Little Chef

"May I help you Please"
"Which glove do I want?"
" I am working on your order"
"All done. Please join us"

Fun Day

"Our little Group"
Zoe was a little shy at first, so the only way I could get a picture of her was to let mom in the picture. She did open up before the day was over.

Zoe climbing the rocks.

Beautiful Emily

Brooke trying to climb the rocks.

Michael, Libby, Emily, Brooke, and Courtney

Three beautiful girls.

We had a really fun day today. We met some new friends and had a great time. There has been a group started in Marshall County for Families with Children from China. We met today at McDonalds to let the children play. The kids had a blast. We only had 4 moms to show up, but we had a great time. We stayed almost three hours together. We got to share some of our stories and things about our trip to China. One of the neatest things is the one lady I met today adopted her beautiful little girl from Chongqing. I was so excited, because I have not been able to find anybody in our area or surrounding areas that has adopted from Chongqing. That was really neat to find that out. The other lady adopted from Sichuan which is right next to Chongqing. In fact Chongqing used to be part of the Sichuan province. We have three families right here in Marshall county that share something great. This reminds me of the red thread theory.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MarshallMorganCountyFWCC/

I plan on a better Week

The past week has not been so great. It all started Thursday Night, a week ago. My dad had to have surgery. The Doctor had to work my dad in, so the surgery did not start until 7:00 that night. My mom don't like to drive at night, so I decided I would drive them home. We left the hospital about 10:00. I am used to driving a van. I felt like I was riding on the ground in their car. We leave the hospital and everything looked strange to me. It was raining, and the roads was wet, and the lights on the road looked strange. To top that, my contact was fogged over. Everything looked so blurry. I did not think about this until I was in bed that night. The reason things looked strange to me was I was thinking that I was leaving the hospital where my husband works. It was a different hospital. To get to either hospital you are on the same hi-way. Anyway I could not figure out why the streets looked so weird.
Back to the story. My eyes was really bothering me. I told my parents I was going to have to pull over and wet my contact and see if I could get it to clear. I pull over in front of CiCi's pizza. I pop the contact out, and it vanishes. We could not find that contact. My poor dad was so nervous. My mom had to drive home because the contact that I lost was the one for my bad eye. I am almost blind without them. I was thankful I had a old pair of contacts. The prescription is not the same, but at least I had them. I also had my glasses.
Saturday night I got two hours of sleep, because Brooke was sick. I take Brooke to the Doctor on Monday. The Doctor puts her on steroids because she has a terrible rash. I go to Sams to get the medicine to find out they are out. I then go to Wal-Mart. The lady says they have the medicine, but it will be at least a hour and forty five minutes before it will be ready. They had to go to lunch, and she had to call Brooke's Doctor because she did not understand the prescription. I decided to go back that night and pick it up. I get there to pick the medicine up, and they don't have it, but they ordered it for the next day. I was not happy. They should have called and told me, so I could have found somebody else that had the medicine. I mean I did turn the order in at 11:30 that morning. The lady told me it would be there the next day at 10:00 or 11:00. I go to pick it up the next day and it was not there. They did not know when it would be in. I get the prescription back. I go to a pharmacy close to my house. They are out also. I finally call the doctor and tell him to switch the medicine. He did, and Brooke finally got her medicine. It was terrible trying to get this down her. I had to taste the medicine to see if it was as bad as Brooke was acting like it was. IT WAS. Bitter bitter.
Kevin had bought me a under cabinet radio for Christmas. The CD player did not work on it so we had to get another. I found one at Sears for a GREAT price. I had ordered it several weeks ago. It was suppose to be in on Tuesday. I call, and the truck was delayed. I go Wed. to pick it up. The lady tells me that it did not come in. She calls the main office to be told that they was out of that radio, and did not know when it would be in. :( Why they did not know that when I ordered it, I will never know.
Last night we went to a great play. Many of our friends was there. We had a great time. We even went to McDonalds after the play and enjoyed being with friends.
I came home and was rocking Brooke. I took my glasses off and was rubbing my eyes. I reached to put my glasses on and the crazy lens was out. The glasses had broke. Don't forget, I just lost a contact a week ago. I had to find my old glasses last night. I can't hardly see anything. I did think of several things when the glasses broke. "thank the Lord for Insurance" I have a app. on Monday. I also was thankful I had my old glasses and contacts. I would be in a real jam if I did not have those. SOOOOOOOO that is my week. Surely this week will be better.

In Loving Memory.

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Poem By Kevin, to His Dad

Lowell, Kevin, and L.D

Kevin, L.D, and Courtney

The first time to Hold Brooke

L.D in the hospital with his 6 Grandchildren.

DAD

In heaven resides a wonderful man
Who, when I was a child, held me by the hand.
He did his best for me back then
He worked hard and he did it with a grin.
A tenth grade education was all he had
He scraped and labored when times got bad.
He did jobs on the side and would not accept defeat
He did many things to make ends meet.
A washing machine here, a dryer there
He fixed them all with tender care.
He taught me about gas lines, electricity and wire
How to work on a switch box without starting a fire.
When evening came and goodnights were said
He always said, "I love you" before I went to bed.
I am no longer a child, now I am grown
I have a wonderful wife and a family of my own.
Lord, please help me. This is my plea
Help me show my children the love he showed me.
Dad became sick a few years ago
He suffered much and it hurt me so.
One year has passed since God eased his pain
He took Dad home with him, forever to reign.
I knew I loved Dad, but not how much
I did not know how I would miss his touch.
On sunny days and on days that are dreary
When I think of Dad, my eyes still get teary.
I keep his picture on the table to view as I pass by
Many days it has made me cry.
I thought a year would make less the pain
But it has only gotten worse, much to my disdain.
I guess, I know why it hurts so bad
I spent thirty one years loving my Dad.
So in one year, I cannot erase
Thirty one years of good memories that stand firmly in place.
I wanted my children to know my Dad
A single grandmother was all I had.
Courtney knew Dad for seven years
When he left us, she shed many tears.
Brooke knew Dad a month to the day
He would set in his chair and watch her play.
He loved his grandchildren and he loved me
He was a wonderful man, don't you see.
I want the world to know I have been blest
When it comes to Dads, I had the best.
Dad is not here, Dad has passed on
I set here and cry, because I feel alone.
Dad, I hope you are having fun up there
In your wonderful new home, way up in the air.
I have a great family to take care of below
I need to stay here and support them you know.
But when you set with Jesus this is my plea
Leave the chair beside you empty....Save it for me.

I love you Dad.
Your son, Kevin

Happy New Year

I wish you all a very Happy New Year. I hope your year is filled with Health, Happiness, and dreams that come true.

Congratulations Chris and Kelly

Congratulations Chris and Kelly. A new little boy. Gabriel Micah Morris. I am not for sure on the weight and all that yet. I just know Kelly will be home soon and she wants a welcome home party. If not before church then after church tonight. I am not so sure we can arrange that with this short of notice.

Brooke Counting

Opening Gift

Time with Grandaddy

Christmas

My two beautiful Christmas girls.

Brooke opening her gift really slow.

"Is this for me?"

A great Christmas present. Daddy did the wrapping.

Courtney with her doll house. She was very surprised.

I think she is very excited about something. (digital camera)

Brooke enjoying her gifts.

Christmas was really great this year. Brooke really enjoyed herself. She would rip the paper off very slowly. She was so excited when she opened her baby dolls. She said "two babies." Brooke liked to tear the paper off and then go to another gift. When she was through she wanted to open everybody else's gifts. She got very upset when we told her no. She cried and kept saying "Pres" Which means present. She had a great time.
Courtney enjoyed it also. She had no idea what she was getting. Her favorite thing was a digital camera. She was so shocked when she opened it. Her other favorite thing was her doll house. It was wrapped in this huge box. I did not put a name on it. Courtney wanted to know whose gift it was. I said " oh no I did not put a name on it. It is either yours or daddys." I told Courtney she could open it and see. Kevin played along and said " wait, what if it is mine" I said ' go ahead and open it Courtney" When she opened it her eyes got as big as saucers. She screamed " This is not daddy's this is mine" We told Courtney that was a toy she would have to share with Brooke. Right now Brooke is not to interested in it, but give her a year or so and she will love it.
We all had a great time with our family. I am so thankful for another year together.

Alabama Adoption Final

Miss Alabama

Fun After Court

Proud Daddy

Proud parents, with Judge Day

We are finally through. After one year of having Brooke home we are finally through with the adoption process. Brooke's adoption was final when we left China. Living in Alabama we had to do a re-adoption to be able to get Brooke a Alabama birth certificate. We started the process a couple of months ago and things just went crazy. We had a really hard time with the probate Judge. Living in the county that we do, the judge wanted everything done "legal." The judge made us get a lawyer and he appointed Brooke a lawyer. (Guardian Ad Litem)
God blessed us in so many ways. I can't even begin to tell you how great God has been to us. One way that God blessed us, is through our attorney Jeff Dean. Jeff and his wife Kaye was a blessing to us. Kevin, knew Kaye from work. They was very good to us. We can never thank them enough for their kindness to us through this time.
The past few months have been a little hard trying to get things together for today.
Tuesday I had a nightmare come true. Brooke's attorney calls me at 4:00 in the afternoon and said he needed to come to our house. He does not say anything about coming to check on Brooke. He says " I need to come to your house tomorrow to see if your house is clean and suitable for a child" I literally about had a heart attack. I was in tears. Kevin had to work. I was up until 12:00 at night cleaning my house. My house was NOT dirty, but I did not know if this man was coming to check my closets or cabinets or what. When he did come, he only looked at Brooke and Courtney's room. He was a very nice man. When he started to leave he said " I hate that I had to come to your house, but that is just something we have to do. Oh by the way your house is really clean"
I was thinking "You only looked at two rooms and I was up all night making sure there was no dust anywhere."LOL
Anyway things went super today. Judge Day was very nice. We did not have a good experience with Judge Day a few months ago. He was really rude and ugly to us. Today he was a very kind man. He did not even seem like the same man, that we met months ago. It took us about 30 minutes today and everything was done. We don't have to deal with social workers, lawyers, or paperwork anymore. Brooke is our wonderful daughter that we love very much. Our social worker was great to work with. She became our friend. We had our last meeting with her, in November 2006.
I am so thankful for the blessing that God has gave us. We love both of our girls with all our heart. I am looking forward to another wonderful year with my children and wonderful husband.

Busy Busy Busy

FCC Christmas Party

Chinese Santa

Brooke wanted NO part with the Chinese Santa.

I have had one busy week and weekend. Thursday Night we went to the FCC Christmas party. There was about 4o or more Chinese Children at the party. They all looked so cute. They had a balloon man come and do balloons for the kids. They also had a Chinese Santa to come and give the children something. As you can see Brooke wanted NO part of that. It did not matter that he had candy for her. She was the only child there who sreamed and cried over Santa. I guess it is a good thing we don't teach her there is a Santa. She would be scared to death of the man. We had a great time there.
Friday night we had a Christmas party at my moms house. I have not had time to load the pictures. Saturday we had Christmas at our house with Kevin's family. It went well. Kalie and Darcie did not get to come becaue Kalie was sick. Jacob started feeling really bad at our house. He ended up having about 103 temperature. Over all it was a fun day. I am so tired. This has been three very busy days. Post more pictures later. (maybe)

Merry Christmas

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Happy Birthday Dad

Happy Birthday, Dad. We love you.

Sleep Issues

The past week Brooke has really had some sleep issues. It started last week when Brooke had 103 fever. She was so ill and would not sleep in her bed. The only way we got any sleep was for me to sleep with her. For two nights she slept with me. BAD MISTAKE. She thinks she has to every night now. I had just got to the point where I could give her kisses and lay her in her bed to sleep. Brooke would sleep through the night. She has been sleeping throught the night for months, but I always rocked her first.
Last week she refused to go to sleep on her own. Of course since she was sick I let her have her way. I was afraid she would need me and I would not hear her. Saturday and Sunday night she got in her bed on her own. Saturday night she slept all night. Sunday night she woke up and wanted in my bed.
Now for the funny part. Last night Brooke went to her bed without complaining. She got her blankie, passey, baby bop, and Barney. About 3:00 she woke us up crying. Kevin went to her room and she would not go back to sleep. She cried and cried wanting her mommy. Kevin finally brought her to our bed. Of course she slept so good. We did not sleep good. I finally took her back to her room. Of course within no time she was crying again. Kevin said to just let her cry. After about 15 minutes of screaming and crying for mommy, I could not take it any more. Kevin and I was not sleeping with her crying, so we might as well let her sleep with us and get a little sleep. I go to Brooke's room and try to talk to her. She grabs me and want let go. She says "ROCK BABY" "Rock baby" The whole time she is saying this she is sniffling. I tell her that I can rock her, but she needs to sleep in her bed. Brooke starts crying really hard and says "rock baby in tree top" ........How could I not rock a sweet voice like that? I tell her that I will rock her. I stand up to go to the rocker and Brooke then says "daddy's bed"
I rock her and she is like totally quite. I say "will you go to your bed now" Of course she starts crying and saying "rock baby tree top" Kevin felt sorry for us and told me to bring her back to our bed. Brooke slept so good. Kevin and I did not sleep good at all. Oh well maybe better luck tonight.

Play time with Sadie

Sharing Cookies

Little Cooks

Sadie

"Would you like some Tea?"

Two Pretty Princess

Trying on their Glass Slippers.

Gotcha Day 2nd post

Brooke's Cake

Giving her baby loving.

Cup and Panda gift.

Brooke loves her little Asian Doll we bought her.

Some of the Children that celebrated with us.

Brooke love this cup she got. It had pictures of her and some of her friends on it. She did not want to put the cup down. She was wanting to show everybody her cup.

This was suppose to be some type of cake that the people at the restaurant brought Brooke. It was onions, and peppers. It had cake in the middle of that. It then had brownies with sprinkles and jello on the side. Brooke ate some jello and I think brownie.

Brooke wanted to get into the cake really bad. She did lick some icing off. (SHHH)

Enjoying her noodles and rice.

One year ago today I walked into the civil Affairs Office in Chongqing China with 13 other families. We was all so excited because we was going to get to hold our babies for the first time. It was a wonderful day. One that I will never forget. I remember walking in and seeing Brooke sitting in a walker. I wanted to hold her then, but I had to wait. I thought she was so pretty. Even with a chapped little face, I thought she was a doll. When our name was called to get Brooke, I was so excited and happy. I did not care that her nose was running and that she was soaking wet. I held her, kissed her, and loved her. At first Brooke just looked at me I can't remember the exact moment she started crying. I know she was scared. I think Brooke knew that we was somebody special. She bonded right away with us. Once we had her back at the Hotel, and had all those thick clothes off of her, she was happy.
Today Brooke is full of life, happiness, laughter, and love. Yes, there is some days she is sad, when things don't go her way, but she quickly gets over it. She loves to sing and dance. She loves to gives kisses and hugs. She thinks her sister is the grandest in the world (besides me)
Brooke is still a mommy's girl. She loves her daddy also. Brooke is talking so much now.
We celebrated today at a Chinese restaurant. There was about 25 of our friends there celebrating with us. Brooke is loved by many people. God has blessed this little girl in so many ways. God has also blessed us, by allowing us to be Brookes forever family.
We love you Brooke. Happy Gotcha Day Sweetheart.
Mommy, Daddy, and Sissy.
I have so many more pictures I could post, but I am so tired. I am going to bed.

Happy Gotcha Day Brooke

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For all my waiting friends. (Lisa, Tonya, Angela,Karen)

Merry Christmas

Happy Anniversary

Happy 14th Anniversary, To the most wonderful man

in the world. I love you.

We look like kids here. (We was)

A ride in the firetruck, to the reception.

I can't believe it has been 14 years. I love being married. I am thankful we are still together, and that our love is still strong. I am not going to post much, because I just did a post awhile back about us dating. You are welcome to read that. Things are the same, except I am married to the most wonderful man in the world, instead of dating him.

Sad Mommy and Little Girl

Last night was a really hard night for me. We made plans to go to the play "The Christmas Carol" My parents, and Kevin's mom wanted to go also. I had bought these tickets back in the summer. Since our parents was going with us, I did not have a babysitter for Brooke. I have never left her with anybody, but my mom or Kevin's mom. (That has not been much)
Brooke loves the Ary Children. (Brent, Brannon, and Brianna) We had went camping with them, and Brooke adored the children. I had also went to their house a few weeks ago and Brooke went right to Brent and did not want to come back to me. I thought it would be perfect for Brooke to stay with them. This child is to smart. I had ask her during the day if she wanted to go play with Brent and Brannon. Brooke said " NO" I did not say she was staying with them. I ask her several times during the day, and she always said "no" It was almost time to go and I told Brooke that she was going to get to go play with Brent, Brannon, and Briannna. Brooke looked at me and said " No" She then reached out her arms and hugged me and said "I stay mommy's house" I knew I was in trouble then. Sure enough, Brooke cried and did not want to stay. As soon as I pulled up at their house Brooke was clinging to me and saying "Mommy" I had to sit in the floor with her. She was not interested in playing. She knew something was not right. I finally had to just leave. I was about in tears myself. I called Cindy about 5 min after we left. She said that Brooke was not crying, that she was just saying Mommy, over and over. I felt sick for leaving her. I could not enjoy my food. To make matters worse once we got to the play these people walk in with a beautiful Chinese girl. She looked just like Brooke, except she was 3. I wanted to go get my baby so bad. I called Cindy during intermission to find out that Brooke had cried on and off. We enjoyed the play, but I don't think I can leave Brooke for a long time.
Kevin and I was acting like two kids when we got to Cindy's to pick Brooke up. Kevin had done said that he was going to hold Brooke first. I said I was. Of course Courtney said she was. I thought to myself "We will see about this" I was sitting in the back of our van with my mom. About the time we got to the Ary's house I slipped to the middle seat and was ducking behind Kevin's seat. I was ready to open the door and run to my baby. Kevin spotted me. He took his seat belt off and prepared to run. I quickly put his seat belt back on him, so he can't get out as fast as me. We was all laughing.
When we got to Cindy's I was out of the van first, but Kevin has longer legs than me so he beat me to the door. Brooke was asleep. We started talking to her. She looked so confused. Guess what ? I got to hold her first. LOL Of course she had wanted mommy all night.
We came home and I held Brooke for a long time. I rocked her to sleep and just held her for a little bit. We have a Christmas play tonight. Brooke is going with us. If I have to stand and hold her the whole time I will. I will not leave her. Last night was terrible for me. I was a sad mommy.