Fra la la la...

I hope all had a wonderful holiday!  We certainly did!  We went to my friend, Kim's, home on Christmas eve to exchange gifts.  We then came home and got the cookies ready for Santa, and the reindeer food mixed up and put out on the front lawn (btw, my dog, Blackie, loved it...LOL).  The girls wanted to call Santa, but the number I found wouldn't work :(  Kaitlynne brought me my cell phone and said, "Just in case he calls back" :*)

The girls, surprisingly, didn't get up til about 730am on Christmas morning.  For once, I wasn't up most of the night before wrapping (my SIL came over and helped me the day before that...LOL).  They came out, and we all had a really good time opening our presents.  Katie was ecstatic about her MP3 player (that I loaded with her favorite country tunes-thanks to Tina for getting me some last-minute ones), and Kaitlynne freaked about her Polly Pocket Cruise Ship and Bratz Stylin' Head.  My SIL called, asked if were still doing breakfast at her house.  It was pouring, but I thought wth, we won't melt.  She said she had seen Kaitlynne outside that morning, she had told them I locked her out.  I had no idea what she was talking about, then it dawned on me.  Kaitlynne had gone OUT of her window, around to the back door and was trying to get in to raid the presents!!!!  Thank God we locked the back door!  I was doing my best to NOT get upset, so I simply told Kaitlynne that her Polly Pocket Cruise Ship was mine until she could show me she could be trusted. 

So, we went next door and had breakfast and exchanged gifts with them.  I had to get back, tho, cuz I had to get all my stuff together to take to the hotel for the family get together there.  We got there about noon, and surprisingly, my FIL already had the paella done!  Last year he was slackin, not this year, tho!  Everyone pretty much showed up at the same time with all the kids.  It was loud, but I thought went really well, considering most of the family doesn't like each other...LOL!  My FIL was extremely generous this year, I'm still in awe and very thankful.  The food was delicious :)  After we got done there, we went to my brother's house, where he had most of Pete's family (and our mom).  We got to nibble a bit there, but I was disappointed that there were so many people there that were strangers...even to my brother!  Everyone was just 'showing up' for free food, I guess.  Hard to explain it, but whatever....I guess if they don't kick them out, can't say anything about it.

Got home about 8 or so.  Mom came home with us (Alex asked her to, since he was going to have all of the kids the next day).  I went out shopping with Sandra to return a couple of things, and see the Christmas clearance.  Got a few things I needed (including wrapping paper-we used it all!), then we hit Cracker Barrell for breakfast (was SO good...and they had FSU stuff 1/2 off, so I got Brandon a onsie).

We got a new dog (I know, we need another animal).  It's a cocker spaniel named Princess (I call it 'Dog'...lol).  She's been having trouble adjusting (tearing up trash, not house training).  I had originally emailed the original owner to give her back, but now I'm not sure.  We're missing one cat (kitten with a tail from Wendy's)...our idiot neighbors pitt's were over here around the same time it went missing...I'm praying the two aren't related :***(  On top of that, we got another CAT!  LOL!  My hubby said I can qualify as a kitty sanctuary now!  LOL!  This is a 21lb (I would say every bit of that, if not more) tuxedo-colored male, neutered and declawed (not something I believe in personally).  He...is...HUGE!  He's been voicing his complaints of sharing a home with other critters from under the dining room table all night...LOL!

I took Kait to another psych appointment today at the new place she's at.  I can NOT stand her new psych!  He's been out of college MAYBE a year, and is sure he knows everything + compared to his counterparts.  He told me that he see's no signs of any mental illness in Kaitlynne...maybe just a bit of hyperactivity!  I was floored!  I got upset, and he said that I should be happy that he said that.  I said how in the HELL can I be happy that you are going to destroy over 4 years of hard work to get her the help she has desperately needed all because you and that bubble-gum machine degree say so?!  Oh I went off...and then called the insurance company (in front of him) and asked if they had any COMPETENT doctors for my daughter.  He shrugged and said it was no big deal...he just got paid to write scripts anyway!!!  This from the man who holds my daughter's wellbeing in his idiot hands!  Ugh!  So, next week will be just that...the hunt for the new doc!  Insurance gave me the name of a place in G'ville, so I'm going to call and see what they think of this.  I called and left a message for her old Doctor to call me, too... 

Brandon is doing wonderfully!  He had shots a couple of days ago (the same day dipshit doc pulled this stunt), but fine otherwise.  Everyone tells us what a beautiful boy he is...and how good he is.  He's always like that, too!  We got him the Jumperoo with Grandpa's gift card to Walmart...and he loves it!!!!

Katie goes home Sunday.  Her mother called us Thursday (the same day that the doc pulled his crap and Brandon got shots) to say she wanted us to keep Katie here cuz they're broke (something we had talked about anyway).  We said fine, send her school records.  One hour later, her husband calls back saying that it was a misunderstanding and she never should have called with our problems and that they would indeed be picking Katie up Sunday.  I called back myself and told her mother that we needed to know that Katie was going back to a stable home...her response:  "Huh?".  I was so irritated at her ignorance (as usual), that I said 'good God, forget it' and gave the phone to Alex.  She then gave her phone to her husband.  It was horrible to see the girls get excited (they heard the first phone message), then see them both crushed.  I can't stand that woman.  I guess that child support check means that much to her.

Ugh, it's getting late and we have a birthday party to go tomorrow.  I'll add some pics and be outta here.  Happy New Year!!!!!

************For our daughter*************

We missed you dearly on Christmas day, as we do every day.  Tho having your siblings with us, there was still an empty spot.  Daddy and I cried many tears for you, and I'm sure they won't be the last.  We love you, baby girl...I hope you had the most joyous of holiday's with the reason we have Christmas to begin with.  See you on the other side....