Unseen Child

Well....I don't know where to start. These last two weeks have been very stressful. Please prayer for our family!!!! It has been one crises after another at the Albertsens. I have wanted to blog...But, "If you don't have anything nice to say...Don't say anything at all." kept repeating through my mind. The biggest snow blizzard since 1982 has attacked Denver! We are and have been trapped in this house (on & off) for two weeks now. I haven't been able to get in any overtime (to pay for Christmas presents) and to top it off, some of my kids have been out of control. You would think that with all of this snow my daughters would be forced to stay in the house. But nooooo! One of my daughters has been sneaking out with an older boy...and yes...a child with criminal record! Every mothers nightmare! I just don't know how to deal with this. No matter how cold it is or if she is grounded, she continues to sneak out. When confronted she just has this blank look on her face and then she giggles! There doesn't seem to be any sign of guilt. I feel like putting my hands up and giving up on her. She was adopted at 10 years old and is now 15. She has always been somewhat of an easy child. But, lately she has been out of control! I know she is using drugs and is sexually active. She has had years of therapy and assistance at school. We have attempted to get her involved in Youth Group. I just don't know what else to do but put her in a detention center....or worse....boot camp. Does any one have a better idea? I could sure use some advise???? So I say, "Please! WE ALL need prayer!" My 16 year old is also going to Job Core to get assistance with her behavior. She is constantly out of control with screaming and refusing to participate in any activities!!! The school has recommended Job Core. She was 12 when she became a member of our family. She will be leaving the third week of January and be gone until she is 18. Just when I thought my life couldn't get worse...her brother tried to kill himself by jumping infront of a Fed Ex truck. He now has a broken collar bone. But, no other major injuries. Although, I feel my heart breaking!!! We have almost 4 feet of snow infront of our house. Last week we had 3 feet and now another foot has fallen since last night. My husband just anounced that it should continue throughout the next few days!!!! I have recieved a ton of e-mails regarding my book, "Looking Through The Eyes Of An Unseen Child" www.unseenchild.com. So to you all, the answer to your many questions is, "Yes. It is almost done. But No. I am just toooo discouraged to actually put it out...." I feel like I am not worthy of publishing a book about my work with difficult children, especially when 3 of them are now on a horrible road to distruction. I also want to say, "I'm sorry to all of my friends who have contacted me over the last few months. I am the kind of person that pulls away from everyone when I'm hurting....I want you all to know that not a day goes by, that I don't check my e-mail or blog. I do care about everyone and I ALWAYS check in to make sure everything is going well with my friends and fellow bloggers. Thanks to everyone who has sent me Christmas cards or dropped a comment. I need to remind you about one of the friends who need BIG TIME PRAYER. One of my inspirations is my little friend from Iraq. She took her time to send me a Christmas card. I thought, "She has sooooo much going on in her life and yet she thought of me. Her life is in danger everyday. But, yet her heart is so big! She still takes time to think of others during the holidays." Be sure and check out her blog, http://livesstrong.blogspot.com/. I thank you all for your support and love during this difficult time and I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!! I am just about ready to upload a bunch of our pictures from Christmas day...Get ready :-)