I love a happy ending

This one is hard to write. We had to adopt out our family dog of almost 7 years. 

 Jake became part of the Archuleta circus when we lived on the farm in Weiser. She roamed the countryside for the first two years of her life. (Yes, HER name is Jake. It's weird, whatever.)

 Our life in the city for the past 5 years has been a stretch for her country girl ways. We would frequently have to address fencing issues after coming home to yet another escape.

When this all got too overwhelming for us- still trying to recover from the months of unemployment, moving into the new house, the boys getting back into sports, & her looking at me with those sad, sad eyes... we had to accept we were not the pet owners we wanted to be.

 

The idea of losing a her sent the whole family into a panic. Devastating to a few family members.

 But Jake had a happy ending. And that makes us happy, too. She was adopted by the most perfect couple. Their dogs are their kids. They live in the country and have a dog pool. And! They have welcomed our family to come visit Jake whenever.

 I swear she was smiling when they drove off. She will have the country life she loves and another dog to grow old with.

So much that I could say about this experience. So much I learned from that sweet mutt. This was not our plan, and letting go of our plan was difficult. Letting go is hard but sometimes holding on is harder, or like this quote I found on Oprah.com:

"Holding on is believing that there's only a past; letting go is knowing that there's a future."-Daphne Rose Kingma

big time

This dose of Instagram round-up includes some pretty major happenin's.

We are moving! Hooray, it looks like this weekend even. So there has been a mad dash to scrounge up boxes and pack it all up. And the question, again, of why do we have so much stuff?? Seriously, so much going to Goodwill.

Also, it seemed worth noting that we switched out our 2C plates for WA ones. Just consider us locals, I guess.

p.s. Kaleb learned to start a fire with a magnifying glass-yowsers! (I stress-ate the entire pound of TJ's dark chocolate right after)

p.p.s. There is a strange phenomenon when I spot a mirror at the thrift store that says I must buy it. MUST. BUY. IT.

The Fall Haps

Lots of leaves to rake, unless you want to pose for pictures for Mom.

Cheesy thankfulness crafts that make Mom tear up.

Mom finally remembers to put the dog's Halloween costume on.

Finding new indoor activities to occupy little hands.

backyard spruce up

Our little fixer upper got some outdoor summer lovin' this year. Matt & Grandpa Ken worked to put in a small rock patio where we could never grow grass. Now the grill has a permanent home & I got my much desired fire pit. Yipee! We have had far too few s'more sessions but I think we can remedy that easily.

4 boys & the dog make for one patchy yard. We tried to give the grass frequent attention & it is beginning to show. I am hoping that spreading some seed + cooler temps=spring lawn perfection.

Kaleb helped me nurture a small garden in a new spot this year. Like I posted earlier, it is a learning process.

Jake is happily enjoying her spiffed up space.

The Perfect Friend...

...if you don't mind the fur, the smell, and of course the poop scoop. You will find a friend, my only female companion in this house of boys, always loyal and prone to fits of joy.