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New Orleans Hornets center Emeka Okafor strives for perfection - New Orleans Times-Picayune

In the cramped visitors' locker room at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland last month, New Orleans Hornets center Emeka Okafor went through his extensive pregame routine before facing Shaquille O'Neal and the Cavaliers. Michael DeMocker/The Times ...

Scouting out new territory - SLAM! Sports

So, Anthopoulos came up with a number of his own, hiring 32 new scouts during the off-season — 14 on the pro side and 18 to scout amateurs. Both pro and amateur departments were redesigned, each with a three-level hierarchy. For the amateur side ...

Wild about Salmon Washington County resident has a real passion for ... - Observer-Reporter

Spend just one hour with Sara Pozonsky and you'll never look at salmon in quite the same way again. The co-owner of Wild Alaskan Salmon Co. will tell you how commercial fishing in Alaska is no easy way to earn a living. The daughter of a commercial ...

A la carte: Millie's Chili sold, Taco Gringo opening, Froggy's closed - State Journal-Register

After making MILLIE’S CHILI for 18 years, Millie Ross has sold her business. “It will remain open. Same equipment, same building, same name, same price, same recipe. Nothing will change,” said Ross, who makes and sells large batches of chili in ...

Scarred by a killer - Pioneer Press

Mary Stauffer is still haunted by the threat from the man who in 1980 held her and her daughter, Beth, captive in his Roseville home and murdered a child bystander. She remembers how Ming Sen Shiue vowed 30 years ago that when he was released from ...

Which president was the best athlete? - Pueblo Chieftain

James C. Humes is visiting historian at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. He is a former presidential speech writer. When President Barack Obama graciously called Republican Sen.-elect Scott Brown on his upset victory, they talked about ...

Trying To Fix A 'Hole' By Digging Deeper - NPR News

She does this by working low-wage jobs — and by taking out a credit card in the name of her son, Vinnie ... She ignores bills and opens credit cards in her children's names, ruining their credit scores. Is George, a woman who seems to think she's ...

Overnight News Digest: Science Saturday (Academy Awards 2010 edition) - DAILY KOS

Welcome to Science Saturday, where the Overnight News Digest crew informs and entertains you with this week's news about science, space, and the environment. This week's featured story comes from Science News. Prodigious plumes of planet-warming ...

Metro on the go - Indianapolis Star

Perry Township Constable Roy Houchins, 70, was found dead shortly before noon Saturday in the parking lot of a Southside restaurant. Police do not suspect he was the victim of any crime, said Lt. Jeffrey Duhamell of the Indianapolis Metropolitan ...

Family boards RV for vacation fun - canada.com

The Snowy Owl, Northern Pygmy Owl and even the rare Spotted Owl frequent these parts, but they likely steer clear of Lightning Lake's amphitheatre on summer nights because ... Lake, a tough place to leave when your vacation is at an end.

Voting Question: What should I do in my relationship? I need help! PLEASE!?

I am here cause I need some advice please noone be mean or cruel or anything I just need someones opinion and just someone to talk to. I have no where to turn a the moment. I am 29 years old and I have a 9 year old son. His biological dad has never been around but my husband and I have been togather for 4 years now and have been married for 2. My son calls him daddy and loves him. I also have 2 step kids a son and daughter that I love so much and I want the kids to be able to talk and everything. Anyway here is the deal.,. We met over a chat line. I was in Texas and he was in Boston we talked for about 2 months before he came and saw me everything was great then. Then a few months later I came to Boston to see him by myself and when we were in the grocery store getting something I asked him what he thought we should get and he said it does not matter he is not my master and just had a attitude. When we got back to the motel room he told me that he was leaving and I said but I spent all this money comming to see you and he said he did not care. Then he apologized and he seemed so sincere and everything. I went to Texas the next day and he stayed. We talked for about 2 more months and then I decided that me and my son would move down here with him and we would start a life togather. We got here in May 2006. Everything was okay for maybe 2 days and then everything just went strange he would just get mad over nothing, I mean he would come home from work and not saying anything to anyone and he would get all mad at me because I would say to him that he could at least acknowledge me or something when he comes home and he would just get mad at not talk to me or just say he was leaving but wouldnt leave. Then everything seemed so strange he started expecting my son to do school work all the time and it was summer time now dont get me wrong yes i believe in a kid working on things to improve but it just seemed like everything needed to be so perfect. He would say things to my son like there is no way in hell I am going to be out working in the hot sun and you are going to be here doing nothing but playing and everything and i would get mad at him and tell him to leave him alone he didnt do anything. I was going to just up and leave but then my son and yes I know I am the adult but he said to me I want to stay he is my dad and I love him so I said ok we will work on it. Then one day my son was sitting at the table writing something and my husband said to him no that is not good enough it needs to be better and just kept going so I went in there and told him that he needed to back off and leave my son alone because he is trying and my husband told me that he was tired of my damn mouth all the time and hit me. I cried and my son started hitting him telling him to just leave me alone and my husband got up to leave cause he said he did not want to stay since he hit me and my son ran to him and begged him to stay so that was that. But, it just continued for a long time everything had to be his way and if it wasnt he wouldnt always hit me but he would just get quiet and not talk or do anything with us. I tried to find anything and everything that I could to be a reason for him being like that so I thought maybe it was because of work he was always so tired so I told him to quit and find something else and he did quit. He wanted to get his CDL so I told him to just work on that and I would take care of everything else for awhile. So everything was a little better until the day we got married. We dropped my son off at his grandmas and went home to spend time togather and my husband started yelling at me about a house we were looking into and all i said was that she hadnt called and I did not know what to tell him then he jumped up and just started hitting me and I just fell the ground and just cried and cried and he came over there and told me it was going to be ok. Not even a hour later he hit me again and left a big bruise on the side of my head and by my cheek and I know dumb me should of just gotten up and left but I didnt his momma told him to leave me the hell alone and started hitting him and again I started to leave but my son just panicked so I stayed about a month later I said I missed home and I wanted to go back to texas for awhile (which I only missed my dad the rest of my family isnt that great either) and while we were there everything was ok for a long time we were in texas 2 years and then one day he did start yelling and hit me with a pan and again stupid me stayed. I just didnt want to hurt my son but at the same time i thought about the fact I am hurting him by him going through all this with us. So now 2 years later we are back in boston and things were ok for a little but he is so non shalont i guess you could say. He doesnt talk to me at all and he gets mad at me for wanting that , I mean I just want someone to talk to and be able to express themselves to me is there something wrong with that? I jThank you all so much I agree with all of you and yes I know it was long I am sorry was venting. I am going to get away I am going to start saving money to be able to leave I should be able to do it within a week or two. Thank you I really needed the support.I know I should of left. but I just thought we should work things out guess I was so wrong more

Resolved Question: Air Force summer camps for teens?

My son (14) wants to go to an Air Force summer camp this year, we live in Dallas, TX if you know of any in Texas that would be great. more

Resolved Question: Should I stay at home with my son, or push on through school?

The main question seems to have an obvious answer, right? Well, it gets a little foggy to me once I start thinking about the details. My son is due to go live with his dad in the UK for 5 years come this summer. I started Cosmetology school last September, thinking that I could do it all. I have the support of my mom (whom we live with), and figured that she could pick up the slack when it came to watching my son, and with daycare and his schooling, I thought it would all work out. Around Thanksgiving I got really sick, and have stayed pretty poorly ever since. Around the same time, my mom found out she has fibromyalgia (she already has a laundry list of other health issues, this one is just the most recent, and most debilitating problem). I've missed a lot of school, and have been able to spend a fair bit of time with my son. I realized yesterday that I'm running out of time to spend with him, that summer is coming up fast, and before I know it, I'll be flying him over to England. He even said to me today that he loves spending time with me, and wishes I could be home all the time. That broke my damn heart. So, I've come up with a "plan" to spend time with my son, and not give up on my career plan, but it involves putting school on the backburner until after I send my son to England. I guess I'm just asking...do you think it's okay for me to take a leave of absence from school so that I can spend as much time with my son as possible before he leaves? He struggles with serious ADHD, and dyslexia, compounded with a slight speech delay. I feel like if I'm home with him, I can finally get things situated with myself (in regards to time management and getting myself into a routine). My mother's health is declining rapidly, and my dad lives in Colorado (he stationed there until he retires this November) and only comes home once a month at the least. Once my son moves to England, and my dad moves home from Colorado (early Fall), I am planning on moving to Texas to live with my boyfriend, but I feel like at the moment I need to take care of my family. My mom needs help (she owns and manages a salon) with mobility (last night I had to help her get her clothes off as she couldn't lift her arms above her head), and I need to spend time with my son before he moves. I feel like I've already missed so much school due to being sick/run down, that it would just be better to take a leave of absence so as not to miss any more school due to being sick...and it'll give me the time I need to get myself healthy, spend lots of quality time with my son (one thing about my school is that we are required to go to school on a Saturday, no excuses unless it's medical or legal, and you have to have a written note stating as much, so I miss Saturday's with my son, he spends his Saturday's in daycare), and help my mom out as much as I can until my dad can take my place...but I guess I'm just looking for some clarification. Should I just stay in school Tuesday-Saturday, and try to fill in the gaps? Or do I take care of my family, and just start back to school once I get transferred to Texas in the fall? more

Resolved Question: Scary S***! Which ones are true? which are false?

1) In the 1930's a young careless mother drops her baby from a high window only to be cought by a man named Joseph Figlock. Both the baby and the man were unharmed. 1 year later the same baby landed on the Joseph Figlocks arms, one again unharmed. 2) A British officer, Major Summerford, while fighting in the fields of Flanders in February 1918 was knocked off his horse by a flash of lightning and paralyzed from the waist down. Summerford retired and moved to Vancouver. One day in 1924, as he fished alongside a river, lightning hit the tree he was sitting under and paralyzed his right side. Two years later Summerford was sufficiently recovered that he was able to take walks in a local park. He was walking there one summer day in 1930 when a lightning bolt smashed into him, permanently paralyzing him. He died two years later. But lightning sought him out one last time. Four years later, during a storm, lightning struck a cemetery and destroyed a tombstone. The deceased buried here? Major Summerford. # In 1899 a bolt of lightning killed a man as he stood in his backyard in Taranto, Italy. Thirty years later his son was killed in the same way and in the same place. On October 8, 1949, Rolla Primarda, the grandson of the first victim and the son of the second, became the third. 3) On 1893 Henry Ziegland of Honey Grove, Texas, walked out on his girlfriend one day. Her brother did his "heroic" duty and shot Ziegland. Ziegland, however, was barely injured by the bullet, which only grazed his face before embedding itself in the trunk of a tree in front of which Ziegland was standing. The brother, thinking himself avenged, ended his own life with the same weapon. Twenty years later, in 1913, Ziegland decided to remove the tree from his property. Unable to perform the task manually, he decided to use dynamite. In the explosion, the bullet, which had originally been intended for Ziegland, became dislodged with such a catapulting jolt that it was shot violently into Ziegland's head, killing him at last (unverified). 4) In Prague, Czechoslovakia, a woman who leapt out of a third-floor window after learning of her husband's unfaithfulness. The husband, entering the building just as she jumped, broke her fall. She survived. He died on the spot (unverified). more

Resolved Question: How can I keep my oversensitive mom from dissappearing?

I am a Sixteen year old Male( Born in September 30, 1993), and my mom has dropped out of high school in her Freshman year, had an abusive stepfather, who she says "Molested" her, and has been struggling with drugs all her life. I am her only son, and she had two other daughters. Well, About four years ago, she asked my adoptive parents to let me stay at her house in Texas (We live in Colorado Springs), and she was so hurt over it that she did not talk to ANY of her children for FOUR years! She had stopped taking hallucinagines, but had not stopped smoking, or drinking, or gambling(She even took me to a store to watch her gamble, and made me SWEAR I would not tell her new husband, Larry that she was gambling.), She has had several failing relationships, and is a very VERY sensitive Woman. When I finally talked to her about last weekend, she said that she was so hurt my parents would not let me stay with her over the summer, that she was willing to stop talking to us altogether for four YEARS! I started thinking about inviting her over for a week(in a motel this time) to visit, but I'm afraid she will try again, and then get dissappointed again, and then DISSAPPEAR again! How can I get her to stop this destructive behavior?Obviously, She feels torn that I cant be with her, but she has family issues, alcoholism, and painful trauma. I'm trying not to provoke her, because right now, she's obviously not stable enough for it!I just wanna make her happy.......You know, without getting her hopes up! more

Voting Question: Should my husband do everything that his dad asks him to do?

My husbands father just moved to houston texas. He used to live about 20 minutes away from us. He kept his house so that he can come back here and retire in 6-10 years. His dad called yesterday and told him that he was going to have to start going to his old house once a week and picking up his mail for him. I told my husband that he needs to get his mail forwarded and be done with it. There is no reason that we should have to run up there every single week. His dad also wants him to mow his yard during the summer for the next 6-10 years. I think that is crazy. He has a huge yard andd it would take him an entire saturday to do it. We have a 2 year old son, are trying to have another baby, and my hubby works full time. If it was just one summer i could go with it but not for the next 6 years. i mow our grass at home so that when hubby gets off he doesn't have to do it and can just see his son and family. am i wrong? more

Voting Question: What are some interesting places to stop between Michigan and Texas?

We are planning a trip for this summer from Northern Michigan to Odessa Teaxs. It will be me, my husband and 3 yr old son traveling. I have went this way before and we stopped at Merramack caverns in MO it was awesome, but i would also like some other ideas on what are some other cool places or fun places to stop in between. Any ideas will be helpful!!!I will be going down through Indiana and Illinois not through wisconsin. I would like to stick to a straight bath though and work through indiana, illinois, missouri, oklahoma and then texas. So basically i want to know neat things to see or do in those states! more

Resolved Question: which one is true and which one is false?

Resolved Question: Which one is true and which isn't?

Resolved Question: can my ex move and take my son to another state without my permission?

well, she called me yesterday and told me that she is moving after summer somewhere out of state, i live in texas and she wants to move to california or new york or something like that. she has two children with two different guys, and i am one of them....i live about an hour away from her, i have my son and sometimes her daughter every weekend, i have him for ALL holidays, even mothers day. i pay my child support every month. plus what ever extras he may need. now shes telling me that i have no rights as his father and that if she wanted to she could move to china the next day with out telling me. the thing is i don't want my son to leave, is there any way that i could keep him here with me? he doesn't like being with her, he loves it here with me. can she take him with out telling me? what are my options??to trevors wife: the reason i have him and his older sister whos not my daughter for mothers day is becauseshe doesnt want them, in the 8 yrs shes been a mother she has never had them once for mothers dayyes i have always been ready to be his full time dad. i already am a full time parent for my daughter, and a full time husband to my wife. my wife loves my son and also does not want him to leave. more

Resolved Question: what is the age to start kindergarten in texas?

I have a son who will turn 5 on aug 24th and i just wanted to make sure he would be able to start kindergarten this summer more

Resolved Question: Where can I find a pro-bono lawyer in Southern California?

I live in Dallas and I make just enough to pay my child support. I have a 10 yr. old son who I lost contact with since moving to Texas. I would like shared custody & visitation rights, but I can't afford a lawyer. Is there any chance of finding, perhaps, a lawyer that's fresh out of college that would take on my case just for experience? Where do I look for one? Or, are there any experienced attorneys that do pro-bono work for fathers in my situation? Where do I find them? The state bar maybe? I love my son and would love to reunite him with his little brother (from my current marriage), even if only for summers. But with this current economic situation that I'm in, I can't afford a lawyer. I'm willing to pay any filing fees necessary to move the case along. This is can old case, so pleadings have been filed in the past while I was still living in L.A and getting by. Any suggestions for pro-bono work for an out-of-state dad would surely be appreciated. more

Resolved Question: What size's should I get for spring/summer clothes for my son?

My son is a year old Feb 2nd. At his 9 month apt he weighed 24 pounds and was 30 inches long. He isn't fat...tall and skinny. I'm confused on what size clothes to buy to get some spring/summer clothes on hand. We live in Texas and the weather changes constantly. He is currently in a different range of sizes for instance. Walmart clothes have to be 18 months. Target clothes 18 months and some t-shirts 2t. Old Navy 18-24 months but they fit perfect with not much growing room Childrens Place he can still wear 12 months and bought all 18 months for Christmas. Some of the pants depending on how they are made are real loose on him but fit perfect in the length but if you get 12 month they are to short but fit in the waist. What sizes should I start buying for spring/summer? I'm going to put on his invitation for his birthday to buy spring/summer clothing. more

Resolved Question: what is it with stepdads?

okay here is the deal my mom married my step dad when i was 11 she was talking to her on a chat room while he was in jail then because my mom was feeling alone in her life but i was there for her through every thing then he moved in with us he didnt have a job or anything so during the summer he would hang out with me my brother and sister he was the coolest guy in the world after a few months he made himself comfertable and would freak out about the smallest things and would cut his wrists throw radios hell chase me through the house with a knife the only rason he stoped is because my mom cought him anyways he went to jail on drug related charges then my mom found out she was pregnent 2 years later he comes back and my mom tells me not to trust him because he is just like my dad and the next day hes moving in then he treats my mom and his son my half brother like they are his world and treatsme my brother and my sister like we are worthless, he still didnt have a job and so after a year he moves to texas and takes his son anyways we visit my half brother in texas (we live in Dayton Ohio) and i tell my mom im going to forget the past and give him a chance so i call hm we talk and i asked him what time does everyone go to sleep there and he says as soon as he gets laid and i said by who because i didnt think him and my mom were getting back together we were just suposed to be visiting my half brother so i was pissed here i was giving him a chance and this happens moving along we were all at the park and he got my mom drunk then my sister was wanting to go back and we were there at the park for 4 hours allready and my sister is crying and i walk over to see whats wrong and my mom is giving my stepdad a hand job under the table i call them out and wow i never seen my mom that mad by the way by that time i was 16 well we go back home to Ohio and my stepdad was wanting my mom to move in with him in texas and she was telling me she wasint going to just take off with my sister and my brother well she did now im 17 she took my sister and brother from me and they live with my stepdad and i miss my sibings so much and i fear for them down there because that man is evil ok sorry for it being so long and sorry for the spelling but is it just me or are most stepdads mean evil and jerks and why is thatby the way one more thing i hate my mom more than anyone in this situation dont get me wrong i hate my stepdad too but most my anger is focused on my mom why more

Resolved Question: What is your favourite Texas song?

Mine is Summer Son! more

Voting Question: My son's Father is with a convicted child abuser..what can I do to protect my son from being around her?

My ex husband and I have an 8 year old son together. I live in Texas and he lives in N.C. My son spends his summers in n.c with his father. I just recently was told that his fathers live in girlfriend is a convicted child abuser. She shook and beat her 7 week old son nearly to death breaking his femur and collar bone and giving him shaking baby syndrome. Social services have taken custody of both of her children and she only received 36 mths of probation because she gave the police info on a drug bust. The girl is a known crackhead in the area and I am scared for my son's life! My question to y'all is, is there anything I can legally do to make sure she isn't allowed near my son? more

Voting Question: Would a judge listen to a 9 year old speak of visits with father?

My ex & I are going to court next week for visitation modification. We went to court & through mediation we agreed on an emergency summer visitation schedule. So we will be returning to finalize the rest of the year along with future summer visitations. We live in Dallas and his father lives in Houston. Before this past summer's visitations he hadn't seen or visited our son since Aug. of 2008. And maybe two weekends prior to the August visit within the same year. In the past years the father would come to pick up our child maybe a total of 3 weekends if that, a year. This has been going on for over 5 years. Our son will be 10 come November. His father has never been consistantly involved in our son's life since he was an infant. He takes weekly immunotherapy shots & has asthma. Father has little knowledge if emergency arises. Our son would like to speak to the judge about his feelings on the summer visit and future visits. What is the possibility of him speaking and having somewhat of a say of future visits? I have since remarried and have been married for 5 years. My son see's my husband as his true father and not his biological father. I have always been honest as to where he came from. He understands that very well. But the bond and time that he has spent and shared with my husband is like no other. In fact, my husband (who my son calls daddy) has been in my son's life more than his biological father. During the summer my son told us that his dad was smoking around him. Knowing that our son has asthma and severe allergies his decision to endanger the health of our son is very questionable to me. He also kept our son from taking his daily meds twice during his stay in Houston. These are more reasons as to why I am looking to get his visitations either supervised or shortened to the maximum allowed. Does anyone have any legal insight as to who to deal with this coming issue. ( I am in Texas so obviously only Texas laws would apply!!) Thank you very much!In addition, does anyone know as to what is the minimal amount of visitationss that can be granted? Not that I suspect the father would be visiting more than he has in the past, but one never knows, huh... more

Resolved Question: Your opinion is wanted, to home school or not to home school, THAT is the question.?

I am sure everyone has really strong beliefs in one way or another on this subject but please continue reading before making a comment. I have 3 children ages 5, 3 and 8 months. I am a stay at home mother. My husband is an Engineer for a U.S. contractor. My husband is leaving for Iraq at the end of October and will be gone for one year. He will get to visit for two weeks about 1/2 way through his assignment (so April or May time frame). Since I do not work I really have no ties to our home. I have been considering using this as an opportunity to travel with my children (not constantly but every few day or maybe for a week here and there) to go visit places throughout our state (Texas) and possibly the United States. I would take them to various museums, gardens, historical sites and things of that nature. I would teach them (my 3 and 5 year old) the basics of course but I think these trips would teach them in a more in depth, hands on way. For instance, I could take them to the Alamo to teach them about the history of texas, to a farm to teach them about agriculture (and maybe about the "birds and the bees" too" I believe I can teach them more through trips like these then my 5 year old will learn in Kindergarten. My son did go to Pre School last year where he learned his alphabet, to count to 30, how to write his name and to spell a few words... So the foundation has been started, I just need to pick up where the Pre School teachers left off. I am not considering home schooling him for 1st grade, just this year. I do worry though that he might miss the social interaction that he had while in Pre School and would have in Kindergarten but I am sure that there are home school groups in my area that have get-togethers where the kids can socialize. I also have to wonder though, is it fair to have him miss out on Kindergarten, one of the most memorable years of a child's life. To miss out on his Kindergarten graduation? Is it worth it? ~ I'm torn. I just feel that this is a unique opportunity, one we may never get again to travel freely, on a whim, to visit places we might not normally visit and to learn about things that they might only learn about otherwise through reading books (which we'll still do plenty of). I am not even adverse to driving a longer distance, maybe to visit the Grand Canyon, or Niagra Falls. I've been to both, just not with my children. I know that my youngest two might not even remember these adventures but I know that my oldest probably will. I remember plenty from when I was his age, especially the wonderfully fantastic adventures my mom took me on. ~She used to take me fossil and artifact hunting in Arizona. Plus these trips would be a wonderful bonding experience and would help pass the time while my husband is in Iraq. In addition, he'd be able to take his 2 weeks leave at anytime rather than having to plan around Spring Break or waiting until Summer Vacation. I'd love opinions, even criticism Oh and I am sure it will come up so I'll address is now, Yes, we will be able to afford these trips.RMG: I appreciate the constructive criticism but I do have to disagree with you on the museum issue. I know everyone thinks their kids are great but when it comes to behaving themselves (with exception to the 8 month old) they are exceptional. Our children are well disciplined & taught good behavior from a very young age. We go out to eat (not fast food) a minimum of twice a week and we are not the family you glare at that's making all of the racket,lol. We actually get compliments on how well behaved our kids our on a regular basis. Oddly enough we've even been offered money. Yes, money. An elderly lady once gave my son $1 for being so good. (Weird, I know). We recently moved to Texas from Maryland. While in Maryland we visited the Natural History Museums and historical sites of DC & my oldest son really enjoyed them & learned a lot. I agree, some (often times, many) kids behave badly in public, mine though, w/the rare exception, do not. If they do there are immediate consequences. more

Resolved Question: I have a court order for my son to visit me this summer, but his mother is in contempt of court. What Do I Do?

This summer I was given 3 weeks in July and 2 weeks in August to visit my son. He was supossed to come out to California from Texas to visit me both times. His mother mentioned to me that she planned a family vacation with her and her new husband and my son in July and I would not be able to have the 3 weeks. I argued with her and in the long run I just came from CA to visit for a week and I let them go to be nice. That was my mistake. Now he is supossed to visit me from Texas and stay with me for 2 weeks in August. I tried to contact his mother for over a month regarding the plane tickets and expenses but she never returned my calls or emails. She finally got back to me when it was too late. Now I have to drive to pick up my son from Texas because plane tickets are not affordable (keep in mind the court ordered that I be responsible for the cost and the act of the transportation to visit me). Anyway now I need to drive to pick him up. His mother said that was fine. After I arranged everything and jumped through hoops to take the time off work, she is now telling me she is going to have to re-schedule and I cannot come to pick him up because she will not have him available the day I arrive to pick him up. On top of it she is now telling me that she made him various doctor appointments throughout the month and I will not be able to see him anymore this summer. I spoke with some of his mothers friends and family and they are telling me that she is a liar and a bitch and she did not make any appointments for him and that my son is in fact available the day I arrive and she is lying about that too. What do I do??? I already sent her an email saying that what she is doing is unnacceptable and I will be there on the day and time that we agreed on and if she does not let me pick him up or if she is nowhere to be found, I will go to the police with a copy of her emails and my court order. Is there anything else I can do? more

Resolved Question: If the non-custodial parent moves to a different state can he take our child to visit?

Our divorce is in the process and worried that my husband will not agree with supervised visitations. (my 16 year old step son told me my husband and his girlfriend smoke pot in front of him) I want my daughter to see her dad as much as possible but we live in Texas and my soon to be ex husband moved to NY, will he be able to take our 7 year old child to NY with him during the summer, Christmas, spring break, fathers day? I have no problem with him spending time with her here in town but not comfortable with him taking her to NY....will the decree/judge allow this? Also, if he doesn't agree with supervised visitations what happens then? Will the divorce be granted if he refuses to sign divorce paperwork?*My step son who is 16 years old was picked up at home by his dad, (my husband) and his girlfriend and my step son told me that they were smoking weed in front of him in the truck while driving! I think they are both unfit to have our 7 year old in their care without supervision.* more

Resolved Question: if my husband is paying child support, does it go down when he has another child living with him in Texas?

hello, my husband is paying child support to his son, and we are very active in his life, we see him every weekend, and he stays with us all summer. but, we recently had a daughter together, and he hasn't fixed his child support yet to say that he is supporting another child. How will it affect his child support when he does?PS!!!!! the child in question is NOT suffering. He is well loved by me and my husband, his mother does not buy him new clothes WE do...she does not hug him WE do....when he cries that he doesn't want to go home our hearts break....i was asking because i was curious. THATS ALL!!! more

Resolved Question: Texas historical sites--kid-friendly?

We are planning to visit family in Southeast Texas this summer, and we would like to visit some historical sites on the way. (We live in North Central Texas.) Our daughter has just finished fourth grade, and absolutely LOVED Texas history this past year, and the only times we've been to any of these places were all before she was born. Our son is almost two. I plan to do some research myself on appropriate websites, but I would like to hear from REAL people about what's going to hold her interest, be worth the cost, and be tolerable for her little brother! If you can tell me about any of the following places, we would be very grateful. Obviously, everyone won't know about everything. We will be driving, and it will be in August! We have to allow for the heat, for naptime and for little brother's VERY FAIR skin (he's a redhead). San Jacinto--monument? museum? Washington-on-the-Brazos--I remember a museum, but not much about it because it was probably 20 years ago. Mapquest doesn't recognize it, so I put in Washington and found it near Navasota. Is that right? Sam Houston statue near Huntsville--visitor center nearby? anything else in area? NASA/Johnson Space Center--tours, museum? We also plan to go to San Antonio if the budget allows, to see the Alamo, the Riverwalk, and the Mercado. Any areas we should avoid when booking a hotel? Any place you particularly recommend staying that won't bust the budget? We need a pool for our sanity and free breakfast would be nice. Are the Riverwalk and the Mercado still worth seeing? We've been there several times, but the last time was probably 12-15 years ago. Thank you so much! more

Resolved Question: Your Greatest Hits list?

Like, what are the five greatest moments of your life? Here's mine: #5: Falling asleeps under the trees in Texas for an entire summer #4: Meeting my younger brothers and sisters #3: A complete stranger telling me how much she admired me for raising my son so well #2: Getting married #1: Meeting my son for the first time. more

Resolved Question: Big problem..... can't find solution!?

how can we deal with my hubby's EX after almost 9 yrs of their divorce she can't get over it.( I was not the reason of their divorce)... She is always bossing around our life's. I have had discussion over this with my hubby because even though she lives 14 hrs away she finds a way to give me a headache. For example my step-son(12yrs) wants to live with us but she doesn't want to let him come, child didn't come on x-mas or new years because of her, she doesn't follow what court papers said and we can't afford to go to court and discuss this at this moment or before . Even when the child is here with us trying to have a good time she wants to know every movement we do she calls at least 4 times a day and always telling my husband what to do or not do with the child. Where to go what to buy him like just "good" brand clothes. If we let her know that we are not going to be home or we boy will not be able to answer her cals because we are going to be out on vacations she gets frustraded and even though she knew we weren't home she sends the police to check on the boy and by the time we get back my husband has already 7 notes form the police to go and report that the boy is ok. The boy have told us that he stays home alone while mom & her husband work for a period of 12hrs ever since he was 8th years that's why we always try to find a way for him to come during the summer for a long period. He doesn't have a healthy meal ever or so he says. He mo-we the lawn by himself since he was 10. My husband have talk to her about this and she just denies everything,she says the boy is a liar and not to believe him on what he say. Honestly we belive the child and not her because of the way she is. One day she is taking in a mannerable way and minutes later she is screaming like crazy.. my husband is planning on take her to court and figth for custody and let him decide where he wants to live, since he have told us serveral time that he wants to live with us because in our home we are a real family he wants to be with us . He said that at his house he migth have everything he wants but he doesn't have a family even though he has 2 step-sisters and 2 little brothers. On December he will be 13th and in Texas this is the year where he can decide where to live or so that is what we know.We want to give it a try but his mom refuses and says she will denie all the childs lies. Honestly I have know him since he was 4 and have a great relationship with him, and I know he is not lying he is a honest, generous boy,very lovable and all he needs is LOVE and attention. The boy have told us that mom,husband and other kids have gone on vacatiosn and he haven't been able just with us so in a way he feel not part of his mom's family. What can we do the boy wants to stay with us starting this year mother will not agree and we can't afford a lawyer at this moment hopefully by begining of year but not now. Any advices I just one the best for the boy..:) more

Resolved Question: What will be best for the child in this case?

My step-son (12yrs.) has plans to come and live with us for one year starting this July 19, 2009. (we all live in Texas but 15 hrs. apart ) .Everything was ok my hubby and his mother agreed for him to live here for one year, arrangements will be made with a lawyer to fix court papers for one year, appointment for this changes is July 15th. Now a good opportunity of job for my hubby has come it is only for a year, the only problem is that he will be working out of state about 11 hrs away. That is not the problem because I will be taking good care of my step-son and our kids because I only work part-time in the mornings. I have a good relationship with him and we know there will be no problem with the child if my hubby lives to work out of state. The problem is the mother she likes to argue and she usually likes to call just to try to change our home “rules” or “decisions “ and not respecting court order, for example Child was supposed to come since July 4th but the child’s mother have change the date & time for him to come & we have change the airplane ticket 3 times already and our plans and vacations schedule change because of her. We just want to avoid all this kind of headache specially if I will be in charged of the house & kids. I personally don’t know her but she had told me that she doesn’t like me at all honestly I don’t know why if I wasn’t the reason of her divorce almost 9 yrs ago. I came to the picture almost 2 yrs later, any how my hubby wants to cancel everything let his son just come for the rest of the summer have fun go out on vacations and have a talk with the child and explain to him our reasons and the fact that hubby will not be home 24-7.He will be coming for 5 days every month. Our future plan is to fix court papers for hubby’s to get child custody as soon as he turn 13yrs and that way the child will be here at home and my hubby too ,to spend more time with his son. We know the child will understand all this much better than his mother and we are not going to obligate him on staying or not. If after knowing all the reasons he still wants to stay then he will stay and will see what happens on the way with the mother. Do you honestly think it will be healthy for the child to stay even though I have a great relationship with him but my hubby will not be home. ? OR It is ok for him to come and see what happened on the way? Honestly I don’t want to have more conflicts with the mother because like it did when she find out we got married & I was pregnant ,I almost lost my baby because the bad moments she made me had and her bad intentions on calling me and tell me lies and treated me like I was trash with out even knowing me . Thank God this didn’t haven’ affect our marriage and I had my baby and I know I just have to ignore her and her lies. My hubby, kids & step-son are more important then her bad intentions. Advices please I will appreciate your help!Sorry I didn't explain well the job is out of state for one year but after that year he will be transfer only 1 hr away from home. The pay is much better than what he has at this moment this just happend and it will be good for us for our savings and future plans including our step-son plans and future!Sorry I didn't explain well the job is out of state for one year but after that year he will be transfer only 1 hr away from home. The pay is much better than what he has at this moment this just happend and it will be good for us for our savings and future plans including our step-son plans and future!Sorry I didn't explain well the job is out of state for one year but after that year he will be transfer only 1 hr away from home. The pay is much better than what he has at this moment this just happend and it will be good for us for our savings and future plans including our step-son plans and future! more

Resolved Question: Help with Biological dad... Help really wanted from mothers.?

Okay so 17 years ago my mom got pregnant with her boyfriend's baby (me). And her boyfriend's mom refused to take any part of this so she took her son and moved to texas.... 17 years later I find my biological father and contact him. He is really excited to see me and he is in town. He wants me to meet his wife and two daughters. They are going horseback riding tommorow and he wants to take me to lunch... Well apparently his mom wants to come us to lunch as well and he wants to know how I feel about it. My legal parents since I was 2 said I can do whatever I want I am 16 now im a big boy... So my bio dad asked me if it is okay that his mom comes that it is my decision. Whatever I want Well I really dont want to see her! She has never wanted any part of me even before I was born I was trash to her. And now she wants me to join her family and leave my family. I dont want to meet this woman, and if it is truely what I want then I just want to spend the rest of the summer with my friends, go fishing, play video games, get a job..... What do I do I dont want to hurt any feelings here.... I need really good answers non of this 3 word answers "Just tell him" more

Resolved Question: Is he too old for this? Is he a mommy's boy? Wuss? Is it Normal? Am I over reacting? I hope not, I think not!?

this is the second time i wrote about this. I got really good feedback but now i want more opinions. it proved that im not over reacting. ill say this here again im not bashing on this kid these are just things he does and all! Been with girlfriend for 2 years. She has a 10 year old son. He is afraid to shower on his own without mommy sitting in the toilet while he showers,he wont sleep in his own bed and wakes up in the middle of the night to be found next to me or her. If she leaves the room to go to the living room to do homework he will kick the door open all scared saying "momma, momma, mommy where are you?" and then wont go to sleep and wants mommy to sleep next to him. Keep in mind he is 10 years old people! He likes movies like enchanted, and stuff I would say are for girls, like Hannah Montana, I-Carly, The jonas brothers, High School Musical. I wanna throw in that I have an 8 Year old brother who isnt like that. He likes wrestling, sports, scary movies along with other kinds of movies, not a typical kid but this kid wouldnt wanna watch The Dark Knight cause he was scared, He didnt wanna go to Laser Tag with my 8 year old bro and i cause he was scared. He is used to being catered to and I always put an end to it and all the little fits he has, I wanna know if im gonna marry this chick, should it be ok that she gives me more authority over her son? because im afraid that if i ever have kids with her they will turn out to be wusses like this one. Im honestly afraid......is there hope? i dont mean to bash on this kid, i am not making this up, this is just how things are going down right now! is he a wuss? or what the hell? oh and i think he might be a little queery....put towel on his head when he is out of the shower and usually sings along to songs like "if i were a little rich girl, nananananana" or something like that or if i were a boy! and he sometimes put on them high heels yeah! and hes like so proud of it! he gets all paranoid when his nails need to be clipped, claims his nails hurt! ugh! and for some reason he cant swallon a friggin tiny pill she has to open his mouth and he tosses it in the and he gags....drama queen on my opinion thanks god hes living to texas for the summer!@ he has a.d.d but hes just a wuss i think!he is afraid to go into hot topic and party city. he hates halloween and kinda always wanta momma to do everything for him yeah!i dont wanna break up with her cause i care for her and her son, i just dont want this kid to be eated alive in middle school because as of now his cousins dont wanna play with him cause of the wussiness and crying. they often go to chuck e cheese and all the aunts take the nephews and they always leave this one out....we find out they went without him a few days later after one of the kids spills the beans!i meant eaten in middle school!The dad is not around, this kid is afraid of him for some reason. he says that because he uses drugs and was in jail. the dad just got out of jail about a month ago. he wants to see his kid but my girl has a restraining order and well she pretty much has full custody! help me man this kid up! this is ridiculus! and he was afraid to go watch the hulk!and im not taking her from him at all we do everything together well almost but i say to him "dont be such a wuss" while mom is there. she needs more dicipline tips than just yelling....an ass whooping maybe? lol more

Resolved Question: my son deserves valedictorian and he gets salutatorian?

any body knows how it works ? my son pass all his test never miss a day ,but he wins salutatorian? The one who won valedictorian have to go to summer school because she fail English class I ask for an explanation , but his teacher, principal. counselor give me some different explanation each i call board of education on Texas but no answer ? more

Resolved Question: Should I go or should I stay?

My husband and I have been married for 8 years. When we met I moved from Montreal to Texas. I didn't want a child and got pregnant by mistake, wanted an abortion but since he wanted a child so much I changed my mind. It took me a long time to get all my paperwork done and I only got my SSN 2 years ago, so I have been staying home with my son ever since. My husband is a good guy, but he has absolutely no desire to go anywhere in life. At first I let go of a lot of things, but now it's driving me crazy. he's been doing the same job for over 17 years, he should be making 3 times what he is making right now. I work full time, take care of my son, do the groceries, pay the bills, take care of the house etc. He goes to work , comes home and plays videogames for the rest of the night, the first thing he does in the morning is to turn the tv on. He has no idea what bills need to pay and when, no idea what kind of life insurace, house insurance , car insurance we have, no idea of what is the payment for the car, etc. He is a good father, but that's it. I have asked him many times over to try and go back to school, to take computer classes and other classes that would help him get a better job, but he has no interest whatsoever....So what do I do with it. Today I told him as soon as I had another job ( off for the summer, worked in the school system last year ) I was leaving him, and he wonders why???Am I wrong? I have no self esteem left, I've gained 100lbs over the years being here, I have asked him also to lose weight with me, but he just eats his full fat fried texas food and doesn't care.... I've had more than enough. I want to find myself again, and love myself and be happy. I mean I have a7 year old that i'm a mother too, a 45 year old is more than I can take anymore. more

Resolved Question: Family Law question-what are my rights as a joint managing conservatorship?

The divorce was 4 years ago. The ad lidem atty set up temp cust. orders that provided for a 50/50 right of visitation between myself and the paternal grandparents of my son as my ex-husband was deemed incompetent. Obviously the orders have well extended the temporary status and now I see my son an average of 15% of the year. The grandparents are extremely wealthy and I am a student finishing my Bachelor's this summer, in other words, they are loaded and I am not. What can I do, without money, to receive justice? BTW, I have no criminal convictions, not a drug user, abuser, etc... They have money and money is power, at least in Texas. I also have since remarried to a gainfully employed, college-degreed man and have together an 8-month old son. Shouldn't I have a leg to stand on? What can I do??? more

Resolved Question: My son failed the 4th grade in Texas---Can he do homeschooling over summer?

He went from Private to public school mid year and had a huge adjustment phase that really hurt him with his academics. Could I home school him this summer so he can enter the 5th grade with his new friends? I hate to tell him that he has to repeat the 4th grade---he has had to transfer school 4 times since Kindergarten. We are finally in a home where he can build lasting friendships and have friends but now he is being held back---I feel it is going to devastate him emotionally. Any thoughts more

Resolved Question: Sending 13 yr old son away to another state with family for the summer, is this harsh?

My son is hanging around with "the bad kids" every school has them. after every measure of punsihment, and him still thinking he doesn't have to listen and he can do his own thing, it's time for time away from home. he's going to a small town in texas (we're in califonia) with his grandparents. is this too harsh? more

Resolved Question: Two years after divorce in Texas, can I move out of the state with a 6.y.o. child?

We've been divorced for 2 years now and the divorce decree requires that I live in Texas for 4 years after divorce. I've found a great job in another state, it would finally give security and stability to me and my son and want to move. I offered my son's father to have our son for all holidays and summer and offered to sponsor half of his trip to see the child. I have even offered for him to stop paying child support. He still would not let me move. What can I do? What are my legal options? more

Resolved Question: How do you dress your sweaty, hot natured baby for bed?

It is full on summer here in Texas and my son is seeming to be hot natured. Even with the a/c on he still is clamy. I think it is the humidity here. He has no fever. My mom said to strip him to his diaper and give him a receiving blanket, but I am afraid if he has moisture on his skin that he will catch a chill. On the other hand, I don't want him to be hot. As of now, I just have him in a onsie, no blanket, and his hair is ringing wet when I check on him. more

Resolved Question: Need help with serious issue?

I got pregnant when I was 17 and when me and his father split up I lost custody because he had a family to help raise my son and I didn't. Thats a totally different issue though. The problem is my son is now 8 and I have him every weekend and almost the entire summer. I got married and my husband is in the military and we have orders to go to Germany. How do I explain this to him. He understood when we went to Texas but that was only a few months because I moved back when my husband deployed but Germany is three years and I don't want him to think I am abandoning him. I dont want to go back for full custody because his father is great and he has lived in the same house with his father, uncle and grandparents since he was born and I don't want to take him from that. I just don't know how to explain this to him. I talked to his father about it and he is willing to let me have him during the summers and school breaks as long as I pay for the plane tickets. more

Resolved Question: how are the YMCA summer camps? I am thinking about enrolling my 4 year son.?

We live in texas. Any information would be great. Thanks! more

Resolved Question: Is my family and I safe to go on vacation this summer?

My boyfriend, 20 month old son, sister and I were planning a 3 week vacation this summer. We were going to Corpus Christi, Texas, Monterrey, Mexico, and San Antonio, TX. We canceled our plans to Mexico, but are wondering if it will be safe to go to Texas. I don't want to freak out about this flu, like some people, but I still want to be safe. Thanks for all of the help!! more

Resolved Question: Does my son really have to go to his mother for the Summer?

So...about 2 years ago I got divorced from my now ex-wife. During the divorce I won Physical custody of my son and she won Joint-Legal custody. We also signed a agreement saying that every year he would go to Texas from June 2nd to August 2nd. Part of the stipulations to this was that she would have to mail me a copy of his itinerary and return flights so I would know he's coming back. Key Word: Mail it to me. I don't deal or talk to her in any way. She calls once a week to talk to my son and my dad is the mediator so that she can talk to my son. In the agreement SPECIFICALLY, it says she has to MAIL THE ITINERARY TO ME. So, she sent it to my dad this year. She has to send it every year by the 2nd of may, and we received it yesterday on the 30th of April. But it was addressed to my dad. So does my son have to go? Because the agreement on paper was to me. Technically she has no proof she sent anything to me because the UPS envelope has my dad's name. Do I have a case?! Any thoughts would be appreciated and hopefully someone with knowledge of the law. BTW I live in California. Thanks a lot.Well let me add details since most of you think I'm being petty. His mom is a drug user and pretty much a loser. When he went last summer, my ex-mother in law watched him half the time while she went out and partied. She fed him once a day and he lost 10lbs when he came back after 2 months. The reason I can't take the fight back to court is because I'm getting redeployed and won't be able to attend court. I'm doing the best as a father and I want to prevent him from going because I want him to be treated well, not because I have any sort of resentment or hate towards her. more

Resolved Question: Where can a 14 year old work in austin texas?

I am 14 yrs young lol.I want a part time job just for the summer.I want to work at mcdonalds but Idk how old you have to be to work there?? I have a neighbor who has 4 year old son but I think they already have a baby sitter. more

Resolved Question: Is there a safe way to condition my baby to the hellacious summer to come?

With global warming and the energy crisis, I am afraid the day will come when the electricity goes off. We live in a small rural area of Texas and when it gets over 100 degrees (which is most of the summer) sometimes generators blow and we will be out of electricity for a day or two. Last summer it was 5 times for 2 days each. I don't want my son to be dependent on air conditioning like I am. People lived for thousands of years without it, but I can't go a day, lol. What should I set the thermostat at to get him accustomed to Texas heat? is 80 too hot? more

Resolved Question: is it fair that my children spend the summer with my ex husband and the woman who tore apart our marriage?

at the end of our marriage he had an affair, i told him to make a choice and he walked out on me and the kids so i moved from texas to phila...he then cried said hed follow us up there, and a month later he called had to admit he was seein her and the affair cuz i had to get tested for hpv because she had it.....the problem is..in 6 months i been here he hasn't visited them once...he pops in an out through phone calls going over a month at times not calling he forgot our sons bday and now summer comes an he wants them im fine under the stipulation he dosnt work 80 hours aweek...i don't want this woman whome ive never met and dont know watching my children because they live together now at this point...YA only 6 months after we split up...all i know is she tore apart our family....idk what to do he says im being selfish and wrong and i don't think i am.... more

Resolved Question: What can happen to me if i do not follow through with the court order visitation..?

My son is 9 months old and his sperm donor/ father has decide to take advantage of his 42 days out of the summer to take him away from as another one of his control games.. My sons father has only seen him 5 times and never more than a couple of hours.. but he conviently moved back to california in december and hasnt seen him since.. and my son and i live in texas.. Please any advice you could give would be great.. more

Voting Question: Child Visitation - Texas?

I have a son (Kayden) who his 8, his father and I are divorced. We go exactly the way the papers say...that is the only way my ex will do it. Kayden does not like to go to his father's, he just does not like time away from home...but that is besides the point. Kayden is with his father every 2nd, 4th & 5th weekend of the month (Friday's at 3:00 until Sunday's at 8:00), a month during the summer and we alternate holidays. If a weekend possesion coincide's with a school holiday the weekend possesion will either start on a Thursday or end on a Monday...depending on when the holiday is. Are papers specifically state "The following provisions govern possession of the child for certain specific holidays and supersede conflicting weekend or possession." My ex has my son this year for Easter, Friday at 6:00-Sunday at 6:00. Kayden does not have school on Friday or Monday. That weekend is also Kayden's weekend with his father. So, does he get Kayden onThursday and keep him until Monday or does he just get him from friday at 6:00 until Sunday at 6:00. I have tried discussing this with his father, but he just keeps saying we are going by the papers. If we were to go by the papers, what would be the right way?? Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for you time! more

Resolved Question: Air Travel w/ 6 or 7 month old?!?

Hey all! My son and I are flying to CA in June/July for the hubbs' deployment homecoming and I need some tips for flying with him, since he'll be 6-7 months old? It's a 3 1/2 hour flight, I'm hoping to book nonstop so we won't have to rush between gates and what not. I'm definitely getting him his own seat, so which car seats do you recommend for air travel? Also, how difficult is it to do diaper changes in the plane bathrooms? I know that sounds like a silly question, but it just came to my mind. Any other tips you have for traveling with a 6/7 month old would be GREATLY appreciated. I can't leave him in Texas because my parents travel for the summer and I don't really trust my in-laws (they swear SIDS doesn't exist--ugh). Any advice you have, I'd greatly appreciate it!! more

Resolved Question: Where are some good places to go on vacation with our 8 month old son in Texas?

My husband and i are wanting to go on a family vacation this summer with our 8 month old son. We want something we can do as a family and something for us grown-ups more in Texas or close by. more

Voting Question: I have a 14 year old boy who needs his dad.?

I asked his dad to be in our life and he is moving from Texas to be with us. This is his only son and he has seen him every summer. Now that we are settling into this family, I am retiring from the military. I would like to have another baby with my sons dad. We will get married. I am wondering If we should focus on our son and not have another child since he has never been with both parents his whole life. I am wanting to spend quality time with another baby too since I have never been able to concentrate on just the kids. I have been a soldier for 24 years, my oldest son has a 1 yr old and a 1 month old. Would it be weird for a grandma to have another baby? I am 47 and very healthy and financially stable. more

Resolved Question: Wouldn't this be considered animal cruelty?

I just learned of a practice that is common here in Texas and may be used in other western cattle states. Male lambs and calves are castrated without benefit of any pain medication. All calves are branded with a hot branding iron just as seen in the movies. All lambs have their tails cut off and their ears notched all without any pain med. Isn't this a case for the ASPCA? I've been watching a lot of ANIMAL PLANET on TV and this seems pretty cruel to me. I know this to be true because my son worked on a ranch during summers while in college. He just told me this today.Azuka. I didn't go into the graphic details that my son subjected me to but I was almost in tears by the time he finished. I know about circumcisium. My daughter is a nurse and has assisted with them. But it is nothing compared to what these lambs go through. more

Voting Question: What can I do about biological fathers visitation rights and enviorments he puts our child in?

Ok heres the situation. I am 30 weeks pregnant and a few weeks ago I called my mom for help because I was in preterm labor and I needed someone to come help with my son or he needed to go for his summer early. I called the biological father and asked him if he could pay the child support he owed me so my mother could come get my son or stay for a week or so to help me out. My husband is out in the field and I dont have alot of friends here and was scared. Well turns out I had an infection that medication has treated and I havent had anymore problems and am out of danger. So I havent been worried about my son going to Tx from Ga early and missing his little sisters birth. My son is only two years old. I really have a problem with him visiting because my mother smokes weed, so does my sons father, and my mother drinks alot and so does my stepdad. *and by alot i mean alot! my mom doesnt get drunk but my stepdad goes threw a 24 pack a night* My sons father is not working and doesnt have a place to live. He bounces from friends house to friends house and hasnt been able to provide for himself in years. So I know my son would be at my mothers most of the time. While being at my mothers I know my son would be taken care of I still worry because of the enviorment. I don't drink or do drugs and I dont want him around anything like that. Well child support court order states that my sons father is allowed to have him 42 days out of the summer unless he says for a longer time by april 1st of each year... I don't want him to go. Hes two years old, and he doesn't need to be that far away from mommy and come home to a new baby. That to me seems to much of a life changing event and I feel he is better off here with me then he is going there. He has everything he needs here. What can I do about him going to Texas? My mothers taking this all very personaly and I don't know what to do about it anymore. My sons father has never been there for his son and seems to think the at most three months hes spent with his son his whole life and child support makes up for it. I told him I dont want him to go the kid doesnt even know he exist and the guy cares more about himself then his son. When I told him how I felt about it he told me hes getting a laywer and that its my fault the kid doesnt know him. I said 'so its my fault you do drugs and cant support yourself' and havent heard back from him since. I dont know what to do about this. I want my son to be safe and he isnt there. more

Resolved Question: Can someone help me with my best friend?

Ok so i met this guy in 9th grade. We became best friends. He left 2nd semester. then came back 1st semester in 10th grade. then left and now he goes to a different high school. I had real feelings for him and wanted to go out with him in 9th grade...he liked me too but we thought it was best to just be besties. So thats what we did. he told me that nothing will ever pull us apart that i wasnt ever going to leave his side and that he will always be there for me no matter what. Now since we go to differnet high schools, he met this other girl "jessica." Well she was at the time 18. I used to works at a restaurant. He new these two girls that i worked with and they knew him and jessica. Well he and jessica became real close and he drifted away from me not completely but things were changing. So i started hearing things from those girls that i worked with and people from his school like he was going out and getttin high and gettin drunk with jessica. so i tried to confront him by telling him that i needed to talk to him but he kept avoiding me so i went to his mom. his mom and i have a huge relationship with eachother. So i told his mom everything i was hearing. She confronted him and jessica. they denied it. So i called him up the next week and he proceeded to tell me to never talk to him. we didnt talk for over 3 months. the week befor school was out i had bought a plane ticket to go to texas and i got an im from him saying i hope to go to texas and never come back. i cant believe you betrayed me and said all that stuff to my mom. you are such a backstabber and what not. so anyway we got into it. Come to find out everything that people were telling me about the stuff he and jessic were doing were all lies, but he didnt seem to believe me when i told him that. the night before i left he imed me saying to have a "safe" trip to texas and yea. So over the summer jessica and i were txting back and forth and she would tell him when we would talk. so one day i got a txt from him saying that he missed me and that he wanted to be friends again but if i ever betrayed him again it will be over between us for good. so we became friends again and jessica was still his new best friend. oviously i felt sad because we were no longer as close as we were. We dont really hang out as much anymore. we call eachother alot but whenever i make the effort to go out with him he always says no or i cant cause me and jessica are hanging out. so its always a reason why he cant hang out; but hes always out with jessica driving around :( So he borrowed my abercrombie and fitch jacket and never gave it back to me. he has had it for over 5 months now. my mom noticed that it was gone and asked me to tell him to give it back. he responded with oh i losted it and dont expect me to buy you a new one. so i lefted it alone and my mom still noticed that i didnt have it back after couple of weeks so i got heated and called his dad and asked for my jacket. this was in february of this year. still no jacket. so jessica works at A&F and decided that she will buy me a new jacket. it is the middle of march i still have no jacket. so him and i havent talked for almost 2 1/2 months. i call him all the time. no answer. i called his dad last week and he said that he will have him call me. he never did. i saw him and his dad in the car on tuesday. his dad rolled down the window and started talking to me. he didnt even look at me except only when i proceeded to ask how he was doing. he waved and kept staring in the opposite direction. his dad proceeded to ask me if i was going home i said yes and that he was going to have his son call me....no call. after a long story this is where one of you comes into play... i need help. Should i still hang onto him or let him go??? Please help i need real advice. more

Resolved Question: Summer Vacation with 2 7-yr old boys in Oklahoma?

We live in north Texas. We are thinking about to go to Oklahoma for summer vacation this year with our 2 7-yr old sons. We'd like to rent a cabin near a lake (so the kids can play on the beach & swim) and also near hiking area. It'll be an add-on bonus if pets (1 dog) are allowed. Any suggestion? Thanks. more