Tess's Tidbits: Good News and Bad News...and Another Change

Wow, I'm completely flabbergasted!  Yet another change has happened in our little group.  I hope Mama doesn't have too many more of these up her sleeve.  I don't know how much more we can take. 

By the way, sorry it's been so long since I've posted.  It's been a rough couple of weeks. :}  I'm writing now, though, because Maggie is so frustrated with all the upheaval that she'd probably burn holes in the keyboard with her furious typing!  :)

So, the change I'm speaking of is a change in family groups.  Mama took a bunch of pics of us this past week, and when she took this pic, she started thinking:

She started thinking how alike Emma and Charlie looked, and it made her wonder:  had she gotten the family groups right?  Thus began a few days of intense research.  Then came the revelation.  Mama had us all sit down together for a chat.

"I have a confession to make to all of you," she said.  "I...I was a little too hasty in assuming that Charlie was Katie and Lucy's sister."

Charlie shifted in her seat uneasily.  A few of us exchanged confused looks.

"What exactly are you saying?" Maggie said suspiciously.  Of course, she would be the one to voice what we were all thinking! :}

"I'm saying," Mama began slowly, "that Charlie is actually...Emma's sister."

Emma's jaw dropped.  Charlie gasped.  Katie turned very pale, and Lucy's bottom lip quivered.

"I'm sorry to throw this at all of you now, when we've already had so many changes.  But I thought the sooner I let you know, the easier it would be for everyone to adjust."

Well, as you can imagine, this threw all of us for a loop.  Maggie pretty much isn't speaking to Mama right now.  She's so sick and tired of all of the changes and surprises.  I wonder, too, if she's having a hard time knowing that now she's the only one without a sister.  When Emma was by herself as well, it was easier for Maggie to handle.  Now, she feels like the "odd doll out".  I'll have to be sure to reassure her.

I feel sorry for Mama, personally.  Everyone can make an honest mistake, and I think she was right to tell us as soon as possible.  It would only be harder as time went on.  Katie and Lucy were disappointed, of course, but I think it helped that they'll still have Charlie around as a friend.  After Emma got over the initial shock, she was thrilled to have a sister of her own.  Charlie was a bit dazed about it all, but she really likes Emma, so hopefully that will help ease the transition.

Of course, there was the whole name issue to settle.  After much discussion between Emma, Charlie, Katie and Lucy, it was decided that Katie and Lucy would go back to their old name, Peterson (they were still trying to get used to "Hathaway", anyway).  Emma will now be Emma Grace Hathaway.  She's pretty excited about the name change.  Hathaway is a much more elegant last name than Roberts.  And for a fellow Austen fanatic, that's a very exciting thing.  :)

You might be thinking, "But what about when Charlie first came?  She and Katie 'knew' they were sisters."  I don't really know how to answer that.  Emotions can be tricky and misleading sometimes.  Maybe they were so excited and anticipating everything so much that they thought they "felt" something.  I don't know.  Maybe we'll never know.  But Mama is completely confident in her research now.  Emma and Charlie are definitely sisters.

In other news, we just heard from Ella's new "Mama".  She arrived there safe and sound and is doing well, though she's a little tired from her trip.  I think she's going to try and email us when she gets a little more settled.

I was having a really rough time there for a while.  It was sooo hard to say goodbye to Ella.  Mama really helped me, though.  She encouraged me to talk about what I was feeling, and even shared some of the Bible verses she likes to read when she's upset about something.  My favorite one was Romans 8:28:  "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."  It was nice to be reminded that God cares and is in control of everything that happens. 

Mama also said that any time I was sad or lonely for Ella, I could talk to God about it.  It won't make all the pain go away, but it helps.  I'll always miss my little sister, but I'm so thankful that she's in a great home, and that God is taking care of her.

So, regarding my title, I have some good news and some bad news to share with you...although it seems a little trivial after all we've been through.  Just bear with me. :}  I suppose I'll start with the bad news and get it over with first.

Do you remember my earlier post about wanting the special edition Samantha doll in her Christmas dress?  I've been hoping and wishing that I would get her.  I mentioned my wishes to Mama, just in case she needed a gift idea for me...not that my birthday is any time soon, but still...I figured it couldn't hurt to mention it.  Mama likes shopping early for things. :)

Well, a few of weeks ago (before all of this craziness), Mama told me we needed to talk and took me into the other room.  The minute we sat down, I knew something was wrong.  Mama looked like she was trying to figure out a way to say something without hurting my feelings.  She sat there for a moment.

"Tess," she finally said, "I'm afraid I won't be able to get you the holiday Samantha doll that you wanted."

I tried not to look too disappointed.  "Oh," I said quietly.

"I'm sorry, I know how much you wanted it.  But I looked into it today, and by the time you add tax and shipping, it's $30."

I nodded slowly, wondering what her point was.  I knew $30 was a lot of money, but I also knew Mama had spent that much at a time on doll stuff before.  Did she just not want to get me the doll?

As if she sensed my confusion, she leaned forward and took my hand.  "Try to understand, Tess.  I know I've spent more than that on dolls or doll accessories in the past, but I've never spent that much on any one accessory...especially such a small one.  I mean, that's more than I paid for you...and you were much bigger!"

I blinked at her comment, then hid a smile.  Maggie would be spitting nails at this.  Mama has learned a lot about our culture since having us in her home, but she still hasn't learned how very rude it is to talk about how much your person paid for you.  It's considered indelicate and distasteful.  With some dolls, mentioning their purchase price can cause them to stop speaking to you for weeks.  It may seem silly to you humans, but it's a very grave issue for us dolls.

"What I'm trying to say is, I just can't justify spending that much on one little doll, when I could buy 2 or 3 used ones elsewhere for the same price!"

I nodded again, seeing the possibility of getting my Samantha doll fade away into the distance.

Mama could tell I was disappointed.  "I'm sorry about this, honey.  I know how much you liked her, but I just can't do it.  Maybe in a year or so, when people are selling them used, we can find one for a better price.  I don't know, though.  Since they're limited editions, they might just go up in price."

It was a done deal.  I wouldn't be getting Samantha.  Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes.  I blinked them back quickly.  I didn't want to make Mama feel worse than she did.  But, oh, how I'd wanted her!  "That's okay, Mama," I said, forcing a smile.  "I have lots of figurines.  I guess I don't really need a doll."

"Who said you weren't getting a doll?" Mama asked.

"Um...I thought you did," I replied, confused.

"No, I just said I couldn't get your special Samantha," Mama corrected me.  "I'd like to get you a doll, but I wanted to talk to you first."

And here comes the good news, everyone!

"I was wondering if you'd still like a Samantha if she was in her meet dress, or if you'd rather go back to your original favorite doll, Rebecca."

My jaw dropped.  "Really?  Do you really mean it Mama?"

"Of course," she smiled.  Then her expression sobered.  "I know it's been a tough couple of weeks for you.  I thought maybe getting a special doll would help things a little bit."

"Oh, thank you, Mama!" I cried out, flinging my arms around her neck...as far as they would reach, at least.

"Even if it's not your first choice?" she asked.

I smiled.  "Even if it's not my first choice."

"So now you just have to decide which doll you'd like.  I found an original Samantha and a Rebecca, both at really good prices.  I thought maybe we could try to find a matching outfit for you, no matter which one you chose."

So there you have it.  I'm officially getting a doll.  The problem is, I just don't know which one to choose.  Samantha looks more like me, but I love Rebecca a lot, too.  Do any of you have any suggestions?  Which one would you choose?