Nana's Annual Visit

Superbowl weekend = a break for Marshall and Sarah and some quality alone with the kids for Nana. This year her timing was perfect--she got to be here for Tyler's "Special Person's Day". The school has the Book Fair at the same time (they are so smart) so he was able to con Nana into buying LOTS of books for both he and Emma.

We so appreciate her coming out every year and doing this for us. And the kids LOVE having her all to themselves!!

Sweet Sweet Girl

I will never forget the day I flew back home to Missouri after visiting Marshall in Tucson. We were still trying the long distance thing and I think he was starting to have some doubts so we discussed seeing other people. I was an emotional mess and to top it off I was coming back home to the house that Katie and I shared but was about to become just my house, because she was getting married and leaving me.

I will never forget pulling in the drive and seeing my mom's car there. Sorry about this mom---but I was not happy about it because I just wanted to crawl in bed and make the day go away, not sit and talk about my trip.

I remember so clearly walking in the house and blurting out, "I am not in the mood to talk, I just want to go to bed". Katie looked up from the couch and pulled back the blanket and said, "I bet this would make your day better". There, under the blanket, was the smallest sweetest little puppy I had ever laid eyes on. My heart melted immediately. She of course informed me that she had already given it a name but I was welcome to change it---too late... Winifred it was and Winifred it would stay.

From that day until today I was blessed with the best dog that has ever lived. She was patient, loving, and just the sweetest little dog. She spent countless hours on my lap as I graded papers. She spent countless hours on my lap as my babies grew in my tummy. She spent countless hours putting up with two children running and screaming around the house when all she wanted to do was nap on the couch. She nursed ALL of us through good, bad, happy, and sad times. There was just nothing that could bring a smile to your face like a Miss Winnie kiss.

Her health had been fading these past few months but the good days far out numbered the bad so we just kept hoping for the best. Sadly things went bad very quickly yesterday. She suffered a very strong seizure in the morning. I had just happened to walk back in to the house as it was happening so I was able to get her to the vet very quickly. He told us that seizures at her age were usually the result of something wrong and not a chronic condition. We did blood work and went on our way. Last night she had another seizure which lasted about 3 minutes. We decided to sit the kids down and talk to them about the fact that we might have to put Winnie to sleep and what exactly that meant. The thing about that talk that stands out the most to me is that when I mentioned that Winnie would go to "Doggie" heaven Emma started to cry. I asked her why and she replied that she didn't want her there, she wanted her in people heaven so we could see her again some day.

Marshall called the vet this morning and got her lab results. Sadly, it came back that she was in liver failure. The medicine that they could give her for the seizures is very hard on the liver so we were stuck with a pretty hard decision. After talking, discussing, and crying we came to the conclusion that we needed to put her down. Winnie confirmed that we made the right choice by having the strongest of the three seizures right before we were to leave.

I am not going to go in to detail, but seeing your dog convulse for that amount of time is just something that I NEVER want to witness again.

Putting her down was the toughest thing I have ever done. Marshall and I went to the Vet's office together and we held her and each other through this awful experience. I held her tight as they administered a drug to put her to sleep. She crawled up and nuzzled in my neck just like she had always done as a puppy. I did not let go until long after her little heart stopped beating.

It was a hard decision to make but I know it was the right one. She was suffering and I could not allow that to happen for a second longer.

I will miss her more than I can even begin to explain to to you in words. Emma put it perfectly when she said, "Mommy, I feel like my heart has a crack right in the middle of it."

Goodbye sweet girl. Thank you for being so loyal to me and my babies. I will love you forever. I am broken tonight from the loss of my friend!

Emma's surgery

Emma did fabulous with her tonsil surgery. She wasn't a big eater of ice-cream and such but at least she wasn't on a 10 day hunger strike like Tyler was. She had her surgery at the hospital just down the street. This hospital doesn't see a lot of children so she was a hit. Here are a few pictures of her in all her glory.

Christmas Morning

We sure missed having people here this year! Here are some pictures of what you missed.

Christmas Eve the kids get to open one gift and they usually pick the gift that other gave them. Emma got Tyler a football tee and Tyler got Emma a Barbie--both were thrilled!

Santa brought Emma a doll and some accessories and Tyler got an Electric Spark scooter.

Here is the BEFORE picture of Christmas morning.

Here is the "AFTER" picture!

We had a nice quite Christmas this year but we are ready for the loud rowdy one again soon!

A quick review of December

We have been busy. Here are some highlights of what we have been doing to get ready for Christmas.

We went and visited with Santa and Mrs. Clause. There was no one else in line so Tyler and Emma got to visit with them for about 10 minutes.

Tyler had his Christmas party at school. He decorated his cookies with so much icing and candy that even he had a hard time eating them!=)

We took the kids to the fire station to donate toys for local children. I am always so proud to watch my children give willing and with love in their hearts!

We even rode the Polar Express all the way to the North Pole and visited with the "real" Santa!

On our way home from our North Pole we stopped to play in the snow. These pictures show the happy part of the 15 minute visit. I chose not to photograph the crying part that followed because of the frozen fingers and toes!=)

Today was Emma's Christmas Party at school. She had a great time making crafts and spending time with her friends.

Except for baking cookies for Santa, we are pretty much ready for Christmas. I promise to get the Christmas morning pictures and videos posted as soon as possible. We sure are missing having people here this year. I want each of you to know how much we love and miss you. We hope and pray that 2012 is a healthier year and that next Christmas we will be together!!!!

Some Tyler videos

Tyler has become quite the performer.

This video is a song that he learned during Thanksgiving time.

The following two are from his Christmas Program at school.

He sure was a cute elf!!!

Cookie decorating with Aunt Marie

Aunt Marie and Uncle Bill stopped by this past weekend for a quick visit. Even though the visit was WAY too short we were just so glad to have them here. Bill helped Marshall with a little outdoor decorating and Aunt Marie baked and decorated cookies with the kids.

They will be back in March to watch the kids for us while we go to an out of town wedding and the kids can hardly wait to see them again!