Lucy - Our Firstborn

As many of you know, we lost our dog of 11 years earlier this week. I am not one to get all crazy about pets, but I did think that Lucy deserved more than just a facebook post and so I thought I would write a little tribute here to help me remember some of the more memorable moments. We adopted Lucy in July of 2000 from the Memphis animal shelter. Ben picked her out. Our intent was to save the several hundred dollars that we would have spent on an English bulldog and rescue a dog in need. Little did we know that Lucy was sick and scheduled to be put down the next day. We quickly discovered this after we brought her home, took her to the vet and she was diagnosed with distemper. About half the dogs with this don't make it, but we were already emotionally attached to her so we spent the money ($1000 total) to nurse her back to health. Maybe her name should have been Lucky instead. So from that day on, she was living on borrowed time. I think we did the right thing. She was the best dog we have ever known. Very well behaved, not yappy, house trained, obedient, SMART, good climber (the day she scaled 2 stacked baby gates was the day we knew we couldn't keep her locked in the bathroom) and loving. We taught her to sit, stay, turn around, crawl, roll over, speak and sing (she loved who let the dogs out). She hated baths and always went nuts running around and rubbing her hears on the carpet when they were over. I will never forget the time she was sleeping on top of the covers and I flung her off the bed in the middle of the night when I pulled the covers up closer. Probably scared the mess out of her. She got me back though. One morning I got out of bed and stepped right in a pile of dog doo. Not the best wake up call.... I will also never forget the time she paid my brother back for all the markings left in our new house by Harry. She never pottied in the house except the one time he kept her in his. I told you she was smart! She loved to be with her people and took change well. She adapted with the addition of each child, another psycho dog that briefly graced our house and most recently Cali-co. Those 2 animals loved each other and it really made the last few months of Lucy's life more enjoyable. I have never seen a dog and cat chase each other and tussle like they did.

I am constantly reminded of her absence when she isn't following me into every room just to be there, chasing and biting the vacuum and scrounging for table scraps that may happen to fall during meals. She loved to bite fish when we caught some and to chase and bite waves. She was a constant companion to the children and helped a few of them make it through the scared of the dark phases in life. We will always remember her fondly. We love you Lucy. Thanks for choosing us.

Outdoor fun, Haloween and a quick visit.

Our first official camp out in the back yard. The weather finally cooperated even though Ben sneaked a heater in during the night. The kids were super excited. We all actually got a little sleep out of it. Definitely something we will be doing more often. Such great memories!



Styling while working, that's how we roll


Linlee's class took a field trip to Mitchell Farms that I got to attend as well. I just love that place and watching the kids have fun is part of the fun for me. We have a great group of kids and for the most part, were well behaved. The highlights for me were the funniest chicken I have ever seen and the huge pipe swing.






I also went the the Laurel fair grounds with Conner's class. He said this was one of his favorite things to do ever, even though the rides weren't open. I was amused by the animal feeding area (especially the long tounge of that calf!!). My most favorite part was by far the dog show!!






We attended the Pumpkin Party at church for Halloween. We have never really done trick or treating so I am trhilled that these options are out there so the kids can still have fun. they loved the pony rides and all the little games. I thought it was very well done. We even got to bring a few inflatables so good for our business as well! The kids all looked great in there costumes. My favorite was the Jedi though, I thought he looked pretty authentic!






We love suprises and so when the Fish family told us they were planning a stop in Petal on their way back from Disney, we were thrilled. If only for 1 night, it was soo good to see our friends. I think they fit a weeks worth of fun into 24 hrs! (we skipped school that day, it was worth it!)

Fall catch up.

We had the Marlars come down for a weekend visit around Ben and Alecia's birthdays, thus the birthday cake picture. We took the girls fishing and just kind of hung out. It was so good to see them again. I really hope we can make the effort to keep up with our close friends. Distance and life gets in the way but I intend to make the effort.

On our way to the first home PCS game. They all had to make their best bobcat face. All I see is braces in the future...

This little guy really seemed to like us. I mean he just wouldn't fly away. after a while the kids got over the coolness of carrying around a butterfly and he just wouldn't leave. We finally got him to get on a flower. Really strange.

Whirlwind catchup attempt.

Somehow I just can't keep us with this blogging thing for like the last year. Anyway, A few things that happened before we went back to school. I realized that I hadn't had Sidney's 3 year portrait made like I had the other 2 children so, I made 2 attempts. The first attempt was in Waynesboro and we had a few good ones come out of that photo shoot, but not really what I felt was the "one". I then decided to have my very talented cousin Tyler come to our house one morning and give it a shot. It was quick and painless and we got some really good shots as well. I decided to go with one of hers as my big portrait.

haha, just kidding, I went with this one.



WE also added a new member to our family. Miss Cali-Co Berteau compliments of Nana and my hard for her daddy to resist oldest daughter.



As much as he resisted, He is very glad that we have her. Lucy and Cali have a ball together when Lucy is in the mood to play. I think she has been good for all of us.


We had a house full of Fish for a few days right before school started. It was fun for all involved!! Glad they could make that drive! We had fun just hanging out, swimming and we even took them to Gulfport to the children's museum. Really cool!!


Just some random fun for your enjoyment on our last day of freedom before the routine starts again.


Goodbye lazy days of swimming and relaxing and not having to be anywhere at the crack of dawn. We will look forward to you again next year!!

Day trip to the beach with Nana

I have to admit that one of my favorite things about moving farther south is getting to go the beach more often, or so I thought. We have actually only been 1 time all summer and it was only for the night. Very disappointing!! Must change that!

Anyway, Nana took off work and we took the kids to Gulf Shores for the night. One night is definitely not long enough, but we had a great time. I took Linlee and Conner for a sand dollar hunt very early but we had very little luck. We all played on the beach that morning and in the pool until it was time to check out. Sidney had been to the beach when she was around 1 but didn't really remember it obviously. She was amazed and loved standing in the water and letting the waves bury her feet. That is one of my favorite things too. We left our hotel and stopped for lunch at Lamberts before heading back home. Love that place. I really want to go back soon!!!!

Back "Home".

Memorial day weekend we decided to take a trip back to Memphis. We had not been back since we moved in August. The strangest feeling was driving on 240 getting off on Nonconnah pkwy and having this overwhelming feeling that we were going home. We had driven that way for 10 years and never from the opposite perspective. Really tough. We stayed with the Fish which live .10 miles from our last house. As we passed "our" house, it just seemed natural to pull right into the driveway. Wierd feeling to pass on by knowing that someone else was inside. I guess with time that feeling will pass. Lots of great memories in that place.

The kids were ecstatic to see each other! They played endlessly the whole time we were there. The adults also stayed up late every night just catching up. So great to have close friends that you know will be with you no matter where life takes you.

The first day we broke out the sprinkler and let them get good and wet. We also set up the new trampoline which was a big hit for all ages!! It was so good to see them all together again.



Sunday we got to go to GBC and see all our church friends and then we met the Marlars for lunch. Those beautiful girls have really grown! We went back to their house and spent the afternoon just playing. Alecia had a great idea to make kids in a bubble and they loved it. So great to see our extended family again!


Monday I took the kids to the spray park to meet on of Linlee's Kindergarten friends. They had so much fun together!!


Tuesday we packed a lunch and Angie and I took the kids to the new playground at Shelby farms. That place is great!!! It was sooo hot though and thus a little miserable but we had fun exploring and also making edible art with our picnic lunches.


We topped off our trip with a visit to YOLO's with the Fish and Marlars, followed by pictures in the square. Lots of people when we all get together!!



Angie and I snuck away after this to go shopping for a little while. We had such a great time and after that outing, I will never hear "Baby got back" and not smile! :)

We tried to squeeze in a visit with everyone but it was just impossible. If we missed you, we will try very hard to catch up with you next time!!!

And this is how we all felt once the trip was over. Happily exhausted on our way back "home"

Our New Adventure.

Ben and I talked at length about the possibility of getting into the inflatable rental business. We decided to go for it and ordered them with hopes of getting them in time for Conner's birthday party. Well, his party was on a Saturday and they didn't arrive until Monday. Oh well. The kids had no idea we had actually ordered them, but they did know we were talking about it. Linlee even came up with the name of the company. Spring-dingy Rentals. Catchy I would say.