Spring means...

 We are getting busier and busier.  Every time I have a free moment to sit at my computer, the thought passes through my mind that I should blog but I never have enough time. I'm not even on my computer much these days. Our time around here has quickly been eaten up by baseball practices (which this week we add another day to our practice schedule),  gymnastics, school, family outings, family visits, etc...  Thank you Lord for the extra daylight we now have.  If only the weather here would cooperate so we can be outside more without freezing!  Poor Camden had practice Monday and it was only in the mid 30's.  The coach cut practice 45 minutes early because the boys were freezing. It seems as though it should be warming up over the next few days.

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My sister Deb was flown in recently as a surprise for her 50th birthday. I don't think she looks 50!! That's her on the right in case you weren't sure.  ;)

As a surprise the family pitched in a bought her a ticket and presented it her a week before she flew in.  She recently purchased an art gallergy and supply store and has been extremely busy as a business owner. She as been pretty homesick and this was a wonderful surprise for her.  Once she got in she spent lots of time relaxing and enjoying being family and friends.  I surprised her with a small gathering of her friends from here in Ohio on a Saturday.  There was about 10 people here and she had no clue! It was a sweet time with her and I enjoyed watching and listening to her visit and catch up with friends that she rarely gets to see.  Many of whom she a long history with.  Her hubby even Skyped from Florida and we got him in one of the pictures as well. He's a hoot!

*The quality of the pics are bad because I had to copy them from Facebook. I forgot that I transfered them all off of my computer to my external hard-drive and I do not have it with me.  Sorry. :(

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While my sister was here, we began to notice that our sweet doggie boy Cody was acting differently.  The night before she left he was needing to go out a lot and seemed as though he was struggling to potty.  I knew that his previous owner mentioned he had bladder stones before so I quickly called her.  She confirmed that my suspicions were likely true that it could be a bladder infection or stones again.   The next morning after my sister left we took Cody right in to see our vet.  After almost 2 hours he said that he had a bladder infection and sent us home with a round of antibiotics for 10 days.  At first he seemed to be doing much better but by the next night he seemed to be going right back to where he was. He wasn't eating and having difficulties with urinating.  So last Thursday I called the vet again (just two days after his first appointment) and they had us bring him in right away.  Mike dropped him off and just a few hours later we got the phone call no pet owner wants to hear.  The short story is that he was full of bladder stones.  So full that it would have taken multiple surgeries to fix and even then there would have been no guarantees.  And one of the surgeries would have been a complete sex change.  I couldn't imagine doing that to our sweet Cody.  It also would have cost thousands of dollars to do and again there would have been no guarantees.  So, as terrible as it was we had to make a decision and quickly as if not treated he would certainly die within 24-48 hours. He was so blocked up he was vomiting and in pain.  I contacted his previous owner and let her know what was going on.  I let her know that we knew he would have to be put to sleep and I only felt it right that she know.  I also gave her the choice to be with him.  She raised him and gave 7 years of her life to loving him.  Though he had made his way to my heart and I loved him dearly, it was not near the bond she had with him.  So on Friday his previous owner sat with him as he left this world.  I chose to stay back as I wanted to respect her.  I could not have been there at the time she chose any way because Mike would not have been home to be with the kids.  We had made our peace the night before and sat the kids down and explained to them the circumstances.  It was such a tough night.  I still wonder why it was that God brought Cody in our lives to have him so quickly taken away.  But I have a peace in knowing that it happened for some reason, even if I don't know that reason now.  The part that added to our pain was my sister's dog Jack who had been staying with us for the past 7 months left with my sister two days before.  So we went from having two sweet, loving dogs to none.  I have chose to look at it as God's way of telling us we just aren't supposed to have pets right now.  Why?  I don't know.  I can't seem to understand that part.  I loved Cody so much and he came into our lives as the perfect time and in a perfect way actually.  So...I guess for now I just have to except it all and be OK with not fully understanding. 

Goodbye sweet Cody-bug.

We will miss you greatly!

 *I took this photos just 12 short days before we lost him. I wish we had known then how sick he was!

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This past weekend we had purchased tickets to take the kiddos to the circus.  Ringling Bros. came to town for the weekend.  And since we had promised Merci we would do something more geared towards her likes (since we took Camden to the Football Hall of Fame) we jumped at the chance to go.  Camden protested for days that he was not going to enjoy himself and that he would "Hate IT!".  The morning of Daddy actually had to literally drag him out of his bed to get dressed.  Even once we arrived he was standing firm to his belief that he would not have a good time.  We were able to go an hour early and interact with the circus performers.  The whole time he stood with his arms crossed, refusing to enjoy himself.  Once we were seated and the show began I could tell he was starting to think differently.  By the second clown act he was laughing but only admitting to it being "OK".  But, a few acts later he was ohhing and ahhing with the rest of us.  By the time the show was over he came over to me and said "I apologize Mommy. I had a blast and it was so much fun!"  Wow! I told him that the fact that he apologized after recognizing his bad attitude and behavior meant just as much to me as his enjoying himself.  And we ALL enjoyed ourselves!

*Again the quality of the pics are bad because I wasn't sure I could take my good camera (which I later found out I probably could have).  So the pics are from my small point and shoot or my phone.  Sorry. :(

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I'm so thankful that we have been blessed enough to do the outings we've been doing with the kiddos over the past several months.  It's not easy to find inexpensive things to do as a family but I'm so thankful that God has blessed us to be able to do what we have.  We plan on doing several more fun mini-trips and day trips as a family.  We are also starting our "official" plans for next spring to take the kids to Disney World.  My sister (who was just in) lives fairly close to Disney and my nephew and his wife have already offered for us to stay with them and my niece Kylie.  I asked if they would be interested in going with us since Kylie will be about 3 when we make the trip.  So, I'm excited that they too will be joining us along with hopefully my sister and brother-in-law!! YAY!!!  The kids are growing up so fast and I believe they will be the perfect ages to really enjoy the experience as children.  I have never been to Disney so I too am excited and can't wait.  11 months and counting!!  

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There have also been some really good things going on personally in Mike and I's lives.  I want to save that for a separate post.  But I believe that God is really moving us out from under the dark cloud that was hanging over for such a long time.  We've had a rough year this past year but I know that I know that this year is different.  It has already proven to be so far.  I see so much of myself changing and it feels amazing.  God has really been in control and I'm so thankful.  I surely can not get through on my own!

So for now I must go.  I hope to be back again soon friends.  Until next time...TTFN.