My Monday

It was a beautiful day today, I wore flip flops and a t-shirt! Woo Hoo!! We decided to take our puppies to the lake to let them play. When we got up there and it had about 2 feet of snow!! I drove my car and it was really bumpy, pretty much four-wheeling! Needless to say, my car has lots of mud marks on it! I had about 4 backseat drivers also, which made things interesting :o) When we arrived at the lake, I was still wearing my flip flops so I decided to hang out in the car. We were not going to be there long due to the amount of snow still on the ground. (I did attempt to go out and walk around but it was not long until my feet were freezing!!) The dogs had a blast though! We did decide to go to another lake close by that didn't have as much snow. They had so much fun in the water!!

Plus, tonight Kali and I were able to have a l.o.n.g (2 hour!) video chat with Alyssa....it was a great way to end the day!

Makeshift Dryer

This morning was one of those mornings. Oh, you know the kind.....where you wake up and for some reason your (what we call them), "angry eyes" just seem to pop out. It really wasn't too bad just some frustrations with our sweet, darling puppies. (Trust me, if you asked me if I thought so this morning you probably would have wished you didn't ask....lol.) I got ready to go to work,  I confess, I was a little happy to get out of there for a bit, but trust me, it is ALWAYS wonderful to come home and spend time with my family, no matter what! On my way out the door I put my water container that looks a little something like this.....

.....into my purse (which I normally do that way I don't have my hands all full when I enter work, easier you see). Well, apparently I didn't tighten the cap on good enough and most of my water was now in my purse! Arg!! Before I went into work I put my purse on my lap and I noticed an excess amount of liquid in my purse...whoops. I stood up and there was also an excess amount of water on my skirt.....lovely. Anyways, I took it inside tried to dry off my things and my purse. Thankfully nothing of importance was ruined. I placed my purse items in a garbage bag....lol....because we didn't have any other kind of bags. Then I did this to help dry it out.....

Yup, you see right, its a snow shovel. At this point it was only a little after 10 am, one of those mornings that if you don't laugh, you'll cry.... :o)

Deals and Deliciousness

Slowly but surely I am trying to add things to my "hope chest", which right now is my closet. :o) (I seriously need some kind of bin or something) Anyways, about a month or so ago I found an orange tablecloth on clearance and picked one up for myself, then today I found a red tablecloth on major clearance too!! Woo Hoo!! I think I'm set on tablecloths, but I just couldn't pass up those great deals!

Orange Tablecloth:

Regular- $9.00

Sale- $1.00

Red Tablecloth:

Regular- $9.00

Sale- $0.75

Total: $1.75

I love great deals!!!!

I also made a couple things today that were really delicious! First was a Strawberry Orange Smoothie. One word.....Y.U.M! SO simple and SO delicious!! Spring is here people!!

Next was Orange Almond Biscotti, whether its being dipped in coffee, milk, or even eaten by itself, these are just plain delicious...

If ya'll want the biscotti recipe, just let me know and I will post it on here shortly.....

And yes....I am what you call a foodie.....I can't deny it..... I get a star gazed, weak in the knees, flowery type feelings at times, but its not caused by a man..... *smile* I guess us single women need something right?! All I can say is praise the Lord for a good metabolism!!

New Addition(s) to our Family

Initially we weren't planning on getting a dog for a little while, but plans changed today. We got not just one dog but TWO! I know, I know, it sounds crazy, I'm still surprised! They are soooo cute though! They are both from the same litter, pure bred chocolate labs, 4 months old. "Charlie" is the family dog and "Gauge" is Josh's dog he wants to train to hunt with him. Now, without further ado, our sweet puppies.......

Charlie has the red collar on the left, then Gauge is on the right with the black collar

Charlie

Gauge

Texas Tech wannabe's :)

GO RED RAIDERS!!!

I'm seeing/tasting green....

It's a day early, but we decided to make all our food today green! I don't remember ever doing this before, to this extent, but it was fun! It mixed things up a bit! I'm showing dinner and dessert while Kali is posting about breakfast and lunch. So, make sure you check over there to see those green meals!

Dinner: Chicken alfredo (dyed green), green beans, and bread with garlic butter (dyed green)

I know, it looks STRANGE, but it was good!

Dessert: Grasshopper Pie

This has a chocolate crust, mint chip ice cream, then jr. mints and crushed oreos on the top with hot fudge!! Mmmmm....

Our dog, Max

This morning, our 9 year old dog Max, died in the comfort of his home. Everything started last night, let me retrace my steps....

(This is mostly for my own benefit, so I can look back and remember, so don't feel like you have to read what happened)

Last night we let Max out to go to the bathroom, it was dark out and since he has gotten older he really doesn't roam around. Sometimes it would be hard to even get him off the porch to go to the bathroom! We realized after a while he was not barking at the door for us to let him in. (which is his usual custom) Looked outside and couldn't find him, walked outside and couldn't find him. Dad and Josh went on foot to look (this was at about 10:45) while Kali and I drove around the neighborhood. Finally, at almost 11 my dad called saying he found Max at our neighbors house, at their back door. We were thinking that he must have just gotten confused, (he had lost his hearing and had gotten quite a bit slower this past year from age) but then as my dad was trying to get him to come back home he didn't want to come. Dad was having to force him to come, he said he was acting very strange too. Dad brought him in our garage and noticed his stomach was swollen and he was foaming at the mouth. We all, broken-hearted, decided to say our goodbyes, just in case he didn't make it through the night. (It was pretty obvious that something was going on, when dogs know they are about to die they will usually go away from their home to do it, this is why we were cautious, plus it was NOT like Max to leave the yard.) Woke up this morning, he was yelping/barking from the garage, my mom opened it up to find that he just wanted to be with someone, someone to be there. Kali and I have our bedrooms at the end of the hallway, right across from each other. As he was walking down the hallway, he just collasped in the middle of it and didn't get up. His stomach was much more swollen and he was having trouble breathing. (Josh looked on the internet to see what would be the cause of a swollen stomach and he found that it could possibly have been a tumor, don't know for sure though) My parents made the decision to take him to the vet when it opened (9 am) to have him put down because we didn't want to see him suffering like he was. It was a little past 7 am and we were all around him, petting him and watching. Then, we noticed he was not huffing for breath like he was doing before and different muscles in his body gave way. We knew this was the end. (This is hard for me to type right now, but I want to do this as its fresh in my mind) There was no air coming out or into his mouth, but he was flinching, he did a stretching of his legs, then, he was gone. All we could guess is that they were muscle spasms or his final struggle for air.

We were thankful it happened at home with his family, naturally, rather than being on a table with strangers all around him. This might sound strange to those who don't have animals, but when you have a dog from a puppy stage, 9 years of his life/our life, this dog grows up with you and becomes a part of the family. He was such a sweet dog......loved by all who knew him. He...

.....liked pigtails....

.....helped with Sunday School.....

..... and was our messenger...

Did I mention he was VERY easy going?!

I find it just a little bit ironic that Max died only a week and a half after Grandpa did. Grandpa used to call Max his dog, and whenever he would call he would ask how his dog was. So funny to look back on... Now, don't worry, I don't think "All Dogs go to Heaven", I don't believe dogs have souls like human beings. Yet, we will still miss him greatly....

Trip to Idaho

As I mentioned in my last post, our Grandpa passed away last tuesday, 3/1/11. He passed away in his sleep, very peacefully, Praise the Lord! It was met by shock and many tears, yet we are resting in the knowledge that he is now with our Lord. Grandpa was in Idaho when he passed away, his home on and off for many years, its where he loved to be. We travelled over to Idaho on Wednesday morning and got there in the evening. Many family members where able to come (33 I believe) so we had the Shiloh Inn hoppin'! Thursday we were waiting for more family to arrive and just kinda lounged and spent some time together, but of course we did just a little shopping to pass the time :o) Friday morning we had a special time of gathering together, praying, and sharing memories of Grandpa. It was such a sweet time spent together and I am so thankful for the Godly heritage our Grandpa passed down, the most important thing he could have done for us. We then went to his apartment where we were able to view it "untouched" as he had it last. That was H.A.R.D, many tears were shed but, again, it was a time of "just family", sweet sweet time of comforting one another and prayer. We were able to pick something from his home to keep as a memorable thing that would be special to us, I got to keep a blanket that was on his bed. (smells just like him) After we cleared and cleaned out his apartment we went to the funeral home to view his body, as Kali mentioned in her post, I too had never viewed a body before, never really was my thing. Yet, this time, I decided to do it and I really am glad I did. The family that was there all viewed and as I have said before, it was a sweet time as a family, again many tears, we sat on the pews singing some hymns and so thankful we didn't have to face this alone. Saturday morning brought about the memorial service, which went really well. It was mostly run by the grandkids, it was really neat being able to celebrate Grandpa's life with other people who knew him. (including grandpa's personal banker, yes, he was just that kind of man) Later that night, we watched some of a video my cousin, Jason, recorded of Grandpa about two years ago. It was Grandpa sittin' in a rocking chair, telling stories, it was like "one more conversation with Grandpa."

It was so fun to see some family I havn't seen in years and spend some time with them! Among the sadness and tears, there was also rejoicing and joy! He is now with the Lord, NO MORE PAIN!! It was so great to have so much family there to support each other and just "be there" for each other. I am feeling SO thankful and SO blessed to have such a wonderful family!!

At the Memorial Service......

I laugh at this picture because I don't even remember it being taken! haha!

Cousins!!!

 (Grandpa always wore a hat, either a cowboy hat or baseball hat)

Beautiful Shoshone Falls!

Happy Birthday Sally!!

Some of you may be wondering....Sally?! Who in the world is that?! Well, its Kali...last year I started calling her Sally randomly and it kinda stuck :o) Anyways, today is Kali's birthday, 24, Woo Hoo!! Kali is not only a GREAT sister, but a fantastic example of a Godly woman. I love you so much and am so thankful the Lord saw fit to give me you as a sister. We've shared some tough times in the past years, but also SO many great, gut busting laughter. You are someone who will text me in the middle of the night, from across the hallway, just to see if I'm awake or come to walmart with me just cause I don't want to go alone. I love you sooo much and can't wait to see what the Lord will do in your life in this coming year! Love you lots!!

*I LOVE YOU KALI BUNCHES. YOUR FAVORITEST SIBLING JOSH!!!* (Josh wanted to say a few words)

This morning we got a call saying my grandpa (mom's dad) passed away. It was a shock but we are resting in the knowledge that he is with our Saviour. We are heading out in the morning for Idaho, all the family is gathering for his memorial service. I will give more details on everything when we get back... Chris came over this morning, just to be there for us. He said he wanted to make dinner and the dessert we had planned to do for Kali, one less thing we had to think about. It  was so nice and such a blessing! He was a great sport and did a fantastic job on everything!

He made this cake all by himself, what a great job and delicious!