Back on the Blogwagon!

Facebook killed the blog! But I'm hoping to resurrect it now that we're in Norway. So many funny, frustrating, and just 'new' events happen daily here and they're all just lips away from being forgotten. So...in order to record our lives - the good, the bad, and the ugly - and to share it with all of you, I am really going to put forth some effort to keep this up to date!

For Cindy - likely the only reader of this blog

My birthday last year......though same cake this year! (Cheesecake Factory Tiramisu Cheesecake...the best of both worlds!)

Attempt at fancy photography for Father's Day 2010. Nobody looks at the camera; doesn't matter, can't see them anyway! :)

We did not know he was doing this until McCain's aid asked if we could 'get a regular pose this time'.

4th of July 2010

Will's 4th Birthday party

Meeting with my parents for dinner in San Diego, Labor Day 2010

Visited my dad's teenage home during our trip to New Jersey in September 2010

Visiting the Arnolds in New Jersey

Halloween!

Me with my little Spidey

Our house; sad that we've been through 4 houses since our last visit! :(

My favorite room in the house, the backyard

Air Force Santa.

Ryan's Mad Science Birthday

With Heath's 96 yr old grandfather

Sepia makes everyone look sweet

How most posed photos look

Graduating in Cub Scouts

Having fun with your Godson

Easter, tired of taking pictures

Mother's Day 2011 Washington DC

Date Night with Will, after he 'finished' preschool. Officially a kindergartner, although there is no kindergarten in Norway.

Almost 20 years ago I met a friend, who would quickly become my BFF. I still see the same fun, silly 16 year old I knew all those years ago and have so many fond memories. Distance sucks - Cindy lives in Houston and I ....don't. :) Someday, I hope to be able to get together for morning walks and coffee - some sort of food at least, b/c that's how our friendship started - and talk about our kids and husbands; still being goofy, still being 100% secure in friendship and trust. We've all heard of the 3 different kinds of relationships: a reason, a season, or a lifetime... Cindy is a lifetime friend, so I dedicate this blog post to you, my dearest of friends, a recap of the past year since I've last blogged to catch you up on photographic evidence of the last year. (Or just hack into someone's FB account so you can get my daily updates!) :)

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!