Exhausted

Puppies are not easy. We love them to death, and miss them while we are gone, but they are quite the handful. The have tiny little bladders that don't hold much, and sharp little teeth that feel like needles. We started our routine yesterday when I went back to work. They wake us up about 6:00, go outside, eat breakfast, poop, play real hard, and are back down for a nap around 6:45. Then Kevin and I get ready for work, and we are out the door by 7:30. Yesterday went really well. Last night, however, they were up more than normal and we were exhausted this morning. The break was hard, too. Even though we didn't have to work, we didn't really get to sleep in.

We have to remember they are only 8 weeks old. They are very smart and are already learning their names and commands such as come, sit, and of course, no. Yesterday, Charlie climbed over the gate, we assume by using his brother as a stool. They take their medicine well, and are learning to climb the stairs.

Here are some pictures of us; worn out and tired.

Twins!

We adopted twins over the Christmas Holiday. The boys are seven weeks old, and quite the mixture of breeds. Mom is boxer and pit bull, and Dad is Chocolate Lab and Great Dane. The boys look very different, one like his dad, the other like his mom. They are growing fast, and will be quite large when full grown. We picked Bubba up on December 20th, and his brother Charlie on the 23rd. Bubba is the blond, and a solid little thing. Charlie is chocolate with a little white bow-tie. Both have completely different personalities. Charlie likes to cuddle in your lab and Bubba just wants to be next to you. We are still potty-training but the boys are getting a lot better; fewer and fewer accidents each day.



And yes, we have become those crazy dog people. We refer to our dogs as "The Boys" and call each other Mommy and Dad. We like napping with our doggies, and love our puppy kisses. We have cleared out the downstairs bedroom and the boys have their own room. We have baby gates up to keep them out of certain places and we rush home to hang out with them.

We have lost some of our freedom. We can no longer up and go away for a weekend without a puppysitter. I had a small panic attack on Tuesday night questioning what I have done getting two big dogs. But when they curl up together on their bed and Bubba puts his head on top of Charlie, I know I needed two. It wasn't fair for us to only get one dog and then go to work all day.


We have already fallen in love with our boys.

Atkinson Christmas Party

On Saturday we had a bunch of our friends over for a simple Christmas party. I am actually quite surprised how many of us stayed close to Riverside. Many were from the general area originally, and others married people from the area. Then there is the small handful of us that still work at CBU. Hey, a job is a job, and if you like what you do, it makes it worth your while.

We were so excited when friends made the trip from quite a distance just to say Merry Christmas. Justin and Megan came up from Murrieta, and Colin and Ashley came all the way from Sherman Oaks. Rachel and Scott brought Brendan for everyone to meet and he smiled at everyone. Any we got and appearance from little Wyatt Holmes. Proud parents Elly and Jason brought the little one out so we could see him bright eyed and chubby cheeks. He is growing so fast and I just love his red hair! Some were sick and some had to work at the last minute, and we missed them all. We are so blessed with so many friends so close.

I made some sweet treats to snack on. I have been making cookies since November and took the time to frost them and sprinkle sugar, making most everything from scratch. But what did everyone rant and rave about. The only cookie made from a mix covered in canned frosting. So much for slaving over the over for 6 weeks – from here on out everything will be semi-homemade. It’s fine. The other cookies were eaten and complimented. I’m sure my brother will eat the leftovers when he gets here.

Tim, Brian, and Justin

Colin and Ashley

Rachel, Brenden, Jennifer, and Ashley

Elly, Wyatt, Amy, and Bethany

Stacy and Brittany

Colin and Kevin

Ashley, Megan and Liz

Kevin and Bekah

Family Portraits

In 1996, my father was offered the Senior Pastor position at Fair Oaks Baptist Church. He accepted the position, and moved his family to the greater Sacramento area just after Christmas. It's hard to believe my family has been there 12 years. We love the church, and they take care of my family. They cherish and support my father.

When the church recognized their twelve years this year, they showed our family 12 years ago, and our family today and how we've grown.

We now have our husbands with us, and Rachel and Scott brought Brendan to join us for our family portrait this year. Sometimes, change is for the better.

Blog Stalker

I have become a stalker; both by watching blogs of people I once knew, and following updates on facebook. I send my sister updates occasionally as she refuses to join the cult. But yesterday, when I sent her an update about a guy she used to date, she sent me this very appropriate comic. So becareful what you post - I may be watching!