life

Tag, you’re IT!

March 12, 2017by Sheridan Johnson4 Comments

tag

So as a parent of 5 (I am still amazed when I see that number), I see myself needing to plan a lot further in advance, but sometimes it just feels like the day-to-day activities are going so fast that you are literally tag-teaming with your partner (mine is Shane) to getting stuff done.

I literally try to not rush in life, and I usually get everywhere we need to be early (just in case an emergency occurs), but having two kids with baseball practice at the same exact times on the same exact days (twice a week), church twice a week, and my job every other weekend, I find myself playing tag with Shane now more than ever.

But even though it feels like life is so busy and is so overwhelming right now, and the only time we have to catch up on life is after all kids to bed at 8:30pm, we still try to make that time for each other and not lose site of each other in the midst of all of this chaos .

We might be playing tag for quite a few years(or until they are all 18, lol!) but we know that if we put God first in our life and our marriage, that things will always work out!

Do any of y’all ever feel like you are playing “tag” with your significant other to get a LOT of tasks done? Especially those of you who have multiple kids?

(BTW Shane and I just celebrated our 12 year anniversary this past weekend and it was SO fun–looks for details in a couple of days)

Adoption, foster

Life lately

February 14, 2017February 15, 2017by Sheridan Johnson2 Comments

life

I cannot believe it’s been 10 days since my last post!

As I was talking to my best friend earlier today, I realized that I have been so busy, that just the thought of blogging, wore me out! So I wanted to give you all (amazing followers) a little update on what’s been going on with my crazy life (as I am writing this it is midnight and I am already counting down the hours until all my kids will be up in the morning, lol)!

-I am still working every other weekend, and every time I go into work it seems like so much has changed/happened and I know a lot more changes will be soon taking place, so that will be interesting to see how that turns out!

-I recently purchased the $199 all access challenge pack with BeachBody and have loved all the workouts I have access to, and best of all I can do it all in the comforts of my home!

-Shane and I get to go on a “date” tomorrow night, which will be our first date in a lonnnng time!

-Baby girls legal worker is trying to extend the visits with the parents to two hours each week, instead on one and is basically saying that even though it doesn’t work with my schedule with my other kids, I have to agree to it. We are fighting hard against this agreement, and we will see what will happen in the long run! Driving 200+ miles every Tuesday is getting to be a bit ridiculous (and yes he is refusing to meet halfway, or even just 30 mins. closer to me at this time).

-My 3 boys legal team is saying that their biological parents will continue to get visits (unless they test positive during a random drug test) until the next Trial takes place (which is scheduled for March 28th I believe).

-I am setting up a 504 (which is basically is for children who needs a little extra help, or help with any kind of learning disability or just children who are behind in school and are needing to catch up) for my 8 year old foster son, because of his reading comprehension test scores being so low.

**if you have any advice at all to help, I am all ears! I will do anything to help.

-Enrolling my kids in sports is a whole different level! Different practice days, different game times, and having to bring snack for the whole team during our game day is definitely exhausting but I am so glad to see how much my children have grown and matured since the start of the season.

-I made it a point last week, to call at least one of my best friends each day, and it was a success! I talked to them all, and I am so happy to hear what all is going on in each of their lives!

I think that is about all the major things in my life happening right now, and I would love to hear what all you have been up to as well!♥♥ (please leave a comment and I will definitely respond back)

Prayer for myself, my husband, and each one of our precious kiddos would be greatly appreciated!

–

life

Why I am not..

August 29, 2016August 29, 2016by Sheridan Johnson4 Comments

DON

So ever since the current DON (Director of Nursing) at the facility that I work at announced that she was quitting, I have had multiple (At least 5 a day) people come up to me and ask me why I am not going to fill the position.

Let me just say, first and foremost I was not asked to fill the position (probably because I have literally turned down every full time job offer they have ever asked of me).

I started taking DON classes about 3 years ago, in hopes of becoming a DON and take over the facility once I finished classes, if the position came open. Well, turns out it was almost handed to the one that was chosen (the boss’ daughter got the job) and when she sat down both of us to tell us she was quitting.. it was almost automatic that she would get the job. So therefore, I quit going to classes and just enjoyed my pregnancy and the season that I was in.
You have to be on call, practically 24/7. You are the person that runs the nursing department in the facility (75% of the facility), so your availability is very important. That, I could not do.
The money would be great (in class they said it was close to 6 figures), but the amount of time you are actually working versus how much you get paid.. I am not sure that it evens out first and foremost, and secondly.. money doesn’t buy happiness.
Family is the NUMBER ONE thing in my life.. not my job. Ever. So if that means I have to put my children in daycare for them to be raised by strangers, then I will pass(by the way, not judging the millions of mom’s who have too, I completely understand). I love spending every day at home with them during the week, and working weekends, and I am not ready to give that up.
I love the staff, and I love doing treatments on the weekends and being in charge, but I honestly would never want that to be ruined by moving up. I am so close with everyone, and I couldn’t imagine having to buckle down and suspend one of them, or even worse.. having to fire them.
The management is just a story in itself. I feel like the former DON built her team, based on what she thinks would work for her.. and I am not sure I agree with all of the team, and I am not sure if I would want to honestly work day in and day out with them.. five days a week, every week.
When you are in foster care, you have weekly visits with the family. Yes, I could make a way for them to be scheduled at different hours, but honestly.. we have it all worked out and going so smoothly, that I couldn’t imagine them changing everything with both families.. just to fit my work schedule.
I love my husband, and would always want to do the best for us.. but honestly having to change so much, which in turn, may cause him to work extra (if we were putting 3 in daycare), I just couldn’t do. If the day ever comes, the kids are older and in school.. then we may visit the situation again.
Family help. We live in Yoakum, surrounded all by Shane’s family.. but everyone still works, but his Dad. Let’s just say… his Dad isn’t the one who is going to voluntarily watch 3 kids, 3 and under, while Shane and I work day in and day out, so basically since my parents have flexible schedules, they can only help out so much.
Missing the little things in life. I would not want my job to take me away from Bible study every week, or church on Sundays (in the instance that I would get called in), or the many milestones that I would miss, and I am a person who likes to remember the little things on film, so we can go back one day and remember to smile in the midst of all the chaos.

Adoption, foster, growth, monthly update

2 months!

August 15, 2016August 15, 2016by Sheridan Johnson1 Comment

On this day, two months ago, Shane and I took a leap of faith and followed what God has finally called us to do. Foster/Adopt a child. He was brought to us the day after Brielle turned 3 and it has definitely been a whirlwind ever since!

I used to say “time flies” all the time for Brielle when she was growing up and it feels like that is all we same for him as well! He literally came to us at 14 months non-verbal, not able to walk, and just overall developmentally delayed. He has come SO FAR is such a short amount of time and even started calling us mommy and daddy (he hears Brielle do the same) and we are just amazed at how much he can verbalize now! He also has started this little crooked run when he thinks we are playing hide and seek/chasing each other. It’s beyond precious and it’s so unique just for him!

He had his 60 day hearing Aug. 11th and that was a very interesting hearing to determine where the court system thinks he should be placed/is any family members have stepped up and shown interest in wanting him placed with them. Well, turns out an aunt (of course, always an aunt, right?) stepped up and now little mans legal worker has to submit a home study on the aunt to see if she has a clean background/place to live to be able to provide for him. We won’t know anything more, until after that is completed. Something was said in the hearing that did really bother me though.. the lawyer stood up and asked the legal worker if “the foster family is becoming too attached too quickly”, and he said yes.. then she proceeded to move up the home study date to be completed within 2 weeks, in hopes that he is removed from our house and reunified with his family.

THIS right here.. is why the system is crazy! We will forever continue to show him the same love, affection, and protection as we do with Brielle. He is in our care at this time and we are going to do the best we can to make sure that he succeeds and he gains confidence and independence, so that one day he will be able to contribute to society, instead of following in mom and dads footsteps.

He will do amazing things in this life, and we just hope the little bit of time that we do have with him, sticks, and he knows what real love and affection is.

Cheers to two months with the Johnsons, little man!!

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(I REALLY wish I could show y’all his precious and adorable smile! He is SO photogenic)