They're baaack!!!

We picked up the boys on Thursday - much to my chagrin. I have to admit...I was really enjoying life without dogs. I LOVE dogs. I LOVE how they are so excited to see you - even if you've only been gone for a few minutes. I LOVE the slobbery kisses and the warm body that cuddles up to you, begging for just a little bit of affection. I LOVE how they can read your mood - if you are sad or depressed - they KNOW it and they come to give you love. Dogs are wonderful. Dogs (in general) are better than some people I know. However...I was NOT looking forward to our house - a house that suddenly became a bit more peaceful - a house that was, for 3 weeks, devoid of hair flying around everywhere and lurking in corners - a house that could be left for a weekend without worrying about who was taking care of two of its occupants. I was NOT looking forward to the endless "No"s and the endless stress that having the dogs back was sure to bring. But I tell you what...when the staff at J&K brought our little furry children out from the back and they were jumping and whining and barking because they were so excited to see us - my heart softened and I was THRILLED to be getting them back!!! And so far...life hasn't been too bad. The way they interact with each other is night and day different from when we brought them for the in-house training. They are playing and kissing and playing "bite face" and running around together. I haven't felt one stitch of tension between the two of them since we've had them home. That in and of itself makes my life SO much easier. Yesterday - Rally pretty much hung around me all day long...he was only in his crate when he was eating or when I was in Kendall's bedroom with Kendall & Carson playing with puzzles. Otherwise - Rally was peaceful and relatively calm and there was no problems between him and Chance. The only two "accidents" occurred on our back porch...and personally...I'm okay with that for right now. Eventually (hopefully) he'll learn to go in the grass each and every time. Right now I'm just thrilled that for the last 36 hours he hasn't had an accident in the house. :) I am still praying that things continue to go well...and I know we will have a setback here and there...but overall I think the money we spent at J&K was WELL worth the price!!! Here are a few pictures of our little furry guys now that they are home.


Rally and one of his toys.


Playing follow the leader in the back yard.

Oh - and some of you are probably wondering how much bigger Rally is than when we dropped him off. HE IS HUGE!!! And man...you should see his paws. His paws are larger than Chance's. NO KIDDING!!! Although Chance might be bigger than him in stature right now...it won't be for much longer!


Seeing as I haven't posted in two weeks...here are some pictures of our trip to Hilton Head with our friends. It was a WONDERFUL time and we can't wait to go back there again.


Kendall in the "rocking boat". She LOVED IT. Jeff almost bought it for her...but it was over $500 by the time we would have paid for shipping...



Our happy guy in his stroller.


Kendall showing us her happy face (along with a partially eaten Cheerio).



Again...can anyone else see the similarities??? haha


Me and my love.


The family on the beach (ignore the big belly...no I'm not pregnant again...just still fat as I haven't even really attempted to lose any weight...and this swimming suit isn't exactly the most attractive one I have - but the other two I had brought were already dirty by that day)



Jeff shot this picture as the kids and I enjoyed sitting on the beach waiting for the surf to reach us.



Making sand castles. Even Carson was in on the action. And yes...don't adjust your computer screens - that is my tactile intolerant hubby playing in the sand as well...



Is it Carson? Or a cupie doll??? You decide...




The "gang" - from the right - Lance & Alicia P., Scott R., Griffen & Aidan P. and then us. This was taken about 5 minutes before we were back in the car and heading home.


Well - we are off to a family pool party one of my friends is hosting this morning at her community pool this morning. So - have a great day!!

Life as we know it...

Has officially changed!!!

Yesterday, before lunch and naptime, we moved Kendall into her "big grirl bed". (We converted her crib to a toddler bed.) We honestly didn't expect her to do very good - I've heard horror stories of toddlers constantly getting out of bed and trying to get out of their room since they discover that they actually can do it. Well...she did get up and out of her room one time - at naptime. Otherwise - she slept in it all night - and even called for us this morning when she woke up. She knows she can get out of bed herself...but didn't even try. YIPPEE!!! Now don't get me wrong...I know that its only been one night and we still have a long way to go before we can claim victory. However - I'm going to sing praises to God for every night that He convinces Kendall to stay in her bed. Even Carson has recognized that something is different about her room...when we go in her room and let her go - goes right to her bed and walks around it. I think I can hear his wheels turning: "hmm...if I climb out of my crib, then I'll get a cool bed like big sister..."

I'm tired...

So after all the adrenaline wore off from Kendall in the hospital and my broken toe...I got a stomach virus...then gave it to Carson...then gave it to my Mom when they came to visit the grandkids... Oh...and I went to Mom and Dad's house this past weekend...and Denise picked it up too (she was out of work every day so far this week due to the virus)...although she doesn't think she got it from us since several kids at her school are sick with it. Anyway...for the time being our household is well...but I am so exhausted and tired of feeling like our family has been under attack...between surgeries and illnesses and hospitalizations...I need a bit of a peace and quiet for a while...

Daddy reading Cinderella to Kendall. She has been obsessed with Cinderella lately...needless to say...we are trying to plan a trip to Disney soon so she can meet her in person.


My men cuddling together on the couch.

What a GREAT picture of the little man!!!

So...because of that and the myriad of other reasons...Jeff and I decided to go ahead and put Chance and Rally in the in-house training at J&K Canine Academy. And although I'm sure we'll miss them...I can't tell you how much I am looking forward to some peace and quiet around here (when the kids are sleeping that is...).

Rally (at 16 weeks old) and Daddy playing. (Can you imagine how big Rally will be in another 3 weeks...)

Also - Jeff has agreed that I need a weekend "off work"...so one of my oldest friends (we've know each other for over 20 years...uggghhh...it hurts just saying that...how can I have known her for over 20 years when I feel like I can't be a day over 25 myself and I know I met her when I was 11 or 12??? NOT possible it's been that long...), Bobbie, and I are meeting in Orlando next weekend (the 16th) for some much needed girl time. She is flying down from St. Louis on Friday and I am driving down and picking her up...then we are going to just relax...go to one of the parks...hang by the pool...sleep...eat...sleep some more...all without hearing the constant "Mommy Mommy Mommy" in the background. Hallelujah!!!