Luna

*Note, this post is a tad bit graphic...read at your own risk!

We've known since we found out that we were moving that we couldn't take Luna with us. She was starting to get "snappy" with the kids and me and was getting close to 10 and we didn't think she could handle another move. Not to mention she had arthritis and just didn't move well even when we gave her aspirin, and the dogs were fighting more and more often.

However, last Friday before we left to go down to my parents Luna and Duchess got in a huge fight. We're talking scratched the wood floor, left chunks of hair all over the place etc. It took Stuart a couple minutes to get them apart. So, we scheduled to have Luna put down this coming Friday. We wanted her to live as long as possible, but we couldn't risk the kids being anywhere near a fight like that!

When we got home Monday afternoon they fought 2 times in less than 2 hours. Then, about 2 hours after we got home Luna growled at Duchess and another fight ensued. It took both me and Stuart to break them up and Stuart's hand shows it! I pulled on Duchess's tail and Stuart laid on top of them. We think the pulling on Duchess and Stuart being on top of them preventing Luna from moving at all caused her skin to rip away from her muscles on her chest. She ran into the boy's room before we realized what happened and just sat there shaking.

We called the vet to get her in to have her put down, and thankfully they got us in immediately and we were there within 10 minutes (Last week we were told the vet was on vacation which is why they couldn't get her in until Friday). Samuel and I were bawling before we even left the house, and Samuel chose to be in the room as they put her down. I know he was attached to her, he loved her very much. However, I think being home at the time of the fight and the ensuing panic didn't help him very much.

I feel guilty for not loving Luna like I should have. She was very much Stuart's dog and her shedding drove me nuts. However, she was a good dog. Hyper, but good.

When we got to the vet's office the vet said it didn't suprise her that Luna was fighting. I guess female huskies tend to be aggressors especially when fighting for dominance. She said that German Shepherd/Hounds (which Duchess is) aren't aggressors but don't back down from a fight. And so we wouldn't have to worry about her around the kids.

I wish there was some easy way to explain this to the kids. Phillip keeps asking when we are going to get Luna, he thinks that she is in jail *with Jesus Christ* (not sure where he got that besides that he thought Duchess was in time out for hurting Luna after we put her outside after the fight). Samuel cried and cried last night and was up until well after 10 talking with us about it. He prayed for her tonight, which I think is helping him...I sure hope so!

Lost

I feel a little lost right now. Stuart is home for the summer, which I love but my routine has been thrown off. It feels like I'm in the movie Groundhog Day, and that I am constantly living Saturday. I have neglected the laundry this week because I don't do laundry on Saturdays. I feel behind!

KatieJo and Samuel are also gone one in Idaho and the other in Colorado. I miss them SO much, so does Phillip. We go pick KatieJo up tomorrow and he is EXCITED! Well, for that matter so am I.

I'm also feeling lost because we have a job....although it's not 100% official because Stuart is waiting to talk to the Superintendent (who likes to talk to all new hires) but she broke her foot and hasn't been at work to make phone calls, and he has to be approved by the school board. It's typical to have to wait for the school board approval, but it's nerve wracking none the less.

If you haven't heard Stuart will be teaching 7-12 band and vocal music in Mabton, WA starting August 18th. Which means we've decided to move to the Tri-Cities (Richland, Kenniwick, Pasco). He'll be driving about 45 minutes to work, but the Principal told Stuart that most teachers drive from the Tri-Cities or Yakima to work and both are 45 min. from the school.

We feel blessed because we've been worried about schooling for the kids, and all of the 4 districts that I've seen up there have gifted programs and will be able to help the kids. Which I have to admit is a relief! We will also be about 2 1/2 hours from Stuart's brother James...which is AWESOME! Although we are sad to be leaving where we are because we are so close to both sets of Grandparents.

We are also waiting to sell the house...which up until now hasn't bothered me. And, it's moved to the forefront. And, don't forget trying to find a place to live in WA! We won't be making a trip beforehand to find a place to live...so bring on Craigs list!!!

That's about all that's happening with us right now...it feels more significant than what I just wrote but that could be because I'm living it. I'm ready for everything to calm down and I know it will...it's just being patient enough for it to happen!

Idaho

We spent Memorial Day weekend in Idaho Falls visiting Stuart's parents and siblings. We had a WONDERFUL time! I of course forgot that I brought my camera until about an hour or so before we left...go figure.
It may look like Maija has fallen here, but Samuel was under the trampoline and Maija thought it was terribly funny that she could see him through the tramp.

My sweet baby...looking well sweet!
Trying to jump.
Such a sweet boy...this one.
Singing...."Mama had a baby and it's head popped off" and then popping the heads off of the dandelions.

These four...are MINE! And I'm so glad!!
Notice Phillip's nose here (it looks MUCH worse now.) He had a mishap on Sunday that involved the outside of the trampoline. The doctor told us that they can't do anything until the swelling goes down and at that point we should be able to tell if it's broken. GO PHILLIP!
This is what she looked like when we left. She is staying up in Idaho and gets to go to her cousin Annie's baptism...she is SO excited. Well she was excited until she started running a fever today and now just wants mom or dad.
And this is what our Van looked like about 3 minutes after we left.....such sweet sleeping babies!

Summer learning

I've been looking for things to keep my kids busy when they are home this summer. Which is looking like few and far between. However, I also like them to have stuff to do in the car. I ran across this website on another blog and thought it was fantastic! Samuel is doing a worksheet as I write. It has worksheets from pre-school to fifth grade so that you can keep your kids skills up during the summer...or give them something to do. My kids are kind of silly like that, they enjoy worksheets on occasion, and I think these are AWESOME!

This is the first time since I got my video camera that I've uploaded videos. I've had it for a year, so it's about time!
KatieJo and Phillip's recital was last night. Oh my was it L.O.N.G!
I made Phillip pose for these pictures....he wasn't happy. He was hungry (we ate dinner at 4 and this picture was taken at 8:30), he was tired, and he had wanted to be home for a couple hours.
KatieJo is VERY proud of her outfit, which isn't terribly surprising because it has pink in it. She had a great time in dance class, and we enjoyed watching her. She also has pants that go under her leotard for her tap number.

We were lucky to get Phillip to go on stage. It wasn't until right before they opened the curtains that he decided he was going to do it. I was fighting with him to even go back stage up until that point. He just wanted to go see Grandma (in the audience), and go home.

And I opened my mouth....

KatieJo and Phillip have their dance recital this Saturday. We are very excited around here because Grandma and Grandpa Baxley and Auntie Cori and Carson are coming up to see it!

So, yesterday (Wednesday) during Phillip's dance class the teacher was showing us the boy's costumes which consist of a white button up shirt and black pants. The shirts came with blue and white checkered ties. And the teacher was saying how she wished she could find a tie that would match the girls outfits (see below). This is where I open my mouth and said..."it wouldn't be hard to make a tie or bowtie for the boys" (there are 2 boys in the class).

She of course jumped right on it and asked me to make them....go me. Originally she wanted me to "cover" the ties. I convinced her it wouldn't look very good and talked her into bow ties. So I spent 2 hours last night tearing this dress apart:I was AMAZED at how many seems I had to rip out in order to save enough fabric to make the bow ties.

And tonight I spent approximately an hour making these:
The reason it took an hour was because I had to make a couple "prototypes" before I could make the actual bow ties because there wasn't enough fabric to make them the way the pattern I have says to make them. They don't have the typical double bow of a bow tie, but I think they turned out good...even if I did cut a few corners. They will never be worn again so I figured if I cut a corner or two it wouldn't be a big deal.

Chore Chart

I LOVE this...someday when I've moved I think I'll make it. Way cuter than the paper chore charts we have right now! If you'd like to see the tutorial on how it's done it's at Somewhat Simple.

I also borrowed the picture...which is from not so idle hands who actually did the tutorial.
It's FABULOUS!