Gingerbread House Decorative Class

Today we had a wonderful time with friends decorating (and a little eating) gingerbread houses.

Epcot Rope Drop

We actually arrived at Epcot before it opened and were able to enjoy the rope drop and countdown.  It was fun. As soon as we came in the race to Test Track began as Leah wanted to ride that first.  

Miracle on 136 Street Parade 2014

Amelia Island

Stone Mountain

Evergreen  Resort, Stone Mountain, Georgia

The Rock. Stone Mountain as it is called is the largest granite mountain in the world. Only 1 % of it is actually exposed. Most of it is underground covering 4 states.  So interesting.

Stone Mountain lake

The park has so much to do. Here are our friends the Valeses (minus Aury who was working) that were in Atlanta and met us there to spend the day with us. So much fun...

Miniature Gold

I can't believe we are at the top of the mountain!

Willie giving me a heart attack

Obstacle Course

The Loss of a Family Member

Chloe was almost 19 years old. She was a much loved family fixture for 2 decades. She grew up with the big kids and oh how loved she was. She was very sweet and attached to Mimi's hip. I heard that Doxies have hip problems but Chloe never did. I think its because there couldn't have been much wear and tear. Chloe didn't walk a lot because Mimi carried her everywhere. Toward the end she was blind, deaf, had congestive heart failure, gull bladder issues and on her last week on earth her right hind leg was giving her issues.  It was no way for this sweet animal to live. She was living in fear since she couldn't see or hear anything she was startled by every step she took. It was so sad. So we made a very difficult decision to end her suffering. It was April 8, and it was very hard, but we know she is no longer suffering and that helps.

I didn't know Leah had taken this picture ( like many others I find in my phone and camera). But I am glad she did. Here you see the age. The light colors on her face were brown when she was younger, and the black parts are filled with gray hair. She spent a lot of time on this bed in the end. And yes its in the middle of the living room, she moved it all around the house and we would find her napping all over the house.

Roxie (the Maltese) spent the first few days looking around the house searching for Chloe.  The two of them used to fight for the beds all the time. Although they each had their own. I think Chloe took the bed everywhere so Roxie didn't get in it cause once she did there was no getting her out. Interesting enough, Roxie has not touched Chloe's beds since her passing. Almost like she is waiting for her to return.

Key Largo

After an amazing dinner at Hobo's in Key largo we went "fishing" for crabs. Found none.....

But we had fun taking pictures!

Six Years Ago Today.......

The first time I saw you was like a dream come true.
No I didn't give you the gift of life.
Life gave me the gift of you.

--Unknown

There are no words to describe the gift that is our baby girl. Yes, there are challenges and we have lost patience at times. Dealing with special needs that are not visible to the naked eye is hard.  Especially when we forget they exist sometimes. I pray every day for wisdom and strength. I may not know it all, but there is one thing that is very clear. We could not have asked for a more perfect daughter.  Six years ago today, we signed on the dotted line and agreed that this perfect child was the daughter that I have prayed for and dreamed of for a very long time.  God fulfilled his promise of "all in due time"

Leah, you are Mommy's very special gift and you mean the world to all of your family, or falimy like you say. We love you to the moon and back. Happy referral day!

Happy 7th Birthday, Princess!

We started birthday morning at EPCOT

Goofy found out she was at the park and wanted to personally wish her a Happy Birthday!

She couldn't believe it!

Then we went to ride

After a brief nap, we changed and headed to the Magic Kingdom for a Birthday dinner reservation

Our waiter was so tickled by our funny monkey that he gave us tons of passes to skip lines on her birthday!

Then we rode! EVERYTHING!

We topped it off with a birthday shopping spree "A la Disney!

Last activity of the day was watching the fireworks on the beach.