Hair Trouble.

Courtney went swimming today. She stayed in the pool for about three hours. Her face got burned really bad. The burn was not as bad as her hair.
I knew when she got out of the water that we was in trouble. Courtney's hair was a HUGE tangled mess. I decided to wash Courtney's hair and put lots of conditioner on it.
When Courtney got out of the shower I knew it was going to be a long night. I started to try and get the tangles out. I was in tears. I knew I would not be able to do it on my own. I was so afraid I was going to have to cut it. I called my mom and ask if she would help me.
I went to my moms house and my mom could not believe her eyes. We started at 6:30. We worked for two hours on Courtney's hair. We had got a lot out, but still had a good bit to go. Courtney was crying. I have been having terrible back pain, and this did not help, because I had to sit in the floor and try to get the knots out. Finally Courtney and I left and went to my Mother-n-laws house so Courtney could play games with my nephews. While they played games I worked on the the rest of Courtney's hair. My dad called and said his friend had some horse detangler that would work. I went and picked that up. It did help some. I was so wore out. I think I finally got thorough about 10:00. I don't know what I would have done without my mom helping me. Three and a half hours I worked on the knots. I now have a aching back, and head. I am going to bed and dream about horse detangler, combs, brushes, picks, conditioner, and long black hair. We tried everything to night, so I guess I will dream about it all.

New Friends

Brooke, Madeline, and Valerie

Taking it Easy.

Brooke and Madeline driving the big truck.

Brooke and Valerie riding on the Barney Tractor.

Courtney

We met some new friends Monday. Linda and her two daughters, Madeline and Valerie. They just moved here in April. Linda wanted to meet some people who had adopted from China. We met at Chucke E Cheese. The girls seemed to do good. Brooke got very sleepy after awhile and was ill. I think the girls will become great friends. I am looking forward to meeting them again.

One Proud Mom

As many of you know, I homeschool. Some days are a real challenge. Many days I feel like not homeschooling. I feel in my heart that I am doing the right thing, for my children. I am not a teacher. I did not go to collage to be a teacher. Some days I try to explain a problem in math or teach a new rule for Language. I get frustrated and feel like I am not doing a good job.
Courtney took the SAT test back in April. I was worried about the results. I was not as nervous as I was last year, but I still was worried. I met with Courtney's coordinator today. Courtney did SUPER. She was above average on most everything. Many things she was on a 6th and 7th grade level. Her Language scores was a 8th grade level. I was so proud when Courtney's coordinator showed me the results. Courtney even improved on her Spelling grade. I had switched to Spelling Power and I did not know how well Courtney would do. She did great. I am taking some time to brag on my little girl. She will be going into fourth grade this fall. When you get good test results, it gives you a little boost to know you are doing something right.
"WAY TO GO COURTNEY"

First Spend the Night

Brooke had her first spend the night away last night and it about killed me. Brooke has got to where every time my parents leave she will beg to go. Her pleading can really touch you because she will look at you with her eyes, tilt her head, and say "pease."
She then will say "Grandma, you have car seat?" The reason she does that is because my mom would use that as the excuse for her not getting to go. Mom's car seat would never be hooked up or in the car.
Last night Kevin's mom came down to play games. My two nephews are visiting. We all was playing games together. When it came time to go one nephew was staying with us, and the other was going with Nadine. Brooke started saying " I go with you Mamaw" I don't thing Mamaw really wanted her to go. Brooke started saying "Pease, you have car seat Mamaw?"
Of course Mamaw says "how can I say no to that"
I really did not want Brooke to go, but I know I have to let her stay with her grandparents some day. I tried to get Brooke to wait. She said "Pease" I decided to let her go, because I figured when it came time for bed she would cry for us and we could go get her. Nadine only lives about 2 miles from us. Brooke surprised us all. She went and stayed all night. She slept with her Mamaw. I missed her so bad. I got up this morning and went to get Brooke. I walked in, and Brooke was in the floor playing lego's with Jacob. Brooke was not interested in me. It broke my heart that she did not miss me. I told her she had to come home and she said "No mommy. I play with Jacob" Finally after much convincing that she would see Jacob later that day she came with me.

Floors

Old Floor

New Floor

New Floor

Several people have ask about my new floors. Here is some pictures of them. I like them so far. They are very different. I was afraid that with them being dark it would be hard to keep clean. So far it has been easier to keep clean.

Chongqing Qianjiang China

Last night I decided to start on Brooke's life book. I needed to look in my China paper work to get some information. When I did this, I started thinking about Brooke's finding spot and the surrounding area. I did a search on the Internet. I came across some great information from this
site. I have heard of this man, (Brian) before, but never researched anything. He has a DVD of Qianjiang. I am excited to find this. On this CD, it has the road that Brooke was found on. Of course the road could be miles and miles long, so it would not be Brooke's exact finding spot. At least I will have some video of her surrounding area and the orphanage. He also had pictures of her orphanage and the director. I recognized some of the people and the orphanage. I did not get in bed until 3:00 this morning. For those who have not adopted, you might think I am crazy. For those who have adopted, I know you understand my excitement.
I am excited to have a little bit of information on Brooke's earlier surroundings. I feel sad many times that we missed so much of her first 10 months. Anything that I can get of her birth country is wonderful to me. Especially when it is about the city my beautiful girl is from. I can't wait to get the DVD and see this place called Chongqing Qianjiang China.

A girls Imagination

Three purses.

Going shopping in her PJ's

Breakfast

Yesterday, my floors was getting put down, so we really could not use the kitchen. Kevin went and got us some breakfast. I spread a blanket in the living room and put our food on it. Brooke was so excited. She looked at her daddy and said "We having a Tea party Daddy!!"

Accidents do Happen.

I did not get much sleep last night, so I was extra tired today. Brooke was wanting to take a nap. She wanted me to hold her. So I decided I would take a nap with her. We went to the play room and I laid down on the couch. I put Brooke on my chest and gave her a passey and a shirt. We was cuddling, and having some mommy and Brooke time. I had dosed off and was dreaming about something. Suddenly, I felt something hot soaking through my skirt. At first I thought I was dreaming. I realized real quick that I was not dreaming and that Dora panties don't hold pee. Brooke has been doing great with potty training. I guess they all have accidents. Especially in their sleep. Of course I was wide awake at this point, and so was Brooke.

300 Post

WOW!!! I have posted 300 times. I am not for sure when I started blogging. I think it was like April 2006. Thanks to my sweet friends, Kelly and Heather, who got me hooked on this.
Feel free to leave me a comment and let me know you visited on my 300th post. LOL

STRANGE

I did not get any desserts today, but my van lights are working and my eye on the stove is working. I think somebody up above is hearing some prayers and helping me out.

My floor looks great. They have to finish up tomorrow. I think I need a new table for in the kitchen. Things look so dark with all the wood. I think a table with white legs and a little bit of Oak on the top would look really cute in there. The chairs would look nice if they was white. Hmmm I will have to look into that later on.

Need I Say More

After all the water leaks and the bad luck I thought we would start having some good luck. This morning the eye on my stove went out. No big deal, it can be replaced.
Tonight after church we went to McDonald's. We got in the van to come home and guess what??
Our lights did not work. Kevin decided to drive home with just the parking lights on. I was praying all the way. We did O.K in town with the street lights, but once we got to the country area I was really worried. He was able to hold the bright light on unless we met a car. Our Van will be in the shop tomorrow. Am I stressd? Need I say more?
On a brighter note.....my new floors are coming tomorrow.
On a brighter note.......................

Any Volunteers???

On a even brighter note..... I love this last picture. Sounds like a good idea.

For Laurie and others waiting.

I spoke with my Friend Laurie on the phone today. She lives in West Virgina. Laurie is really having a hard time right now. She has been Logged in to China since Feb. The wait time just seems to be getting longer and longer. Laurie has many fears. I think she needs some really extra prayer right now. I have cried with her today, and I know she is hurting. Her desire is to bring her little girl home. I know that God has a plan for us all. Sometimes we have to wait and it seems like it will never get here.
I want to give Laurie the words to the song Anyway by Martina McBride. Especially the second verse. Keep dreaming Laurie. You will have your little girl or boy one day.
(((HUGS))))
Anybody else waiting keep holding on. Even when you don't think things are turning out as quick, as fast, or just the way you want them to......keep holding on.
Denise, Laurie, Tina, Karen, Angela,and Leigh Ann keep holding on. I know I missed some of you. No matter how hard this wait seems, there is a little girl or boy waiting for you.


You can spend your whole life building
Something from nothin'
One storm can come and blow it all away
Build it anyway

You can chase a dream
That seems so out of reach
And you know it might not ever come your way
Dream it anyway

God is great
But sometimes life ain't good
And when I pray
It doesn't always turn out like I think it should
But I do it anyway
I do it anyway

This world's gone crazy
It's hard to believe
That tomorrow will be better than today
Believe it anyway

You can love someone with all your heart
For all the right reasons
In a moment they can choose to walk away
Love 'em anyway

God is great
But sometimes life ain't good
And when I pray
It doesn't always turn out like I think it should
But I do it anyway
Yea - I do it anyway

You can pour your soul out singing
A song you believe in
That tomorrow they'll forget you ever sang
Sing it anyway
Yea - sing it anyway

I sing
I dream
I love
Anyway

Play Date

Brooke went to her first play date today. Sadie's mom called and wanted Brooke to come play. Brooke has had Sadie to our house to play. (top picture) Brooke has not stayed with people very much. I told Brooke that Sadie wanted her to come play. Brooke said "NO" I told her she would have fun. Brooke said "You stay to mommy?" I told Brooke that Sadie did not want me to play, that she wanted her to play" Brooke says " Courtney stay to."
I again told her that Sadie only wanted her. I was starting to worry that she would not stay. We got ready to leave and I told her that mommy would let her play for awhile and then come back later and get her. She seemed to accept the idea. Of course once we pulled up to Sadie's house Brooke was clinging to my clothes with a death grip. She was scared to death.
We got into the house and she seemed to relax once she saw Sadie and the other children. The children wanted to show Brooke their kitten. I thought that would be a good time to leave.
I called Heather and she said Brooke was doing great.
When I went to pick her up she said she had fun. She is sleeping now. I could not help but worry about her. I trust Heather. She is one of the sweetest, most patient people in the world. I wish I had as much patience as she has. I have always been overprotective of my children. Poor Courtney did not get to go anywhere when she was little unless I was with her. I was afraid to let her in the car with anybody. I thought they might have a wreck. I was afraid to let her go to the park, because I did not know if they would watch her as close as I did. Especially when people had 4 or 5 kids of their own. I was afraid they would forget about my child. I did not even want Courtney going off with her grandparents. I did not mind children coming to our house or to the park with us. I knew that I watched them like a hawk. I did not let them out of my site. I was so scared to let Courtney go anywhere. I think a lot of it was because of what we had been through to have her.
I am still the same with Brooke, but not near as bad. Brooke just don't want me out of her site. I am glad she had a nice time. I don't want to be as fearful with Brooke as I was with Courtney, but then again I am very overprotected.
We was going to Six Flags next week. I was going to leave Brooke with my mom. I started thinking about if we had a car wreck and got killed that Brooke would be left without us. I freaked. I decided to take her with us. It also did not seem fair for her to be left at home while we was having fun. The more I was out in the heat, I changed my mind real quick and decided none of us was going to go. Courtney was sad, until I told her she could have the money for the tickets that I would sale. She is already planning on a shopping trip. This Fall we might all do something, but I just can't stand the thoughts of leaving my girls right now. Kevin and I are planning on going somewhere for our 15th Anniversary in Dec, but unless I change my mind I guess my girls will be going to. God has really helped me with my fears, but I know I still need more grace on this issue. I feel silly for being so overprotected.
How did I get on all of this? Heather if you are reading this, Thanks for letting Brooke come play. She really did have a nice time.

Does it mean to much Computer?

When your two year old goes around saying .com? LOL
Brooke is going around saying .com. about different things.

Summer Fun

Courtney and Lauren

Brooke enjoying the pool.

Little Model

Sisters having fun.

Water Leak AGAIN

:(
It happened again this morning. I had just came into the kitchen when I heard water spraying. I hated to look at the hot water heater. I did, and sure enough water was going everywhere. I yelled for Kevin. He had to run outside in his robe and cut the water off. I don't know what the neighbors thought. LOL
This has been a real nightmare. The insurance is paying for a new floor, so that is good, but we have got to find what is causing this to happen. I am so thankful that we had not left for church yet. It would have been terrible. It makes us scared to leave the house. Kevin put new fittings on the hot water heater today, so hopefully it will be better.
This has really been a hard year with things going wrong. From January until now, it has been one thing after another.
Kevin's transmission went out in his truck, his air conditioner messed up on his truck. Our Washing machine quit working, so we had to buy a new one. Our tires went bad on our Van. Now our floor has been damaged, and the air conditioner duct work is messed up. We kind of feel like what is next??? We are trying to think positive in a negative situation. Kevin and I was both down this morning thinking about the bad luck we have had. We started thinking of the good. At least we had the money to pay for these things when they went wrong. If some people had all these things happen to them, they might not have the money to pay for these things. We have been out quite a bit of money this year on things that are out of our control. We are also thankful that we have insurance for the floor situation. I don't know what this week holds. Kevin got to looking at the floor where the hot water heater is, and it is rotted.
Part of our floor is going to have to be replaced. I just hope and pray that it don't turn into a big mess.
I know that all things work together for good to those that love God. If we get a new floor out of this water leak, that will be nice. It just scared me to think of it happening again.

"I'm A Big Girl Now"

Proud Girl

Brooke is doing so good with Potty Training. Since May 28, she has been going to the potty. She tells me when she has to go. I am so proud of her. Brooke is almost two and a half and she is doing great. I still put a diaper on her at night, but I probably could stop that. The other night Brooke woke me up crying. I went to see what was wrong. She said " I have to potty" I said "o.k lets go" I took her to the potty and I did not think she was ever going to stop" She had to go. The next morning she was dry. Most mornings she is dry, but there has been a few that she is not, so I am putting a diaper on her at night for now. When Brooke goes to the potty, she gets so excited. She will get off the potty and tell anybody that is there that she went to the potty. We ate lunch at my parents the other day. Our pastor and his wife also ate. Well Brooke had to potty. As soon as she was through she ran into the kitchen to tell everybody that she had used the potty. She is really doing good. I have got to go buy her some more big girl panties. She wants Barney panties, but poor Barney is just not popular anymore. I can't find them anywhere. Maybe some Princess Panties will work.

Great Grandmother

Sweet

Courtney and Brooke with their Great Grandmother.

Beautiful

Missing Mommy

We have had Vacation Bible School since last Wed. I have had to leave Brooke for three hours every day, because I help with VBS. Brooke has missed me so much. When I come home she don't wan't anybody else to hold her. She wants me. She will hug me. She will lay her head on me and play with my hair. She has had her passey so much lately. She wants a passy, a shirt, and her mommy. I can't even go to the bathroom without her crying for me. I was trying to wash the dishes and she cried and clung to my leg. I know it has not helped matters that she has been sick. I have enjoyed the Bible School, but I have missed my little girl. We have some major catching up to do. Even when I come home from VBS, I still have things to work on to prepare for the next day. Brookie just don't understand why mommy is not here as much. Kevin is off the rest of the week so He will be able to watch her. I know that he can't take my place, but I guess he will have to do for the next three days. I went to my sisters house for just a minute. I left Brooke in the car with Kevin and told her I would be right back. She said " I go with you" She cried and cried. Tonight she has said "I sleep with you mommy" I know she is missing me really bad. I am so glad that I don't work, and that I can be here for my girls. I could not stand to leave them everyday.

Wading in Water.

Our morning was terrible. The pipe on our Hot Water Heater broke during the night. My kitchen, utility room, pantry, and my new play room was soaked. Water was every where. I got towels and started putting in the floor. Kevin got the Wet Vac and started getting water up with it. My towels was not helping at all. There was so much water that it would soak the towels, and still look like I had not touched the water. My dad brought a bigger wet Vac to us, and we was able to get a good bit up. The carpet in the play room is soaking wet still. We have tried to leave fans on it. We have also tried to Vacuum the water up over and over. We got a good bit of the water up when we discover another problem. Courtney's air was not coming from her vent. The water had leaked into the duct work of the air conditioner. We are going to have to replace that. There is tons of water under the house. I don't know how long the water was leaking. I dread seeing our water bill and electric bill. I am sure it will be very high. I am just thankful we was home. I know it could have been much worse.
I am very tired after wading in water a good bit of the day. I just hope that the pad and carpet in my new room will dry soon, and not leave a bad smell. We are going to call the carpet people tomorrow and see if they can come see what damage is done. I just hope it will not be to much.

I have been Tagged

I have been tagged by Amy.

What is your comfort food? If you needed something to help you calm down or just reminisce what foods would help you do this?

I would have to say Chocolate. Chocolate candy, cake, or anything chocolate. One of my favorites is chocolate Hershey kisses. I could make myself sick on those. Oreo Cookies is another favorite.
Now I will tag three.
Kelly, Heather, and Jennifer.