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!

Winter Retreat

Last weekend a group of teenagers from BBC in Oak Harbor, made their way over the mountains to come visit us! They were meeting over here for a Winter Retreat! (Might I add it was very strange being the "destination" for a winter retreat gathering, first one since we moved over here!) We had a BLAST!! The group of teens were so great, singing was uplifting, preaching was better, and fellowship was sweet! We let them know we would love to have a spring retreat soon! hehe The girls stayed at our house and we had fun playing games and chatting. Friday we went tubing, which was a blast! Much laughter was shared between all of us! It was a great source of encouragement to us all to see those "familiar faces" once again!

I even got a ride up the hill once, so  nice! :o)

That group, plus Linnea taking the pic, where all on those 4 tubes going down at once! SO MUCH FUN!

Eating dinner after a long, but very fun, day!

God Gives Grace

Things have been rough for me lately, without going into all the details, I would appreciate your prayers for the Lord's guidance in my life.... This evening I was listening to music on my phone, it was on shuffle and guess what was the first song that was played. God gives us just what we need.....




On a lighter note, we have some teens from our home church coming this weekend and we are all very excited about it!! It will be lots of fun!

Also, this morning I got an unexpected email from a friend, telling me of a single lady in her church whom I will start to be emailing! I always love meeting (or emailing) other Christian Ladies, so fun and encouraging!

Sticky Fun

What's better than roasted marshmellows?! Especially when you're under the age of 7  :o)

I love this one...so cute!

Happy Birthday Josh!!

Josh (my favorite brother) turned 22 today!! Since, he moved back home this past weekend (did I tell you all that?!), he spent his birthday with us! It was SO much fun and great to have him back home!! It included a scavenger hunt to find his presents and a surprise at the end of it! (Kali is going to post a video, so be sure to check it out!) For dessert, I made some peach cobbler (by his request) and paired it with some vanilla ice cream! Mmmmm...delicious!

Josh is right in between Kali and I in birth order. I'm sure at some points he wished he had a brother, but he definitely made up for it by teasing and picking on us! He is truly the best brother and I love him so much! We have had so much fun together, especially as we have gotten older! I look forward to more memorable times to share with him and belly aching laughs! I LOVE YOU JOSH!!

(He insisted we take the photo in front of "The Office" picture in his room.....lol)