It's A Boy!

While we are still recovering from losing Scout, we decided it was time to bring home another dog.

We LOVE Dolly's foster sister, but we know she won't be here forever.

This time, Chad got to make the choice on which dog we brought home.

I think he thought it was time to even up the numbers in our house, so we found Loki online.

Loki is a husky/white German shepherd mix and weighs about 50 pounds.

He was at a nearby rescue adoption event, so we went to meet him with Dolly.

They seemed to get along well and we moved on quickly to sign the paperwork.

As long as we passed today's home visit, he was ours!

Jasmine just sniffed him once and was good.

However he and Dolly are still trying to figure out who is the Alpha!

Loki is a beautiful boy!

He just needs to learn some manners.

Tonight he met the family and did pretty well.

We already have "sit" mostly mastered.

We know he is smart but stubborn so he will eventually learn the rules!

We are so excited to have this sweet boy as a part of our family!

The Joy of This Boy!

We are watching our sweet World Vision child grow!

He loves anything Spiderman (Guess what kind of shirt kiddo is getting for Christmas?!)

He is doing well in school, is healthy, and loves art!

He even drew us this picture!

Branson With The Family

Sometimes, we all feel the need to get away!

So Darla and Kevin and Darren and Karlee and Chad and I (phew!) all decided to meet up for a quick weekend away!

We had my first trip to Silver Dollar City!

The food is excellent!

And then Darren, Karlee, and Chad rode the new roller coaster!

And we all went into "Grandpa's House" which is a funhouse!

We also enjoyed listening to all the music shows!

That evening we had dinner and a show on the gorgeous Branson Belle Steamboat!

The weekend was short, but a GREAT little getaway that we all needed!

Emmett is Three!

Emmett is three today!

We LOVE this sweet boy!

He is sweet and sensitive,

...with a dash of sass and attitude mixed in!

He has a unique personality, and always keeps us guessing!

He also makes one AWESOME ninja!

Making a wish on the candle!

Happy Birthday Emm Emm, we love you SO very much!

The Other Shoe Dropped.

Sunday night as we put both of the girls down to bed, I was feeling blissful. 

We have two wonderful pups who love each other, jobs that we both loved, a great church family, and a home to call ours. 

Our family felt complete for now. 

And then I had this horrible feeling that things were going too well. 

When was the other shoe going to drop?

What was going to happen?

And then it was Monday afternoon and I was with the kids at the park when I got the news. 

Scout's original family came forward. 

A single dad with two little boys. 

And they wanted Scout (they called her dutchess) back.

My heart was ripped to pieces. 

And I had to break the news to Chad. 

Luckily it was towards the end of the day. 

I cried.

I cried loading the kids in to the car from the park. 

I cried dropping them off.

I cried all the way home. 

And then all the way to the vet to drop her off. 

And all the way home. 

I couldn't take her inside and leave. 

So thankful that Chad said he would do it. 

The family wasn't there at that point.

I'm glad. 

I didn't want to meet them. 

I didn't care that they wanted to repay us for her medical expenses. 

I wanted my sweet Scout back.

You can't repay heartbreak. 

The house felt so lonely when we got back. 

We both just sat on the floor of the living room in shock, petting Dolly and not talking.

Dinner didn't happen last night. 

I had Cheetos and busted out the Halloween candy. 

Chad had something along those lines too. 

We were discussing getting another dog. 

But all we wanted was a sweet while coated German shepherd girl by the name of Scout. 

It still hurts this morning. 

And I think it will be a while before that goes away. 

Please friends, either microchip or get an ID collar for your dogs. 

Better yet, do both. 

It's not worth the pain that not having one (or both) causes. 

Double Trouble!

These two are already best buddies and attached at the hip!

This picture shows their personalities so well! Dolly is silly and the center of attention, and Scout is calm and sweet!

Hey! Let's go play!

Scout is so happy to be home!

Dolly loves having a sister!

Greeting Dad when he got home from work!

Checking each other out!

Scout loves to play with tennis balls!

We think she looks like a kangaroo in this one!

Bye guys, gotta go play!

Scout's First Bath

Bathing a 60 lb dog with long fur is quite different from bathing Dolly!

It was a group effort to get her into the tub and to stay!

She wasn't a huge fan, but she needed a bath so badly!

The mud was running of of her. 

Again I was struck with the thought, why would anyone abandon her?!

I'm hoping she learns to love baths like Dolly!