Chloe enjoying the swing. I took it from a long way away so it's pretty fuzzy.
My dear Ally... we miss you already. Lucy does too. You were her best friend, and you were always there for me. You were our first "child". I remember the day we found you in the pound in College Station; you were shaking from fear and you would not move; you were skin and bones. What drew us to you? I don't know, but we knew we wanted to rescue you, love you, and protect you. You wouldn't move from the same spot on the floor for days. Then, you eventually moved to the couch. You wouldn't eat out of a bowl because you were afraid of it so for a good 2 years you ate directly off the floor. Goofy, dog. :) You always had your quirks. You would not go to anyone but me for a while and then, you finally felt safe with Matt too. We made a small family and you allowed us into your circle of trust. You allowed me to cry to you through the years of a difficult marriage, then miscarriages, anger at God, and moves, and you were in my circle of trust. You heard things that I never told anyone else. Your circle widened to include my whole family as they showered you with love over the years. You eventually became our little hostess when people came over, sitting so politely as if you wanted to join in on the conversation. You went from being introverted and fearful to being loving, compassionate, playful and sweet.
And the biggest kudos goes to Mary. She was AMAZING! She took on her contractions head on and showed them who was boss! When it was time to push, Hannah came out so fast because Mary pushed soooo well. Hannah took slightly longer than Chloe to come, but Mary did so well I think she's ready for 10 more! :) Just kidding. 
After the massage we saw a movie and then checked into our hotel; it was just too stinkin' hot to be outside and enjoy the Riverwalk. We headed to Ruth's Chris steakhouse for dinner reservations; they seated us downstairs in a secluded area and called us by name and everything! It was so nice! They give you a complimentary cheesecake for dessert with "Happy Anniversary" written in chocolate on the plate. Everything was so delicious and we were stuffed by the end of it! Those are the only pictures we got of our weekend unfortunately as seen above in the slide show. We tried walking down the Riverwalk afterwards but we were so hot and it was sooooooooo crowded that we could not even walk next to each other or talk. We finally went up to the street to avoid the bigger crowds. Just like an old married couple, we retired to our room by 10:00!
Sunday, we woke up late enough to make it to Pappasito's just before the crowd came so we could get Matt his Happy Father's day mug. Even though we were without Chloe, we still decided to go. We then saw another movie and headed home afterwards to spend sometime with our daughter before the day was over. All in all, it was a great weekend and nice to be away for a night. I had to literally keep myself from thinking about Chloe, or I'd start missing her so much.
Thanks, honey, for the lovely weekend. I enjoyed just being with you no matter what we did!
When we got home, Chloe was taking a nap so I was chomping at the bit for her to wake up so I could hug her! Matt and I went in to her room to surprise her and the first person she asked for was Gramma!!! Though I wish she had missed me more ;), I am so thankful she is attached to Gramma and loves to be with her. It does make leaving her so much easier. When Gramma went home, Chloe cried her eyes out!
Chloe and Matt shared some time together after she gave him her gift and card. Chloe loves to sit and stand on Matt while he is lying down. Whether he is on the floor or on the couch, she treats him as her own personal jungle gym. She plopped herself on his stomach on Sunday and wanted to read books with him.
Then they enjoyed a lovely picnic together at the coffee table. Chloe rarely ever wants to be away from her daddy's side when he is home. She follows him from room to room. She also calls him on her cell phone when he is gone. Chloe LOOOOOOOVVVVVVES her daddy!!
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Sally asked me recently to post videos of Chloe so here they are....
This video is of Chloe and Daddy playing together.
Chloe loves to go get Daddy's socks for him and this time wanted to put them on since Daddy had just put his on.
Matt and I have been married for SEVEN years now! I can hardly believe it! I look at my husband and I am more in love with him than I ever was before. What a blessing that is! Thank you, Lord, for your faithfulness to our marriage! He knows we've been in drought at times in the past, but He has led us to years of plenty. We have both only become more full and rich side by side than ever we could alone. I am so thankful for this man who knows me so well; even in my darkest of nights and even in my brightest of days... he knows me well. He leads us and guides us, and I would go to the earth's very end to follow him. He covers me, protects me, loves and cares for me; he is safety and comfort and tenderness, yet a rock to me. His touch gives me rest and peace. He has shown me how to love; how God intended love to be between a man and woman, a husband and wife. He has been a picture of Christ to me.
