Mount Pleasant Magazine May/June 2019

43 www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.BestOfMP.com | www.ReadMPM.com feature their blankets home and let the dogs smell them. … And Bandit used to sleep with their blankets from the hospital,” Kelly reminisced. Kelly described the nature of the adoption and relationship as semi- open, as she still keeps in touch with Amanda fairly often, and the children do know who she is. “We just entwined it into our everyday language with them. … Madi has started asking questions more recently, and it’s great because I can text her birth mom and say ‘Hey, Madi wants to know what your favorite kind of ice cream is.’” Madi and Mason are now pre-K aged and love their dogs, playing outside, going to the beach and riding their bikes in the neighborhood. “Mason loves playing baseball, and Madi loves ballet. …We have this incredible community where we’re surrounded by with all of these pre- K-aged children that they just love to hang out with,” Kelly stated. Madi and Mason’s grandparents also live in Mount Pleasant and surround them with love. Madi and Mason are also surrounded by wonderful family friends — one of them being Jessi Adams, who wrote a song titled “You Have My Heart” for them. The song is available on iTunes, and all proceeds benefit adoptive families to help offset the cost of adoption. What is the Greer family up to these days? Acclimating to their new “normal” with a positive outlook and giving Bandit, their first baby, the best life possible in his final days. Kelly is also the author of her new book, “Dogs,” which she has partnered with the Charleston Animal Society in order to give a portion of every book’s proceeds back to dogs in need. Kelly recalled, “The day after my book launch, the vet did an MRI and found a large mass in Bandit’s brain. … In the room with our two children, she showed us the large mass on the screen and told us he had three to six months, and I thought, ‘That’s not even possible, he’s the star of a book. He can’t have three to six months.’” Bandit has been a staple in the Greer household through all the major adjustments — moves, Kelly’s NCS and bringing Madi and Mason home, Photo courtesy of Kelly Greer. Madi and Kelly. FREE ASSESSMENT location only. Expires 04/30/2019. ACT NOW TO TAKE CONTROL OF THIS SCHOOL YEAR! Grade CHANGE ACE THE NEXT REPORT CARD WITH SYLVAN Our personal learning approach will really connect with your child, combining engaging technology with amazing teachers, raising grades and confidence. 1172 Oakland Market Road 843.352.7364 mpattimcgrath@gmail.com SYLVANLEARNING.COM/mtpleasant