Katherine

Oh yes, Emmy's tummy Mommy. She is 22 now, and is still in her party mode of course at that age, who wouldnt be. She had to move back in with Izzy and Kasen's Daddy to try to see if they could work it out. Evidently it isnt working out as I have gotten tons of texts from her and a couple of phone calls needing to talk about how bad it has been getting. Evidently he has a drinking problem which leads him to be abusive mentally, and physically.. even though she doesnt tell me the details... I can hear it in her voice that it is probably worse than she is leading on. I remember Felicia telling me that she was covered in bruises on her legs and arms at one point... in which she stated that she bruises easily.... She told me she was going to move out last oct. or Nov... and that she would leave him without him knowing. She has recently gotten back together with Jeremy, her old boyfriend she used to have when her ex was in prison for stealing a car. It was a felony of course. Her baby's daddy doesnt know about him so I have been worrying that he will find out and hurt ber badly. I have offered to help find her donated items as far as furniture for when she does actually move. She called me about 3 weeks ago and said that she finally had enough money saved up to move out, and I told her I would get her some things... but that she had to tell me for sure so that I was holding items in the garage as storage. We do not have the room for that and I dont think David would appreciate that as well. I havent heard from her, although I have sent the newest modeling photo's of Emmy. She loves them... but as I look onto her Facebook page, she is partying and going on with her life. Sometimes I think I almost make her want to be a part of Emmy's life, and I prob. shouldnt force it. I can only imagine how torturous it is for her as she prob. wants to see her but knows it would be too hard on her at the same time. She is letting go more and more as the months go by. I know it hurts her... but as young as she is I think it hurts her when she is alone, or having difficult times... it makes her think of Emmy. She went thru such a rough time with all of that,. and I am sure it has scared her for life. At the same time, drinking with friends and whatever else she does seems to be getting her by in life. Just as I did when I was her age. (drinking that is) But she has two little ones... Kasen 5 and Izzy almost 4. And I am not sure that they live with her. I almost wonder if they live with her Mom full time and she goes over there to visit.... but I am not sure. She did ask me for winter clothes for the kids, and I havent yet sent them. I think I will get summer clothes instead, as the summer seems to last longer.. and they will prob. need them. We still call her Journey to Katherine, as I never wanted to hurt her feelings with that. Emmy fits her more appropriately and Journey seems to remind me of the terrible time Katherine had with that whole situation. Emmalyn is so much more appropriate for my little angel. Today we went shopping and got a few more outfits and a pair of shoes, and some hair accessories. She loves to shop and loves getting new outfits to show off. We went and ate Mexican food and then had frozen yogurt with Nana and Papa. Tonight I did rock her to sleep while rubbing her back, hands and feet, which she loves!!! She is the sweetest little angel on earth! Thank heaven for little girls... thank God for Emmy!

First words...

"Momma", "DaDa" of coarse... then "no" with robust attitude! "were eh go?" "letmedo". "hunter", "braden", "papa", "nana". "I Love", "bird", "bye bye", "hi", "Tanku", "hot", and prob more, as I keep forgetting to write it all down. She mainly has picked up on what we are saying at about 10 - 11 months she was almost fully understanding everything we were saying to her. She more so can point what things are when you ask her... either in books or in the room, or outside. We have been told that she is very advanced for her age. I think she is so determined to do things and to be independant that it is why she is so advanced.

She loves to play with aunt Kristy's daughter Alexa. They hug and kiss and play chase, and dolls and fight and jump and climb all over the place... but the best is when they lay on the bed and giggle. It's sooo cute. Emmy is such a little girly girl. Very sassy and LOVES shoes! She twurls around in her outfits, and was taking her socks off at 15 months and putting them back on. She also can get her shoes on sometimes. She is a very determined little girl. So far she likes everything to be nice and neat... as far as when she puts her toys away. She climbs all over everything, and when she falls, she crys.... but she doesnt learn her lesson... she gets up and does it again and again! She minds Daddy more than me right now, and I think it has something to do with her being home with me all of the time. She is a hugger and kisser. She blows kisses bye bye to everyone. She doesnt meet a stranger. LOVES to play with kids. She smiles all of the time. Very onery, and very sneaky at times. She loves her Nana and Papa.... Papa of coarse is her buddy as long as he carry's her everywhere. She is in a big whining stage, which drives us crazy.... but it comes with having a girl I am sure. She is very dramatic, and always always on the move. She is now close to 19 months and uses her paci.... in which the Dr. told us today to take it away cold turkey.... so we are still debating on which weekend we want to torture ourselves. As of right now she is crying in her bed... wanting to not go to sleep at 10PM! Sometimes she does this but most of the time she goes to bed very well. Her nose is congested, and she had her 18 mo shots today so she is prob. very uncomfortable. Poor baby. David and I were talking today about how lucky we are and blessed we are to be her parents. She is such a joy, and so much fun to have around. She has brightened our whole lives and for that we are forever grateful.

Adoption day, Nov. 5, 2010

Finally, the day was vastly aproaching and I had a lot to do... I got her adoption dress sewn out of her great grandmothers crocheted pillowcase, her shoes matched and were cream in color and crocheted as well. She wore light pink tights and Nana crocheted her headband with a large crocheted hot pink flower on it to match her dress. When we got to the court house, it was cool and the wind was blowing hard. I didnt realize it, but I was very nervous. We had to walk through a screening with the guards and have our purses and wallets checked. At the end of the line Linda handed me a wallet thinking it was davids and I placed it inside of my purse not even looking to make sure it was really his. Later I found that it wasnt his and linda picked up someonelses wallet.. LOL! I then realized I was a nervous wreck. I was shaking, and very out of it. We had a lot of family show up for this special day: NANA & PAPA, UNCLE B AND AUNT JC, COUSIN BRADEN AND HUNTER, GRANDPA BECKY CAME FROM NORTH CAROLINA, AUNT BRANDI CAME FROM CALIFORNIA, POP POP, LINDA, AUNT MELANIE(MOMMY'S BEST FRIEND)flew in from Alabama, PATRICK(DADDY'S BEST FRIEND), GREAT GRANDPA JERRY, AUNT LINDY. We counseled with our attorney Christie, and found out that I would be the one talking as I have been the one to have total contact with emmys tummy mommy, katherine. I really got nervous then. once we got called in, we walked in and sat down with several other cases..; mostly consisting of divorces. so it was kinda tense in there. It was cold, and very quiet. We were the first ones called, thank God... and we stood in front of the judge and I was asked questions by Christie that I was to answer YES to. Then I found out that Christie had another file mixed in with ours. I was astonished and paniced. but didnt know what to think... was all of OUR stuff in there??? whew... finally found out that yes all of Emmy's stuff was inside the file and all was good again. The judge was cold.. never making eye contact... wasnt friendly at all. He went thru all of the paper work finding Daddy's felony that was reduced down to a misdeamenor for excessive speeding on a motorscycle. We started panicing again.... talking about it in front of everyone.. and seemed to not be happy about it. I could feel my knees buckle... and remember shooting a really nasty look at daddy while he was holding Emmy.... I was sooo mad! This could keep us from adopting her. Never mind... he said it was a long time ago and WHEW.... it was a huge relief. We finally got the adoption granted and her name changed from: Journey Katherine Kindred, to Emmalyn Mae Journey Hitchings. It was finally over..... we took a fast picture with the judge... and he commented that this was the only good thing that they ever see in their court room that is fun and good to see happen. We went out of the court room and I balled like a baby! I couldnt stop crying. It was like a load of bricks were lifted off my shoulders... and all of those bad times, trials and tribulations all came to an end at that very moment. I was so happy to be officially Emmy's Mommy... and David to be her Daddy! Daddy hugged me tight for a long time and we both cried!!!! We love you Emmy Mae Journey soooooo much! You are ours as if we created you and gave birth to you ourselves.... nothing will ever take that away from us... and you are now our forever Daughter that we will cherish and never miss one single part of your life forever. We love you Emmy! We LOVE YOU!!!!!! so unconditionally, and soooo forever! I remember when I first laid eyes on you at 4 months old... and I said " that is MY baby... that is OUR baby!!!!! I new from the moment I saw you that you were meant to be with us as your family. I fought hard for you, and it paid off. I got my precious angel and will forever be grateful, loved and a very proud Mommy!

bad mom

I feel terrible I havent blogged in sooo long.... I need to keeps this up to date so I can log all of her accomplishments and funny times we have been having. I will try to reflect back, going back to the adoption day, and days leading up to that date.