Opening Night

Last night was opening night for Noelle's school play. Even though she had a small role, she was the star of the show. (in my humble opinion)

Mom, dad, Amy, Jerry, Edna, Sean, Michael and I were all there to see her in her first show. She has always been on make-up crew, so this was a super big deal. The play is on through Saturday. Gramp and Lucielle will be in town so they are going to see it Saturday.

As you can see from the photo, she recieved just a few flowers. There is also a picture of Michael wearing a hat that used to belong to dad's old boss. Hugh could always be seen wearing a fedora with a cigar in his mouth. I'm sure he would get a kick out of Michael wearing it. I'm going to send a copy of it to his wife.

Things Are Getting Better

Well, things are getting better around here and slowly getting back to normal. We still do, and will for sometime, feel a void without our beloved Molly. Noelle has good days and bad days, but I've assured her that each day it will get a little easier. She asks "when?" and, oh how I wish I had an answer.

We helped out at the Wells Ranch this past weekend. That always brings a smile to our faces.

Once again, I was told by Jack that I could "drive mommy's car, not daddy's". I'm really going to have to investigate what is being said about me.

In accordance with the "paybacks are hell" rules of life, the kids and I taught Jack and Riley the "What, What, Never Mind" game.

• Me: "Jack..."
• Jack: "What?"
• Me: "What?"
• Jack: "What?"
• Me: "Never mind."

Oh, how I love paybacks!! Sean says it's not fair to do this to Jon because Amy is the one who taught this game to Noelle and Michael. Unfortunately, when you marry someone who gave their niece and nephew noisy toys, bought them multiple joke books and taught them irritating games, you may end up a casualty when it's payback time.

So, sorry to Jon, who is a wonderful bother-in-law, uncle, father and husband, but let me warn you it's only just begun.

Remembering Molly

Isn't it amazing how a dog becomes a part of your family.

We got Molly about a week before Noelle's first birthday. It was a Monday night and we met a man in a McDonald's parking lot somewhere in Kansas. She was the only "buff and cream" in the litter.

Noelle slept in the back seat and I held this little ball in my lap that every time I looked at her, she would make this cute little sound. I would put her to my face, snuggle her in my neck and she covered me with kisses.

I remember when I named her that Sean accused me of naming her Molly because it sounded like "mommy" and Noelle was just starting to talk. She would follow me everywhere and absolutely loved Noelle. When we put her on our bed, if she heard Noelle make a sound, she would look at us, kind of jump up in the air and with ears flying, she was off to find Noelle.

When Michael joined us, she couldn't get enough of this "new person". She would kiss him, he would laugh and soon, more kisses would follow.

At the time, we lived in our first house and there was no easy access to the backyard, so Molly was trained to go out on a leash. When we moved, she had a fenced back yard and a doggie door. She learned just how the door worked by following the kids as they crawled through.

Soon after, Sadie joined us. The two of them never really played together much, but loved to chase a tennis ball in the yard. However, several years later when Hydie joined the group, Molly made it known that SHE was top dog. If Hydie even looked at her, Molly would snap as if to say, "what are you looking at".

There would be times when after a walk or something, when the three of them would be together again, Molly would forget she didn't really like Hydie. Her little nub of a tail would wag for a moment or two, then she would suddenly remember "oh, it's you" and remind Hydie of her place.

Molly was kind of a "prissy" dog who, after spending a day at the groomers, knew she looked good. When I would take her in for her "spa day", she would walk right in to a kennel, turn around and look at you like "ok, I'm ready, how about you".

We now know that Molly was the one behind the "welcoming committee" when ever we would return home. The dogs would go nuts and you would think we had 100 dogs instead of three.

The house is quiet now when we come home and I wonder what Sadie and Hydie are thinking.

In time, I know it will get easier for all of us. I hope that time comes soon.

Molly

We got a call from the vet about an hour or so ago. Molly passed away.

We are trying to be comforted by the fact that she was well loved and taken care of for 12 years. She is in heaven and will always be with us.

This has been a very difficult for all four of us, but Noelle is really struggling.

Please pray that God will hold her in His arms and help her through this.

Quick Note

We got home Sunday.

It's been a busy week.

Please say a prayer for Noelle and Molly. Molly hurt her paw and we took her to the vet. By chance, we found out that she has an issue with her blood and she is very sick. She is at the vet's and he is keeping a close eye on her.

Noelle got Molly for her first birthday and she is having a very hard time, as are all of us.

So This Is Hell

Yeah, I'm pretty sure I'm in hell. We have worked our asses off and were supposed to be home on Friday. It is now Saturday, we are in the middle of a blizzard and hope to be home tomorrow.

If you saw the truck we are driving, you would more than likely hear the theme song from "The Beverly Hillbillies".

We have now stayed at the same hotel four nights in a row and eaten at the same restaurant four nights in a row. The waitress said we are now family. The chef came out and talked to us and the owner said "so, I hear you are moving someone". I guess nothing much happens in Arlington, we're the big news.

The bed of our truck is full of stuff, (including our suitcases that due to the weather are in trash bags) and so is the back seat. There is just enough room for me. At this point, my hope is that something will knock me out and I'll wake up at home.

Mom, dad and I hope to be on the road by about 9:30. Hopefully they will have the road open and we are home tomorrow.

A Sad Day

In the midst of trying to move my uncle and various other things, Sean's gramma, Francis, died on Friday morning.

Please keep Sean and his family in your prayers.

We Are So Freakin Sore...

and tired. We worked our buts off today. Not only that, there was a foul smell in the air from one whey plant.

It's hard to condense the items of two people down to one person. Mom got most of the kitchen moved today. Dad and I got the bedroom set moved as well as the buffet.

Ronnie has boxed up quit a bit and continues to do so. It's always so hard to move and decide what to keep and what not to keep. We know there will not be room for everything. Ronnie has a doctors appointment in Watertown tomorrow and we are planning on checking with goodwill or some other organization to see if they would be willing to pick some things up.

So, we would like prayers for healing and strength. We are worried how well we will get along in the morning. We can barely move now as it is. After working again all day tomorrow, we maybe crawling.

If it gets much worse we may just roll over and give up, in which case we'll send you our address.