Ginger

Hi Family,
This was a very tough day. It was emotionally draining, but peaceful when it was all done. It was evident, after the visit to the vet yesterday, that we should let Ginger go. Her body was frail and getting worse each day. Her back hips and legs were starting to give out on her. It was time to say good bye. This morning before going to work, I peeked into her dog house and thought she might have already died during the night. She didn't look up at me like she usually does. As I watched closely, I could finally see her shallow breathing.
I called the vet from work and they said I could bring her in at the close of the day - around 4:45 PM. It was a hard day knowing what I was having to face. I came home from work early and thought I had better start digging a grave. I didn't see Ginger anywhere and wondered if she had already died in her doghouse. I was almost wishing that were the case so I wouldn't have to go through the ordeal at the vet's. I found her around the corner of the house alive, laying under the lilac bush. I cried some more and hugged her.

I thought I would bury her in a big box and started digging a hole that would fit it - under the lilac bush - her favorite spot. Ethan came home from school and told me he had also had a tough day. His teacher noticed him weeping on occasion and sweetly comforted him when he explained why. Ethan and I hugged for a little bit then he said that "it was the best thing for Ginger." He grabbed a shovel and started digging. We were pleased to find out that after a layer of rocks and gravel there was fairly soft sand. We dug a pretty deep hole. We also discovered I accidentally sliced through a sprinkler line and had to do a quick splicing job.

At 4:40 I attached Ginger's leash to her collar. She was calm and walked beside me to the car. I helped her into the back seat and she sat next to Ethan. Still calm and not frantic and moaning like she usually is in the back seat. When we got to the vet, Ethan said he really needed to go to the bathroom before we got started. He said "Don't worry Dad. I just have to go pee". I told him to run inside and ask to use their restroom. I waited a few more minutes outside trying to maintain my composure. I took a deep breath and walked to the front desk. The receptionist smiled and said "Hello, what will we be doing for you today". I was kind of surprised because I thought it was clear that I had a 4:45 appointment. I took another deep breath and whimpered "we need to put my dog Ginger to sleep". She said she was sorry and would get the paper work. I signed the consent form and wrote a check. I had let go of the leash and Ginger just sniffed around the office going room to room. Different people greeted her as she made herself at home.
We were taken to a room where the lady doctor and a male assistant came to talk us. Ethan said that he would wait outside the door. I asked if he wouldn't mind coming in with us. I really needed him to be with me. He said okay and sat on my lap. The doctor asked if we had ever experienced this before. I nodded no. She explained that they would shave a lit patch of hair on her leg so they could find a vein. They would insert a small catheter where the medicine would go. She would first push a little saline through and then the medicine. The medicine was an anaesthetic that would relax Ginger, then she would sleep and the heart would stop.
They put a blanket on the floor and invited us to hold her while this took place. Ethan preferred to stay in the chair and covered his face. I knelt on the blanket, holding Ginger, petting her soft ears and kissing her on the nose. The doctor was very kind and gentle. She spoke softly to Ginger and administered the medicine. Ginger laid down on the blanket and looked very peaceful. Her eyes were still remained open, as the doctor listened for the heart beat. It had stopped and Ginger was gone. They asked if we would like a few minutes alone and I nodded yes. I gently closed her eye lids and tried to stifle my cry. Ethan and I hugged.
The assistant came back in the room with a blanket carrier to wrap her in. He gently placed her in it and tied the black ribbon in a bow. I was relieved to see this because I didn't know if my old bathrobe would have worked too well or was very dignified. I guess I was still in shock and I asked him if I needed to pay extra for this or had to return it to them. Pretty stupid questions, but he seemed to understand and kindly said "No. This is for you to bury her in. It's yours". Then he asked if he could help us put her in the car. I gratefully accepted the offer. He placed her gently in the back seat next to Ethan.
We drove home and both Ethan and I felt relief. I carried her to the graveside and set her down on the ground.

We went inside to tell give Mom a call. She was still at school helping with the knowledge bowl. Ethan and I went back outside and knelt down next to Ginger. I said a little prayer and we felt Ginger's head one more time through the fabric wrap. I placed her down in the grave and we proceeded to bury her. I think it was good therapy for us to be doing this together. We felt a sense of relief and peace. We gathered a few things to help decorate the grave including her dog dish, collar, leash, dog bones and a ball. Ethan organized them on the mound of dirt and talked about a head stone that he would design.

Our difficult task was done and we all felt much better. Muffy, the Lockhart's little dog watched us through the fence. Just as we stood up from the grave, the church bells started ringing down the block. Ethan said that was pretty neat. It was 6:00. We were both feeling very hungry and went to Dairy Queen for dinner.
We'll all miss Ginger. She has been a part of our family for over 13 years. A lot has happened in that time. She has been my companion when everyone else was gone. She traveled with me from Idaho. We slept in the car at the park in Gunnison on our move to Monte Vista. I felt so bad when I had to leave her at the kennel when I arrived in Monte Vista. I had to close on the house then drive to Albuquerque where the rest of the family was gathered for a Chatwin reunion. She was my pal. I'm sure our Heavenly Father knows this and will find a way for us to be with ALL of our loved ones again someday.
Thanks for letting me share this. Now maybe I can get to sleep.
Love,
Dad

What a week!

It's been quite a week and I've been trying to wait until I'm not all drugged up to do my blog! I don't think that's going to be happening any time soon. I had knee surgery on Wednesday and it's been pretty rough. They got in there and found that my bone had actually fractured and my cartilage is in the same condition as a 60 year olds. So, it's 3 times more worn than it should be. There is some sort of underlining condition that we don't know about so I have to go in for more tests next week. It's been 5 days since the surgery and I thought I'd be up and running by now. Unfortunately, it's going to be a while longer. I'm learning a real lesson in patience, and trying to find happiness in the small things like being able to bend my knee or lifting my leg a little higher when I'm doing the physical therapy exercises. I've also learned a big lesson in humility and on having compassion on others. It's hard to believe there are people who are in pain like this every single day and they have no help!
Mike stayed home from work on Wednesday and Thursday to take care of us. I think by Thursday night he had just about had enough and was ready to go back to work. He was soooo cranky! He went into work on Friday morning and came home in the afternoon and I think he actually had a good weekend with the kids. He took them on a bike ride and set up a pool for them in the back. It was nice to wake up from a 4 hour nap to the sound of the kids laughing in the backyard. They sure love their Daddy. He went back to work today and I've missed having him around to bring me back my crutches when Aaron runs off with them! And since I can't carry Aaron up the stairs, I've learned I can bribe him with chocolate chips. I just place one on each step and he follows me right up. (Kind of like on E.T.!)
As for other news, 3 of my cousins have had babies this week! CONGRATULATIONS guys!!! Mindi and Ernie Rivas welcomed Aiden, Kevin and Lori Murset had little Hattie, and Jason and Jessica Peterson had Noelia! Monica and Tyler Murset are expecting an addition to their adorable little family, and Mandy and Darren Reschke are expecting as well! Baby fever is in the air....it feels like spring! Babies are such fun little bundles of joy! (ummm...FYI...I'm just cheering on from the sidelines until Aaron is potty trained!)

My family came out for their spring break and it was so nice to have them here! The time went by entirely too quickly, but we enjoyed every moment! Whitney and Ethan are the best of little friends...and uncle and neice. Aaron followed Brett and Kya around just wanting to be one of the boys and tried to invite himself into their game of catch in the middle of the street. They/we went to Brazos Bend State Park and got to see lots of alligators, and to the Museum of Nature and Science, and then on Friday we all went out to Galveston island and spent the day there. It was supposed to be sunny and 86 degrees...but whoever guessed that was severely mistaken because it was completely cloudy, windy and about 55 degrees! I was so bummed! The boys still went out and played in the waves, though. And after the beach we went and played tourist for a while and Dad took us out to dinner at Joe's Crab Shack right there on the harbor! It was really fun! And, if I knew where the darn camera was I'd put up some pictures!!! I guess this post will just have to be a "to be continued...." sort of post.

Oh! And I'm having knee surgery on Wednesday. I guess I haven't updated that part! It turns out I tore the cartilage in my knee...still no clue how...and they have to go in and fix it. It's an outpatient surgery and they said it only takes about 10 minutes once they get in there. So, this should be interesting! I'm excited to get back to normal and be able to exercise again, I'm starting to feel like a lazy blob.

Well, until next time...or I find my camera, CIAO!!!

I got bored last week and decided to do a photo shoot with the kids. We don't have allll that great of a camera, and we don't have any fun background stuff....but these are some of the pictures that turned out pretty cute. I wish I would have taken photography classes in High School! It would have been so much fun! Well, we had fun anyways. I just love these two little cuties!

Baby McKayla

Yaaaaay! McKayla is finally here! She was born on Sunday at 1:46 a.m. She weighed 6 lbs. 13 oz. and 20 inches long. Rachel and Mike both did an incredible job! Rachel made labor sound like it was like going to a spa or something, she just did so well! And Mike just looks so happy, and proud. I am so happy for them, I wish I could be there to hold her! She is just the cutest little thing. She is so pretty! She has such delicate little features and dark hair (hmmm, wonder where she got that from?) Rachel sounds like she's taking to being a mother very well! I love the above picture, what a sweet moment, such a beautiful image of motherhood. Mom is there and she is just so happy to be there! We are blessed to have such a wonderful mom. She has such a big heart. I don't know how we would survive without her!

latest report...

Well, I haven't written in a while, and figure it's about time I get to it! Things have been so crazy lately with my new calling. I love my girls, though. They are so sweet and always run over and give me big ol' hugs. It's so nice to have people who are happy to see me!

I somehow hurt my knee over the past month and it just keeps getting worse. I swear my knee has turned into mush (seriously, if I push on it, it's squishy instead of hard like tendons). So, I think I'd better break down and get to the doctor or something. I'm so hesitant because we just finally paid off my hospital bills from my last surgery, and I'm so scared they'll want to go in and drain my knee or something. But it's just getting to the point where I can't stand the pain anymore, and it's getting harder to get up the stairs, and even hard to drive. (yeah, scary.)

Um, let's see. What else. Ah, tornado season has begun out here. I forgot how much I hate spring here. It's beautiful and all, but the storms are terrifying! I've never seen anything like these beastly storms, where the whole sky seems to turn blackish green, and the clouds are so thick and low and they seem to be bubbling and swirling and the lightning is SO crazy and loud. I was watching the weather forecast and tomorrow is supposed to be really bad. Houston was in the big "red" highlighted area which means there will be severe weather, and the nice big "TORNADOES LIKELY" with an arrow pointing right at us. Ugh! It wouldn't be so bad accept for that we have no basements here because the water table is so high because we're close to the coast. So, we just have to hide in a closet and hope that nothing hits us. There have been several tornadoes here within the past 5 years or so. One ripped off a wall of Dillards at the mall, one threw around some planes at our airport (which is just about a mile away from our house), one ripped the garage off of our Relief Society President's house and just about "sucked up" her husband when he ran out to see what on earth all the ruckus was! So, sadly, I know they do happen here....and I just pray it doesn't happen to us! Actually, last year we had a tornado warning for our area, and it was about 5 a.m. and I had to get the kids up and we sat in the "tornado closet" until the storm passed. We didn't have any damage to our house other than some broken limbs from surrounding trees, but a few neighborhoods away it ripped off the roof of an apartment complex. So, I'm guessing it was just a funnel cloud when it passed over our neighborhood. (sigh) I'm not looking forward to this again....here's a few pictures of one of the storms rolling in for you. Though a picture doesn't quite do it justice.... ; )


Everything else seems to be going well. Rachel is due any day now, and it just kills me that I can't be there with her. I would give anything to be there. I'm so excited for her, and nervous, and I've never felt anything like this before! I remember being so scared the first time, not knowing if everything would be okay, or if the baby would be okay, or if Mike would pass out...(hahaha, I think she actually said the exact same thing...) I know it's all in the Lord's hands and things will be fine, but I just wish I could be there to give her a big hug and help her through it, and wipe her forehead, and bring her ice chips, and hold her hand, and hear that sweet little first cry from my little niece. I just miss and love Rachel so much. I'd better move on to another subject because now I'm bawling like a baby!

Well, that's about all I can do for tonight. I think that about covers everything.....until next time, hasta la pasta!

Where one door closes, another one opens!

This week was pretty crazy! Mike had to go on a business trip to Baton Rouge, Louisiana. That morning two hours before he was supposed to leave to catch his flight, he was involved in a car accident. He was on a 2 lane highway, going 60 mph (the speed limit was 55) and some crazy lady didn't think he was going fast enough. She plowed right into the back of him, pushed his car out of the way and kept on driving! He swerved off of the highway and came to a stop and assessed the damage. He called the police and they came to help out. Apparently there is a traffic camera right there, so they think they caught the lady on tape and will be able to get her license number! (I sure hope so!) Somehow he was able to get the car towed, get things worked out with State Farm, rent a car, and get back home in time to catch the taxi to the airport. What a crazy morning.!So, to make a long story short, the insurance company declared our car totaled and we had to say good-bye to dear Old Blue. I'm just so glad that Michael wasn't injured at all in the accident, and we figure that it was really a blessing in disguise because it seemed like our car was needing something else fixed on it every month! It lived a good life, though. It had almost 150,000 miles on it. Whitney gave it a hug good-bye and it brought tears to my eyes. That was the car that we drove away from the temple in when we got married, it took us to Salt Lake City for our honeymoon, it hit a deer, and it brought both of our kids home from the hospital when they were born. It's funny how you grow attached to your cars, almost like a pet. Anyway, we now have a new addition to the family, Black Beauty!

It's a Chevy Venture and we got a heck of a deal on it, and were able to use the $3,600 from Old Blue as a down payment. It is the Warner Brothers edition, so it has leather seats, a DVD player with wireless headphones and all kinds of other fun little knick-knacks. The doors automatically open with the push of a button, it has a back-up sensor so I won't accidentally back into anything, and all of the seats come out if we need to transport something big (like this white dresser I've been eyeballing for the kids room since Aaron's broke). It doesn't feel like a minivan inside, it looks more like a theater with all of the leather bucket seats. I always vowed that I would never get a minivan, but I can definitely settle with this one! It will be great for those 16 hour drives back home to Colorado, better on gas mileage, and for when family comes out to visit-we'll actually have room for everyone! We're pretty excited about it. (As if you can't tell! I sound like a car salesman!)