Morrigan's Birthday Party

I was going to post this on Wednesday for a wordless post, but then I realized I needed an explanation for why it took me so stinkin long to post it.
Truth? I'm lazy. There I said it.

So... here's some pictures. :o)

Enjoy!

Amazing Jewelry giveaway!

So I know this girl... At least I used to.

OK... Let me restart.

 As a lot of you know ( now anyway) I was in a few rather unconventional foster situations as a teenager. One of them was with Unique family that moved me to Ohio and back again. The two youngest daughters were very close friends of mine, and I've stayed in touch, in one way or another with each of them throughout the years.

I have, regretfully, let communication slip the past few years. What with all the childbearing and marriages, our relationship has completely slipped past me. I've sent an email here and there, and a wedding invitation, but nothing else. 

And, you know what? I'm ok with that. It's all part of growing up, isn't it? At first I thought it was horrible. I was horrible, she was horrible, they were horrible, we were horrible people. Bad friends, BAD!!

But in the end, it's ok to grow apart. It's ok to live separate lives without keeping in touch. I know that the movies tell us that true friendship lasts forever. Through thick and thin and hundreds of miles. And I guess that's true, to an extent. I wont ever forget the nights we huddle over the heater vent in a little village in Ohio, whispering secrets, and listening to techno. Makeovers, boyfriends, and family drama. I have purposely lost contact with certain members, but those two friends are some of the best memories of my "childhood".

SO, I've expressed all the appropriate blog emotions, sadness, regret, fondness, and acceptance.
Why this post, right now?

Because the MoonMaiden is hosting a giveaway!  This chick and I go way back, and I own several of her pieces and let me tell you- her jewelry is FAAAABBULOOOUUSS!!!

So click here: http://themoonmaiden-blix.blogspot.com/

and follow instructions on the page to enter the giveaway-

Then click here : http://www.moonmaiden.us/index.php


And buy some stuff, yo!

My dog is crazy-

We got a dog right before Christmas. His name is Pentax! Since the hubs operates a camera store, we thought that naming him after a camera was fitting.

He was scruffy, and skinny and sad looking.

SO we gave him a flea bath, fed him, clothed him (yes, yes I did)
and now he is SO STINKIN CUTE!!



He ticks me off. Stupid dog.
He whines at the door and shivers and shakes because he needs to GO and RIGHT NOW!

Then when I leash him up and take him out, he realizes the ground is wet and he changes his mind. Or he sees (or hears) crows or geese and is too scared to leave the 10 inch diameter spot between my feet to go pee. Or thinks that there is a slight possibility that he MIGHT hear a crow or goose and becomes too scared to leave the 10 inch diameter between my feet.  Back inside we go, unleashed and staring at the door, whining and shaking. The urge to pee must be made worse by the dripping of the rain from the gutters. It must be terrible. I know his whining is one of the single most irritating sounds known to man. Only more irritating is his straining and pulling at the leash to drag me back inside the moment his feet hit the soggy earth.

Poor guy. By the time summer comes and the rain stops, even his claws will be waterlogged.

He wears a tonka tshirt and he loves it. Whenever I wash it he mopes around trying to dig under blankets until I bring it from the dryer (smelling fresher) and he shoves his head into it wherever it will fit. He scratches and squirms trying to get it back on. It doesn't keep him warmer, it's just a tshirt. But he loves it.

Ahh but this blog post is all about the dog, I don't want to write a 5th grade essay about why I love mine.

I love him because he loves us. At first he was skittish and would growl at the baby every time she came near which sent red flags for me.
Today he barked at me. ( He NEVER barks. Only if someone comes to the door, and only if they are strangers)  No one was at the door, so I shushed him. He barked again and ran to the stairs growling his mighty growl. HE didn't stop til I moseyed my way over to discover a wide open safety gate and potentially dead toddler sitting AT THE TOP OF THE DEADLIEST CHILD KILLING STAIRS KNOWN TO MAN!! 
Seriously these stairs are scary for kids. They are steeper than normal stairs, not as wide as normal stairs and they have only one wall. the other side is open to the living room with only studs(every 16 inches) to break a rapidly descending toddler's fall.

Good dog. Good. Red flags gone. He loves her now and he tattled on her. Good boy, Pentax. You've been honored in blog-land for your Lassie-like heroics.

Hmmm

I woke up this morning and thought, "hmm. I think I'll blog today." 

Ok. No, I didn't.
Just the same, it is LOOOOONG overdue. Much has happened in the past 12 months. I've had babies, and gotten married. I've known joy, and experienced loss. The women on my mother's side of the family have each of us esperienced not only our own internal fear, but have also felt the shattering loss that accompanied it. Cancer sucks. RIP Aunt Marylin. You were and Are loved.
On the opposite end of the spectrum was the unexpected passing of my cousin Scott Swain. It was a tragedy that rocked through my family. I only wish I could have offered more than simple words on a screen. That I could have been there or done more. I'm so sorry. I love you all.
****

Photo courtesy of www.ericaannphotography.com

My Evelyn was born. Beautiful peaceful hospital birth which can be read about here:
http://rantraveandrollinbaby.blogspot.com/2011/01/evelyn-caroline-wolf.html
and here:
http://www.ericaannphotography.com/portland-wedding-blog/2011/02/introducing-evelyn-my-new-sister-portland-baby-photographer/
****


My Morrigan turned 4 last year. Wow. I can't believe the baby that came screaming onto the planet is now a big girl who is also screaming her way through life. What a spitfire. She is my beauty and my joker.Such a smart girl.

Photo courtesy of

www.ericaannphotography.com

 

Wesley turned 8!! AHHH! With the age of 8 has come moodiness and a new love of living things. He is uncommonly sweet and enthusiastic about his baby sister, Evelyn. ( I wish it could be said about he and Morrigan, but Alas, win some,lose some.) As his father is an in and out presence in his life, and not dependable in his moods and reactions, unfortunately he's been struggling this year more than he has before.We're working towards being helpful and compassionate towards each other as a whole family. He is my joy, my boy. 

Photo courtesy of

www.ericaannphotography.com

 

I got married!! Oh How exciting! I've gained a family so, so rich in education and talent.

Singers, musicins, songwriters, photographers, teachers, students OHOHOH! The list goes on and on! 

I've made new friends! and I've loved more people this year than I ever thought was possible. 

 

My sweet husband. My Hero, my Tod. 

 

I took this photo myself thank  you very much. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 I had honestly intended this particular post to be a comedy. I meant to share one our days with you, dear readers, with it's chaos and hilarity. BUUUUT I got nostalgic and figured I better share my family with you once more, just for reference. I'll post again tomorrow. I promise.