Making Memories. Choosing Joy.

Ramblings

I'm warning you now, it's going to be a scattered post...

• I was helping Z study for his science quiz about Hypothesis, Independent Variables and Dependent Variables. When I asked him to give me a hypothesis, he said "If I feed Jasper 3 pieces of pepperoni, it will increase his poop rate." I really don't think I need to finish the story. I did ask him to not use any kind of example that has the word "poop" in it on his quiz.
• Jasper was chewing on something dark yesterday afternoon. When I got closer to see what it was, I noticed a tail. Yes, he brought a mouse in from outside. And yes, I started screaming that it was a mouse and for Z to get him out of the house now. Thankfully Jasper carried the mouse back out the door with him. And yes, Z is still teasing me about my squealing.

• Both boys started Open Gym for Basketball this week. Just as I about had the stink gone from Football, it starts up again. :::sigh:::
• As much Christmas music as I have been listening to, you would think I'd have some gifts bought. But I don't. And even worse, I don't have any ideas.
• My office is closed on Friday. Yea for a long weekend for me! I picked up 9 years worth of Christmas photos that I got developed today. Yes, I have high hopes. 

Have a terrific day! Make it count!

Project Life Week 5, 6, and 7

While I haven't kept up with posting my completed pages to the blog, I have kept up with the photos and completing the pages!

Week 5

I'm still working on Nicholas' birthday pages to insert after this week.

Week 6

and Week 7

We are all well. Zachary's basketball ends this weekend with the last of the tournaments. While they don't have a good record, they have learned a lot and I think they are doing a fabulous job! Isn't that all that matters...what your Mama thinks?

Nicholas' speech, reading and writing continue to improve. He has become accustomed to his hearing aid and doesn't ask to take it off anymore when he gets home from school.

We promised Nicholas two things for after his surgeries were finished...a dog (which Jasper continues to be a good dog, and hopefully even better after we have our first session with a dog trainer on Sunday) and Walt Disney World. This summer we will be taking the boys to Disney for a week and I'm so excited to see them experience it! Nicholas is worried that there won't be enough to do for a whole week!

I'm planning to enjoy every second of March. A month of no practices and no games. April we start back up with baseball practice. Oh please let the month of March go slow!

On Second Thought...

Since the boys will be starting back to school in 9 days (and 3 hours, 6 minutes) Jasper's days of having buddies to play with during the day are numbered (but who's counting?). We've begun the preparations, and gotten him a kennel for while we are away, while the weather is still nice out, anyway. Winter is TBD. Zachary, Nicholas and Pipi but the kennel up effortlessly on Wednesday, and after I had the dinner dishes done, I went outside to find this:

 

 

Is it wrong that I paused to rethink who's home this should really be? And is it wrong that I had wished we had gotton this the day school was out for the summer? This, my friends, could have been a terrific "time out" area! I kid, I kid! or not.

Back by Popular Demand

Jasper. Who knew I'd be that person to bore you with pet pictures?!?

But he's just too cute.

This was Sunday, you know, the day of the "Dog Days of Summer." And this is where you could find him if he wasn't in the sprinkler. Where exactly is he?

 

Under the steps in the garage, of course. Where else would he be?

Come on, Jas...you can get out! It's time to get out and play! You know what? YOU go play. I'll watch from right here.

 

It won't be long before he no longer fits under here!

Dog Days

I'm pretty certain that today qualifies as one of the "Dog Days of Summer." I think Jasper agrees.

 

Today is definitely the hottest day of summer that we've had. Which is one of the reasons I'm taking the time to update...and because I had a request from Aunt Jane.

Thankfully, not much has been going on. We've been enjoying summer and enjoying the stress-freeness (this must be a word...Typepad didn't underline it to alert me, so I'm going with it!!!) of nothing medical going on. Nicholas' ear continues to heal and I've even noticed a bit more definition. He isn't home right now (errands with Daddy...those two make quite the pair...on the go, go, go!) or I'd take a picture to share. There's a notch on the edge where Dr. Jones had to shave a bit of cartilidge off during the second failed skin graft, where it became exposed. But you know what? I don't care! He's healing, he doesn't care, and it adds a bit of character! Perfection is over-rated!

I've been keeping busy with a combination of "Extreme Home Makeover" and "Clean Sweep." A couple of weeks ago I decided I was tired of the outdated dining room, so it went from hunter green to "crabby apple." I have to say that I love the color, but I forgot how much of a pain it is to paint red. Once it's all done (the paint is done, still deciding on some wall art) I'll be sure to post before and afters! Up next is the foyer, although we are waiting on a price from a painter since it is two-stories. Neither Scott or I are up for that challenge at this point in our lives!

It's hard to believe that school is starting in a couple of weeks. I think we are all ready though...but then the homework arguing will begin again!

Thanks for checking in on us!

Fulfilling a Promise

Last Sunday we fulfilled a promise we made to the boys, at least two years ago, for after Nicholas' surgeries were over. Meet Jasper:

We weren't planning on Jasper, but he was the right price, and the right time. And too adorable to pass up!

He's 12 weeks old and is a great dog! He is crate-trained, knows how to sit, fetch and walk on a leash. He's already the boy's best friend.
But if he wants to be my best friend, he has a bit more work to do!
To be fair, I probably shouldn't have left my book laying on the chair when I came inside! At least he only chewed pages I have already read!
I think Jasper is going to be perfect for our family!