Changing lives...one diaper at a time

It was with heavy hearts that we had to put our sweet basset hound to sleep yesterday. I still can't believe he's gone. I had to go to work yesterday. I was fine while I was distracted with work but as soon as I had time to think about him a huge knot would form in my stomach. There is definitely some emptiness in this home and my heart right now that will take time to heal. Cooper was such a great dog and so full of personality.

I miss him following me around everywhere and always being at my feet. If I went to the bathroom he would be there lying outside the door waiting for me. If I was in the kitchen cooking he would lay on the kitchen tile. I miss him greeting me at the door when I get home with so much excitement you'd swear I have been gone a year and not just 15 minutes to run to the store.

He loved all people and thought that every person he saw was there to pet him (not just pick up their mail at the mailbox). He was always so good with the kids, though they spooked him a lot with their loud noises and quick movements....which is why we decided his quality of life would suffer greatly after losing his vision.

Cooper, we know you are in doggie heaven with perfect eyesight and chasing a rabbit as I type this. You were a great companion to us for 9+ years. We were blessed to have you as part of our family. We miss you bubba.

After a little nudging from a dear friend of mine I am wiping the dust off this blog and updating it finally!

About a year ago I decided to start running again, which I've done probably a hundred times in my life. I could really never get past 2 miles and I hated every second of those 2 miles. Scott would say "babe you're just not a runner" and I would agree. But I thought I'd try it again last year, inspired by my friend Maddy who is definitely a "runner". This time was different. I felt great and I enjoyed it and before I knew it I was running 5-6 miles 4 times a week. Crazy!

Fast forward to a week and a half ago: my first (dare I say first) half marathon. I never would have had the guts to even sign up for this if it wasn't for Maddy, Rickie, and Meredith. I am so glad I did! The week of the race I really wanted to make sure I increased my water intake so I wouldn't be dehydrated which I know I am most of the time. Well I definitely wasn't dehydrated. I went to the bathroom 20-30 minutes before the race and then had to go again 5 minutes until start time. No time to go so I had to stop and use a port-a-potty 5 minutes into the race! Meredith had the same idea and used the one next to me. :) I had been having pain in my left hip during my longer runs while training for the race so it was no surprise when half way through the race it started to really hurt! Then my right foot started to hurt. Luckily my husband Scott was waiting to cheer me on at mile 11. It was a huge surprise and a great boost that I definitely needed at that point. I finished in 2:15 (including the potty break) and I ran the whole way, never walked. It was so fun to have the finish line at the home plate of Hohokam Stadium where the Chicago Cubs train in the spring.

Unfortunately I have no pictures from the half. We were too excited and nervous to even think about pictures before the race. And after the race I had to bolt home. As excited I was to finish I was also feeling very sick. By the time I got home I had body aches, abdominal cramping, and chills. Curled up in my bed and an hour and a half later I felt fine. I do however have pictures from the 10K I did in October in honor of one of our ER doctors that got killed by a car while out running with his wife.

Here are some pictures of our recent trip to Disneyland.
















Not every moment was magical.

Seeing as how Spring Break was my last post, I thought I better update this thing! We've had a great summer break. Lots of swimming and playdates. Back in school and already looking forward to cooler weather.