Contemplating

I've been through several dogs the last year.  We have Whitey, our lab mix that has stuck around  and I'm glad because he and Jace are best friends.  Last December, we got a beagle because Lance really wanted one. She stuck around for awhile, but she and Whitey just didn't get along with each other and we decided it was best to give her away to another family looking for a dog.  And now we know she's in a good home with someone that loves her. In April, we got the cutest puppy ever!  She disappeared one night and we're thinking that she must have been killed by the neighbor's dog.  I don't think we'll ever know what happened to her.  Then, we got our sweet Lola in June and then just a few days ago, I had to see her killed by the neighbor's dog.  

I'm a big dog lover.  There's kind of a void I have that I feel like I need to fill with Lola gone.  At the same time, I've been through so many dogs already, I'm too scared about getting another one.  The dog that we're pretty sure killed her was taken away, so I don't feel like I need to be concerned about it happening again.  At the same time, we have new neighbors with 3 big dogs that they just let roam and it makes me a little nervous having them around our yard.  I never want to relive the experience of seeing my little dog killed and hearing her cry.  It was a helpless feeling because there's nothing I could have done to help her.  By the time I reached her, I knew there was no hope and it was the most crushing feeling in the world.  

I had dogs growing up and nothing ever happened to them.  They lived wonderful lives until they got old and had to be put to sleep.  But I knew they lived happy lives.  I never envisioned losing a dog the way I did.  My mother-in-law had dogs that got really sick and had to be put to sleep and even to this day, she hates the thought of something happening to the dog she now owns.   I understand what she's feeling now.  The thought of getting another dog and something else happening is just frightening.  

Lance has been showing me dogs online that he would love to get.  A part of me just wants to jump and get one, but then the memory of what happened to Lola comes back to mind and I shut the idea away.  I've told Lance that before we can get another dog, he has to fix our fence and make sure there are absolutely no gaps a dog could fit through of any size.  I really wanted a small lap dog, but after losing 2, I've decided that I'm just not meant to have one.  The thought of getting a little bigger one kind of eases my mind and makes me think it might work.  I don't know what I'm going to do at this point.  I'm sure I'll open up to the idea of another dog soon, but I don't think I'm ready.  Maybe in the spring when we can fix up our yard and fill the gaps in the fence, I'll feel a little better about it.  I'm pretty content with Whitey, but even he misses Lola and it's obvious.  He's had another dog around the house to play with for a year and you can tell he's  grieving with her gone.  I don't know....I guess time will tell.  Maybe I'll just get a cat or a goldfish.   

In Memorium

Today, we had a tragedy happen.  Our sweet little dog, Lola, was attacked and killed by our neighbor's dog.  I let her out to go to the bathroom and instantly, she found a spot to get out of our yard.  She's such a small dog that it's not hard for her to squeeze through any space in our fence.  I ran to the front yard because that's where she usually goes when she gets out and she wouldn't come.  So, I ran back to the backyard and heard her crying and a saw a big black lab running away.  I put on my shoes and ran out there and saw the dog with her in his mouth just shaking her.  I didn't get any closer out of fear that the dog would come after me next.  I knew she had to be dead.  I sent Lance out and he went and couldn't find her.  Anyways..we called the animal control and since they were closed, a police officer had to come out.  They went over and found the black lab in its  yard with Lola laying next to it dead.  They came  back and gave us her collar and asked if we wanted to bury her and I told them no just because of all the snow and everything.  It's been kind of a sad day in our home.  Jace loved Lola and so did we.  She was the lap dog I've always wanted.  I'm going to miss her little den of stuff under our kitchen table that I always had to clean up.  I'm going to miss her snuggling into bed between Lance and I at night. I'm going to miss her biting all the limbs off of Jace's toys.  I'm going to miss her tackling with Whitey.     I'm going to miss her rolling on her back every time I went to her.  I'm going to miss her climbing up to Jace's crib every time I opened his door to get him in the morning.  I'm going to miss her standing on her hind legs for a treat.  I'm going to miss her chasing Whitey around the back yard trying to keep up. I'm going to miss her accidentally dunking her head in the water every time I tried to give her a bath. I'm going to miss her barking at Whitey every time he ate her food.  I'm just plain going to miss her.   We love you Lola.  Rest in peace!  

Merry Late Christmas

We hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas this year.  I  know our family did.  I've decided that I really don't care about getting presents as much as I enjoy getting presents for others and seeing their faces when they open them.  Our ward did a sub for Santa for another ward and I got some pajamas for a 7-year old boy.  I know that that family didn't wasn't as fortunate as we were, but I would have loved to see his face to open up some Spiderman pajamas.  Our Christmas really was wonderful.  I didn't take pictures with my camera (dang!) but we did take a lot of video.  On either Monday or Tuesday night (I can't remember), we got home and found a bag of presents on our porch.  There were toys in there for Jace and then gift cards for Lance and I.  Wow...not something we expected but something we were SO GRATEFUL for.  It's just such a nice feeling to be thought of by someone out there (we still don't know who).  

The weather was pretty crazy this Christmas.  On Christmas Eve, we got up and headed out to Salt Lake.  We dropped Jace  off at my brother's house where Lance's sister, Tara, watched Jace and their kids.  4 kids under the age of 4...not an easy task!  My family and Lance and I went to Desert Star to see "Miracle on 42nd Street" because my cousin was in it.  It was a really good play and we enjoyed the break from the kids.  After the play, Lance and I went and took over watching the kids while everyone else went to lunch.  Later that night, we watched "Elf" and read "A Christmas Story" to the kids.  It was a very nice night.

On Christmas day, we got up early again to really crazy weather.  It was very windy and wet out in Tooele.  The wind actually kept me up all night Christmas Eve. We opened presents at our own house first.  Jace's eyes just lit up when we took him in to see the tree with its lights  on and presents under the tree.  He didn't care about opening  the presents, but he enjoyed playing with them.  I think he was  most excited about the baby snacks in his stocking.  Lance got me a standing mixer and I was so surprised!  I've asked for one and never in my life expected it!  It's not a kitchenaid, but I don't care.  I don't need the fancy gadgets that kitchenaids have.

We went to Lance's parents after that and did presents there.  Lance's parents spoiled us.  They got us a garbage disposal and are paying for installation as well.  So excited about it!!!  After the presents there, Lance's mom made her annual Christmas breakfast and some of the extended family came over.  There weren't as many that came due to the bad weather.  Breakfast was very yummy though.  As we ate, Lance read the Living Christ, a tradition we enjoy.  It really reminds us to remember Christ at this time of year.  

After breakfast and everything, we headed back to my brother's house to open presents with my family.  One thing about doing it with my family is that I don't think you've ever seen so presents as they have there.  There were garbage bags just full of gifts.  We really are blessed.  My parents gave me a lot of decorations for my house.  That's what I wanted more than anything.  Our house has a lot of ledges and I'm not a decorator, so I needed something to put on them and I actually got some stuff.  I made my nieces tutus and my 2-year-old niece was actually scared of hers.  She wouldn't touch it or go near  it.  Kind of sad and funny at the same time.  Hopefully she'll grow into it.   We didn't do a traditional Christmas dinner.  My mom brought over a lot of snacks and made her very yummy bran muffins and hot chocolate.  It was just great being together as a family.

We've been out in Salt Lake everyday the past week.  It's nice spending today at home to find a place for everything and clean up after the Christmas chaos.  I enjoyed Salt Lake with our families, but am glad it's all over so I can just be at home with my own little family now.  

Not a Smart Shopper

Okay, so I'm trying to save money the best I can and I'm not very good at it! I'm not good at finding the best deals. I use websites and stuff, but I'm still not very good at finding the best deals. Is anyone out there a smart shopper? Any ideas on saving money? I've taken a coupon class and I still just can't figure out how to do it. We had an unexpected happening last night (don't ask) and now is really the time for us to be smart with our money. So...please help! If you're any good at it, please give me your ideas and where to find coupons, etc. I think my main problem is that I don't know what a "good deal" is.

Okay, so to get off that subject, let me just brag about my sweet little boy. Now that Jace can walk, it seems like he's the most energetic kid around! He's still not very good at walking. In fact, he only takes a few steps and then will sit down on purpose. Altogether, he seems like a changed kid. He will actually calm down at times. At my mom's, he refuses to take naps in his playpen. In fact, we just make him a bed on the couch and he falls asleep there at naptime. I don't understand the change. At nighttime, he will lay on the bed with me and just cuddle. He never used to be like that. Whenever he used to be on the bed, he would be up and moving. There are actually a couple nights this week where he fell asleep on our bed. Strange. I don't want that to become a habit, so I haven't let him do it anymore. Jace also has a new favorite hobby. He loves to go to the drawers in the kitchen and empty them and then put everything back in different drawers. I've actually just started giving him our measuring cups and spoons to play with. I've tried teaching him how to say our dog's names, Lola and Whitey. It's really funny when he says Lola because his tongue goes in and out of his mouth and he blubbers. I really enjoy our cute little boy. I really enjoy my days off work because I get to play with him all day and I can tell he enjoys being home with me. He's really a momma's boy. He's becoming attached. I kind of don't like that, but at the same time, it's a nice feeling having a little boy that wants to stay with you. It does make me worry when he gets older and has to go to nursery and stuff like that.

Jace's new favorite thing to do...you can see all of the towels and stuff on the floor.

Here I actually caught him walking into the kitchen. He looks like a chimp when he walks with his arms up in the air.

Here he is again walking down the hallway. I have yet to take a video of it. I need to buy more tapes for our camcorder. I also have never learned how to upload them to a computer.

Oh Happy Day!

So, I don't have a lot to write about right now and I know I've been slacking a little. But, tonight Jace took his first steps! I didn't see that coming at all because he's never tried before. We were at my mother-in-law's and he disappeared into the kitchen. When I went in, I saw him take a step away from holding onto his highchair and thought "What the...?" He has never done that before. So, I took him into the living room and put him between me and my brother-in-law's girlfriend, Lauren. Then, he took like 3 steps to get to her and fell down. We tried a few more times, but then he was sick of it and said no more. But, it was sure fun while it lasted! I can't wait for tomorrow to try again. Hopefully this isn't one of those things where he does it once and then stops for 3 months before he tries again. By, the way, before he would walk, he would stand without holding onto things. He could stand and bend his knees without falling. I don't know when this all started. It was all a surprise to me! But anyways....happy day! Pretty exciting. Maybe he'll be full out walking by Christmas. Who knows!