November

Well, it's here again. November. Last year, November was one of the hardest months of my life. I had a horrible fight with a friend I'd had in my life for about 10 years, we ended the friendship. Seth & I had to put down one of our babies, Cadon. That was such a hard thing. It's still hard to think he's really gone. We miss him every single day. Then on Thanksgiving my Uncle Paul passed away. I miss him very much. He had the deepest voice. And he used to tell stories when he got around my Pawpaw, mostly about when they were younger. He had the slowest talk in the world and it could take him 30 minutes to tell a 5 minute story. He was just a fun guy. He will be missed so very much this year.

So hopefully November will be a little kinder to us this year. I don't want a repeat of last year. I think that we have a pretty good shot at having a good November. My brother & Rhy are going to come home for Thanksgiving. So I know that will be great. Plus Seth & I have some stuff going on that is really wonderful. I think this year is going to be much better. I hope everyone else has a good November. It's a month to be thankful. So be thankful for your loved ones. Be thankful for the things you have in your life that make you happy. Just be thankful.

Smile

Well, this week is going to be a very hard week for my family. My baby brother got a job as a youth director & music director at a church in Virden, Illinois.....for those of you in Virden, you are getting something amazing. For those of us here, it sucks. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy for him that he's getting this amazing oppurtunity to serve God. I'm happy that he is doing what God has designed him for. It's just the sister part of me thinks this sucks. I have always had such a close relationship with my brother. He has been my rock during some very tough times in my life. He's a special kid. I loved him the minute I laid eyes on him in the hospital. He's been my world and held my heart in the palm of his hand every since that day. He doesn't have a clue how devastated I am. I have been trying to hide as much emotion as I can because I know that this is going to be a very hard move for him. He's going to be 700 miles away from home and he doesn't really know anyone. He's leaving behind all things comforting and going on this journey to the unknown. I know that he'll do fine. The hardest part for me is smiling through all of it and not letting him see my tears. I'm reminded of the song "Smile" by Lonestar. It says, "I'm gonna smile, cause I wanna make you happy, Laugh so you can't see me cry, I'm gonna let you go in style, and even if it kills me I'm gonna smile." There are so many songs that I could quote for how I feel right now. But for the most part the important thing to me is that I am able to handle this with a smile so he doesn't have as hard a time leaving. So if you are a person that prays, please pray that I'll be able to be strong at least for my brother. Pray that he will be able to do this and be as awesome at it as I know he will be. Virden is getting one of the most amazing people I know. And for the time he is there, a little piece of my heart will be there too. I hope they treat him well and that they come to love him. I don't think they really will have a choice. He's pretty easy to love for the most part. He and Rhyan leave on the 18th. I'm wishing them the best and going to pray endlessly for them.


Moving on away from the sadness because it's easier for me to just push it aside until I have to deal with it. I'm proud to announce that Redick has FINALLY learned his tricks! He can sit, shake, an lay down! This is a HUGE deal because this mutt is probably as hard headed as I am. He's a cutie though and he loves his Momma! I thought I would take a moment to post a picture and show how much he's grown! He's getting tall! He's almost as big as Riley! We haven't weighed him in a while but last time we did he weighed 64 lbs. He's got a lot of character and he LOVES Riley. I think sometimes he thinks Riley is his owner and Seth & I are just here for his entertainment. So here is a picture of him and Riley from Saturday. They are both adorable!

5 months!

So yesterday Redick turned 5 months old! We weighed him and he was 64 lbs! I can't believe how much he's grown! When we first got him he was this tiny little thing, so shy and timid. Now he's not timid at all! He's a mess! He's gotten too big for his crate so now he's staying out in the bedroom when we aren't home. Every single time I come home I have to go and look to see what he's destroyed! So far, I'm out a pair of heels and Seth's house shoes are deformed. Oh well, he's still so sweet and cute, it's hard to get mad. Anyway, I thought I'd share some pictures of him since he's growing like a weed! Enjoy!!!

He discovered this HUGE frog under the bed and has been obsessed every since.

 It's bigger than he is but he still loves it!

 He waits until Riley has been asleep for about 30 minutes and then he goes and snuggles up next to him!