July highlights and a water fight in June

We've taken Ely to the Farmer's Market a couple of times, family walks, playdates.  We got together lots with friends and neighbors, went to a Lynx game, worked to train ourselves and Ely, and occassionally managed a little downtime.  It was a great month!

Also, I forgot to write about the family water fight in June... we had water balloons and new water guns.  Here are some shots from that.  Daddy loved his colossal gun and was mad with power.

Day Trip with Ely

We decided to have a "Family Adventure Day" today and included Ely.  We weren't sure how it would go, but you never know until you try and I'm hoping to include the dog on as many adventures as possible.  Ely has been so well-behaved so far that we couldn't think of a reason to leave him behind all day.

Once we arrived at our initial destination, we took the kids on the alpine slide and they rode the go-carts.  After that we went out to lunch, followed by a long boat ride along the St. Croix river and ended up with some hiking.  We ran into a family we knew and the kids climbed on rocks (which is always a thrilling adventure).  Ely handled all the activity very well.  By the time we got home, we were tired!  We wrapped up the day with watching some of the Olympics.  We all agree it was a fun day!

Our "normal life" and feeling blessed

Friday I was off from work to hang with my girls.  They wouldn’t commit to any plans so we stayed home for the most part.  Samantha rose to the challenge of grocery shopping by herself, even though I met her at checkout to pay.  We wandered to a garage sale and each kid spent $5 of their own money on a toy.  They were so thrilled, I’m going to ask Lindsay to take them on Thursday.  We then stopped by for a quick visit to my Uncle Larry’s house which was nice, though the girls weren’t into it for too long.

 

Saturday we took Ely for a stroll and laid low until heading to a friend’s house Saturday night.  The kids enjoyed each other and loved the trampoline.  The dads managed the food and the moms talked kids and decorating.  We are all works in progress.

 

Sunday I took the girls swimming so Daddy could get the lawn mowed.  They ran into friend’s and kept each other entertained for 3 hours before I was the party pooper and said we had to go home.  We had friends coming to meet Ely and accompany us to a local art park for Irish music and dance.  We ate, Sam and I danced (because you only regret the opportunities you don’t take), the kids had fun and the dads were on their own.

 

Miscellaneous notes…

 

I’ve been having discussions with Sofia about staying in bed until she feels happy and how it’s better to start the day with a smile than whining for TV, especially since that ensures there won’t be any TV.  It’s been going well to have her read books to earn TV too.  Trying to teach to daughter’s emotional control when I’m struggling with the same thing has proven humbling and difficult… we are all working for more of an easy-going attitude!

 

I need to make the time/the stars need to align so I can start teaching Samantha more about the Internet and actually get them playing some games.  Since I work in IT, I don’t want to be on the computer at all at night, but I don’t want my girls to be lacking because I didn’t get around to it.  Life is about choices, but you still need to do things you may not want to, right?

Settling down with Ely

So far, Ely has been a wonderful addition to our family. He brings you hand towels from bathrooms and the kitchen. He humps the occasional blanket and has an affinity to bringing you stuffed toys throughout the house. I caught him with a toy cup today. He got sick in Daddy's car, so he must get CAR sick and not SUV sick since he hasn't in the SUV yet.  I've purposely let Daddy take the lead to let them bond and it has been wonderful to see the looks in everyone's eyes. We all just love him. He was great with our niece and nephew tonight too (it was good to see them!).... Ely is doing well and is settling in nicely.

More on Ely's welcome to our family.

Welcome Ely

 

We were fortunate enough to be chosen to bring Ely home yesterday.  He is 2 years old and Daddy’s dream dog.  Ely comes from a loving home and the only reason he’s a “rescue dog” is because his original dad is ill and the family is unable to have the dog and handle treatment.  I can’t imagine the pain they are in, but we wish them well.  As Ely gets acclimated, we will update them as well as his foster family.  Everyone handled the drive home well and Ely is adjusting well to his new home.  I think he’ll be Daddy’s dog more than anyone else’s.  Ely is definitely a Velcro dog and wants to be by the leader of the house (me, Lindsay, Daddy).  He’s slept well so far, shown a little anxiety by humping, but he responds well to the gentle corrections we’ve given him. 

 

Since Daddy is gone for his work, here is the recap I sent him of Ely’s 2^nd evening:  We took him for a walk by the lake and he wanted to swim.  Unfortunately we had the short leash so he didn’t get very far.  He LOVED the water though and gave me a look of pure contentment.  Samantha and Sofia were able to walk him too, which freed me up for piggy back rides.  In other words, everyone was happy.  Once we got home, he jumped into the shower with Sofia who eventually giggled and shredded an old towel while I finished up the girls.  I kenneled him during bedtime and he protested very little.  After the girls were asleep, we walked the yard boundaries and I brushed him. 

 

Ely is still definitely a puppy, but he is so well-behaved!  We are doing everything we can to start on the right foot with good habits to ease the transition and prevent later problems.  Our family is incredibly blessed to have received him.

A new member of the family

Welcome Ely!

We were fortunate enough to be chosen to bring Ely home yesterday. He is 2 years old and Daddy’s dream dog. Ely comes from a loving home and the only reason he’s a “rescue dog” is because his original dad is ill and the family is unable to have the dog and handle treatment. I can’t imagine the pain they are in, but we wish them well. As Ely gets acclimated, we will update them as well as his foster family. Everyone handled the drive home well and Ely is adjusting well to his new home. I think he’ll be Daddy’s dog more than anyone else’s. Ely is definitely a Velcro dog and wants to be by the leader of the house (me, Lindsay, Daddy). He’s slept well so far, shown a little anxiety by humping, but he responds well to the gentle corrections we’ve given him.

Since Daddy is gone for his work, here is the recap I sent him of Ely’s 2nd evening: We took him for a walk by the lake and he wanted to swim. Unfortunately we had the short leash so he didn’t get very far. He LOVED the water though and gave me a look of pure contentment. Samantha and Sofia were able to walk him too, which freed me up for piggy back rides. In other words, everyone was happy. Once we got home, he jumped into the shower with Sofia who eventually giggled and shredded an old towel while I finished up the girls. I kenneled him during bedtime and he protested very little. After the girls were asleep, we walked the yard boundaries and I brushed him.

Ely is still definitely a puppy, but he is so well-behaved! We are doing everything we can to start on the right foot with good habits to ease the transition and prevent later problems. Our family is incredibly blessed to have received him.

Here is his biography before meeting us:

ELY (Fostered in Johnston, IA)

June 30, 2012

Ely (pronounced E-Lee) is now vacationing in Iowa. :) Ely is an energetic 2 year old PB male.

Report from his foster family:

He is UTD, neutered, and current on HW and Frontline. Ely is coming to us because his dad just got diagnosed with cancer and the family will have to travel often to SW MN for treatment in the upcoming months and cannot take care of him. He is loved very much by his family and they are so sad to surrender him. Ely sounds like a typical 2 year old - he is just a little hyper, perhaps needs a little more consistent training on his manners, but is lovable, sweet, playful and just a really happy guy. He is crated when his parents work and at night and goes right into his kennel when he hears the word "treat". He does not have any storm or separation anxiety and absolutely no resource guarding. Toys, unfortunately, have a very short life when in his possession - he destroys them all - destuff, desqueak, shred - you name it, he does it. That doesn't stop him from loving them, but they just don't last long.

Now here is the second really sad part for Ely (as if losing his loving home were not enough). He has had a heart murmur since they got him as a puppy, but a recent cardiologist visit (this family has spared no expense in his care!) graded his murmur at a 3 or 4 (the most severe being a 6). They were told that his life expectancy was 5-6 years and it would be a miracle if he made it to 8 (but we all know that miracles happen every day!) In everyday life, this doesn't really slow him down at all. They just follow his lead, and if he seems tired, they let him rest and they don't walk him on really hot days. To make sure he stays healthy, they keep teeth clean and his weight down. He comes from such a loving family and sounds like he would be a perfect house guest. This was definitely an emotional surrender - his mom wanted to make sure who ever picked him up spent time with her to learn all his routines and commands (for instance she was worried that we wouldn't know that he sits and waits until he is told he can eat - she was worried that he would sit there for hours and we would have no idea why he wasn't eating). I assured her that we would.

This is what we know about Ely in the 24 hours that we have had him in our home.
1. He doesn't jump on people but he will bark when the door bell rings.
2. Ely loves to be brushed. He has the most beautiful coat. It is very thick and blonde. His tail is gorgeous!
3. He likes his bath.
4. This guy loves water. If you have a cabin, this is the dog for you. His previous family had a cabin on a lake and he loved it. If fact he will play in this water dish! That is how much he likes water. We got the baby pool out for him and he lays in it!
5. He came to us on a gentle leader. He doesn't need it. He is a fabulous walker.
6. He loves to chew however he doesn't chew anything but his toys. He loves Nylabones and cow bones.  His teeth are beautiful!
7. Ely loves our two dogs. In fact we have to tell him to go rest.
8. We are working on come. He doesn't run from us, he just looks at us. He is super smart so I think this will come fast.
9. He sits immediately on command, shakes, and goes down. He will come when called in the house. Ely sleeps in his crate and goes in there when we are gone.
10. He hangs around the table when we are eating. We have been working on him laying down while we are at the table.
11. No accidents in the house.
12. He lived with little children.
13. Once we have his vet appointment on Friday, we will update his bio. This is a special boy who has no
idea that he has a heart murmur. He lives life to the fullest.

Follow your bliss

I'll admit that I've been struggling lately.  Not necessarily depression, just feeling overwhelmed and that I haven't been living to my full potential. I am not afraid to ask for help either.  Thankfully I've got a wonderful husband and friends who usually  gently say what I need to hear.  I'm so grateful for the life I have.

Samantha and Sofia are my greatest motivations to pushing myself to live a full life in most aspects.  I bask in my daughter's joy, teach them to cope with difficulties and appreciate every moment of it. Ok, most moments.  I'm not perfect.  I get upset over little things, yell when I should listen, or retreat into my head.  The list could go on and on.  So I have a choice.  I choose to learn from my mistakes and try to grow so I don't continue a pattern.  Life is chaotic.  That probably won't change and if it does, I will adapt.  And the reasons I make that choice every day are named Sofia and Samantha.

That's how being a parent has changed me.  I still fight through the obstacles I have to because I am the mother to two fabulous daughters who will grow into two fabulous women (if I am so lucky, as I take nothing for granted.) and I need them to know it can be done.  I want them to have full lives because being open to experiences is the purest freedom I've felt and because accepting love as you receive it is being vulnerable and open. It is the hardest thing for me to admit, since I act like life is a giant to-do list at times, but I'm working on it. I'll never be done either, but every once in awhile I can look back with a proud sense of accomplishment and it's a blessing.

Happy 4th of July!

We began the day with a quick shopping trip, then a picnic to watch our friend unicycle in a parade, followed by a short break and me taking the girls to the beach with some new toys, (Sofie saying, "Where's my new kickboard?" constantly), and ending the night at the neighbors house for food, games and fireworks.