How Sassy got her groove back

Ok,

so Sassy is the name of our good old Jeep Wrangler! She has been through a lot! She was my sisters car first...she was nice and new then...(1997) then she was passed onto me (2000), she was still in good condition but needed work from time to time! Fast forward 9 years...she's still running...and Jason drives her every day! She has taken a beating for sure...a multitude of road trips, work trips, and hauling dogs, furniture, dirt, straw...you name it! So...we finally decided she needed to get her groove back with a makeover...I wish I had a picture of what she looked like before (but those of you who know us...well you know). She was Hunter Green----very fadded on the hood, lots of scratches...with a spice top and doors...but
now...watch out! She is a shiny new black, that matches her hard top and well...the windows we are working on. But the spice color looks ok now! We love her...she is 12 years old...but new to us!

5 years in the making

So,
Five years ago this was us! I love looking at these pictures...and I know this may sound crazy, but I do feel like we look so young...what are we going to think at 10 years!

I just can not believe it, five years ago on this day, Jason and I got married and it has been better than I could have ever expected. I know, a little cheesy, but it is true. I really did marry the man of my dreams and my best friend. Marriage is not for the faint of heart for sure...but it is for those who are willing to work at it EVERY Day...and it is worth it to me.

So, here is to that great day, April 24th, 2004...and to all of my friends and family who have prayed for us to continue strong in our walk with the Lord and our marriage together! Jason and I got to celebrate tonight and it was really fun just reflecting on the past five years!

Marley and Me

So, I guess you just don't ever really know how things are going to affect you until you are right there in it! Meaning...Jason and I finally watched Marley and Me last night. We had read the book a few years ago and loved it... brought me to a mess of tears. I have been dying to see it, but keeping my distance as well, knowing what was to come...more tears. But, having said that, I was not prepared for the movie. I mean when we read the book, it was us...just with two dogs that embodied Marley in the book.

Ellie, being the part of Marley that was by your side 24/7, who knows when you need sympathy, who can cuddle with the best of them, and who we have had since the start of "us"; and then there is Bailey: the one who yes, ate through drywall, ate 40lb bags of dog food, runs away, chews through leashes, eats underwear, socks, rocks, towels, garbage bags, you name it; but loves until the day is done. Both of them love Reese and are so gentle with her...Bailey from the beginning has been like a guard dog around her at times. And she loves them, we have our daily time with them...as must!

So, with that being told watching the movie, we felt like we were watching "us" in a sense. I normally think that movies do a bad job of representing a book, but in this case I feel like the movie made the story more real-to-life, for us anyway. The every day ups and downs of having a dog, adding a child, another child, staying at home, bills, work, stress, wanting to kill the dog, and just living. I cried...I mean really cried and was just thankful for the life I have...for the bad days, for the great days, for the days that just seem to slip by and for my husband, daughter, another daughter on the way, and my two crazy, annoying, loveable best friend dogs! Jennifer Anniston's portrayal of the struggles she had staying home and the things she said were so on target for me. A choice I made, yes, and one I would NEVER change...but different than I thought and harder...but that is life!

For all of my dog loving friends...if you have not seen the movie...you must. And for those of you

who aren't into the dog thing...it is a must see as well! And as you can see from our Christmas pictures from this year...having Ellie and Bailey in the picture is hard but a must for us! Luckily our amazing photographer, Graham, was very understading and patient as well! (she is a dog person)

Easter fun and sickness

This was Reese's 3rd official Easter (she was less than 2 months old at the first one) and it was the best and worst. She actually really enjoyed the hunt this year and her basket was full...but she was very sick all weekend. She was sick enough to totally refuse birthday cake at Bryson's 1st birthday party on Saturday and did not eat any Easter candy (and yes, I was going to let her have some). She is finally feeling better. We have come to the conclusion that she had a stomach bug...since it seems she may have passed it along to me....yuck!

Sad family photo...Reese feeling very sick Easter morning and we tried to get a pic in!
Reese with Bebe and Myrl
Exciting to find eggs hidden under the flowers
Looking for treats

The bunny basket is getting full!

Funny videos

Well we have had alot going on...so I have posted two new post...this one has funny videos and the next is pitures. Enjoy
This past weekend Lindsay and Bryson visited us and I captured a few videos of them. Bryson was such a good sport and Reese did her best to really entertain him.

Spring has Sprung

Well, I love Spring and now that it is here...we have been really busy. We have done a bit of spring cleaning....we have switched some rooms around...and moved Reese into her big girl bed! She loves it...and the transition from the crib to a double bed has been so easy. She sleeps great and never tries to get out...so far! Also...there are so pictures of some fun we have been having and some visits from friends.

Reese's old/new big girl bed. It was my grandmother's bed, then my mom's , my sister's, mine and now Reese's!

We had a visit from Lindsay and Bryson...Reese loved every minute with Bryson.

Rachel also came in town and we got to have a girls night out! Jason was super dad and watched Reese and Bryson so we could all have some time together!

Dancing on the bed with Bryson

Katherine, Dan and James came over for a fun night with Lindsay and Rachel in town...Reese and James had fun together!

Bryson and Reese had a lot of close moments...Reese loves to give hugs...Bryson was such a good sport!

Reese helped James open his presents at his 2 year old party at the park! Happy Birthday James!

Reese stylin' at the Park
I don't have a green thumb...but maybe Reese does. She helped me plant flowers one day...and she loved digging in the dirt.
Helping mommy carry the flowers over.

Since the weather has been really nice...we went to the Zoo and spent some time with the Lorakeets...Reese liked to look at them but one landed on her and she did not like that!