My Buddy!

What can be more fun that an evening with a neighborhood buddy? Whether bubble blowing, bouncing a ball back-n-forth or sidewalk chalk... Lilli just loves our neighbor Ali!  She often looks out the window, hoping that Ali is outside.
Ali is in the 5th grade and is so sweet with Lilli. Lilli looks up to her soooo much! I see "babysitter potential" in the near future. What do y'all think?

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! ((HUGS))

Photo Friday - Picnic in the Park

Danny was on night shift the evening of Labor Day, so we didn't go to the beach to celebrate Labor Day weekend. We had a great time at the Nature Center in Kinston, having a picnic with Lilli's Nana and Papa (my parents). After the picnic, Lilli was able to play in the park.

What a glorious day... the sun shining and it wasn't too hot!! The perfect day for a picnic in the park. Hope to have more days like these in the near future...

Hope everyone has a fantastic weekend! ((HUGS))

...a hard day

Today is Thankful Thursday... and I am thankful for the life of our 15 year old dog Merry Freckles. She gave us so many good years. In her day, she was playful and could catch a frisbee in mid-air. She even won "Best in Show" at the ARC of Lenoir County's ARC BARK several years ago.

ARC BARK in 2002 with Merry Frex & Annabelle Lee

Danny and I made the difficult decision to have Merry Freckles put to sleep yesterday afternoon. She has suffered for several years from Cushing's disease, or hyperadrenocorticism. It's a very common condition in older dogs. It caused her to have severe skin allergies... she would scratch & dig at her skin until it bled. She had very little hair left and was so uncomfortable!! She also had terrible arthritis and was having a hard time moving around. Even getting up to a standing position had become a task for her.

Although Cushing's disease is treatable, Merry Freckles was no longer reacting positively to any of the medications. The doctor had been treating her with several medications and special medicated baths for over two years... Her hair came back for a little while and then most of it fell out again.

Furthering her life would be for us, not for Merry Freckles. It would be wrong. The doctor agreed that it was time, saying that she would not get better, only worse.

Lilli with her "good girl"!

I have never experienced anything like this. I held on to her when Dr. Palmer administered the medicine to put her to sleep, the whole time whispering in her ear that we loved her, calling each family member by name. The doctor became emotional... the staff cried also. It was sad, yet beautiful at the same time.
Although my heart is aching, she is finally at peace. I'll miss her so much!! Rest in peace my dear old friend! We love you!

What are you thankful for today?

Tap Dance Kid!

Lilli started her FIRST tap class with Mrs. Jessica at Dance, ETC. last night! The dance studio is GREAT and the teachers are so talented.

http://danceetcstudio.com/

Aren't I cute in my dance outfit and tap shoes?

...with Mrs. Jessica, my teacher!

She was a bit timid at first, but by the end of the class Mrs. Jessica said Lilli was doing well... a little less shy! She wants to tap like "Annie" (Anyone surprised?), so I told her she really needed to pay attention to her teacher and use her listening ears! :o)

Can you tell I'm a little nervous?

I asked her to show me what she learned after class and she proceeded to bounce up & down and then shuffle her feet. I think I've got a "Tap Dance Kid" on my hands!

Mommy & her lil' tapper! :o)

Hope everyone has a wonderful Wednesday! ((HUGS))

Getting better all the time...

After a relaxing, long weekend, I am happy to report I am well on the road to recovery. Most of you know I had a thermal endometrial ablation procedure on Thursday of last week, in an attempt to prevent a hysterectomy. I am feeling GREAT... better than I have for a long, long time! I'll return to work today!

Over the weekend, I was able to get lots of necessary rest and even enjoy sometime outside with my favorite 3 year old. I took loads of photos too!! Saturday we got outside for some bubble blowing, a tricycle ride and sidewalk chalk! Lilli enjoyed spending time with her Mommy... she told me, "Mommy you look so pretty. That doctor made you feel all better. I think I like him!"

Stay tuned for more Labor Day weekend photos. You know, I am the "paparazzo" when it comes to my child! :o)
Thanks to all my bloggy friends that kept me in your prayers... BIG, BIG, BIG ((HUGS))!!!! Please keep me in your prayers, as I continue to recooperate over the next month. We are praying, my doctor included, that this procedure will be the only surgery necessary...
Have a terrific Tuesday!

Wordless Wednesday - Rise & Shine

Hope everyone has a spectacular Wednesday! ((HUGS))

Goodbyes & a long ride home...

Saturday evening we enjoyed one last meal together at an amazing Italian restaurant around the corner from our hotel. The girls enjoyed their pasta and we enjoyed each other's company at a "goodbye dinner" of sorts. The realization that our visit had to end was sinking in. I think we were all hoping it could last a few more days. I know Lilli wanted it to, as she expressed to me that she wanted to play with Hannah and Isabella at the hotel forever.

Lilli began her "mourning" when the when the sun came up. She knew we had loaded up the van the evening before with most of our belongings and already had a pout on her face. She told me that she did NOT want to leave. I told her the puppies, kitty and fish were waiting at home and her response: "So!" (OH MY!!!) I said, "But they miss you, Lilli!" And again her response was "So!" She then told me a second time that she wanted to play with Hannah and Isabella at the hotel forever.
The bond these little girls share is unlike anything I have ever seen... It's a blessing to witness!  I wish our families lived closer to one another. I wish all of our travel mates lived nearby. I hope we can make vacationing together an annual event. These girls love each other too much to deny them the opportunity of growing up together.

After our goodbyes, the GPS charted our course home and off we went. The route home included traveling on the Jamestown Ferry. Lilli's 1st Ferry ride! What fun and I think it helped her get over her heartache of missing her friends, although she is still talking about how much she misses Hannah and Isabella, one week later...

Hope everyone has a terrific Tuesday! ((HUGS))