7-4-01 to 12-30-09

Yesterday was truly heartbreaking. Khory called the day before to say that over Christmas Keeva wasnt feeling well and they took her to the vet. After running some tests it was determined that Keeva had Kidney failure. Options were to flush her system for over 300.00 dollars a day for 3 days and see if that improved anything or to put her down. After I talked with the Vet he said that she was very advanced in her illness and even if we did spend the money the outcome was bleak for a recovery, and we would have to put her down anyway. Khory and I discussed that we didnt want to put her through any proceedures that would prolong her life if she was suffering without a positive outcome. Yesterday I lost my baby.

(poem written by Jonathan...have to click on the picture to read...)

12/30/09 her last day...Picture of us, and her son Max

I had always wanted a Rhodesian...that being my breed of choice for many reasons....however when Khory and I were discussing getting a dog it took a while to convince him to pay for a pure bred dog vs picking one up at the pound. However I knew what I wanted, and I prevailed! :)

Keeva started out her life very sick. Her litter got Parvo( a very deadly disease for puppies) and spent the first few weeks of her life in the hospital. When we got her at 10 weeks, she was scrawny, tiny and very sick looking. She was "babied" at the breeders home, and we picked up right where they left off. She slept right next to our bed, sat on my lap everywhere we went( until she was too big) she was allowed on the furniture..she went everywhere we did- camping trips, friends houses...we were that annoying couple without kids, but thought our dog was our child. When we got pregnant with Elijiah she resumed her "dog" status, but always remained the "first born". I used to watch her with Elijiah in those first few days- complete indifference. She would walk on by with no care for the new addition and Im sure she was thinking " When is this THING going to leave??"

The bonding moment and when I knew everything would be okay, was a few weeks later. We lived near a dog park and were frequent visitors...I had Elijiah in his baby carrier and set him down next to me and let Keeva loose to play. Within minutes dogs were coming up to the carrier and sniffing at Elijiah. Keeva was across the park when she heard Elijiah whimper, and I could see her stop in her tracks, ears perked up, and she came racing over...she immediately put herself inbetween the carrier and the other dogs and growled. My heart melted as I knew these two would be fine.

Time went on and Keeva was a wonderful companion and protector. She was needy as always but I was okay with that. 4 years later as Khory and I divorced I had to leave her with him( as he got the house) and I promised that when I was able I would take her- after all it was I that wanted her in the first place :). That time came when Jonathan and I got married and moved to a house with a fenced yard. I was sooo excited to get my girl back. However much to my great sadness my Keeva wasnt the same. She had grown older, grumpier. Had a batch of puppies( to our surprise and delight-thanks Keeva for running off and getting knocked up! We thought to save you for another Rhodesian, but the black lab was a good choice anyway! Mojito, Max, and Chalka are wonderful!)

Anyway, while she was fine with us, she was a ferce protector, and mean to those not in her immediate circle. I knew I couldnt trust her around kids anymore, and she tried on several occasions to attack Jonathans family.( Ive written about that camping trip on this blog before). I called a breeder/vet and she said that most likely she was greatly disturbed by the divorce and change of "pack". Khory and I decided she should return to him as he didnt have additional children and that was her "home" The only one she knew.....I have babysat during the years, taken her as I could. Visited when possible. Everytime I come home slightly more sad as I wish she could be with us. She had a good life, a loving home, and Elijiah- her constant companion. I spent a good chunk yesterday going through her photos...her adorable puppy pics, her antics as an adolecent and time as she mellowed and became older. Ive only posted a few as these werent scanned and not the best quality. My plan is to collect everything I have, pick the best ones out and put together a photo collage, and put them on CD. Till then- some of my favs.....

I hope to see you again Keeva---Ill miss you always!

Mom and Keeva when she was about 4 months old

Days at the park with Elijiah

When I said I took her everywhere...I really did!

Elijiahs face is out( sorry still working on scanning the pictures) But this was a regular occurrence- these two together from the beginning.

Christmas Break Re-cap

Last week I invited my good friend Jaynann over with her kids to go sledding. We met years ago when Elijiah and her son Talon were just about 2 years old. We both lived in Sugarhouse and met at church and instantly bonded over babies and working out. She became my running buddy and we would often take the boys in the jogging strollers to the park and feed ducks and play. She has been a wonderful friend. We have both seen our share of struggles and I would like to hope I have been as good of a friend to her as she has been to me. I was bummed when they moved to Draper as visits were less frequent and the boys didnt see eachother often. However one of the perks to moving to Draper is that I am now just up the road from her. We have gotten together several times and Elijiah loves to hang with his old friend. With the snow storm last week we thought it would be fun to get the kids outside and go sledding. And it was fun! The kids had a blast sledding at the elementary school down the road and Tristan and Tyler and Sophia all were enjoying the snowtime.

Jay and her kiddos

Elijiah and Talon walking up the hill

Little bugs...he wouldnt stop eating the snow!!!

Here they go!!!

My babies!!! Although not so little anymore!!!

The days adventure came to a close with hot cocoa and banana bread at my house. However it gets better....just wait....as Jay and I were talking in the kitchen we noticed Elijiah and Talon playing with my key chain which has pepper spray attached. We noticed and told them to put it down as they know its not a play thing...well the latch had flipped to the "fire" position and didnt know that Talon had put his finger on it....a few minutes later Talon starts to complain that his finger is hurting, he stuck it in his mouth and sure enough his lips and tongue start to hurt as well...Jaynann and I thought he was having an allergic reaction of some sort, and called the Dr...we went over everything he had been eating etc...and nothing all the while Talon is getting more and more scared and we are getting worried. He is in a lot of pain and we cant figure out what happened. Finally Elijiah bring it to our attention that perhaps that pepper spray had gone off and Talon hadnt realized it was on his finger .....oh boy! So we called poison control and they told us to have him "swish" his mouth with full fat mayonnaise. So off they go to head home and see if that will work.( as all we had was miracle whip and that is NOT the same thing!) Luckily it worked and Talon is fine...but what an afternoon!!!( Sorry Jay!!)

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Below is the picture of the REAL santa that Elijiah had breakfast with at school....Looks like the real thing to me!! :)

Christmas Time- Part 1

Christmas was magical this year. We were able to spend lots of time with Whitney and Josh, Grandma, the rest of our family, and have a great few days off.( I did spend Christmas on the couch sick with 3 migraines over the vaca-however it didnt dampen my spirits for a minute!!)Each day was filled with family parties and incredible food and festivities. Elijiah was absent...having to spend the holiday with Khory this year(we switch off each year) So we celebrated our Christmas eve and day - early. There are more photos to come( can you believe it?) As we swapped out photo cards in the camera and the old one(with 99% of our photos are on that one) So here are some borrowed picts from the rest of the family. As Jonathan and I were laying in bed last night thinking about the last 4 days we both said it was the best Christmas ever. All good things do come to an end, but its still sad :)

Dad and Nancys house Wed night
Grandma and Jessica looking stunning as usual

Azik and Elijiah

The only shot of me and the boys that night...terrible pic! :)

We have about three days worth of pictures still to post as I mentioned, but yesterday ( Sunday) we went up to Jonathans parents for the day. Jonathans siblings will be arriving this week so it should be great to see them and all the cousins soon!

(I love this photo of Jonathan and T)

Tristan got this awesome keyboard to play with and he loved it- Cant you tell??!!!!

Jonathan and his Grandma

So a few weeks ago we did the Santa Breakfast at the ward. It was fun, Sylah came with - the boys got to run amuck...but Elijiah was all the wise, saying that he wasnt the REAL santa as he had a fake beard. However it was Tristans first time with Santa and he was very intrigued! Last week at school for Elijiah they had another breakfast with Santa(more pictures to come you lucky folks!) The REAL santa arrived. This was the year that Elijiah was on the edge whether to believe or not...but I think we got one last year out of the whole santa thing. We wrote letters to Santa and when Elijiah saw him at school he asked him to come to our house even though it wasnt going to be Christmas Eve- and Santa agreed. I think that was the tipping point. It was a magical year this year.....

Holidays are approaching

With the holidays right around the corner we will be doing lots of fun things with family and friends...isnt that what the holidays are all about? Spending time with those you love?? I think so:) This week my sister and hubby came in from GA to hang out for a few weeks...Of course I have to see her? A birthday celebration for both her and my mom....and up on the calendar will be Dad and Nancy and Jonathans family.....CANT WAIT to catch up, see everyone and eat yummy food!!

(Jonathan sure has missed the grand piano....the other night I asked him to play for me as it had been a few months since he played and even had any time for it....beautiful- beautiful...)

Mom- I just want to say Happy Birthday! You have always been THE most loving, kind, and incredible friend any daughter could hope for. You have been my champion on more than one occassion, and helped me through my share of disasters. You have been a great example of a woman of faith and a rock when times have been tough. I have much to look up to and strive for with the time, talents, and role model you are to all your children. There will be a day I hope that I can out run you- I just hope that day is 40 years from now!!!

I dont know what prompted Jonathan to wear such an outfit to church...I do always say we walk and dance to our own tune...but he is mine...all mine!!!

My sister Jessica went up to Moms house to hang with Whit and Josh for a few hours...

Looks like they had a bit of fun!

Gorgeous girls!!- Sister Jessica and niece Sylah

Josh is incredible. Not only is he in the military and getting deployed overseas again shortly( Thank you Josh for serving our country!!!)- But he works full time and goes to school full time and is an awesome hubby!

How about this picture for random? The picture is blurry because honestly one shouldnt take a picture while driving, but Tristan has this funny thing he does. When he sees any flesh not covered by clothing he immediately thinks it would be fun to give that "flesh" raspberries! So when we were driving in the car the other day...I heard him doing that and turned around....he was blowing raspberries on his dinosaur...what a silly boy!!!

This is my sister- the one who can make us laugh and laugh

Whitney and Josh- I so wish you guys lived closer

Till next time :)

No more jumpin on the bed!? hahahaha!!

no more monkeys!

We were wrapping presents for family and Elijiah realized that he didnt have a present for me...I told him no biggie I didnt expect anything from him and not to worry about it. He said" nope im making one for you right now.." He then proceeded to gather whatever scraps were about the table and a pen, and started to write. He would occasionally ask me how to spell a word or two, and tell me not to look( and I didnt). He finished up his "present" got a gift bag and told me to (here we have elijiah upset that I am "seeing" his gift to me)

pick out a tag so he could write my name on it. I have to admit- my interest is piqued. What could it be? :)

(notice my "present" gone from the table? He then said I could take a picture- I happily obliged)

Tristan is all sorts of trouble all day long- he makes me laugh, he makes me cry. The other day after climbing out of the crib he came downstairs to then pull off all the couch cushions and pretend it was a trampoline. He made a fort out of the cushions and honestly- I could only giggle when he would look at me laugh hysterically and start jumping again and again. Elijiah never did this- so in a way its like parenting a first child again- everything is new. Tristan likes to climb on EVERYTHING I literally can not keep him off tables, chairs, the kitchen island etc (Im a really good mother I promise!!). He grabbed the goggles that Elijiah uses in the bath while he pretends to "swim" and came downstairs and got up on the table and started to write on it with the pencil in his hand...gratefully it was only a pencil.(yea again my back was turned for a second- really just ONE second- how does he do these things so fast!!!) My big fear is that it will be a permanent marker next and my table that I love will be ruined( thus my desire to find the coolest table cloth to cover said table incase of an event such as that)
This is the vinyl lettering in Tristans room. Seems fitting doesnt it? Grandma( Jonathans mom) bought these pj's for Tristan a few months back...oh how he loves them! Just ignore that they are girl pj's....we dont care about gender clothing in this house...:) Everytime he gets to wear these he points to his toes and starts saying " oooooo....eeeee" over and over. Monkey sounds you know....

This week marks the end of the semester for Jonathan. We are soooo grateful. Jonathan has literally been gone every night and its killing him, its killing us. He is studying about 10 hours a day- late into the nights, taking time off work-hes been in a ton of pain from a dental procedure and quite honestly I think is at his breaking point. I keep telling him..make it to Saturday honey- Saturday ----you can do it...and then its break time... Tristan is missing him equally- crying out for Daddy and its heart wrenching. Saturday baby- Saturday...you can do it...we love you and know that you have us all rooting for you this week!