The Dogs

 I remember a time not so long ago when I swore I'd never have 3 dogs again and yet here I am.  It's another reminder to never say never.  Don't let this picture fool you.  It's rare that Lenny lays on the bed calmly.  Today we have had Lenny for one month.  His potty training has gone well and ever so slowly I've seen a relationship form between Lenny and Walker.  I never could have predicted that.  Next to my mom, Jay is one of Walker's biggest fans so of course he wasn't surprised.  Ha.  Lenny has been so good for Walker and vice versa.  Lenny has made Walker less of a grouch and has helped bring out Walker's playful side.  Walker has been good for Lenny.  He has demonstrated to Lenny what proper dog behavior play is.  Often they will play and sometimes Walker doesn't like it and let's Lenny know.  Lenny backs off, they lick each other and start to play again.  It's been really fun to watch.  Cole remains indifferent to Lenny, much to Mike's surprise.  He does not play with him and simply tolerates him.  Cole is 13 years old after all.  If he could talk he would probably tell us he doesn't appreciate spending his "golden" years with this rambunctious puppy.

Although we have settled in nicely.  Over this past month I have often questioned my sanity.  What was I thinking agreeing to take on a puppy and a third dog right after stepping into empty nest?  I finally had free time to focus on things I wanted to do.  When I voiced this to Mike, he said part of life is taking care of things.  While that might be true, I'm kind of tired of taking care of people and things, including dogs.  Ha!  But I digress.  I know long term this was the right decision and I've joked that this is my  summer of No.  I haven't done much because I've been training a puppy.  

How's it going with Lenny

 We have had Lenny for three weeks now and each week gets a little better, as far as Lenny settling in and knowing this is his home.  Walker has warmed to him, just a bit.  He plays with him but on Walker's terms and will also let Lenny know when he's not in the mood.  Cole wants nothing to do with him.  Mike seems convinced that will change but I'm not holding my breath.  The truth is Walker is a wee bit younger and still wants to play and Cole is well, really old.  I hesitate to put this in writing but Lenny is 99% house broken.  Hallejah!  I believe it took Copper a good month but Lenny has two other dogs he's watching so he caught on quickly.  He is completely crate trained.  Another big deal.  I anxiously await the day when I can let Lenny go outside by himself and he'll know the boundries.  I have spent the last 3 weeks outside constantly with him for potty breaks.  I put him on a leash when we go outside since he finds it amusing to run from me.  Mike hasn't been home much due to work so I've trained Lenny and done a pretty good job at it.  

Cousin weekend

 Me, Amber and Kim got together this weekend.  Sadly Cora couldn't come because of work.  We missed her.  The three of us went to Washington (IL) for lunch and did some shopping.  The girls spent the night at my house.  Mike went to Texas for the weekend to visit the Ausili's.  Here it is Monday morning and it's back to reality.  

Happy 250 Birthday, America

Happy 4th of July!  We celebrated once again at Erin and Neal's house for the annual 4th of July Shrimp boil!  Interestingly enough, this was also the 10 year anniversary from when I broke my ankle at the shrimp boil in 2016.  Our shrimp boils look different only because none of us have little kids anymore.  But the nice thing is a few of our older kids join us.  Jay, Aaron and Reece seem to be yearly staples.  I love this picture of the boys with their girlfriends in the pool.  Jay, Aaron and Reece have been friends since 1st grade.  Hannah encouraged me to bring Lenny to the party so I did. I was glad I did.  I set up his playpen and once he settled in, it was great.  He enjoyed all the people petting him.  

Erin is such a dear friend to me.  I look like an absolute mess in this picture.  By this point I was super hot and it had rained so I look a bit like a drowned rat.  But I digress.  It was another great shrimp boil and I'm so thankful to Erin and Neal for hosting it every year!  

*Nick and Rylan went with friends up to Wisconsin!

 

Lenny, Luke & Hawaii

When I realized I hadn't blogged since May 17 I actually thought about just dumping my blog but then I remembered how much I enjoy looking through them each year, as my blog is a great way to document the events in my life.  So here goes.  First, on June 29 we picked up 8 week old, Lenny.  Mike really wanted another puppy.  He actually wanted two puppies but I told him that was a hard No.  I said I would NEVER have 3 dogs again and yet here we are.  Our beloved Cole is just getting to be an old man so we decided we'd go ahead and get Lenny.  Lenny is the sweetest puppy but Cole and Walker are not amused by him.  It's been a lot of work but nothing I wasn't prepared for.  Mike and I pretty much decided to shut out summer down and devote the rest of the summer to training Lenny and getting Cole and Walker comfortable with him.  I am confident that by September things will look much better.  God willing Lenny will see Mike and I into our retirement and he will be our last puppy so I am loving on him big time.  

Vizsla's are truly the cutest puppies.  They want so much to please you and thankfully they are smart breeds.  

In other big news, Luke made a confession of faith to join his grandparents church two weeks ago.  Glenn and Sharon are wonderful people and they are bursting with pride to have their youngest grandson join their church.  Kim, Craig and Lauren go to Song and Sword with my family.  I love that Luke made this choice.  He has such a heart for Jesus.  

And finally, our trip to Hawaii.  The best part was seeing Mike bond with the girls and really get to know them, especially Hannah.  In this picture we had just finished an ATV ride with our 4 kids.  Hannah got the muddiest and Mike thought it was hysterical.  

One moring, Mike and the kids got up and drove to the Napali Coast where they hiked.  The views were beautiful! 

A picture of the 8 of us.  This picture is classic!  Everyone is cracking up and having a good time! What a blessing family is! 
 

Time with Faith

 How blessed am I that last weekend I got to spend with Jenny and this weekend I got to see Faith?  Faith and I did our traditional old fashioneds at Reality Bites then we went to Jay's house.  We hung out on Jay and Hannah's patio.  It was delightful.  Jay is holding Hannah's dog, Rocco.  My sweet niece, Lauren and Kim came also. 

52 and Mother's Day

Well I'm 52 today.  It is also Mother's Day.  It's been a whirlwind weekend.  Jenny flew in on Thursday and has been staying with us.  She flies back to TX today.  What a wonderful treat it has been to spend my birthday weekend with her.  On Friday night my girls took me out to my favorite restaurant, "Reality Bites."  

Last night I hosted a family birthday dinner for Nick, me and Kim.  Here I am with my dear boys!  Love them so much.  

 I had 17 people at my house last night.  I didn't get any pics with my mom or Kim last night.  They left early to get mom back home.  What a blessing it is to have my family and friends surround me on my birthday.