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Thicket

Introducing our newest baby girl-THICKET, a 4 month old springer spaniel. She is something else! The girls had been begging for a puppy for the longest time. They really had no idea what they were in for! LOL! This little thing loves getting stuff in her mouth and running with it. It's honestly worse than having a baby around. When I scold her she looks at me with those big brown eyes and my heart just melts. She has all of us wrapped around her little paw already. Who wouldn't fall for her when she climbs into your lap and nuzzles her head against you?

With all that energy we've had to come up with ways to burn it off. I've started taking her on my morning runs. She's a very good pace setter. If I am ever able to keep up with her I'll be in very good shape! LOL! She literally runs circles around me. Mark has been working with her twice a day. In the morning they work on discipline. The afternoon is for fetching and swimming. She's doing a great job.

She is a much welcomed bright spot in our family. Even Flirt loves her.

As for the cat, Lizzy-the jury's still out...

Farewell for now...

Have you ever had a person in your life who you think will just be there forever? Fortunately, I have.


Mark and I have been together for 17 years (3 dating and 14 married). I met his grandmother, Margaret within the first few months of our relationship. He told me later that if Margaret had not approved of me he would have never married me! It's the truth. She was more of a mother figure to him than a grandmother. He valued her opinion greatly and so did I.

I loved her from the beginning. She was so vibrant and full of life; such a hard worker. She loved hunting and working bird dogs with her husband. She had a beautiful yard-full of flowers, potted plants and a vegetable garden in the back. She loved to fish and hang out on the lake. She was passionate about family history. On top of all of this, she was a fabulous cook! I never ate anything at her house that I didn't like.


Because she was 6 hours away, we only saw her a couple of times a year. We talked on the phone much more than that! I usually spoke with her once a week. Anytime something would happen here, no matter how trivial, I'd pick up the phone and let her know. Our girls came to know her, not as a great- grandmother, but as their grandmother too. They would mention her all the time. It was hard for Emma to understand why we couldn't go to "Mar-get's " house everyday.

On July 14 we got a call that Margaret had passed away. I honestly couldn't believe it-even though she'd not been doing well. I thought she'd always be there for me-to share advice, wisdom and support. 17 years is only a drop in the bucket to the time I wish I 'd had with her. I grieve for my loss, though, and not hers. Margaret is dancing right now on the streets of gold-all healthy and new. She waited 14 years to see her husband again and even longer to see her Savior.


We've surrounded ourselves with little things to remind us of her-her sewing box, her iron skillet she used to cook burgers for us, her jewelry box and even a little step stool that always set in her kitchen. Not a day goes by that I don't think of her. I still reach for the phone to call her. I'm so thankful that God gave us so much time with her. Time for my girls to get to know and love her. Time for my friendship to develop with her. We made lots of sweet memories that will always be with us. As my dear husband said while comforting me, "This isn't good-bye, it's just farewell for now. One day will all be together again."

Grace turns 10!

My middle baby had her 10th birthday on August 5. Gosh, where does time go?
We started celebrating early while our Canadian friends were here. Grace wanted to go to Waterville (a local water park) for the day. She had so much fun.


Of course I couldn't let her "real" birthday slip by without doing something special too. Thankfully she agreed to family time. She started by spending her birthday eve with the cousins. They had all 3 of my girls over to spend the night. The next morning Aunt Melissa made Grace special birthday pancakes complete with candles.

We let her choose where she wanted to go for lunch (which happened to be my favorite place too-Panini Petes). After lunch Mark went back to work and us girls headed over to the Painting Parrot to paint pottery. This was SO much fun! We must have spent a couple of hours there. We can't wait to go back and do this again.

What would a birthday be without ice cream? We ended the afternoon by going to our favorite ice cream shop and indulging! Later in the evening Grace opened her presents and had cake. We all agreed that she had the best birthday ever. She, of all people, deserves it! I love you sweet girl!