Christmas at Our House

This was a crazy busy pre-Christmas, followed by a the most relaxing, lazy Christmas day ever. First of all, the kids and I had school through Thursday, Dec. 23rd. It was a long week! Then Friday we prepared for a Christmas party out our house. We had the cleaning lady, mattress delivery guys, furniture delivery guys, van trade guy from KC, and my parents arrived all that day, in addition to 3 over excited children running wild. It was a nuthouse! Jeremy and I were exhausted by 2:00, but had a good 12 hours of cleaning, cooking, and entertaining to go. We survived the party and had a great time with our friends. Our first night in our new, giant king bed was the best night's sleep! Merry Christmas to us!

We scraped ourselves out of bed early the next day still foggy from the party, but ready to have Christmas with my parents. We had breakfast and opened gifts with them, so they could head home. It was a very generous celebration, and honestly gifts could have stopped there. But, a mountain remained for Christmas Day. We had all the Smith gifts under our tree, in addition to our gifts. Santa still had to contribute the big ticket items later. We are a very fortunate family.

Christmas Eve was really peaceful. We cooked together, went to church, and settled in for a family movie. I was so tired. I kept dozing during the movie. Knox would yell, "Mommy, ake up!" I couldn't keep my eyes open. The kids had enough energy for all of us, but somehow managed to go to sleep. Jeremy and I took care of all the last minute details, and settled in for a long winter's nap. So tired again!

The kids made it until 7:00. Then Maisy came screaming into our room that she got her chair. They waited so patiently for us to get up and get downstairs for pictures and coffee. Santa brought Maisy the pampasan chair she wanted. Carson got a work bench, toolbox, and a miniature golf building set. Knox got a giant racetrack and play-doh set. He decided that he liked "Tanta Caus" after all that. We opened gifts for a long time, and the kids got so much I don't even think they really know who it all came from. Lucky, lucky kids. So fun!

While every holiday season brings a mixture of feelings and memories, it is a special time. A time to reflect, to hope, to love, and to appreciate all you have been given. This holiday was about family, traditions, and togetherness. Without the rest of our families around to take charge, we acted like the adults we really are and gave our kids a great Christmas...our way. Hopefully it will be one they remember with fondness. I know I will.

Old Girl

11/1998-12/10/2011

Today was quite possibly one of the hardest days of our married life. As I type I realize the blessedness in that statement, but it doesn't make today any easier. After a rough couple of months, we decided to put Aspen to sleep. It was such a difficult decision. We scheduled the appointment two other times, but she always rallied for a day or two. Eventually we were counseled into sticking to our decision as the bad days were far out weighing the good days. And by good days I mean she actually got up and went to the bathroom outside on her own. She had lost a lot of weight recently and really gone down hill fast. Mentally she was still herself, which made today even worse.

We had the vet come to the house, which we thought was the best thing for her. Aspen always hated going to the vet and we didn't want her last moments to be filled with fear. Nothing could have made it any easier. Jeremy and I both held her as she drifted off to sleep. It was very peaceful. She was just the best dog.

As we have struggled through the last few hours, we have shared so many memories of our first baby. We both loved her fat little pink puppy belly. Jeremy especially loved her puppy breath, which I find really gross. We both loved how she would play fetch until she simply could not move. I remember so many times she dropped a soggy tennis ball into her bowl of water signalling she was done for the day. She loved being with us. I took her on so many walks, which really turned into her taking me on walks. Aspen was a such a pretty dog and so smart. We taught her all kinds of tricks, and I swear she understood what we said to her. She loved the kids, even at the end when she couldn't get away from them. Knox climbed all over her. Never did I worry that she would hurt any of them.

Aspen quite possibly was the world's best dog. She was kind, faithful, and fun. Aside from making dog hair afghans on my floor each summer, there is not one thing bad I can say about her. Our hearts have hurt for the last few weeks as we have watched her go. She will forever be part of our family though. I pray she is running around at the Golden Gate waiting faithfully for us to join her someday.

We will always love you, Old Girl.