Rolling with Riggins

As you can see, Riggins is starving nearly to death.Wasting away...


He is rolling all over the place, front to back until he gets himself stuck against something, then he puts up a racket until someone comes and rescues him.
He is delightful with his smiles, easy laugh and chubby cheeks. Now, if we could just get him to sleep through the night...

Profoundly Grateful

I read the book "A Thousand Splendid Suns" on the recommendation of my friend, Michelle B and my cousin, Lyndi. I got done and felt a little changed and ...profoundly grateful.

Then last night at work we started talking movies which somehow led to the movie "Boy in Striped Pajamas" which led to the Holocaust which led to a horrible/ true story of how a Cambodian girl escaped death. (I'll tell you if you ask me.) As I drove home from work in the dark I felt... profoundly grateful.
I've been thinking about it all day long and I have to try to put it into words...Not that I will be able to do it justice but...

First, being born in the USA; millions/billions of people just unlucky enough to be born into a different country. Countries where my very existence as a female would be enough to bring my demise. Countries where I may not get to choose who, when, why I'd marry. Countries where I would live in constant fear, for my own life, health and (worse yet) constantly fear for those I love. I could spend all night just on this alone.

Second I was born to parents who wanted and deeply love me. Wait... back up, I was born to parents (plural). My parents never raised a hand to me, seldom even raised a voice (that my own kids should be so lucky.) They raised me to believe that I could be and do anything I wanted. Raised me to believe I am smart, beautiful, talented, wonderful, funny... It's hard to doubt yourself when surrounded at every turn with such love and faith.

Speaking of faith... To be born into a home where I learned of a loving Father in Heaven. Taught that I am a daughter of God. That mistakes are made and recovered from, hurts healed, broken hearts mended with the help of a loving Savior. Taught to pattern my life after great men and women who are full of integrity, honor, courage, compassion, and faith. Taught that there is life after this. I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity I have had to consistently learn things that bring me closer to my husband, family, God, and the person I want to be.

And that's just being born... The safety and peace I enjoyed growing up cannot be taken for granted.

The opportunity I had to go to college and choose for myself what I wanted to be and who I wanted to marry. Both great choices.

Matt. A good man. A responsible man. Hard working and smart. Funny and athletic. Spiritual and strong. Handsome and forgiving. A fantastic dad.

Our kids. All healthy and fun and easy to conceive (I had to throw that in... I feel grateful all the time for that.) Grace, McCade, Bella, and Riggins. Each individuals and blessings to me.

My family. My mom is wonderful. She comes to my rescue and never criticizes me. Always loves me and buys me things I wouldn't buy myself. She helps me start and finish projects. She stays with the kids so Matt and I can have time. She's happy and full of faith. My two younger sisters.

Matt's family. I love them like my own.

My friends. I have the very best friends.
A girl could not dream of better friends.

My job.
Matt's job.
A beautiful house and three car garage.
My shoes.
A queen sized bed and down comforter.
My mini van.
A garage. (I thought it worth mentioning twice.)
My new facial cleanser from Arbonne.
My hobbies.
My Ipod.
My new red laptop.
I could go on indefinitely.

I should never have a sad or discouraged thought with a life as rich and full as mine. But I'm even grateful for the gray days. They make the sunshine that much more glorious.

I am blessed.

I am profoundly grateful.

FF-Remodeling part uno

I know you might not want to see these pictures but I think we've established that I don't care. Just kidding.
This used to be a hallway, from the dining room into the back hall. It was destined to become a bigger bedroom, bathroom, and closet for Matt & I.

Such good little helpers! Can you believe I painted so much. This was about 2 weeks from my due date. PS. I wanted to burn my paint clothes but I couldn't bring myself to do it.

This shirt used to be my dad's.

It says, "Take a hike." on the back.

I got it for him the summer I worked at Sgt. Leisure up in Sun Valley.

I still love it..

Garbage day

Thursday is garbage day.
Last Thursday the garbage didn't get taken to the curb.
We have alot of garbage.
Sometimes I put garbage in my neighbor's trash cans. "Nothin' wrong with that," I say.
When I went to put the garbage in my neighbor's can (before taking the kids to school) I decided the snow was deeper than I thought, I changed my mind.
So, the two bags of garbage rode in the front seat.
To school, the "coke store", Albertsons, and then back home again.
I lead an action packed life.

Hello, my name is Toby

I am a Newfoundland.
I weigh about 16o lbs.
I love people and people love me (albeit in a "Please keep your distance and don't stick your nose in my crotch sort of way.")
My dad, Matt, thinks I am the greatest thing since sliced bread. I think he is great too.
We like to play tricks on Mom. For instance, in the morning instead of going out the nearest door from the garage, Dad and I walk all through the house. Mom hates it. We think it's hilarious.
My mom, Tana, thinks I am ok. She doesn't like me in the house much. But I heard her admit that she can't imagine another dog who would be so good with such little training. I think it was a compliment.
The kids like me pretty well too, especially that little Bella.
I have a strict code of moral conduct.
One of my rules: the smaller the person, the more gentle I am.
I'm a bit of a celebrity at the vet clinic in Bellevue. Those girls love me.
It's understandable, really.
I chase cars. I ditched my shock collar a while back, it's been awesome. The freaked out look on people's faces when they realize the damage I could do to their cars, (chuckle) that just never gets old.
I love long walks. I sit at the end of the drive way and wait for people to be walking by. I will go with almost anyone.
I am good at making new friends.
I like to run too, but mostly just with Mom, she's not fast.
I shed ALOT.
Mom and I both love it when I get my hair cut in the spring. (Except that one time the lady cut my hair like a poodle. Man, that was embarassing.)
ALSO I love milk bones. There's not much I won't do for a Milk Bone.
If your ever in the neighborhood, look me up. We'll go harrass some cats.

FF- Potty training

'Nuf said.

Sunday night call

I worked from noon until 10:30.
The problem was, I didn't get to leave the hospital until 1:30 AM.
Bella had been sick and when I got home she threw up.
I changed her.
She threw up again.
I assured Matt I was fine... up already.
I bathed her.
I fed Riggins.
I laid my weary head and prayed that I wouldn't get called back in. Thank the heavens above I didn't. I was still hammered the next day.
I hate call!