Sunday, July 31, 2011

A Girls Best Friend


What a blessing my lil Riley has been over the past 12 years. She's quickly approaching 14 years of age and we're not sure how much longer she'll be with us. She has some health issues that are making me think her time with us is coming to an end.

Riley and I became a pair when she was 2. I was 19. She helped me stay sane and calm during finals in college, we would decompress at the dog beach during crazy wedding planning, and after Russ and I were married she helped our first apartment feel like a home. She moved with us to Virginia and I'd hold her and cry because I was homesick. She would always know when I was feeling sad.

Riley knew I was pregnant (both times) before I did. She would follow me around and stay put on my heels. She'd lay over my tummy and growl at Russ when he would walk by (this was soooo not like her). She'd nip at anyone who would try to touch me. She would follow me to the toilet and stay at my feet when I puked. And when I brought my babies home she loved them instantly. Jayda and Lilly have never known a world without Riley. She just sits and takes the ear tugs, the hair pulling, the kisses, and the rough hugs. She's put on a few lbs (she went from 6lbs to 8lbs) once the kids started self-feeding. She follows them around and shares their snacks all day. She often has sticky stuff on her fur from Lilly's dirty little fingers petting and loving on her throughout the day. When the girls run and play, Riley is right there in the mix barking and nipping at their heels. They all love it.

She sulks and pouts when she sees our luggage and crawls inside the bags while we try to pack...she knows we are going somewhere and chances are she's not invited. She gets sad. Her entire attitude changes and she mopes around till we return.

She's truly more than a pet. She's a friend. She's my buddy. She's irreplaceable. She'll be loved for every minute of every day until that time comes when she is ready to go to doggy heaven....which I'm hoping will not be for about 60 years.


Sunday, July 24, 2011

Jayda-isims

Jayda lets a really loud "toot" while in the car yesterday. Then 2 minutes later she did it again with an even bigger one. I look at her in the rear view mirror and while rolling her eyes and letting out a deep sigh says, "Ugh. I can't take my butt anywhere."
___________
At the dinner table Jayda asks:
J: Mommy...am I like you or daddy?
Me: You're like both of us. You're half daddy and half mommy because we both made you with our hearts and bodies.
J: (exasperated while saying) How can I be half dad if I'M A WOMAN (she yells while slamming her fist down on the table).
___________
I picked Jayda up from school today and she was quite melancholy. This was our conversation about why she was so sad:
Jayda: MOM! I had the worst day of my life today! I'm just heartbroken!
Me: WHY?? What' happened at school?
Jayda: Christopher doesn't want to be my boyfriend anymore! He has been my boyfriend my whole life...for like almost a week since I was 4 years old and I don't even remember being 4 years old...that's how long he's been my boyfriend and now he's being mean. It hurt me bad!
Me: I'm sorry baby. Did it hurt your heart?
Jayda: Yes. And it hurt me here, and here, and here, and here (each "here" was said as she did the sign of the cross over her body). Remember when Jesus died on the cross?
Me: Yes.
Jayda: Well it hurt me like that!...ONLY WORSE!
Me: (dying of laughter): I'm so sorry honey. That's really tragic.
Jayda: I know! And it's also sad because he stabbed me with a pencil in my nickel (which is what jayda calls her nipples)! I had to have an ice pack and have my teacher look at my boobie.
Me: What? Were you okay? Why would he do that to you?
Jayda: I don't know. I don't know anything anymore.
_____________
Jayda got a new necklace with three charms...
Jayda: "Mom, see this key charm? Do you know what it reminds me of?"
Me: "what babe?"
Jayda: "the keys to the gospel." "and do you know what this heart charm reminds me of?"
Me: "what?"
Jayda: "It reminds me that Jesus loves me so much." "and do you know what this peace sign charm reminds me of?"
Me (as I prepare to hear more about jesus or church): "What does it remind you of?"
Jayda: "it reminds me to NOT watch Hanna Montana because it's so trashy."
__________
Russ and I were getting ready to go on a date the other night and she says, "I'm so glad you guys are leaving because I need a serious break from you."
Russ: "You do? Why do you need a break from us?"
Jayda: "because you guys are killing me today."
__________
Jayda did something really nice for her sister without being asked and cleaned her room without being asked so I surprised her and gave her a dollar bill as a reward. She got a big smile on her face and said, "thanks mom! I'm saving up to buy a cat when Riley dies."
_________
My mom is visiting and Jayda gets so excited that she forgets I'm even alive. I gave her a hug yesterday morning and said "Jayda, I miss you. I haven't had any time with you since Gram has been here because you just spend all your time with her. I wanna snuggle." To which Jayda replied, "sorry mom. life is full of disappointment."
_________
I was on my way out the door to present to about 100 teenage girls on how to dress modestly and fashionably. As I'm running out the door, Jayda says "mom. is that what you are wearing?"
I reply "yes."
Jayda then says, "interesting choice" and walks away.
Great. Now I'm second guessing my decision because of what a 5 year old said. (and yes, in case you're wondering...I ran upstairs and changed!)
interesting choice.
_________
I took Jayda shopping last Friday night for a backpack for kindergarten. After going to about 5 stores she says "these backpacks are lame! I just wanna take a coach bag."

Last Day of Preschool. :(

The second to last day of school was "pirate day."

Then, the last day came. The very last day of pre-school. ever.

Jayda thought it was fantastic.

I cried.

This is all going waaaaaaay too fast for me.

I can only imagine what it will be like on her 1st day of kindergarten. I may need to be sedated.



Sunday, July 17, 2011

Easter

We had a great Easter again this year!

We enjoyed a fun egg hunt and picnic with friends and then celebrated His Resurrection on Sunday. It was a great weekend filled with friends, family, and gratitude.