Where did the month of May go?

The month of May began with the birth of Madison on May 3, 2010 and a wonderful week spent with Hunter. Then I go into withdrawal from not being with Hunter. There's something really special when you hear him say "Vivi". . . your heart just melts. So I return home the following Monday night. I have never been away from Dwayne that long. It was very evident that I was missed. While away he worked on the kitchen tile (we have been remodeling the kitchen/den area for over a year, but I will go into that more in another blog, where I will be showing before and after pictures). Anyway I arrive home to some major tile work and some goodies for mother's day. I have never been away from Dwayne for that long. As we were catching up on all that had gone on and the things he had done around the house he informed me that it was good to have me home because he could now stop talking to himself. I love that guy, he always makes me feel so special.

The next thing you know it is May 22, Dwayne's birthday. Below is a picture of him at 3 months of age. So cute! Can you believe it - his birthday is on the twenty-second and mine is on the twenty-fifth - we were born in the very same hospital. What are the odds we were there at the same time? Back then they kept you a lot longer.

So what does Big D do on his birthday? Well he started the day off by bringing me a Starbucks and it's not even my birthday. Once again I've got to say, "I love that guy!" He spoils me. But as you can see by the pictures below he spends most of the morning cutting tile so that we can finish up the kitchen.

As you can see by the picture at the very bottom this is the section we worked on and finished it the following day. And a couple of days later Dale (Dwayne's brother comes over and helps Dwayne put the vent-a-hood and now I can officially say the kitchen is complete and that post will follow one of these days). The day wasn't all work and no play. We ended up attending a wonderful wedding that evening. Lot's of good food, dancing, and just being with friends. So all in all Big D had a pretty good birthday.

And then there's Memorial Day Weekend, where most folk's go out of town. Not us! We spent the weekend working in our yard and babysitting, wait a minute that should be dog sitting our grand dogs. Yes that's right - grand dogs. Rebekah and James have 4. Their pictures are below. The first one is of the 3 smaller ones. They sort of co-operated. They are left to right:

Babycakes (which was mother & daddy's dog until it came time where they could no longer take care of her), KC (which is Jordan & Ashlie's dog, but because they are now living in Florida and in rental property they can't have a dog) and then there is Moose (named after Daryl Johnson of the Dallas Cowboy's and is actually Rebekah's dog).

The next photo you can see Major (which is James' dog) and I don't think Major realizes that he is a big dog. But I must say the dog's had a great weekend playing in Vivi's back yard.

There are a couple of more things to enter for the month of May, just waiting on the pictures, so expect to see a "Where did the month of May go? part two.

A special time. . .

A special time is anytime you are with those you love. This is one of those times. This was the week that Madison was born and due to her having to stay in the hospital for 6 days it gave Hunter and I time for some very special moments. Just about every time you go for a walk with him you get to a certain point and he says, "BEACH!" and automatically heads in that direction. This child loves being outside. As you can see by the photos we spent some special times at the beach. Just getting the opportunity to be with him and to watch him and to know that the simplest of things make him so happy.

One thing Hunter doesn't like about the beach. . .
Can you guess. . .
As you can see by the next photo. . .

You got it. . .he doesn't like going home! Can't say that I blame him one bit. There's just something about sitting out there listening to the water, how peaceful it is, and just getting to watch that special little someone.

The next photo is something we did for Ashlie for mother's day, but really this photo sums up a lot of things. I wanted Ashlie to know how much Hunter loves her, but I also want my family to know that this is how I feel about each one of them. Just don't take the time to say it as often as I should. So for the Love's of my life - Dwayne, Jordan, Rebekah, Ashlie, James, Hunter, and now Madison - I want each of you to know how special you are and how much I love each one of you.

For Hunter, I always tell you that you are my favorite grandchild and you are, but the truth be known Madison is also my favorite grandchild and in the event I am blessed with more they too will be my favorite. All I have to say is I am truly blessed. Thank you God for the blessings you have placed in my life. I count it all JOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Two weeks ago today. . .

Two weeks ago today our sweet baby girl Madison was born. She had a rough little start where she spent 6 days in NICU and finally was able to come home on Mother's Day. Even though she had a rough little start it was very evident that the good Lord up above was very much in control. We prayed as well as all our friends and family that our sweet baby girl would be OK. God is so good because he answered all those prayers (and there were a lot). I remember Ashlie texting me to let me know that sweet little Madison would be making her debut before the day was out. WOW! How things have changed. Texting all during labor & shortly after delivery. If you can't be there this was definitely the next best thing. So while we are anxiously awaiting for the arrival of this precious one, Dwayne is trying to get me a flight out. He then goes home and packs my bag (he actually did a pretty good job). He then picks me up from work and away to the airport we head. But much to my dismay a huge storm comes up and all flights are cancelled. Man was I bumbed out, I would now have to wait until Tuesday morning to head to Florida. Upon my arrival I am greeted by Jordan and a very tired little Hunter. We head straight to the hospital. I can't wait to see that precious baby girl, Madison. Unfortunately little Miss Madison has taken possession of a bed in the NICU so unfortunately for me all I was able to do was look at her while Jordan held her. But that was OK at least I was there and getting to look at her and see just how precious she was. While Jordan and I were spending time with Madison, Hunter was getting some much needed Mommy time with Ashlie. He was able to enjoy lunch time with her.

Mother's Day 2010

Here it is Mother's Day and I have spent the day with Jordan, Ashlie, Hunter, and Madison. Madison was born on Monday, May 3, 2010 so I came to stay with Hunter during all of this. Sweet little Madison needed to stay in the hospital for several days due to some breathing issues. But today she was able to come home. She gave us all quite a scare though, but thanks to many special friends and family members prayers, Madison almost instantly improved. Because of those improvements she left the NICU after 6 days where she was welcomed home by her big brother Hunter. Hunter was born on February 19, 2008. The two pictures are of each grandchild at about the same age. In some ways they look a lot a like. And in some ways not so much.

WOW! How our lives have changed in the last few years. They say being a grandparent is wonderful, but that doesn't even begin to describe what being a grandparent is really like. I remember the first time I held Hunter, it was like it was yesterday, the emotions that flooded into my heart. It reminded me so much of the first time I held Jordan. All those memories, but yet this was different, this was my grandchild! The first time you hold your own...the love that consumes you is unbelievable. Then there is the love of a grandchild. It is a feeling you can't even begin to explain until you become a grandparent yourself. It is the best feeling in the world. Then when they call you what you want to be called for the very first time your heart just melts. Being a grandparent is the best gift anyone could ever get. I have been blessed with special times with Hunter and I look forward to many more with him. I also look forward to those special times with my precious little Madison. I know we will have many and I have been truly blessed to have had this week with them.

God is so good to have blessed us so richly.