"Take A Load Off…"

The summer before I started my internship, I decided (in spite of my parents advice) to get a puppy.  I was single, trying to get my Masters, and very busy.  It was one of the best decisions I've ever made.  He was, simply put, perfect.  I had wanted a chocolate girl, but came home with a little furry blonde boy.  I had no boy names picked out but one of my favorite songs at the time was "The Weight" from The Band, so I named him Chester.

Chester was a true companion.  When I lived by myself, he snuggled and made me feel safe.  He road-tripped with me all over the eastern half of the US.  He accepted the demotion that came with John Thomas and embraced his new role as part-vacuum and full-time baby toy with love in his heart.  He licked my tears when I was sad and was loyal until the moment we said goodbye.  I am tearing just thinking of all the love and laughter he brought to our lives.  A few weeks ago, he became very sick and we had to let him go.  For days, Hurley looked for him and every time he checked for Chester on my side of the bed, I got a little choked up.  I could probably write a book called "Chester and Me" or "Really Old Yeller" or something like that, but instead I will honor him with this post and be thankful for the third of my life shared with one of the very best dogs ever.

Since my last post was before Christmas, we've got some catching up to do. Here is our very belated Christmas PJ pic!  This is ABSOLUTELY ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS ABOUT CHRISTMAS!  Matching Christmas jammies with all my favorite people in front of a garishly large and bright tree just makes my heart flutter :).  

My bro and his family were able to come in for a few days.  They are so much fun to be around and John Thomas loves getting to spend time with these goofballs.  

 The weather was nice enough to spend lots of time outside.  Jeff and Poppy took the remote control plane out for a spin.  I'm not gonna say which "pilot" crashed the plane, but it ended up in about 25 pieces.

I think if you ask them, they would blame the photographer because she wanted them to fly the plane close enough for a good picture. (Whoops!)

 Santa was very generous this year.  He and his elves managed to deliver a fully assembled trampoline! We have all gotten hours of time on this baby--even Gramma gave it a whirl!

 We have also taken full advantage of all the wintry precipitation dropped on East Tennessee this year.  Snowball fights, sledding, snowmen, hot chocolate, snow days off school--basically it's been amazing :).

My two most favorite boys in the entire universe and sometimes when we are all together, I can't help but take a pause and relish their love and how truly blessed I am.  Truly. 

 Along with his normal affection and support, Jeff has done two incredibly loving and generous things in the past couple of weeks.  First, he went to couples yoga with me for Valentines Day.  He did A-mazing--totally earned his place on the yoga mat when he whipped out a headstand!  What a stud!  Second, he cashed in about 600,000 hotel miles so that me and my girl friends could stay in a swanky suite at the beachfront Hilton in Ft. Lauderdale!  He even had a limo pick us up at the airport!  I mean, a girl could get used to that…I'm just sayin!

We ate well, laughed so much we cried and had the time of our lives.  I am SO thankful to share life with these beautiful mamas.  And I am SO thankful to my loving hubby who gives his all to our family.  Mwah babe!

 Not a bad view to wake up to.  Till next year, my emojibit chicas!

Speaking of wonderful friendships…this was the last picture I took of Chester. I didn't know he was going to fall terribly ill within a few hours.  I just noticed that he and Hurley were pretty cozy.  Hurley almost always lays on the couch or under the bed, so I wonder if Hurley knew something we didn't and was spending their last few moments together.  May we all have the kind of relationships that bring us comfort when we need it most…without having to say a word.  Thank you Chester for always being one of the best parts of my day for the last 14 and a half years.  Miss you buddy.