My Tristan

I put my first dog to sleep yesterday.

We got Tristan in 1998. I had just finished my first year of Vet School, and had Mitzi (kinda my first dog) put to sleep after suffering from complications of a brain tumor. I decided that I wanted another dog, and Scott and I took to finding him.

When we brought him home, he was 6 months old. Dad told me that he was the ugliest dog he had ever seen! Shelties do go through a very teenagery phase... and he was definitely in it! But, he was beautiful to me. While he and I weren't the best of friends at first, he quickly became my dog.

I have called him my Shadow. He always would wake up and go with me to the bathroom in the middle of the night. How I missed him when I was in the hospital before Kate was born! When I worked CCW overnight during our senior year, he would be so drowsy, but when I wheeled the laundry down the hall, he would come without hesitation.

In fact, he loved me so much, my sister (when I told her I was pregnant with Kate) asked me, "Well, have you told Tristan?" Still brings a smile to my face! He did great with the kids... great meaning that he didn't care that they were here - as long as he could stay with me. He never cared that much for the other dogs or cats, except for Cary Grant. Tristan was truly a one person dog - my dog.

It has been a hard day today. I expect him everywhere. Always underfoot. Always in the room where I am. At my feet when they landed out of bed this morning. Like I tell my clients, it was the right decision to let him go. A hard decision, but the right decision. He would have been 12 years old on Valentine's Day.

I sure do miss my Shadow.

Randomness...

Here are some random statements from our day:

(me) - "Don't pull your pants down until you are in the bathroom stall!"

(me) - "Brooks, what is wrong?" (brooks) - "I probably got a scratch."

(brooks, in a rather loud voice) - "Excuse me Lady!"

(brooks) - "Mama, this Jello is too Jello for me."

Giveaway!

Who wouldn't want something so striking in their home?

How proud would your kids be of this one day?

There is a giveaway for a $50.00 gift certificate from the Nester... check it out!

A study of flowers

Last night, Scott brought roses home. He called it a "JB" gift. They are beautiful!

I have been reading my photography book, again. I really need to stick with studying it... funny how when there are not tests involved it is hard to stick with studying something??? Anyway, I spent some time taking pics at different camera settings.

So, here are some beautiful posies to brighten your day!

Sara the Dog and Mousey

Mouse

Happy 2010

I can already see tomorrow that I am going to have a hard time writing 2010. I can see that I will be dyslexic about it, too!

We have had a wonderful holiday season. The best part was that Christmas and New Years falling on Friday gave as 2 long weekends in a row to spend as a whole family. I can't believe that we are back to the grind tomorrow!

As for New Years resolutions: I am not good at them. I tend to forget them easily, get side tracked, lazy, lazy... But, this year I would like to try it again (I know, I have already said that I wasn't going to, but I changed my mind).

This year, I am going to do what I can to be a better wife. I want Scott to know everyday how much I love him. I want Scott to know how much he means to me as a husband and father. How much I appreciate his hard work. How much I appreciate the kind of Christian he is. I want our marriage to be even better - and this is the best way that I know how.

I can't wait for him to read this. He doesn't know yet! :)

I am going to start by rereading The Power of a Praying Wife. This will be the inspiration that I need to get me started. I haven't read this book in a while and it will be a great refresher course.

Oh, and by the way, I thought I'd list the books that I read last year. Now, remember that I am a slow reader that does find it difficult to get books finished, but for me, this is a record list:

1. Redeeming Love - Francine Rivers. This book was suggested to me this summer- my first book of hers. It was INCREDIBLE. I got immersed into her story and had the book read in 4 days.
2. Between, Georgia - (can't remember the author). Given to me by a friend, it was hilarious. A fun southern story about a woman who has 2 sets of families that each despise the other. Read at the beach!
3. Leota's Garden - F. Rivers. You will catch the theme here... A story about a Grandmother, Mother and Daughter who struggle with family secrets. Great book.
4. The Scarlett Thread - F. Rivers. Modern day show of how a marriage is affected by lack of communication. The book is really (2) stories in one - mingled with a story of the mid-1800's.
5. And the Shofar Blew - F. Rivers. Another modern day show of the difficulties of ministers and their families. Very good book.
6. Let me add here that Rivers is a Christian author - and fantastic. Safe reading.
7. The Last Sin Eater - F. Rivers. Set in the 1800's in Cades Cove, TN. Great book - the dialect is difficult at times, but it was fantastic. This book won several literacy awards.
8. The Atonement Child - F. Rivers. A modern day novel about the consequences of rape and the fight against abortion. She pulls views from many different characters in this book - which makes it so interesting.
9. The Potluck Club - Linda Shepherd and Eva Everson. A fun book written about 6 ladies with real life issues. Each chapter is written from each character's perspective. I couldn't believe when it ended - and want the next one. Another Christian book.
10. We Have this Moment - Diann Hunt. This book was very simply written, but sometimes it is nice to have a break from difficult reading.
11. The Strong-Willed Child - James Dobson. Very good book. I'm actually not finished with it, but it has been very helpful with Brooks. I need to just buy it (currently have it from the library).

There you have it. Honestly, I'm sure that this has been a record year for me as far as reading is concerned. I am so thrilled to have found Rivers - because I have loved EVERY book I have read of hers so far. And, there are so many to go!! :) So, maybe my list will be even longer at the end of 2010.

Happy New Years everyone!