So Proud of My Daddy

My Daddy is a Marine and like they say, "Once a Marine, Always a Marine." I am so proud of him. On May 10, 2009, I went with my Daddy to Valley View Park in Yorba Linda for a Veteran's Dedication. We were there with Nannie and Papa Drake, Great Aunt Connie and Great Uncle Earl, and of course my Mommy too. We were there to honor all the Veteran's in Orange County. Nannie and Papa Drake purchased a plaque for my Daddy to honor his service to our country. They are always doing thoughtful things like this and I know my daddy appreciates it.

When my Daddy met my Mommy in 1999, they knew they had a wonderful thing going on. They knew at that moment that whatever life challenges they would face, love would keep them together. Daddy joined the USMC in April of 2000. I know for my Daddy the challenges he would soon face were just a short time away, and he got a glimpse of what it would be like spending time away from his family and friends when he was in boot camp. It was very tough to be away from my Mommy and of course all his family.

Daddy deployed twice to Iraq and was faced with many obstacles. Was this life? Would he be okay and would he have the strength to get through this...of course he would...HE'S MY DADDY!!! My Mommy waited for the day when this would all be over and they could get on with their lives. Afterall, for a little while there they had spent more time away than together.

My Mommy tells me all the time how proud she is of my Daddy. She tells me I will understand when I get a bit older. He did something for me, for our family, and for our country. So, this day was very special because it was a day we can honor and pay our respects to those we lost, and appreciate each and every one of our servicemen and women who were there and even those who were not. This dedication meant a lot to my Daddy and he doesn't take enough credit for what he did those 5 years.

I love him and I am so honored to have him for my Daddy!

I waited my whole life...

I waited my whole life for the biggest blessing that would grow our family. And now, Makenna Makes Three. Since I was a little girl, I have dreamed of being a mommy. I have envisioned myself with a baby girl, brown hair and beautiful sweet soft skin.

Coming from a large family with two brothers and two sisters, I have been fortunate to always be around sweet babies. I have always done my best to show each and every one of them how much I love them. Although many times I have loved and cared for them as if they were my own, they were not my babies. I would patiently wait for the day when I was to become a mommy. That day came, February 24, 2009 is when we welcomed our new addition...Makenna Lauren Drake. "Makenna" is a name mommy liked, thanks to the brainstorming with Auntie Stephanie. And, "Lauren" is of course after her mommy. I want Makenna to know she is a part of me and always will be.

I never knew we could love someone so much. She has stolen my heart and of course her daddy's too. Every midnight, 2 am, 4 am, 5 am, 6 am, and 7 am feeding, I wake up to an angel singing to me (yes through cries, grunts and groans). She is worth it all. Someday mommy and daddy will tell her the stories of our "smiler girl" and how much we ate up every minute with her.