6 Years of Happily Ever After

Six years ago today, Seth and I were sealed together in the temple and our Tate Family was established. We loved our little (tiny) apartment downtown and loved being in walking distance to the temple. We were so in love (and pretty darn sappy) and so excited to spend every moment together.

Nine months later, we bought our first house and got a (rambunctious) puppy. We tried obedience training. We loved her like a baby. She was a good dog, but still crazy. I graduated from college. We were so in love and excited to be living our dreams.

In another 8 months, Morgan joined our family! We doted and took pictures and video taped endless footage of him laying on his back looking at stuff. Seth graduated from school and got a great job. We were so in love and so happy to be parents.

Not quite 2 years after that, we got another puppy. This one was less rambunctious, but oh.was.she.a.puppy. She yipped and peed and howled. And we loved her, and cuddled her, and counted our blessings that we had so many little lives to love. We were so in love and excited for the next big step in our lives...

10 days later, our first baby girl was born and we were smitten! Chloe was beautiful and sweet and we couldn't imagine our lives without her. We worried for her safety and well-being with a big brother who was not quite 2...but he loved her, and she loved him, and it was the start of a beautiful friendship. I quit my job to be a stay-at-home mom. We enjoyed watching Chloe learn so much, so fast. We played together as a family every spare moment we had. We were so in love and wondered how we got so lucky to be living in this fairy tale.

Another year later Seth got accepted to the DNP (doctor of nurse practice) program on his first try. So, feeling like we could take on the world, we decided to build a garage before he started. It was hard. It was long. It was stressful. It is (still) not quite finished. We were so in love - even when we were too exhausted to realize it - and impatiently anticipated getting back to our fairy tale.

A few months later, Seth started school. It was busy. There was a lot of homework. Breaks were never long enough. I spent a lot of time by myself (if you can call hanging out with 2 kids and 2 dogs by yourself) and in my pregnant state, felt inadequate to do it all. Between work, school, kids, and sleep, we only saw each other in passing. We were so in love and missing each other so much.

Another few months passed and we had to say goodbye to our sweet puppy #2. We found her a wonderful home. And we cried. and cried. and cried. And we missed her like crazy. But we knew she was happy. And we were happy too. We were so in love and so excited for a new chapter of our lives to start...

Less than a month later, Brynn joined our family. She was tiny and beautiful and amazing! Her big brother and sister were smitten! Her mommy and daddy were smitten! We took thousands of pictures and carved out more family time. We adjusted to 3 babies. We couldn't keep up with it all. We relied on each other and relished our time together. We took some time off to get away...all of us...and it was good. We were so in love and feeling so blessed.

So now, here we are, six years later. We have had ups and downs, blessings and trials, but that is what life is all about. I feel blessed to have held Seth's hand through it all. As I watched conference last weekend, I couldn't help but feel immensely blessed as I listened to the talks. Seth is the epitome of temperance. His highest priority is our family. I have never wondered for a day of my marriage whether he loves me, because he tells me every day and he shows me every day. As I see the good in my children, I know that it is due, in large part, to the father that Seth is. They know he loves them because he tells them and shows them.

Right now, we enjoy our family so much. We count our blessings that three sweet spirits were sent to our family. We have learned so much about love from them and it just gets better as they grow. We find joy in the relationships our children have with each other. We are making more time for each other, despite the busy schedules. We are working on becoming better individuals. We love spending time together: laughing, playing, working, learning, serving, and occasionally relaxing. We are grateful for the gospel. We are happy. Most of all, we are so in love and looking down the road of our life with excitement and anticipation, because it is true what they say...it just gets better with time!

Houseguest

Last Friday marked our first "visitation" arrangement with Roxy and she came to stay with us until last night. It was so nice to have her with us and realize just how good this whole arrangement really is. We certainly miss her, but she is doing so much better and really thriving with the one-on-one love and attention she is getting in her new home. She and Callie were right back to teasing each other like siblings, but they were much more controlled about it. Morgan and Chloe were so happy to see her and we loved all the cuddles!

She was so well behaved - we always wished we had been able to devote the time and attention to her training that she is getting now - and it was evident that she missed us even though she loves her new home. The first thing she did when she got to our house was search for Seth. But, since he wasn't there, she had to settle for me and the kids. She sure loves her daddy!

Callie has improved her behavior significantly too. She is more obedient and responsive to commands and generally seems happier. I thought that the timing of this visit might be a little stressful with the baby coming and all, but it was a delight. We are truly blessed to have found Roxy such a wonderful home. It has been a blessing for everyone involved even though it has been hard. Thanks for visiting sweet Roorie - we love you!

Roxy Update

I realize that I have not posted an update about the Roxy situation (mostly because I knew that doing so would make me cry) so here it is.

Roxy officially has a new home. Her owner loves her to pieces and is already spoiling her rotten. Roxy is happy there. She loves the attention and is behaving herself very well (other than jumping the fence and going for a jog around the neighborhood - the new owner was warned of this tendancy to run, but didn't believe us). She is learning new tricks and getting the time and devotion she needs.

Things around here are so much calmer. There is less chaos, less food stolen from children (more realistically, given to dogs by children), and much less dog food comsumed (Roxy ate double what Callie eats in a day). In addition, Callie has been so much better behaved. I think that Callie got used to being "the dog" who was showered with love and attention and at the same time she had another baby to share the spotlight with, she also had another dog to share it with.

I, however, am still a little heartbroken. I know that this was the right choice for our family and for Roxy and I am so happy to know that Roxy is getting what she needs, but I still miss her. I wish that I could have been a better mommy to her and that we had more space and that I had more energy, but I hope that she knew she was loved when she was here. I often still cry when I think that she is gone or when I drive by her new neighborhood or when Chloe calls Callie "Roxy Roo" but I find comfort knowing she is safe, happy and coming back to hang out with us for a whole week this month. Also, the use of my back landing for something other than a dog kennel has been delightful!

Lonely

Well, I am almost finished with all of my "pending" projects so I can get back to blogging all the stuff on my list, but in the meantime I thought I'd give you an update.

Roxy is gone to "try out" her new home for the weekend. It has been nearly 24 hours and luckily I have kept busy enough today to only get emotional about it a couple of times. The first was this morning when I let Callie in from going potty - the realization that there were only 4 little feet to wipe off put me right over the edge and I sat on the stairs sobbing. Ironically, wiping dog feet to avoid wet, muddy footprints all over the house is one of my least favorite chores - especially since bending over to do it is not all that comfortable in my very pregnant state.

Callie isn't sure what to think of the whole thing. She has been peeking out the front window more frequently today, wondering where her buddy is. I don't think she minded having room to spread out at the foot of our bed this morning though, and she has been significantly better behaved and easy to manage today.

Morgan seems fine with the whole thing, but Chloe keeps calling Callie, "Roxy Roo", which kind of breaks my heart. I keep reminding myself how happy Roxy probably is at her new home, but it is still a little lonely here without her. Funny that after all the extra work, effort and energy that sweet "puppy" has required of me, she still has a big place in my heart. Part of me wouldn't be too disappointed if she didn't behave during her weekend away and ended up coming back home.

Bittersweet

The prospect of another child and the fact that we are staying in our tiny house for a couple more years have been weighing on my mind for the past few months.

Since Seth started school, our poor doggies have really been negected when it comes to getting out and running around (I take sole responsibility for this neglect, but give me some credit - I am 7 months pregnant and 2 kids plus 2 dogs are more than I can handle on a walk by myself - honestly, the walk itself is just about more than I can handle!). This makes for 2 very stir crazy dogs that fight playfully with each other all day long, have started barking at passerby's more frequently and are constantly wanting to go out and come back in.

So, after much reflection and thought, I suggested to Seth that it may be in everyone's best interest to find another home for one of the dogs (this was a while ago). Everyone seems to think that dog would be Callie, but, despite my recently developed fondness for her, it is actually Roxy. Callie was our first little baby and I just couldn't bear losing her. Also, while Callie is the better behaved dog at our house, Roxy is better behaved for and around other people. My thinking was that someone who took Callie in would likely not want to keep her as she is certainly a handful, but Roxy would be a joy to have in a one-dog household and would probably adjust much better. Seth was not keen on the idea at first, but after thinking it over, realized that it would really be better for everyone and agreed to put our feelers out. He did have some specific conditions, however, involving "visitation" rights and occasional opportunities to dog-sit, which narrowed the selection of possible owners to close family and friends.

I had nearly given up on the idea of becoming a 1 dog family, but last week Seth came home from work and told me about a friend at work who lives close-by and was interested in taking in our little Roxy-Roo and letting us dog-sit about once a month. It seems that she will be able to provide a great life for Roxy and give her the attention she needs and deserves. After mulling it over for a couple of days, we have decided to give it a try. We have one more week with her, before we give her up for the trial-run that will likely become permanent, and it is very bittersweet.

On one hand, I am excited to be able to answer the door while holding back only one barking dog, get rid of the kennel from our back landing, not have to break up dog-fights all day long, not have to hear growling every time one of them wants the spot the other one has, and spend less money on dog food, bones and toys. But, on the other hand, I am sure going to miss those floppy little ears, her saggy face, the warm furry ball at my feet when I get into bed, the way Chloe excitedly says, "Roxy-Roo!" whenever she sees her, and the endless doggy kisses (okay, maybe I won't miss the slobber so much). In fact, as I sit here typing, I can't help but get all teary just thinking about it. In fact often when I see her lately, I get very emotional. She has definitely become a part of our family and we will definitely feel a void when she is gone.

Latest Happenings

My blogging absence has been due to the flu: Morgan flu, Chloe flu and Roxy flu. The worst of the 3 being Roxy flu which has lasted the entire week! If only I could train Roxy in the art of the red bowl! Luckily, I think everyone is finally over it and we can get our lives and laundry routine back to normal. Whew! So here is my catch up!

Monday for FHE we decided to make sugar cookies, decorate them all Halloweeny and take them to our buddies. We had so much fun cutting out the cookies with cookie cutters (sadly, this is the first time either of my children have experienced this), frosting them and sprinkling them...at least the first dozen or so. Then the kids were done and I was left with oodles of cookies to finish all by myself! Of course that was the night everyone started throwing up, so we didn't want to chance infesting our buddies with the flu and kept the dozens of cookies. I did send a bunch that I knew the kids hadn't helped decorate with Seth to work, though, and they enjoyed them.

Morgan had his preschool halloween party on Thursday and got to wear his farmer costume, which he loved, and then we went out to lunch with Grandpa Mark at the Olive Garden after the kids modeled their costumes for him. Yum!

Friday, we spent the day cleaning up more doggy flu messes and doing lots and lots of laundry until it was time to get in our costumes and head to Grandma Becky's for chili in pumpkin bread bowls and more costume modeling. Since we knew that Chili was on the menu, we didn't change Chloe into her costume until after dinner, but she looked darn cute in her Halloween outfit!

Chloe's first encounter with Trick or Treat - so, if I say "trick or treat" they put candy in there?

We met up with lots of our buddies at Trunk or Treat and then went Trick or Treating for about an hour before heading back to our house for donuts, hot chocolate and hot cider. It was so much fun! By about 8:30 the kids were ready to hit the hay from such a long and fun day. This is the first year that I have really enjoyed Halloween since I was in Jr. High. It was so cute to watch the kids go trick or treating. They were in heaven! Morgan was so polite saying "Thank You" at every door and was running ahead with his buddies to every house they spotted with the lights on! Chloe liked trick or treating more than I could have ever imagined! Seth carried her on his shoulders for most of the time and she would not let him skip any of the houses the other kids got to go to. She would point and say "treat" incessantly until he would give in and take her up! She said "trick or treat" at every door and was so pleased that the result was candy for her pumpkin! Morgan got in the stroller and told me that he was ready to go home and get donuts and hot chocolate, but Chloe was still wanting more! As I watched them trek up to every door, I just kept thinking how darling they were getting all excited about all of this candy. They made it out with a HAUL! We have so much candy I don't even know what to do with all of it.

Seth loves Halloween - especially Trick or Treating. He would go whether we had kids or not! This year he dressed up as white trash and yes, he had his own bag of candy!

This was Seth's outfit of choice for answering the door to trick or treaters after the kids went to bed. Even though Seth has more hair for the clips, the ears look much cuter on Chloe I think!

Saturday was the funeral for my Grandpa Bell (paternal Grandpa). He had been battling 2 different forms of terminal cancer in hospice care for the last 6 or so months and so we were grateful for the end of his suffering. I didn't expect it to be such an emotional day for me, but I found myself completely exhausted from all of the tears and juggling two very candy-wired children by myself as Seth had a mandatory training for work. It was so nice to remember all of the good times with Grandpa - many that I had long since forgotten - and to spend time with family that we very rarely see.

Anyway, that's what we've been up to! Hope everyone had a Happy Halloween! And seriously, is it already November? Crazy!

Sick as a Dog

So, I must reclaim my negative comments about my little Roxy. It probably wasn't her fault she pooped in her kennel. She now has some sort of stomach bug and cannot control her nasty pooping, so the poor thing has had to spend the better part of 2 days outside in the backyard heat. Currently she is sleeping on my bed , but as soon as she moves from her sleeping position, it is back to the yard! I have to say that I am glad Seth came home early so he could deal with all of the potty messes before Roxy got quarantined to the yard! So, everyone keep your fingers crossed that Roxy's bug passes quickly...mostly for Seth's sake!

Potty Woes

Warning: Prepare for some potty talk or skip this post.

I can officially say that Morgan is completely potty trained. He goes to the potty of his own accord (even poop). No asking or reminders from me, no more rewards for going, just a happily trained big kid! So painless and wonderful!

Then there's Roxy...potty training Roxy took more than 6 months of frequent accidents and finally having to leave the door completely open all the time for her to get it! That is a crazy long time for a dog! That said, she is now 1 1/2 years old and we still leave her in her kennel whenever we leave the house. I was thinking this was a little extreme, she hasn't had an accident in a while and she doesn't really chew stuff anymore, but today I was validated (unfortunatley)! I let the dogs out 3 or 4 times this morning to run, potty and socialize with the neighbor dogs. Then I put Roxy in her kennel when we left for swimming lessons. Less than an hour later when we walked in the door from swimming lessons, I smelled an icky stench. That is right people, my idiot dog pooped in her kennel and proceeded to step in it and make a nasty dirty mess. For any of you not well versed in dog training...dogs do NOT go to the bathroom in their kennels because it plays on the instinct of a lair and they would never do that in their lair. Our crazy dog is just full on retarded about going to the bathroom! Well, I got everything cleaned up without vomiting (thanks again to the toothpaste trick Seth taught me) and gave Roxy a very vigorous bath. This is why Seth likes Roxy much more than I do...he always misses these wonderful moments with her!

Fun at the Cabin

Last week we spent a couple of nights at my family's cabin east of Oakley. We had so much fun bumming around in our jammies, sledding, snowshoeing, reading, watching movies, and even organizing pictures. I didn't even take shampoo (which is utterly amazing, if you know me well).

The kids were so cute the whole time (and they even slept through the night Tuesday) that we took hundreds of pictures. So, instead of choosing a couple to represent, I am sharing all of them with you via slideshow!

If you are asked for a password, click here to view the slideshow. You will have to enter a password there, but there is a hint (I am working to fix the slideshow technical difficulties).