Julia's Christmas 2006

Christmas Eve.

I was going to meet Granny. Daddy rented a pretty, silver minivan for our trip. Three of the Boiz had to work until 8 PM, so while we were waiting for them to get home, Mama packed my suitcase and some food and presents.

All 7 of us "Locked and Loaded" into the van and headed for LA, which is Lower Alabama in our family's joke. Daddy drove lots of hours in a big, bad rain storm. Mama held me the whole time. It was scary some of the time because the rain was coming down hard.

We arrived past midnight. I went in with the Boiz to meet Granny. Granny is 93 years old and her stringing is loose. She has lost some stuffing in her head, too. She doesn't feel good most of the time and stays in her bed a lot. It was a suprise that we were coming to visit.

When it was my turn to say hello, I didn't know if she'd like me or not. But she did. She held me tight and even covered me with the sheet.

Mama and Daddy and I went to bed in the guest bedroom. It was hard to sleep because I knew Christmas Day would soon be here.

The next morning, I got up and dressed in my special Christmas outfit. On the table was a tree just my size. I had a Christmas stocking with candy in it, just like the Boiz. You can see it in my left hand.

Then we opened presents. I got a book, an art set, and an artists' tote bag filled with paper and pencils. Kewl.

Granny held me while she was sitting in her wheelchair. She smiled every time she saw me and she didn't mind posing for this picture.

I took a nap while Mama and Aunt Jo (who is Daddy's sister and the Boiz' aunt) cooked dinner. The Boiz played video games (of course) and Daddy visited with the other relatives. Granny said she wanted a doll. She wants a boy doll to cuddle. Mama and I will send her one soon.

After dinner we had to leave so the Boiz could get back for work the next day. I had a nice time and especially enjoyed meeting Daddy's Mom, Granny. I was very glad to bring smiles to her face. And see the angel on the Christmas tree? I think THAT is the angel who watches over Granny when I'm not there.

Merry Christmas to everyone. Hugs, Julia*

Acceptance

Eldest Brother: (to Mama) "What do you want for Christmas?."

Mama: "Nothing in particular, but I think Julia would like a gift."

Eldest Brother: "Of course, Mom. She's part of the family."

I overheard that conversation yesterday. I feel like Eldest Brother is beginning to consider me as the First Sister, the Little Sister they never had. Could it be true? Could he be thinking I'm Real?



Then Dax, the cat, came and sat with me..well actually ON me. If The Cat of the house accepts me, maybe the other Boiz will. They are wonderful Elder Brothers and I adore each of them 10 stars.




Oh Dax, your fur is so soft. Even if you are a bit heavy! Love, Julia

Daddy's Girl

Today Mama and Daddy took me outside to watch the International Space Station travel overhead. It was bright, like a really big star and twinkled. It wasn't round, but had uneven edges. If Mama and Daddy had a telescope, we could have seen the Space Shuttle Discovery attached to the side of the Space Station.

The best part is that Daddy wrapped me in the front of his coat while we watched it pass overhead. My head was sticking out just under his chin. I was warm and toasty because Daddy kept me safe. Mama held my hand and all three of us saw the vehicle that the Astronauts are living in.

In the picture I am holding an official NASA ISS patch Daddy got at the Huntsville Space Center Museum. I am wearing my sweatsuit that Mama made just for me.

You can enter your own location at nasa.gov and see when the ISS will come over your house. Or you can google search "International Space Station Flight Path" and find out.

It was KEWL!! Love, Julia*

Julia at Home.

Here is a picture of Julia resting on the sofa with me. She seems interested in what's on TV, and I was taking a nap. Thought you'd like to see her posability and how she has worked her way into my daily routine...

"Did God Make Me?"

Julia asked, " I know God made the sky and the flowers and all those things. I know He made you and Daddy and the Boiz. But did God make me?"

Yes, my little resin angel. In a way, He did make you. God created all the things from which you are made: the minerals that were combined to make your bones and skin, the naturally grown things that were used to produce your hair, eyes and stringing, the pigments from elements that were mixed to paint your face, and the animal hair that was sewn to make your eyelashes. All those things were first created by God.

Most importantly, God made the Human who designed you. A loving man, as a gift for his beloved wife, took clay and shaped it to make your sister's face and body. Then, after a time, the man designed you. The man gently poured elements into a mold and waited. Then he removed you from the mold, added string, hair and glass eyes in a box, and sent you to me.

When you got to me, I took all the little pieces and put you together. Then...the best part. I took you into my arms and hugged you.

You weren't exactly precisely made by God himself, but you came from things that He provided to Man to create with. And the energy to create beautiful things comes from the Creator. So, essentially, my little beloved resin angel, you WERE created by God.

(Julia smiled her sweet smile, snuggled into the crook of my elbow, and rested.)

Introducing Julia Chitori

This is my beloved Volks MSD, Julia Chitori. Her original name was Myu and she had blonde hair and cobalt blue eyes. I purchased a long dark brown wig for her and am planning to buy blue eyes at some point.

Julia came home on October 31, 2006, one day after my father would have had his 100th birthday. Waiting for her was very nerve wracking. The week it took for her to travel from California to my home seemed a month long.

Julia goes almost everywhere with me, wrapped in her travel/cuddle blanket and tucked into my purse. She calls me "Mama" and DH allows her to call him "Daddy". That is a huge honor in my household.

I hope you enjoy her stories and adventures. Connie B.