CHIP Joins the Family

There are many temptations in my life that I have to say no to - A new fancy camera, new sewing machine, more chickens.......but this time I could not say No!

Aaron has asked for over a year for a puppy to call his own.  With two old dogs in the house, the fun times of chasing a ball or Frisbee or running along side of a bike was long gone for him.  Cliff crossed the rainbow bridge in January 2016 and I was so sad without him.  Rey seemed lost and even depressed.   Aaron asked and we answered "Not Now" for one reason or another.  The timing was just not right.  Time passed but his request for a new puppy did not.  We discussed it and decided on a breed and agreed to look. (Don't hate - We usually rescue - we wanted to do it this way, this time!)   We have followed a local breeder for years and they were expecting a litter of pups in the Spring.  The parents are Hot Rod Lincoln and Jenny.   We found just what we wanted.  The process of deciding on which one was quite a different story.  IT'S SO HARD TO CHOOSE!  But he did it!  May I introduce our new family member:  Lincoln's Chip Off The Old Block - Chip for short!

He is cute, smart, persistent, vocal and likes to get up early and go outside!  He likes the water, sticks (to include charcoal and mulch) and chasing chickens.  Chip is an early riser - 5:30am is the current wake up time.  After his morning visit to the front yard, he tries to sneak up on your coffee cup for a bit of morning Joe.  He is something else!

Rey thinks he's a bit of a pest but I have caught him showing some love, some face cleaning and toy sharing.  By now Rey has figured out that this one is staying - not just a friend visiting for a few days or weeks - and they are caught side by side.  

The Brown Booger is almost 16 weeks old now and is the stand out in his obedience class.  He stands out because he is not well behaved ~ he wants to play and makes no bones about it.  The instructor came over to work with him and Chip did all of his tricks - Sit, Down, Shake, Speak - at once.  He was just letting him know that he needed to move at a faster pace because that surely meant more treats! 

I love my pets and this one is no exception.  Can't wait to see how he changes as he matures.  Hope that Chip and Aaron are big buds and enjoy many years together. 

Welcome to the Edwards Family, Chip!

Emma Marie

Once again I find myself counting my blessings and thanking God for all that I have.  

Watching Megan go through her pregnancy, I was reminded over and over that some things are not in our hands.   

Dallas and I waited month after month to get a update from her doctors on how things were progressing. As time neared the end - we  grew more nervous, excited, and worried (just like Megan and Carl). 

 I knew that Megan's baby would be strong-minded, smart and beautiful, but this little girl was proving to be stubborn too. So with word that Baby Girl Johnson was not turning and appeared to be folded nicely in half, her birthday was set and we were ready!  

More than any of us, Carl and Megan were about to be parents and were so excited.  

Family gathered at the hospital, excited and worried about the delivery.  

Oh my~ the case of nerves that this Momma had - I had never felt that before.  Worried for Meg, her precious baby and for Carl.  

 

Relief came when Carl proudly announced the birth of 

Emma Marie Johnson, 

born October 2, 2013 at 12:20pm.   

  

Seeing Emma Marie for the first time, was something that is hard to put into words.  She was perfect, content, healthy and a little bigger than we expected.  

The joy of seeing your daughter, holding her child is something I hope I never forget.  

Right there in front of my teary eyes I saw -

Family - something to cherish. 

 Life - precious and fragile, and 

Children - God's greatest blessing.  

 

It's just amazing how something so little could melt your heart.  I knew I would be silly over a new grand baby - but this little angel has just turned me into mush.  

 

Ready for Baby

I get teary thinking of it.  Not the part of getting older or being called Grandma but the pure JOY in seeing Megan holding her baby.  Megan and Carl are busy preparing for their new arrival.  9 months filled of excitement, anticipation, sickness, worry, and gratefulness.  It's nearing the end.  "It's Go Time!"

It is overwhelming all of the things you need for baby.  Clothes, bibs, diapers and bottles take over!  It was fun sitting in "Nugget's" room and arranging and re-arranging.  Folding blankets and hugging teddy bears.  I love the baby smell (thinking of washing Aaron's clothes in Dreft - just for a weekend).

We have been blessed by friends who have helped us celebrate baby.  Baby showers, shared hand-me-downs and well wishes for Megan and Carl.  All of which are greatly appreciated.

Baby girl will be here in a couple of weeks if not sooner.  Megan is tired, full and uncomfortable - As Momma's we know that feeling. 

Another chapter in our lives have begun. 

When did it change for you?

The preacher this morning asked, "What was your turning point?  When did it change for you?"  I know that what he was referring to Christ and his death on the cross, saving us all.  But my first thought was, it changed when I met Dallas.  3 days shy of our 21st Wedding Anniversary, I will say that it all changed for me the day that I met him - July 3rd, 1990.  Janet gets the credit and no blame for this meeting. A Blind Date!  Go figure!  A long, lanky man with two very adorable children came into my life and changed who I was forever! The gift of being a part of Megan and Dallas, Jr. life is something that I cherish.  Missing them today.  Looking forward to seeing them soon.  

Today I am reminded that family is important to me, my blessings are many and time spent with my dear friends don't happen quite as frequently as they should.  Watching my BFF Cindy as she buried her Momma this weekend, reminds me that our time spent here on this earth is short and all a part of God's plan.  Blessings to my friend and prayers of comfort as she comes to terms with the loss of her dear sweet mother. 

This weekend, Dallas and I packed up our youngest and headed to Jason's.  It is always fun to spend time with the NOVA Wades. It felt good to get away for a few days.  Robyn and I snuck away to a local winery and to Starbucks - using a trip to the Grocery store as an excuse.  Shhh ~ what's a few secrets between Sisters? Our days have been filled with a Birthday Celebration for Dallas and some Easter fun - Egg Hunt, sidewalk chalk drawings, dying eggs, the Easter Bunny, filling a couple of church pews with family and lots of good food. 

I LOVE MY FAMILY!  It's growing and changing fast!  Next year will bring new fun traditions.  Happy Easter Everyone!  

Beach Getaway

Those that know my brother, know that he does nothing on a small scale, so when I got a phone call from him that asked if I wanted to get together and do something for a couple of days ~and get away~ I should have seen it coming....

He calls with the suggestions of a day at Busch Gardens, Jamestown or Virginia Beach for the 4th of July - I was game.  I have him the amount of money I could spend and he said he would start looking around.

The next call was to say that they had decided to rent a house in Corolla, NC and we should come down.  See - nothing done on a small scale.  But I love him, his wife and his kids.  I was in.  It was a new adventure for us, never going to "that end" of the Outer Banks.  We had a terrific time!  Lots of fun in the sun, good food, plenty of laughs and a new dessert - Sister Betty's Jesus Cake (formerly known as Dump cake). 

 Grandkids:  Ashlyn, Lauryn, Aaron and Mason - the cousins love getting together.

 Pop was our Grill Master!! 

 Ashlyn was just as excited as I was to see the Wild Horses on the beach. 

 I love this picture.  The stallion was bowing to the mare.

 Aaron and Aunt Robyn decided that they really wanted a hot tub at home.

 It's all their fault and we are grateful for the arm twisting.

BUTT UP on the beach and digging to they reach water!

Chicken update

 Top picture:  top red is Lucy, then Queenie to her right, J-lo in center, Lucy at 3:00, Belle at 6:00 and Rosa to her left. 

I am not allowed to shop at Southern States during the Month of March!