Welcome -- Maggie Mae McMullen

We were heading out for our normal family grocery shopping trip to Wal-Mart on Sunday late afternoon. As I was driving down Cactus I saw a dog on the south side of the road which appeared to be a puppy. I commented to Ryan....Ahhh, there is a puppy over there. We kept driving and did our grocery shopping which takes about an hour since for some crazy reason we all go together (this is definitely Ryans idea not mine). Anyways I thought to myself that if I see that dog on the way home I might stop and try to help it.

As we left Wal-Mart and headed home....the dog was still in the same spot. I of course felt obligated at this point to stop. Dogs dont usually stay in one spot and not for an hour anyways. My wonderful Ryan jumped out of the car to go over and see the dog. She was very dirty and totally scared. I told Ryan we needed to help her. I got a bottle of water from the car and started pouring it in front of her so she could have a drink. A very thirsty little gal started drinking the water. Ryan at the time was probably hoping that we would drive away -- never know what you are going to have to invest in a stray dog just to help it find its home again. I left Ryan on the side of the road with the dog and went to Jill's to grab a leash. I didn't want us to pick her up with how dirty she was and not knowing if she was going to bite us. We borrowed some dog food from Jill and headed home where we placed her in the back yard. This dog would not eat and just laid around. I went outside often to pet her and talk to her letting her know I am going to help her and find her home. She would get up and walk away from me every time I came outside.
I knew she was an older dog due to her gray hair around the mouth....so, I thought she possibly was dying or was depressed from loosing her owner.
After 2 days of no eating and no movement - I finally got her to lap up some chicken broth which brought a smile to my face.

I called Dales pet grooming to see if I could bring her in and get her a bath so she could come in the house and be more comfortable. I explained the situation to them and they said they would bath her. They looked her over and found a spot on her neck that was bloody. Well turns out that spot was a hole the size of the end of my pinky -- and I have big hands. She had been bit by something and her neck was so swollen and bruised that they said that they cant bath her right now till she is seen by a vet. Wonderful Jillian came over and helped me out the following day so I could take her to the mobile vet. They think maybe a coyote got her and she was lucky to get away. Put her on some medicine for the infection and pain pills.
For some reason after I got home she was excited to get in the back yard and ate a little more broth. I started her meds right away in hopes that she would feel a little better.

The dog started eating more so, I offered some dog food that I had softened with hot water and a little wet dog food. As the week went on so did her progress. I had made an appointment with Jill's vet to follow up and possibly see if there was anything else she needed since the first visit is free. They shaved her neck where she was bit and the bruising was continuing to go away as well as the swelling. I asked him if she could have a bath and he gave me the thumbs up. Sooooo....I called Dales and made an appointment that day. When I went to go pick her up she was a new dog. It was just like she had a day at the spa and was a new women. Leaping around....her hair was so soft and you could tell that she was feeling soooo much better.

She got to stay inside now and was so excited to be with us. I put her on 3 different web sites in hopes to find her owner. I checked her for a chip - she had no collar to begin with and I drove around the area I found her multiple times looking for a lost dog sign.
Well.....we now have a new member to our family. She has miles on her for sure but, she is such an amazing dog. Ryan and I had talked about getting a puppy in the next year which is pretty crazy being that my plate is beyond full. She does not shed, she does not bark - unless you ring the door bell, she is good with the boys and I just love her. We decided to name her Maggie Mae McMullen. She obviously is very grateful for us saving her -- she follows me all around the house and lays in the laundry room when I leave waiting for me to come back through the door. She listens very good and is house broken.

I feel like she is a little blessing and was put there for me/us to find. She is great for our family. Like most kids -- Brady has a hard time staying in his bed before he falls asleep -- coming out for multiple reasons. Last night I had Maggie jump up on the end of his bed and told her to stay till he went to sleep. Brady never came out of his room and she stayed there until I came and got her. What a sweet little angel we have been blessed with to join our family. I cant tell you enough how good it feels to know that we saved this little girl and how much extra joy she brings into our lives. I hope we get to enjoy her for years. Hard to say how old she is but, we will love her as long as she has.

Many Thanks to my husband for just going with the flow and letting her be a part of our family. I appreciate him helping me get her home and being so supportive. I also could not have helped her out as much if Mom and Jill didn't help. Mom picked her up a bed from Costco along with a pooper scooper and dog bones from Pet Smart. Jillian of course helped me out by coming over to the house so I could run around town multiple days trying to fix our girl. Its so great to have so many amazing people in my life so willing to help me with anything. Maggie is very thankful for you guys as well as I am.



This is what she looked like before!



This is what our girl looks like now! Pictures really dont do any justice to the amazing changes.

October where did you go???

Its obviously common and we all go thru it but, time is flying by soooo fast in my life right now. I cannot believe that October has come and gone.

*At the beginning of the month Vicky and her daughter Chloe came and visited which was great. Always enjoy seeing Vicky and it has been forever since I saw Chloe -- she has grown up so much!



*I ran the 3mile race for the cure with the wonderful Kristi. We did great and finished at the front with the pack.



*Ryan went out of town for a few days which is always hard for me -- soooo my hero Matthew came and stayed with me one night when I got spooked. He would fight off any of the bad men that were standing in my showers waiting to kill me (or so my mind makes me think).

*We went to the state fair where we enjoyed the ol corn dog on a stick and some Indian fry bread. We only get to partake in these wonderful,greasy,give me a muffin top items once a year so we enjoyed. Brady didn't want to try out any of the rides so we just walked around and enjoyed the scenery. Love to people watch at the fair -- it brings in a whole to crowd of people ya just didn't know really existed.







*Then of course there is Halloween! We went to a pumpkin patch where Brady got to pick out his pumpkin and then a family one was also picked. Logan can pick his own next year. Ryan and I got nominated to have people over to our house for Halloween so our friends came over with their kids 13 kids total to be exact and 10 adults. This number included Jill and the boys which was super fun since they are not into Halloween. Always love having the ol sister around when things are going on. Everyone brought a little something to shmack on that was mexican themed. We played a quick ghost poop race game and off we went trick or treating. Mom stayed home and passed out candy to the neighborhood kids.
Logan was a bee and and angry bee for that matter. He really was not interested in having the bee costume on at all. He didn't want to go up and ask for candy, instead he wanted to run around everywhere he wasn't suppose to -- like the street. I failed to bring the stroller - needless to say -- my arms were on fire. Brady was a pirate and truly enjoyed Halloween this year. He would run up to doors and say arrrr trick or treat. Just the way a true pirate would do. Came home and mom had cleaned up all the dishes and the kitchen from the mess that we all had made. Thanks Mom!!! I will make sure she is here for all parties to come. It was such a treat...Mom your the best!!

This sums up October -- I AGAIN....am going to try and do a better job about blogging. Its very hard for me to sit long enough to make a post so most of them will be short and sweet. November is already interesting and full of excitement. I am excited about the next post which will be introducing Maggie Mae!!!










Can you tell which one Ryan carved???










Sleeping after our big night out on Halloween!

Our rugrats!!!

Its cooling off a bit and went outside to play the other day with our girl Paige. It always seems to end up that the kids get in the water or get so dirty that we just hose them off! Here are some fun pics of the kids running around naked.









Also went over to Jills house the other day and just started shooting some pictures of the boys while they were outside. We are trying very hard to learn our cameras and be in control but, I think we have come to realize and discover that the auto in our camera has a lot more experience than we do. Just some fun photos of our rugrats to share!!! Enjoy!




This is some heavy duty armor that Matt has made for Branden!!!!











My Logan is such a cuddly little guy!!! I just love it!!!

Update on running!!!

Soooo....I have this terrible head cold right now that is keeping me from running! This SUCKS!!! I have been so good about not missing a run or a jog for our training and now since I feel like I have been hit by a 2x4 in the head -- I have missed the last two days of our runs. We are suppose to run 6 miles this weekend. How the heck am I suppose to do that!?!?!? Not to mention that I feel like a beached whale. Its so funny what a couple days of not working out/excersising can do to your mind/body. I hope this passes soon so I can be back on track. We are going to run the 3 mile Susan G. Komen race for the cure on the 11th of October. Feeling really good about this run and not to mention its for a great cause. Hope everyone who reads this will run/walk it with us.

Sassy here we come!!!

Jillian and I went shopping last week and headed over to Buckle to find some jeans. We can only buy jeans at Buckle because they so graciously cater to us tall folks by making jeans with a 37 1/2 inch inseam. We loaded up my two boys and Trenton and off we went with jeans on our mind. We justified buying a new pair each since we have not bought a new pair of jeans in like ummmm....5 years. Its quite obvious that styles have changed since then and although we tend to not care that much about being super trendy -- it would be fun to sport some sassy, sexy, stylish jeans.

We tried on about 10 pairs each -- I might have a couple more under my belt but, with a lot of time and sweat and tired, hungry, whinning babies...I found a great pair of jeans and Jill found -- NOTHING!!! Sad day for her! But, at these prices...you better feel you sparkle like diamonds in the sky when you put these babies on or they will be left on the shelf.

As I was checking out -- I happen to glance over and saw this shirt that I just knew I was going to LOVE!!! I walked over and unfolded this shirt made by Affliction that is so the uhmmmm.....cant even think of the right words but, its just the rough side of my personality with a little bling to it. Its soooo not a sweet, danty, etsy look which dont get me wrong I love. I glanced at the price tag and it was $68.50 -- OMG...are you kidding me -- for one shirt!!! Will this shirt rub my shoulders and back after pulling it over my head!?!?!? Anyways..I went home and told Ryan all about the shirt and I just cant stop thinking about it.
We went back later that night and my WONDERFUL HUBBY let me buy it since I still had birthday money left over that I never spent back in May. Please see picture below!!


There are a lot of girls/women out there who would totally not sport this shirt but, I planned on rocking it out with some fun boots and exsesories. I placed this $68.50 shirt in my closet and let it sit for a couple days. I got a size medium and it fit good but, a smidge snugger than I would like around the chest and arm pit area. If you know me -- you know I do NOT like to wear sleeves and have a hard time with shirts that are so tight they are all up in my pits. Makes me uncomfortable for some reason -- I like to have my arms free like a bird. lol

Long story short....I loaded the boys up today and I took that $68.50 fabulous shirt that I HADE TO HAVE back to Buckle and bought three new shirts for the price of that one. I am sooooo excited about my new purchases that I just had to share them. I went over to Heart & Soul which is new in Arrowehead Mall but, they have a store up in Prescott that I have glaced at many times. I just LOVE LOVE LOVE my new purchases BUT -- I can put a picture of them up right now because you will not get the same effect if they are laying on my counter or on a hanger. They have to be on me to share them with you. Its the little things in life that bring great joy into my heart. I am totally not a fashionable person and I envy those who are (Candace aka: Brooke Masters)with love in my heart. I just dont have the sassy fashion in me or the denaro to be that sassy. I tell ya what -- it costs a lot of flippin money to be up to date with fashions and do it right. I guess thats why I am excited about the new purchase. Soooo.....sassy pictures of muah will be posted soon!!! This should be exciting!! lol

Running Around Town

Today is a much better day! I just get to be a rolling snowball sometimes and a few tears and hugs seems to make me feel all better. Soooo on to some new things in my/our life. Kristi....my very wonderful friend/neighbor/and employer -- started talking about running a 1/2 marathon months ago. We go to the gym every morning together and when she mentioned this I quickly jumped on the ship and said...lets go sailing together! I have never really liked running and havent done much of it since high school but, I/we thought this would be some great excersize and we would probably do well at it since we workout every day. We also would both like to shed or tone a couple pounds and were convinced that this is how we are going to do it.

Well, our official training day was to start on August 23rd but, we jumped into it a couple weeks early to have a head start. We have both done quite well. I think we push eachother a lot and it sure helps having her run next to me. I am happy to say that we have never stopped in the middle of a run to take a break -- and last week we ran 5 miles. Doesnt seem like much but, let me just tell ya...5 miles is ridiculously far when you are on foot. We have been running here and there at night so we could sleep the next morning and last night I finally felt amazing when I was running. Usually when I start I have this thought of -- oh my gosh I am going to have to stop. Then as we get about half way thru the run -- it gets a little better. BUT....last night we were to run 3.5 miles and we ran 4 instead because we were doing so good. I have been getting a little discouraged lately with our runs because we have to build up to 13 miles and I feel sometimes like I am going to die with a 3 mile run. Anyways....I thought it would be fun to journal our experience with the training and of course our victory at the end of it.

We will be running in San Diego on Coronado Beach on November 15th. We leave for San Diego on the 13th and return the same day as the race. This will also be the first time I am away from my babies. The only other time I have been away from Brady was when I was giving birth to Logan. Two whole nights these little guys are going to be with out their mamma and me with out them. I know its going to be sooooo hard for me to leave and actually just the thought of it and writing this makes me teary. Hopefully I can call Brady each night and we can sing Sunshine over the phone. My boys are just amazing little guys -- actually all 3 of my boys. I couldnt go with out saying how supportive Ryan has been with me doing this and the costs that are involved. I truly have an amazing husband on so many levels. I feel so blessed every day with my life, even when Brady is putting me over the edge sometimes. Its fun to have a goal to work towards like this and I am so lucky to being doing it with such a great friend. Thanks for the suggestion Kristi and for keeping me going! Stay tuned for our progress!

Oh Brady!!!

Mom keeps telling me that I need to blog more. Probably not the day to do it but, I am going to make a quick post. Brady has been testing me the last two weeks and its really starting to wear on me. I believe in love and logic and try my very best to stay calm and give him choices. He has started hitting and being a bug bully all of the sudden and I of course wonder....what am I doing wrong. I am aware that Brady is very strong willed and has a very healthy temper -- just the way he is built as does his little brother Logan (the temper anyways). I can admit that I am not the most patient person in the world but, I have come a very very long way with patience after having kids. I just feel like I am always raising my voice and always putting him in time out or counting or or or. Of course with writing this, I feel bad like I am saying my little man is not a good kid -- wrong -- he is a very smart, wonderful, sweet little guy. These last two weeks have just been trying and difficult. I think this has a better word for it and its called "being a parent". I also need to remember that just because Brady looks like a 4 year old...he is only 2 1/2. Ryan and I want to have 4 kids, we are only at 2....am I going to make it?? Does this mean I am being defeated and giving up!? Sigh...
Ok...I am going to get off of my poor me box and I am going to go take a happy pill and be the best mother ever!!! Wish me luck -- and Brady for that matter that we can come out of this testing time very very soon.

Catching up!

Wow....its has been like 3 months since I have posted anything on my blog. I think as more and more time goes by -- I start to feel overwhelmed about sitting down and catching up on all the events that have happened. So, I decided to just pick up from today and move forward, with the exception of one classic day.
A brief catch up with just some bullet points:

*Logan turned one year old on May 8th. Where the heck has the time gone??? We love him so much...he and Brady are becoming great buddies and he truly is a blessing.

*Jillian turned 32 -- my mom and I took her out for dinner at Postinos and then surprised her with a little country dancing which was a BLAST! We had a great time.

*Carter turned 5 -- seriously....its truly ridiculous how fast our kids grow up. I cannot believe that he is already 5 years old. Love you buddy!! You are a super special little man to your Aunt Lindsey.

*OUR ANNIVERSARY!!!!!
This would be the special classic day that I by no means can leave off of the blog. Ryan and I got married on 07/07/07. Now, I wanted to do something fun and DIFFERENT for Ryan that he would never guess I was planning. Let me just say....I accomplished this in flying colors.
I was talking with my fabulous girlfriend Julia, discussing with her some ideas that she might have for the big day. She told me that on fathers day she took Brett (her husband) over to Turf Soaring to have a fun adventure in a glider. Well, at first I thought....hmmmm....not sure if Ryan would really think it was fun but, at least it is something he has NEVER done and can say that he did it in life. So, Jillian was wonderful and agreed to watch the boys for us so I could take Ryan out for this fun day.
We arrived at the Turf Soaring and I could read on Ryans face that he was a little nervous after seeing the contraption that he was going to be sitting in and not to mention it was way flippin hot out. If you have never been to Turf Soaring which I am sure most have not -- let me lay it out for you a little. Its right behind a trailer park, there is a bird that sits on a line right above the stairs that if you dont walk fast enough -- it might poop on you, the people are quite elderly, (but very nice) and I felt like a millionaire walking up to pay. Anyways....Ryan and I walked out to the glider with these smiles that were from ear to ear on our faces -- not because we were so happy yet, totally freaked out and trying to think positive. I wished him luck and off they went.
I went and sat under the tree were this young girl about 9 years old came and sat down with me. She lived over in the trailer park and comes over every day to empty the garbage's and helps out. She probably had not brushed her hair or her teeth in days but, that didnt matter - she was very nice and pleasant to talk to while waiting for Ryan to be done. All of the sudden she says to me.....Oh boy -- there coming in --he must have puked! I said really you think so. Oh yeah -- there coming in fast he puked. They do a very fast landing and she pipes up again and says -- yup -- theres his puke bag!!!!
It never even dawned on me that Ryan has a weak stomach and would get air sick. Oh geeezzzzz -- now I feel like a flippin moron. Ryan walks over to me and he is just drenched from head to toe in sweat. He was white as a ghost. The guy who went up with him says....let me get his flying booklet for him before you leave. I told Ryan to go sit in the car and relax and I will get the booklet. At this point I could care less about this booklet and just want to go take care of Ryan.
Well, a long story short on the glider -- Ryan felt like crap the rest of the day. We drove out and had to stop at Lowes for about 45 min sitting on their patio furniture in order for him to not feel so dizzy and want to vomit again. I kept telling him that we should just go home but, he was insistent that we go to Firebirds and eat our favorite meals.
I talked to Jill while sitting at Lowes and she was just busting a gut. You really have to hear the story in person but, this little girl going on and on next to me all hillbillyish that Ryan had thrown up was seriously funny. We got home and Ryan went and laid on the bed for most of the evening. He came out a little before the boys were going to go to bed and we started playing with them. I was just telling Brady to go in the play room and we will play for a little while. I gave him a big tight squeeze and he vomited over my right shoulder all over my back. ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!! I am thinking -- I just squeezed my son so tight that I made him vomit. Well, after that Brady kept saying I puke I puke and ran to the toilet. He never threw up so we thought he was playing around. After the 7th time of him doing this I finally said -- now thats enough -- its time for bed no more playing! He bursted out in tears and said he needed to puke sooooo I picked him out of bed and took him into the restroom where he vomited and vomited and vomited. He threw up so much that he started to not be able to get his breath and got scared so he picked his head up and then vomited all over the toilet and not just in it. We moved Bradys mattress into our room next to my side of the bed where he threw up every 20 min until about 1am. The next morning Brady was great -- got it all out of his system and I was on the couch the whole day feeling sicker than a dog. Couldnt eat anything and dry heaved a couple times. This is truly a day and night that will never be forgotten and we can now look back and laugh about it. Ryan told me later that day that he is kinda a back seat guy and I really dont need to do wild and adventurous things for him -- he likes doing the same things over and over. Note taken!!! Happy Anniversary Honey!!!!