Teechnater years

The end of the year also brings us Trent's birthday. This year he turns 13.

I never thought I'd have a boy. I don't know why, I just always felt I was a mother for girls. I was so girly as a kid and didn't understand "boy stuff". When I was pregnant and discovered he was a boy, I was shocked. A BOY!? That meant no cute outfits to dress him in. Girls get all the cute stuff.

On the day he was born, Erik and I had spent the entire day playing Age of Empires on the computer. I had some cramping, but nothing that alarmed me. I had been gathering gold and setting up my army of horses, swordsmen and those stabby guys (can't think of their names) when I  got up to use the restroom. That's when my water broke.

We lived a block from the hospital. A block!! We barely made it. He was born so quickly, that I could not get an epidural and I remember having to sign papers that the nurse stuck into my face on a clipboard while yelling at me, "Don't push!"

I was so pissed at that nurse.

Right from the start he picked up trucks and turned everything into a gun or sword of some type. I mean EVERYTHING. He was all boy. He also played with dolls (because I bought them) but he always ended back with his cars. and Little People. OH MY GOSH he had a thing for the vintage Fisher Price Little People.

When I took this picture yesterday, I almost moved him to stand in front of the yellow truck, blocking it from view. I decided instead to keep it there because it was a gift he received from his grandmother exactly 11 years ago today. We still have it and the neighbor kid and Blake love to play in it. I figure when they're done with it, I'm going to re-purpose it and fill it with dirt and flowers and find a place in my garden to keep it. We've kept it this long, why not? And besides, you all know I hate throwing things away, right?

My teenager. December 30, 2013

Ashley and Trent 12 years ago

Trent meets John Waters in April 2003

Sharing Little People with Kat - December 2003

February 2008

Marching in the parade December 2013

When Trent was about 5 he asked me, "When will I be a teechnater?" I made him repeat his question because I didn't understand him.

"Teechnater? When will I be a teechnater?"

"Oh, teenager!When you turn 13"

"Oh, I hope I'm a good one."

"You will be."

And now he's 13 on the computer looking for swords from Amazon. Maybe I should have been reading while I was in labor instead of playing Age of Empires.

We love you so much, Trent!! You are my only and favorite boy.

Gigi

Gigi is getting very old. We brought her home when Kat was around 2 and the vet thought Gigi was around 5 years old. That was 8 years ago!!

That means Gigi is around 13 years old.

 

The other day, I was taking pictures of the dogs as they were playing in our bedroom and I looked over at Gigi sitting calmly on her bed. The first thing I noticed were how gray here feet were.  Not only is her muzzle gray, but now her cute little feet are gray, too.

I remember when we brought her home 8 years ago. We had Zoe (the dalmatian) who was still kind of a young dog. Our other older dog had recently been put down due to cancer and we were looking for a very calm and kind friend for Zoe that could help influence her. She was a crazy dalmatian with bad manners that never ever stopped moving.

Gigi did the trick and showed her how calm is better. We like to think that Gigi's calmness came from being a mother several times over. She was found abandoned on the street with her litter of puppies. The vet determined that this hadn't been her first litter. After all the puppies were adopted, Gigi (her name was Vanna at the time) was left. She ended up in a rescue organization where we found her. 

June 12, 2005. Picking out Gigi

First day at her forever home

We brought her home and within months, she became huge!! She gained so much weight and we had to put her on a diet. We used to called her, "Chubbers". Of course, we said that out of earshot.

12/30/2005

After moving to our new home where we have a huge backyard with lots of lizards and rabbits to chase, she lost weight rapidly. In fact, the vet was a bit concerned because she was so thin. We stopped feeding her carrots as snacks and put her back on normal dog treats. Her weight varies and right now we're trying to beef her up a little bit.

Gigi is the best dog ever. She is almost like a cat as she needs very little maintenance. She's always where she is supposed be, doesn't chew up garbage, chase the cat, bark her head off, or try to sleep on the bed. She is happy in her dog bed or outside during the day. She rarely comes in unless I make her because it's either too hot or too cold. 

That dog LOVES being outside.

Her name came from being a "Good Girl". Gigi

We love her!

A couple pages

I've had these done for awhile, I just never got around to sharing them.

Thanks for looking. :)

This is BasicGrey, Crate and some Studio Calico.

This is MME, Studio Calico, Tim Holtz Distress Stains, Hambly, really old Lil' Davis stars and that birthday card is so old I can't remember where it came from.

Thanks for looking and have a great evening!

Privacy Issue

It used to be the kids, now it's the dogs.

Why can't I just use the bathroom in peace? I thought I had closed the door but I guess I didn't shut it all the way.

Whatcha doin'?

Cheerios

Charlie and Claire both came out of their cage for Cheerios.

I put a playing card on the door so the Cheerios wouldn't fall through. He and Claire can not resist heart healthy Cheerios.

In fact, there were a few times where Claire just took off with the whole card.

Have a great day!

Merry Christmas!

Our Christmas card pic for the year.

A Children's Christmas Party

Kat and I again had the honor of being photographers for Gospel Rescue Mission. Because the event was on a weekend, Erik was able to join in, too. Trent hung out with Erik instead of with me and Kat.

The event started at 10, but families started lining up outside at 6 AM. WOW!

As they came in to register, they were given a card to have checked off at vendors. After so many visits, they could then go in and get gifts for the kids.

It was cold but it was a lot of fun. We made new friends and wore ourselves out. :)

Like the similar post for the Thanksgiving Banquet,  I'll just let the pictures do most of the talking. I'll caption a few.

The line started at 6 am and went all the way down the block and wrapped around.

Kat outside the gate before we approached the line.

A couple of girls waiting in line.

I think they said that they were cousins.

The entrance to the party. Register and have fun!

 

Inside the empty library where the gifts were being handed out.

Kat standing next to one of the giant boxes of stuffed animals.

A Christian rap group

I love this picture Kat took.

Christian Motorcycle Association. They handed out drinks and nearly 1700 rolls of toilet paper/toothbrush packages.

 

I love God playing the floot. Also, look at the picture to the right.

Trent and Erik placing decorated garbage cans around the grounds.

The hot dog assembly line!

I made Kat stand next to the buns. There were a LOT of buns!

Picking out new shoes!

We found the cutest little puppy in someone's jacket pocket.

Volunteers raising their hands that they're available to help the next family.

A cute little dude with his new shoes.

I am so proud of Trent for helping organize donated shoes.

Erik, too!

This little girl was from the Thanksgiving Banquet. Kat recognized her right away.

Rocking her baby to some Christmas tunes.

Kat taking her job very seriously.

There was this darling group of children singing carols on the stage.

Trent taking a break and eating a hot dog. We don't know why there was a single shoe next to him on the ground.

I took a picture of Kat taking pictures.

There's that puppy again!

Thanks so much for visiting!