Aubie

Today has been a sad day. Our little beagle, Aubie, has been really sick for the last week or so. She is probably close to 11 years old. I told Todd we had to take her to the vet today and we got horrible news when we got there. I knew the answer already. We had to put her down. I couldn't take her suffering anymore. She has been such a precious member of our family. One of the sweetest dogs I have ever seen. Such a precioul soul. Even today, when she couldn't hardly even get up, she would still find it in her great big heart to wag her tail when I called out to her. She laid her head in my lap as she struggled for each breath, and I knew it was time to let her go. As hard as it was on me, I knew I owed her that. She didn't deserve to die alone, struggling to breath. She has and always will hold such a very special place in my heart. I will never forget her-always waiting in line for the food and water bowl (even behind the cats), letting Lily lay on her even though I know it had to drive her crazy sometimes, and just being Aubie. She loved everyone. Never jumped or licked or barked-just a perfect little dog. I pray God gives her the best doghouse He has-she has earned it by the love she has shown on Earth. It's amazing what an impact and an impression our pets leave on our lives-I hope she always knows how very much she was loved. I can't wait to see her again someday, but until then I have memories. Memories are God's gift that death can't take away. We will never forget you Aubie! We love you! Thanks for all the love.

It's Great to be an AU Tiger!!

I love family time! Yesterday, Todd and I took the girls, Jerryn, and his friend Chase, to the Auburn Vs. FL Atlantic football game in Auburn. They loved Aubie, our mascot, and the Tiger Walk. They also loved watching Nova, AU's eagle, soar around the stadium. It was Kylee's very first football game! She absolutely loved it!! She cheered and had to always have her pompom-except when she had to get some popcorn!! She danced with the band-and entertained the crowd around us!! They all loved hearing her yell "War Eagle"! They could tell she has been raised to be a Tiger. She kept looking for Cam Newton. It cracked me up! Morgan's favorite is always the nachos and the dance line. She says she wants to be on the dance line at AU. I hope she chases her dreams. We were blessed to have gotten 4 tickets just given to us by alumni. The girls loved the pre-game atmosphere, and the lunch at cheeburger cheeburger. The girls also loved getting to go "roll Toomer's Corner"-an AU tradition when we win. I love making memories with my family. I have to say it's great to be an AU Tiger, but it's even better being a Mom.

My girls absolutely love their cousin, Jerryn. He stopped by today on his way home from JSU. His last class had been cancelled and so he wanted to stop in and see us. He has lit my life up for over 18 years now. I love him as my own. We have always been so close. I still remember picking him up from preschool when I would get out of class in high school. I couldn't wait to see his little face waiting on me to pick him up and for him to share the stories of childhood. We would then go to McDonalds to play and eat ice cream or some other silly activity. He has always been so special to me. All the funny times we have shared just seem to stay right with me. Like times at the beach when he yelled all the way across the parking lot to tell a guy, "My aunt thinks your hot!" and seriously embarrassed his aunt. Watching him go through school...baseball games, dances, basketball, all that has come to an end for high school. Now, he's really growing up. Making plans for a future, that I pray is easy and wonderful. He deserves so very much and I know if he works hard at it, he can accomplish anything. I am so very proud of the young man he is becoming. He is never ashamed to be with all of us even when his 3 and 7 year old niece are climbing all over him. He loves them just as they love him. I love to see this connection between the 3 of them. It warms my heart. I can't wait to see what life holds for him.

Last Vacation of the Summer... Or so we thought!!

My two little fish

We were all so excited for our trip to the beach over Labor Day weekend. We left out on Sept. 1 and drove to Montgomery and then finished our trip the next day. When we arrived in Panama City Beach, Fl it was a little cloudy but not too bad. We swam and played at the beach for several hours that afternoon. The next morning it was raining and didn't stop but for brief periods the entire time we were there. That didn't stop the McKinney's. We played in the surf (carefully), built sandcastles ( I never realized how much easier it was to do when it was raining and the sand was already wet!!), swam, hunted crabs, and did everything even though it was raining. On Sunday, we got up and it was really, really raining. We decided to come on home and called the lady we rent our condo from. She agreed to let us leave and even gave us another night to go back and use. So our trip will be continued in Oct. We can't wait to go back. We are praying for some sunshine the next time!!