Puppy Love

Ever since we lost Gunner a year and a half ago, the kids have been consistently asking for a replacement.  Madison, especially, has been shall we say persistent in her quest for a puppy.  From notes left on our pillows to screen savers with puppy dog faces.  Although I did enjoy the freedom of not having a dog, I did miss the company and security. 

The topic came up often and we'd talk about what kind, who was going to help me, what we should name him or her, etc.  It took some sweet-talkin', but we finally got permission from Colombo to move forward with it.  

I contacted the breeder who we'd gotten Gunner from and let her know that we were interested and to please contact me with any litter plans.  Sometime in April I received an email with an ultrasound picture and the news that puppies were due in July.

The puppies were born July 25th.  Eight- four boys and four girls.  The girls were spoken for, but I wanted another male anyway.  Every week Sharon emailed me pictures of the little fur balls.  It was fun watching them grow week to week, in anticipation of having one come home.

I checked my favorite puppy / dog book out from the library to brush up on my skills and made the kids watch an hour long DVD about picking the right pup, care, training, and discipline.  

Two weeks ago we went and met all 8!  Cuteness!  Sharon had sort of set one aside for us, knowing what we were looking for.  She had them temperament tested, verifying that he was a good fit.  We played with him and ran our little tests on him.  We claimed 'Cuddles' (dubbed by the breeder's daughter).

Last Friday was the big day.  We prepared the house and the kids and I drove out to get him.

 His AKC name is "You've Got a Friend in Me" but he'll simply be known as WOODY!

Comin' home at 8 1/2 weeks

His name was actually chosen last summer during one of the many puppy beg-a-thons.  The boys were really into golf so I suggested using a golf term.  Colombo said Wood (a club) and immediately the kids chimed in with Woody and it stuck all year!  It's perfect, as Trevor is crazy about 'Toy Story'.

Greeting Daddy for the 1st time

Just a little love to go around

Exhausted from the excitement of the day

What a sweet guy he is!!!

He lays like this often.  The kids call it his frog legs.

That's a big step for a little guy!

It's been a week.  We are all in love with him.  I feel like he's doubled in size!  Occasional accidents, but he's doing really well with the potty.  He has 'sit' pretty well mastered and we are working on 'come.'  The kids have been helpful during the day taking him out and playing with him.  He's a great blend of playful and mellow.  He's sweet, loves to be around us, and responds to praise.  He's a keeper for sure!

Week 39

We've had a long stretch of gorgeous weather and we've taken advantage by spending lots of time outside after school!  Crossing our fingers it lasts a bit longer before the bleak of winter evades.

Monday, Sept. 19th

It's a blurry picture but Rocco had a blast whirling around with Maddy on Trevor's bike.

Tuesday, Sept. 20th
Madison was 'planking' after returning from dance.  Of course the boys had to follow.  They spent about an hour being silly and laughing together.

Then she just started to show off.

Wednesday, Sept. 21st

Trevor had this taped to his desk.

Trev got a special chance to go with Gramma to be a part of Lainie's birthday celebration at Monkey Joe's.

Thursday, Sept. 22nd

Friday, Sept. 23rd
We welcomed Woody to the family.  He'll get his very own post!

It's official!  We're off to Hawaii!  Colombo finished the promo and we received this FRESH lei from Hawaii via FedEx overnight with a note saying 'Congratulations!'  He did what he needed to qualify for the FREE trip.  Who-Hoo!  So come January, we'll be in paradise.  I'm so proud of him.

Saturday, Sept. 24th

Sunday, Sept. 25th
We sat through two hockey games at the rink.  Rocco made friends with another little guy who shared his toys.  Rocco wanted a picture with the car.

Our church held a beautiful Night of Worship.  I was so touched to see Nathanael worshipping his little heart out.

Dining Room Facelift

I always say that starting a house project is like pulling a thread on a sweater.  You think, "Hey let's paint the ____ room.  It was be quick, easy, and cheap.  A $25 can of paint and 2 hours...done!  Well, I've pulled enough threads to know that it quickly unravels.  It's actually a $25 can of paint, a $20 can of primer, $10 of brushes and rollers, another $25 can of paint for a second or third coat, then the ceiling looks bad, then the carpet looks disgusting, while you're at it you should fix that light switch that never works right, and on, and on, and on.  It unravels.

I knowingly went into my little dining room project prepared for the unraveling.  The 'plan' was to strip the ceiling of the popcorn and to remove the 3 recessed canisters from over the table and replace it with a chandelier.

I'm quick to admit that interior design is not my thing.  I wish it was, but it is not, so while looking for a chandelier, I emailed a few girlfriends for opinions.  Jules' sister-in-law, Arlene, was on the list because Jules had told me that interior design is her thing.  Thankfully Arlene was quick to email me back with some chandelier links and even followed up with a phone call and pictures of her own home.

In the end, I have to give Arlene most of the credit for the room.  She was patient in explaining basic design rules and tricks.  She covered it all from why to pick a matte finish paint color to the proper height to hang pictures.  Design 101.  She was also good about working with my itty bitty budget and the fact that the room needed to be practical and kid friendly- no rug, no fabric on the chairs.  She's phenomenal!  Especially given the fact that we did it all over the phone and pictures sent via email. 

prepping the room to strip ceiling

It made a huge mess, but came off very easily.

Papa came and ripped out the recessed can lights and made several trips over here to repair the holes.

The next step was to find a dining room table.  I found this used one on Craigslist. We love it because it is so big and has built-in leaves to be even bigger.

These are the 'before' pictures I sent to Arlene for help.

Our first dinner as a family at the new table.  May many happy conversations happen here and and warm memories made.

We decided on a chandelier and Colombo worked hard to rig it up.

Tah-dah!  We also changed out the 1980ish sconces for 2 that matched the chandelier.  I also recovered the seats of the chairs with a faux leather black vinyl for easy cleaning.

And then the room sat unchanged for nearly two months.  Arlene had suggested on a few occasions to get rid of the red paint and neutralize the room.  After some gentle encouragement from her I finally decided to just repaint and I am soooo glad I did.  I LOVE the color.

Arlene sent several links for drapes and I finally decided on these from Pottery Barn.

New lighting, new drapes, new table, new seat covers, new wall color, new ceiling color, moved the hutch, created the photo collage...yup, just like tugging on the thread of a sweater.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Although I have just a couple details to finish up on (like a couple missing frames), it's just about finished and I'm so happy with it.  I'm still looking for a buffet piece for the long wall.  The room is warm and welcoming and serves our family's needs.  Now onto the next room.  I've got Arlene on speed dial!