Issues with Emojis???

[wml5275]

After receiving a recent update for my S5 I discovered an issue I'm having with my text messages. Until this most recent update I was able to insert an emoji by tapping on the emoji icon and sending just the emoji. I was also able to type text and then click on the icon and insert the emoji. Now I cannot send just the emoji without typing text first. If I want to send just an emoji I have to type something, then insert the emoji then delete the text. I also can no longer tap on the emoji icon and insert it, I now have to close the keyboard and then tap the emoji icon to insert the emoji.

Is anyone else having this issue? It's not a show stopper but it is a little annoying. Any suggestions as to how to resolve this would be appreciated.

Bill