Gotta Getcha Back: July 2008

This was a video from Father's Day '07

Dad's sense of humor permeates this video.......... it's hard to imagine how things can change in such a short time........... we had a wonderful day !

My Baby Will Never Know Grandpa 6/29/27 - 7/21/08

It's taken me some time to process this, well, I suppose I'm truly in the journey of processing the loss of my Dad, and dealing with the grief.

Dad had a horrific year, and if it wasn't one thing, it was another......... he passed suddenly in a slip and fall injury, suffering blunt trauma to his head..... it is with great saddness that I type these words........ my future little girl will NEVER know "My Daddy" ! I just can't believe that after all of the time in healing, surgery after surgery, complications from surgery in a recurrence of colon cancer, he finally goes home to Florida to start somewhat a new, and bam........ You just never know what's around that corner. (maybe that's why he tripped, he missed something around that corner).. I hope you don't think that this is in bad taste, but my Dad would have thought that was funny

He was a strong willed, pig-headed pain in the butt, but one of the most talented men that I will ever have the honor to know and to love, and to call Father. There is a huge gaping hole in my heart at this time.

He had a sense of humor, loved to be the center of attention, sang his heart out and always got standing ovations........ I often feel that his love, and intentions were misdirected. I wish I could say that they were mis-understood, but that's just not so, as often, in my mind, he didn't do the right thing........ BUT, regardless of all of his short comings.... now in retrospect, I wouldn't have traded him for another Father, as he is the reason I'm who I am today........ a big pain in the butt, nope, only kidding......... there I go trying to emulate his sense of humor again........, don't think it works as good for me :(........

I'm going to miss you Daddy......... Rest in Peace, and don't make too much trouble for yourself in Heaven...... for once, go with the flow, and do as you are instructed....... ahhhhhhh, this does remind me of something else.... must just be so brain fried from this whole week..... Pop's missed his own funeral...... yep, he certainly did. He was scheduled to fly out of Florida last Wednesday, during all of the inclement weather patterns on the East Coast..... he got bumped for some engine parts that were needed urgently for another Jet in New York........ then he was placed on a later flight, that never made it off the ground......... he was late for his own funeral, and we had to reschedule for the following day. Looking back, now I just smile, as Dad being such a difficult and controlling individual here on Earth, remained true even beyond......... BUT, we laughed again, as the next day, when we finally had the service, which was an outdoor gravesite service, Dad knew & was right...... he didn't want to be buried in the rain....... he wanted Sunshine, and that's what he got. Always the jokester....... he even pulled strings in the after life......... Daddy, I miss you !
Love Shelley - your favorite........ :)

July 11, 2008 Pirate's Debut

Today was Pirate's Showing Debut........ Riverhead Kennel Club hosted the event. Pirate turned 6 months old a week ago, and that is the minimum age a dog must be to compete. We'll, we tried our hat in the ring, and I must say my boy is spectacular, as his Mom, (that'd be me), only holds him down. This is a first for both of us............ he's Heaven Sent, and my Champion Always.............. and tomorrow, we'll try again.................... :) Pirate won "Winner's Dog", AND, got his first point towards his Championship............ YEAH!!!!!!!!!

We are both needless to say........ EXHAUSTED. This day, has been incredible, and more fun than I've had in a VERY LONG TIME. ... my thanks to his Breeders......... Penny Morris, and Kathy Lanam, but also to Ellen Jo Myers............ who's dog won Best In Breed today.......... AND, then went in against all of the other Herding Dog Winners, and FANTASTIC NEWS.........Ellen's Dog Won Best in Group.

Monday July 7, 2008

CCAA Status
Reviewed through: January 31, 2007
Placed through: January 25, 2006

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL FAMILIES ABOUT TO SEE THEIR BABY'S FACE FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME.!!!!!!!!!

Another 4th Come and Gone

Well, last nights 4th Of July Celebrations proved glorious........ Dave and I also celebrating our 5th Wedding Anniversary, had a very special spin to our day........... mudslides was the drink of choice, frozen mudslides. These are one of our July 4th delights..... in fact, we had them flowing during our wedding....... frozen mudslides........ um, um good.

Happy 4th of July, AND, Happy 5th Wedding Anniversary

It's so hard to imagine that the last 5 years have gone by in such a flash..... that is, until you start to count those calendar months in terms of a China Log In Date..... then it drags at a snails pace. But, today we celebrate, not only the 4th of July, but our 5 year Wedding Anniversary.We have the cutest little Stars and Stripes outfit, that every year I pull out and take a ganDer at.It's so adorable, a little patriotic shorts set, with matching stars and strips sandals....... every year I imagine Baylon running around in this outfit on our special day. Every year, I say next year will be our year..... but that case scenario has been playing out for 4 years now. China has been surprising people with older children too....... perhaps she won't even fit in this outfit, when the time comes. Perhaps she will be a he............. oh well, stranger things have happened...... Well, here's to all of the families celebrating the 4th of July, through the eyes of their adoptive Chinese Children........... here's to all of the families, just celebrating being families.Funny, our next door neighbor gave birth to a little boy a couple of days ago, and I think that she is due to bring John home this day........ so there is much to be thankful for.
Here's to viewing this day through the eyes of a child and being blessed with laughter, health, and FAMILY................. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY DAVE, I LOVE YOU !!!!! HAPPY 4TH OF JULY - EVERYONE !!!!