They just go together. (And more puppies!)

Tonight, KK and I were reading a bedtime story about farm animals. KK pointed to each animal and asked for verification of what they were. "Is that a duck?" Yep, I replied. "Is that a cow?" Yep. "Is that a chicken?" Yep. "Is that a puppy?" Yep. "Is that a pig?" Yep. "Is that a donkey?" Yep. Silence..... "Where's Shrek?????"
I have to resist the urge to post a million cute puppy pictures, but I do have to post a few from their visit a couple of weeks ago. It was fun to see the little fellas play with Boston - or at least play around him. Boston was chewing on a bone, and Cayson and Pink would dive bomb him and act like they wanted to steal it. B just kept on chewing and let them have their fun.





Tomorrow we pick up these two little cuties for a whole weekend of puppy sitting! Yaaaaay!

Because we need some "happy"

Playing golf with Daddy has become one of KK's favorite things. It's good that she is learning the rules of the game early, so she'll never drive the cart onto the green like her mommy has been known to do. Ahem. (I was just doing what I was told. "Take the cart and meet me on the green" seemed an easy enough instruction to me. Ooops.) Since KK's blog needs a little 'happy,' I thought I'd share some cute pictures from the July 4 weekend when we went golfing at the club where Daddy and I got married. In some more happy news, we bought a backyard play slide from a neighbor and KK loves it. She does play on it, but mostly she uses it as a platform to yell across the fence to the neighbors. Our poor neighbor Bob says "Hiiii KK!" back to her at least 50 times a night. When she's not busy yelling to the neighbors, she is holding conferences in her playroom, and looking quite "authoritative" if I do say so myself.
KK also experienced her first movie theater movie last week! I was a little unsure when the sign outside of the theater we were told to go to said Se*x and the C!ty, but it actually did turn out to be Shr*ek the Third, so she loved it! She sat through the whole thing, enjoyed her popcorn, and of course provided running commentary for everyone surrounding us. Good thing it was all kids! I guess this is happy news, too, although I cried my eyes out over it. All of the puppies are in their new homes with their new families! (Except for one, who is staying with momma Bailey for a little while longer until his family can take him.) We were able to have a few of the puppies come and spend a day and night with us which was so much fun. As soon as I organize my 500 puppy photos, I'll post some of the cuteness. One thing is for certain...our "Big Daddy B" is a very special boy and we are so lucky to have him. I think he's even starting to love KK a little bit! Ya think? Oh, and PS...today was my due date for KK! She was ten days late, but I still love today's date. It makes me happy just to think about all of the times someone actually asked ME when I was due!

Sad *edited*

(*Edited to note that the family that lost their son is not Laura's and Jimmy's family. These were two separate families and events. The little boy in the picture with Laura and Jimmy is their grandson, and as far as I know he is fine.*)

This has not been a week for good news. Yesterday I learned that some friends I had met through work a few years ago were killed in a car crash. They were Navajo, and traveled around selling beautiful handmade jewelry. They were on the way home from one of the camps that I used to coordinate.

Back in the summer of 2004 when we were going through our IVF journey, Laura (the wife) had made me a fertility bracelet and had said a special prayer over it. I wore that bracelet to every single appointment we had. Then I lost it. I searched and searched for it, but never found it. At my next appointment we learned that we had lost a twin. Daddy and I are both superstitious to an extent, so of course I've always had a twinge in my heart when I think about that bracelet. Last summer when I went to camp, I met up with them again. Laura made me a new bracelet, and also made some special pieces for KK. I still can't believe they are gone. Rest in peace, Laura and Jimmy.

Ironically, I also received a letter from the Navajo family that I had hoped would become penpals with KK. The letter shared this message:

"We received your letter and thanks for writing back to us. Well, first of all we have bad news for you. Our little son Sam passed away on April 07, 2008. So we don't know where to start, our mind is not there. I know he was a beautiful kid. We lost our son. We think of him every day."

There wasn't an explanation, so I don't know what happened. They sent photos of both Sam and Layla, and it turns out Layla is nine - so the little girl in the photos wasn't their daughter - but the boy is definitely Sam. I'm not sure what to make of it all.

Finally, I wanted to share this picture of Uncle Ry and Mesa that I took as a bridal shower gift for Auntie Kar. It's one of my all-time favorite pictures. We're still thinking of you. xoxo

Mesa

Today Uncle Ry, Auntie Kar, and Cousin C said goodbye to their precious golden, Mesa. We are all very sad. She was young, but became ill suddenly and it was her time to go. We will miss you, sweet girl. xoxo Boston and Mesa at Christmas - always wanting to be inside with their people.

Growing, growing, GONE !

The time has come for the puppies to join their new families. Unfortunately, we are not one of those families. I'm sure a few years of therapy will help me recover. (Sniffle, sniffle.) I really did take it harder than I expected when I called Geoff to say we were "out." I was even late for work because I couldn't pull myself together. KK kept telling me not to cry, she's such a little sweetie.

I know all of the pups will go to amazing homes. The timing just isn't right for a puppy in our house. The extremely hard part is that these are Boston's and Bailey's babies and they look and act just like their parents, which is impossible not to fall in love with. But, the reality is that Daddy needs another surgery for his achilles, KK is a handful, we have a few trips planned, we don't need any more vet bills, or any more dog-drool on the floor, and we won't even get into how the dog we already have is full-time job himself. It is what it is. (More sniffles.)

THANK YOU GEOFF AND JILL, for the amazing, amazing, amazing job you have done to make this little family of puppies so special. I know how much love you have given to every single one of them from the very beginning. They are precious, and I know they will bring years of happiness to their families! SO...unless I am able to get updates from the adoptive families, which I hope I'll be able to do, this will be the final puppy picture update. If anyone is looking for me, I'll be curled up in the corner in a fetal position crying for the next few hours. : (



Aunt Sandy fell in love, too... BuddyBuddy got to meet his kids for the first time, but was a little disinterested. I think he was just playing tough guy.
KK was in puppy heaven... Bye bye puppies...we'll always love you!!!!!!!

Minnesota

My trip to Minnesota last weekend was awesome. I missed KK very much, but I knew she was at home having a great time with Daddy. I did so many things that I've wanted to, but having a baby and a schedule to follow made difficult. Most importantly I got to spend a lot of time with my family and friends. Jboy's graduation party was perfect, and it was fun to catch up with my own high school friends (we missed you Lisa!) I still can't believe Jboy is off to college. Where does the time go? Lucky for me he isn't going too far, and I'll still get to see him when I visit home. : ) In all of my 'free time' I walked/ran around the lake, went for a long walk with Auntie Sunshine along my very favorite (mosquito infested) trail, rode our neighbor's bike for ten miles along the same trail, spent some time in F0rt Sne11ing St@te Park, and paid a visit to DQ with Mom and Dad. Besides the people I love, I miss the trees and water of MN soooo much! (check out the size of this tree...!) We also had a nice Independence Day weekend. Grandma M came to visit and we hung out at the pool most of the day, went to visit the puppies, and then went to Uncle Geoff's parents' place for margaritas and to watch fireworks. The puppies are doing great...I'll post a longer puppy update in the next couple of days. : )