Saying goodbye...

Saying good bye is one of the hardest things to do in life, for me anyway. It is something I have become, sadly, too familiar with. First my mom, then my aunt, then papa, several (way too young to die) friends and most recently, this morning, our precious dog. I know many out there will criticize and grumble that I am this distraught over my dogs passing but I don't care and if you feel that way stop reading now.

We had to lay Jellybean to rest this morning because she bit Charlie in the face. Luckily I was sitting right by them when it happened and I could stop her before she had a chance to break his skin. She got his cheek and scratched by his eye. Honestly she should have been put down a long time ago when she drew blood on a very dear friends of ours son. However, we were not at the point in our lives where we could comprehend how bad it was. I know it sounds awful but its the truth. Its not something we are proud of but understand and have come to terms with.

She was our baby, we got her when we first started dating and had her ever since. Through all the East Coast moves over the past 5 years. At least she went peacefully and without knowing what was happening. First she got a tranquilizer and then the dose. I have to say the hardest part was leaving the vet with her limp and fragile little body. Just for those thinking we didn't try other ways; we called everywhere and no one would take her because she bit a child. We couldn't imagine sending her to animal control because they would have killed her, probably not nicely, and thrown her in a freezer. Not to mention if a shelter did take her would she really be loved the way we loved her? Anyone who knows us knows that she was beyond apart of our family.

We got home and carried her to the back wrapped in an American flag blanket she always snuggled on and laid her in the sun while we dug her grave. One of her favorite things to do was sun bathe so we got one last soaking in. She looked so peaceful laying there. Every now and then we would switch digging and spend a few minutes with her, saying goodbye. Finally we got deep enough and each took a side of the blanket and lowered her into the grave. Sean got down and wrapped her up warm and snuggled and we commenced with the rest. Said a pray for her and let it all out.

She wasn't just a dog. She was our baby girl and I miss her so much it hurts to even write this. I want to always remember this day though. Not for the bad but for the thought of her passing being so peaceful.

Rest in peace pretty girl, we will ALWAYS love and remember you.

A moment of reflection.....

It seems like in the past year and a half we have lived here in Jacksonville we have spent most of the days soaked in our own perspiration giving all our money to the electric company just to keep the house at 80 degrees. Well, no more I say! Fall has finally graced us with is presence.

Mother nature has a way of making you appreciate the different seasons, that's for sure! I have decided that I will do my best to embrace each place we live from this point forward. Maine had wonderful things about it but I was too busy obsessing over the "negatives" to take the time to enjoy and appreciate how beautiful Maine is - not to mention the difference in safety! So Florida, I am embracing you from this point forward and I WILL enjoy all the good you can offer!

As I sit here listening to Charlie's monitor while he naps I can't help but reflect on the past several years of my life. I never thought we would be where we are today. We have so much to be thankful for in our lives and honestly we always have. Six years ago I thought my life sucked and nothing could make me happy. Little did I know that I was going to meet the man of my dreams, I Love You Sean! So much has happened to us and we wouldn't change a thing! Marriage, moves all over the East Coast, vacations, anniversaries, Charlie and pets have kept us so busy and our camera card full! LOL We have what seems like an ever expanding family and until this most recent move we didn't live in a place longer than 6 months since we met.....I am proud to say we have been in our home for over 1 1/2 years now and it feels amazing!

I cannot wait to see what is in store for us next!! That's all I have for now....

Okay now for some new pics....

First time having blueberries! =)

I think we are out growing the duck bathtub....

cheezin with dad

Playing with Aiden at Sara's baby shower

LOL the best part about throwing a shower is you don't have to play the games! ;)

The happy parents to be (again)

Another game...guess the melted candy that looks like poop! HA

Relaxin after the shower.

Random shot I liked =)

Back to the grind we go...

Time flies when your having fun - that's the truth! This past week has been so fast. This morning we saw Grandma Jackie off and it was hard! Charlie loves his grandma so much! We had a blast while she was here and we are so thankful that she could come and stay as long as she did. It is amazing that she has been able to witness so many firsts with Charlie. His first smile, first crawl, certain first foods (the lemon was the most memorable I think) and so much more! Being a military family has so many positives and negatives though the negatives are few and far between they are the hardest that could be presented to a family. Being so many miles away from most we know and love is one of the hardest feats we will overcome throughout his service. Each time it seems to get a little bit harder. As we grow and our family expands we yearn for that family feeling and though we do have a wonderful military family we have adopted along the way nothing can replace the feeling you feel when your mother or father interacts with your child. You notice the little quirks that your child has gotten from you and your parents and it just links you all together - filling the empty gap you feel the rest of the year when they are with us only in spirit.

I am so happy Charlie has so many that love him and he feels the love all around him. You can tell because he is such a happy baby, always smiling and giggling! At least we have photos and he knows who all his relatives are.

The next few months are going to be hectic! Lots of fun blogs and pictures to come. Until then here are some photos to enjoy from Jackie's visit!

Our neighbor James, robot Cash (coolest costume I've seen) and fireman Charlie

Char playing with Colt =) Our walking buddy every night

Char chowing down on the rice cracker Casie gave him

Brayden and Cash trick-or-treating at the Jensen's

he dumped the toy basket on himself

crawling

Jackie modeling the apron I hand made!

We carried out tradition and closed the pool on Halloween 2010

On the move....crawling all over!

Fireman Charlie on Halloween 2010

1st time at PF Chang's (the storller dobles as a highchair!)

1st time having a lemon

Saying goodbye to Grandma Jackie.....