New Experiences

WELL. Its about time I put something up on this thing right?! And because my life is working and Ava, you can guess what this post is about!

Last weekend, Jordanna and I embarked on a first time adventure. We declared Saturday a beach day. Not for the purpose of coloring our pale bodies. This trip was not even for us. It was for our beloved children. Emma and Baker had been to the beach once before. Emma loved it! Baker did great! And this time, we were incorporating Ava into the mix. This was her first beach excursion. So I was so excited for her! After a couple walks around Lake Murray with Em and Bakes, we all concluded the beach is a must after all three tried running into the lake multiple times.

So Jordanna and I piled into my car with our puppies and headed East until we hit the ocean. (Literally.) We found a pretty packed parking lot, but it didnt scare us. We just prayed Ava would come when she was called and Baker would be nice to all the curious dogs. We really werent concerned about Emma. Shes everybodys friend. We climbed out of the car and began the trek across the sand to the water. We found a slow-traffic area, where Ava and Baker wouldnt be overwhelmed by a bunch of other dogs and crossed our fingers as we unleashed them one by one, starting with Miss Emma.

Well Emma led the pack. And a pack they were. Baker and Ava became little buddies as Emma was a little in her own world, but stuck close to us. Poor Baker couldnt go out quite as far as the girl since his legs are shorter, but he didnt let that stop him! We lost a few balls in the current, but we came prepared and the girls were thankful for that. Jordanna and I were so excited that they were so happy and did so well. We decided it needed to become a regular event, since they loved it so much and it pooped them out for the day!

Upon leaving, we looked up a do-it-yourself dog wash in the area on Jordannas handy dandy iphone, so we would go home with clean, sleepy puppies. We lucked out and got them all washed in good timing! Minus the fact that I squirted hypo-allergenic shampoo up my nose. But we left with handfuls of bones for the pups! When we got back to my car, we were surprised to find it not starting, not even hearing the engine turn. I rolled down my windows so they pups wouldnt overheat as we assessed what the problem could be. I was in park. Nothing was left on for the battery to die... but it seemed like that was the problem. So Jordanna called AAA while I tried to look for addresses as to where we were exactly. As I turned around I noticed a AAA truck park right behind us. So I asked the guy if he was on duty and if he could help us. Turned out he was the one dispatched to the call and fixed us up in no time! Thank you Lord!! I needed a new battery. But hey. Its fixed.  The puppies were very patient waiting and walked with Jordanna so they werent stuck in the car. Well... Emma and Baker were very patient. Ava was a little perturbed but she was fine.

In all. It was a highly successful day! The dogs were happy and we were happy with our happy dogs. Who then slept most of the day cuz they were so sleepy from such an adventure! Were sure more beach trips wil occur soon!

                                        

Snapshot

May 8, 2012

Getting home with my new puppy and about to give her a bath.

She has gotten SO BIG! 

Introducing... AVA!

As you may or may not know, I graduated from college about 2 weeks ago!!!! Yup! Done with that aspect of life. And in that respect, I apologize for being so MIA on here. Though I like to post, the things to talk about seem unimportant compared to the massive amount of work I had to accomplish. But now I am free to post as I so desire! Until life really picks back up with work and such. In a sense, it already has become quite interesting.

My graduation gift from my parents was a PUPPY!!!!! For months - probably years - I have been talking about getting a puppy. I have been wanting a puppy and have vowed to get a puppy once I was done with college and could, once again, have an animal. And so, at lunch after graduation, I opened a very creative poem announcing my gift of a puppy from my parents! Apparently they had been searching and searching for the perfect puppy to add to our family but have not been successful. That is when I joined the search.

She has the prettiest green eyes! And loves to be outside, where they seem to shine the most!

Despite my searching (we are on a waiting list for a litter due late May, available July), I failed as well. Until last Tuesday night when my mom pulled up craigslist. Not 10 minutes prior, a post had been put up with 4 Lab mix puppies, 1 female, 3 male, almost 8 weeks old. Mom called to see if we could check them out. Within another 5 minutes, we were headed to see my possible new puppy.

As we drove, my mom because giving me a little pep talk/lecture. The topic: Dont allow cuteness to dictate my decision. I shouldnt take her just because she was super duper cute. I needed to be sure she would be a good fit and such. Of course I agreed. Nothing should be solely judged based on looks. So, with this little pep talk in mind, we found the house, rang the doorbell, and were taken around to where the puppies were kept (outside).

Upon opening the gate, 4 ADORABLE puppies came tearing across the yard to us! Immediately, we both sank down to meet them at their level. I found the little girl and held on to her, getting a feel if we were meant to be. Mom was lying down, allowing the little boys to climb all over her. She was falling in love with them too and even chose her favorite. I found myself reminding her not to base it solely on cuteness!

But the little female had my heart. She was a feisty little thing, standing her ground in a family full of boys. She had these bright green eyes that you couldnt miss. She was solid, big paws, thick legs, big floppy ears. I didnt want to let her go as she licked my face and gnawed on my fingers. My mom looked at me, waiting for the cue. Seeing as I refused to put her down, I just couldnt separate myself from her. I had to have her.

We drove away with an extra little addition sitting on my lap as we drove home. My little 3/4 lab, 1/8 husky, 1/8 boxer girl became mine immediately. We fell in love. Quickly became inseparable. Within the first night, she would look to me for approval or for safety. She cuddled with me in bed until she decided she wanted to sleep - then she wanted space. She only woke up once during the night and slept until 7! (That was the only time that has happened so far...)

Each day I learn something new about my little girl. She is so so much like my sweet Casey. She is very stubborn, but so easy to love. Shes playful and feisty. Shes absolutely ADORABLE! She loves her toys, but can often get distracted by things she shouldnt get into... but Ive chosen to choose my battles. Ultimately, chewing on the cat tree is better than chewing on the wall. She watches tv and barks at herself in the mirror. She has SUCH a personality and is quite a character!

It is an adjustment for everyone. Especially Sam, Simon, and Sofie. But theyre getting there. Ava has been very respectful to Sam, but is constantly intrigued by all the animals. She desperately wants a friend in Sam and is trying to win over his affection. At some point, all of them will love her as much as we do.

She is the perfect addition to our family. 

She is the perfect little buddy. 

I am so grateful for her and so in love with her.

Morning Glory

I love mornings.

I love waking early to witness a beautiful sunrise, feeling grateful for a new day, a fresh start...

I love listening to the birds chirping outside my window, singing a chipper morning song...

I love the sun creeping in through the windows, announcing its arrival for a new day...

I love smelling hot coffee, which lures me out of bed to taste its yummy goodness...

I love hearing crackling bacon, beckoning me to investigate a delicious breakfast cooking...

I love taking a hot shower to feel refreshed, prepared for whatever the day holds...

I love choosing my outfit, allowing it to set my mood for the rest of the day...

I love knowing everyone on the road is going to a similar destination - work (and they probably arent super happy about it either)...

I love offering an upbeat "Good Morning!" to everyone I come in contact to - you can only do that until 11 or 12, you know...

At least thats what I keep reciting to myself

as I wake up each morning lately.

The truth is... and this may be a complete shocker to you - if you dont know me -

I hate mornings.

I have even discussed this in a previous blog before. I hate waking up. I hate hearing the birds chirping. I hate that the sun has found ways into my room. I hate physically getting up. I hate leaving my warm, cozy bed to be exposed to the cold, harsh air. I hate getting dressed - the pressure to choose an outfit becomes overwhelming sometimes. (It is not uncommon for me to express my frustrations with Adam and Eve for eating that fruit... because of that act, we are forced to wear clothes each day. But thats another conversation.)

Lately I have been working mornings. Let me reiterate, in case you slept through the beginning of this post... I hate mornings. But its not just that I dont like them, it is also that I am not made for operating in the morning. I was not created to function properly in the mornings. I cant help it. Ive heard it is possible to trick your brain into (or out of) something and it can become normal... Therefore, I have tried to have a positive attitude about mornings, convincing myself of the good aspects of mornings... but this positivity is short lived. Being positive about something I am so negative about is just not an easy task. I found it would take even more energy to have a good attitude... and I needed to save my energy for actually getting up and getting ready.

Anyways. I get to work and for some reason, God has put me in a place where every person is a "Good Morning!" type of person. So people are smiling and chipper all around me and I just want to growl and do my job... until about 10 oclock when I can start to think clear enough to have an understandable conversation. But the past few days, the early mornings have drained me for the entire day. Even by noon, I still cant think clearly, Im stumbling over my words, I feel like Im moving in slow motion, and doing what needs to be done seems unreasonably difficult. Just as an example of what I am talking about - A woman called asking what vaccines we require for an animal to stay with us. "Bordetella, Rabies, and Distemper Parvo" I tell her. Short jibber jabber and were done. Not 5 minutes later, I hear my manager on the phone "the feline vaccine and Rabies." Apparently I told the woman dog vaccines when she had a cat. There were many more of these types of situations. Luckily my manager laughed pretty hard and wasnt irritated with my blatant mistake. Ive been wearing 2 different socks - repeatedly cuz I dont feel like taking the extra time to find matching ones. These are how my days have been going. And I barely make it home, where I sit down and never want to get up again. These mornings are killing me!!!!

I know I should be grateful because I am incredibly blessed. And I am grateful. Mornings truly are a blessing. I am blessed I was given another day. I am blessed I dont have to wake up earlier than I do. I am blessed to have a cup of coffee to help wake me up, (which I have discovered really does make a difference). I am blessed to have hot water for a shower... if I decide to wake up even earlier to take one. I am blessed to have a job to go to where I can make money and get hours. I try not to take it all for granted, but I know I do.

I cant promise that I will have a better attitude and constantly be positive about the mornings... I cant promise that because I know it wont last. But for now, I will remind myself of the beauty of mornings in the small things - that really arent that small at all. Like a sunrise. The radiance and bliss of a glorious sunrise is the perfect reminder of the magnificent day the Lord has created.

"...they are like the new grass of the morning: In the morning it springs up new, but by evening it is dry and withered." - Psalm 90:5-6