We brought home our newest family member on Saturday!
Meet Cricket. She's our 11 week old Yorkie puppy. She weighs about 2 lbs.
Her first night she was so quiet and good. I was shocked. I expected her to cry all night! She was quiet as a mouse. She's been an absolute doll and seems to love us already. The boys just love to see her and she's really cuddly. What a cute little creature!
Ben said "I'm glad you talked me into it."
He loves her too!
Is anyone else having problems with blogger lately? It uploads pictures sometimes, then all of a sudden it just...won't.
It looks like it is but it just sits there for EVER and never gets anything done.
Help! It's very aggravating.
Do you remember on Pretty Woman, at the beginning and end they show a shabby, presumably homeless man, cheerfully wandering the streets of Hollywood asking, "What's your dream? What's your dream? Everyone that comes to Hollywood has a dream?"
That's what I'm asking you. I have read on some various blogs about bucket lists, things that people want to accomplish before they die. There are some pretty quirky and interesting things on those lists. I also blog a lot with a group of amazing women about health and fitness, and we often talk about goals and willpower and inspiration, and all sorts of great things. There is talk about how we can achieve amazing things with the will to get up and work for what we want.
It got me thinking. Marinating over what my real dreams could be. They've changed over the years. To run a marathon? No. To skydive? Not anymore. Some people dream of climbing Everest. I will never be among them! I have dreamed of being on Broadway, to be a veterinarian, of living by the ocean or on a great expanse of land with a lake and a Golden Retriever named Marty.
Some dreams I've had have come true, and I'm so thankful. To marry a great guy (greatest EVER!), to have healthy children (they are healthy, beautiful, smart, good, funny, everything I could ever want), to have great friends. Done and done!! I've been blessed in life to have pursued a great career, I became a dental hygienist. I work two days a week and make good money, and still have time with my kids and to run a household. I love my job, I am happy doing it, it adds to my overall life's satisfaction. I love my family so much it hurts, I love my friends, my home, and my neighborhood. I am happy with life, truly happy. Laundry and a dirty kitchen disrupts my bliss, but that is another story.
But......maybe, just maybe, I could be lucky enough to have even more? Sounds kind of selfish, considering I've been given so much. I will be honest though and tell you that I do hope to achieve more with this life I've been given. I've found my dream. Let me correct myself, I have always had this dream but I tucked it neatly aside for a very long time. To write. More truthfully though, not just to write, but "be a writer." I've always loved reading, I toyed with the idea of majoring in English, but decided against it with no regrets.
It took me a lot of courage to admit the dream to myself, and even more to others. I want to write a book. I've started writing one. I've joined with a group of other writers. I've done some research and I realize that it's a long shot. It's a tough road to get published, even tougher to become well known, to have a bestseller. TOUGH I say. It will take a lot of work, time, and sacrifice. Can I do it? Am I good enough? Doubts can crush your will to succeed. I won't answer those questions because I don't like the answers I give myself. I'm just going to go for it. Now you know. It's terrifying to admit. I have a LOT to learn. I will learn it. I am finding immense satisfaction and joy in the whole process. In the end, that may have to be enough, which is the nice thing about dreams; sometimes, trying is the true triumph.
Now it's your turn. "What's your dream? What's your dream? Everybody that comes to Hollywood has a dream." Tell me if you dare.
Our brown eyed buddy turned two on Saturday!
We had a fun filled simple day because he was just getting over a bad cold.
Andy at two years old:
Loves fruit and veggies (especially berries and broccoli and green beans) but has little interest in eating in general.
Loves all balls!
His favorite movies are Cars and an old Gumby and Felix Magical Mirth video that is way old.
He can repeat almost anything you say. He can say 3-4 word sentences.
What he says the most: "I'll do it."
He is VERY independent.
Andy likes to look at books.
He is still talented at throwing tantrums especially when not feeling well.
He is very sweet and darling and spunky.
He is mischievous.
Andy can really tell you off if he wants, but also gives very sweet kisses and hugs.
Nicknames are: Monkey, Zeedle, Magoo, Candy Andy, Baby Goose
We love our bud. We are so thankful to have this little monkey in our lives.
My Father's good fortune in being able to retire after a wonderful career with the Forest Service, has benefited Ben as well. Ben has loved this old Jeep from the moment he saw it. Some of you may remember me driving it when I was in high school! My Dad gave it to him as a Christmas gift since he no longer needs to drive to and from work.
Ben was excited to try his new toy out with the scouts. This is his attempt at plowing snow with it!
He got it stuck but "it was fun!"
Thanks Dad!
I love doing projects to improve my house! Ben, on the other hand, doesn't love doing them but he loves me, so he does them. He does always appreciate the results. I truly appreciate his talents in all things handy-manish...
Before:
I don't have the greatest before pictures. Ben came home one night and just started ripping the floor up. But you can see from these shots it's just a light colored plain linoleum. I never liked it and it was hard to keep clean! It had all these annoying little dimples all over it that got dirty! You can see it pretty well in the next photo.
During:
Charlie loves to help his Dad! I love to see them work together. I'm so lucky!
Our fabulous living arrangements for almost 2 months!
Drumroll please, After:
I just love it. It's porcelain tile that is made to look like stone slate. But natural slate is not smooth surface and I knew that'd be a nightmare to clean. So when I found this tile I fell in love! 
Thanks sweetie!
