I Would Get a Dog If...

If I had a hundred dollars for each person that told me, "I/ We would get a dog if I/ we could get one like Molly," then I would have a nice stash of cash.

Whether you are a dog fanatic or a casual dog person, Molly's pretty perfect.

Last April, for her 13th birthday, I blogged this post.  Sadly, Molly decided that 13 was old enough.

One of own first family pics.

She arrived at her absolute favorite place in the world, Mantis and Queenie's house, on Saturday.  She seemed perfectly fine when she arrived but disappeared around mid-afternoon.  I found her under a tea olive tree, very lethargic and unable to move well.  Easter Sunday she continued to worsen.  By this morning (Monday), she had lost control of her bladder, her breathing was shallow, she had not eaten since Friday night.  She did wag her tail a couple time this morning but we all knew that she had decided that she was not going to be forced to leave Mantis and Queenie's house again.  She did always hate to leave.

Needed a lot of help moving this weekend. Her body truly just shut down.

We all honored Molly's wishes and buried her in mom and dads backyard.  Chad dug a nice big grave, right beside my parent's dog, Abby (who died a couple years ago... and who was Molly's buddy).  Mom and I went ahead and took her to the vet where they put her to sleep.

Molly's gravespot.  We picked this spot because she loved to lay under big bushes and the two shrubs/ trees to the right will get nice and big and slightly shade her spot.  

Another reason we picked that spot is how close it is to Abby.  

She was loved on and cried over by many many people this weekend as my whole family was in town for Easter (except GrandmaDean).   The boys personalities really came out- all so different.  Hunter cried but used reason to come to terms with it.  Ashton sobbed like SOBBED multiple times.  He has and continues to be the most emotional child.  Shepherd was really sad but dealt with it on his own.  He quickly hugged her and backed away and bottled it up. He didnt want to talk about it.  As for Bennett, I thought he was pretty clueless but I do think he understands a little bit.  He asked where Molly was when we got home and I told him again that she died.  He responded with, "she died, she is in the hole. I miss her."

Monday morning picture right before we left for the vet.

Moses saying good bye to his sister.

Though we are all so sad over our girl, I am so happy that God let me love her for 12 years.  I prayed and prayed and prayed for a dog.  And God, led me right to Molly.

She loved babies and has welcomed not only her 4 boys to the house, but my 5 nieces and 2 nephews as well as kissing on multiple friend's babies.  Though her tail has been pulled, she has been laid on, stepped on, poked, and numerous other things; she never once acted annoyed with it.  She really adored her "babies" and kids.

I will never look at Canadian Geese without seeing her run after them and catch them.
I will never eat a powdered doughnut without remembering that is the only thing she would eat the first two days we had her.
I will never look at my fence gate or back door without thinking about her clawing/ biting at it when she wanted inside- not very patient when she wanted inside.
I will never forget about how car sick she would get the first 5 years we had her.
I will never forget how she would "referee" when other dogs would start play fighting.
I will never forget how much she loved the ocean and would lap at it with her tongue.
I will never look at a border collie in a magazine without thinking of her smiling face.

Molly "reffing" while Moses and Riggs play/ fight.

She really did make me a mom.  I know that sounds silly but she was the first being that I was responsible for when on my own.  I will never forget.

In the car, heading to the vet.  :-(

Molly, will I see you again?  I like to think so. I side with some great men like Hank Hanegraph, John Piper, and CS Lewis and think that dogs do go to heaven.

Last November, the outtake of the timer Christmas card picture.  I love it.  She always hated the picture sessions.  haha.  I need to frame this.

Regardless, you were truly one of a kind.  We love you girl!  Keep Abby company and make sure she introduces you to Gracie and Yaupie (my childhood dogs.)  :)  Oh, and keep those ears up nice and high.  I will take care of your boys.

March Recap

I dont exactly where the month of March has gone...

But here are the highlights.

1- Dad's birthday.  He happened to be up in my neck of the woods the week before so we had a mini bday celebration for him.

Mantis' bday "party"

2- New pine needles.  If you know me, you know I really like yard work and I really love fresh pine needles.  120 bales later and the front yard and most of the backyard is freshly needled!  Makes my heart happy.

3- Dentist appointments.  We all (minus Chad) went to the dentist. It was Bennett's first time and he LOVED it.  They just bragged on how well he did (and he really did a good job.)

Bennett's first cleaning.

 
   The dentist appointments kept on coming as I asked them to take xrays of Ashton's missing front tooth that he lost in December and the tooth still had not dropped.  Turns out, he has an extra tooth that is blocking the permanent tooth.  So, April 1, they will knock him out and cut it out.

In case you dont understand xrays- the left tooth is his permanent tooth that has already come down.  The tooth right beside that is the problem... an extra baby tooth that is blocking the other top permanent tooth from descending.  

4- Riggs comes.  Nolan went to Mexico because when you are single you can just take off like that.  I can only imagine.  So, Riggs came and stayed with us.  And much to my delight, Nolan paid by having a new large coffee pot sent to me (it happened to arrive on my bday so I count it as a bday present too.)

Riggs wants to be wherever the kids are- he even got on the trampoline this visit.

5- Play date/ Bible Study-  The last couple months, while our youngest kids play, a friend and I have been able to meet up and let the kids play while we talk and study the Word.  We have been making our way through I and II Peter.  Since moving here a couple years ago, I have missed girl/ Bible time, I have really enjoyed our weekly meet ups.

6- School programs are starting up.  It is so hard to take pics at these things especially on my phone.  Shepherd's programs hasnt happened yet, but here is a picture of Ashton.  Hunter's was today but I had to leave early to take Ashton to the oral surgeon.  Chad didnt get a picture only a video.

Ashton is in the top center

7- Soccer also started.  I am, again, coaching Shepherd's team.  We moved him up to U8.  Thankfully, our good friend, Jay Young, agreed to help me again.   Ashton and Hunter are still on the same team that I am, again, coaching as well.

8-  Wedding "Shower"- Chad's cousin is getting married in April.  Chad is in the wedding but was not able to attend the cookout but thankfully the boys and I were able to go.  We are looking forward to the wedding and officially adding Rebecca into the family!  (I did not take a single picture.)  : /

9- My birthday.  GrandmaDean has been having some ear issues so her ear doctor recommended tubes.  Mom came up to take her for the procedure which just happened to be the day after my bday so I got to celebrate with mom and GrandmaDean and the boys.

My men.

   I got some sweet/ funny gifts.  Though the boys (and I ) told him not too, Chad got me the t-shirt that says, "I love Jesus, but I cuss a little."  If you see me wearing it, just pretend it says, "I am a sinner saved by grace" because in reality, it kind of does.  Hunter got me a new phone case, Ashton a permanent marker (he always loses mine), Shep and Bennett got me candy that they then ate.  Mom brought me flowers, cake, and a bit of money, GrandmaDean gave me the "S" that I have been coveting on her door, and Aunt Christy made an appearance and brought some azaleas... add in a sweet card and cash from my in-laws and it was a pretty great few days.


So, March has been busy (but I also binged on Heartland on Netflix.) haha.   I fully anticipate April to move just as quickly.  On a side note, the boys all brought home wonderful report cards!!!  Super proud of how well they are doing this year.