Everything's Bigger in Texas

Well, maybe everything's just bigger when you have a big dog. Did I say big? Right now as a puppy, I can correctly estimate Dreya as BIG. She can easily reach my shoulders to get her dog bone. She can already sniff and search the edge of the kitchen countertops. She can push my 4 year old nephew over with a slight touch of paw. That was funny. Don't worry...we'll teach her otherwise as we start obedience lessons.

Within the next year, I believe I will have to change my terminology to colossal. That might be the perfect word. :) For now, we will enjoy her puppy days...

*taking a nap right in the middle of the action*

*first encounter with a small child*

*Chase loves being locked in the cage with Dreya. He doesn't even have to duck to enter!*

We are certainly enjoying Miss Dreya!

You are seeing correctly.

I, in fact, did wear earrings other than studs on Monday.

These earrings, in fact, did dangle.

The dangles, in fact, were much longer than my short hair.

THANKS TO...

Emily ~ for this super cute birthday gift.

My husband ~ for confirming my decision to wear them.

All the nice people at work ~ for boosting my self-esteem with their many compliments.

A new day has come for jewelry purchases in the Taylor household!

4 Reasons I Adore the 4th

Even though I love Jesus and all that Christmas encompasses, of course...I have to admit that the 4th of July is quite possibly my most favorite holiday. Not to mention that July is also my birthday month and the epitome of summer!

Here are four reasons I adore the Fourth:

1. INDEPENDENCE

How can you not be proud to be an American when you realize what our Forefathers did for this country and the values they founded it upon? Words like freedom, liberty and sacrifice... Our country was founded on Godly principles and I'm thankful I have the right granted to me by our men and women in the armed forces to be able to freely worship Him!

2. MUSIC

The songs of America just makes me so proud and of course bring on a tear or two when I think about their meaning...

This Land is My Land

Battle Hymn of the Republic

My Country, Tis of Thee

(last verse)

Our father’s God to Thee,

Author of liberty,

To Thee we sing.

Long may our land be bright

With freedom’s holy light;

Protect us by Thy might,

Great God, our King!

God Bless the USA

The Star Spangled Banner

America the Beautiful

(1st & 3rd verses)

Oh beautiful, for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

Oh beautiful, for heroes proved
In liberating strife.
Who more than self their country loved
And mercy more than life!
America! America!
May God thy gold refine
‘Till all success be nobleness
And every gain divine!

3. FOOD

Cookouts with hotdogs & hamburgers. Watermelon. Anything decorated with whip cream, blueberries and strawberries in true American Flag fashion. I love it!

4. FIREWORKS

Ok, this is really my favorite part. I ADORE fireworks. Not so much me shooting them off. I just want to sit and watch and listen. I love that distinctive "poof" when a firework is launched. I love the anticipation of the boom. I LOVE the crackle as the glitter and shimmer fall to the ground. I love looking over at a kid's face...the booms come & go and with every lit sky, their face illuminates with a sparkle in their own eye.

Are you ready yet?!

Grab your bug spray, lawnchairs and sparklers...

Don your USA shirt from Old Navy :)...

Hang the Star Spangled Banner with pride...

It's time to celebrate your country!

The Taylor Family is Growing!

...and it's not even going to take 9 months! Our new addition is already here :)

Please welcome...DREYA!

Hi, my name is Dreya. I am a Great Dane and I am 4 months old.
Can you believe how BIG I am already?!

I grew up in Shepherd, TX.

This is my mom, Chloe. She weighs 140 pounds and runs like a horse:

This is my dad, Drake:

These are my parents playing with their owner.
I think I'm going to grow up to be big and tall like they are!

After I said goodbye to mom and dad, I chilled with my new dad on the way back to my new home in Huntsville. I think I'm really going to love it! I was a little scared at first and peed as soon as I walked in the door. It's ok though, I knew dad would clean it up...so I did it again in the kitchen. I was a little embarassed because I'm potty trained already...just had to get over my nerves in my new casa. Then I went outside with dad and took a big stinky poo. He laughed and was in shock about the damage I could do. Hehe.

Then, I checked out the joint...not too shabby! I needed to know every area because I get to stay inside. Sweet!

I thought for sure mom would put me in the back yard because she has really shiny hard wood floors, but she's a pretty cool chick and totally trusts me to not scratch them :). I'm doing really good so far. It's super slippery and I'm still learning how to use my lanky legs.

Speaking of lanky...I'm growing really fast. Did I tell you I already weigh 52 pounds?! I've got a lot of lovin' to share and that's exactly what I do. These are my top 3 ways to show how much I love people:

1. I love to lick mom's face and give her big hugs. She said it's the best hug she's ever had!

2. I love to snuggle. Anytime. Anywhere. When I get really comfortable, I doze off a little. It's kind of embarassing when I start snoring like a man...but I just can't help it!

3. I love to be near you and will follow you wherever you go. Especially dad...I don't really like if he goes outside to talk on the phone and doesn't take me with him. Not cool. And don't expect me to play outside if you're not even going to watch me!

I think my new mom and dad have a pretty sweet deal. I'm so much fun to be around and am pretty entertaining. I don't stink and don't really get the house dirty. I don't chew on anything. Well, that's not entirely true...I do like socks. The only person that sheds in the house is my dad :). I also sleep through the whole night. They woke me up this morning and it took me a while to find my bearings. It probably looked kind of funny.

I can't wait to meet you someday and play with you and love on you! Please come visit me and you can play with me and my favorite duck in the back yard!

I love my new family. I think I might even be able to talk them into getting me another friend to play with...I'm talking doggies here people! No babies yet! Pretty sure I'm going to rule the roost for a while...they love me!