The First of a Couple of Things

I simply can not believe how my little sons are growing up.  It seems that each day brings on new advancement in some area of their lives.

Completely fascinating to watch their personalities, speech and humor develop.

My love for them increases to new levels that I never thought imaginable.

I was worried when I was pregnant with Drake.  I didn't know how it would be possible to love my second boy as much as I did Cole.  And I didn't think that fair.

Oh for the words to describe the love for your first child - the introduction of a brand new love that a woman has never known until she holds that firstborn in her arms seconds after his birth.  A soul that she brought into this world through God's design.  A baby that was known by God before He even formed him in her womb.  A baby that was created specifically for her and she for him.  A baby that is her very own.  To provide, to cherish, to protect....and to LOVE.

That last part was the easiest.  And I did it well.

How could this be matched when I had another son?  No probable way.

BUT...

Somehow, some way, God rendered me an abundance of love to lavish on my second-born, chunky, adorable little boy.  Thankfully.

Drake is 10 months old now.  He started waving bye-bye this last weekend.  To a stranger in McDonald's.  Lovely.  Not to his mommy or daddy, but some crazy lady got him to wave at her.

He just flaps his hands and gives that contagious smile.  He's quite proud of his accomplishments.

Cole is 2 years and 11 months old.   This week, a definite first.  He has always been a good "talker."  At 10 months old, he was already saying lots of words.  And these past 6 months, he has just floored me with the way that he's been putting (LONG) sentences together.  Several sentences together - short paragraphs.  I could listen to him talk all day.  Which I do.  He never stops.  Good thing I like it.

Wow.  Kinda resembles his mom and her blog.  

I was putting him to bed Sunday night - going through the normal routine.  Which is...he gets in bed.  (He used to play with his cars for a bit, and then fall asleep without me doing any of the following.)  I sometimes give him a snack in bed and brush his teeth in there as well.  Not always.  But after I have taken care of all that...the following occurs.  I ask, "Do you wanna play a bit or do you want me to cover you up?"  He says (as of recently), "I want you do cubber me up," with an excitement like it's the coolest thing ever.  I cover him up, and go to the armouire because I know what he's going to say next..."I need dox (socks).  My feet dold, and you put dox on and dey won't be." Usually something along those lines.  :)  I turn the sound machine on in the closet if I haven't already.  Go back to his crib and we talk and pray.  I savor these times.

I am the one that normally starts the conversation though.  Not on Sunday night.  I had gone to the closet to turn on the sound machine, and Cole had stopped talking for a few seconds.  Pure miracle right there.  Obviously, something was running through his little brain.

First time that he has ever started a topic of conversation TOTALLY UNRELATED to something that we had been conversing about previously.

Cole: "Mommy, you yike yemonade?
Me, taken back: "Oh yes, I love lemonade.  Do you?"
Cole: "Yah. I weally yike milk.  And orange duice."
Me: "Me too.
Cole: "And I yike yemonade."

So, our first conversation that Cole initiated, was about our favorite drinks.  How cute!  Now, I'll remember it forever.

Anxious to see what other memories will be had when my blessings wake in about 30 minutes.  Love them so much.

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We'll Miss You, Boy.

The hardest thing I've ever, ever done.

Today, we said our final goodbye's to Tucker, our faithful Golden Retriever of 12 years.   

My dad wanted me to help take Tucker in today, because my mom couldn't bring herself to be there.

I don't blame her.  At all.

I loved this dog.  Even though I didn't reside in the same house as he did for the past 6 years since getting married, I still had many years with him.  Many memories.  He was the best dog.

THE best.

I once followed a news story where after some terrible aftermath of a natural disaster, golden retrievers were brought in to help these people cope and place them back on the road to recovery.

I remember in one of my own trivial "disasters" - back in my dating years.

My first heartbreak.

I had always been the bearer of bad news.  But...not that March afternoon in the commons.  Out of nowhere.  He thought we should take spend some time apart.  I was devastated.  I was 18, and I thought my life was over.

I went home...crying.  Sobbing.  Life wasn't fair.

I was in the living room - no one was home yet.  Tucker nudged the french doors open enough to squeeze through.  And he came over to me, sensing something was wrong.  Then when nothing else could have possibly picked up my spirits - that silly dog started playing tug-o-war with my scrunchi.  And he wouldn't stop.  Until he had me laughing.  He helped me realize that things were going to be okay...that I could laugh again.

He helped our family through many hard times.

What a good pet.

I had to drive today with Tucker in the back seat.  His window rolled down.  Every turn, every lane change, took me closer to the inevitable.  Made me so sad.  Lots of tears.

I didn't want to have to be involved in this.  But, I did it.  For my parents.  I did it for them.  Imagining their pain with the way I felt.  I knew I had to do it.

I petted him until he was gone.

Cole will miss his "Tuck-tuck."  We will miss our almost daily visits to see him.  But, we know we did what we needed to do.

I'll miss you, boy.  Thanks for the wonderful memories.

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Front Porch Facelift

Sitting outside.  On my porch.  Writing about my porch makeover.   

My legs dangling.  Swing rocking back and forth.  Slight breeze blowing through the porch openings.

Life is SO wonderfully good.  I am incredibly blessed.

Before of porch.  Not so pretty.

After. Truly, my oasis.

I spend much of my alone time here.  Probably too much.  

Also, I have Cole (& Drake) playing out front in the bigger part of our yard.  Most of the time.

Where I can keep my eyes on the porch children.        

       Some of the things that I just love.      

Ideally, I would like to stain the deck and add a cheaper copycat of this rug.  I just don't know how much longer we'll be here.  So we shall see if I dish more money out on the project.
(Which as you know, wasn't much...beautiful, thrifty pretties excite me.)

And yes, I had to add a picture of the seat cushion and four pillows that I, yes I, sewed.  I'm quite proud of the way they turned out.  Bet you can't tell at all.

My first sewing project = pure giddiness of success.

Love the way the porch looks and how it makes me feel.

Thought I should give you an idea of what I've been enjoying these past several weeks.
Fall is just around the corner.
Soon, these flowers will be replaced with other beauties such as mums and calendulas.
Will enjoy this as long as I can.

Hope you have enjoyed the tour.

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