true love

Ethan and Audi . . . so sweet.



I Jinxed It

We visited my mom yesterday for Memorial Day and I carefully placed my purse in the back of the car to avoid any accidents. We made it there without any car sickness. We enjoyed a nice day with my mom and put some flowers on my dad's grave. We had a longer-than-usual ride home because of the traffic and then as we made the last turn and approached our neighborhood I said, "Well, aside from her puking last time, Audi travels pretty well." Pause. "Mommy, Audi is making a funny sound!" What do you do when a dog (or child, for that matter) is about to puke in the car? Move your purse--I know that, but there's really nothing else you can do. I better start taking a bucket with us! Luckily, she only got the floormat this time . . .

Spring? I'm Not Really Sure . . .

We briefly experienced another glimpse of spring yesterday and enjoyed an afternoon of feeding ducks and geese. A gaggle of other people must have done the same thing before us because the ducks and geese weren't really phased by the bread being tossed their way.



This trio of geese marched and squaked with great purpose toward the water, then we saw the little bitty dog walking behind them, causing them great anxiety (I should have taken a picture of the dog).



As I said, it was just a glimpse of spring . . . here is a shot of today:

You may think Audi looks sad in this picture but it's only because I wanted her to come inside. She LOVES the snow. She run laps around the yard and then pushes her nose in the snow and throws it up in the air. I'm glad someone likes it!

Discovering New Heights

David walked into the family room a couple of days ago and found Audi perched upon the back of the couch. I love the way she tilts her head to the side when we talk to her.

Almost Replaced

A typical morning at our house: I get up and take a shower; David gets up with the kids. I walk out to the family room and all the kids yell, "Mommy!" and run to me for a hug and then follow me around.

Day Two with Audi: I got up and took a shower; David got up with the kids and the dog. I walked out to the family room and nobody noticed. They were totally engrossed in playing with the dog! I said, "Well, this is a first." The kids glanced my way and went back to playing with the dog. Later that day I paused and felt kind of sad. Had I been replaced by the dog?

Day Ten: Emma, Audi and I are sitting on the couch. Here is our conversation:
Emma: "Mama, I like you again."
Me: "Well I'm glad to hear that because I like you too."
Emma: "Yes, I like you again."
Me: "Was there a time when you didn't like me?"
Emma: "Yes."
Me: "When was that?"
Emma: "Because I was wishing for a puppy and then we got a puppy but now I like you best."
Me (trying to interpret this conversation): "So did you like Audi better than me for a while but now you like me again?"
Emma: with a big, satisfied grin on her face - "Yes!"

So now that little poke in my heart is filled in again and I understand that the kids are learning something important about love. Just when you think your heart is so full of love it will burst, you find room for more and it doesn't change or lessen the love you already have. There's always room for more!

Aayooo!

That is the new sound I hear at night from our new beagle, Audi. She is very cute and sweet so I hope she soon learns to sleep at night!

On Friday we got an early delivery from one of Santa's helpers (who is the owner of Audi's mom). The kids absolutely adore her and they keep telling us how much they love her.