"Mom...I've done something I've never done before"

And we rejoice in this special something....Sarah got Straight A's. She was sad 3 grades are A-!!! I am so proud of Sarah. Most importantly, she is proud of herself and knows now what she is capable of accomplishing. She is working so hard and learning so much about life. She loves her family and cannot wait to spend more time with everyone. She wants to attend Beauty College and be working in a salon or something while she goes to college - maybe to become a veterinarian. She has dreams and goals again! Yahoo! It is wonderful to see our children having hope and vision for their future. Loves my Sar!!!

More on our home...

First, I forgot an address didn't I? It's about 1500 East and 6700 South in Cottonwood Heights. Here a few more pictures.

Who's Afraid of Friday the 13th

Not the Conways anymore! We looked at a house the 2nd time yesterday, put in an offer, got a counter offer that actually gave us BACK $10,000 and then got our counter accepted. Yes, we are under contract to buy our first HOME. It needs a few things fixed up, but we have the cash back to help with those. We actually hope to take possession on Friday, March 13th. WooHoo!!!

We are very excited to have a place for John and me, Mum will have her own bedroom suite in the basement, and Sarah and and office get rooms upstairs. More than twice the space of my condo. Woohoo!!!! 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, laundry, food storage, double car garage, living room, family room. We just hope everything falls in place now.

Learning and Growing

Look at this smile! Look at the shine in her eyes! No longer is it a blank stare looking at you like you are crazy! I love this girl to pieces and feel so absolutely blessed to have her in a program that is making such a huge difference in her life. She keeps her space in her room spotless (yes, this same Sarah the former slob!) She washes dishes after feeding 30+ kids and staff. She is now even learning to do the cooking for everyone. She just got her mid-term grades: hold your breath! All A's!!! Yahoo! We got to have a family therapy session tonight with mom and her new stepdad (who happens to be in town for 2 weeks) I am so thankful for the blessing of getting a spot at Odyssey House for my girl. I'm so thankful for staff who love these kids and help them learn the differences between healthy and unhealthy choices, and consequential thinking (yes I just got all the exact words in session tonight). Keep growing sis! I sure miss you at home!