Are there doggy doors in Heaven?

Our Izzy. The world was a better place when you were here. We will never EVER forget you.

Her favorite pastime

Some more smooches from one of her favorite boys

Izzy's joy at Heath's homecomings was tearjerking

Christmas BONES!

Watched each new baby like a hawk. She would always come find me when they started to cry.

Izzy was a part of every celebration.

With her Zekie, looking after baby Ryan.

A growing pup in Clovis, NM

One of the first pictures we have of her.

I hope so. I pray for it. On February 19, 2001 Heath and I stopped by the pound in Albuquerque, NM on the way home to Clovis from the airport. We saw her, she saw us....we went through the motions of the 'trial play' but it didn't matter; it was love at first sight. We both knew instantly that dog was ours. Queen Isabella Wimberley - Izzy - became a part of our family and our hearts that day. We brought home a tick infested, parvo positive furball and nursed her back to health. We snuck her into our pet free apartment and let her sleep in our bed to keep her from crying at night and blowing our cover before we could move into our new house. Nine years and 2 months later I held that sweet dog in my arms as she took her final breath on this earth. Where did the time go? Why didn't I walk her more, let her ride in the car more often, turn off the TV and just be with her? I look back on our life with her and realize that she was with us through it all. She lived in NM, TX, OK, AZ, CA, and Korea. She welcomed and adored 3 baby boys and somehow managed to gracefully and subtly protect them fiercely, while licking and chasing them. She was my constant companion, especially when Heath was gone, which was (is) often - my security, my friend, the only other female in this house. She hovered at every meal time, enjoying the abundant table droppings, especially from AJ who was more than happy to share with "Ih-Wah". She was timid and scared, nervous and submissive - a product of her first owner most likely. I hate that she ever knew cruelty and was never able to completely lose that fear. In the end she was in pain. Calcium deficiency was her diagnosis. We had just started her on calcium supplements as well as pain killers and arthritis medication. In the 36 hours before her passing I think she was saying good bye. In the last hours she came to my side to rest. Then, at 6:00 am on Sunday morning, May 2, 2010 she began to struggle with her breathing. I sat with her on her bed and told her it was OK, that she was a good girl and that I loved her. Her suffering was brief, and she died a beautiful, tenderhearted dog. Our family is heartbroken, the sense of loss overwhelming. Her presence is everywhere - her absence, crushing. I have no words to describe my sadness. I look for her in the backyard, I expect to see her when I walk down the stairs, I have twice now gone to fill her empty water bowl..... I know that time heals all wounds, but I know that I will forever miss our beloved dog. As I sit here crying like a baby I don't know what else to write to lock in this emotion that I feel right now. Good bye Izzy Lou. I hope that you will be there to greet me when I come through Heaven's door.

BOO!

Optimus Prime, Pirate, and Superman! xoxo

LOVED Trick or Treating and kept up with the big boys all night.

Striking their best poses, with our friend Luke Skywalker, aka Asher

Bobbing for apples...

...is harder than it looks!

At the squadron Halloween Party

Watching a SCARY Halloween Movie - I believe it was Winnie the Pooh - the epitomy of fright!

Also watching the movie, not quite so scared. :)

Fall in Phoenix!

Trip to the Fire Station

We were treated to a private tour of one of Surprise, AZ's fire stations today. I realized that I've never been to one before, so it was really neat to see all of the equipment, offices, kitchen, dorms, etc - all the things that go on behind the scenes. The kids had a blast trying on the equipment, climbing on and in the trucks, holding the hoses and tanks, and watching the lights and hearing the sirens. What a great day! It didn't go unnoticed that the date is Sept. 10... it seemed appropriate to spend some time learning more about these heroes and how dedicated and professional they are on the eve of 9/11.

San Diego

Three of God's glorious creations, enjoying His beautiful world.

Loves his Mimi and the ocean, but not his bathing suit.

My son-shine in the sunset

This shell has not left his side since!

I love my parents, love that they love me, my husband and ADORE our children. Love that we are so close despite being so far apart.

Papa braved the cold water to play with his grandsons all weekend.

This shot takes my breath away because I don't see a baby when I look at this and there is nothing I can do to change that.

My adventure seeking, nature loving, affectionate bundle of love. Though he would say, 'I'm not a bundle of love!! I'm a boy!"

So happy in the sand and Wah-wah!

Love this shot, or will, rather, once I photoshop out the excess.

J-O-Y

"I'm not c-c-c-cold!"

We headed west to San Diego to spend Labor Day Weekend with the 308th Emerald Knights and my parents. I was so glad that I had a few friends to caravan with during the 6 hour trip - esp glad when AJ threw up in his carseat at McDonalds and they all rushed to help me clean it up. (now those are friends!) Even more glad when I was denied access to the Navy Base where we were staying for the weekend because I didn't have my receipt of vehicle registration...and those same friends' husbands hooked me up with a rental minivan for the weekend! I was, once again, humbled and comforted by the generosity and solution-seeking-creativity of my Air Force family. Thanks again - strength and honor! ;)

My other family - aka my parents - met the boys and I for the long weekend. I never would've attempted such a feat without them! We had a great time at Sea World and playing on the beach. It's always reassuring to see our children interact with their grandparents - to know what a strong presence they have in their lives, even though we only see each other a few times a year. AJ remembered them as "Papapapa" and "Muh-Muh" (Mimi) and didn't want to leave their side the entire 3 days. Ryan had one fun overnight in their hotel room and even told me not to worry about him for the weekend because he was going to partner with his Mimi! Fearless Will dragged Papa (or maybe it was the other way around?...) to play for hours in the waves.

Missing Heath and wishing he could see the boys play and experience their excitement aside, it was a beautiful weekend. One we'll remember for years to come. xoxo

Ryan's homework assignment was to write about a community helper. You'll have to open the photo to see what he wrote! My kids definitely have a different reality than most.

Wicked cool, even during naptime.

Wanted to wear a suit and fix his hair to look like a president.

The butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker.

Someday he will no longer slurp on his fingers....and I will miss it. This image of my baby will be with me forever.

My fierce Jedi.

At the end of the day, when I have a few minutes to myself the last thing I feel like doing anymore is writing! I've been spending a lot more time on Facebook than my blog but I'll try to update with new pictures here more frequently.