It's Too Quiet

Nick and I have decided it is too quiet in our house without Bailey. I think we both miss her terribly. It broke my heart tonight - Reagan told me on the way home from my parent's house that he missed Bailey "a real lot". It makes him sad that she went to heaven. She definitely is missed by us!

Rest in Peace Bailey

Bailey born 2-14-1999

Doggy heaven 9-25-10

Our dearest Bailey entered Doggie Heaven on Saturday, September 25th.

We were very sad to see her go and are so thankful for the wonderful dog she was.

We hope Uncle Ron is taking Bailey-burgers for lots of walks in heaven.

Life

I think life is throwing us too many blows lately. Our family needs to catch a break soon. I guess we can just keep praying.

Camera happy lately!

Picking apples

Reaching high up in the trees

Reagan on the train

Will with the engine train

Nick's birthday dinner at the Harbor House

Busy, Busy as a bee!

We have been so busy lately and I have been so negligent on my blog. I thought I would update you on the latest and greatest in our family. I will then follow-up with pictures. Some of our news is good, but some not so good.

• Majesty Mortgage continues to prosper (Thanks be to God!). Although Nick is busy with work, we are grateful for the business and money it has brought in.
• We will be putting on a roof after only 16 years (12 years for us). We thought we wouldn't have to think about that for awhile, but again God works his magic and brings a refi boom to our house.
• Will began seeing a new therapist. Not a warm fuzzy kinda guy, but practical and to the point. I have learned more about autism and helping Will in the few sessions we have had, then in the past two years. Nick and I are "required" to read a book on play. Will's diagnosis has changed slightly to simply PDD-NOS. What does that mean? Really nothing that we already didn't know.
• Reagan had two moves of the worm from the green apple to the yellow apple in two days! School is going to be different for him than Will. We are working on good behavior.
• After many tests and trips to the vet, Bailey has been diagnosed with Cushing's Disease. She has a tumor somewhere on her pituitary gland. Where we aren't sure. There is probably more to the issues we are having than that. We can suffice it to say that we have some tough decisions to make in the next few weeks about her health and her quality of life.
• Nick celebrated his birth week. Yes, you heard me ... birth week! Some great gifts were had, a few dinners and lots of great memories.
• We saw Kevin MacCudden play a senior football game. They lost - and for him and the team it was very devastating. He is great player ... and I was completely moved to see 99% of his team on the 50 yard line following the game praying. Keep in mind ... this is a public school. What a great kid he has become.
• The boys - along with Grandma Dobson rode a small train.
• We picked apples.
• I resigned from my PBO position (like PTO) this week - a very difficult decision for me, but I know it is best for my family right now.

I am sure there is more to tell, but our family has been busy - and most of it family events! It has been a great few weeks.

Enjoy the pictures!

Coupons, coupons, coupons!

So I am crazy about a new website my mom got me started on. The Krazy Coupon Lady - she is unbelievable.

Today I went to Walgreen's. Can't say it is a place of choice but I got the following goods:

• Bayer 24 count aspirin
• 1 microwaveable Campbell's soup
• 2 - 3oz bags of oreos for the boys

With coupons from Walgreen's and mfg. total cost $1.66.

Went to Target and bought a 12 pack of Mountain Dew. $1.99 on special and Target.com had a $1.00 coupon. Where can you get a 12 pack for 99 cents these days!

Nick thinks I am nuts ... but I could make this a profession!

Becca

Happy Birthday to Grandma MacCudden

We celebrated at Ryan Braun's Waterfront Brewery. The whole family together - minus the kids + the new baby!

First Day of School!

The baby is all grown up and the older one has "moved up the ramp" to 2nd grade. It is unbelieveable as to how time flies! I remembered when I cried at Will going to 5K. He had the best experience and to this day loves his former teacher. Today he entered the "other end" of the building - I hardly get to take a peek at him now. His exlamation this morning was, "I am so excited for today!"

Then there's the baby. Didn't cry when I sent him on his way and I think everytime I saw him today I was reminding him of a school rule! God Bless his teacher. She might put Nick on speed dial. We are fortunate that we got the same teacher Will had ... little does she realize he is the complete opposite of Will. He hasn't stopped talking since he got home about what he did, who he saw, who was naughty (not him either on his version), what he ate and how he cried when someone wasn't nice.

I commend teachers and I don't just say that because I am one. It's probably hard having your colleagues kids. I am so lucky though that these people they have in their lives are loving, caring and kind women that love their jobs (probably not everyday but most of them) and you can tell by how your kids come home from school! They take the job not because of how much they make or the "bonuses" they get, but because teaching is truly their calling. It's funny how you can already tell its going to be a good year because of their smiling and happy faces!

So here's to our special 5K and 2nd grade teachers at Slinger Elementary School! The MacCudden boys are lucky to have you in their lives!