Dublin Doggie

We love you and hope you are having fun in heaven.

On Saturday, January 16th, Dublin went to meet Jesus in heaven and we were all there to hold her paws. She had been really sick all week, not eating or drinking. Mo would wake in the middle of the night just to make sure she was breathing. We were very worried about her so Mo called the vet. Jaime, the vet, said to take a urine sample and she would run some tests. The vet said Dublin had blood in her urine and gave us an antibiotic to give her. We bought Dubs some cans of dog food to see if she would like that better than the dry, but nope. She would barely take the pill form of the antibiotic. Mo called Jaime back and she said bring her in. Oddly enough Mo and I were just talking about how old Dublin was getting and how much longer she would live. I told Mo we should pray about this visit to the vet because we may have to make some very hard decisions. We cried and then I asked him if he wanted to go alone, with just me or as a family. When the kids came into our room, Mo brought them into our bed, told them how Dublin is sick and that we had to take her to the vet and that she may have to go see Jesus in heaven. What a horrible conversation to have with your kiddos. It was a sad morning because deep down Mo and I knew Dublin was not well.

At the vet's office, they took Dublin back to check her out and we waited in the waiting room. Then they brought us into this cozy little room with a leather love seat and mirror and a frame with a poem about the rainbow bridge. Mo said where did they bring us, and started to tear up. Jaime came in and told us Dublin had a mass in her belly and that she lost 16 lbs since October. Tears started streaming down my face and Mo asked what was their process for euthanasia. Jaime explained the steps and then left us to make our decision. I hadn't hugged my husband that tight in a long while. It is an extremely sad experience to see your best friend cry so hard. We knew what we had to do, but we didn't expect to make the decision right then and there. I told Mo Dublin was in pain and it wasn't fair to her to bring her home to die. He agreed and Jaime let us say our goodbyes. Reece was so cute, he said we should pray for her and said a sweet prayer which made Mo and I cry even more. Jaime came back with a catheter to inject the anaesthesia but couldn't find a vein. Dubs was so dehydrated that they needed to get a doggie stretcher and take her in the back under better light. Then she brought Dublin back in and asked if we were ready. How can you ever be ready to say goodbye to your doggie, she is like our first child? We all gave Dublin one last hug and nodded our heads. Even though it was the saddest day we have ever had as a family, Jaime made it as peaceful as could be. She was so patient with us. We left there very sad and headed to a park to play. We weren't in any hurry to go home with out Dublin. I was very thankful we had the long weekend to mourn. Mo and I really needed it! We are adjusting to that missing part of our family; it won't ever be the same without her.

First Date Night of 2010

Going back to school wasn't so bad this week knowing I had a date night to look forward to. We were blessed with several gift cards from students, friends, family and neighbors for Christmas and they are burning a hole in Mo's pocket (even if I am the one carrying them). We don't normally go out on Friday night because we are too tired from the work week, but since the Eagles were playing Saturday night... Let's not talk about them!

Peyton, one of the kids favorite sitters, came by around 5:30 and worked her magic so we could go eat 3 courses for $20 at Chili's and finally see Avatar. The restaurant was already so crowded, Mo suggested we sit at the bar. Great idea because we can never do that with the kids, even better because a booth behind us opened up about 5 minutes after we sat down. Nice, we could sit in the bar area but comfortably. We ordered from the choices on the 3 for $20 menu; Onion String & Crispy Jalapeno Stack, Buffalo Chicken Ranch Sandwich (Jo), Half Rack of Ribs (Mo), and Chocolate Chip Paradise Pie® for dessert. We normally would pick the Brownie Sundae, but I had just made a batch at home so we went for something different. The appetizer wasn't too great but the rest of the meal was so delicious! I was craving greasy bar food so it was just the right night for Chili's, we hardly ever eat there so it was a nice treat. After all that food, a beer and a frozen raspberry margarita our bill was only $35. We thought we only had $25 worth of gift cards but when we turned them over to see what Mo had written on them, they totaled $35 the exact amount of our bill. Sweet, leave a $5 tip since service was pretty slow and headed up the road to Aliante Station for the Imax version of Avatar.

Mo has been dying to see Avatar, but he put his kids and wife first, joining us to see our movies before he would see his. He sat through Alvin & The Chipmunks and Sherlock Holmes (mmm Robert Downey Jr. & Jude Law) over Christmas break and said we had to go see Avatar for our January date night. Don't get me wrong, he enjoyed each of those movies, but every time we went to the theater he would say I'm going to see Avatar, enjoy yours. I was hoping we would wait until a little later in January to see another movie, but Mo couldn't wait. He was going to see it alone if we didn't go this weekend. I had heard all these girls say they did actually like it; now I had to see if I would enjoy it too. A girlfriend said it was awesome in 3D and since I can't remember the last movie I saw in 3D I was all for it! I wasn't sure we were going to be able to use our movie gift cards for an Imax 3D movie but we were and only had to pay an extra $10 for the Imax/3D fees. When we went into the theater, it was packed. We thought showing up 30 minutes before the movie began would be enough time to find a good seat but nope there were hardly any available. Mo spotted two on the end of a row second from the top. He grabbed them and I headed to the restroom; no way would I make it through a 3 hr movie without a bathroom break. A couple from the middle of our row went to get snacks and everyone thought the two seats they left were open. After all of these people kept walking across me to get them and then turn around and come back, I finally started telling people they were taken. It was really annoying, didn't they get the hint when coats were laying across the seats? Finally, the lights started to dim and the previews started. I was so excited to see the preview for Alice in Wonderland (mmm Johnny Depp) because I can't wait to see that one!

Avatar was super fantastic, I really enjoyed it. It was an entertaining science fiction flick, not crazy gross or wierd. I enjoyed the chic aspects, the love story and how the magical mother tree within the Pandoran ecosystem added to the film. I am not surprised by this quote: "Within three weeks of its release, with a worldwide gross of over $1 billion, Avatar became the second highest-grossing film of all time worldwide, exceeded only by Cameron's previous film, Titanic."

I can't wait for our next date night, Valentine weekend. We only have enough in the budget for one date night a month. No complaints here, babysitters are expensive and we need to save our money for our summer vacation...

Thoughts from 2009 to 2010

I stole this from my friend, who stole this from David Allen, think about it!

Some interesting food for thought as 2009 comes to a close. I like how these questions from David Allen (the Getting Things Done guy) inspire deeper thought about what we've done and what we need to or mean to do.

Completing and remembering 2009

What was your biggest triumph in 2009? Paying off $60k of our debt, sadly we have more ;(
What was the smartest decision you made in 2009? To start a budget and try and live a debt free lifestyle
What one word best sums up and describes your 2009 experience? Triumph
What was the greatest lesson you learned in 2009? Sacrifices are good. I CAN sacrifice time to exercise and sacrifice desires to get out of debt.
What was the most loving service you performed in 2009? Not sure, my hubby would say not using a credit card.
What is your biggest piece of unfinished business in 2009? Our debt snowball still hasn't fully melted yet.
What are you most happy about completing in 2009? Running 2 half marathons, taking our first trip to Disney Land with children and paying off debt.
Who were the three people that had the greatest impact on your life in 2009? God, My awesome husband and Dave Ramsey.
What was the biggest risk you took in 2009? Training for a half marathon in San Diego, having no clue how to do it and succeeding at it.
What was the biggest surprise in 2009? Staying here in Las Vegas instead of traveling for the summer, it wasn't as horrible as I thought it would be.
What important relationship improved the most in 2009? My marriage!
What compliment would you liked to have received in 2009? None, I received plenty.
What compliment would you liked to have given in 2009? I should have told my friends what good teachers and mom's they are. I should have thanked my parents more.
What else do you need to do or say to be complete with 2009? Nothing, the year was very memorable.

Creating the new year 2010

What would you like to be your biggest triumph in 2010? Paying off the rest of our debt.
What advice would you like to give yourself in 2010? Be patient, it's all in God's time.
What is the major effort you are planning to improve your financial results in 2010? Live like no one else and want for nothing. All the desires of my heart will be there when I have the CASH to pay for it.
What would you be most happy about completing in 2010? Paying off the rest of our debt.
What major indulgence are you willing to experience in 2010? Traveling to the East Coast by truck and spending 2 weeks in Ocean City, New Jersey.
What would you most like to change about yourself in 2010? The pain I feel in my knees; I ruined them and can no longer run.
What are you looking forward to learning in 2010? How to take better pictures with my camera.
What do you think your biggest risk will be in 2010? Selling our house and moving back into our smaller one.
What about your work, are you most committed to changing and improving in 2010? Staying on top of my grading and teaching lessons with humor.
What is one as yet undeveloped talent you are willing to explore in 2010? Photography
What brings you the most joy and how are you going to do or have more of that in 2010? Spending time with my family. We are planning fun family outings each month, family game days and just plain old craziness with 2 lil ones.
Who or what, other than yourself, are you most committed to loving and serving in 2010? God and my family.
What one word would you like to have as your theme in 2010? Trust

I'm stealing this from David Allen's Productivity Principles newsletter. It says right at the bottom it's OK to do so as long as the contact & copyright info is intact, so here goes...(c) 2009 The David Allen Company, all rights reserved.The David Allen Company407-F Bryant CircleOjai, CA 93023(805) 646-8432info@davidco.com

Happy New Year

Twenty Ten, I like the way that sounds. I love the fact that we rang it in with friends whom we consider family. It was a fun night full of yummy Mexican food and chocolate treats. We let the kids ring in the New Year at 9 o'clock with the east coast. They watched the ball drop and toasted 2010 with some delicious sparkling cider. Reece was excited to sleep in Elijah and Sam's bedroom. Raine wanted to as well but won't stop talking so daddy moved her into Layla and Addison's room, or our hotel room for the week. I was shocked Reece made it through the night in Eli's room because the first time he tried to sleep in there, he woke up crying for me; such a mama's boy!

Once the kids were down, the adults, AJ and Noah were left to play games. I wandered off into the music room to read a bit while they figured out which game and ended up dozing off! I was up too late the night before and was exhausted all day. I guess I shouldn't have teased Shontell about falling asleep last New Years Eve! I woke up to the gang sharing and laughing about their word choices for the game Scattigories. I was little bummed because I wanted to play too. Oh well. Kris poured our drinks for the New Year toast and we counted down the final moments of 2009. We have celebrated several New Years Eves with the Brewers and Dahirs; I'm so thankful we stayed an extra day to continue the tradition.