Sisters

Holding sissy's hand.

Peek A Boo!!!

Kevin's New Toy

This is Kevin's new toy. Actually I guess it is both of ours. (Courtney claims it to) We have talked about getting a camper for awhile, but never did it. We started thinking about how much fun we had when we went camping, and decided it would be nice to have one. (Much better than a tent) We also thought it would be nice for campmeeting. We had a hard time finding one at first. I really wanted one with a shower because I just don't like public baths. We knew that we probably would not get that because they are more expensive. Everytime we would find a camper in the paper it would be sold when we called. We went to look at new ones, but they was to expensive. The salesman at the RV place told us that they get used ones, but they are gone as soon as they get them. He put us on his waiting list. We was still like 6 or 7 down the list. A friend of Kevin's called us and told us about one. We started looking in this local paper and found this camper. The only problem was the man had not been home and he had several calls for the camper. He was suppose to be home on Saturday, but he had several people coming to look at it. Well my dear husband knew by the sound of the camper and the features it had, that it would be gone if it was nice at all. Kevin asked the man what time he got up on Saturdays. The man said 5:30. Kevin told him we would be there at 5:30. So we woke early and went to look at the camper. We loved it. The camper also has air which was just put in last year. It has a King size bed on one side and a queen on the other. It was exactly what we wanted. So now we are waiting on it to cool down so we can go camping. We would love to go now, but in the day time I think we would be miserable. So if any of you campers get in the mood to go this Fall let us know. (REBA, KELLY?)
I guess sometimes we never out grow toys. LOL

Big Girl Potty

My potty chair.

Brooke is not ready to be potty trained yet. I had got a potty chair for a babyshower gift, so I thought I would go ahead and put it in the bathroom. Brooke loved it. She did not want to get off of the seat. That is funny to me because she is scared to death to sit on the big potty. Brooke really likes the little potty. In fact she likes it to much. She wants to carry it everywhere in the house. I am in the living room when I hear Kevin laughing. I look up to see Brooke bringing her potty chair into the living room. Of course she just smiled and sit on her potty.

Update on sick girls

We took Courtney to the Dr. to see what was going on with her. Courtney has lost 5 pounds in two weeks and just has no energy. She had huge knots in her neck. Her Doctor thought that she might have Mono. He tested her for that and it was fine. I have to tell a little story about that. As I told you before Courtney is a prayer warrior . Well Courtney did not want to be stuck with a needle. She was crying and very upset. The nurse was going to prick her finger and Courtney was like "Wait. Please wait" The nurse was like "We can't wait. Lets go ahead." Courtney is crying and pulling her hand away and she says " Wait I want them to pray first" She did not only say it, she screamed it. I was holding her and telling her it was O.K. She was wanting us to pray that it would not hurt. I don't know what the nurse thought. Of course the nurse did not give us time to pray. He stuck Courtney before she could blink. Then Courtney started to laugh and said" It was not that bad"
I guess the nurse has had children say some not so nice things before and kick and hit. I don't know if he has heard one say "I want them to pray" I thought it was sweet. Courtney believes in prayer and knows God can make it not hurt so bad. Courtney is on some antibiotics for 2 weeks, so maybe she will be feeling better soon.
Brooke got some spark back in her eyes this afternoon and has felt better. (Thanks to God)
She seems really ill right now and has felt hot. I don't know what it is about night time, but fever seems to come up then. Hopefully tomorrow will be good for us all. Thanks for your prayers.
Love you all.

First Time For Everything

Well Brooke did it. She threw up last night for the first time. Yeah, I know, that's not what you really want to read about in blogging.
Brooke was not herself yesterday. She was ill and would not eat much. I met my best friend at a Chinese restaurant for lunch. Normally the Chinese people that work there are crazy over Brooke. This one guy comes and gets Brooke and kisses all over her. He takes her hand and kisses it and then he gets her and walks around with her. (Makes my mom a nervous wreck) I have got used to the attention they give Brooke so it don't worry me. I would not want them to take her outside or where I could not see her. This one Chinese man came to my van one time and got Brooke before I could even get her out. I guess he saw me pull up. Normally Brooke likes the attention. They give her treats, and they show her the fish in the fish tank. Brooke gets really spoiled when she goes to this Chinese restaurant. They even speak Chinese to Brooke and they try to get her to speak it. It really is a funny site. My mom and dad don't like it. Courtney can't stand it. She is like "Mom he did not ask, he just got her" I don't see the big deal because I am right there and I think they are really happy for Brooke. Maybe I should use more caution, but we have ate at this place for the past 2 years and I have grown to know the Chinese people and like them. Sometimes they come and go and I meet new faces.
Well Brooke would not have anything to do with this man yesterday. She did not want him to look at her, much less touch her. She is crying and reaching for me saying "mama" Well the guy goes and gets a toy to try and get Brooke to come to him. She refuses. Finally the guy comes back to the table and says" fishy, fishy" Normally Brooke loves to see the fish. Not this day. He took her anyway. She was fine, but she still wanted her mommy and so she only looked at the fish for a minute. From that point on Brooke just seemed really ill and tired. I could not get her to eat. After we got home Brooke was whining and I could not figure out what was wrong. About 8:00 Brooke was so ill that I felt ill. I could not put my finger on the problem. She felt hot so I took her temp. It was around 100. I figured it was her teeth. I got her to sleep. When she woke up at 9:00 she was so hot I could not touch her. She was burning up with fever. I gave her tylenol and just held her. She would look at me with those little almond eyes and the sparkle was out. I cuddled with her and sung to her, but she felt really bad. Brooke ended up sleeping with me. She woke up at 2:30 and she was sick. I got up and was rocking her and walking the floors with her. Brooke made this funny sound and started heaving. I knew she was going to throw up. I always have the fear when they are that young that they will aspirate it. I grabbed a towel and said " Its O.K. Spit it out" ( She would not know what throw up was) Brooke opened her mouth and out came everything she had ate, which was not much. I have to say I believe that child ate 3 french fries whole. ( I won't explain that. Use your imagination.) LOL Today she has not ate much. She still has fever and she feels yucky. I am not for sure what is going on. Courtney has been sick with something for about two weeks so Brooke might have caught it from her. Courtney has a appointment this afternoon to check for strap throat again. I don't want to go this route again. Courtney is just not getting over it. I can't decide if I need the Dr. to check Brooke out to. We have a $25.00 copay and I hate that. I guess we will play it by ear the rest of the day and see what happens. Just remember us that we can knock this stuff out and that it will not go through the whole family. I need the sparkle back in Brooke and Courtney's eyes.

Daddy's Girls

Daddy with his Toy.

Daddy and his girls.
Kevin was riding the girls on the four wheeler yesterday and I sanpped the pictures. I thought they turned out pretty good.

Why some nights, I don't sleep!!!!

Two little girls who love to sleep with mommy.

They also like to wiggle, flop, snore, kick, hit and toss all over the bed.
I will be sleeping so good and wake up with bricks falling on my head. (SO I think)
When I wake up I find it is Brooke hitting me in the face or her head on top of me.
Courtney is trying to get as close to me as she can and Brooke is in the middle so I am being rooted off the bed. I have to push Courntey over and say "STAY ON YOUR SIDE OF THE BED"
I like it much better when daddy is home. Even then if Brooke ends up in our bed I don't sleep well, because I still have bricks falling on my head and feet in my face.
I love my little ones so much.

Brooke's new word

Guess what word Brooke said tonight??Look at those dimples!!!!

Y'all

Our little Chinese American girl is going to talk Southern just like me and Courtney.

Oh and Kevin to.

Perky kisses

Give me a kiss

Perky is whispering sweet nothings to Courtney.

Uh Oh!!!! Caden is going to be jealous.

We bought Perky 3 years ago. I gave $19.00 for this beautiful bird. I would not take a thousand dollars for him now. (Kevin says he better not be around if somebody offers that) He is teasing, He loves Perky also. You might think that is crazy not to take $1000.00 for a bird, but I don't think it is crazy. Perky is not just any bird. Perky is a sweet kind bird who loves to chatter. (just like Courtney and Leah) Most parakeets don't talk, but our parakeet says everything. You can understand him very well. He says " give me sugars, what cha doing, pretty bird, tell me something, love you court, cracker, and Come here Brooke." I am sure he says more, but these are his favorite things to say. Perky loves to play ball. Before Brooke came home we would spends days playing with Perky. We would let Perky out of his cage and throw the ball in the floor and he would roll it back to us. Everyday I would talk to him and play with him. I have not done that much since we have had Brooke. Brooke loves Perky and will go up to the cage almost everyday and try to put her finger in. I have always worried that he would bite her finger, but he does good with her. He don't usually bite, but if he is not used to you then he will nip you if he thinks you are trying to take him. Yesterday I got Perky on my hand and let Brooke play with him some. She was to scared to let him on her finger, but she did let him give her sugars. Brooke thought it was so funny to see the bird give me sugars. She laughed. I told her to give the bird sugars and she puckered up and Perky kissed her right in the lips. Of course Brooke thought that was really funny. Perky is our favorite pet. The latest thing Perky says is "Come here Brooke" I guess I say that a lot.

The prayer of a child

Courtney is my little prayer warrior. That girl can pray. She prays like a grown person would pray. She is very concerned if somebody is sick, or anybody is going through a hard time. Courtney will pray for you. I know when my travel group was waiting for our babies, Courtney was our big prayer warrior.
Tonight Courtney was praying and she shocked me so bad. As she prayed I could not help but get teary eyed. I am going to post the best I can her prayer. First she was thanking God for her mommy and daddy. She then was thanking God for her sister. Well then She starts praying like this. " God you see my mommy really wants another baby. Now God she just wants one more. Will you please give my mommy her desire. Now God, if it is not your will for us to have another baby will you please show us. But God if it is your will, then please let it be soon."
I am thinking "O.K where did this come from?" I did say if it was Gods will I would like another child, but I have it committed that whatever God wants. I am trying to concentrate on the rest of her prayer, but at the same time I am trying to figure where this came from. Maybe it is her desire more than mine and she is just using me to talk to God. I don't know.
Well then Courtney starts praying about a house. "God you see we want a bigger house. We are putting it in your hands and we want you to help us with the decision. Now God help us to get a house that we will not have a huge house payment. We just want a small payment"
I am about to die at this point. My child is praying like a grown person, not a child. Where is she coming up with these words. Kevin and I have been talking about building or buying in the near future, but this little girl must think we desire it now. I mean we pray about a house, but coming from a child I just am in shock. When Courtney was through with her prayer I told her she prayed very good. Courtney says she thinks you should pray serious and not try to be funny, like one of her friends prays. I said " Yes, you are right. You need to be very serious when you pray." I am also thinking WOW my little girl is really growing up. I love her so much. It seems like she should still be in my arms and I should be rocking her to sleep. Now I am crying. That girl has really touched my heart tonight.

One more thing I need to clear. We are NOT praying for another child. We are very satisfied with our two girls. This is all Courtney's prayer. The only thing I can think of is she heard me tell somebody that I would not mind one more, but it was up to God and in his hands.

Happy Anniversary

Happy 12th Anniversary Danny and Emily.

I hope you guys had a great day. You guys are about to catch up with me and Kevin. I need a recent picture of you guys. This was from a year ago. Bro. Danny you need to update your website. I know you stay busy with all those children. LOL

We love and appreciate you both. You both hold a special place in our hearts. We appreciate all the times you was there for us and how you prayed and carried the burden with us when we desired children. We love you guys, Denna, Kevin, Courtney, and Brooke

Future Canasta Player

Brooke got the box and dumps them. I had to grab the camera.

Let's play mommy.

Bad mistake

"We are great cooks" (so they think)

Taking turns mixing.

Icing the cake

final results

Courtney got a friend to spend the night with her tonight. The girls wanted to bake a cake. I told them I did not have any icing for a cake. Emily says "Oh I can make icing with confectioners sugar". I say "I don't have any of that" So the girls beg and plead for me to go to the store and get the stuff for them to bake a cake. I give in thinking surely it will not hurt to let them make a simple cake. We go to the store and they pick out a cake and icing. They beg for me to buy them the tubes of icing to decorate the cake with. I don't give in to that. For one thing those tubes are expensive. Second I just did not know about two girls in the kitchen. They then want sprinkles or chocolate chips. I have chocolate chips at home so I decide they can use those. I told the girls they had to clean up their mess. "We will" We get home and they want to bake right away. I remind them again that they have to clean up their mess. After a broken egg on the floor, eggs shells in the mix, oil spilled on the table, and cake mix spilled in the floor I decided that I would do the clean up. They got the egg off of the floor and most of the oil up. I did not want a bigger mess than what we had. They had not even decorated the cake yet. We ate pizza while the cake cooled. I am dreading them putting the icing on. Here it goes. They start putting the icing on and did a pretty good job. They then sprinkle chocolate chips on the cake. I took some pictures of them. My kitchen is a mess. I did not take a picture of it. I can't post much more because I have to go clean up the mess that they made. I know I should make them do it, but I am afraid what it will look like when they are done. They had fun so I guess that is what matters. I think I made a bad mistake for letting two girls loose in my kitchen. Sounds like they are monkeys don't it? Actually they have acted like monkeys all night.

Wreck

My dad with Brooke. Brooke loves my dad.
BIG ORANGE MACHINE
The side of the trailer

My dad retired from his job several years ago. My dad is the type that hates to stay still. (I guess that is where Courtney got her wiggles from) My dad started a lawn service several years ago. He has always been the giving type. He rather do for others than have them do for him. My dad is a kind and compassionate man. Many times he has cut somebody's grass and not charged them. Many times somebody has been sick, or had sickness in the family and my dad will go mow their grass for them. Many times somebody will call and say I need my grass mowed for this reason or that, and daddy is there to mow it, and not charge them. I have known of several people who have gone out of town to come back home and find their grass mowed. My dad is just made up that way. My dad had rather give somebody something than for somebody to give to him. I have always admired that about my dad. There is some people who are so stingy that they would charge you a arm and leg to do something for them. There is also those who if they get something for you they will make sure you pay the whole amount. I mean the tax is included. I don't care if it is $10.04. You are GOING to pay them the four cents. My dad is nothing like that. He is more the type to say "Oh keep the change. You don't owe me anything" I take after my dad along those lines. Anyway leading up to today's post. My dad was going to mow this mans yard today. The man had got hurt awhile back and dad was going to mow for free for him. Dad is driving down the road and he sees this car coming up pretty fast behind him. He decides to put his turn signal on in plenty of time. Well the lady ended up hitting my dad. Dad had his trailer hooked to his truck. He also had his BIG ORANGE machine (kubota) on the trailer. Dads trailer turned side ways and smacks his truck. His Kabota is thrown to the back of the trailer. God was good to my dad and spared him from getting hurt bad. It could have been so much worse. Dads knee is hurting him, but other than that he is O.K. The lady was hurt pretty bad. Dad said her face was covered in blood and her arm was broke. She may be hurt worse than that we don't know. I am thankful for insurance. The lady has insurance so it should cover everything. My dads trailer is totaled. Both sides of the trailer got damaged. I thank God for watching over my dad. I believe God took into consideration, my dad's life. The road that the wreck happened on is terrible for wrecks and deaths. I get chills thinking of what could have happened. One second later the lady would have hit my dad in the side as he was turning. The pictures I took of my dads truck did not turn out that good. The side got dented from the trailer, but nothing major. I failed to mention dad had a large thing of diesel fuel on the trailer also.

7 months

This year is going by to fast. Half the year is gone. The past 7 months have went so fast. Today marks 7 months that we met Brooke. Looking back at that day brings so many memories back.

Before and after is such a change. Brooke has won many hearts. Especially her mommy's and daddy's. Brooke is so smart. She is doing much better with her sleep. She is talking a good bit. She loves her passy and her blankie very much. Brooke loves music and loves to try and sing. When Brooke sings it is so funny. She will be singing and making faces, but you can't understand anything she says. Brooke has lots of energy. I wish I had as much as she does. Brooke loves animals. Brooke does not like to play by herself. She still wants to make sure she can see mommy, daddy, or sissy. Outside is totally different. Brooke loves the outside and has no fear of anything. She don't care if she sees you or not. She just goes. (her squeaky shoes are great for these days) Brooke loves to explore. She likes to dig in the rocks, and play in the dirt. She also loves to pick flowers and grass. Today she was picking some flowers and I said " Are those for me" Brooke says "yea" If you can't understand that is how she says yes. We have enjoyed Brooke so much. I just feel she is growing up to fast. I think of Courtney and I feel so sad sometimes. My little girls is growing up to fast. Courtney should still be a baby. I was thinking that in 5 years Courtney will be a teenager. Yeeks. That don't seem real. Time goes by so quickly. Brooke has got so tall. Her hair is much longer now. I am very thankful that God allowed us to be Brooke's forever family.

I picked it for you.

"It's for you mom"

Happy 4th Of July

I am proud to be in America. I am so thankful for our Freedom.

God is the source of all our strength the one who watches over us. I am so thankful for the freedom we have to worship God. Prayer is a way of life to us. It is so good to be able to pray when we need God. It is even better to know we are caught up on our prayer life before we are faced with hard times. We pray everyday, not just when we need God. That has always helped me when I am going through something tough.

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to my wonderful mom and to my sweet friend Aby. I love you guys.

My mom and Brooke

Mom, I hope you have a Happy Birthday and many more. Thanks for always being there for me. You are a great mom and best friend. I love you very much. Thanks also for being a Wonderful Grandmother.

Aby
Happy Birthday Aby. I can't believe you are 12. Next year you will be a teenager. You are sweet girl and babysitter. Brooke adores you. Courtney likes you to. She thinks she is as grown as you, so she don't consider you a babysitter for her. LOL By the way I like the T- shirt you have on. Have A Happy Birthday.

4th of July Early

Brooke watching the fireworks.

Courtney and her friends waiting for the show.

To blury, but still pretty.

Laura was telling Brooke a secret. Brooke is really listening

Miss July 4th

Courtney, Alicyn, and Brooke

Many of our friends got together early to Celebrate the 4th of July. I think everybody had a great time. I had a baby shower that I went to, so I was not there for the games and the food. I wanted to be there for the fireworks. This was Brooke's first time to see fireworks. Brooke is really scared of Thunder so I was not for sure how she would do. Brooke loved it. She would clap and smile when the firecrackers lit up the sky. The fireworks was so pretty. Those in charge of the fireworks did a really good job. I took some pictures, but for some reason fireworks don't show up well in pictures.
Brooke and Courtney loved it. Courtney had a blast with her friends. She was there for the whole thing and she had a really fun time.

Like mother, Like daughter

Kevin said that Brooke was following in my footsteps. :)
Brooke wakes up and goes straight to the computer. I am not sure if it is the keys on the keyboard that she likes, or the chair that turns. I really think it is both.

"I'm One"

"Mommy hits this key and that key"
"This is fun. Maybe I will start to blog.....WHATEVER that is"