Project #1 Finished!

I got this idea from another blogger I found, A Penny Saved, I made it on my own for about $6 (I already had the frame). It was fun and pretty easy to make :) I'm feeling pretty successful hopefully I'll be able to keep up the projects!

Dash

I know I just posted this picture, but we have sad news today. Dash passed away. :( We are all very torn up about it. I can't stop crying. We only had him a week but we got so attached to this great little guy. Dash ended up getting vaccinations on Wednesday and since then he'd been getting sicker and sicker. He was just wasting away. We took him back to the vet and they gave him some medicine, they didn't inform me of what it was, and some fluids and sent him home. Mind you they kept him for 2 1/2 hours and he still had a fever when they said it was ok to take him home! Today we had to RUSH him to an emergency vet and within 2 hours they said his red blood cells were breaking themselves down, which caused him to be anemic, and something was wrong with his liver enzymes. So it was either a blood transfusion or letting him go. I made the HARD decision to just let go. (Which is making me cry all over again) But He was just too weak and small to handle a transfusion and come out of it. I am very mad at our FORMER vet, for not catching it sooner so he did not have to suffer. They will be getting a phone call.

I'm sorry Dash that we couldn't do more for you and we miss you very much. I love you.

A Prayer

Things have been happening in my life lately, some are joyous, others are terrifying. Through it all, I try to find God's plan in all that is placed before me.

When we were searching for a house I got discouraged many times but at my worst, I lifted my problems to God, knowing he had a plan for me and my family. Sure enough as soon as I gave in, admitted I had been asking for too much, and put my full faith in Him, God provided us with everything we needed and a few things we wanted.

I believe God put challenges in our paths to test us and show us He is here, if we'll only listen. People wonder, "Why did this happen to me?" Maybe God has a plan for everything He lets happen. Maybe a family member dies, maybe you lose a job, maybe someone you love gets cancer. He has a purpose. You have something to learn from every experience and maybe He is testing you whether you'll run to Him or run away. My advice? Run. Run to Him. Run with such a passion, as if your life depended on it.

I also believe if God doesn't answer your prayers, He has something else in mind. Or maybe your asking for the wrong reason. I know I have, but I've also had my prayers answered. Once I prayed during a long day of wild fires breaking out all over Oklahoma. The news kept saying the firefighters were worn out and if only the wind would slow down they could have a chance of getting ahead of the burn line and get it under control. I proceeded to pray for the wind to slow. To slow even just a little. I pleaded with God, I was scared. I asked him to slow the wind to help the firefighters, who were exhausted, they needed His help. Within seconds of sending out my prayer, the news anchor come on and said the wind speed dropped!! Don't get me wrong I've asked for many things and they were not answered, not even close. Yes, I was disappointed. But I realized He must have something else in mind for me. And He did.

God listens and God reacts. God challenges but He also holds us up when we need Him the most.

I do NOT believe God punishes people. I do not think He just ignores us and therefore bad things happen. He has a plan. He might be standing by letting something "bad" happen, but I believe the whole time He is watching us closely seeing what we will do.

Run. Run to Him. He will save you. He will teach you through each of your experiences even if they seem horrible, scary, or life threatening.

TRUST, LISTEN, PRAY.

God, I ask you to be with us throughout our days, just walk with us every step we take. I ask you to guide me and those around me on the paths you want us to take. Remind us that you are here. Surprise us when we need you most. God, I love you, I want to serve you every day of my life. Show me the way. I also ask for you to heal my step-mom, Allison. Keep faith, and hope alive in her and all those who surround her. Lay your hands on her right now, and help her through this trying time, she needs you. We all need you. I pray that you keep her and my dad strong through all of this. It might not be an easy road ahead but help us keep our eyes on you. I thank you for all the blessings you've given me. Thank you for giving me just what I need, even if I ask for more. God, please forgive me of my sins. I know I make mistakes daily, and I'm sorry for them, please forgive me so I can spend eternity with you. In Jesus' Name I Pray, AMEN.

Animals!

Well, our other cat didn't work out :( She just didn't seem to be happy in our household (probably too crazy for her). So we took her back and picked out this adorable kitten! We named him Dash, and he's very brave, tough, and full of personality! We're getting our practice of having another baby with Dash, we constantly have to watch him and watch Aiden when they are together, because he likes to pick him up a lot, and sometimes not so nicely.

Here is my pup also. Isn't she pretty? :) She likes Dash, we've actually caught her trying to play, she just isn't quite sure how to go about it.
And Benson, still my favorite cat around! He was actually scared of the tiny kitty when we first brought him home but now he grooms him and is starting to play! :) I think everyone is finally happy!

New Member of the Family and the 4th!

Here is our new cat! She is still really shy and secluded but she's taken to Mikey very well, which is good because she's his cat. :) We found out that if you scratch her nose she opens her mouth! It's the funniest thing. And we realized she is a cat that can't climb! She just doesn't seem to know how! And she's two!
Here is the new kitty, Mikey, and my sister playing cards!Since the fireworks were canceled on the 4th we had a family fun night of card playing and watching a movie. I had a lot of fun and I think they did too. :)

For the first year we bought fireworks! But (above) Mikey decided to light a whole bunch of short sparklers at once...yeah it exploded in his hand! Don't worry his hand just got singed but Daddy said it was time to go inside I think he had enough fun for the evening. That is a picture of where he threw down the very hot sticks. Haha :)

Aiden liked the really long sparklers and the little snappers or poppers (whatever they are called). This is him throwing them.

I started another summer class yesterday so hopefully soon I will find time to do some crafty stuff and post that too!

The Year Halfway Done

So I added it up and today marks the exact middle of the year. So I wanted to take a look at what has happened in the first half.

Aiden turned 2 and I turned 23.
Moved into my mom's house.
Joined a life group for married couples!
The hubby got a new car, and sold my old truck.
Had our first Aiden and Mommy day.
Quit my job at the gym.
Went to school and had my first summer class.
Decided to quit my other job and go to school more than full time in the fall (17 hours).
Helped out in my first MicroMission.
Started joining in on more community helping projects (Serving at the homeless shelter and A Day without Shoes)
Did home projects for both parents.
Started dog training and now agility classes. (Still need to get pictures of our work)
Aiden got potty trained and weaned from breastfeeding!
Mikey passed his NREMT, which certifies him to work as an EMT.
Aiden started a gym tumbling class.
Witnessed a wedding.
And a mission group leaving for Africa.
Went to our first comedy show!
A tornado came through our town, and God answered my prayers.
We had our 2nd wedding anniversary.
And yet again God answered my prayers and helped me find the perfect house to rent! (He's been doing that a lot throughout the year!)

And just recently moved!!
Which went great! It was just Mikey and I moving EVERYTHING and we did it with a U-Haul in less than 8 hours and 3 trips! We're amazing, I know. Our new house has a garage, a dishwasher, a garbage disposal, a large fenced backyard, two large bedrooms, and a low deposit! And to top it off they knocked off $25 off the monthly rent! God is GREAT! He provided us with everything we wanted and needed.

I would've put up pictures but my computer crashed yesterday and all my pictures are on it :( boo. I'll have to catch up on it later. I hope someone is reading this...please comment so I know your out there.