room, I went on like this for another few minutes. The pleasure was indescribable. When eventually the telephone farewells signaled the end of my freedom, I quickly fanned the air a few more times with my napkin, placed it on my lap & folded my hands back on it, feeling very relieved & pleased with myself. My face must have been the picture of innocence when my husband returned, apologizing for taking so long. He asked me if I'd peeked through the blindfold & I assured him I'd not. At this point, he removed the blindfold & twelve dinner guests seated around our table sang Happy Birthday to me & I fainted!

- PEACEFUL AHNIÉR -

as i posted here before, i tried for the longest time to get ahniér to be a thumb sucker, but she'd have no part of it as she couldn't coordinate it well enough & got discouraged - so, i bought every kind [LITERALLY] of paci that's on the market today & not only bought 1 of each, but bought multiples in hopes that one would...'stick' [yes, i'm severely OCD!] - well, she'd take one for a day or so, then 'change her mind' & so we'd try a different kind - that would be alright with her for a day or so & then we'd play this whole game again - finally, i didn't care if she took one or not, as i was tired of trying
`
then a month or two ago the girls were playing dolls & found a doll paci - karleigh stuck it in ahniér's mouth & she threw the biggest fit when it was removed - i ran down & found her paci stash & gave one to her & she's hooked for good - she wants that thing all the time & it works like a charm
`
some of you've written emails to me, asking if ahniér's still a paci baby & all i can say's here's a picture to prove it! - to her these days, it's all about her paci & silkie :)

- KATHARINE...THIS ONE'S FOR YOU! -

yep, kiara got new glasses today - she's actually, we've thought for awhile that she needed glasses, so i took her last week to the eye dr. - he said yes, she needed them as she's far sighted & has a astigmatism - she picked these out all by herself as she said, "i want these & i know my cousin katharine will like 'em because she has a pair just like it...YEAH, that's the one!" - she was so excited, but they said they wouldn't be ready until april 6 [when i'm in haiti], so i told her that we'd get them as soon as i got back - they said they'd try & get them in sooner, but middle of next week would be the soonest - well, this morning they called & said to come pick them up! - she couldn't get in the van fast enough - she said, "mommy, will you blog me so all your friends can see my new glasses?" - hope you all enjoy...she sure is!

`

see katharine, she really looks up to you, because you're such a polite young lady & you treat her so well [thank you!]

`

rebekah, karleigh & ruby both wanted to get 'their glasses' today too & i explained to them that over the summer break, i'd bring them in for testing, but i didn't think they were going to need glasses - all of a sudden karleigh gets this look on her face [sad frown] & said, "i REALLY need glasses mommy, because you know what? - i'm blind like my friend hannah...you know mommy, the friend of ours that can't see & uses her CI stick [i was trying at this point NOT to loose it & laugh at her]" - i said, "karleigh you're not blind & you don't need glasses right now" - she said, "well, i think i'm gonna go to hannah's eye dr next time, because he'll tell you i'm blind...COZ I AM!!" [then, talking to herself, i hear this] "gosh, i really want to be blind so i can get glasses"

- DUSTIN'S BEING MOVED! -

yep, that's right - we found out last night that dustin's being transferred back to plainfield prison sometime within the next 2½ months - where he's at now [westville], the only class he can take's 'substance abuse' & he's taking it just to get the credits, but it doesn't even apply to him - in plainfield, he's eligable for many other classes/courses, so he's very excited - i'm excited as he'll be much closer to home - westville's about 3½ hours from us [one way] & plainfield's about 1½ hours away [one way]...much easier with little ones, that's for sure! - anyhow, i wanted to get on here for a second & share!!

- A POLL, GIVEN TO 3 OF MY GIRLS -

i found this on another blog, asked my girls the same questions & here's their answers...
`

BRIT [age 17]

What's something mom always says to you?...Press the button & say hello

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What makes mom happy?...when i obey [which explains why she may not be happy all the time]

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What makes mom sad?...bub

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How does your mom make you laugh?...when she says stupid things

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What was your mom like as a child?...she was talkative

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How old is your mom?...41

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How tall is your mom?...5'4"

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What is her favorite thing to do?...taking pictures

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What does your mom do when you're not around?...talk about me

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If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?...[laughing] hmmm, missionary work

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What is your mom really good at?...annoying me [laughing]

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What is your mom not very good at?...history

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What is your mom's favorite food?...mexican or japanese steakhouse food

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What makes you proud of your mom?...the fact that she has such a caring heart

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If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?...i don't really watch cartoons, so i don't know!

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What do you and your mom do together?...talk

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How are you and your mom the same?...we're both very persistent

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How are you and your mom different?...i'm into learning & she's not

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How do you know your mom loves you?...because she tells me
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How do you know your mom loves you? [without just saying it]...because she shows it - even when she's annoying me, it's because she's trying to help me

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What does your mom like most about your dad?...his patience

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Where is your mom's favorite place to go?...haiti

`

`
KIARA [age 6]

What's something mom always says to you?...clean up

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What makes mom happy?...when we do nice stuff

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What makes mom sad?...when we don't obey

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How does your mom make you laugh?...when she laughs at me

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What was your mom like as a child?...she was a toddler

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How old is your mom?...34 years old

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How tall is your mom?...50 inches

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What is her favorite thing to do?...cook brownies

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What does your mom do when you're not around?...play hide & seek with the other girls

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If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?...for playing with people

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What is your mom really good at?...cooking

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What is your mom not very good at?...brushing her hair

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What is your mom's favorite food?...mac 'n cheese

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What makes you proud of your mom?...because i love her

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If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?...the sheep on word world

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What do you and your mom do together?...go out to eat
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How are you and your mom the same?...our lips look the same

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How are you and your mom different?...mommy has brown hair & i have black hair

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How do you know your mom loves you?...because she does stuff for me

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What does your mom like most about your dad?...his hair

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Where is your mom's favorite place to go?...monkey BBQ [mongolian BBQ]

`

`
KARLEIGH [age 5]

What's something mom always says to you?...she loves me

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What makes mom happy?...smiling

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What makes mom sad?...to hurt

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How does your mom make you laugh?...tickle

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What was your mom like as a child?...she was little

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How old is your mom?...14 years old

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How tall is your mom?...6 feet
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What is her favorite thing to do?...play hide 'n seek

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What does your mom do when you're not around?...she's sad

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What is your mom really good at?...games

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What is your mom not very good at?...fixing doors

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What is your mom's favorite food?...pizza

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What makes you proud of your mom?...she let's us play with makeup

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If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?...a ballerina

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What do you and your mom do together?...we go to the park
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How are you and your mom the same?...we both like games & suckers

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How are you and your mom different?...our shirts are different

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How do you know your mom loves you?...because i love her back
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What does your mom like most about your dad?...his clothes

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Where is your mom's favorite place to go?...swimming

- My day...Priceless! -

heading out the door at noon, after taking forever to get your 4 little girls ready...rushed

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running errands not only yourself, but for your hubby too since he was out of town...exhausting

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taking your girls for lunch...refreshing

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going with your 4 little girls to walmart to buy groceries, when your youngest was ready for naptime & being it WAS naptime, that wasn't going to happen...stupid

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walking through walmart & out of nowhere, your bra strap snaps while you're just in aisle #2...embarrassing

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listening to your child start giggling in aisle #3 because she was tired & everything was hilarious...funny

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getting onto your girls for the hundredth time for not watching where they were going...tiring

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listening to a 95+ year old man that's walked behind you, the entire way & all he's done was whistle the same tune over & over & over...displeased

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wishing you'd have left your jacket in the car, but you didn't & now you're sweating...hot

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paid the bill & walked outside, only to search for over 20 minutes as you forgot where you parked the van...dumb

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drive all the way home, pull into the neighborhood, only to find you'd drive to your OLD neighborhood on the other side of town...mindless

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knowing it was all going to be blog material...priceless!

- What is your child...What are you? -

Natural Child: a child who's not artificial

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Real Parent: a parent who's not imaginary

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Your Own Child: a child who doesn't belong to someone else

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Adopted Child: a natural child, with a real parent, who's all my own

`

taken from kathy's blog

- Have to ask... -

several years ago, we took the girls to disney world [florida] & had a fabulous time - karleigh still talks daily about that 'great vacation' [literally!] - what we'd planned, way back then, was to take them again when they were all in the 5-8 rance - well, that's the ages they are now, but with all the expenses that were eaten up in dustin's legal trouble recently, we've not much money to throw at this - as you've all read in my blog over the last year, we're all emotionally spent...WAY spent, including the kids as they really don't understand any of what's going on

`

my question to you all is this...does anyone out there know where our large family can obtain cheap...VERY CHEAP disney tickets, so we can take the girls & just get away for awhile - it'd be a total of 6 [3 ADULTS: spike, myself, brit] & [3 KIDS: kiara 6 'she'll be 7 in may', ruby 6 & karleigh 5] & i'm assuming that since ahniér's only 6 months, that she'd be free, right?

`

this might be doable, if we can get some of the cost down - we can either pay airfare or gas prices, 'IF' we can get the tickets another way - it might not work out, but it's worth a shot, so i thought i'd check with all you brainers out there as to how we can get away for a bit & it not break the bank [any more than it's already been broken] - thanks!

- It must be spring because... -

as of today, we turned on the AC!!! - yeah, we just couldn't handle the heat any longer!! - so, anyone out there that's comin' to visit, you might wanna bring your long johns or a sweater :)

- 'Lil Miss -

- She's ours!! -

yes, you read it right…she’s now Ahniér Mirlande Desruisseaux Shepler!! – thanks to all those that were praying as we could really feel it – not only did the judge require us to be there at this formal hearing, but when we got there, our attorney let us know that the judge wanted us to be get up on the witness stand [what’s up with that???]
`
I have to admit, I was really wondering where he was going to take this, but it was something we were just going to have to ‘walk out’ – they told us what circuit courtroom to go to [it was the same room that we’d last seen dustin in…UGH] – when we walked in, we met the judge [it was the same judge that sentenced dustin, just 2 months ago…UGH] – then they told spike, myself & our attorney to all take our seats & sat me in the exact same seat that dustin had last sat in [where he had his sentence read to him…UGH] - It for me, was very emotional [extremely sad, but on the other hand extremely happy, all at once…UGH]
`
after we found our seats, our attorney had spike to head to the witness stand, had him sworn in & he began – he asked simple things like: his full name, current address, previous address, etc. – he then started asking things like: did he feel that adopting ahniér, was in her best interest – what date we brought her home – if he was married – how many children we currently have, etc. – after they were done with spike & just as I was wiping the sweat from my palms, our attorney & said something to the effect that, “if it pleases the court, since mr. shepler’s already been on the witness stand, would the judge allow me to ask mrs. shepler her questions, while seated in her seat & he said yes [whew!]
`
he then granted the adoption, signed the papers & had them notarized &certified them – he gave 1 to us & just before sending us away, he said he’d be willing for us to take pictures with him & that he would let us come up to where he sits & stand behind him – here’s a few of those pictures – hope you enjoy them & thank you again to all those that prayed…I needed it!

- Kept -

you see, there were a few times when I thought i'd lose my mind, but GOD kept me sane. (Isa. 26:3)

`

there were times when i thought i could go no longer, but the LORD kept me moving. (Gen 28:15)

`

at times, i've wanted to lash out at those whom i felt had done me wrong, but the LORD kept my mouth shut.. (Psa. 13)

`

sometimes, i think the money just isn't enough, but GOD's helped me to keep the lights on, the water on, the car paid, the house paid, etc.., (Matt. 6:25 -34)

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when i thought i'd fall, HE kept me up.

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when i thought i was weak, HE kept me strong! (I Pet. 5:7, Matt. 11:28-30)

`

i could go on & on & on, but i'm sure you hear me! - i'm blessed to be 'kept' - do you know a 'kept' woman? - if so, pass it on to her to let her know she's 'kept' & i'm 'kept', by the love & grace of God

- Ahhhhh, how nice -

this was sent to me today, but a friend

`

'to get something you never had, you have to do something you never did - 'when God takes something from your grasp, He's not punishing you, but merely opening your hands to receive something better - concentrate on this next sentence... 'the will of God will never take you where the grace of God will not protect you'

- Mixed Emotions -

alright, here's what's going on today...

`

as most of you know, ahniér was born in september [pictured above, with her 2 pearly whites showing!] & we've been completing her adoption, as is required for our state [ie: homestudy, background checks, etc.]

`

we received a letter from our attorney a few weeks ago, stating that tomorrow [tuesday, march 17, 2009] was the adoption finalization, but that there wouldn't be a hearing as no one was contesting it & everything looked great on paper, etc. - it said it'd be pretty cut/dried & it'd be done through the mail [attorney to attorney] - after all the 'paperwork mailing', attorney to attorney was completed, we'd receive a copy of everything in the mail & we'd be done [YEAH]

`

well, i just got off the phone with our attorneys secretary & she said that our county's requiring us come in tomorrow for a formal hearing!! - not only that, but we've got to go before the same judge that sentenced dustin, just 2 months ago [man, talk about bringing back horrible memories! - you can read that post called 'A Heavy Heart', if your memory needs refreshing] - this judge is known for 'trying to make a name for himself' & i'm sure hoping he doesn't show himself tomorrow afternoon, in a negative way

`

please pray with us that it'd all go smoothly [we can sure use something smooth these days] & nothing's thrown at us that we can't handle, because i feel i'm just teetering on a cliff, with a toe-hold most days, so smooth would be a huge blessing!

`

please pray for me/us as this judge/courtroom, etc. is the last time we saw, touched & hugged dustin & the feelings are all still so raw - after tomorrow, it'll also be the courtroom that will finalize ahniér's adoption & once & for all, make her a shepler...our daughter in the courts eyes

`

with kiara having the stomach flu all last week & a VERY full weekend, i got up at 4:45am to not only a very fussy baby that's down with a tummy ache, but also have ruby running a 103.6° fever - so many mixed emotions are running through my head right now, just pray

- Kiara's sick -

today, i sent kiara to school as usual, but when i picked her up, i could tell there was something going on - we'd to run a couple errands, so off we went - our first stop was lunch [always a hit!] & i chose the china buffet as they eat so well there - well, karleigh did great, but kiara [remember what kind of eater she is usually] ate 1 meatball, 2 small bites of mashed potatoes & about 10 grains of rice & that was it!...RED FLAG #1

`

then, we had to pick go to the hospital in order for me to get my routine blood draw - while in there, kiara sat on a chair with her head leaned on the wall...RED FLAG #2

`

we then get to the van & she gets on her knees inside the van & says she thinks she's gonna choke [vomit] - she didn't, but the warning was still there...RED FLAG #3

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i ran in the building next door to grab some paperwork they had for me & was in there a total of maybe...maybe?? 30 seconds & when i came out, she was not only asleep, but snoring!...RED FLAG #4

`

we head home quickly & upon entering the garage, i start calling her name as she's slept the entire way home - she gets out & i proceed to say, "lay your coat/backpack on the love seat in the living room" [why, oh why didn't i say put them in the kitchen where we've tile floors???] - all of a sudden, karleigh runs into the kitchen where i'm at & says [with a horrible look on her face], "MOMMY, IT'S ALL OVER THE FLOOR!!!"...RED FLAG #5

`

i just remember yelling, "spike, come quick...QUICKER!!" as i had a sleeping baby in my arms & walked into the living room that had just been cleaned [my sister in law cleans here every 2 weeks & she hadn't been gone an hour, when this happened] to fine there was puked EVERYWHERE!

`

i'll not go into more detail [i know you're all thankful], but let's just say she's 'visited' the toilet/wastebasket/trashcan, etc., well over 30 times & 'produced' every time - she's one sick little girl, so she's sleeping in our room - she just went to sleep about 30 minutes ago & seems to be sleeping well [praise the lord!] - anyone that will, please pray for her

- We talked to him! -

yep, we got to talk to dustin tonight! -it was the first time, since he left the jail on febuary 11 & he sounded very good [praise the lord!] & seemed to be 'upbeat' - he said that he was told he was going to pendleton prison [don't know who told him] & that's what he's been thinking for all this time - well, the 'group' that came in together/same day, all started being taken in the night, 1 by 1 - there were only 2 from that group left & 1 of them was dustin - he was really wanting out of the plainfield diagnostic center [not the actual prison] & as we found out later, that it's a place that's so bad they make you wish you'd NEVER gone there [& for dustin...it worked!]

`

well, he said they called his name the other night [march 2] & said pack your bag, you're being shipped out - he said he was ready in about 10 minutes & was so excited just to be leaving that horrible place & being able to head to pendleton, that's only 20 minutes away from us & 2 minutes from my parents

`

they loaded them all up in the bus & as they were pulling out of the parking lot, they were told that they were transporting them to westville & he said his head dropped & his heart sank - he knew it was waaaaaaaay up north [that's what he'd heard], but he didn't know where so he asked - they let him know that it's about 15 minutes from chicago & from doing so many haitian adoptions & him going to chicago with us so many times to the haitian consulate, he knew we were over 4 hours from there, so he knew it'd be VERY HARD for us

`

he's in a level 1, so it's not too bad he said - the guys that are in there are really trying to do right as if you get caught in nonsense, you can be sent to level 2 or 3, on the other side of the wall - he said you can hear people yelling/screaming there all day/night long & he said it's horrible! - he said there's a cemetery right there behind the 'dorm'/level 1 that he lives in & when he asked, the guards said it's because there are so many killings there, they've got to bury them on-sight...UGH!

`

he's been told too, that since he's considered a 'short timer'/under 3 years, that he can request to be moved back to plainfield...not to the diagnostic center, but instead, to the prison

`

we also found out through calling the westville facility, that we've got to fill out/turn in paperwork & then be approved before we can go visit him - i called today to let them know that we sent our paperwork yesterday, so they'd be getting it any day [like they really care] - i said, "well, with you getting it any day, when do you think we'll be approved?" - she was very nice & said, well, after i approve you, it'll be about 2 weeks from then to get you 'in the system' - i said, "2 WEEKS, wow, i didn't think it'd take that long!" - she chuckled & said, "well, that's AFTER i approve you, but our approvals are taking between 8-10 weeks & THEN it's another 2 weeks or so after that [so they're saying i can't visit my son for anywhere from 8-12 weeks!!! UGH]

`

on a positive note, he did sound good & let me know he's where he's supposed to be [prison] & that he's taking this time to get where he needs to be with god & for that i'm thankful as that's what i've prayed over him for many years [but this' NOT what i had in mind!!]

`

also, i did find out that you don't have to be approved to write him, just to visit him - saying that, anyone that's willing to write him, you can go ahead & do it anytime - thank you for that too!

`

Westville Correctional Facility

Dustin Wayne Shepler #198634

5501 South 1100 West

Westville, IN 46391

- Dustin -

this was sent to me just now from a good friend of ours - he wasn't sending this to me to get me to panic, but instead to let me know what we're up against...

`

"Hi, Thanks for the info on Dustin. I can't believe they placed him in Westville. That's not a good place for him. I've a buddy of mine from years ago up there & he hates it there. Of course it's not supposed to be a fun place, but I've been there to visit & its a rough place. My cousin who works at Plainfield started his career in the prison system there & said it was one of the worst places he's ever worked. I guess there's a lot of stuff that goes on there that gets people in trouble. I guess the black guys are really rough on the white ones. I don't say this to upset you, but to let you know it's not a nice place & for Dustin to be on the look out. I hope he can get a job & stay away from those guys. I guess they live in like "dorms" so that's good, but I pray God will protect him while he's there. It's such a long drive there. You're correct about being 3 hours away. It's in the middle of no where! Well, now that I've given you the "horrible news", I hope & pray that God will speak to him while he's there. I do know you can take up to $20 in quarters to spend while you are there. You visit in a large room with the rest of the inmates & there's candy, chip & drink machines for purchase. They're very strict on what you can bring in, so check that out too. I'd to get prior approval to visit & have my name added to the visitor list. Make sure he does that ASAP. I know you check in a building & go through metal detectors & then you've to walk outside to the "visitor's" building. I was there in the winter time & it was a cold walk. Hopefully it'll be warmer when you can visit with him. I'll write him & encourage him."

`

i received the information today on dustin & the address to write him - i've mentioned before during all this, that if anyone would like to write him for encouragement, please do so & some of you have...THANK YOU! - right now i'm asking/begging for all those that read this, to PLEASE send him letters of encouragement - i know it was his choice to do what he did, but it was a mistake that he can't take back now - it's something that he's got to live with from now on, but i'm not willing to let him sit there & not be able to talk to anyone or read anything good that's going on in the world, etc. - i'll write him everyday if i have to, but would love it if some of you would do the same - consider him a 'pen pal' if you will & encourage him - you'd want the same for your son/daughter, wouldn't you?

`

for those of that will do this, please email me FIRST at ChatterboxLS@aol.com, giving me your address, so he can add it to his 'mail list' - here's the address of where you can write him - thank you

`

Westville Correctional Facility

Dustin Wayne Shepler #198634

5501 South 1100 West

Westville, IN 46391

karleigh - 2004

ahniér - 2009

well, this will be quick as i'm heading to bed, but wanted to post a couple things

`

yesterday, we got word that dustin was transferred to westville prison - we know nothing about that prison other than it's 3 hours away from us!! - we know that visitation will be on a rotation which means sometimes we'll see him Monday-Friday & other times we'll see him on the weekends, but it'll change all the time [great, i handle change like a trooper these days!] - another thing we know is that there can only be 3 people per visit & there's no exceptions! - that means spike & i'll take brit, but then someone else has to babysit all the other ones! - then 2 weeks later, spike & i'll take kiara & at that point, brit can babysit the others, but the hardest time will be when brit's not available - ahniér, until she walks, can go & not be counted, so we're good there for a bit - we can only go every 2 weeks, but can stay 2 hours, so that'll be good - with summer coming up, that'll help with brit being available for awhile, but i don't even want to think of what it's going to be like when they're all back in school & we've got to coordinate schedules through the week!!!

`

on a good note, i thought today about ahniér turning 6 months in just 5 more days [on the 8th] - it was then i remembered that karleigh came home, just 5 days before she turned 6 months - so, ahniér TODAY'S the same exact age that karleigh was when she arrived home - here's 2 pics of them both [ahniér now & karleigh then]

- Do we have 1 son...or 2? -

alright, here's the deal [as karleigh says all the time] - we, right now have 1 son & 5 daughters, but i'm beginning to wonder if those numbers are a bit backwards - maybe we should be saying, we've 2 sons & 4 daughters, ya think?

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the reason i'm saying that's because of what you're looking at in the picture above - those are ruby's shoes that she wears to school every day - the girls all have 'good shoes' that they wear whenever we go somewhere, on the weekends, out to dinner. etc. - kiara & karleigh also wear those 'good shoes' to school as well & we've never had trouble at all with them looking bad even though they're wearing them all the time

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we purchased ruby extra shoes [pictured above] that she ONLY wears to school - she puts them on in the morning & takes them off when she walks in the door after school & wears them no where else - we did this due to her being a bit harder on shoes, clothing, toys, etc. - well, she's had these shoes about 6-8 weeks or so & here's what she came home with last week - i hit the roof & asked her how they got like that - she signed that she plays on the playground & drags her toes to stop the merry-go-round GRRRRRRRRRRRR

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she's been told that we're not buying her new shoes, but instead she can wear something extra that she has at home - i swear, she's like a tom-boy!!