Home Sweet Home

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Zac and I really had an enjoyable evening with the amazing Lewis' who have truly been a God send to us since nearly the day we got here to Alaska. We were able to enjoy some amazing food, yummy pies, and fun games with great people.

Well Mocha is officially home. Her previous owner came over this evening to take Oreo to his new home and it was sad because after two weeks with them both in our home and as amazing as they both are they were wonderful to have around. Zac and I both enjoyed the time we had. Also it was sad seeing the way Mocha was when Oreo was first gone. Unfortunately we just could not take them both. That would have been way too much and they were not able to find a home that would take them both. I am just happy to say that we could at least give this little lady a safe home and I am happy to say that Oreo has also found a loving home with young children to keep him happy and busy.

As for Mocha I just couldn't resist getting her a few early Christmas gifts to hopefully help her adjust to her new life and help her realize that she is now home. Zac has been at her side the whole time so I know she is loving that. And she really seems to love her new bed! She is now snoozing there as I type. Now lets just hope that Riley will come around downstairs more now that it is just one dog who isn't aggressive and that once Earl gets here to Alaska he will adjust well also. I am still just so amazed how much life and good feeling a dog brings into the home.

P.S. In case you didn't notice Zac's hair in the top picture he is very proud of how it is growing out and starting to get the flippy's in the back and along the sides. About 2 weeks ago we finally actually got a little trim to get it cleaned up but he insisted that it only be a trim because he really wants to let it grow out! So my little boy now has opinions on his hair but thankfully he still doesn't care too much about what he wears so I still feel like I have my kiddo that lets me take care of him!

Fun in the Snow

We are seeing white everywhere we look. After getting some groceries we came home to do the shoveling. Once that was done we went across the street to a small hill there so Zach could take his board for some rides. He loved it and had a lot of fun but I was freezing! Thought you would all enjoy seeing Zach enjoying the snow.

Addition to the family...

Well for some more current updates: For the last week we have been dog sitting Oreo and Mocha for a coworker. She got orders to the lower 48 and sold her house and was trying to get it all clean and the puppies weren't getting enough attention so she asked if Zach would be willing to run them for a few days. Of course it was not a problem as they are house trained, kennel trained and just amazing dogs. They are both so affectionate and sweet and love Zach.

Sadly for their owner she found out how expensive it was going to be to fly these two back to the lower 48 and decided that with her human baby being born in a few months a few thousand dollars was a lot of money that she would really be able to do a lot with. I know she is heart broke as she has had both Oreo and Mocha since they were puppies. Well, I am happy to say that with much pleading on my part to Kevin we are going to keep Mocha safe in our home and make sure she is loved for the rest of her life. Kevin was hesitant with the passing of Champ not to long ago and he really wasn't sure that we needed more commotion going on but knowing that she is so well behaved and so mellow and hearing how much Zach and I have both fallen in love with her he agreed as long as he didn't have to claim her she could stay. And he made it known that he was not picking up poop or anything! I know that it won't take long for him to warm up to her though because you just can't help it. I know at first glance she is not so easy on the eyes but if you spent 2 minutes with her you would see the most ugly cuteness you will ever see. She is actually a yellow lab/jack russel terrior mix. So she loves to run but the minute she is indoors she just chills out and calms down. I know Oreo will find a loving and good home. He is a gentle giant. I just couldn't stand to watch Mocha have to leave and not be given the chance to show someone how great she is. I love her presence and the excitement she brings to Zach. He spends most of his time playing tug-o-war and hide and seek now! Yes she loves to run around and find where he is hiding!

Who could turn down that beautiful sweet face. I couldn't let her go to a shelter! She has made herself at home already I think. She is a perfect lady and I look forward to her spending the rest of her life with our family.

Let it snow. Let it snow. Let it snow.

At about 2 in the afternoon I headed into the office for a bit to get an online CPR class done. When I walked out at 4 only 2 hours later the snow was a comin' down. Everything was already white and it had to be at least an inch already. When Zac and I got home we decided to shovel even though when we wake up in the morning it will be as if we never did. We have discovered though at least for Zac as long as the snow is still the fluffy soft snow that the broom works just as good as the shovel. Honestly as long as it is Zac getting the workout I don't care what he uses! He did an awesome job and in the spirit of just being Zac he decided to do the neighbors drive and sidewalk also. But like I said before, come morning they might not even notice that it was touched!

Purple is the color I see......

Zach had his first test last night for Tang Soo Do. He did absolutely great and I am so proud of him. He had to learn his first form and go through some other steps at the direction of his instructor. He did great and they even got to break a board! He was so excited. So after the testing and Zach was awarded his Purple Belt and he is just so happy and excited and already talking about the next forms that he has to learn for the next step up. I am glad that he enjoys this but just all know he is still talking about getting back on the ice and wanting to play hockey still so it looks as if I will be figuring out the schedules for both and hoping that they will work together!

Brighter days......

Kevin sent me this picture of Anna and Leah from Halloween. They look so great but I am still trying to figure out who had more fun. The girls who got to dress up and get the candy or Dad who got to enjoy some of the candy! I was amazed to hear that the weather was actually quite warm in Minot this year. The past couple of years there was always snow on the ground so I was jealous as it was in the 20's here in Anchorage!

Aside from Halloween and feeling under the weather Kevin and I have been waiting to hear what was going to happen with his orders here to Alaska. About 2 weeks ago he got his rip down saying he was selected to come here (thankfully) but when he started to go through the medical process to get his hard copies he hit a bump. So it has been a long couple of weeks but with some emotional ups and downs and the help of some really great people yesterday we got the news that he is cleared and the light is now brighter than ever at the end of our tunnel. Kevin and I have had a rough couple of years and I just look forward to overcoming all of that and enjoying all that life will bring our way! So now lets just keep him in our thoughts that the house sales quickly and that everything else goes smoothly for him there in Minot.

An eventful week!

Well, it really was, an eventful week that is. To start it off we had a fun Halloween. Zach was an amazing Shadow Ninja. He loved it every second. We went "trick or treating" and lasted a good bit before Zach finally confessed that he was cold so we headed home. He got more candy that I could ever ask for. No I mean it. More than I would ever ask for! Then we headed home and I got in my costume. I was a doctor! I thought I pulled it off pretty good. Grey's Anatomy here I come......So then we headed to the Lewis' where they had a great get together and the kids danced into the night eating candy and playing games.

On Sunday I woke up feeling under the weather and later in the day it hit Zach. Things got pretty ugly so we headed to the hospital and I have to say it was a quick visit! That has to be the first time that has ever happened to me in an ER. They got both Zach and my vitals then had us back in a room where they hooked us up with two beds and had an IV in both of us! We both got 2 bags of fluids along with some medicine to calm the nausea. Zach I believe was back to his normal self asking for McDonald's the very next day. Me on the other hand it took me a few days to really come around. I am really just now feeling up to normal food again.