mothers day

Last week was a long week. Jared was again on a trip and there seemed to be a lot of activities going on and a lot of emotional stress with our dog being sick and eventually passing the day before mother's day. Heartbreaking, to say the least.

Jared had planned a weekend on the coast and had reserved an ocean view suite, complete with jacuzzi, fire place, kitchen, etc. He did a wonderful job.

Here are a few photos to share:

Ari and Kyler reading together last night

 Our iris blooms

Driving home from Newport, OR

 Heron

 Newport OR

 The sunset from our balcony

 The kids loving the jacuzzi

 Kyler's soccer game on Saturday.

Ari and Jon playing with cones

 Enjoying the sunshine on the trampoline throughout the week

 Ari has been using the potty, such a big girl!

 How my bed looks when Jared travels

 Every morning, Ari feeds the cats. She has since she's been able to walk. Purse in hand, too.

I hope all of the moms out there had a great mother's day! Thanks to those who thought of me. And a special happy mother's day to my mom, mom 2 and mother in law--all who are wonderful moms and grandmas! 

RIP Spunky

This post is in memory of our loyal, sweet dog Spunky who passed away yesterday.

We adopted/rescued Spunky in 2005. She had been used (hate that) for breeding and was guessed to be about 3 at that point. Apparently she was abandoned. She was the most frightened tiny thing when she first arrived at our house. It didn't take long for her to warm up, to me in particular. Pretty shortly after she began following me (along side Winky) everywhere I went. When we rescued blind Braille a year later, she and him were instant companions. We called her his seeing eye dog. She was truly a wonderful dog; very protective of those she loved and more loyal than any dog I have seen. When I left the room, she'd whine until I came back.

For about a week, she seemed a bit off. Then on Friday night, she seemed really sick. I tried to nurse her back to health (force feeding her water and chicken broth with a syringe) to no avail. Saturday, after Kyler's soccer game it was apparent she was really sick. We broke the news to the kids (hardest thing to do), had them say their goodbyes  in case and Jared took her to the emergency vet. Turned out she had cancer. Apparently had it for a while with no symptoms and by the time the symptoms began showing, it was too late. She was weak, in pain and not going to make it. The vet strongly urged Jared to make the call to let her go peacefully. He agreed. (Words cannot express how thankful I am he did this as I would not have been able to). We, of course, are having a very difficult time letting her go but feel relieved she is no longer in pain.

We have many loving memories featuring our little Spunkers. She was a wonderful friend to have for as long as we were blessed to have her.

Just a year and a half ago, we said goodbye to Winky, my dog for 14 years. I used to have 3 following dogs, now I have one (Zed doesn't follow me). It will take a while to recover from this, but as long as we have our memories, she will never truly be gone.

Here are a few of my favorite photos over the years:

Braille always slept atop of Spunky like this

Kyler, Braille and Spunky in Nov.

 Spunky hiking with us, 2009.

She was always beside me. I will cherish each moment I was lucky enough to have of her. RIP my dear sweet Spunker Dunker!

May begins

Lexi's chalk message to me

 Ari loves riding in the power wheel Jeep with the kids

 Soccer game

 Mowing the lawn. Yes, in his soccer uniform, with boots and no socks.

 A bald eagle flying over our house today

 Ari's new goober face

 My Lexi

 Jared playing

 a Jeep full o' Floreslettes

Jared is off on yet another trip tomorrow. For possibly 2 weeks. I am not looking forward to his leaving again. He's been gone so much at this point. However, we're fortunate that business is picking up.

Kyler is currently doing state testing at school(OAKS-Oregon Assessment of Knowledge and Skill). He more than exceeded! His teacher was beyond impressed with his scores, as are we.

Happy May!!