He's Family...

Before people have children a lot of times they will start with a family pet. In 2005, I begged Dan to buy me a Golden Retriever. After a lot of persuasion on my part, he finally gave in and got me one. Drake was 8 weeks old when we brought him home with us in August of 2005. He has been my great buddy since then. Dan had told me that Drake was MINE and he had nothing to do with raising him. I think that lasted all of 1 month until Dan realized what a wonderful dog we had. Drake has been my best friend, my shoulder to cry on and my bed partner many times. And as I laid with my nose nuzzled into his thick, golden fur last night, I couldn't help but think of all the wonderful times we have had with him and how blessed we are that he ended up in our home. I have often said that Drake was my first baby! Before Emma came along a lot of people told me my feelings for Drake would change once I looked into the eyes of my human baby, but I can tell you that they didn't. I was just as excited for him to meet her and wanted them to be great buddies. I felt at times that I was the mother of 2 children....when Drake barked-Emma cried, when Emma cried-Drake barked. Drake was not thrilled when Emma became mobile and started crawling around on all fours like himself, but when she popped up on 2 legs they became great friends. He is so gentle, so loving and so tolerable with her. I love to watch her shower him with love as she has watch us do so many times. She loves him and is now calling him "Her doggie". Drake is not just a family pet....HE'S FAMILY!!!

                                     

Drake's face when he heard Emma cry for the 1st time!

He's so patient with her!

A face that melts your heart!

Mother's Day!

Celebrating Mother's Day as a child was always a way to show your Mom how much she meant to you and how you cherished her. For the past 2 years I have been a Mother and it's amazing how each and every day I feel that my 2 year old cherishes me and loves me with her whole heart. It's a wonderful feeling to look into your little ones eyes and then hear her say "I love you Mommy". When her little arms wrap around my kneck (or in a lot of cases, my leg) and she squeezes with all her might, my heart melts into a million pieces and I have to stop what i'm doing and just hold her for a moment. Our little ones will not be little for long and I don't want to wake up in 10 years time and wonder why I didn't take the time to enjoy her "baby years". Emma will always be my baby, but her little hands will grow in mine and I will miss those tiny little pitter patters of her feet. The Lord has blessed me with her and she made my Mother's Day by laughing, smiling and kissing. Here are a few pictures my wonderful sister was able to capture while Emma and I had a Mommy/Daughter moment on a WONDERFUL Mother's Day afternoon.

Catching up...

Since I am new at this blogging world. I ask that you bear with me through confusing posts! I was hoping to catch everyone up to date, so that I can begin my blog. My aim is to have a daily post along with some pictures from our day. We may miss a few, we may get lost in the mumbo-jumbo of life, but I do hope you will follow along with me and hopefully enjoy a little look into our lives...

We have had the joy of Emma's (aka, Pokey) company for almost 2 years now. I can only say that it feels like yesterday we welcomed her into our lives. She has been a precious joy and a treasure from above. The Lord knew what he was doing when he placed that little one in my arms. Each day is a new journey with her, and I do wake up (on most mornings) looking forward to her smile and chatter. With the terrible two's only weeks away, some days are a struggle as we move in and out of temper tantrums and independence. She loves to look at me and say "No, Emma do it". I can not count how many times a day we hear that little statement.

Emma was born with a bicuspid aortic valve and has been seeing a cardiologist at MUSC since she was only 3 months old. It was determined at birth when her pediatrician heard a heart murmur. Since this runs in our family, we all thought it was just a minor heart murmur. Unfortunately, it turned out to be a little more than that. Even though she lives a completely normal life and can do all the activities she enjoys, we do have to keep it in our mind and prayers. Our next appointment will be July 14, when we will know a little more. I promise to keep you "posted" on that.

Otherwise, life is as normal as we know it and I look forward to have this little space to share it all with you. Thanks for following and I do hope you enjoy!

From the beginning...

 

Our family began on Sunday, March 25 2007 when Dan and I said "I Do".  I was blessed to have 3 stepchildren join us on this special day. I would never know the true meaning of parenthood until Dan and I welcomed our bundle of joy, Emma Elizabeth. She was born on Wednesday, March 18 2009 at 8:54. Even though Dan and I had been together a number of years, I can truly say that this was the day our little family started together!