Man, er, woman's best friend

So, while I am getting back into the animal shelter volunteering, I look at my own house full of pets. These guys aren't just pets, they're family members. We lost two of them almost a year apart. Bailey, my very sweet boy of almost 12 years and my kitty Tara, aka Monkey, who stayed with me through her 15 lives for 17 years. These two loved me unconditionally. If I was mad, sad, really happy, sick.. whatever, they would be by my side. Now, we have a few stray cats that come to the house to be fed. Sometimes they leave for a week, and I think this is it they're gone, but no.. here they are again! Must be hanging with some other folks at their house for a while. As I type this, my buddy Locker is sitting next to me, just waiting for a rub behind the ears. I don't understand why i'm the only one that like him.. except for Madison.. He's really her dog. He just loves...and loves.... no matter what mood I'm in. Why can't humans just do that. Why do we flip a switch and decide to ignore or mistreat the people we "love", who are supposed to take care of us? I know it all comes down to sin, but we can learn a few things from our four-legged friends.

I so wish I had a huge yard, or several acres for that matter. We would have about 5 dogs, all of which were rescues. It breaks my heart to go volunteer and these animals that get looked over only because they may be a Pit mix.. or ooh, this one has a black tongue.. must be Chow... Which gets me on my other soap box. Look over the years...... I remember German Shepherds where the Tabu dogs.. Then Chows, Rottweilers, and now Pitts. After working with so many Pitts, they have stollen my heart! It's all about how you treat these babies. Love them, and they'll love you back.

I am such a softie for these homeless animals... Cats too. They look up at you with such love and need. Please, if you are thinking about getting a dog or a cat... take a look at the shelter's first. They need us!!! pawmettolifeline.org

Friendships

This weekend we had some good friends come to Clemson with us. Katie and Michael are some of the most awesome people we have every have had the pleasure of knowing.

It was a weekend of firsts for both of them. She had never been tailgating or to a football game for that matter. He went to another ACC school and instantly fell in love with Clemson. We had a great time. He had never fed a baby, and was a natural giving Meredith her bottle. She changed diapers, fed her, you name it. They both kept Madison entertained as well.

The coolest thing about hanging out with them, was the fact that it felt natural. There was never a moment of awkwardness, nothing was strained. We didn't need to keep each other entertained, never had to worry about lack of conversation. We had plenty to talk about, but if we didn't feel like talking, that was not a big deal, or any deal at all. Being with our dear friends just cements our choice of making them the guardians of our girls. They share our beliefs, which means a lot. They are truly our gifts from God.

Stationery card

Baby Love Rose Birth Announcement

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And Little Pretty makes four..

Well, I think my family is complete. On August 8, at 631 p.m., God graced us with our second daughter. Meredith Lynn is here! She weighed in at 8lbs 10 oz and was 20 in. She has a head full of dark hair and is just beautiful! I told Wesley we make pretty babies. Then, after she became jaundice like her sister, I said we make pretty yellow babies! I think we are finally getting on a eat/sleep pattern. I had to switch to formula and that seems to help her sleep and she is beginning to get back to her birth weight.

Madison seems to like being a big sister! She is not too happy when Meredith cries, but she is there to talk to her, kiss her and help feed her. She even helps with diapers, but only to throw the wet ones away.

Madison has started 4 yr old preschool. She is a smart girl and we thought that this would help her transition to kindergarten next year. She gets great reports from her teacher every day. I pick her up at 12:00 and the 3 of us enjoy our afternoon. I kinda like being a temporary stay at home mom. It's a lot of work. Trying to take care of a newborn and trying to entertain a determined four year old. I'm learning. We are all learning together.

Until next time.....

11 weeks and counting

Wow, it's been forever since I blogged. I guess having a baby in the belly can keep you occupied. Not to mention an almost four year old running around!! I am loving that Madison is so excited about having a little brother or sister soon. Yesterday she pulled my shirt up to see my belly, laid her head on it and said "I love my baby". How sweet is that!!! One of the things she has been doing that is not too pleasing to Momma and Daddy, is the whining, complaining, oh and did I mention pure stubborness? Is that a word? Oh well... :) I don't know if it's just the age, or knowing that things will change very soon. I've been going to the doctor every month, and now will be going every two weeks. I did fail my one hour glucose test and next week have my 3 hour one. Not fun. But, I did it with Madison and passed, so we'll see. I could have opted out I guess, but with my family history, I need to do it. So, my little kickboxer is getting bigger. Weighs 3.3 pounds and is growing every day! Ok, think I need a nap.. until next time :)

Saudi Arabia

Who would have that Wesley would be in Saudi Arabia.. Who would have that I would find myself (the independent me) having to depend on someone else..... I praise myself that I can run a household, shopping, taking care of my daughter, volunteering, working and working out. So, now in the short couple of days he's been gone, I have been late to work, thrown up in my hair (ok, would have done that if he was here or not) and having to find time to work out has been a little more difficult. I guess I can't do it all on my own.... Glad he'll be back in a few weeks!!

Rescue!

I can't explain it, but my heart has been opened to all the homeless four-legged babies out there. I have only volunteered with Pawmetto Lifeline twice, but have always wanted to "do something." I walked a few dogs my first day at the shelter. The second time I volunteered was at adoption day at Petsmart. No one got adopted that day. I fell in love with all of them, but know none were a fit with our family. I have very high hopes for them. If you have room in your life, please consider adopting a dog or a cat from a shelter, rather than a puppy mill or pet store. Think about the cuties that need homes too.