Merry Christmas!

I know I haven't been around much, but just wanting to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. Hoping to be back in full swing in the New Year...

How I spent the past 2 days

Here's some photographic evidence. Pics are from the cell phone and are beyond crappy but you get the idea. I've also been eating a shit load of chocolate chip cookies.






For weeks I've been putting off packing up Ava's summer stuff, but when I did her last load of laundry and realized that I couldn't possibly put anything else in the closet, I decided it was time. What I didn't realize is that I completely neglected to put away her winter stuff from LAST year, so I had more work to do than normal. I always hate putting the stuff away because it makes me incredibly sad that she will never wear this stuff again. But, anyway, it's done, and now her closet looks almost empty. The only solution I have for that is more shopping.


I'm going to try to post again tomorrow, but really we all know that won't happen so I hope everyone has a safe and Happy Thanksgiving. I'm off to work on getting my house ready for 25 peeps on Friday. And I might have another cookie Yes, I'm crazy.

Here I go again..

I feel like all I think and talk about lately is the significance of this month last year. November 2007 will forever be etched in my mind. On one hand we celebrate that we did not lose my dad from the massive heart attack that he had, but on the other hand we grieve for the loss of our babies. Today marks the one year anniversary that I lost our second precious girl. Today, in the cold and rain, I will make my first trip to the cemetary in several months to lay flowers in memory of her. That day, November 15, 2007 forever changed who I am as a human being. As hard as it was to go through something like that, I'm greatful that I have been able to pull through and come out as a better person, and a better mother because of it.

Perfect Timing...

You will notice, just below her right eye, appears to be my precious baby girl's first shiner. I have NO idea how it happened. She's as rambunctious as a bull so lord only knows. All I do know is that she has pictures on Friday with my favorite photographer of all time, so it better be gone by then.

Chaos

Meet the newest addition to our family.

Matthew was hunting on his farm this weekend and literally almost ran her over with his 4 wheeler. She appears to be mostly Australian Shepherd but there must be something else mixed in. She's a really sweet dog and her face is precious, but lord have mercy she has alot of energy. I'm used to the dog that literally sleeps unless he's eating or going to the bathroom so having her in the house has been a major change for us. I'm afraid that she might run Harley to death.

Once Matthew found her she wouldn't leave his side, he even tried to lose her a couple of times and would find her back at their camper at night. Me being the sucker that I am told him to bring her home. She's in pretty rough shape. She's underweight and has knots in most of her fur, so I'm taking her to the vet today and the groomer on Wednesday and hopefully everything will be okay with her. Ideally I get to the vet today and they can find a micro-chip but I'm not counting on it. Especially because it looks like she's never even had a collar on.

Harley's tail has been wagging since the second she stepped in the door, and Ava was running around this morning screaming "two doggies mommy!" We aren't 100% sure at this point that we will keep her, but unless I find somewhere that I know she would be taken care of, she can stay right here. I just hope that I'm not making the wrong decision.

I suck at blogging...

And I'd like to say that I have a ton of excuses of why I haven't posted in what seems like forever, but I don't. I'm busy, but no busier than anyone else. I'm really just trying to soak up every ounce of Ava that I can because this little girls is literally growing up right before my eyes.

Last week I finally took her out to one of the local pumpkin patches around here. It was cold but we decided to go on a weekday to avoid the large weekend crowds. I also dragged my parents with us, because let's face it, Ava would probably pick doing something with my dad over me 9 times out of 10. That was definitely evident that day after we got back to their house as she REFUSED to come home with me, clinging to every inch of his leg and actually telling me to leave, she was staying with papa. Lord help me with this child.

Anywho here are some pics of the day.

Cheezing it up for the camera on the way.

Hanging with grandma while looking at the chicks and bunnies

Her hat's too small and her face is dirty but I love this pic.

In front of the "haunted farmhouse," which I thought she would totally hate. We had to drag her out of there after about the 7th time through. I think it freaked me out more than it did her.

With me on her very first hayride

Hanging with our pumpkin stash, waiting for the tractor to take us back.

With her papa on the way back.

Up next, my attempt to carve pumpkins. This outta be interesting...

A post is long overdue but...

In honor of today being National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day, I took some time tonight to light candles for those we have lost.

Please pray for all those families out there who also have suffered the loss of a child.

On a slightly lighter note, as soon as Ava saw the candles, she immediately got excited, sang Happy Birthday and tried and eventually succeeded at blowing the right one out.