Greetings Michelle, and welcome to RF.
The first things I sense from your opening post (The OP) are an inordinate amount of confusion and fear. The fear may be what is causing this impression of confusion, although the confusion could be the result of some external agent that is interfering with your communicative abilities, such as medications or related things.
You say this is an accelerating experience that it is getting more pronounced with the passage of time and there is an important reason for this. One reason could be as simple as the possibility that you (and your family) are focusing more and more on it. My understanding of this type of phenomena is that it dependant on the amount of attention given to it. I do understand that it might be quite difficult to ignore, but think of it like a needy child that is constantly seeking attention. The more attention you give it, the more attention it will demand.
What is slightly disturbing is that children are also picking up on this phenomenon. It is safe to conclude that you are all somewhat “sensitive” to this kind of thing and so that being the case I have a suggestion. The suggestion is contingent though on the emotional impact this is having on all three of you. If you are all experiencing varying levels of fear towards this unusual phenomenon then you must try to alleviate that fear. That might sound abysmally silly or obvious, but that is the first step. You know something is there, so the trick is how you all are going to deal with it.
Unlike some other writers here, I would not advise that you call in someone to investigate as doing so will simply reinforce your feelings of powerlessness to deal with it. I am going to go out on a limb here and say that getting your 13 year old “on side” is critical. For example, personalize it. It is reasonable to assume that you famous “scoop shovel lady” is somehow involved. If this is what you suspect or believe then humanize here by calling her by her first name.
When you hear the growling sound that reminds you of a dog don’t be afraid or get spooked, pun intended, but rather treats it like a wary stray that might happen into your yard. You might want to try being nice to it, such as verbally greeting it exactly like you would a “real” dog.
In both cases, you are neutralizing your fear which makes the whole experience more manageable and you will also slowly begin to change your attitudes towards these things. In theory they will become less intrusive, because you are treating them nicely, with respect and they should, in time, recognize this and return the favor.
The only reason I am recommending this approach is because:
1. You are seriously concerned about this enough to ask for help
2. You believe in ghosts and related phenomena
3. Your current approach isn’t working too well
4. You believe that you just might be able to figure out how to co-exist
5. You appear to be open to ideas.
I hope this helps. If anyone else has any advice that doesn’t involved getting a medium, a priest or seeing a shrink, I’d love to hear your ideas.
I absolutely agree with everything you have suggested here Paul,
and said the same thing myself, in my first post,
without going into all the excellent detail you offered here.
I also said that if Michelle CANNOT handle the situation herself,
without fear... then she would probably have to call someone in.
But this would be only my secondary suggestion.
My reason also for recommending a calm professional medium,
was not just for the sake of the "entities" ...
but for the sake of bringing a state of calm into Michelles home,
and to HERSELF and her sons. Very very important.
You cannot handle the situation from a state of fear.
Now I would NOT recommend a religious for this reason.
A religious is most likely going to elevate the state of fear
by treating/assuming the entity
(if there is found to be one by said religious)
as if it were some evil demonic being....
that is so powerful it can only be rid (cast out) by a (christian) priest/exorcist.
Thus taking away ALL of Michelle & her sons's personal empowerment
in the situation. It is THEIR home, their life. How can they not be involved?
Anyways... excellent post YmirGF