Boy Phil,
I don't know.  A little reality might not hurt her.  You guys have 
certainly bent over backwards to be gracious and give her a second, 
third and, who knows how many chances.  One Thing is for sure, you 
can't be accused of being impatient.  Maybe I'm just not a very good 
parent, but I think that I would have probably pulled the rug out 
from under her a long time ago.  You guys have been more then 
generous.  One thing Gretchen has to know for sure and that is that 
she is loved.  It's too bad that she doesn't appreciate that fact 
more, but instead chooses to run over it again and 
again.  Consequences may not be such a bad thing, but it is hard to 
watch as a parent, don't I know.
         God bless you and Sandy and give you both clear minds and a 
sence of God's purpose and will in this situation.  I just pray that 
you are sure that you aren't standing in His way.
A fellow traveler,
Kathy


At 03:54 PM 3/15/2006, you wrote:
>Gretchen's diversionary officer basically told Gretchen to return Friday
>with a plan she is going to follow and live by, did I mention her case
>officer is a Christian?  Anyhow, otherwise, she would make the decisions for
>Gretchen.  I had a talk with Gretchen today, because she asked to talk with
>me, and she wants to move back in but both times she talked about it, she
>said it was because of her children.  She did not sound sincere to me but
>then I don't want to go to prison for 5 years either.  I told Gretchen this
>morning, that we would have to come to some sort of agreement about the way
>she is living because, not only could we not take living with her and
>guessing about what she is doing every day, but it was totally unacceptable
>for the children.  She also said she would start praying with me on a
>regular bases starting tomorrow night.  So, we shall see.  I am not
>expecting her to be perfect but I do demand she fulfill her responsibilities
>as a parent no matter what.
>
>Phil.
>
>
>Has He Ever Crossed Your Mind?
>www.SafePlaceFellowship.com