Celebrating Charlie’s Life

After almost 14 years, Charlie was laid to rest yesterday evening with my parents by her side and eating her favorite treat of dog biscuits.  Anyone who has owned a dog, or any pet for that matter know that when you get a pet, they truly are much more than just a pet.  They become a part of your family; your best friend.  I can still remember the day we brought Charlie home.  I was 14 years old at the time and we were living in Spokane.  Our family made the drive to Othello where we were meeting the family who had a bunch of feisty and adorable 5 week old labs that needed new homes.  After playing with all the pups and trying to get a feel for their personalities we all agreed on Charlie, not having any idea at the time of all the laughs, cuddles, sloppy kisses, and wonderful memories she would give us. 

For those of you who knew Charlie would have to agree that she was a special one.  I have never known any dog who’s personality even came close to Charlie’s.  From five weeks old she was a spunky, hardheaded dog with a boatload of energy causing her to get into anything and everything.  She even paid a visit to our neighbor one morning while she was taking a shower.

There is nothing false about the statement of a dog being a man’s best friend.  Everyone in my family can attest to that, especially my dad who spent hours training her to be not just a good and obedient dog, but a good hunter and fishing buddy as well.  As I sit here typing this out with tears rolling down my face, and my heart hurting, my heart hurts even more for my dad, mom, brother, and sister because I can only imagine the pain they are feeling as well.  We all loved Charlie and am sure all have different memories that are special to us for different reasons. 

Charlie was not only loyal, but she was a great listener, playmate, fishing and hunting partner, and walking buddy. 

In her younger years, a couple of  her favorite places to be were out in the boat, or hunting pheasants in the fields.

Although she was just as happy being anywhere we were…


or where there was food.

You see yesterday we didn’t just lose a pet.

We lost someone much more special.

We each lost a best friend…

a companion..

a very special part of our family.

Charlie will be greatly missed and as sad as I am, I am also happy to know that Charlie is no longer hurting or struggling, but she is free of pain and resting in peace.

Thanksgiving 2011

I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving!

We did!  Even though Adi crapped all over it.

She only got to wear her Thanksgiving outfit for about 5 minutes.

This year Grandma and Grandpa Peterson flew down to spend a few days with us!  We mostly just laid low and hung around the house but it was a good time.

(Adi was just in awe over our awesome decorating skills, or maybe the garland over the fireplace just has some bright, cool looking lights.)

Everybody throw your hands in the air!  I guess Braedon was the only one who got the memo.

This year we smoked our turkey on the BBQ and it turned out awesome!  The food was so good!

Derek as grill master…or smoke master.

Here’s are Thanksgiving spread…

and Adi’s Thanksgiving spread…

followed by a glorious food baby and coma.  Isn’t that the best way to end any Thanksgiving dinner?

Meet the next Verizon Guy

We were sitting at dinner today when Braedon picked up the phone and did the following.  I couldn’t stop laughing and had to record it…then he added the goodbye.  The weird thing is that he rarely watches live TV and I don’t think that these commercials are on any more.

Braedon the Verizon Guy

New schlews

Some people might call them shoes, but in this house they are called schlews.

Braedon got some new schlews this week because his other ones were getting too small.  However, these aren’t just any pair of shoes, these are his workout shoes.

For some reason he refers to these as his workout shoes.  Maybe it’s because mom and dad have workout shoes, but I’m not sure. 

These workout shoes can make you kick real high, run real fast, jump, and even help with yoga…according to Braedon.  Too bad they don’t make his voice quieter.  I was doing yoga yesterday morning and Braedon brought in his weights saying he wanted to workout with me, but he had to put on his workout shoes first.

Besides completing work outs this week, pretty much the only other thing we got accomplished was this giant car puzzle.

We were pretty proud of it too.

You see this girl has been making me tired lately.

Really tired.  She doesn’t feel the need to lengthen her stretches of nighttime sleep and almost 12 weeks of that has caught up and tackled me to the ground.  I’ve been surviving off of Starbucks, they are my best friend right now.  I would totally take it this way if I could.  Although a few nights of really good sleep would be nice too.

Maybe I should just look into one of these.

Wouldn’t that be awesome?

Random

Peyton loves peanut butter.

I made oats in a jar the other morning for breakfast, which is just oatmeal in an almost empty peanut butter jar.  This is so good though because the oatmeal melts the peanut butter from the sides and bottom of the jar!  All I can say is yum.

Peyton enjoyed the leftovers…for about 2 hours.  Too bad peanut butter prices have skyrocketed.  That is going to be me next time.  Trying to get every lost drop!

Braedon was in the sharing mood again.

Tummy time has been more successful lately.  Adi actually stays awake after eating and will go down for her nap awake and happy. 

I just want to grab and kiss those cheeks!

I can’t believe she is already over 10 weeks old!

Play time

Does anyone ever feel guilty if they don’t have something planned for their toddlers most days of the week?  Just me?  I feel like since Braedon stays home with me I need to get him out once a day to do some kind of activity.  On the days we don’t go out we usually will have a craft morning and do at least one project at home together. 

Yesterday was Mommy and Me on the Row.  I’ve mentioned this before but Santana Row has mommy and me once a month and there is always a ton going on.  Yesterday they had Snoopy and Charlie brown there as well as a little kids entertainer who played live music that included all of little kids’ favorite songs.  They also had crafts set up at little tables in front of the music where they got to decorate leaves, had a booth for face painting and balloon animals.

Braedon didn’t know who Snoopy was.  What a deprived kid.

At first he didn’t know quite what to think and was a little scared of the big, white dog so I didn’t want to push it.  Instead, we went and worked on decorating leaves.  Then he started asking about Snoopy so we went back and he got a little closer…

and we finally were able to get close enough for a picture.

Maybe this year we will be able to get him all the way to Santa’s lap…

Although I won’t hold my breath.

Today we went to a story time at one of the libraries in Santa Clara.  This was probably the best story time I have ever been to, but also the most crowded.  I couldn’t believe how many people were there.  The target group was 2-3 year olds and unlike the other story times I have been to there was very little reading and lots of songs and interaction for the kids, which was great.  Although Braedon just sang the theme song for Wonder Pets the whole time.

Thankful

Since November is the month of giving thanks and celebrating Thanksgiving, I thought I would take some time to write down what I am thankful for at this point in my life.

First of all I am thankful for an amazing husband! 

I don’t know how I got so lucky and I thank God everyday for him.  He is the most understanding, caring, supportive, compassionate, and wonderful person I know.  To top it off, it turns out he is a pretty awesome dad too!  I sure do love this guy!

I am also thankful for these two.

Braedon is the sweetest little guy and makes me laugh every day.  He brings so much joy and excitement into this house.  I can’t imagine life without him.  Then there’s Adilyn.  I fell in love with her the second I saw her.  She is an absolute doll and would cuddle or listen to you talk to her all day long.  She is starting to make cute little cooing noises and smiles constantly, which makes me melt. 

I am also thankful for the opportunity to be able to stay at home with Baeo and Adi. 

I love being able to be there for them every day, watch them grow, figure out new things, and see them through all of their firsts.

Not to mention, have a little fun!

I am also incredibly thankful for my parents, brother and sister.

My family is very close and I know that we will always be there for each other.

My parents are the most supportive and selfless people I know.

My family is not only family to me, but they are friends, and I love that!

I’m thankful for my friends.

Because everyone needs laughter in their lives.

Or a shoulder to lean on if needed.

I am thankful for the ability to run!  Running is my me time, my outlet and I don’t know what I would do if there ever came a day where I physically could not do it.  I love to run!  Because of that, I am also thankful for Remicade.  If it weren’t for Remicade I would not be able to train for and run a marathon with my brother and dad.  Well I could but there would also need to be a porta potty following closely behind on a truck or something….and then I would be thankful for a porta potty because nobody likes to poop there pants in public.

Last, but certainly not least, I am thankful to have God in my life.  Without him I would feel completely lost and for him I am thankful.

What are you thankful for?