It Has Been A Long Winter

Winter some years seems to drag out longer than others, but this year it has seemed extra long and dreary. Everyone has their highs and lows, good news and bad, and you learn to take what life gives you and make the best of it. Right before Christmas my family received some especially sad news that was confirmed just a few days later.. My nephew hadn't been hitting the typical milestones that infants and toddlers do. His parents, Justin and Esther, worked with multiple specialists trying to find a cause so they could help him in anyway possible. The answer they did get was shocking and tragic. Here is what Esther posted soon after getting the diagnosis. 

"We got the DNA results. Tanner tested positive for Spinal Muscular Atrophy. I am sad. I am scared. I am not sure how someone is supposed to cope with the news that your child will not be getting better, but instead progressively worse. That there is no treatment, no cure. That every illness is potentially life threatening. So I cling to the fact that there are people out there actively working on a cure and hope and pray that one will become available in time to benefit my sweet little mamma's boy. That I will finally get to wake up from this nightmare."  

I can't even imagine the pain and heartache that comes along with finding your child has a fatal disease, but watching my sister-in-law cope with this as gracefully as possible has been incredibly touching.  

Each Christmas our family draws names and this year Tim and I picked Justin's family. One of their other sons had told me at Thanksgiving that he knew his parents wouldn't get him a dog, so could Tim and I please get him one. So we did the best we could under the circumstances (stuffed dogs instead of live) and brought them a whole circus. 

Charcoal, as usual, had to be involved in any project I work on.

Of course this lion needed to be dressed up so I got to work on a bow tie and a crown.

A bow tie for the monkey.

And each circus dog got his own collar.

The circus was a hit with all three boys, but Tanner especially loved the dogs and was trying to hug all three at once. His smiles and bubbling laughter were priceless.

Puppy Love, Chickens Coming Soon, and Other Pictures

I haven't had much time to sit down at a computer lately, so here is a quick update in pictures!

 It seems like every time Tim and Grant plan to work on the Hen House a storm comes in. Despite the poor weather they have come a long way. In fact, it is almost finished! Can't wait to pick up our hens.

The escape hatch (or hen sized door.)

The cover on the vent. This will stay shut until the weather warms up enough to use it.

Gretchen got plenty of love from everyone this Thanksgiving and throughout the weekend. Luckily we have family that let us take her to their homes. Thanks Teri and Grant, LeAnn and Neil, and Bec and Dave!

She still seems so little, but is growing like a weed. I'm sure one day she'll take up most of this dog bed.

 Getting festive. The wreath is fresh cut (although now that I look closer it is missing some berries!) The holly is from our backyard. I am hoping to add a little more color to it sometime soon.

The Amy Butler Sunday Sling I made for Teri. A lovely bag for a special lady.

 The reversible side.

Tim and Gretchen having fun in the leaves.

 

Gretchen's new favorite spot. She loves to try and do whatever Timber does.

Cuddling.

Over the last two weeks I picked up the cold that seems to be going around town. You know, the one that gets in your chest and lasts anywhere from three to five weeks. Plenty of tea, a humidifier, and lots of cough drops later I am finally feeling almost normal although Tim still cringes when I cough in the morning. Yuck.

We have also been had a great time taking Gretchen to Puppy Class (where she learns manners and tricks) and Puppy Playtime (where she learns to play appropriately with other dogs.) Each lasts approximately an hour once a week, not counting the homework they give. Several people have asked me why I am taking her to class, not to mention paying for it, when I already know the basics of dog training. I figure why not do the best for my puppy when the timing is right. Socialization is key at this age, and it is just as important for her to meet other puppies and learn how to play "nice" as it is for Gretchen to learn how to behave around people. For a small investment we will have a well behaved, fully trained dog in much less time than I could do on my own. I have learned all kinds of new tricks for training and am so impressed with Calling All Dogs and their beautiful facility. Not to mention it is a fun activity to get out of the house and spend some quality time with Tim, who always impresses me with his endless patience with the puppy. He is just as smitten with her as I am, if not more. I'm sure Timber, Lady, Lola, and Charcoal all enjoy a little break from the puppy a few hours each weekend although they are adjusting incredibly well to having her around.

A Week of Visitors

Tim's parents were out of town for part of last week so we were lucky enough to dog sit for them. Jake spent a lot of time perched on the back of the couch (Timber's usual spot) making sad faces and watching for them to come back. Lola is hissing at Bear, who she liked to slap in the face and boss around.

Here are Lady and Bear after a walk. I love Bear's happy face!

Yep, definitely missed Teri and Grant.

Timber and Bear relaxing after a walk.

My nephew had been waiting to help out with the Hen House ever since we mentioned building it, so we had him and my niece sleep over Saturday. This is after the first coat of paint. He is a hard little worker.

One of Bear's favorite things in the whole world is a hose. This is a neighbor friend giving him some water. Later Bear laid down next to the hose hoping someone would turn it back on.

Taking a little break from the painting.

Jake hanging out under a table, safe from being stepped on by any big dogs. The weather this weekend couldn't have been more perfect!

Bear wishing someone would turn back on the hose.

We made "Monster Eyes" to pass out to the neighbors. *Thanks Jessi and Ali for teaching me how to make the cake balls :)

Bear stayed up stairs for the entire several days he was here. He was terrified of going down stairs. It was too funny watching him peek his cute face around the corner down at us. Tim and Bear were both exhausted after a day of play here.

Isaac and Dave came over to go to the dog park with us. We had six people, six dogs, and lots of fun.

Putting the second coat on.

We chose "Candy Apple Red"....at first it looks a little pink then dries to a nice bright red.

My nephew loves to help out, so when he found out that Tim needed to mow the lawn he offered to do it.

In the meantime, my cute niece helped me gather leaves from the front garden beds. We took them to the back yard and put them on the lawn to be mowed and put in the compost. Tim and I had so much fun with the kids and love that they had fun helping us with our work.

Now to put on the roof, a few latches and hinges, and we will be all ready for the hens!

Lola discovered the gopher (?) hole. She sniffed around it, tried to reach her claws in and pull something out, than sat for over an hour just waiting to try and catch it.

Every time the door rang with trick-or-treaters Charcoal would run to the door and greet them. They thought he was a great little Halloween cat.

Lola was up to her usual shenanigans, climbing and balancing on things. I put up the baby gate so Timber's bark wouldn't scare off the little kids. Lady slept through most of it. I heard that there weren't a lot of kids last year, so I only bought one bag of candy and a bag of plastic frogs that jump. Within forty-five minutes everything was gone and I had to run to the store for more.

Did I mention that I love the Fourth of July?

Tim and I spent the weekend with family and friends. Saturday we celebrated Mom's birthday early because Sarah, Troy, and Breacy were able to come up from Vegas for the weekend. At night we would come home exhausted from playing all day and I would drag Tim out in the dark to have a little more fun. I bought some SUPER SPARKLERS and Tim and I would run around like little kids (unfortunately there are no picture of this since our hands were full.)

What a mischievous look!

Tim and I spent our Fourth of July evening at the Vala's having a delicious dinner and hanging out with some of the neighbors for fireworks. Somersaults and cartwheels on the lawn barefoot with the kids made me giggle and feel like I was five again. I took sparklers for the kids (the small sparklers, not the supersize) and we went through six boxes in under twenty minutes.
And an update on the house....we were excited to hear that the seller is leaving her gas dryer, along with a few other things, which will save us some cash for now. That means the money we were going to put towards a new washer and dryer can now go towards....patio furniture? A new couch for the living room? Or the chicken coop? We will have to think about that.