Poor little puppy

Our little 6 month old puppy Lexie is in the animal hospital in Portland. Saturday night I found her with a tube of my husbands Psoriasis medicine that she had been chewing on. She was being way to quiet so I went to find out what she was doing. Dogs are like children in that way. We're not sure how much she had but we called the Pet Poison Control and they said we should take her in immediately to the vet. It was 9 pm and the only place open is a 24 hour pet ER, ICU, hospital in Portland so we took her there. It turns out that the medicine can be deadly when ingested. It raises the blood calcium which then can damage various soft tissue such as the liver, kidney's etc. We were there until around midnight and we were told they would need to keep her for four days. They gave her activated charcoal and started her on IV fluids. They will do blood work every 12 hours to check the levels on her kidneys and liver.

Thankfully my friend Holly came over and stayed with Blake so both Tim and I could go. It was very traumatic. It turns out that I'm very attached to this little creature. I know that some would say "hey it's just a dog" but she really has become a member of our family. We went to see her tonight and so far she's had a little bit of the runs and her blood levels are just slightly elevated. If she stays the same we may be able to transfer her to our vet sometime tomorrow. We'll just have to see how the blood work turns out the next couple of times.

I really hope she is okay. I just can't imagine loosing her so early in her sweet little life. She has brought a great deal of joy, love and laughter to our home even if she is "just a dog". It will be good if we can get her closer to home. The hospital is about 45 minutes from here. I'm just glad that such a thing exists and is close enough to help. I'm up now because I'm worried about her being lonely and thinking we have abandoned her. I know it's not rational but it just is.

I love Black Friday!!

Some would say that I'm crazy but to those people I would just say "Crazy is as crazy does" because I was able to get all but 4 of my Christmas gifts purchased in one day" Woo-hoo!!

I really do enjoy shopping the day after Thanksgiving. It's become a tradition for me and several of my friends. We start at Fred Meyer at 5:00 a.m. for the sock sales etc. Then we go have breakfast at Elmers, head over to Tannasborne for Target and Michaels and then go to Streets of Tannasborne for random stores. The best part is that I'm usually home by 11:00 ish.

Yes, the crowds can be crazy and some people can be cranky (those are my favorites because I love to wish them a Merry Christmas in my sweetest voice and watch them process it) but it really starts off the Christmas season for me. Hearing the music in the stores and having fun with my friends.

What say you? Fun or never gonna happen?

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

I have so much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving Day. I have been given so much. I have a wonderful family, a home that truly feels like a refuge from the world outside, great friends, plenty to eat (more than I should most of the time) and last but not least, the gospel. The Lord has truly blessed me with more than I deserve and I am truly thankful.

I hope you all have a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving holiday.

8 x 8 Meme

A loooonnnggg time ago Kate tagged me to do this MeMe. Better late than never right?

8 things about 8 things

1. 8 TV Shows I Watch:

a. Survivor

b. The Amazing Race

c. Reba

d. Grey's Anatomy

e. So you think you dance


f. House

g. The Dog Whisperer

h. Lost


2. 8 Favourite Restaurants: (in no particular order)

a. McGraths

b. Red Robin

c. Elmer's (love their breakfast food)

d. Mazatlan

e. Olive Garden

f. Hunan Pearl

g. Red Lobster

h. Sweet Tomatoes

3. 8 Things That Happened Yesterday:

a. took the dog for a walk

b. helped a little neighbor boy that was locked out of his house and his mom and grandma were at work

c. downloaded more pictures to my digital frame

d. did a couple of loads of laundry

e. worked

f. played with my son

g. ate some yummy snickerdoodles that my hubby made

h. made a Christmas list to get ready for shopping

4. 8 Things I’m Looking Forward To:

a. Thanksgiving

b. Christmas

c. hopefully going to SLC for conference in April

d. 4 day weekend

e. shopping the day after Thanksgiving with my friends (it's a yearly tradition)

f. spring

g. being with my family for eternity

h. going to the beach

5. 8 Things On My Wishlist:

a. Diamond Earrings

b. A TV with HD

c. a closet organizer and someone to put it in

d. red fuzzy crocs (hey, I love em no matter how ugly they are, what can I say?)

e. a cherry red convertible mustang with leather seats

f. a bigger house with a family room upstairs

g. a very well trained dog

h. being a size 8

6. 8 Things I Love:

a. My husband

b. my son

c. the gospel

d. Heavenly father and Jesus Christ

e. my friends

f. the temple

g. my in-laws

h. my dog and cats

7. 8 Things I Can’t Stand:

a. intolerance

b. bigotry

c. two faced people

d. insincerity

e. people who drive like they have some kind of special license that allows them to speed and cut you off and otherwise endanger your life

f. bad customer service, I want people to be nice when they take my money

g. Parents that teach their children to hate

h. disrespect

8. 8 People I Am Tagging:

This might be hard because I'm not sure that I even have 8 people that read my blog these days. Those that do can do this if you like but no pressure. Tags should be fun and not something to feel guilty about not doing.

a. Carrie

b. Nancy

c. Yvonne

d. Amber

e. Beth

f. Mindy

g. Gabe

h. Melissa

When getting a yurt is like winning the lottery

Several years ago, my family discovered camping in a Yurt. They are convenient and warm and a wonderful way to camp. Each year we would book a few weekends to camp in the summer and had a great time. Well, the last few years it has been nearly impossible to get a yurt in the summer on a weekend. It seems that everyone has discovered out little secret about how yurt camping is so great. Now it's like winning the lottery apparently because I just can't get a reservation. I've been trying now since early July to book for next year. The rules are that the earliest you can reserve is 9 months from the date you want. I have tried calling and the computer at the same time each Friday at 8am when they open and by 8:01 a.m. every yurt is booked in Oregon State Parks. I guess it's back to tent camping for us because I never have been lucky at the lottery. Oy!!

**Update** I should have complained sooner because minutes after writing this I was able to make a reservation for a beach down South on the coast for 3 nights**

Party time

Blake had such a fun time Saturday at his party. Lots of good friends, family, food and fun. The pinata was a blast and the time just flew by.

Blake's 6th Birthday

6 years...when did that happen?

How on earth can 6 years go by and it feel like only a minute? Blake is 6 years old today. He's very excited to need 2 hands to show his age on now. He has a party scheduled tomorrow with 10 of his friends and cousins and is very excited. Tonight we will take him to dinner wherever he wants to go and then we might go see Madagascar 2.

I can't believe that it's been six years ago today when they placed this sweet child in my arms and I became not just Tonya but a mother. I had yearned for it for so many years that the moment was the sweetest of my life. I knew the moment I saw him that he was mine. I couldn't physically carry him for some reason (I'll be asking about that when I see Heavenly Father) but the Lord made sure he got to me. These last six years have been the most joyful of my life. Yes, they have been the hardest but the rewards far outweigh the grief. I never knew the capacity that my heart had to love until I met this little child. The amazing thing is that the love just continues to grow. Just when I think that I can't possibly love him more, my heart seems to expand and make room. Yes, he is a challenge and is always testing me to make sure that I'm still the boss. But wow this kid is amazing. He's smart, funny, inquisitive, compassionate and has a zest for life that is rarely matched. He makes me laugh on a daily basis with his view of the world and often frustrates me in the next breath. He's into everything superhero or Star Wars and so wants to be older than he is. He loves his mommy and daddy and likes us all to be together. If Tim and I are gone he always asks the other one when we will be home because things just aren't right unless we are all under one roof. He loves his grandma and grandpa it seems sometimes more than his mom and dad. They are very close and have him over all the time. He loves almost every child he meets and instantly wants to have a play date. I feel bad sometimes that he's an only child be he has lots of sudo brothers and sisters.

I'm so thankful that I was chosen to be this little mans mom. What a amazing and overwhelming experience it has been. I look forward to doing my best to raise him right and watch him become the amazing man that I know he will be. Heaven help me. Literally.

Dog Whisperer Wanna-be

Lexie and I started doggie training class a couple of weeks ago. It's been well worth the money. Our walks around the neighborhood have been much better and she's learning some basic commands. Hopefully she'll come out with a few manners as well. I really think these classes are to train me more than anything.

**Sidenote** Apparently the red vest is the official "dog training" uniform. The other gal in the picture is Blake's sitter Paula and her sweet puppy Murphy.

Veterans Day

I grew up in a military family. My dad was in the air force for 21 years and even though he got out only a few years after I was born, he ran his home like the military. We got up early (WE didn't dare to burn daylight) and we worked hard. We respected authority and didn't talk back to our superiors. To say that I didn't appreciate it at the time would be an understatement. Looking back on it though (ah, that hindsight) I realize how this shaped me as a person. I am never late. In fact, I would say that 99% of the time I am early. This annoys me but it's a good thing as well. I have a good work ethic. My dad always taught me that anything worth doing was worth doing right. Last but not least my dad instilled in me a great love for my country and for those that serve or have served it.

If you know me, you know that my father was far from perfect. However, he did love me and he loved his country. Today is the 6th anniversary of my fathers death. I always thought it was appropriate that he died on Veterans Day. He was a true American. He served his country with all his might and he loved it. I'm thankful that he helped me to truly appreciate the freedoms that we have and to appreciate those who fought/fight to keep them.

Thank you Dad. Thank you to all those who selflessly give everything, including their lives, to keep this great country free. I appreciate and love all of you. God Bless America!!

Proud to be an American

Regardless of how this day turns out, I am so thankful to be an American. I'm so grateful to know that I have the right to vote for the leader of my country. I have a voice. It may be a small voice but I do have one. I want to thank all of those that have fought, and continue to fight and die, for me to have this right. I am free to do this without fear of harm. I am free to worship as I see fit. What a blessing to live in this great land.

Happy Halloween

Luckily the rain held off last night for trick or treating. We had a great time going to the truck or treat at the church and then going to a neighborhood where we know several people. Blake got lots of candy and even a few tricks. The neighborhood we went to pulled out all the stops. Many of the houses were really decked out. I can't believe how much work they put into it. Very cool.

Dark Vader (you thought it was Darth Vader right? Not according to Blake)

Blake and his buddy Rayden.

K-9 cop (this picture could be in one of those "why animals attack" emails..lol)