9/11

Where were you on 9/11 as the towers fell and our lives changed forever? 


That's a question that's been asked so many times this week. I remember where I was, in my dorm room with my roommate. We had an 8am class and came back to our room to sleep. She woke me up and we watched in disbelief, like so many others, as the towers fell.

This week on K-Love the question was this: How have the attacks on 9/11 changed your life?

It was a question that I pondered for a little while... my life wasn't directly impacted, was it? There were obvious things that changed, my attitude towards life and death, the respect that I always had for our first responders was amplified. But, when I thought harder, I realized that nothing in my life would be as it is, if it wasn't for 9/11... Jordan and I hadn't met yet, but he joined the Army after 9/11. The war in Iraq and Afghanistan would not have happened if it wasn't for 9/11.

I'm constantly reminded that the goal of those who attacked the World Trade Center, Pentagon and Flight 93 was not accomplished. They intended to destroy our country and bring America to it's knees. They did not accomplish that goal. Instead we united. The National Anthem brings Americans (young and old) to tears. Not tears of sadness, but tears of pride. We were not broken. Maybe a crack was created, but it's been repaired and we are now stronger than ever. The attacks turned many people toward God, and strengthened their relationships with Jesus.

Today, on the 10th Anniversary, hold your families close and remember how blessed we are to live in this amazing country.

God Bless America...

Our little man...

Huey joined our family on September 3rd... 

We picked him up in Lincoln Nebraska and took him back to my mom and dad's where Abigail was anxiously awaiting him. She wasn't too sure of him, and his energy, at first. 

This looks like a very energetic dog, right?

 

He rode amazingly well, no accidents, or sickness, whatsoever. We got a new car last weekend, also, so that was a big concern.

Huey and Mommy riding in the new car

  

My family sleeping

My sleepy princess!

Today, a week later, she is coming around. She can firmly tell him "no!" when he jumps up on her and she no longer thinks that he is "scratching me" every time he touches her.

We are working on potty training and crate training. He is really doing pretty well, I think, given he is only 8 1/2 weeks old. We have accidents and frustrating times, though. 

Sleeping on the couch... with Abby's sock

My boys!

Chewing on his pheasant

Huey is a Vizsla and will be a medium to large size dog, about 45-60 lbs... the plan now is for him to be a semi-inside dog. He'll hopefully be Jordan's running buddy, Abigail's best friend and my protector when Jordan is away. Right now he's sleeping on the couch next to me, while J & A are playing on the love seat. They are both sick right now ~ head colds? Allergies? But, we have plans to enjoy this weekend!

How did you train your dogs? Are they members of your family? Do they sleep in the house? In a kennel? On your bed?

School!!

Tuesday was Abigail's first day of school.

What? You might say... School?? She isn't old enough to go to school... is she??

Yes, my friends, she is. Tuesday she started preschool and she was SO excited!

The traditional First Day of School picture

Outtake 1

Outtake 2 "The sun is in my eyes!"

Outtake 3

We met her friend Loren at McDonald's for some first-day breakfast! Abby and Loren go to Pam's together and they are really great friends. Loren is older than Abby - two years in school older - but they are adorable together! (Her mommy has a blog, too ~ filled with tons of yummy recipes! Check it out!)

Eating their pancakes

How cute are they?!

Sunshine!

Her first day at her first school!

Mommy and Abigail

Playing...

Talking to me...

Abigail's other friend Sidney is in her class, also... Sid and Abby go Pam's together, too.

Abigail and Sidney

Cheese!!

Today she went back (school is two days a week), and was SO excited to return. I'm ecstatic that she loves school... hopefully I can keep this blog going until she's in middle school, so I can remind her of that then!

Puppy Prep

If you're on facebook, or a super close family friend, you may know that we are going to welcome this guy:

to our family next Saturday!

We are so excited and Abby can not wait to meet him! We think ~ think! ~ his name will be Huey (like the helicopter), but haven't settled completely.

Anyways, this weekend was spent prepping for his homecoming. We went to PetSmart and purchased all of the puppy essentials.

When we got home I noticed that the food/water bowls quickly disappeared. I wasn't worried. But, I was very surprised when I walked into Abby's playroom and found this...



I think she's ready?

Does anyone have any advice for prepping a kiddo fora new puppy?

My new favorite Woman...

The Pioneer Woman.

She is amazing! Have you guys checked out her blog(s) yet?!

She cooks. Is an amazing photographer. Has a beautiful home. On a beautiful ranch in Oklahoma.

I had heard of her, a long time ago, but didn't really investigate too much. Recently I purchased her book ~ not her cookbook ~ and it's amazing! This woman can write! Her book is about how she met her husband and fell in love. It reads like a novel and I have trouble putting it down at night.

I joined pinterest a few weeks ago and have pinned a few of her recipes. Wednesday night I finally got around to trying one... Cajun Chicken Pasta. A-MA-ZING!!

The Pioneer Woman Cooks for Christmas!

(Oh yeah ~ she has a show on Food Network ~ it premiered this morning!)

MISSING:

Tiny Tiny Baby:

Height: 8in
Weight: 10oz
Blonde Hair
Brown Eyes
Clothes worn
Well loved
Missing since 08/06/11 approx 1100


We were moments away from making posters that read the above information tonight. Tiny Tiny Baby (TTB) went missing Saturday morning, just before nap time. I'm telling you TTB was gone! Jordan and I tore Abby's playroom, living room and kitchen apart, but no sign of TTB!! Tonight I decided I was going to take everything out of her playroom until I found her.

I knew two things: Abigail had not left our property between the time we last saw TTB and when she went missing; and Abby was devastated!

Looks normal right?

Or does it...

Aha!!

One VERY happy Abigail!

PS ~ These pictures were taken with my new iPhone. I love it and it really takes great pictures! I "edited" them in the app Instagram. LOVE IT!

Winnie the Pooh...

Was Abigail's first movie! It was only 70min and started at 5:20PM so we decided this would be the perfect movie to be Abigail's first. We weren't sure how long she'd sit still in the theater, which is why we went with a short movie. I'm glad we did, too...

Abby and I arrived about 5:15, Jordan was in route from Leavenworth and going to meet us in the theater. We bought popcorn and a sprite (I smuggled in a juice box for little miss) and found our seats. When we walked in we were the only ones there (I was secretly thinking "phew!"), but two other families quickly joined us. A little girl in front of us had a booster seat, and I thought Abby might like one. That little girl's daddy generously offered to grab one for us, so we let him :)


As the previews were starting Abby asked "where is Winnie Pooh?". Just then Jordan arrived and was a great distraction.

The movie begins...

Abby loved the popcorn!

About half way through Abby decided that my lap looked comfier than her booster seat, so she climbed on over. She finished the movie there and overall did a great job! I don't know that we'll be taking her to too many more movies for awhile, but everyone had a great time.

The movie was really good, too :)