Boomer the Jack

I realized I have never posted about Boomer, the Jack Russell Terrorist who entered our lives in the summer of 2003. As many of you know, I currently have a love/hate relationship with this dog, mostly because there are a lot of days he's more difficult than either of my offspring. For those of you who are familiar with the breed, they're not exactly 'easy' dogs to have around, and that's pretty much due to the fact that their IQs are higher than the average Union graduate. Ohhh!!! I had to throw that one in there for the hubby's sake. Anyway, when I think back to 'the way things were' in the beginning, we treated this dog like the majority of newly married couples do... truly like a baby. I think Boomer was held more than he walked his first year of life. I never thought I would be 'that dog owner' that most people make fun of, but I totally was! You see, I was raised with outside dogs. We played with them when we were outside, but the rest of the time, they did their own thing, roaming around on our 13 acres in the country. Oh, Tippy & Jingo. What sweet dogs they were... a border collie & Australian shepherd. So anyway, the house dog thing was new to me when we got Boomer. He quickly took over and pretty much had every ounce of our attention before Emerson arrived. Now that there are two kids vying for his owners' affection, he's realizing he's not top dog anymore. We've also spent the last two years or so making some changes we needed to make in his behavior, and they've helped quite a bit. He still has his moments of insanity, but I'm afraid that might be the result of actions on our part. Perhaps the following photos from days gone by will provide a glimpse of understanding into why he is like he is... poor boy, he never had a fighting chance. :)

Sweet baby Avery

Oh, I can hardly wait to get my hands on this girl! Only 24 more days until she & momma drive to Oklahoma! Aren't they just the cutest little family? Love you, sis. Can't wait for our kiddos to meet.






In other exciting baby news, my brother Jace and sister-in-law Liz are going to welcome their 3rd baby, Vance Drager, on Wednesday. He'll join big brother Parker and big sister Addison. It's so crazy that three siblings are having 3 children within 12 weeks of each other. Man, we were all gettin' busy!


Grammy came over today and played with Jax & Em while I ran some errands. I can't even tell you how nice it was to get out of the house for a few hours. I had about 6 errands to accomplish in a 3-hour time span, but isn't it amazing how quickly you can do these things without little people in tow?


Emerson has started doing something funny but naughty. One of her favorite phrases right now is "No, Mommy!" and she'll say it both in times of defiance and also just randomly walking around the house even if I'm not in the same room. So now that she knows that this particular phrase is NOT NICE to say, she will literally look me in the eye and mouth the words NO MOMMY without making a sound. The first time she did it, I was like, 'Are you kidding me??? Did that just happen?' I had to turn away so she wouldn't see me laugh. That little toot is a little too big for her britches.


Here's to a great weekend!

Random picture

I was rummaging through old picture files tonight, something I enjoy doing on a somewhat regular basis, and found this gem. We were in Eureka Springs (with my parents, I think) before we were married. What is it about Eureka Springs that makes you want to go get an old-timey picture taken? It's like you can't come home without it, and at the time it seems like such a great idea. I must say the hubby looks pretty freakin' hot holding the machine gun, and I seem to be enjoying his hand on my thigh. Scandalous. And seriously, what is that thing on my hat? It's like a flower burst with pigeon poop hanging from it. And never mind the fact that I'm dangerously close to shooting myself in said thigh. I do have to pay homage to 'the girls' because two babies later those 'girls' ain't lookin' so perky anymore.

His Dad is Rad

We had a great Father's Day weekend. Saturday we hung out with the kiddos all day, and I went to a wedding that night with my friend Lisa (affectionately known as Dida to her two nephews and to her Emerson). It was a lot of fun getting all dressed up and getting out of the house for a while. Sunday morning Jason and I worked in the 2-yr-old room at church, then both sets of grandparents and Jason's brother Travis came over for Father's Day lunch. It was a nice, relaxing afternoon, and we braved the heat for a little while in the backyard with Emerson. To my hubby, if you're reading this post... I hope you enjoyed your second Father's Day. I'm thankful to be married to such an incredible daddy of two. I couldn't ask for a better partner (in crime), someone who loves his babies to the fullest every day. I love you.

Here are some pictures from the weekend.

I have to explain this last one. I was in the kitchen getting dinner ready and heard Emerson going 'Mmmm.' I turned around, and she had taken a bite out of this banana, peel and all. I fished the peel out of her mouth, and she finished the bite, happy as ever.

Great read

If any of you keep up with Pioneer Woman's blog, she just finished her love story, "Black Heels to Tractor Wheels," today. It's fantastic! Here's the link to the entire thing...

http://thepioneerwoman.com/category/black_heelstractor_wheels/the_night_i_met_marlboro_man

Believe me, you'll have a hard time walking away from it. I think I read over half of it in one sitting a few months ago.

I need a vacation!

You'll notice I switched out the picture behind the header of the blog. I was looking through old picture files and came across this one... it's taken from our room at the Bellagio in Vegas on our 5-year anniversary, just two short years ago. We stayed there on our honeymoon as well. The Bellagio has the most incredible dancing fountains that are set to music and 'perform' every 15 minutes or so. When you're walking down the strip and happen to be near them when they start, you seriously can't help but stop and watch. It's quite beautiful, especially when you're watching from your room, wearing a white fluffy robe, eating something scrumptious from room service. Ahhhh... I need to get away. Why is it that I always seem to be pregnant or breastfeeding when I need to get away? Hmmmm.... maybe because I've been pregnant or breastfeeding FOR TWO YEARS AND FIVE MONTHS STRAIGHT. Wow. And if we decide to completely lose our minds and get pregnant again while I'm still breastfeeding Jax? Well, that could turn into being pregnant or breastfeeding FOR FIVE YEARS STRAIGHT. They talk about the 'childbearing years,' and I guess I never really thought about how literal that is. Anywho, back to my beloved Bellagio. Oh, how I miss you! How I miss your dancing fountains, your Prime Steakhouse, your botanical gardens, your spa. Someday, my love! Someday I'll see you again! (Maybe next time I won't be lactating).