I talked to Larry about the girls dad yesterday while he was doing my hair. He said that I need to talk to him (Jorge) and that if I don't do it HE would! ROFL So I guess I'm gonna have a talk with Jorge and hopefully the girls won't hate me. I wish he would just leave his wife she really is a bitch. One summer the girls came home and the only spanish word they knew was "cochina" which in translation is filthy or pig, I know she was calling them that, why else would they know it?! She was constantly telling the girls that they were dirty and messy and insisted that they bathed sometimes twice a day, HELLO........they are children they sometimes get dirty! Sheesh!

Once Danielle touched a snake at a zoo and Hilda (stepmom) wouldn't let her in the car until she had washed her hands in rubbing alcohol. This woman has stolen from the girls (a picture of Jorge that really meant a lot to Brittany) and has never made an effort to try to get to know them. She refuses to come here when Jorge visits for Christmas every year and gets mad when Danielle sits on her dad's lap. I know that Jorge isn't happy because he has told me so himself. He spends little time with his family because NO ONE likes her! His sisters can't stand her and I think his brother only tolerates her. What makes me the most mad is that his daughters are growing up so fast and as long as he is with her they are going to hate visiting him because of all of the fighting and conflict and before he knows it they will refuse to go to California. He is wasting what little time he was with them fighting with his stupid wife who doesn't even care about his kids.

I can't tell you how many times I have asked the girls to give her a chance for their own sake. I know what it is like to have your dad with some one you hate. I have honestly thought that the main problem was the language barrier, she is from Mexico and doesn't speak much English, but as it goes on year after year I realize that it's more than that.This year I know they both went with the intention of giving her another chance and it was just as bad as before. They were planning a father-daughter only day and she insisted that Jorge had to take her niece along. I really could just scream because I know how hurt the girls were because they wanted a day with just them and their dad. Doesn't she realize that she has him all year long and they only get a few weeks in the summer and one week at Christmas to spend with him? I am just so glad that they are home and they are so happy to be home. The keep hugging me and John and telling us how happy they are to finally be home. It makes me want to cry because I know how much they love their dad and he is letting some stupid woman make them feel like they are not welcome in his home.

Okay, sorry for all of the venting here! I have done this every year since Jorge got remarried. I honestly want him to be happy but his happiness comes second to our daughters and when they come home unhappy and miserable I want to just kick him in the ass and tell him to take a good look at what he is doing to them. I know he isn't going to like what I have to say to him but the more I think about it the more I realize I don't have a choice. When it concerns my daughters it is my business whether he likes it or not! I will feel much better when I talk to him. Hopefully I will be able to talk to him tomorrow.

We have been running non-stop today since 9am. We got the girls all registered for school and found backpacks and some clothes. Tomorrow is more clothes shopping plus shoes. Brittany isn't too happy because the usual 6th grade teacher, the one she was REALLY looking forward to having has decided to take a year off to get her masters. The new teacher is one who used to be a student teacher. One of the mom's said that I knew her but I can't seem to place her. Danielle is excited that her cousin Tori will be in her class for the first time. I have always tried to keep Danielle in a different class just because they were too attached to each other. They have both had a few years of school to find their own place and not depend on each other too much. My main concern was that Danielle had speech problems and Tori would talk for her which didn't give Danielle a chance to have to speak for herself. Anyway the speech problems are gone and both girls are very excited to be in the same class this year. I had a nice chat with the principal today, he is so nice. He really takes an interest in all of the kids which just amazes me. I know that's the way it should be but unfortunately, isn't always the way it is. I sometimes hate our housing situation but just to have my kids go to this school makes it all worth it.

So last night we were at Chuck E. Cheese and the girls out of the blue confided in John and I that their summer wasn't all that great. They had fun but their dad and his new wife fought way too much. The girls were very upset by it and told me that they actually seen their dad hit and push her. At one point he even threw a bowl of soup at her. The girls have never liked her but they were very upset to see their dad treat her that way. I can't even tell you how shocked I was! I knew they (my ex and his wife) had problems because he has talked to me about them, but I never imagined he would do that in front of the girls. I am so pissed off but the girls made me promise not to tell their dad that they told me so I can't even bitch him out like I so want to do. We had a lot of problems in our marriage but he NEVER raised his voice to me much less hit me. I never imagined he could be this kind of person. It is upsetting.

We talked to the girls and stressed to them that physical violence in any sort of relationship is wrong and just because they have seen their dad act that way doesn't mean that they should ever put up with that shit from anyone. Brittany and I talked about it more today and she is planning to tell her dad that she isn't going to want to visit him if he acts like that again in front of them. I can't imagine that his anger would EVER turn towards the girls........but I never imagined him hitting anyone...and I was wrong. What the hell can I do? It is beyond my control but I am so angry at him right now. Any ideas or suggestions would be helpful, I am just at a loss as to what if anything I can do.

The girls are home! Woohoo! :-) They have gotten so big, and it's only been a month! It was hard to see them say goodbye to their dad. They miss him so much, but he will be back at Christmas. Well, I've got to run, we are headed for pizza with my not so favorite rat, Chuck E. Cheese. I don't exactly care for that place but the kids love it and best of all, no dishes to wash. Have a great night.

I am so beyond disappointed right now! For the last four hours I have been waiting for the girls going from extremely excited to see them to getting more and more worried as the hours went by. I tried Jorge's cell phone continuously and no answer. He told me he would be here between noon and 1pm. Finally at 4pm I called his house to see if his wife knew their flight number. Imagine my shock when Jorge answered the phone! I know he told me that he was leaving on the 12th and would be here in the afternoon. He just forgot to tell me that he is leaving on the 12th at 11:55pm and won't be here until the afternoon of the 13th!!!! I have been so stressed. At least I know the girls are ok and I will just have to wait until tomorrow to see them. :-(

The girls will be home in a few hours!!!! I am so excited to see them. They always get so big while they are gone and they always have so many "treasures" to share. Danielle is my biggest packrat. She saves every ticket stub, brochure and any other possible item that she picked up along the way. Brittany usually has a picture of her and her dad riding the newest, largest roller coasters and of course they will both have lots and lots to tell me. :-)

Yesterday was spent browsing the local home improvement stores picking up a few odds and ends and dreaming of all the stuff we can't afford. ROFL We also went grocery shopping to make sure the girls had all of their favorite things to eat. As we were about to leave the store there was an announcement that tornado sirens were going off in West Fargo. The store wanted to let everyone know they were welcome to stay in the store. I wanted to stay, I HATE tornados, well ok, most people don't love tornados but growing up in Cheyenne there were a few too many that did serious damage. I am deathly afraid of them. John said we were better off going home so we grabbed Anthony and ran through pounding rain to the van. The sirens were blaring and the wind was very strong. As soon as John started the van I hit the switch for the radio and can you believe it wasn't working? Talk about pissing me off. We drove the 15miles or so home in a rush to get to our safe basement (and to get my Phish Food ice cream in the freezer!) only to find out that it probably wasn't a tornado. I'm glad we didn't stick around the grocery store like idiots. lol

The other night I came home late from my limo run and guess what I found? A brand new office chair waiting for me, a "just because I love you" gift from my sweetie. :-) I reallllly needed a new chair. My old one was falling apart and was really causing a lot of lower back pain. John said that since I spend most of my time at my desk he wanted me to be comfortable. Plus he was probably sick of me making him rub my back. ROFL

Well, I've got to go and get Anthony ready to see his big sisters. He is so excited that they are coming home. Have a great night..... I know I will! :-)