Changes.. . . .

I took a little break from the world of blogging but now I'm back.

 

Our house has been through a bunch of changes in the past 4 months, and I'm hoping that we have met our new level of normal and happiness. 

 

Changes in review:

 

After a two years of trying to make it work, Brian and I separated for good.  We decided that in order to be the best people we could be, we needed to be able to embark on our own individual journeys and be in charge of our own destinies.  It has been a hard change, but a good change for everyone. 

 

Truman passed away leaving a giant whole in my heart. I still cry daily and miss him so much.  I will always remember his happy go lucky demeanor, and his ability to get in trouble without trying.  They say it gets easier. . . I don't believe it.  It just becomes different. 

My friend Spyder painted this of Truman.  I feel his presence every time I look at it.  

I adopted a greyhound puppy from Amarillo, TX.  Emma named him "Rooster Rootbeer Bob." 

 He has been a blessing and is probably one of the best puppies I have ever met.  He is a good distraction for all of us, and brings great joy into our lives.

Tucker is an old man at 15, and in relatively good health and is as mean as ever :)  He just went though surgery to remove a mass from his lower eyelid and is recovering amazingly well.  

 

 

I finally took life by the horns and decided it was time to build myself a proper sewing studio.  My collars are now in 25 stores in the Pacific Northwest and my house had turned into an episode of "Hoarders."  I made this a priority and after 3 months, I have officially moved in and my studio/sweatshop is in full swing.  . . . .complete with dog couch.

 

So all in all, I can't complain. . . .we are healthy, happy, and are looking for even more changes for 2013!

RIP Truman Montgomery

I've been writing this post in my head for over a month. . . but am finally able to do it. 


I am sad to announce that Truman Montgomery Anderson Schroeder left this world on December 2nd. He left our lives as suddenly as he entered it.. . .and in pure Truman fashion he scored two croissants off the counter hours before he passed away.










If you are reading this, I'm sure you know how special he was to me. He was the goofiest, naughtiest, free spirit of a dog that has ever lived. If he wasn't getting into trouble he was snuggling with me on the couch or making Emma laugh. 

Truman was a lab in a greyhound body; he was outgoing, competed in obedience, he swam, he fetched, and most of all he stole the hearts of everyone he met.

He was my heart dog through and through and is now a beautiful angel. . . .

and I miss him dearly. 

 

Quote of the week

My favorite quote of the week,

"Mama, you need to understand. . . .I'm an artist"

 

 

Um, that explains it all.  Ha Ha Ha.

 

On that note. . here's her newest "abstract" that she's proudly hanging above her bed.

 

Not only is she an "artist", she's a clown.  She decided that she wanted to be greyhound and sport our newest Hello Kitty martingale. 

 

What a silly girl!

 

And is there anything cuter than sparkly little toes?

Epic!!

Yesterday was the perfect day.

 

Em and I started the day by meeting my good friends Courtney and Heather for brunch.   

 

 

 After brunch we hit the bookstore and then went for a mani/pedi to celebrate Em's birthday.  Em was a true gem.  She sat patient during her full manicure and pedicure and loved every minute of it.  

 

Yesterday evening Em and I headed over to Charlie's for her fabulous autumn party.

 

I was amazed, Emma walked right in, joined the festivities, and perused the crowd like a professional.  I couldn't help but stand back and watch her in wonder as she engaged with nearly everyone in the room.  My meek, shy, tooth picking toddler has been replaced by a gregarious, engaging, confident little girl.  I am so proud of the little lady she has become.

 

If you ask Emma what the highlight of the night was, she'll tell you

 

Jumping on Charlie's bed

and washing dishes with Stephen

And my favorite part of the day was all of it. . . There's nothing better than being with good friends and being able to share my life with this wonderful little girl. Emma truly is a blessing and I am thankful for everyday that we get to spend together.

The kid. . . .

Oh Emma.  Where to start?

 

  I always get asked by friends and family "what is Emma like these days?" 

 

Well, Emma is definitely her mother's child.   

Emma is bossy, opinionated, independent and very stubborn.  She's definitely got a will of her own and I have hopes that she will be a very strong woman.  I can truly handle these traits because she has another side to her that is very sweet, empathetic, caring, and loving. 

 

From her father she's inherited her love of drawing, running, and an "off" sense of humor.. . . one that only the two of them find funny.  Want to make her laugh? Just say "cat butter" or "banana pants".  These two phrases can have her laughing for hours. . as long as you're willing to say them over and over again. . . .(yep, cat butter.  I can thank Charlie for that one). 

 

Emma is still a great eater and has a palette that rivals most grown ups.  She eats most everything.  Well everything except for eggs and scallops.  I was beginning to think that it is a texture thing. . . but she'll eat muscles and clams.  Steamed mussels and clam chowder?  No problem.  She will eagerly down them like a champ.  So who knows.  I'm just greatful that she'll usually eat what I'm eating and we don't have food battles. 

Emma loves animals.  She loves books.  She loves hanging out with her friend Lucy.  She loves Cheetos (I did say she was my kid).  She loves preschool.  She loves ballet.  And after two years of swim lessons. . . she finally loves swimming.

For the most part, Emma is your typical almost 4 year old with a lot to share. . especially when it comes to her opinion and giving hugs.  She seems to have an endless supply of both.

 

 

Schroeder Time

In October we hopped a flight to Rockford to visit Brian's family.  It had been about 3 years since our last trip to Rockford, so it was long overdue.

 

Everyone descended on his grandmother's house for 4 days of family bonding and festivities.

 

While we were there we got to visit the Discovery children's museum.

 

 

This was my favorite exhibit. . .

Meat the Pig! a puzzle of pig cuts.

 

 I believe Em's favorite part of the visit was hanging with Aunt Diane and Cousin Sara.

They got to do all things girly including hair brushing, putting on make up, and spinning and twirling.

 Brian and his mom.  I definitely see the family resemblence.

  All Schroeder

 The entire clan

 I think this is my favorite picture from the visit.

A rare moment indeed.

 Schroeder brothers.

 Em and her grandparents, Nancy and Dick

 Another highlight of the weekend was our visit to the apple orchard. 

Who knew apple cider donuts tasted so good?

The Anderson Twins

As if our September wasn't busy enough, Em and I flew back east to visit my brother and his new twins. 

 Happy Grandmother!

Happy Babies!

 

 Emma quickly realized that she was no longer the center of attention. . so she entertained herself by measuring her "cabeza grande".

 All was better when Grandpa arrived with the princess gear! 

 

 

 Anderson Bear-Hug!

A slightly more gentle bear hug.

 Emma figured she still got attention if she helped feed Haila.  But only Haila. 

"Because we're both girls," she stated.

Cory and the two sets of Anderson princesses.

 Smiles all around!