Sound Asleep

This book must have been just too good to put down. 

Lily’s Seventh Birthday

Well, we already know it was a pretty stinky birthday, but I am going to document anyway.  Not long after we woke up, I got a text that there was a surprise for Lily at the door.  Porter brought her present over to her early hoping to cheer her up.  She then opened up presents from Mimi, Papa, Doncie, and Poppy.

And that was about she all she had in her, then it was back to the couch for a nap. 

Is there anything more pitiful than blowing out a candle in a yogurt?
This was when I finally felt hope that she was getting better.  She sat up for a little while that evening doodling in her new doodle book that Porter had given her. 
After missing four days of school, she returned Friday.  I took donuts up to her class during lunch to celebrate her birthday.  You know a kid feels pretty darn rotten when they can’t finish a chocolate and sprinkle covered Krispy Kreme donut!
Lily Bean, I am sorry your birthday was pretty stinky.  You are an amazing little seven year old and bring so much joy to us.  You have lost so many teeth and have the cutest toothless smile that I love.  Your favorite food is my chicken pot pie along with oysters, fruit, and Chick-fil-A.  You now eat an entire 12 count nugget meal at Chick-fil-A.  I am thrilled to report that you LOVE to read.  You stay up too late every night reading.  Your favorite books are a fairy series, Magic Tree House, and Ramona.  You are starting The Boxcar Children.  You also read your devotional every night without fail.  You love history too and have enjoyed reading books about historical figures such as George Washington, Sacajawea, Helen Keller and Abraham Lincoln. 
As smart as you are, school just isn’t your thing.  I think first grade has been a big adjustment.  There is so much to learn that there just isn’t enough time to play like in kindergarten.  You love your teacher, but don’t really love school.  The hardest part for you (and me) is that you have to wake up way before you are ready to in the morning.  Girl, I’m going to tell it like it is: you are not a morning person!  You are pretty miserable and don’t mind letting everyone know about it.  We are working on this and I can only keep my fingers crossed for second grade. 
You still want to be a vet when you grow up.  I’m not really sure what your favorite shows are.  You enjoy The Electric Company, Franklin, Arthur and several others.  You are now adamantly opposed to anything Dora, as that is “for babies.”  We have to be careful on the movies we watch with you.  Your tender heart can only handle so much emotion so we steer clear of anything with a sad storyline.  You tear up if I even mention Charlotte’s Web. 
You still take Lovey with you everywhere you go.  He can leave your room now that you don’t suck your thumb anymore.  You are also smitten with Cuddles – a ratty old lion or bear or dog that used to be mine growing up.  You enjoy legos, crafts, riding your bike, and playing with your sister. 
You are a sweet girl with a loving and kind heart.  Mommy and Daddy love you so very much!

4K PJ Day

The most anticipated day of the year!

The Second One to Fall…

was Lily.  And boy did this poor child fall.  I have never seen her so sick.  She started throwing up in the middle of the night and could not stop.  She literally threw up every twenty minutes.  Thank goodness the pediatrician’s office called in Zophran for her.  It finally worked and she got some relief.  I pushed fluids but between the throwing up and fever, she could not stay hydrated.  She was so weak and could hardly hold her head up.  She slept and slept…

As much as I hated to do it, ON HER BIRTHDAY, I had to take her in.  Our pediatrician was immediately concerned and said she needed IV fluids.  They wanted to spare her going to the hospital on her birthday and attempted to start a line in the office.  Attempted THREE times.  My poor baby was screaming and crying tears (fluid that she couldn’t spare)!  As she was being stuck the third time, she yelled, “this is the worst birthday ever.”  I have to agree with her.  As birthdays go, this one was pretty stinky.  Finally, our doctor made her promise that she would drink every 20 minutes.  Lily said she would do anything to not get poked again. 

The pictures of her after her illness are harder for me to look at than the ones during.  She lost at least four pounds and four pounds on her tiny body makes a huge difference.  I had her eating sausage, butter, ice cream – anything to put some meat back on her bones.

The First One to Fall…

…was Sarah Ellen - fall to the dreaded stomach bug that is.  I at first misdiagnosed her illness as coxsackie.  She started out with a fever and had a few sores in her mouth.  In retrospect, however, I realized this was just one mean, nasty, ferocious virus that disguised itself with differing symptoms for all.  Her fever lasted several days and she felt pretty crummy.  It was a good thing she had sweet Daisy to snuggle with and make her feel better (while on the floor because mamma was not about to take a chance with throw up on her new furniture). 

Asheville

Asheville was not only a great trip because we got our sweet Daisy, but also because we were able to visit great friends. Tripp and Angie were more than gracious hosts allowing us to come stay WITH our new dog that we had never even met.  They were in on the surprise from the beginning and a big help to me.  I am thankful we could share this special fun with them. 

Their house is nestled way up high on a mountain over looking Asheville with breathtaking views.  We enjoyed some great meals, downtime, and playtime.  The girls had so much fun together and giggled and sang the entire weekend.  We even were able to catch a few snow flurries on our tongue. 

Meet Daisy!

We have a new girl in our life and boy is she sweet.  James and I had been debating for quite some time about getting another dog.  As much as I love a lab, I really did not want to do the whole crazy dog hair thing again.  For months we researched breeds – small breeds, hypoallergenic breeds, non shedding breeds.  Nothing seemed right. 
Meanwhile, on one of James’ business trips to Nashville, Susan, a paralegal he works with out there, mentioned to him that she had a rescue lab that needed a good home.  James casually mentioned this to me and I quickly shot him down – remember all that dog hair. 
A month or so later on another trip to Nashville, Susan brought Hannah (her name then) to meet James.  Susan knew what she was doing, because Hannah melted his heart. He took the picture of her below. It took James a few days after his return to bring her up to me.  He couldn’t get over how sweet and gentle she was.  He assured me she was so calm.  I shot him down once again.  Don’t forget the dog hair!  James sweetly accepted this and moved on.
 
All this took place in January right before James’ birthday.  One night the thought hit me of what an awesome surprise it would be for him to get Hannah for his birthday.  But, no way, I was not ready for that.  A big ole lab chewing things up, scratching the floors, tracking in pluff mud.  And have I mentioned how bad the dog hair is?  Even with all those thoughts, I couldn’t stop thinking how excited James would be.
One morning, I stopped debating, snooped around and found Susan’s e-mail and told her we would take the dog.  She instantly called me and was thrilled.  She assured me that Hannah was the sweetest lab she had ever fostered.  From there, we began brainstorming the surprise.  I had to keep this secret for THREE weeks and let me tell you, we saw more yellow labs in that three weeks than ever before. 
Susan and I schemed and plotted and made plans to meet up in Asheville.  We already had a trip planned to visit Tripp and Angie in early February.  Poor James.  He called Susan to tell her we would not be taking Hanna.  I think he still had hopes of changing my mind, but Susan told him she had already found a good home for Hannah.  We both hated the disappointment we saw in him, but knew it would be worth it to see the surprise on his face.
And was it ever worth it.  When the morning FINALLY arrived it took a lot of last minute whispers and texts between me, Angie, Tripp, and Susan, but we did it.  The look on his face was absolutely priceless.  The girls were completely thrilled. 
      
 I can’t remember why Sarah Ellen was upset here, but you know, she is Sarah Ellen.

It didn’t take her long to figure out who her master was.  She followed James everywhere.  She was pretty skittish at first, especially of children, but warmed up quickly.    
Susan was right, she is so gentle, calm and sweet.  She also is the perfect size, weighing around 60 pounds.

After living with her for awhile, we decided that she just wasn’t a Hannah and changed her named to Daisy.  She has melted all her hearts.  Lily will lay with her and rub her for the longest time.  She follows me all over the house.  Daisy still isn’t so sure of unpredictable Sarah Ellen, but tolerates her well enough.  She runs out to go potty and runs back in so no worries of having to get a fence.  She truly is the perfect dog for our family and we are blessed to have her. 
Oh and about the dog hair – I got me a little buddy to help out with that.  Meet Roby – our little vacuuming robot.

Hiking

James and Trey took the kids hiking one morning at the Francis Marion National Forest. 


That is one big pile of cuteness!