Happy Birthday Shae'!!!

Shae' Shae'!!!  I can't believe you are turning ONE tomorrow!  Wow...this year has really flown by.  I'm excited and sad all at the same time.  Excited for all the new things you are learning and doing, but sad that you are growing so fast. :/  Please slow down, just a little please?


I can say without hesitation that you have made this last year very interesting for our family.  You started out by coming into this world in the middle of the night (4:08a.m.) and you have kept us up at night ever since.  You are definitely one tough kid to figure out.  Even as your mommy, whose supposed to 'know' what you need/want at all times, I have been at a loss countless times.  I think you are ready to change the world and just can't sleep due to all the plans running through that pretty head of yours.  It's obvious you have big plans and can't wait to start implementing them......I mean that's clear from the fact that you are so 'busy'....from walking at 10 months (and practically running now!) to always being on the go and looking for something else to do.....I can't wait to see how you change your world!


You are such a sweetheart.  I love how you are always eager to give love to your family and how you are quick to hug and kiss Carter when he's upset.  You love your brother so much!  You two will be best friends through life and I love watching the relationship between you grow. 
It's so sweet to see you light up when you see Daddy for the first time at the end of a work day, or when I come into your room first thing in the morning.  You smile with your eyes and it is so beautiful!  


You have taught me so much in the last year.  You have taught me patience that I didn't  know I was capable of.  You have taught me how to slow down and appreciate the simple things.  I've learned that those hand prints on the coffee tables can wait a little longer to be wiped off (they're actually kinda cute)...that the nose prints on the windows can stay until tomorrow (after all, you'll just put more on there tomorrow when you're watching for daddy to come home) and that sleep isn't nearly as important as I once thought (well, it's important, but I can function on far less than I once thought!  And besides, the sunrise sure is beautiful).  You've caused me to say 'no' to others far more than I ever have....and you know, that's ok.  I've learned that this is a 'season of life' that we are in.....we won't be as involved in other things as we once were.....not at this time anyway...and I'm ok with that. If I can teach you what's right, show you how to live and love and instill a love for God in your heart, then I will be more fulfilled than I've ever been doing anything else.


 Thank you baby girl for teaching me all of this.   You are going to do great things, I just know it.  And you will keep our family very interesting in the process, I'm sure.  You are beautiful inside and out and I can't imagine our family without you!


Happy Birthday Baby Shae'.  Mommy loves you!

When you were just a few hours old

a few days old here....

3 months....

8 months....

last week at church....almost 1!

at the pumpkin patch with mommy....

your 1 year pictures

Decisions....

I am in the midst of decision time and am desperately looking for some advice!  Here goes......

We have had our dog, Schroeder for 7 years now.  I love this dog.  I begged Tom for over a year to get him for me and he was like a first child for us.  He went everywhere with us, vacations, etc. and we spoiled him rotten.  Fast forward a bit.....having kids in our lives now, Schroeder has definitely become more of a 'dog' to us.  We still love him (well, I do anyway), but he is no longer the 'child' to us he once was.  I mean, we are busy with two little ones now.  And Tom is dying to get rid of him.  Sad, I know.  My husband has never been a dog lover and has only 'tolerated' the dog because of my love for him.  Since Shae' has come along and we've had such a rough go with her, Schroeder has become more and more difficult to handle.  He's not a bad dog, but he's just extra money and energy....and I'm running out of both! :/  We have had to spend quite a bit this last month on him too because of some issues he's had.  

So, I'm actually considering finding another home for him.  Now, after all of this, in my heart I just don't think I can do it, but I'm putting my feelers out there and keeping an open mind to the idea at least.  I know it would make my husband happy and make for a little more peace in our home.....I just don't know if I can part with him after 7 years!  It would be less stress in my life, but not sure if I can handle the guilt that would undoubtedly follow.  If you are reading this and not a pet owner, you will not understand, but if you are a pet owner, I need to hear from you!  Have you ever had to do anything like this?  What was the experience like for you?  

Again, I don't think I'm gonna be able to do it (sorry Tom if you're reading!)  But I'm at least considering it which is more than I've ever done.   I just want to hear some thoughts from my friends.  Comment on the blog itself rather than FB if you don't mind :)