How did I get so lucky?

[Star and Goldie]

Do you ever just sit back and ask yourself "how did I get so lucky?"  I find myself asking myself this question all the time. I am a single mom which I look at as a HUGE accomplishment. I own a beautiful house and have a job that I absolutely love and employees that respect and admire me. I do not struggle to take care of my daughter or my dogs. Now, don't get me wrong- we don't live a life of extreme luxury but they do not go without!

My daughters dad and I are great friends and our families are very close. My daughter gets the benefit of being a part of both families as one without being exposed to stress, arguments, etc (her dad and I make great friends- we do not make great partners).

It seemed that luck was also on my side with Goldie.  How did I get so lucky with this doodle? She is the PERFECT dog. Will she always be or is she waiting to bust out of her shell at a different time? Haha

Goldie is incredible with kids. She is so incredible with kids that I've started looking into Therapy Dog programs in my area. I think I'd like to use her as a therapy dog for grieving children. My heart is really being tugged in that direction. Not only is she good with kids, she is incredibly smart, so quick to train, she is very calm and mellow and I have never even heard her bark. My daughter once asked me "is Goldie's barker broken?" HAHA!

These are just a few pictures that are permanently etched into my heart.  Now share some of yours :)

[Cathy, Fozzie & Shaggy]

Star, your pictures show the happiness you and your family share, it's heartwarming to see - thanks for sharing!

[Judy, Meg & Polly Wolly Doodle]

Great pictures and great to hear someone that recognizes the important things in life and appreciates them.

[Adina P]

Beautiful happy family -- Silverlyn is a lucky girl =) (and so are you).

[Star and Goldie]

Adina, I thought about you yesterday when I got trapped into playing doctor for 2 hours. I remember you saying you don't play with the kids toys. I may need some advice on how not to play so much. Haha. I need a toy intervention. I do love playing them but sometimes I need to come up with an escape plan!

[Adina P]

2 whole hours!? I can't even do 10 minutes unless playing doctor means laying on the couch resting, while they try to fix me. My mind is too busy and because I'm mostly a SAHM, so I try too often to escape into the internet, from all the laundry, mess, giving ignored instruction, breaking up fights, and loudness of two kids. My mind gets too busy with to-do's to sit and play for long. If I worked full time I would more likely be able to sit and play longer at the end of the day.

[Star and Goldie]

That makes sense. But during that 2 hours I was thinking about all of my to dos as well. Working full time and then participating in all of that play time doesn't leave much time for everything else (cleaning, laundry, dishes, mowing, etc) but since I'm gone all day I prefer to spend that time playing with her even though I'm secretly wondering how to make the house clean itself so I can just play or how I can get out of playing for just a little bit since I know the reality is that the dishes are about to start stinking;)

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

Just so sweet!  Thanks for sharing.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Beautiful photos, your girls are so cute. Love this post!

[Emily and Sophie]

Your daughter is beautiful and so is Goldie!

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

What precious pictures!  Oh my goodness!  I am so glad you took the time to share your blessings with us.  You should be very proud of the life you are making for your family.

[Becka]

Thank you so much for sharing these beautiful pictures. As the daughter of a single mother, I know how challenging it can be, and I salute you. Your daughter is very lucky to have such a wonderful mother!

[Star and Goldie]

Thanks, Becka! That means a lot coming from someone who can relate. My mom was a single mom at times but there were 4 of us girls and it was very unfortunate to watch her fall into the mindset that she couldn't take care of us on her own and married 3 more times after my dad. I think that made me even more motivated to be a strong independent role model for my daughter. I am so happy being a single mom, as completely crazy as that may sound:)