Christmas Time: The girls are sporting more lovely Christmas dresses - nearly all purchased at garage sales, but don't they look lovely!

PHOTO: 3 1/2 year old Christi, I mean "Rudy" - note the sticker on her nose. She LOVED pretending to be Rudolph! (December 2000)

Shayla and I stopped by the cemetary yesterday to wish Christi a Merry Christmas. We were plesantly surprised to see a new gift left for her by a sweet fellow S.E. 5th grader. On the back she wrote, "I miss U Christi." It was a lovely Angel statue and Shayla asked if we could take it because it might get damaged out in the cold weather. With our new guardian angel in our van, the two of us had an uneventful 3 1/2 hour voyage to my sister's. Shayla is now in all her glory being surrounded by three awesome cousins to play with!

I was able to chat with my beautiful niece, Shelby, as I took her shopping late last night. Our conversation started when I missed my turn and had to turn around in a cemetary. We said a prayer for all of the deceased souls before I headed back out. Then she freely told me how she talks to Christi and about how they shared a special bond and really had a connection. She went on to tell me about some of her dreams she's had since Christi died and some other things. It was incredibly comforting to me. They were incredibly good friends!

Today I will give Christi's cousins each a book from her bedroom. Shayla also has selected a small item from Christi's room to give to each of the kids. Last night I returned the blue ceramic unicorn statue Christi painted with Aunt Tina when she stayed here with her in July. First on our agenda for today however is going to watch Shelby's school show and then I'm picking Ashley up early to take her on a special shopping mission!

Shelby meets Christi for the very first time, days after Christi's birth. (May 1997)
These two girls hit it off early on. (Strangly enough this picture was taken 8 years to the day before Christi died.) Shayne is holding Christi (left) and Shelby at (my cousin) Lora & Chris's wedding. I feel bad about Christi dying on their wedding anniversary, but perhaps Christi picked this special day. (She had a good time at their wedding! I know I have memories of it - all thanks to the photographer....."Where is that child's mother??" was said in reference to Christi running around while Shayne was "caring" for her and I was(pregnant with Shayla) and visiting with my aunts.)
Shayla's birthday (Shelby, left. Christi, right) Photo 2001
Christi's fourth birthday (May 2001)
Last Christimas (Dec. 2005)