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!

lactose AND gluten free...that's me!

As I shared earlier, my body has decided to be lactose intolerant.

I had a pretty crummy week this past week and ended up going to the doctor on Wednesday.

She really helped me understand a few things and was pretty sure that I wasn't only lactose-intolerant but also gluten-intolerant (if that's what you call it).

So, after running some labs, she put me on a gluten/lactose-free diet for a month. It started out pretty rough on Thursday, as I wasn't prepared (pantry-wise) to kick that diet off and my body shut down on me. It seems as though sugar sends me over the edge as well.

Long story short = I'm now living the gluten- lactose- sugar (for the most part)-free life.

And as of late Friday night, I'm feeling great!

I really haven't had a lot of sweets, minus the nasty lactose/gluten free ice cream. It is NOT good. I purchased some gluten-free flour, which by the way is expensive. Boo.

I got so giddy today when I started to make a soggy cobbler (gluten-lactose-sugar-free style). And it was awe-some!!!!

This recipe is SUPER easy, TASTES great and is pretty HEALTHY! Yippee!

1 c. flour (gluten-free)

1 c. sugar (splenda)

2 tsp. baking powder

2 pinches salt

1 c. milk (lactose-free)

1 can fruit (Great Value brand is naturally gluten-free and no sugar added)

1 stick butter :)

Melt butter in 13x9 inch pan. Mix all remaining ingredients, except fruit; pour over hot butter. Pour fruit over top. Bake at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes, or until golden-brown.

YUMMY...ENJOY!

milk hater

or at least that's what my stomach is these days...

Just think back to Ernest Scared Stupid when the trolls experience death by milk. That's pretty much me as of the past 6 months or so. I've become lactose intolerant. Both WebMD (ha) and my doctor have confirmed that "yes" this does happen to many people later in life. yippee.

I'm learning what I can and can't eat. It seems from my reading that I might have a slightly more severe case because I'm pretty much having to cut out all dairy items. I guess it's really not as bad as I make it out to be, but you better watch out if I eat any of the following items...it will be B.A.D. (just ask trey!):

1. Ice cream (Blue Bell is the worst)

2. Cheese

3. Cheesecake...boo!

4. Milk

5. Some chocolates

6. Anything that has milk or dry milk product high up on the ingredient list

7. Cream sauces (alfredo, sour cream, etc)...not that I eat much of that anyway

Things I can eat:

1. Yogurt...surprise!

2. Lactaid milk

3. The strawberries on the side of that cheesecake :)

I'll keep you updated with any great recipes for those of you who may be joining me in a life without lactose.

Each man is a hero and an oracle to somebody...

...Ralph Waldo Emerson

Ok...I'm totally copping out today and giving you an article straight off Yahoo! Buzz. However, I think it's important to know a little more about the day we celebrate today!!

Remembering Memorial Day

by Mike Krumboltz

May 28, 2010 Click here for original link: http://buzz.yahoo.com/buzzlog/93711?fp=1

For many, Memorial Day brings to mind images of parades and picnics, of barbecues and baseball games. What's sometimes forgotten are the reasons for the holiday: The sacrifices made by American soldiers in times of conflict.

As the United States' death toll passes 1,000 in Afghanistan, Memorial Day takes on an especially poignant meaning this year. Here's a brief look at how the holiday got its start, and how people are searching for ways to honor the brave men and women who have lost their lives.

The first holiday
Originally, the holiday was known as "Decoration Day." It was started by a Civil War general named Gen. John Logan, who was the Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic.General Logan sought a way to help the country come back together after the horrors and divide of the Civil War.

The holiday was first observed on May 30, 1868, and Gen. Logan chose that date for two very important reasons: First, the day did not mark the anniversary of a Civil War battle, and second "flowers would likely be in bloom all over the United States." Indeed, many took flowers to Arlington National Cemetery, an activity that still occurs every year.

More on Gen. John Logan
General John A. Logan has a tremendous legacy that goes well beyond his efforts to honor fallen soldiers. According to a museum dedicated to his memory, Gen. Logan led an inspired life and enjoyed a tremendous career. At different points, he was a United States congressman, a senator, and a candidate for the vice presidency. He and his running mate, James G. Blane, lost their bid, but "Logan’s popularity with veterans contributed to the narrowness of the defeat."

An official holiday
This may come as a bit of a surprise, but Memorial Day, despite having been around for over 100 years in one form or another, didn't become an official federal holiday until 1971, when Congress passed the National Holiday Act. This created a three-day weekend at the end of May. Prior to this, different states observed the holiday on different days.

The effect on Web search
Web lookups on "memorial day" and "celebrate memorial day" are both up over 500% during the past seven days. Additionally, queries on "memorial day quotes" and "memorial day history" are soaring, as are searches for "memorial day parades" and "memorial day flowers."

Also worth noting — the "national moment of remembrance." This moment takes place at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day and lasts one minute. According to Remember.gov, "the Moment does not replace traditional Memorial Day events; rather it is an act of national unity in which all Americans, alone or with family and friends, honor those who died for our freedom. It will help to reclaim Memorial Day as the sacred and noble holiday it was meant to be. In this shared remembrance, we connect as Americans."

The Huffington Post has a nice collection of 15 quotes for Memorial Day. You can view the list here (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/05/28/memorial-day-quotes-15-sa_n_593437.html).

thank you Jesus!!

i woke up yesterday and performed my usual morning routine.

shifting from REM cycle to real life... i lay out a few makeup items,

brush my teeth, wash my face...

some days i tend to fret over a new wrinkle here and there.

other days i bask in the glory of a fresh silver sparkle shooting from my scalp...

"gray is the new blonde," i say!

...except when a single stem springs from your ear old lady style.

or my favorite...the one directly in the middle of my forehead. really? really?

today though, my friend...TODAY, is a new day.

after patting my face with the hand towel,

i slowly rise to meet a most glorious reflection.

this can't be so...it's possible i'm still sleeping and this is all merely a dream.

no! i'm awake! it's a miracle!

NO WRINKLES IN MY FOREHEAD!

thank you Jesus for taking away my wrinkles!

i draw closer to inspect every detail of this wonder.

just remarkable. a true stunner.

uhhh...hold on. wait. noooo....

no. no. NO!

Jesus didn't take away my wrinkles...

He took away my sight!

Lesson of the Day:

"The Good Lord giveth & the Good Lord taketh away."