Bella

Our sweet dog, Bella, passed away yesterday, April 27, 2016.  Its hard to believe Bella had been in our lives for 14 years.  She was a favorite birthday gift.  I learned I could care for someone and I loved caring for her.  July 5, 2002 - April 27, 206

 Bella was born in Tennessee.  The family raised show Maltese and Bella had been promised to their daughter.  The daughter decided ballet class was more important, so we were blessed to have her.

My dad and I picked Bella up at the airport.  She arrived a tiny little ball of fur.  I drove her home to Gainesville that evening.  She was so tiny that she would hop over blades of grass like a bunny.

 For the first few weeks, Bella kept us up nightly in her crate.  She would bark non stop.  The barking stopped once I gave her control of the house.

 Her reign quickly started from there!  She slept with me, traveled with me (she had a carseat), and dressed like me.

 Have I mentioned her tongue?  It was to big for her mouth.  It always stuck out a bit.

 Bella always waited for us. In Gainesville, she would look out from the second story window to see when we would arrive home.  It would never fail that as soon as my car pulled up, I would see a little white head looking out.

 Bella was in charge of Ali.  Always set her straight and loved her dearly.  Over the last few weeks, I noticed Bella would snuggle up to Ali.  A few days ago, she even laid on top of her.

 In the earlier years, Bella would let Ellison play with her and walk her.  They were buddies.

Pending Ellison's arrival, I made sure everything was in place to ensure Bella was not forgotten.  I bought a "chair and half" for the nursery, so Bella could be by my side.

There is an earlier blog post about how Bella was demoted from Queen to Princess when Ellison arrived.  However, I think we can all agree, that the demotion never happened.  She was as much a Queen as a 4 lb dog could be, which trust me if mighty Queen-like.  

I don't have many photos of Dylan with Bella.  As she got older, she became more cat like.  She would lay in her favorite spots.  She loved Dylan and Dylan loved her.

We love you, Bella.  We miss you.

Dommerich Sea World Adventure

 I am lucky to have a lawyer job that provides me with the ability to spend the day at Sea World with my best gal and her classmates!  

Future Fireman

 Dylan is one of the luckiest kids around.  His sweet friend, Bobby, invited him as his plus-one for a tour of the Winter Park Fire Department and trip on the fire truck to school.  Dylan had a large smile as he strolled up to class that morning!

Our Final All Saints Pet Blessinge

 At my first All Saint Pet Blessing, I brought our maltese, Bella.  It was the ultimate "fail" in my opinion.  Just as the blessing was about to begin, Bella pooped. It was a small "pellet - size" poop, but it was poop.

As I panicked, and oh, did I panic, a dad walked up and began to sit down next to me and exactly where the poop was.  My immediate reaction... I grabbed the poop.  I held the poop through the blessing.  Was it gross, yes.  It was absolutely disgusting.

Did it get worse?  You know it did.

After the poop was discarded and my hands were thoroughly and repeatedly washed. I was having a conversation with the school director.  That is when Bella decided to pee, in front of her, on the rug.

I decided to skip the next year's blessing.

However, I am always a glutton for punishment and once Dylan reached the age to attend, I was there with an animal.  Our first year, we brought a fish.  The last two years, we have brought turtles.

Luckily those animals are easier to handle.  I have even had to bring them to an early meeting morning and store them in purse.  "Oh what the noise, its just a turtle in my purse."

 Dylan is my animal lover.  The pet blessing is a big deal to him.  And, well, look at the smile.  So worth it!

Carly Rae

Talk about a fun night!  I will take away a lot of memories from Ellison's first concert, Carly Rae Jepson.  After scouring the reviews and reading multiple statements promising the concert to be rated "G", I bought our tickets.  Ellison was super excited and well, I was excited as well!

Right from the start, I wondered if I made the right choice.  The first act was loud and Ellison was trying her hardest to cover her ears.  Luckily a security guard was prepared and came over to us with earplugs - thank you.

The second act opened with a small discussion on the title of their song, "Sex".  Ellison looked at me and shook her head.  I was beginning to get really worried.

 When Carly Rae hit the stage, all of my concerns faded.  Ellison loved the opening act and watching the performance.  A few of the songs were a bit over her head to which she would look at me and shake her head.  However, we both understood "Boy Problems" and got a nice laugh.

I will add that as soon as we got home, Ellison ran straight to Graham and told him about the "Sex" song.  I will never live that down.

Riding a Bike

Ellison has finally mastered riding a bike!  Freedom!

Always Allowed

 We were so excited to watch baby cousin Reid for the day!