Catching Up

It's been quite a summer here! With the girls doing all sorts of things (like dance intensive, camp and now the Revels Summer Theater Workshop) it hasn't generated many blog worthy pictures like summers of the past had! In an effort to share a bit of what we/they have been up to I figured it was time for a "catching up" post!  

Jake arrived last Friday to spend just about a week with us! Needless to say, the girls were super surprised when he greeted them when they got home! 

Pals. 

The girls returned from Silver Lake on a Friday and Revels Summer Theater Workshop began the following Monday! While camp wasn't as fabulous as we all hoped it would be (the group of kids in their conference were just not a good mix) the summer theater workshop has been absolutely fabulous! The girls are learning all sorts of things about set design, lighting design and stage management as well as other fun things too (like stunts and music)! 

This Friday will be their two show performance. I am sad that I won't be able to attend but as they are behind the scenes they are OK with it! 

Off They Go!

 

In which Dave and Jake head off to pick up Grace from Walnut Hill! xo

My Co-Workers Today

 

My co-workers were not very productive today! 

In other news: we are so happy to have Jake with us for the next two weeks! Pictures from his arrival yesterday are below. 

It didn't take him long to settle in! He was right back in his favorite spot! 

He even joined us for a car ride when we went to get Grace from Walnut Hill. Emma stopped by to say "hi" to Jake on her way to dinner (before hip hop workshop). xo

{This Moment} Going Home

{This Moment} A weekend ritual. A single photo -no words- capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember! Wishing you all a lovely August! xo

{This Moment} When Life Gives You Lemons

{This Moment} A Friday ritual. A single photo -no words- capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. Wishing you all a lovely weekend! xo

They're Back!

In which Jake and Finn return to spend the next nine days with us! xo

{This Moment} A Leap Day Walk

{This Moment} A weekend ritual. A single photo (or two), capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment I want to pause, savor and remember. Hoping you had a lovely last day of February! xo

The Power Of Animals

The girls and I take Jake for a walk in October. 

Last night when we brought him back to his family.

Last night, as we drove to get chocolate ice cream, I shared this story with the girls. I wanted to be sure to record it here, because it truly is one of the sweetest things I have ever experienced.

This past Wednesday, when Dave was at the hockey rink and the girls were sound asleep, I sat down on the couch with only the light from the Christmas tree for light. The house was silent and the glow of the tree was lovely. Almost as soon as I sat down, Jake got up from where he was laying and came over. He sat down in front of me (facing me) and gently put one paw on my lap. He looked at me as if to say "thank you for these last two months." Just typing these words brings tears to my eyes just like his sweet gesture did that night. It's as if he knew his time with us was coming to a close. 

I absolutely believe in the power of animals. The power they have to connect with us, to communicate with us and to understand us. I have believed this my entire life (thanks mom!),though some experiences are more profound than others. This was one such experience. 

After I shared that story with the girls I also told them the final story of Albert. For those that may not know or for those who have forgotten, Albert was the dog that Dave and I had from the first summer we lived in our house until the day after Dave's grandmother's funeral when we helped him to find his rest. He was with us just shy of ten years. Albert was a pug, which was never a breed I ever had any interest in owning, yet I promised Dave (who never had a dog yet always wanted a pug) that if he bought me a house with central air we could get a pug. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think we'd have a house with central air (at least not our first house!) yet that's exactly what happened so I knew I had to make good on the "pug promise" (which is what I did). The night that Albert passed, after everyone was in bed, I went into the kitchen to turn out the light above the stove. And there, at the door, I swear I saw Albert looking at me as if he needed to be let out. I caught my breath. "How could it be?" I thought and it was then I realize that it was his soul leaving the house. It was a final good-bye from that sweet boy of mine. I opened the door and out he went.

So just like the experience of letting Albert's soul go, the interaction with Jake on Wednesday night was indeed a powerful one. I am grateful for both experiences even if they will forever tug at my heartstrings. xo 

Christmas With Jake

Today we celebrated Christmas with Jake since he'd be returning to his family this evening. We had originally thought he would be with us until spring but as plans and circumstances often do, things changed and they were able to have him rejoin them sooner. Because of this, the girls asked if we could celebrate Christmas with him before he left. Plans were made to do all of Jake's most favorite things: a car ride -or two-, a walk, peanut butter, and gifts (because what's Christmas without a gift or two). 

 After his gift from Emma we headed over to Cushing which had been a favorite place of ours to take Jake. A car ride + a walk?! Could this day get any better?!

After our walk, followed by a few errands on our way home, it was time for Grace to give Jake his gift. 

He's clearly into this gift opening thing! 

 Since it was also Saint Lucia Day today we had to make a batch of cinnamon rolls (as is our tradition. Maybe one year we'll try our hand at making Lucia buns instead). This also gave the girls and I a chance to wear the fancy December aprons my Aunt Gail made. 

 Jake is such a good helper! 

And then it was time to take our pal home. We packed up the car, took one final selfie (similar to the first one we ever took of the four of us) and headed over. The three of us were a bit choked up on the way over (and during the drop off) and after we said our good-byes and  "see-you- soons" tears absolutely flowed on the way to get ice cream (because, according to Emma, "times like this just call for chocolate ice cream"). It was such an honor and an absolute privileged to be able to help our friends this way and to be able to welcome this sweet soul into our family these past two months. There's definitely a Jake sized hole left in our hearts and the house is gonna feel a bit too quiet for the next few days I am sure. Thank you, dear friends, for choosing us to be Jake's foster family. It truly was such an honor and a blessing and we are happy to take him anytime. xo