A man and his dog

It's a sad day here. Jeremey and I had to make the decision to put Harley to sleep today. He was almost 11, and hopefully he had a good life. I know he's feeling no pain now, which is the important thing. He's playing and running now like he hasn't done in a while. The kids don't know yet, they just know he was taken to the doggy hospital Wednesday and wasn't doing too well. Kristen's already asking if he's going to make it, but if he isn't, are we getting another dog? What kind? Big or small? Can it live inside? (no) I guess I'll just tell them when they ask about him tonight. It's so amazing, how resiliant kids are. Resiliant. Innocent. And Positive. I hope they stay that way. Harley was given to us right after we got married, by a coworker of mine; he was 10 weeks old or so. He was my baby before my babies. And I didn't quite realize how much this decision has affected me, but knowing he feels young and free now, I guess I'll let that comfort me.

The Blob & His Party

From what I could tell yesterday, Jacob's party was a success and he managed to live to be 3! I have some really good friends who came, in spite of the lovely thunder, lightening and rain and brought Jacob some really cool presents (because the poor boy has no toys, you know)! Thanks to Wanda, who came over Saturday and tediously folded some awesome streamers, and thanks to Amber, who came early yesterday to make pitch in doing whatever, which ended up being fixing some of the food and basically keeping me calm, especially when Jacob managed to dump one of the topiaries completely off the counter and all over everywhere, the food table, the floor, and even in some of the food baskets! He decided to start lapping the kitchen, dragging a bunch of red balloons with ears behind him, and just managed to snag one of the topiaries on his way around the counter! He loved all his presents, THANKS everybody for coming and for his gifts! I hope next year to actually capture him blowing out his candles, I guess we didn't tell him to wait until after everyone sung Happy Birthday for him to blow! So I wasn't quite ready when he blew the second after Jeremey put the cake in front of him! And I guess we should've better explained the pull string pinata concept, we didn't bother to tell him (I don't guess) that he pulls just one string, and his friend pull just one, taking turns. He grabbed all of them, and whoosh, there was all the candy! So needless to say, I didn't capture the broken pinata moment, either.

Also, Saturday night, Amber, Wanda, Mitzi and I finally were able to go out Saturday night, for our girl's night out celebration of Michelle's birthday. We tried to go out the Friday in January right after her birthday, but were unable to due to the weather. So Saturday night, we went to Folks Folly, courtesy of some gift certificates Mitzi had, had some great food, and since we were too late for a movie, we went shopping! Steinmart until they closed at 9, then Target, because they didn't close until 10, then we hit TCBY, they don't close until 11! Michelle, we know you were with us, and we hope you had a great time laughing with us, acting like the fools we can't be when we're the mommies!

Anyway, here are a couple of random party pictures from yesterday.

The girls: Carter, Hannah, Halle, Kristen, Elizabeth and Brenna

Three years ago tonight . . .

Three years ago tonight, Jacob decided on his daddy's birthday to make his rather rapid arrival. I was home that Monday, because SBEC was closed for President's Day, with Kristen and Jackson, and too, because Kristen had gotten sick the day before at Amber's house, where we had all gathered to watch the Daytona 500. Had some contractions in the morning that stopping within 45 minutes, not to restart until about 6 pm. Jacob did have the courtesy to let Jeremey finish the birthday dinner that I had actually cooked, before the contractions kicked in for real. We rushed, finished packing the bag (because his due date was March 1), met the IL's at a gas station to throw Kristen and Jackson into their vehicle (only forgetting Jackson's shoes, I think), and flew up to Baptist Women's, with Jeremey chanting "you are not having this baby in this car" and me responding, "oh yes I am!" Fortunately, he was right, but just barely. We arrived at the hospital at 10 pm, and Jacob arrived at 10:08 pm! My doctor was luckily on call and at her office, which at the time was attached to the hospital, and actually made it to deliver him! And in the last 3 years, he hasn't slowed down one bit! He began life nicknamed the Blob, and has now transformed into the Chick Magnet, as he assists our friend Rence in attracting 7th grade girls!

Happy Birthday to my Caboose, a.k.a. my Blob, and to my husband, too!

Alright, my friend . . .

Here I am, the Thursday before the Blob's 3rd birthday party. and where are you? Looking down from above, laughing and having a great time, watching me try to pull this off by myself! I know you've watched me make the Mickey Mouse topiaries (do you approve?) and watched your daughter and mine dot treat bags (didn't quite turn out like I thought, but hey, they had a good time) and watched me bake the first batch of Mickey Mouse head sugar cookies for the Blob's friends at school (only tore ears off of two of them getting them off the cookie sheet). I know you're getting some good laughs at my expense, but take it easy on me, ok? This is the first birthday party in what, 3 years that I've had to do without you! Amber's doing a great job of listening, and I think I've found some great things (Mickey Mouse shaped chicken nuggets, anyone?) to have & use, but I sure have missed your phone calls with ideas! But I know you're glad you don't have to drive down I-55 with a giant 50" Mickey Mouse balloon buckled in your front seat (my IL's are picking up your slack in that department), I don't think you ever forgave me for the 50" Elmo from last year! And you'll be equally glad to know I didn't ask your DH to shuttle the MM balloon, either! I figured that would be pushing it, just a tad! :)

I hope I make you proud!

Shrinky Dinks

Remember those? Well, our friend Brenna spent the night last Friday night, and had never done them, so I bought a couple of kits for her, Kristen and Jackson to do. They loved watching them through the oven door, squabbling over who was hogging the window!