ALL DOGS GO TO HEAVEN

 

 

 

Before Ava was old enough to remember, & before Colt was born, there was Royce. And it is with a heavy heart that I write this post.

Three years ago today I experienced the hardest tragedy of my life thus far. If only I could just go back in time I would. If only I would have just listened to the still small voice that spoke so loudly in my ear to "put him in the truck" I would have. If only I wouldn't have been so foolish. But I was, & as a result of that I ended a life so precious.

My "Roycey Boy" was a great dog, & an even better friend. Oh how I miss him so terribly still. He left Ryan & I far too soon, but nevertheless, my life is so much better for having him in it for the 4 short years that he was.

Royce had a way of making his presence felt like very few dogs I've known. Anyone that ever entered our home knows Royce was the funniest little dog, with the biggest personality. My "spotty little hot dog" made sure no one got off the hook throwing his stinky tennis ball to him, or you were sure to never hear the end of it. Royce was never quite so happy as when he was in the car with us. The destination isn't what mattered to him, he just loved being with Ryan & I. And he was. All the time.

I'm glad we got to spoil him as long as we did. It's just a sad fact that no matter how much we love animals, their lives are short & we are doomed to loss. At one time or another in our lives we will know this loss, but also this love. It's something I avoid thinking about as much as possible, loss. When my mind lands on it, it instantly recoils, like a hand that has touched something hot. But losing & grieving are still very much a part of our lives, & of course, no matter what the risks, love is worth it. Life is about who & what you love. And the purity of a dog's love is the finest example.

Royce's sweet face & his devotion were all about love. I find comfort in knowing that I fulfilled him with a good life--lot's of roast chicken, ear scratches, car rides, comfy dog beds (my bed), & a good ol' game of 'fetch' almost everyday. I loved throwing tennis balls for him, & he loved happily craming those suckers into his mouth & prancing back over to wherever I stood. Sometimes I'd go hide, but even the hardest of places that I thought for sure he'd never beable to sniff out... well, sure enough he did. It makes me so happy knowing that within hours before taking his life, he & I enjoyed a game of hide-&-go-seek together. Little did I know that it would be our last. Life is so precious, it's fleeting for sure. So we need to remind ourselves to enjoy every moment we have. I am so thankful to have had those moments, those memories. I hold them so close to my heart.

I know he is in a better place, pestering all the dogs bigger than he, & suckering someone into throwing his tennis ball to him.

We love you, Roycey Boy, & we will miss you forever.

HO, HO, HO

 

He knows if you've been bad or good...so I sure hope Colts Christmas is merry anyway.

Aged To Perfection

 

I wanted my first post to be a meaningful one, and what a amazing coincidence that it would be about my beautiful, intelligent, and charming wife Megan and the special day she was born.

Megan is one of the most unique people I have ever met, she has this vivacious energy and personality that is unmatched.
When I first met Megan, I was immediately drawn to that energy and personality, she had me within minutes, hook line and sinker.

When we first started dating I had a hard time putting my male ego aside when I went to the lake with her and her family, she was so athletic and amazing on a wake board, but over the years I have accepted the fact that she will always be better at sports, actually it is one of the many things that I have come to love about my wife.



I could not have asked for a better mother for my two beautiful children Ava and Colt. I adore the way those two kids gravitate towards Megan's egmatic energy. She is constantly entertaining them, they have their own private entertainment director.

The most precious thing is the way she interacts with them, she gets down on their level and plays with them as though she was a child herself. I love the way Ava wants to be just like her mommy, and what a great role model for my daughter. It is so sweet the way she has captured my son Colts heart, he can't stand to see her cry and she uses his weakness to her advantage. He is her little shadow, he never leaves her side.

Megan is a wonderful daughter she has so much respect and adoration for her parents and their spouses. She was raised by two great people. I also love and admire the time and effort she puts towards her siblings. I wish I was more like her in that aspect.



Megan has taught me some of life's most valuable lessons. She has taught me that it is never a waste of time to talk to people, you never know who's life you can affect in a positive way. I have also learned from her that life does not have to be so serious all the time, why be alive if you never take time to enjoy this beautiful world. I could go on forever of all the things that this woman has taught me, but if you wanted to read a novel you would have gone to Barns and Nobel.





Megan has been the one true friend that I have had. I do not know what I did to deserve to be married to my best friend. She is my strength where I am weak, she was the fun that my life was lacking and the breath of fresh air that I had gone without. The most precious things in life I have experience with her and she has made them incredible. I have never loved anything more than I love this incredible, amazing, and compassionate woman. I want to wish my wife a happy birthday, and let her know that I cherish every second spent with her that I am blessed with. Babe, I love you more than any words could ever explain.
LOVE BABY!!!

NORTHERN EXPOSURE

 

This year we celebrated our turkey time in Midway Utah with Ryans family.

We lived thankfully this weekend by stuffing our faces, taking a journey to the North Pole, & perfecting our figure eights, spins, & swirls on the ice.

It was fun to get bundled up & enjoy some chilly weather. Ava loved playing out in the frosty air with all of her cousins, & I enjoyed kissing a couple of little red noses warm.

 

I think that one of the things I'm most grateful for this Thanksgiving is the health of my children. I have more to be thankful for than I realize, & that is one thing I know I have taken for granted. Oh my darling Lu-Lu's & Diddy! The love I have for them cannot be described in words, & the love I feel as a mother is so strong that my heart feels like it is going to explode a million times a day!!

I also can't help but feeling so extremely thankful for Ryan. My husband is a man with an unwavering commitment to us. His new job has created more responsibility for him that I know can't be easy. The absence of him reminds me daily of someone else I have to be thankful for.

And as this year is almost said & done, I realize I am most thankful for the clarity I have in life. I know now that the best & most beautiful things in this world cannot be seen or heard, but must be felt with the heart.

 

The Polar Express was a perfect way to start off the magical Christmas season. Ava was in "ah" of it all, & was left none other than speechless. And Colt, well let's just say that he is still a "non believer" in Santa.

 

But the true "icing" on the 4 day weekend was slippin' & slidin' it up skating. Watching Ryans "free style" was enough to make me fall in love with him all over again, & I enjoyed pretending I was a beautiful gliding ice-fairy (only I know I wasn't that smooth). It was just so fun to find the littlest things amusing, & laugh at ourselves. After all, doesn't laughter lengthen life?!!

CHRISTMAS IS IN THE AIR

 

 

 

 

DADDY'S BOOTS

 

This is Ryans little shadow.

He watches every move his "da-da" makes.

He wants to fill his shoes,

ride in his big truck,

and he has hands so eager to do everything he does.

 

Ava is never more than two steps behind him either.

Her little ears quickly take in every word he says,

she analyzes the man that he is,

and countsdown the days until he comes home.

You see, these two little monkeys miss there daddy so much...

They love him, they adore him, they want to be just like him!

PICTURES PICTURES PICTURES..

 

 

 

 

Thank you so much Errin for capturing these precious moments of the most meaningful people in my life. You are amazing & definitely have the eye for photography.

If anyone is looking to get family pictures, then I highly recommend Errin Andrus Photography. She is reasonably priced, & extremely talented.

Go to www.errinandrusphotography.blogspot.com to check her out.

Thanks again Errin, I love them!