Well Rob and I officially lost our minds.  We've gone off the deep end..  our marbles are scattered.  Hard to tell when things will be back in order...

On Mother's Day we added to our family.  In the form of a puppy.  Meet Diesel Gregory.


He's a sweet 8 week old puppy.  Puppy being the key word.  So not only do we have a 7 week old newborn and a 2 year old toddler, we have a puppy.

I'm not really sure what we were thinking... I guess we didn't want any sleep.  Or to never not say the word "no".  Or to never not be cleaning up baby toys.  Or basically to ever have a quiet peaceful moment in our house... ever. again.

So if you learn anything from us.  A puppy is WAY harder than a newborn.  I've said it before, if you can survive puppy-hood, you can survive having kids... so we will see what happens if we survive puppy-hood and a newborn at the same time.

If you pray - pray for us.  He's sweet but a handful and mama is tired.  But we do love him.



always,
amanda

Well Rob and I officially lost our minds.  We've gone off the deep end..  our marbles are scattered.  Hard to tell when things will be b...

Yesterday was an important day in our household.  Rob and I celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary.  Normally I'd gush about just how good of a day it was... but it wasn't.  At all.  In any way shape or form.

Yesterday was one of the most tragic days of my life.  Unexpectedly our sweet fur-baby passed away. He died after doing what he loved and we are trying to find some peace in that.  He was playing ball and had a heart attack.  Rob was able to revive him briefly, but his big heart gave out and he went to dog heaven.

My heart is shattered into a million pieces.  Piston has been with us our entire marriage.  I moved in with Rob in June of 2010... and the day after getting into town we picked Piston up from the breeder. He's been there through deployments, separations, welcoming Grace home, four houses, countless vacations and the memories are all we have to cling to now.

We are trying to remember there is a plan for everything.  But right now we are very lost in the bigger picture of Piston leaving this Earth at just 5, almost 6, years old.

Keep our little family in your prayers, as we have to figure out how to go forward with a much quieter house and a very different routine.





always,
amanda

Yesterday was an important day in our household.  Rob and I celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary.  Normally I'd gush about just how go...

We've had some interesting firsts around here lately.

We went to Grace's first kid friendly event.. Sesame Street Live.  For the first 15 minutes or so she just stared at the stage - not showing any emotions.  Luckily we met up with some pretty awesome friends of ours here and their oldest kiddo started dancing and it helped loosen Grace up.  She started having a blast.  Unfortunately they had to leave a little early and after that Grace's attention span was shot.  We left shortly after intermission with a light up Elmo toy and $15 less in the bank accounts.  I'm thankful we had the opportunity to go though and watching Grace experience this was tons of fun.


P.S. Check out my friend Heather's blog - Raising a Mini Diva.  She writes all about her Mini Diva and military life with three kiddos.  (She took these pictures!)

Rob and I had a Harry Potter marathon a few weekends ago (thanks ABC Family for airing said HP marathon so I could record it!). This was my first time seeing all of them.  I'm a fan.  I read one or two of the books as one of my best friends in elementary school was definitely a Harry Potter fan girl.. but I never finished reading or watching... I think I'm almost ashamed to admit that.

For the first time in my life.. I took Piston to a vet appointment and I was scared.  P developed a lump on his back hip.. It doesn't bother him at all, but it is noticeable so when I took him in to get his shots updated I wanted to know more.  They wanted to run tests on it at the appointment because apparently boxers get a particular skin cancer that develops into lumps.  Yes, cancer.  Which she tells me right before she sticks a needle into said lump, then goes and looks at it... those five minutes were terrifying.  We are so so very lucky (the vet said so!) because it is just a cyst.  NOT skin cancer.  But reality check, P is five.. and getting up there in dog years.


And the first time in awhile where I wished Georgia wasn't my current home.  Two nights in a row I have had awful, awful encounters with rather large spiders and their little babies jumping off their backs and wrecking havoc on my heart/emotions at a very late hour.  I. Can't. Y'all.  I love the South - but I was never afraid of bugs until living down here.... like for realzy.

Otherwise --- we are working on our fourth move in five years, going to bed super early to avoid after dark bug encounters and binge watching tons of Friday Night Lights to get through this INSANE heat.

Happy weekend friends!


always,
amanda

We've had some interesting firsts around here lately. We went to Grace's first  kid friendly event.. Sesame Street Live.  For the ...

Happy Monday friends!

It's been 7 (busy) days since I last blogged.  Every time I sat down to write anything I got sidetracked with e-mails and the fifty million other things going on.  So fifty million MAY be an exaggeration, but not by much.

Since the majority of what is going on is spouse club related, I will just do a year wrap up post after Wednesday (the last event of the 2014-2015 club year, that I am in charge of with the help of some awesome ladies (Rachel! Darlene! Debbie! Joanie! Jan!))!

This weekend though?

This weekend rocked.

On Friday, Nick and Abby dropped their dogs off at our house.  They are having one big giant sleepover at our house for a week.  Piston?  He loves it.  Dude is obsessed with Ainsley!  But having three dogs in the house has been an ADVENTURE.  These three are perfectionists at always being under foot, always having their nose up each others butts (Piston... I'm looking at you.) and always taking up the most space possible.  I'm not even kidding.. we finally got around to watching Fifty Shades of Grey tonight and on our three person couch was Rob, me in the middle and Ainsley on the other side.  Dakota (a German Shepard mind you...) wanted on the couch too.. so she came up and put the front half of her body on Rob and her butt on me... it's cool Dakota, you make that space for yourself.


So other than the dogs giving us a run for our money... Saturday morning we picked up my Mother's Day present.  A gently used Dyson vacuum cleaner.  I. Am. In. Love.  I mean I've talked about my vacuuming addiction on here before.  It's the real deal y'all.  It's so quiet, and it cleans so well, and it is so light weight, and I can clean the whole house without it shutting off... and, and, and.  Ha ha ha.  My husband just rocks.


We spent the rest of Saturday going to the giant county yard sale at the fairgrounds.  For the most part it was fairly picked over by the time we got there and we ended up walking out empty handed, but it was a good  walking adventure none the less.

That afternoon we met up with Rachel, her sister Haley and baby Lilianna at Thunder Over Augusta.  This free event was a celebration of Armed Forces Day put on by one of the amazing business owners in Augusta (he owns a local jewelry store and the space that was used for the CSRA Signature Military Spouse Appreciation Event (free of charge mind you!) that I went to a couple of weeks ago - he donates heavily to the military).  There were booths, food, presentations, the works.  We watched them skydive the flags in and listened to the Signal Band a bit before splitting.  It was hot!  On the way back to the car Grace and I walked through a chinook - an Army helicopter.  Which was a first for me and pretty cool in an "I can now relate to my husband, sort of" sort of way!


By the way, Happy (belated) Armed Forces Day to all of our country's amazing service members.  To say you rock is an understatement.

Yesterday was spent grocery shopping, firing up the Big Green Egg and watching Fifty Shades.  I don't feel like I missed much with that movie.  But we are excited for American Sniper to come out on DVD.  Hashtag parent problems. Always watching DVDs late.

Anyway busy week in our house - between this event Wednesday and my parents coming into town for Memorial Day (!!!) - we can't stop, won't stop.

So happy fresh week y'all.




Also - THANK YOU to all those that linked up with Jen and I on Military Spouse Appreciation Day!  I hope some of you found some great new blogs to read!! I know I did!


always,
amanda

Happy Monday friends! It's been 7 (busy) days since I last blogged.  Every time I sat down to write anything I got sidetracked with e-...

Because we've celebrated all the birthdays in our house, and our anniversary... & the excitement that is Easter has not yet started... here are some things I am enjoying right now in our life.

The weather.  Warm, almost hot, but not sweat-dripping-down-your-back humid yet.


Piston and his fifth birthday Monday.  The fact that he is a five year old and not a puppy has gone unnoticed to him... he's still a puppy in the way he acts and I just don't have the heart to break it to him. ;)  Happy fifth birthday my sweet boy!


Our spring pictures.  I've gotten a few back from our lovely photographer, Ashleigh, and I can't wait to see the rest... seriously, CAN'T. WAIT.

That my husband fixed the vacuum to the point that it at least sucks stuff up again.  Vacuuming is so fun y'all.


The door hanger painting party we had last weekend.  It was so much fun to get out for a bit and get my paint on.  I wish I had more time to do stuff like this at home.. but a certain busy body keeps me from actually focusing on anything for any amount of time.

This video from yesterday.  Grace basically gave herself a bath in Piston's water bowl... it was hilarious.


The month of April thus far.  Yes, it is day one, but I'll take it.

Because we've celebrated all the birthdays in our house, and our anniversary... & the excitement that is Easter has not yet started....

If you've been a reader for awhile you know that my dogs are my children.  My furbabies.  A huge chunk of who I am.

Unfortunately that chunk became a little smaller today.  Rob and I had to make the most heart-wrenching decision.  A decision we never wanted to or expected to make.

Recently Klutch our 1 year old mix puppy (pit/lab is what we have been going with) developed aggression towards our 3 year old boxer Piston.  For the past two weeks or so Klutch has been directing his growls at Piston and the growling has escalated to full on dog fights multiple times.  Two weeks ago I was sitting in a recliner right next to them when one broke out and since I was close enough I got a busted lip in the process.  Since then the growling has escalated multiple times.

Yesterday was when Rob and I reached the breaking point.

After an afternoon dog fight I was already on edge as they sat across the room from each other with Klutch side-eyeing Piston's every movement.  When Rob got home.. we were all excited.. but somehow another dog fight happened.  This one left Piston bleeding and we knew right then we had no choice in the matter anymore.

Klutch went into his kennel and the longest night of my life ensued.  Piston cried. Klutch cried.  I cried.  In fact I am pretty sure I have cried more in the past week then I ever thought possible.  By 10:30 the next morning I was defeated.

We loaded Klutch up and took him to his new home.  Unfortunately it's a shelter.  It's not with us.  And since he has shown aggression it is hard telling if he will ever make it out of said shelter.

My heart breaks thinking about it.  I feel guilt for not being able to provide him a stable home.  I feel sad that his future is so uncertain.  I feel like I just lost a child and I don't know how to cope with this or how long it will take for me to "feel better".

But I know deep down we ultimately made the right decision.  I can sleep a little easier knowing that Piston is safe.  I am safe. Rob is safe. Baby G is safe.  And somewhere Klutch is safe.

I pray he finds his forever home.  I am holding fast to the notion that everything happens for a reason.  God will protect my sweet furchild and lead him into a better situation.

I just know without a doubt that hands down that is the most difficult and heart-wrenching decision I hope we ever have to make.  Rob has been my rock through this.  My parents have comforted me from long distance.  My sweet baby boy that has been through everything with me, has smothered me at just the right moments.

And I know I will be okay and more than anything somehow Klutch will be okay.

If you've been a reader for awhile you know that my dogs are my children.  My furbabies.  A huge chunk of who I am. Unfortunately that...

Klutch [the dog] just barked.
I responded with "do it again, I dare you"...
His response?
A soft bark.

I feel like I have kids already.
And that my friends, is my life.

It seems like life is just repeating "story of my life" over and over again right now.
But I'm not complaining.
I thrive on routine.

With that being said, it hasn't all been repetitive.

Like my husband got promoted yesterday.  A quick ceremony that had me laughing, bursting with pride, welling up with tears and happy all at the same time.  I don't think there is a better feeling than your husband's superiors saying how bright his future military career is.  He is a smart one that husband of mine!
Like one of the hardest, if not the hardest, session of school being OVER.  That's right folks.. another session down.  Leaving two to go.  The end is in sight!

Like getting a billion and one things accomplished on Spring Break... because hello it is a break from school. In the spring.  Time to add some black cross offs to that to-do list.

Like joining bloglovin'.  What?!  Yeah.. I did it.  [[It's all Jane's fault because I can't read her blog on blogger, so I had to find another way to get some Poppiness action!]]  So if you are on there... add me!!

Like deciding to take over a board position for the Fort Gordon Spouse's and Civilian Club.  I never imagined I'd be that wife.  But I am.  I like being involved on Fort Gordon.  It's afforded me some priceless connections.  And since my husband plans on doing this military thing for awhile... why pass up the opportunity for some great connections?

Like since launching my Facebook page for my personal design business less than a week ago.. I've had two new projects added to my plate.  That's a good sign folks!!  Have you liked Amanda Dawn Designs on Facebook yet?  Every like is much appreciated!

Like planning a new link-up with Janna!  Join us on Tuesday May 7th for the first installment of "A Few of My Favorites..."!  Each month we will select one co-host to choose a topic that falls under that category.  On the first Tuesday of every month the link-up topic will go live for the following month!  This month's topic is: favorite childhood book(s) [or your kids!] with co-host Bekha!  I can't wait to read what everyone has to say!

And that's a wrap y'all.. I've got an overdue library book halfway finished calling my name pretty loudly.  Happy mid-week!!!

Klutch [the dog] just barked. I responded with "do it again, I dare you"... His response? A soft bark. I feel like I have kid...

Happy late Sunday or early Monday you all!!

Just wrapping up another crazy few days.  And there isn't a darn thing wrong with that.. ESPECIALLY when the whole week is spent at home, alone.  (Yes, that was my one whining moment.)

Thursday we got our Christmas tree.  I don't know about you all.. but we are real tree people!  This year they gave away about 400 trees on Fort Gordon through the Trees for Troops program.  We ended up with an 8 foot beauty.  Luckily our dining room has high ceilings, or when Rob said "I want the biggest tree you got" I would have freaked out.. more than I did at least.

Hello, even the county courthouse is the cutest darn thing EVER.

The cottage.. imagine the inside now.

Why yes this is exactly how dogs in Madison behave.. not sure Piston and Klutch will fit in.. but just like Rob, they have time.

OH you know.. just pretending I live there and all..

Cross bracelet from my main main.

Justin Moore.. this was one of my favorite parts.  If you know his music.. you know he sings "If Heaven Weren't So Far Away".. during this part we all turned on our cell phone lights as dedications to those in heaven.

Eric Church.  For some reason my Church pictures turned out better than the others...

"These Boots".

Favorite. My handsome husband.

I die every time I catch him sleeping like this.

 and this...

Happy late Sunday or early Monday you all!! Just wrapping up another crazy few days.  And there isn't a darn thing wrong with that.. E...