Were any of you able to visit or speak to your sibling over the holidays? I just missed a phone call - so depressing when that happens-makes me worry even more.... :(

Eli called yesterday morning before we left for Grandma's house. I played a song for him on the piano, and my little sister made her Care Bear "talk" to him. I hope that next Christmas he will be home. My mom says we're leaving the tree up until we find out if he made parole. If he did, then it will stay up until he actually stops here to get his clothes on the way to the halfway house. She says that at this rate it might be February . . . :p

Eli's sis-Oh I do hope Eli will be home soon- so nice that your Mom is going to keep the tree up until then! Also love the idea of you playing the piano for him and your sister getting her Care Bear to talk to him too! ( Next best thing to being home!) Did Eli say what the day was like there- were they having anything different to eat etc? Did he sound in good spirits- he must be getting excited with the idea of actually being out in a few weeks :)

Did Eli say what the day was like there- were they having anything different to eat etc? Did he sound in good spirits- he must be getting excited with the idea of actually being out in a few weeks :)
Eli's sis is watching Mary Poppins on TV. Eli had just gotten out of bed yesterday when he called. He is not a morning person! ;) He slept through the morning church service. He did say that they were supposed to have a good dinner, though. We are all very nervous about this waiting on the parole board. Normally, they get a decision in 6 to 8 weeks, and we are starting the tenth week since he saw them. It will be at least a month after he gets his "green sheet" until he actually walks out the door -- possibly as long as 2 months. Or, he could get a hit, and it could be another year yet. I hope not! :(

Incidentally, we do all we can to keep Eli included as an active member of the family. I used his debit card (I have Power of Attorney) to buy the girls each a present from him, and sent him pictures of the gifts ahead of time, so he would know what they were thanking him for. On his birthday, we actually had a party with a cake (the girls blew out the candles) and sang Happy Birthday to him over the phone. Then I mailed him photos of "his" party. He has his cell all decorated with Christmas decorations that the girls made (no glue, tape, or glitter!). :thumbsup:

Hi All,

I am Lydia, if I have not yet introduced myself. I was able to see my brother yesterday, and it was a very emotional visit for me after I left (if that makes sense). He is 16 years old, and sitting in a reception center (California Youth Authority), waiting to be sent up north. The look on his face was very warm, but sad at the same time. He truly is facing the fact that he will be gone for a very long time, and told me yesterday that he is ready to go to Prison that way he can sit still. I believe the fear of the "unknown" is setting in.

Beth, it sounds like you had a very nice Christmas. I too include my brother Kevin in everything as well.

Positive thoughts & Prayers,
Lydia

Incidentally, we do all we can to keep Eli included as an active member of the family. I used his debit card (I have Power of Attorney) to buy the girls each a present from him, and sent him pictures of the gifts ahead of time, so he would know what they were thanking him for. On his birthday, we actually had a party with a cake (the girls blew out the candles) and sang Happy Birthday to him over the phone. Then I mailed him photos of "his" party. He has his cell all decorated with Christmas decorations that the girls made (no glue, tape, or glitter!). :thumbsup:
So many great ways of keeping an absent family member included in family events- thanks so much for sharing!! Sending positive thoughts to Eli with hopes he will be home soon.Please keep us posted :)

Hi All,

I am Lydia, if I have not yet introduced myself. I was able to see my brother yesterday, and it was a very emotional visit for me after I left (if that makes sense). He is 16 years old, and sitting in a reception center (California Youth Authority), waiting to be sent up north. The look on his face was very warm, but sad at the same time. He truly is facing the fact that he will be gone for a very long time, and told me yesterday that he is ready to go to Prison that way he can sit still. I believe the fear of the "unknown" is setting in.
Lydia- I am so glad you actually got to visit Kevin :) . Does he know where exactly he's going and when yet? Will you be able to visit regularly or is it quite a distance?

We are for certain that he will go to Preston (YA) until he is 18, (one year). As far as Prison goes, he says that he thinks the process is back to Chino Reception, and then they disperse according to where they think they should be (I am assuming levels). More than likely he will be far away, it seems as if that's been the case with most families I have come into contact with. UGH!:blah:

Aren called from Oak Park. He is no longer in lockdown and able to take pictures of course we are requiring him to do so. :)

He talked to his neice and my fiance Emilyn, we all had a great conversation even thou Maezyn just says hi and laughs on the phone (can't expect much from a 15 month old) but we did enjoy the call.

We are planning on going down in the next couple weeks to go see him. That will be nice. Minnesota Doesn't allow visits on Holidays. They purposly understaff themselves to allow the officers to go home on Xmas eve and Xmas and spend time with their famlies. Which means no visiting on any holidays. Of course we went to my famlies on the 24th and then drove like mad to get back to Emmy's famlies by the 25th. Long crazy hours in the car!

My brother disowned me when I fell in love with Raven. He didn't want his sister with a convict.

go figure.

Maria