Merry Christmas from Christie

Hello everyone,
Please know this is going to be a long entry. So much to say about Christmas with Christie. We went to see Christie for Christmas. We got there before she got off the bus from school. We spent our time waiting talking with Chris. He is another resident at FCC. Chris is a young man whom Mama and I have adopted. He calls us Mama and Mam maw like Christie does. We visit with him when we see Christie.
Christie was meet at the bus with her Santa hat in hand. Christie and I have always worn Santa hats at Christmas. We spent a few minutes outside looking at a new born kitten that the mama cat was trying desperately to find a safe spot to put her kitten. They must have been born the night before but it appeared that one had drowned in all the rain that Miami had Thursday night.
We went inside to the " Christmas Party" it was a beautiful but sad event all at the same time. It reminded me of a movie scene set at an orphanage. All of the children were set in a semi circle in front of a table laden with gifts. The gifts where handed out and each child received one gift. They spent a little while looking and playing with there gifts. There was also some finger foods provided for the ones that could eat it. Then the children returned to there rooms or to the hall way and Christmas was over. Christie had a great time. She kept asking " is it Christmas" I would say "yes" and she would say "Is there a present for me?" I said "yes, you have a lot of presents" Christie had a great time opening her gifts.
We where also ecstatic to find out while we where there that Christie is now eating 3 meals a day even at school. They are still pureed but she isn't receiving anything from the feeding tube at this time. If this continues with no problem the feeding tube will be removed at a later time. We where also more happy to learn that all though the surgeons and doctors have said Christie will not walk, CHRISTIE IS WALKING. Christie can walk with assistance half the length of the hall way. Pillar the physical therapist said she was going to surprise us with Christie walking on Christmas day. I know Richard will send us all a video of such a happy and monumental moment as he did when Christie first stood.
After the party we hung out with Christie, had supper with her then tucked her into bed. She was exhausted. She gets up for school about 5 A.M. I think I was told.
Saturday we went back. and spent the day with Christie. We just chilled out. We both drew or colored with her new art set. While she drew I treated her to a day at Mama's Spa. I brushed and braided her hair, shaved her legs and applied a nice smelling lotion that Christie liked the smell of, and I cut her toe nails. It was fun to see her admiring her fresh pampered look. Sometime during that day we watched "second hand lion " on TV. I got up in Christie's bed and she sat beside me in her chair with her feet propped up on the bed next to mine. We also had lunch and supper with Christie.
Sunday we spent most of the day with Christie. We had lunch together. Mrs. Patricia the speech therapist was there. Christie ate very well. After lunch Christie was to have therapy.Mrs. Patricia was going to let Christie chose which kind of chips she wanted. Christie is working on eating crunchy things in therapy. When asked what kind she wanted, Christie raised her hand as in school and said actually I really don't want any I'm full.She made a face like a chipmunk with checks full. It was really funny. Christie is so much like the girl she has always been. There's still pieces missing that will never return but it is awesome to see what is.
The whole weekend was great, It was also great to see Brittany, Christie's roommate before she left. Brittany got to go home Saturday for good. She has progressed enough to where she was able to leave. I look forward to the day when Christie to gets to come home.
I can't wait til the next visit with Christie.