Ashley

Andy has a daughter he hasn’t seen in years.  She is going to be 16 in October.  When we took the kids to the MOA for Hugh’s b-day we were waiting for the kids to get off a ride and we were wondering if Andy would recognize her if she walked by.  (she lives down by the MOA) There really isn’t a day that goes by that Andy doesn’t think about her or wonder how she is doing.  He has her school picture in his wallet and proudly states he has 3 kids.  His side is that he did try to see her.  Whenever there was a court date the mom wouldn’t show up for one reason or another and when he was to arrange to see her, the mom would have her home # disconnected.  He also listened to advise from everyone else but his own heart.  so with that being said Andy gave up.  It sounds like Andy’s ex wife really didn’t want much to do with it either since she never went to go visit Ashley but he would take Hugh.  At the time her excuse was she was tired and pregnant.  I am sorry that is lame.  I am marrying a man who has 3 kids and one isn’t legally his even. (Andy is the only father that Hugh has known even though he isn’t biologically his and the bio dad wouldn’t give him up for adoption) 

So anyway… the other night I was on myspace searching for Ashley… found her!  I sent her a message and waited.  She added us to her friends so we knew it was her.  It did come as a shock to her, a dad she doesn’t know contacting her.  Here is why we did… more me.  I know what it’s like to not know who your dad and family is.  When I was her age I was so curious but my mom wouldn’t let find that family.  If there wouldn’t have been the resources there are now I know I would have.  I had always felt that there was a piece of me missing until I met my bio side when I was 19.  Now I have 2 families that I love and I am blessed with 2 dads!  Now I am not looking for a happily ever after with Ashley.  But I want her to know her dad, know that man that I have come to love.  From what I have seen from photos on her Myspace she is all goth, dark or colored hair and wild clothes. She is very artsy like Andy which is way cool.  It doesn’t bother me at all.  Can’t change a person and all she is doing is expressing herself which at that age if I could have had the fun colors in my hair and worn what I wanted I would have.  Andy is the one that sounds like was sorta like that especially when he went to the art college in New York.

So now it’s baby steps… I told Andy he has some damage control with her and he needs to email her.  He needs to be upfront and honest.  He isn’t 25 or 30 anymore they need to look forward not behind.  So with all this being said… I am going to be a stepmom to a 15 year old! That is scary for me to comprehend but I think totally worth it.  I just hope she can accept us the way we are and we do have a relationship with her.

Thanks Punchy!!!!!

Hefner

Winston

 

One of the first things I did when Andy and I became engaged is email Punchy over at Pug Possessed to see if she could make the boys tux’s… Well yes she did and she did such an awesome awesome job!!!  They fit perfectly!  I rec’d them today in the mail and just couldn’t wait to try them on.  They are half asleep when I took them since I took them out of bed to model them.  So this is one item off my wedding checklist that is done.  My mom had her make on for Chevy their big yellow lab.  So imagine a 110 lbs lab in his as you look at the puggies! hahaha  I can’t wait to put his on him!

NOPE!

Jen called me at 610a…. not happening AGAIN!  They have no rooms avail so either she will go on her own within the next week or talk to her dr office and be induced one day next week.  Both jobs know this is going on and when I was hired at both I let them know this is happening so I can’t get into trouble for missing work.  At least I have the day off with Andy now!!! YEAH!!!!

Here I go again…

Wow that sounds like an old 80’s hairband song… WAIT it is!!!  Whitesnake I think… hmmm someone help or correct me if I am wrong.

So I am up again at 5am. This is good since I will be working 5 days a week at the dentist office starting next week and have to be up at 530a anyway.  I have a 1/2 hour until Jen calls to tell me the news.  She still has to call at 6a and check in is 730a.  I wish now it would have been yesterday so I could have spent the day with Andy.  oh well… I just really can’t wait to see that baby!!!  ok off to do whatever for a bit now… drink coffee and smoke hahaha Have a great day!

Not happening now…

They cancelled it.  Jen said she will call the clinic and call me later.  I am going to nap for now then maybe head out to the farm!

Today is the day!!!

Bradyn Fishing

Hopefully anyway!  Jen was to call the hospital this morning to see if they had a bed available.  She called at 6a like they asked and they had 2 c-sections and 2 other inducements going on.  They told her to call back at 730a and it’s now 715a.  If it’s not today, then tomorrow.  I am off from both jobs today/tomorrow so I can be there.  I am video taping from the time we go to the hospital to when he is born.  I am so honored to be part of this.  Jen and I have been friends for 10 years, we were room mates 9 years ago, have been through so much together.  We live 2 blocks from each other now and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.  I love her family so dearly and totally feel part of it.  I don’t know his name yet… no one does but Jen, Wayne and Bradyn.  I will update as soon as I know what is going on.  If it doesn’t happen today then I am going to go back to bed, then head out to the farm to help freeze corn.

MOA again and The Circus comes to town!

Hugh at MOA

Kids and a posing elephant!

crazy clown

a performer up high

a baby giraffe!

On Friday we went to the Mall of America for Hugh’s birthday… They had tons of fun as usual!!!  Jenners was there with Bradyn, her mom Barb, and her sister Melissa and her 3 boys.  Jen was needing to walk around being she is soooo close to delivering and is getting bored at home and so uncomfortable.  She goes in this Wed to be induced if she lasts that long!  We stayed at the mall until 730p so we wouldn’t hit any traffic heading home.  Then Saturday Andy worked while we went to the farm.  My mom is so wonderful… She gave me $100 to take the kids school shopping.  So I went to the outlet.  I wanted to go get them jeans at Old Navy since they were having a HUGE sale… $7 a pair but they were GONE!!! The mall was crazy so I walked down to Columbia just to check it out.  Well did I hit the jackpot!!!  I bought them 8 items for $41!!!  I forgot that I also get my sis in laws discount since she works there so I also got 30% off my orignal total. A couple of the shirts I got were $4.95 and I was discounted off of that! How sweet is that??  Then Andy got home and the circus is in town.  It’s pretty much right across the road from our house.  It has the big pink tent and all.  They kind of reel you in though.  All over town there are fliers advertising it and they have coupons for kids to get in for free.  BUT they charge adults $14 a piece to get in.  The kids road the elephant and you saw your performers.  It was worth it big time. We all had such a great time.  My stupid camera ran out of batteries though that is why the pics are so bad and there aren’t to many.  I am taking the kids shopping for school supplies today and just hanging out at home!  Have a great day!

Pug Lessons…

I wasn’t tagged but I have seen this on quite a few blogs so I figured I would do this… it’s pretty awesome to read others answers!

1) How did you first learn about Pugs?

I can’t remember how I really first learned about them…  About 10 years ago I was dating a guy who sold beanie babies, saw the pug one, fell in love with them.  I then did a ton of research, then friends of mine got a black puggie and whenever I stayed at their house he slept with me.  It was love a first site!

2) What made you get a Pug?

Jim and I moved into a townhome that allowed dogs.  Our neighbors had a pug and I knew I just had to have one.  I had read that they were perfect to have in townhomes or apartments so our search started.

3) Most memorable moment with your Pug (s).
I will have to say with Winston… he was/is my savior.  When I first moved home when I seperated from my ex it was me and him against the world or so it seemed.  My parents said he KNEW when I was driving down our gravel road a 1/4 mile up cause he would jump on the couch and watch for me to pull in the driveway.

4) What is the most important thing Pugs (or dogs) have taught you?

That life is wonderful… how?  When I was completely depressed all I had to do was look at Winnie, see his little butt wiggle and knew life wasn’t that bad.  He always makes me smile.

5) Best Thing You Ever Did For Your Pugs.

I think it was me getting Winston out of the house and moving home with my parents is #1.  I think the ex hit him.  My dad would go to pet him and he would hunker down like he was going to get hit.  He doesn’t do it anymore and he adores Andy.  I really get worried at times about my other pug Daisy I had but there is nothing I can about it.  #2 was rescuing Hefner.. heartworm and all. He has truely been a joy to our family, acts like he is 2 when he is 11.  I can’t imagine our lives without either of them.

My boys!

I won’t tag anyone but all you puggies friends should do this!

more wedding updates…

So it’s on like donkey gong! hahahaha

1. The minister is set.

2. I think I have my dress… I may look for something else though.

3. Mom is taking care of the cake.

4. Decorations are pretty much done…. just hanging lights from the trees.

5. Going to use hay bails with Toule on top for chairs.

6. Dinner will just be lasagna, salad and garlic bread.  (trust me, the family like this)

7. Sounds like the boys outfits are almost done! THANKS PUNCHY!!!!

8. Jenners is doing my hair and taking pics.

I do have other details to finish up obviously but that will come in due time!  I will keep you updated as more is done!

A MEME

I took this from Ragus’ blog!  Here it goes!

1. Do you like blue cheese? as long as it’s with wings
2. Have you ever smoked a cigarette? yes

3. Do you own a gun? NO

4. What flavor do you add to your drink at Sonic? haven’t had a Sonic since I was down in Kentucky but they just opened on in my hometown! YEAH!
5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? no

6. Do you like hot-dogs? yes as long as they are all beef!

7. Favorite Christmas Song? Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Coffee
9. Can you do push-ups? Not so much anymore

10. What’s your favorite meal? breakfast… eggs, bacon, toast…
11. What’s your favorite piece of jewelry? my engagement ring!

12. Favorite hobby? Cross stitching and blogging

13. Do you work with people who idolize you? awww no…

14. Name a trait that you hate about yourself? How lazy I can be at times

16. Middle name? Starr
17. Name 3 thoughts at this moment: Need to get Andy up soon, what time to I want to head into the office and what is the weather like today.
18. Name 3 things you bought yesterday: just groceries!

19. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? Coffee, Dt Dew, and Kool-Aid

20. Current worry right now? making sure our wedding goes off w/out a hitch

21. Current hate right now? none

22. Favorite place to be? home with my honey
23. How did you bring in New Years? we were both recovering from the flu so a little Champipple and just us and the pugs.
24. Favorite place to go? Owensboro KY and Vegas

25. Name three people who will complete this? No idea

26. Whose answer do you want to read the most? It’s fun to see anyone’s

27. What color shirt are you wearing? Pink USA t-shirt

28. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? no to slippery

29. Can you whistle? a little
30. Favorite color(s) Periwinkle and blue
31. Would you be a pirate? no.. maybe… being out on the sea would be fun.

32. What songs do you sing in the shower?Don’t sing
33. Favorite girl’s name? Payton or Dru
34. Favorite boy’s name? Drew or Andrew

35. What’s in your pocket right now? Nothing

36. Last thing that made you laugh? The kids being silly at my parents house last night
37. Bed sheets as a child? Holly Hobby and Strawberry Shortcake

38. Worst injury you’ve ever had? my car accident when I was 18… ruined my back for life.

39. Do you love where you live? Yes it’s great being near friends and family

40. How many tv’s are in your house? 3

41. Who is your loudest friend? No clue
42. How many dogs do you have? Our 2 puggies

43. Does someone have a crush on you? hopefully Andy! haha
45. What is your favorite book? to many to list

46. What is your favorite candy? starburst or skittles

47. What is your favorite sports team? Packers and Nascar

48. What song do you want played at your funeral? never thought about it.

49. What were you doing at 12 AM last night? sleeping
50. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up this morning? I kinda slept in!  (It was almost 6:30a)