Goodbye Joe

So I know most of what I am going to put in this entry has already been said else where. However, we sold Joe last week and I wanted to say goodbye to him by remembering all the things that made me smile about him.

Joe was the smartest, sweetest dog I have ever met. He would always listen to you, once you established dominance. With Joe, I know understand the saying “Man’s best friend". He was always there for you when you wanted him, even when you didn’t want him. Cuddling with him was one of my favorite things. He would always sit on my feet and warm them up. When we slept, he would curl up in the crook of my knees with his head on my legs. He would always want to sit with us on the couch when we were watching  a movie. Sometimes when I would be doing laundry and all my clothes were on the couch he had no where to sit. He would lay on the floor for a little bit then get up and look at me with a look that said “I want to sit up there” I would end up moving the laundry so he could curl up next to me. Then by the end of the movie or whatever we were watching he would be sprawled out and taking half of my seat.  While working he would usually lay at my feet under my desk or behind my seat. I would often trip over him when I got up from my desk.

One of my favorite games Jake and I would play with Joe is “What is Joe thinking.” Jake has a good voice of Joe that I am really bad at. We would laugh forever over the silliest things. Like one time Jake was not feeling well and in a lot of pain. Well Joe just jumped on the bed and laid down. In Joe’s voice Jake was like “Master, I know you’re sick, but I’m just going to lay here” it was funnier then that. I don’t remember exactly what was said, but it was along those lines.

We’re going to miss him, but know that this is for the best. He’ll be happier being able to play in a yard and go hunting more. We’ll be able to save more money for our future.

Below are some fun picture of us with Joe.

California

So my family ended up doing a California girls trip. It actually began as a trip for my mom and dad to visit my aunt Pat (Dad’s sister) but then my dad ended up having to work and couldn’t go and all the sisters did end up going. We spent the first night in St. George where we watched Tangled, went swimming and did some line dancing put together by Michaelene. She spent so much time on it and it turned out really good. We laughed so much. Here’s a picture of the sisters in the garage where we danced.

After St. George, my dad and Amanda headed home since they couldn’t make the entire trip. Me, mom, Michaelene, Kaylee, Rashelle, Abby, Alicia, Eve, Andrea and aunt MaryAnn continued the journey to California. We got to my aunt Pat’s about 10:30 that night. The next morning we went to Dana Point which is a lagoon type beach. Behind us was a cliff wall and in front was a beautiful beach with all these different buildings. We ended up doing random activities. Michaelene and I did paddle boarding while Alicia, Andrea and Rashelle went sailing. I really enjoyed Paddle Boarding, it is a great way to work out your core. Although I did fall in which was pretty funny.

After we were all done playing in the water we enjoyed wadingers! You might ask what are wadingers? They are the newest campfire sensation. You take wooden poles that is thicker at the top and work a biscuit around it and cook the biscuit over a fire. Then you can put anything you want in the middle. I had sloppy joe meat for the main dish and then layered yogurt and cherry pie filling for dessert. It was YUMMY!

 

Then we wanted to go look at the tide pools, but the tide was too high so we couldn’t go. We did take pictures of everyone where we were standing since it was beautiful.

Finally we ended the day getting pictures of the kids in the water. Eve is so cute in the water. She is Cranney, loves the water.

The next day we went to Church at one of the most beautiful buildings that I have ever seen. We were going to go back and took pictures later, but forgot. My mom her famous Roast dinner and then we went for a walk at this reserve park in the area that my aunt uncle live. It was so pretty!

We ended up the trip by being on the price is right. Sunday after everyone put their kids to bed, Me, MaryAnn, Rashelle, Andrea, Alicia, Pat and Chuck went down to L.A. and stayed in a hotel across the street from the CBS studios. I slept for a couple hours and then went down to the line with Rashelle to hold our place in line. It was fun because we talked to some really nice ladies who were there for one of the girls birthday. It was a long day that started out at 1:00 for me. The episode was a Beatles tribute that had a Beatles cover band that played. No one in our group got on the show, but we’re in the second row so you see us a lot! There are no pictures from this day since camera’s are forbidden.

After Price is Right we headed back to St. George to sleep and then got up the next morning and headed home.

So while I was writing this blog, the part about the price is right, I was about to put, it will air May 4th. The very next thought was, it’s May 6th I missed it. Thank Goodness for modern technology and you can just watch it on your computer.

Wise Prayer

So this last weekend I went down to California with my family. It was a girl trip to visit my Aunt Pat (Father’s Sister). She lives in a beautiful area of California, Laguna Hills. So of course we went to church with her on Sunday. During Relief society my aunt gave the closing pray and part of the prayer just touched me. She prayed that we will be able to love the people who are mean to us. I know many times I become mean to when people are mean to me. I need to learn how to be kind even when someone has wronged me or just made mad.

Short Hair

So I finally cut my hair. I don’t mean a trim type of a cut, but 13 inches off my hair! I love the new hair but still have a part of me that misses the long flowing locks. I plan to donate my hair to locks of love, that is if I can remember to take it to the post office. Here are some pictures. Although the pictures don’t really show much of a difference, but it’s there.

Update

Well I haven’t blogged in while mainly because there is nothing new to blog about. Jake is looking for a new job and likes the idea of working up at a mine in Alaska. We will not have to move up there, but will probably have to pay for a flight at least once a month. However, the pay is enough to cover that cost. We’re still not sure where we want to settle down. Hopefully Jake will get some news on the job soon and we can start making definitive plans.

Joe and Sleeping

So I know it seems lately I’ve been blogging a lot about Joe, but he’s just so dang funny. Joe likes to sleep with us in bed. The only problem is we sleep in a full bed and barely have enough room for Jake and I, let alone room for a large dog. Well at the beginning of the night he’ll usually get up on the bed and lay behind my legs with his head on my legs. Then while trying to fall asleep my legs start feeling cramped and I need to stretch so I kick Joe off. Then when I wake up he’s back to sleeping in bed with us. Well one night Jake and I were just laying in bed and next thing you know we feel Joe’s body against our legs. He was so stealthy getting onto the bed that we didn’t even feel it. We laughed and kicked him off the bed. Then we wondered if Joe knew when we were asleep to get on the bed. So Jake starts fake snoring and Joe jumps up onto the bed, not stealthy at all. What a smart dog. Although we’ve played that trick with him enough that he doesn’t do it anymore.

Then the other night while Jake and I were cuddling Joe decided he wanted to cuddle with us. He jumps onto the bed and squeezes in between us. 

Things I learned last weekend.

1. Trying to save money by buying an $11 shaver from Walmart and shaving your own dog is not a good idea. Spending the extra money for a professional to do it is well worth the price.

2. We are no Bonnie & Clyde (especially me)