Sad 2 Smiles

When we first got Emmie 7/2008 :

Wow, what a whirl wind 24 hours we have had here at the Click house!!  Last evening I came home after being gone most of the day.  After preparing and enjoying dinner I went to let our 2 dogs out, Emmie (Yorkie) and Justice (German Sheppard).

A little history on Emmie.  

We purchased Emmie in July of 2008, she was 3 years old when we bought her from my Step-Sister, Pam.  Who was once in the Yorkie breeding business.   My mother bought Emmie's "boyfriend",  Jack, from her as well.  

  Emmie is a very shy and timid dog.  Due to Emmie being older and not used to children, Emmie did not bond too well with  Alessondra. She pretty much runs from us and stays hidden most of the time.  

So we decided to breed Emmie and Jack in hopes of getting a puppy that we could raise around Alessondra.

Two weeks ago I took Emmie to the Vet for x-rays to determine if she was pregnant.  Much to our dismay she was not.  

The Vet showed me the x-ray, NOTHING , no babies in there.  : (  

We were all sad because we just KNEW that she was pregnant.  She showed all the signs of being pregnant.  They diagnosed her with a "false" or hormonal pregnancy.  Which I guess is pretty common.

Anyway, I digress (often)

Back to letting the dogs out.  Our little Emmie did not come when we called to to go outside.  (This is not normal for her)

So we looked and looked and looked all throughout the house.  Normally if we go into an area or room she is in, she will dart out, this did not happen.

Jeff recalled that earlier in the day, Alessondra had went outside and left the door open for quite some time.  We concluded that Emmie must of slipped out at that time.

Thank God she has her tags on, however no one will ever be able to get close enough to catch her, much less read her tags!

We prayed (numerous times), Jeff drove the neighborhood and others around us, he even had some neighbors helping.  Alessondra and I walked around calling for her.

Jeff checked the ditches and ponds : (

It was so heartbreaking to see how upset Alessondra was.  I stayed up late into the night designing a "Lost Yorkie" flyer.

Early Monday morning I went out and searched the neighborhoods again as did Jeff and my MIL Cindy. (Big thanks out to them!)

Jeff printed my flyers, I dispersed them, called the Animal control shelters.  Thought about what type of dog I might get to help heal my baby's griefing heart...

At about 5:00 my friend, Robin and I visiting.  She had just suggested that I call the Animal Shelters, so I did.  We both hear a "Jingle" of a dog collar!  Turn and look, and guess who is standing in my living room...Emmie!

Where had she come from? Where had she been?  I was just so glad she was home! Has she been in the house the entire time??  NO WAY! 

Robin and I discussed how we would never know what she had been doing the last 24 hours. 

Emmie sat with us for a few minutes, (which was odd), Emmie even let 3 1/2 yr old Jaxton pet her...(even more odd).

What was going on?  What alien dog took over my Yorkie??

Emmie jumps off the couch, "Hey let's follow her into the bedroom" Maybe she will take us to where she has been hiding?

She goes straight to my closest...(Strange)

Robin spots her!

I reached behind the clothes, pull Emmie out, along with a few things I should of hung up months ago, but never "found the time", and OH MY GOSH, 

what else do I pull out...........................................................................

A healthy 6 ounce newborn baby girl yorkie!

Look at the joy in her eyes!!  That is so awesome to see that type of smile on your daughters face!

Mommy Emmie and baby yorkie(no name yet) are doing great!

The Vet says that the puppy is beyond healthy...very very fat!

God is so great!  Our prayers answered and then some!!

I guess the x-ray and the Vet were wrong...she was pregnant! (Do I get my money back for that visit?)

My thoughts on exciting things in my life now vs the past! .21 cent steak, My Target deals this week,

By using the tips I gathered from my friends, Angela and Kim and these awesome $ saving blogs I visit Christi's (2) Cents & moneysavingmom  I purchased  $50.12 worth of groceries for $24.67!  This is all stuff I buy every week, not a bunch of things I will never use!

The steaks are boneless beef chuck steak.  Each package has enough steak to feed all 3 of us. 

 One package I paid .21 cents for and the other .77 cents for!  I use the $2 off  Sutton & Dodge steaks coupon, and buy the meat they have on sale that week.  You can print coupons off of Targets website or here.  

Normally I just type into my google search "Target deals" and go to someone elses website and get that weeks deal! Clip or print my coupons, then head to the store.

I told the cashier I was doing 3 transactions and placed things on the belt with the coupons on top.  

Oh yea, I almost forgot, Target has a special, if you buy 5 quaker brand items(which are all on sale), you get a $5 gift card.  My 1st transaction I purchased the oatmeal (Which has no sugar in it and helps keep me full), cereal(which has a ton of iron in it and make a great grab and go snack for Alessondra) and the carmel corn snacks (that Alessondra LOVES), received my $5 gift card, then turned around and used it on my 2nd transaction!!!

After I posted this I started thinking..."How sad that .21 cent steaks, coupons and $5 gift cards from Target are the exciting things in my life."

I remember when the "exciting" things in my life were things like: 

when a patient came in for her post op appointment after a masectomy and could not tell the difference between my sutures and the surgeons sutures! 

Or being the first person to sign a little boys cast after putting it on in the ER.  

Or getting to see the look on a mom's face the first time she saw her newborn baby that I just helped to deliver.  

Or seeing a patient at a follow up appointment that actually took my advice and changed their diet, become more active, quit smoking and lost weight!  To see their face when I told them I was proud of them and we could now come off of insulin!

All the above thoughts and memories are nice, but truth be told taking care of Jeff and Alessondra, my family that God has blessed me with is what TRULY matters in this season of my life.  

Don't get me wrong I miss it, however God has called me to another job for now.

There are 100's, 1000's of surgeons who can suture better than me with one hand!

There are orthopedic Dr's, PA's and others that can put that little boy or girls cast on, and sign their name much more legible than me!

There are too many to count, others that will show those parents their newborn baby, once they lay their eyes on that baby, the medical personal are forgotten!

There are so many MORE qualified people that can manage a patients diabetes than I!

However I am the ONLY one who can take care and love my family the way I do!  The job was created for me!  I am still in training for this job and will never be perfect, but it is the MOST exciting job I have ever had

Below is the woman I strive to be: 

Proverbs 31:10-12 and 25-31
A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.

She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.

She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.

She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:

"Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all."

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Now that is exciting!!

A Twist on Birthday Parties: 4th Birthday Celebration (For the Sake of Others)

We celebrated Alessondra's 4th Birthday this Sunday. Her actual birthday was Tuesday March 17th. We typically do not do a party celebration, Last year we devoted the whole day to Alessondra and spent the day having family time!

However this year we decided to do something a little different.

Alessondra is always asking "Mommy, when am I old enough to help people?" "When can I go on a mission trip?"

We wanted to encourage and foster her giving spirit.  
Studies show children who take on altruistic responsibilities at an early age exhibit higher self-esteem, gain a deeper understanding of the needs of others and improve critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

So for her birthday this year we teamed up with The Tapestry Project to provide some much needed items for a Mom, Jennifer and her daughter Serenity.
If you would like to help this family see the list below and contact me or another family check out The Tapestry Projects website 

Jenifer & Serenity list of much needed items:

1. household kitchen ( silver ware, cups, dishes, pans)

2. towels

3. baby toys ( this is a BIG need) and reading books (cardboard)

4. girl clothes 6months

5. Bottles

6. Formula

7. any decorative house needs.

8. clothes for mom. ( Large, size 12-14)

9. Walmart gift cards (these will be used to purchase some of the bigger itmes needed for the baby and mom)

Thank you Angela Steele for lending us your "cupcake tower"


Alessondra blowing out her candle, (Thanks Jeanie for such a great picture!)


Alessondra "helping" me make the cupcakes, more licking than helping...


Alessondra enjoying her cupcake: (her eyes sparkle when sweets are involved!)



My niece's Ashlen and Makayla


Jackson and Alessondra have so much fun together!


Brother and Sister, Ashlen and Blake checking out the windows in the new playset (Thanks again to Jeanie for capturing a cute moment)


Alessondra caught a lady bug which she named Frances, and wanted to keep it close by:


Cousin Sophia enjoying playing outside:


Papa (Richard, Jeff's Dad)), Kari and newest edition to the Click family, Kinzie


My mom (G-ma) helping Alessondra and Frances up:


Nephew & Cousin Blake, cousin Jackson and Alessondra enjoying the playset:


Jeff with his Mom, Cindy:


My mom (Kathey) and I..."Party pic time"


Little sis, Kerri, Aunt Loretta, Mom and Me



CJ (Jeff's Brother) and Ava enjoying some "daddy daughter time"


Fun with Friends, Blake, Alessondra, Makayla, Jackson and Ava


Family Pic:


Bangs in our face (as my older sister always says "An apple doesn't fall too far from the tree")



More party pics: Steve and Jeanie (Sophia and Jackson's parents)


Nindy reading a book to Kinzie and Alessondra



Jackson, Alessondra and I checking out all the gifts that guests brought for Serenity and Jennifer.
Bottles, formula, towels, lots of CUTE clothes, cleaning supplies, baby toys and books!

Family and friends, your generosity was AWESOME.  Thank you so much for showing the love that Jesus Christ shows us daily! Without your help we would not been able to bless this family so abundantly


Gpa, Andy, Cj and Jeff preparing to move the play set over a few feet (with a little help from Ava and Blake)


The almost finished playset. Alessondra and I are so proud of Daddy for working his tail off this week to get it done for the party.

I originally called around to see how much it would cost to hire someone to put this together...$350-$450. Jeff said "NO WAY, I want to do it!" And he did!
One of our friends Dustin, came and helped one evening (Thank you D-Train), other than that Jeff did it ALL BY HIMSELF!



98% finished!!!

For the Health of our children, Turn off the DVD players (yes even in the car), the TV, computers and the video games.

Data indicate children who watch more than two hours of TV per day may have increased asthma risk.

Commenting on the study detailed by Bloomberg News, Mary Engel pointed out in the Los Angeles Times (3/4) Booster Shots blog that "asthma is generally thought to influence sedentary behavior rather than vice versa: A wheezy child opts to watch TV rather than risk an exercise-induced asthma attack."

But, the work published in Thorax by researchers in Scotland shows "the opposite to be true." After tracking "3,065 children from 3.5 years of age to 11.5 years," investigators found that "about six percent of the children had asthma by age 11," whereas they were all asthma-free at study start.

Furthermore, "those who watched TV for more than two hours a day in early childhood were almost twice as likely to have been diagnosed with asthma by age 11 as those who watched less."

The authors explained that the "relationship between physical activity, sedentary behavior, and asthma is complicated," but "one hypothesis is that failure to stretch airway muscles by the kind of regular deep breathing that comes from exercise may contribute to the development of asthma."

Click here and here to read a little more about this