We now close the short but eye opening "Dog Diaries"

So yes my dog days have come to an end. We have said good bye to our little pup who has received a great home but a the name of "Fluffy" although she likes her new family she told me it will take a while to get used to that name. For all those thinking of a dog in all my research here are some things I didn't find out until we had one. A one year old a water bowl and dog food do not mix!!! I could not believe how stressed I was every time I left the house, I was constantly rushing to finish errands so we wouldn't be leaving her home to long. And dog accidents stressed me out so much, not because of cleaning up the mess but because in all the books I read said that if the dog messes in the house it is almost like starting the house training over. The other down falls is in our area, Colorado in general people are very unforgiving of any hint of dog mistreatment. So if you work you can't leave your dog outside during the day. I wasn't about to have a BIG dog in my house so that is why we opted for a small dog. Well what I didn't know until after is that you can't leave a small dog outside alone at all because of the hawks we have in our area. So anytime I had to feed a baby, change a load of laundry put dishes away or the worst one (which I forgot about everyday) was changing diapers, I would have to kennel the dog. Daily I would end up being in the middle of a yucky diaper and the dog would come try to get her nose in it. So I would have a baby with a dirty bum trying to get away from me, a diaper full of gross stuff and a dog jumping all over me trying to get to the "treasure". So for some of you that may sound like things you can handle and I will say go for it because dogs and animals in general are very fun to watch they do help with stress while playing with them. It just isn't for me right now. FYI, my 8 and 7 year old were supper responsible they walked her daily and cleaned up all the outside messes. And although they were attached they got over her in a couple of days, which was my biggest stress in getting her a new home.

Dog Diaries

We keep her, we get rid of her, we keep her, we get rid of her. Right now we are getting rid of this darling fur ball. It is unfortunate because she truly is better then I could imagine for dog temperament, but come to discover I am so not a dog person, at least at this point in my life. I'll admit I feel a little guilty about it, I didn't think I would but I guess its all the postings on craigslist that criticize people like me for doing what I'm doing. I wasn't careless at all about getting a dog I had thought a lot about it, read a lot about the responsibilities of dog ownership and I talked to a lot of dog owners. You just really don't know what it is like until you have one. So any of you who have done what I am about to do, I understand, and for those who think what I am doing is totally irresponsible, I am sorry! I wish all you dog owners good luck! I will let you know if anything changes with the Dog Diaries.

Exciting, New and Terrifying things!!!

Hair cut -Exciting! She really does love it -New! And we did it, I really never thought we would actually become a dog family -Terrifying! But the kids just love her, and she is so sweet and good. She is a designer breed called a Teddy Bear which is a mix of Pure bread Bichon Frise and Pure bread Shihtzu.

One Huge Birthday Party

We Celebrated! Jasmin turned 1, Dale turned 7 and I turned 29 for the first time. Some of our great friends, Water slide (Thanks Tuki!) Ladder Ball and a lot of relaxing on my new hammock, good thinking Taylor. Lots of Rock Band, mostly for the teenagers, he he he Ice Cream Cake Now I am happy! and Presents, Jasmin LOVES stuffed animals.

The last couple months

First time mowing the lawn. How my boys play with there sister. "I feel sick!" (notice the Tylenol she is holding) Day Camp, he had so much fun!! As you can tell dental hygene hasn't been our first priority. :) Double rainbows, (I love, love, love the weather here in CO!) Climbing trees, Playing with cousins and stealing veggie chips. Being amazed that Tuki (my mom) is actually VERY good at paddle ball. Cool guitar playing uncle Jared, Birthday parties, Pretty girls, Crazy dances, Rocking to sleep, Baptism! First day of scouts!

Maybe I should concede?

I think I can honestly say I am the worst blogger ever. I get on to post and I get distracted by all your blogs and reading about whats going on in your lives then I look up and the toy bin has exploded again, Jaz is crying because Amelia is laying on top of her and the boys have stopped doing their chores and have stolen away somewhere far far away (the basement) hoping that I will not come and find them. And then I will admit, I only upload pictures from my camera when my memory card is full. So this combination of being easily distracted not keeping up with my photos and really not picking ideal times to be on the computer, I may have to admit that for now my career as a blogger is not going to happen. :( But alas even when not making comments on your blogs I do enjoy reading them.

I am alive

I am alive I just am a blacker or slogger (which one do you like better). Hehe, I know that is dorky. So lately I have been reflective of my self and my life choices. I have never been one with tons of ambition or a drive to accomplish incredible things. I have always been a person who enjoys going with the flow and I especially love someone saying this is something you could do and this is exactly how to accomplish it. But as my children have gotten older I have appreciated the example of my husband on going and getting things for yourself. He has accomplished so many things in his life, yes he has had many people help him along the way, but he would have done them anyway. I want to be that way especially for an example to my children. I want all my kids to get PhD's or equivalent if they want (my boys have to get one :) and I want them to run marathons and play sports and be great kinds people. I have discovered as I watch some of my dear friends parent and some of you have your children grown that the way to encourage my children to reach for the sky is to do it my self. In saying all that I have made goals to change and add things to my life, I have started training for a triathlon that I hope to do the beginning of June. I have started journaling and thinking about my life outside of motherhood, "what do I want to be when I am not raising my kids, where do I want to be when they are grown and how do I prepare now to get there?" I have been investing more in my marriage and yes marriage is an investment, I know from personal experience if you are not putting things into it right now it want be strong for retirement. I am not usually one that likes to write a lot on my blog I prefer more pictures, but every once in a while it feels good. Happy Easter