Catching up cont.

I forgot to add something! We're going to get a new puppy! Another full blooded yellow lab, like Cedar.

We found this amazing place in Lawrenceville that takes such amazing care of her puppies and we're driving up there on Saturday to see her and put a deposit down. She's only 1 week old right now.

We're still trying to decide on a name. So far, we've thought of Cadence and Ellie. Any suggestions? We like the unusual/outdoorsy/country names.

Catching up

So, what's been new with me? Well...I've turned into an all out country girl!

yeah...who would've thought! So here's an update on the past few months...

I killed my first deer of the season - a doe

Then got my first buck! A very wide 4 point (should've been a 6)

Then we headed over to Arkansas for the week of Thanksgiving and did a little more hunting.

Add a doe to the count.

Learned how to pick a duck for duck dressing (yummy!)

Then, Brad, his dad and I racked up one night!

Add another doe to my count!

Of course, mine was all jacked up!

Check out that overbite - poor deer needed some braces!

Then, on Thanksgiving morning, I shot a big buck!

This one's going on the wall!

We spent Thanksgiving at the farm with Brad's family

Sarah Kate turned one in November!

Aren't they just adorable??

Back in Macon, Brad and I picked out our first Christmas Tree!

And that's about all that's been going on lately.

Have a great Christmas!

Family Vacation 2009 Cont.

Alrighty, as promised...here are more pics! Yeah, I know they're all of my niece and nephew, but can you blame me? They're so darn cute! And yes Melissa, I stole some of your pics! Hope you don't mind!!

Family Vacation 2009

Family Vacation in St. Simons Island, Ga.

August 15-22, 2009

More Picture to come!

I don't have much time to write, but just wanted to post some pictures for those who aren't

on Facebook (especially Megsie!) I'll add more later. Have a great day!

A piece of my heart is missing

Twin Drakes Southern "Cedar"

March 11, 2009 - July 6, 2009

My heart is so heavy right now. Monday night, our precious 16-week old puppy, Cedar passed away. I am still not real sure what happened. Friday night she started gagging real bad and then had an upset stomach. We just thought she had stomach bug - nothing major. She was sick all day Saturday and Sunday but still ran around the yard and played like she didn't feel real bad. She wouldn't eat anything, but she hasn't been eating much over the past month or so (they say puppy's go through that stage). We tried to call 2 vets over the weekend, but never got an answer so we just figured that since she's due for her last set of shots on Monday, we'll just let our regular vet take a look at her. I think we waited too long though. Sunday night and into Monday morning, she began throwing up - around 8 times... When he took her to the vet Monday morning, she was pitiful. They kept her to run tests but the doctor kept saying that he thought she had food poisoning. We watch EVERYTHING she eats, so I really don't think it was something she ate. She had all of her vaccines, but she had all the symptoms of Parvo. The vet said she didn't act like it was Parvo so he didn't test her for it. He kept her in a kennel in another building outside the vet's office and "checked" on her throughout the night. He said she passed too much blood throughout the night and didn't make it.

I am so angry at the vet. I really think they just let her die. They said she was in critical condition! I would've kept her at my bedside if I were watching someone else's pet that's in critical condition. I just don't understand. We miss her so much. If feels like someone reached in and pulled out part of our heart. She was our baby. It's the closest thing Brad and I know about losing a loved one. She really was a part of our family. I can't imagine how much more it hurts when someone loses their child, their own flesh and blood. I have so many questions I want answered by the vet and by God - but I know it won't make it any easier. I just want her back. This is one of the hardest things I've gone through. I'm reminded of James 1:2 - "Consider it pure joy when you are faced with trials of many kinds, for the testing of your faith creates perseverance." I know God is testing our faith and puts us through trials to bring us closer to Him. It's hard, but I know He's in control. I just want my sweet baby girl back! It wasn't supposed to be like this. It hurts so bad! I just want God to fill this void in our hearts.

* The picture taken above was on July 2 - the last picture we have of her.

Back Home

We made it back from Arkansas at 3 AM this morning! Needless to say, we're both exhausted from the 12 hour drive. Cedar did amazing in the car. She seriously slept the whole way and only woke up to eat and use the bathroom. I hope she always travels this well. We had a great trip. We did a lot of fishing and just hanging out with family. It was a nice relaxing weekend. I have some pictures below. Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Riding around at the duck camp

Cedar's new friend, Gabi (Brad's brother and his girlfriends miniature rat terrier)

The Alligator Gar I caught, but I didn't want to touch it!

Me, Cedar, Brad, Allison, Gabi, and Alan and our 40 Brim

My big brim

The catfish we caught at Brad's cousin's farm

Cedar snoozing in the truck

Still snoozing....

AND stillll sleeping....with her nose in the cupholder!

On the road again!

We leave today after work and are heading to Arkansas for a long weekend. This trip will be a little different than the last one, we're taking out 10 week old yellow lab puppy, Cedar, with us! Yep, we're driving 10 hours with a 10 week old puppy. Are we insane, or what?! We wanted her to meet her other "grandparents." :) So, this should be a fun trip! Brad's parents have a 2-year and a 10(?) yr. old yellow lab and a yorkie, plus Brad's brother's bringing his new puppy, Gabi, who's a week or two younger than Cedar. So, needless to say, we're going to be the funny farm this weekend!!! Wish us luck. We'll be driving back to Macon on Monday.

Here's our latest "family portrait." Have a wonderful Memorial Day!