Hello everyone!

We wanted to post some pictures of our trip to the pumpkin patch at Halloween a few weeks ago.  Braelyn had fun with the animals, the corn maze and picking the “perfect pumpkin” which she didn’t want to carve, only draw a face on.  We weren’t much in the Hallowen spirit this year and since Braelyn doesn’t eat candy anyway, we skipped the costume in favor of a Dora Halloween shirt and halloween colored barrettes.

It has been 2 weeks today that we lost our furry girl Reiley.  We have appreciated all of the nice notes, emails and phone calls from everyone who has been thinking of us during the past few weeks.  Although we are still saddened each day by her loss, we are moving forward and enjoying time together like she would have wanted us to.  Another help to us has been our new puppy Casie who we picked up from the breeder last weekend.

Except for the first 2 years of college, I have never lived without a dog in the house.  Although we can’t replace Reiley, we missed the doggie presence in the house and felt like we needed that companionship again so……. we drove hundreds of miles round trip to pick up our new baby.

I forgot what a lot of work it is having a puppy - almost like having another child in the house.  She is only 8 weeks old and we are having to do the early morning potty breaks, potty training, chewing and digging prevention and all of those other fun things.  But, if she is half as wonderful as Reiley, it will all be worth it.  Braelyn LOVES her so much and they wear each other out running around the backyard playing and jumping.

We hope you are all well and that you have a very Happy Thanksgiving!!

Love,

MLB Mama

As some of you may know, we recently lost our beloved dog and friend, Reiley this past week. She passed away with Matt and I by her side on October 30th, just a week after her 9th birthday. We miss her so very much and love her with all of our hearts. She lived a wonderful life and brought so much joy to everyone that got to see her smiling face and her wagging tail. I am not sure how to put into words how much she meant to me and how much I love her but I thought I would honor her memory by just saying a simple “Thank You.”

Thank You to My Friend

Thank you for always being by my side. Before Matt, before Braelyn, there was always you lighting up my life.

Thank you for knowing when I needed a nuzzle or a lick or just a quiet companion.

Thank you for the joy and laughter that came from seeing you running around the park with your tongue hanging out or jumping into the pool with your boogie board.

Thank you for laying by my side on the bed when I was sick or sad.

Thank you for letting me make up funny names for you and sing crazy songs to you in strange voices.

Thank you for your loyalty and always being there to greet me with excitement and joy.

Thank you for protecting me when we were in the car driving or home alone.

Thank you for your unconditional love and total affection.

Thank you for your zest for life and making even the smallest things fun.

Thank you for the joy you brought to my family and friends just by being you.

Thank you for the strength you showed right up until the end.

Thank you for always hogging the bed and sleeping on the pillows.

Thank you for making our house a home with your furry presence.

Thank you for always taking one of my shoes when greeting someone.

Thank you for letting me know that it will be “ok” with a lick on my hand.

Thank you for teaching me about love and what it means to give your heart away completely.

Thank you for your sharing your life with me. It was too short but filled with wonderful memories together that will never fade.

Thank you for filling up my heart.

Thank you for being my friend.

I love you so very much my baby girl and will miss you always - Mom

Goodbye to a Friend

There are some things that just can’t be put into words … how do you say goodbye to someone you love and who has been a part of your family for so long?

We lost one of our best friends a couple of days ago (the 30^th to be exact) when Reiley passed away at the all too young age of 9.  We were able to be there with her when she just wasn’t able to fight off her illness anymore and left us on her own with Lisa and I holding her in our arms.

It is a rare thing to find anything or anyone who can make you feel completely loved and adored and Reiley gave that to us each and every minute of each and every day.  We loved her and she loved us and we were a perfect fit.

The things we’re missing are too numerous to list and it seems amazing that none of them are “big.”  It’s all the little things that add up and create a void inside of us right now.  I guess that’s what unconditional love creates, that sense of completeness that, when all of a sudden gone, makes you feel a bit empty.

While it is utterly unfair and we are all devastated in these few days since it happened, we know the bitterness will subside and we’ll all be able to enjoy her memory in the future.  There’s no way that we’ll ever stop being sad, she means too much to us for that, but we’ll find it easier and easier to think of her and be happy remembering all that we did together and all that she was for us.

So here it is: 

Thank you, Little Girl, for everything you gave to our family.  For the smiles, for the laughs, for the happiness, and for loving us and always having time to make us feel like we are important.  You are the best friend our family could have hoped for and we are missing you terribly.  We are heartbroken that you are gone but know that we won’t ever forget all that you have been for us.  We love you - Dad

In Memory of Reiley “Violet” Smith:  October 22, 1999 - October 30, 2008