Christmas Update

Christmas is over and the New Year has started. We had a really nice Christmas. My mom got Brooke the small baby's Alive doll. Brooke hated it and wanted no part of it. She was so happy opening her gifts and smiling really big. When she opened the doll and the doll started to laugh, Brooke stopped smiling and pushed the doll away. Brooke said "I not like this doll"
My sister bought Brooke a doll and Brooke loved it. Brooke would not let anybody touch this doll. My sister was like " I only gave $5.00 for this doll" We all had to laugh because Brooke wanted nothing to do with the expensive doll. I was a little worried when I saw how she did with moms doll, because I had bought her a Chinese Doll and my MIL had bought Brooke the BIG Baby Alive Doll. Sure enough when Brooke opened her Chinese Doll she said " I not like this doll" I was sad. The doll was beautiful with long black hair and beautiful almond eyes. Brooke wanted nothing to do with the doll. Finally she opened up and loves the Chinese Doll.
We still had to have Christmas with Kevin's family so I was curious what would happen when she opened the Baby Alive. Brooke's cousin was there and my MIL also bought her the Baby Alive. We thought that when Brooke saw Kalie open hers that she would be excited about hers. This doll is really neat. She eats, talks, uses the potty. Kalie opened hers first. Brooke just looked at her like she was crazy for liking this ugly doll. Brooke opened hers, and sure enough she pushed the doll away and wanted NO part of the doll. I think my MIL gave close to $35.00 for this doll. We still did not give up. As the girls played that night we kept bringing the doll up and asking them if they wanted to play with their dolls. Kalie was all excited and wanted hers opened. Brooke decided since Kalie wanted hers opened that she would open hers. That is about all she did with the doll. She played with it for a few minutes and then put it away. I tried the next day to show Brooke how we could feed the baby and how she could change its diaper. She loved watching mommy play with Baby Alive, but she did not want to touch her. All through the day she would say stuff like " I not like that baby. That baby ugly." I am not for sure what the deal is with the baby's. I don't know if it is their hair or if it is because they talk and it freaks Brooke out. We ended up taking my moms doll back, but we could not take the one my MIL got back because it had been opened, fed, and changed. So we are stuck with a $35.00 doll just sitting in the living room right now. I guess I will put her up and hope Brooke will one day play with her. I think this doll is better for 4 and 5 year old children.
I also bought Brooke some little Kelly Kid barbies. Their was 5 little girls who had a tea party dress on and they had little cups and cookies with them. Brooke did not like them either. She told Courtney that she could have them. I guess Brooke's favorite thing was the laptop we bought her and the doll my sister got her. Brooke has always been a mommy's baby. She don't just sit and play with toys. She is under my feet pretty much all day. She loves books and art stuff. She loves to play dolls and dishes, but only if somebody plays it with her. Brooke hardly ever goes to her room and play by herself. I find that sad. Courtney would sit down for hours and play with her little people. When Courtney was Brooke's age that child would use her imagination and play for hours. Not Brooke. Brooke does not want to be where she can't see me. I sometimes wander if that has something to do with things that might have happened in China. I just don't understand it. I think Brooke enjoyed Christmas, but not as much as I thought she would. When she opened her gifts she did not show much expression.
Courtney was a different story. She would squeal with delight when she got her gifts. Especially if it was something she really wanted. My MIL got her a Karaoke machine and Courtney loved it. Of course Brooke loved that and wanted it, but Courtney did not want Brooke to touch it. I taped Courtney singing a song the other night. I will try and put it on here soon. Courtney was happy with everything.
Kevin bought me a Serious radio and I love it. I have enjoyed being about to listen to songs with no advertisement. There is like over 100 channels on it so I have so much to listen to. They have a Disney Channel that the kids love. They also have a kids station that plays tons of kids songs that the girls love. Now for me, I like the Serious Love songs, and the jazz station. I also like Old time Radio. I can play the Serious Love, or the jazz and I can kick back and go to sleep. Kevin will walk in and be like "What are you listening to that stuff for?" He had rather listen to a talk show or quietness. LOL I have really enjoyed it so far.
I guess that is all for now. I will try to post some pictures later.

For those who Home School

I got this from a Friends blog.
Click to see the life of a home school family. The Home School Family.

I dedicate this video to all home school moms......especially Heather, Kelly, Reba, Amie, Emily and Jennifer. Love you guys.

Christmas

"Just what I wanted"

High School Musical shirt for Courtney's Cat.

"Oh neat, I have Tupperware now."

This was at my moms, but I thought it was cute.

"What is in here mom?'

"A DOLL LIKE ME"

Courtney with her doll (Remember she is only 9)

My sweet Girls

What can this be

Both girls with their camera.

We had a great Christmas. I have more pictures, but just don't have time to sort and post them yet. Kevin's famiy is coming tomorrow for Christmas so I have been busy getting the house back in shape. Of course that is hard when kids are opening new stuff and playing with it.
I will try to update more later. Both girls got a camera for Christmas. They love that. Brooke has not got to use hers yet, because I forgot to get batteries.
I bought the girls both beautiful dolls. By the way don't forget that Courtney is only nine. She looks so much older. It bothers me sometimes how people think she is older than what she is. For instance just this week somebody made the statement to Court that she was to big to play with dolls. Courtney said " I am only nine" The person was like " Oh, I thought you was 12 or 13" :(
Courtney has never liked to play dolls as much as she likes Barbie's. She does enjoy playing dolls with Brooke, so I wanted them both to have one. This will probably be the last year Courtney plays with dolls. One reason I am sure is because of how people act about her age.
It is so sad that she is still this little girl, yet everybody thinks she is older. I think her long hair makes people think she is older. I don't care if she plays barbies and dolls a few more years. I mean once your child is grown you can't bring back the years. So many people let their children grow up way to fast. I see many young girls who try to act so much older. They grow up way to fast. I don't want that with Courtney.
I will try and do a slide show later, and tell a few more things.
Kevin got me a web camera which was a surprise. Now Melanie can see the girls when we talk. I was really excited for that. More later.

I miss Her

Today was a hard day for me. I missed my grandmother more today than ever. I have been thinking about her so much. During this time of year my grandmother always got me to come to her house and fill out her Christmas Cards for her. She thought I wrote better than she did, so she always got me to address them for her. I was thinking about that today and it was so hard. I miss her so much.
My mom has also had a hard time this month. Mom said she was cleaning out a drawer the other day and she came across something of my grandmothers and mom said she sit there and cried because she missed her so bad. That is the way I have been today. I miss her smile, I miss her sweet hands, I miss her smell, I miss her hugs and kisses, I just miss her so much. My grandmother always smelled so good. She would wear Avon Skin so soft. Every time I smell that it reminds me of my grandmother. I wish so bad she was here with us.
I was able to make it pretty good through Thanksgiving, but I just don't know how we can make it through Christmas. There is so many memories.

Growing Up

Somebody is ready for Christmas

"Presents for MEEEEE"

"Can I just hold one Mom?"

"What is it Mom?"

"No, it not dirty socks."

Brooke has done VERY good about the gifts. Of course they are a temptation to her. I catch her ever little bit going over and touching them. I will hear the paper rattle and I just know she has opened one. She is only touching them though. The other night she would say, "Can I just hold one?"........ How could I resist that?

I took these pictures as she was touching the gifts. I had Brooke ROTFL. She was laughing so hard that I could not hardly take the pictures. I would ask " What is in that package?" She would guess. I would say, " Are you sure it is not dirty socks or a dirty diaper." She would fall over laughing saying "no, it not"
Then I would tease her about it being her friends dirty sock. It was a very funny time. All these pictures look alike, but I was snapping away every chance I got.
I had bought a CD for my nephew, and Brooke did not see me wrap it. Well she is over there admiring the gifts and wanting to rip the paper off so bad. She picks the wrapped CD up and she says very excited, " Mom, this feel like a CD. Hey mom, This feel like a CD."
I said ,"Well guess what? It is a CD."
Of course she was grinning from ear to ear.
Brooke is so excited about Christmas. She was jumping up and down yelling "This is going to be so fun. Oh this is going to be so fun momma"

Bubbling Over

Brooke and Courtney are happy and they are showing it. Watch Brooke swing her hips. Too Funny.

Silent Night

Courtney singing, and Brooke is doing the wiggles. LOL

Singing, Happy, Girls

Olivia is Home

Welcome Home Sign

Devin, (Olivia's brother) Brooke and Courtney holding signs up.

Finally Home

Brooke and Courtney giving Olivia stuffed animals. Olivia did not want anybody to see her.

Inside the house, with a very tired Olivia.

Olivia came home today. Several of us went to her house to welcome her home. Channel 19 news was there. You can go to their site and see the story on Olivia coming home. (homecoming of three year old burn victim)

Olivia is doing well.
Any of you locals that want to give money to help with the expensive, there has been a account set up at Peoples bank. Olivia was very shy when she first got home. She did not want people to look at her face. I was so emotional just seeing that she did make it home. I know this could have been so much worse. I know that God heard prayers.

Build a Poodle

Here is a short video of Brooke building her poodle that she named Noodle.
Brooke has done GREAT without her passey. I am so proud of her.

Sisters

Brooke being silly

Sweet Girls

Paintings from the Christmas Party

"A Great Big hug from ME"

Miss Brooke

Two Monkeys

Miss Brooke

What a Pose!!!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas From Our House to Yours. Melanie did a great job on my Christmas Cards.
The only problem is I can't decide which one I like the best. I think they are all so good. Thanks Mel.
Leave me a comment and tell me which you like the best.

Build A Bear

Picking the cat out.

Making wishes

Rubbing the heart to make it beat. :)

Bath Time

Courtney went to build a Bear and stuffed a cat. Once the cat was stuffed Courtney is not happy with it. Neither am I. They stuffed the cat so full that she is fat and none of the clothes will fit her good. I don't know if build a bear will re- do the cat or not. The receipt says 30 days on returns. Here are a few pictures of Courtney.

Your love makes me sing

This is a adoption Video that Amy did. Thanks Amy... you did a great job.

Happy Birthday Dad

Happy 60th Birthday dad. I love you.

Merry Christmas

Olivia Update

Olivia is not going to get to come home this week. She is not eating and that is a problem. Her lips are so swollen and sore that she can't eat. If that don't change they will have to put a feeding tube in her until she is able to eat. Pray that she will be able to eat.

Olivia got real mad at her daddy when he tried to give her medicine to her. They said she pinched him real good. LOL Poor baby, I know she is miserable.

Until Forever

UNTIL FOREVER
This morning in China a mother cries
She’ll never forget her daughter’s eyes
Her heart is broken and filled with pain
The tears run down like the falling rain.
She has no choice but to leave her there
The cost of keeping is too much to bear
She hopes her daughter will one day know
True love can be found in letting her go.

This morning in China a baby cries
Hungry and scared as tears fill her eyes
Her mother has left her in this public place
Another lost daughter of the Chinese race.
Someone passing by has heard her soft moan
She’s soon quickly taken to a foster home
It’s here she’ll reside in the care of another
Until she’s adopted by a brand new mother.

That very same moment, in the U.S.A.
A woman cries as she starts to pray
Her heart is heavy but filled with much love
She prays for a daughter she thinks the world of.
“Dear Jesus I ask that your arms would be
Wrapped tightly around the one picked for me
Guard her in China ‘till I make my way
And then in my arms forever she’ll stay.”

Tom Fisher
December 24, 2003

Update on Olivia

Olivia is doing much better. I truly feel God has heard prayers and he is helping her. Olivia's Aunts call her Drama Queen because she gets so upset and cries over anything. I spoke to one Aunt this morning and she said that Olivia is not crying or being upset. She said she is just looking at them and talking a little. I told Cindy that had to be God helping her.
Cindy ( Olivia's Aunt) said that Olivia's lip are swollen very bad and her eye is totally shut, but the Doctors think that she is doing great. The Doctor don't think their will be scaring. They are even thinking about sending her home this week. God is so good. Even Jamie, ( Olivia's mom is handling this good) Cindy said when they went in to see Olivia after she had been cleaned up that Jamie was so calm and handled it great. Cindy said that her and her sister Connie could not handle it. She had to walk out and cry because she said Olivia looked so bad. The swelling is probably making her look worse. They said that Olivia is having a hard time eating or even getting a straw in her mouth because of her swollen lips.
Olivia talked to her Grandmother and ask her where her doll was at. She wanted a baby alive for Christmas. Her Grandmother and granddaddy went and got her the doll early.
Anyway this is the update I got. I also found out that they was not burning trash. They had started a fire and was sitting around just relaxing. Olivia was going inside and she tripped.

Bad News

Many of you know my friend Jamie. She used to be Jamie Gore. Anyway last night her and her husband was burning some trash. Her three year old daughter, Olivia was running and fell into the fire. She had to be med flighted to the burn center in Birmingham. The details I got last night was that she was burned on her face and her arms. They put her on a ventilator.
Please keep Jamie and the family in your prayers. I know God can be with Olivia and make it better quickly. I don't want to see her have to suffer.

Some Funny Things

We have had a couple of funny things happen around here. Kevin had recieved a gift certificate from work for Carrabbas.
Most gift certificates from Carrabbas also includes Outback Steak house, Cheeburger Cheeburger, and Bone Fish. They are all a chain. Courtney really wanted to go to Out Back, so we decide to go there. Of all things this certificate was different from the others that Kevin has received. Outback said they normally take the cards, but this being a certificate for Carrabbas that it was only good for there. I am so glad we ask before we ordered.
So we decide to go eat at Carrabbas. We have never ate there and we had no idea what we was getting into. It ends up it is a Italian restaurant. Kevin and I are looking at the menu and nothing is really jumping out at us that we want. Kevin is so particular that he was scared to order anything that might have mushrooms, peppers, or onions on it. We both thought it would be safe to have lasagna. The waiter comes to our table and he pours some type of oil and some stuff into a plate. He also brought out a bowl, with cloth napkins all on the top. (there was bread under the napkins, but we did not know) Kevin ask for bread and the man says "oh it is already on the table." He then went on to tell us to dip our bread in the sauce that he mixed up. It taste like a lot of garlic to me. Brooke loved the bread. Kevin and I decided on the Lasagna, so what do we get the kids. Brooke said she wanted Spaghetti. Brooke loves spaghetti, so we knew she would love that. Courtney had really wanted some of Outbacks Chicken Fingers. Well, Outback called
Carrabbas to make sure they sold Chicken fingers. They did, so Courtney was happy.
Courtney always wants to order her food, so she decides to order her chicken. She looks at the waiter and says, "I want the child's chicken finger plate with extra crispy fries." The guy started smiling and says "We don't sale fries here." :( He then went on to say, "We have mashed potatoes, broccoli, and I forget what else. Courtney had the funniest expression on her face. I wish I could of had a camera. She was looking at the waiter like he was crazy. She looked at me like " I can't believe they don't have fries." I was starting to laugh because of her expression.
Courtney chose the potatoes. She hated them. They was full of garlic. I got a salad with my lasagna. I have to say it was the worst salad I have ever had. They must not have ranch dressing either, because they put some kind of vinegar on my salad. The lasagna made up for the salad. It was so good. The bread was also good. I was not real impressed with the place. For the price we paid, I would have thought it would of been better. (Thank goodness for the gift certificate.) Courtney and I decided we will take Outback over Carrabbas, any day. We did get several laughs, and I am sure our poor waiter got many laughs. Especially over the fries.

Another funny thing is, I had our window up yesterday talking to our dogs. Brooke and I was looking at the puppies and talking to them. I was baby talking them and clapping my hands to get their attention. Suddenly I had a ton of bricks fall on my neck. YES, MY NECK. Our window fell out of the track and fell HARD on my neck. Brooke was standing there. I am so thankful that it got me, and not her. It was one of those things that you wish you could of been there to see it happen. It was not funny at the time. Just try to picture this. Brooke and I are leaning out the window and the window comes crashing down on us. We are trapped between the window. The window fell, but one side was still hanging. I am hurting and yelling for Kevin to help us. Brooke is short so she was able to weave her way out. I have to say it was funny, but my neck is so sore.

Last night we also went to Dr. Higganbothens to see his Christmas lights. If any of you locals have not saw them, it is well worth going and walking around. I think it is one of the prettiest Christmas lights I have seen. He has tons of little houses set up, and different scenes inside the houses. It is beautiful. When we told the girls about Dr. Higganbothens place, Brooke started laughing and laughing. She went around saying we going to Dr. HigganBOTTOMS. We have also laughed at her, for her silly imagination.

Brooke has got where she talks all the time. You should hear her singing jingle bells. She will say Jingle bells, Barny smells like pinto Beans. Beans is said so country that it is hilarious. Kevin asked Brooke where she got her vocabulary from, and Brooke says "uh, Wal Mart."

Fun Playdate

Sweet Girls

Pouring Tea

Which one do we want?

"I don't care. I just want Gum!!!"

"I guess I will take pink."

Playing doll house.

Brooke finally had a friend over. Emma came to play and they had a really nice time. Brooke did pretty good about sharing. I was so thankful.

Happy Birthday Kebrina

Happy Birthday Kebrina. You are growing up to fast.....just like Courtney.

FWCFC Chirstmas Party

Thursday night we took the girls to the Christmas Party that the FWCC did. We met at a Chinese Restaurant. There was so many people there. There was a Chinese Santa there, that was really funny. We don't teach Brooke that there is a Santa. Both of my girls know that mommy and daddy buy them gifts, not some man in a red suit. I did not think Brooke would sit in Santa's lap, but she did. She wanted that cup of candy real bad. If you ask Brooke what she wants for Christmas she will say "Everything, but not boy stuff." Well when Santa ask her she said that she wanted Melanie to come see her. :(
Brooke don't understand that Mel lives in another country. We was sending Melanie some Christmas things and Brooke got so excited. She kept saying "we going to Melanie's house."
I tried to explain that we was only sending the package. I don't think Brooke ever understood, because she still talks about going to see Melanie.
Back to the party.... The girls had so much fun. Brooke got to see several of her little friends. Courtney never meets a stranger, so she was talking to everybody.
They both got a design painted on their hand and loved that. Courtney ended up having some type of allergic reaction to the paint. Her hand was itching off.
You might have to click the collage to see better. Brooke looks like she is thinking give me my candy so I can get down. LOL