The end of the year!

Well tonight we say "Goodbye" to another year. 2013 was a fairly good year...

We gained a big move, new job, new friends and new life experiences.

We lost a loved puppy, close contact with close friends and are still trying to sell our house.

Here is to the new year! BRING IT ON 2014!!

Dear Friend

Skeeter

We have lost a dear friend in our house this week. She got out early yesterday morning when I let them out to go pee. I saw her across the street so I got the car (Cause she always came to the car) and started after her. She saw me coming out of the house and took off. She wanted to run around. I then couldn't find her. I got back to the house it was almost 8am at this point. I told Josh if she doesn't come home by 10 I will take my bike out and go around the subdivision and trail systems to try to find her. I chose 10 cause she usually came back around the 2 hour mark.

10 came around so I took my bike out in the pouring rain and searched 6 miles around the subdivision and the trail system we have. I came back soaked to the bone with no luck of finding her. I made the kids lunch while watching out the kitchen window, still no Skeeter. Josh went out again around 1 with no luck.

  Finally at 2 we got a phone call. "Hi, I found your dog" at this I was so excited then he said..."Hold on, I think she got hit by a car and it isn't looking good." At this point I had to hand the phone to Josh. The nice gentleman took her to the nearest pet hospital that he knew of. When we were a block away the vet called us saying that she had Skeeter, then proceeded to say that she had already passed before they arrived.

Piper understands but Ryen and Shiloh still are clueless. Ryen is just going about day to day things with really no mention or feelings being showed about it. Yesterday afternoon Piper was showing emotions. Obviously Shiloh isn't 2 yet and doesn't know anything. He still calls Skeeter (specially when he is talking to Kunami).

This Christmas is definately missing one very loved puppy.

Everything!

Well It has been a long time since I have written... A LONG TIME!!!

I don't remember where I left off at all.

The adoption was finalized December 14, 2012.
         The girls now go by Piper (Julia) and Ryen (Vicki). It is so nice to finally be done with all the court visits, social worker visits and all that sort. Ryen turned 7 and Piper turned 8. Man are they getting old. But they are getting wise.

Shiloh turned 1.
         His cake turned out good. He got messy and had tons of fun! We had the McClaflins over as well which made it even more fun!! He has been walking forever (since 9 months) and continues to learn super fast each day. He has about 50+ words, runs, hums, dances and just does what kids do. He is almost 2 and surprising us all the time with things he learns. He is trying to count, only gets to 2 and then says GO but getting there.

I had my 10 year reunion.
         Not everyone went but it was good seeing those that went. It was just good to connect with them again. Can't wait for our 20.

Josh got a new job.
         He was working with Oracle but got head hunted to work for GDIT. General Dynamics. We weren't sure we were going to make the move but they made an offer we couldn't refuse. So we made the move across the country.

We moved to Virginia.
         Which means the girls made new friends, and started a new school. We are still trying to meet our neighbors... they don't come out much. Seeing that it is cold here....when I say cold it is no where NEAR as cold as we are used to. I am still wearing shorts and flip flops all the time. We miss all of our friends over there as well as all of our get-to-gethers with people.

I had to change the title of our blog from News from Montana to News from Us, as we no longer live in Montana... Might choose to make it News from Virginia. We never know. ha ha ha

Went to D.C. a few times.
         Not only the monuments but we have been to the National Zoo a couple times, went to the Aquarium (which is now closed) and have been to some of the Smithsonian. We only had time to go through about 1/2 to 3/4 of it. IT IS BIG!!!

Grandparents (Joshs') came to visit.
          Grandpa Glenn and Grandma Mary came over from Maine when they were visiting other family members and just made us a stop on their way home to Missouri. They were here for about 4-5 days. It was nice to have family over. We plan on making a few trips through out the summer to see family in Washington, Montana and Missouri. That is the plan but it isn't a promise. It all depends on what Josh can get off from work.

Thanksgiving was just us, and Christmas will just be us this year. We are looking forward to starting some new traditions but bummed that we can't spend it with family like we have done the past 8 years.

Well throughout this whole post I now know why I haven't been posting while kids are home from school or awake. Because I have been interupted about 100 times (not exaggerating!!) about non-sense. But I have new things to come and will try my best to keep updated.

This January (Jan. 1) I plan on trying to start the 30 workout challenge that involves planks, sit ups, crunches, and leg lifts. I will try to keep updated on the progress. But yet again I will only be able to do so when 3 kids are in bed or while 2 are at school and 1 is at nap. See you all later! Good to try New Years Resolutions each year!