Decision made

After a lot of conversations and considerable thinking, we have made a decision. We are getting the great dane. I made contact with the breeder today and she's now officially ours! She will be sending us updated pictures of her over the next few weeks. We can pick her up after July 14th, so we have a few weeks to get ready. We are very excited! Although, we haven't told the kids yet, just in case, and also I don't think we could handle the incessant questions of "when when when?" :-) But nonetheless, we are thrilled to add her to our family. So now we have a new question...

What do we name her? We are currently liking Paige or Regan, but open to suggestions. We do tend to like people names vs. pet names. Not that we want to offend people with the same name as our dog, we just like them better. We'd love to hear what ideas you all have.

Yes or No?

So we've got ourselves a dilemma. Many of you know (some of you don't)that we've been doing a lot of research on adding a dog to the family. I know some of you don't think we should given our history, and I appreciate your concern. But the bottom line is it's really something we want to do, and it's not something we've been going into lightly. We've been doing a ton of research on breeds and going to a dog show, talking w/breeders, etc. trying to make an educated decision. During this process one of the things we did is to take a quiz to find out what breeds would suit our needs/wants. Out of that quiz we discovered that the Boston Terrier and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel were both great fits for us. We visited a CKC breeder and just didn't feel a connection w/the dogs. A little too girly for Dave. I went to a dog show to see some Boston's and I fell in love with them. They are such cuties. I know most people don't think they're that cute, but their personalities more than make up for the lack of outward beauty. So we decided then that we would pursue a Boston. I made contact with a few breeders and found one that we really like. We have been in contact with them continuously since early April. Well a new litter was born on June 21st. 3 boys and 2 girls. We really want a girl, for various reasons (and not breed specific - we'd want a girl of any breed). But the catch is girls are really hard to come by. They keep most girls for breeding purposes. So we have to decide if we're willing to give up the desire for a girl and get a boy. My gut says no, but my heart says yes. I'm very excited to add this new member to our family. I have not heard yet if the breeder is willing to part w/either of the girl puppies.

To make matters worse, I've come across a female blue great dane puppy, 5 weeks old. For those of you that do not know this, I have wanted this dog since I was about 15. And in doing "adult" research this week, turns out danes are an excellent fit for us as well. The reason they didn't show up the first time was because of size. I had marked small and they are obviously anything but small. So that is the true issue at this point. I don't know what to do. If we act quickly, we can get the great dane. If I wait and see if we get one of the boston girl puppies, we'll probably miss out on this dane puppy. I am truly torn on this. I wish we could do both. No worries - there's no way. I know we'd love the boston tremendously. I know I'd love the dane, as well as Dave, because it's a big dog. No idea what the kids take would be on it, but we can't really take their opinion seriously. Yesterday Jackson said he wanted to get a baby jaguar.

I've somewhat figured out the logistics of having each dog. The only downside to the dane is space - if we travel it's harder to take her with us. Otherwise it's pretty even. Help us! We're really trying to decide what to do and we'd love some input (only helpful, positive input - none saying don't get a dog...).I'll attach a pic of the great dane puppy, as well as a link to the breeder of the bostons. The dog on the main page is Destiny - she'd be our puppy's sister - same momma. Thanks everyone!

http://www.lumberjacksbostons.homestead.com (warning - music on this link)

Feeling homesick

Why is it that once you get to where you think you want to be, you're suddenly sad for what you left? This past week we were able to see two sets of neighbors from our old house and it was just so wonderful to see all of them. Our friends the Montambo's came down for Emma's super small birthday party and the kids practically attacked each other when they got here. They were so excited to see them and it was bittersweet to watch. And then today our friends Beth and her son Conner came down to play for a couple of hours. It was just so great to see them and have the kids together again. I know the move was the right thing for our family, but it is still hard to know what we left behind. The good thing (and probably the only thing from making me completely losing it) is that they've all moved out of the neighborhood, too. So even if we hadn't moved, they still would have so we'd still be missing them but in a much smaller house. So it's all for the best, but it's still hard to be so far away from them. Both families moved further north of Charlotte, while we moved south, so we're a good hour from each other now. But hopefully we'll continue to make the drive to see each other because it's wonderful when we do. I know we'll soon make friends down here, too, but nothing will take their place. We've watched each others kids come into the world and grow up (just a bit). Nothing can replace those memories. It was a great place to live and raise our kids for the time we were there. But times change and needs change and you gotta do what you gotta do. We're very happy in our new home and neighborhood, and excited to see what God has in store for us here. I'm sure in a year's time we'll be saying we couldn't imagine living anywhere else.

A pic of Macy

This is our sweet lovey kitty, Macy. I'm posting this for the Hummels (a blogland family I love to read about and pray for). They have a kitty named Jack (fitting, I know) and he looks so much like Macy. If we had gotten Macy from Illinois, I'd almost believe that they could be litter mates. But Macy is a southern girl, right down to her love for everyone. She's a keeper!

Great news!

I am so happy to announce that Jackson was accepted into Westminster Catawba Christian School. He will be in the 3-day preschool next year. We are very excited about this for Jack and hope it is a great experience for him. We will consider extending his education here past preschool based on the next year.

Here are a few photos - the first is of Jack's reaction when I told him he was going to preschool next year.

The other one is of the school magnet we now get to proudly display on our van. Enjoy!

Go Emma! It's your birthday!!

Can you believe this little peanut...

has grown up to this?

Seriously - where did the time go? I don't know why, but I feel like a ton of bricks landed on me. How is my first baby six years old? I said to Emma this morning - "it's feels like yesterday that you were just 2." Her response back to me was quite intelligent w/a little bit of sass mixed in. She looked at me and said so matter-of-fact - "Mom, yesterday I was 5." What a little stinker! Good thing she's cute!

A little later on I'll do a photo post of pics of Emma from birth to today. It'll take a while so check back tonight.

I've also changed the comments part so you don't have to be registered to leave a comment. Didn't know it was set like that to begin with. Please feel free to comment away now!

Brian takes a dip!

We got Brian a little baby pool to splash around in on our screen porch. We tried it out Sunday night and he just loved it. Our new neighborhood doesn't have the pool built yet, plus it won't have a baby pool like our old house did, so we thought this was a good investment at $10!

He wasn't so sure about it at first, but he soon got his water wings after big sis Emma walked around in the water to show him it was fun.

Brian gets a new set of wheels!

Brian moved up in the world yesterday and he finally got to "ride" a bike. We got this really neat tricycle for him that has a push handle, adjustable seat, hand brake, and a seat belt. Best of all it was FREE!!! I have been saving codes from packs of Pampers for their Gifts to Grow On program. I saved over 400 points and redeemed them for this awesome trike. Take a look at the pictures - he definitely had a blast! Now if only we could teach him how to pick up his feet!

Picture overload

Hi everyone! Sorry for the slow goings but we've had a "man down" the last week. All the kids had colds, but of course, Brian went and took it to a new level. He ended up with pneumonia, but is getting better each day. We've still got him on prednisone and the xopenex breathing treatments, but his appetite is pretty much back to normal as well as his sleep. We never really consider Brian a preemie since he made it to 36 weeks and had no NICU time, but when he's sick like this from just a little cold (Emma's lasted all of two days) it's obvious to see that he still has some struggles. I am very glad he didn't come any earlier - I don't even want to think about how bad he could have been. But right now he's upstairs playing with Jackson so I'm taking a few minutes to post some pics from our anniversary party for you to see. I wish I could post them all, but there are way too many. Enjoy!

Here's Dave and I toasting with the same flutes we used the day we got engaged and on our wedding day.
Grandpa and Emma on the deck.
Jackson doing his best cheesy smile for Emma the photographer.
Uncle Tom being a silly man as usual (Emma the photographer again).
Emma, Savannah, and Ashley. Emma is the oldest girl in this picture.
Well, I'll try to add more pics soon. Not a single picture of Brian was taken at the party so I'll have to get some cute ones and post them.

Thanks for looking!