December 17

Today is Peniel's birthday. Peniel is one the first kids my family fostered along with his little brother, Jeremiah. I mention them in some previous posts but just in case anyone forgot or just didn't know. I'll most likely mention them a lot in future posts. I love both of them like they're my blood brothers. We had the best times ever and through it all I never even thought about their skin being a different color. My step mom and I always talk about how they didn't seem any different color to us cause we loved them unconditionally. Even if we didn't love them, they'd be the same to us.
On Peniel's birthday last year he turned 8. He chose for us to go out to eat at Ryan's. He got to open a bunch of presents there and I took a lot of pictures. You could tell he was trying to keep his cool but he was excited about all the cool stuff he was getting. After he'd open a gift he'd put on a shy smile and someone would say something and he'd let out his true million dollar smile and giggle. He always had the best laugh, everyone agreed on that too!
Today Peniel turns 9 and I'm sure he is still just as adorable as the last time I saw him. The first time I met him and his brother I knew they'd be heart breakers when they got older and I still believe that. They both have a smile from heaven and laughs that can melt anyone's heart. They are outgoing and funny, they could make anyone laugh. Anyone who ever meets them is instantly in love with them.
I promised Peniel when I can get my license I would come see him. I promised that the last time I saw him and I honestly can't remember the last time I saw him. I only have atleast five more months till I can drive myself to see him. I always worry that when I see him again our bond won't be the same but then I think on it and remember he loved me just as much as I loved him, there's no way he'd reject me. Our bond was made by God and is as strong as it can get, no matter how far apart we are so however long.

WHY ARE YOU YELLING AT ME?!?!

This week the drama classes at my high school had their Christmas play or plays. It was three little plays put into one. It just so happened one of my best friends was is in drama so I just had to go to support her. It was on Friday and Saturday night. My boyfriend, Seth and I had planned to go on Friday. I went ahead and bought a Friday ticket just to find out he couldn't go. I still went though on Friday but I also went on Saturday with Seth. Friday I sat with Andrea's mom and little brother. Andrea is my friend in the play and let me add she did a great job! She is actually inspiring me to do drama my junior year! Anyway, since I sat with her mom and little brother I was automatically paying more attention to what was actually happening in the play. I got the full message pretty much. We left after the second play though so I didn't get to see the last one. I heard it was boring though so I wasn't that upset. On Saturday though I sat with Seth and Andrea's "guy-friend", Chance. Seth and I hadn't seen each other since Friday, that's a long time for us so we were excited to see each other. We did what we usually do when we let our excitement out, we play fight. We act like we're mad at each other when we're obviously not, we playfully punch each other(not abusively at all though), we basically just play around, act goofy and make fun of each other. It doesn't last the whole time we're together though, we get serious and act like civilized people after some time. So, we sat watching the play, waiting for our friends to show up on stage and we'd exchange smiles and silly comments. After the second play ended I told him I was going to get Andrea but he told me he wanted to stay so I said I'd stay with him so he wasn't alone. We sat and talked and waited for Andrea and Chance to come back. When Andrea came back I told her how good she did and she asked me questions, the whole after-performance deal. Then, I was just being silly, not trying to be a crazy girlfriend and I was acting like I was gonna look through Seth's phone and he made a big deal about it so I took it upon myself to look through it. It really stirred up a fight and he was yelling at me, in public! I couldn't believe it, he never yells at me and here he was, the guy I've become so close to who has the biggest heart I could imagine yelling at me in front our friends and people we didn't know. I didn't even know what to say after some time though I managed to croak out "Why are you yelling at me?" I began to tear up and of course he felt bad and he told me he didn't realize he was really yelling. There was really any I'm Sorry's or are you ok now?'s When the third play started I didn't understand anything that was happening and I told him that so he was keeping me updated on what was happening, that's what broke the ice of our some-what argument. I am so thankful that I have someone there for me like that. Someone that doesn't hold a grudge against me and is willing to understand me and take things to heart and not make everything a big deal. I'm a really lucky girl!

Silly games.

I've been sitting on the computer for about 20 minutes and I've already caught onto my brother's trivia game. Cody, 19, Mitchell, 13 and Samuel 11 are taking turns asking the other two questions which they themselves find difficult. Of course I don't understand anything but I still decide to blurt out what I think the answer might be. They ask questions about cartoons they watch, books they read, countries, math problems, themselves, our county, etc. All three of them get on my last nerves, especially when I am trying to have quiet time. They scream about Mitchell liking girls, Samuel biting his gym teacher on the butt, things that wouldn't matter to anyone else. They still tend to argue on until I finally come to out of my room and yell for them to hush. After that, they try to whisper, in a really loud hushed tone. They seriously think they're being quiet though. Even though they annoy me to no end sitting here listening to their nonsense I realize how precious they are and how different I'd be without them. I've grown up with these boys, they defend me and comfort me in times of need and sorrow. I've seem them all at their worse and vise versa, we're still hear for each other. I only hope I can understand their questions soon so I can beat them at trivia games.

11 Pipers Piping.

This morning Samuel's fifth grade chorus had a show on the square of Dahlonega. Melissa, him and I got into our jeep liberty (our only car that's only been in the shop once) and we went to the square. I was feeling as tired as ever but I still wanted to go and see my little brother and his classmates sing cute christmas songs. On the drive there Samuel rambled about how excited he was and how he couldn't sleep last night due to his excitement. He is so cute! When we finally got there Samuel jumped out and Melissa and I went to find somewhere to park. After finding somewhere and walking to the spot where all the little fifth graders and their parents were gathered around I thought "I really hope this doesn't suck". I could tell all the kids were excited. They were all wearing matching shirts, santa hats, reindeer ears, and bells on their wrists. It was all so cute! The first song they did was Twelve Days of Christmas, each kid had their own line. There were 13 kids there total. When it was each kids turn they sung their line and did a cute hand gesture. It came to Samuel and he said in his fast voice "Eleven pipers piping" while he make the movements of a flute with his hands. It was so precious. As I watched these kids sing carol after carol and enjoy themselves to the fullest I realized what a joy singing and being involved with things are. The kids cut up and sang their hearts and jingled their bells. When it was all done I was happy I got out of bed and dressed myself in sweet pants and a sweetshirt to see this show. After it was over Melissa asked Samuel and me if we wanted to go the fudge factory to get some fudge, of course Samuel right away blurted "SURE!" We walked over the store and as we walked in we all got a big whiff of all sorts of sweats. Samuel walked around joyfully trying to decide what he wanted while Melissa and me simply decided we wanted hot chocolate. While we waited we cut up and talked about coming up Christmas Plans and old memories. We entertained the lady working there every so often when we told a funny story. Also while we were waiting I asked Melissa if I could drive home and she told me I could so I immediately couldn't wait to leave. We drove home and Melissa didn't have to help me once, which is good cause usually she has to remind me of things. That was all in about two hours, but it was still a good morning I got to spend with my fabulous step mom and adorable little brother!