Perfect Moment Monday

My PM came via a simple text message. They were being escorted home..



Perfect joy...

I Capture Perfect Moments.

MTVAA News & Fire Update

Due to a crazayzy last couple of days, MomTV's Adoption Angles will not be seen tonight. I will be back next Wednesday at 9PM EST with my most excellent guest Becky Fawcett of HelpUsAdopt.org and An Infertile Blonde.

Great news! Missy called and said they are hoping to let evacuated families back home TODAY!! Horray!

You + Me = Wii!!

Last night Missy called and challenged me to a bowling match, Wii Style. What a blast. Much like the real sport, I totally stink and can't play worth a darn (but I'm over it). The upside? No icky shoe rental!

(That was a strike.. trust me..)

Nantie got home part way part way through our tournament and we forced her to play (although she insisted she just didn't want to and blah blah blah). Miss I-Can't-Figure-Out-These-Games throttled us. She proceeded to kick our booties, creaming us in a huge way (one game she bowled a 167). Remind me to never bet her cash at anything. Our Nantie is a shark!

After Missy left we played 9 holes of golf. Again, much like my true game, I over-putt, hit trees and whack the ball too hard. Unlike the real sport, I never shanked the ball or lost it in the drink. Nor did I have to spend time looking for it.

That was cool.

The votes are in.. we're totally addicted! Next up? We try out more sports and bust out Wii Fit! WooHoo!

Happy Valentine's Day

I've gotta be honest my friends, Valentine's Day isn't one of my favs. No pressure, fellas.. just make sure we know how important we are and how much you love us (and you better not skimp).

Or else.

DH and I have never gone over the top for this "holiday". We may exchange cards, I typically score some chocolates and that's the long and short of it. Hallmark doesn't make their quota thanks to us. It was a day that came and went without all the pomp and circumstance.

Until Now.

Missy (now known fondly as "Auntie MooMoo") came over Friday and spent the afternoon with Jack and Jill. They made Valentines for everyone that will be given out at our family dinner tonight. That's right, we're having one of our old time shin dings... with a new menu twist. Instead of all things gourmet, we're having homemade meatloaf, mashed taters and gravy, veggies and ice cream cake from DQ. It's safe to say the once flowing wine will be a trickle at best. Oh, and Gramsie is coming over to decorate sometime today.

Valentine's Day in these parts is the new holiday du jour. The kids are totally stoked and it's taking everything in them to not show us the hidden cards they've created. Although I was a skeptic I've gotta admit, it sure is fun to be a kid again.

Happy New Year.. We're Here!

DH, Missy, My Kiwi and I made it to the lodge with minimal issues yesterday afternoon. Aside from the raging winds, the only drama we had was a deer deciding to jump into the front passenger wheel of the motor home (denting the hubcap and taking 3 lug nuts with her). Don't worry, although it gave us a fright she actually hopped away, unharmed.

We kicked back last night watching movies and are now getting ready to ride the trails. We're parked just ahead of the web cam so you can't see us..


Here's Missy kicking back last night watching "Rudy":


.. AND, we're off..

Our Plans For New Years..

Since 2000, Bren has been here for almost every New Years celebration. In 2001 a tradition of snowmobiling in WY and staying at our favorite lodge to ring in the new year began. It's a trip we look forward to all year long and really makes the holiday something special. Here's a picture I kiped off her Facebook page from a few years back:


Do we rock or what?

Bren stayed home this year. She put on her big girl panties and made the grown up decision that a trip wasn't in the budget. I'm sad tonight because she should be here right now, sitting on the couch with her comfies on, smothered in min pins and enjoying an Amstel Light. We should be chatting the night away. I miss my girl.

Unlike years past, we are heading up on the morning of the 1st and not doing the count down with our lodge friends. The motor home is getting loaded up, we're pulling the big trailer and Missy and My Kiwi are joining us! How cool is that? It can be a treacherous drive (if you are familiar with Interstate 80 across WY, you know what I'm talking about-the possibility of snow, ice and high wind). Between the rig and the snowmobile trailer we're pulling about 70' so please keep is in your prayers for safe and uneventful travels.

Nantie is staying home and tending the herd of canines. She's a saint!

2008 was a pretty dang cool year and eye opening, to say the very least. I have a great feeling that 2009 is going to be one for the record books and hopefully our little crew will have an addition like this real soon:


I wish you all a SAFE and Happy New Year!!

A Warm Fuzzy

Missy and I were chatting the other day and she said we needed to talk about my blog. Inwardly I cringed. When I started this internet journal for our future kiddos she was one of several family members that voiced concern about me putting everything "out there".

We don't discuss my life in the blogosphere much at all really. I can't blame them for worrying, the World Wide Web is a zany place chock full of weirdos. My people just love me .. there's nothing wrong with that.

So the "B" word was dropped and I held my breath. My mind began to spin. I never post personal stories or pictures without prior approval from my victims (er, subjects). What had I done??

Turning blue.. feeling dizzy..

She went on to say that she really enjoys it and it's one of her daily must reads. Exhale. True relief in more ways than one.

Just for that I'll keep on bloggin'. Thank you, Missy... your thumbs up means a lot!

Our Micro Road Trip

We're all "dog people". Everyone in our family has at least one and nearly all are rescues. Missy and My Kiwi lost their darling, 12 year old Cairn Terrier (Linus) recently and were completely heartbroken. Missy had gotten him as an eensie puppy and he was a Mama's Boy.

Their remaining Cairn (Rufus) is Mr. Personality and LOVES everyone he meets. He is a playful little guy with bright eyes and a constant tail wag. Poor little fella was just lost without his best buddy and he needed a canine companion pronto.

After loads of searching we found Gavin at Cairn Rescue USA. His pictures were adorable, his personality sounded perfectly matched with Rufus and he was being fostered in Wyoming. Just a hop, skip and a jump away!

Mind you, our family can't just get into a car and go pick up a dog. Oh no no. We turn moments like this into an event. We loaded up the motor home and made a big day trip out of it. Bright and early Saturday morning, we were headed north to Cowboy Country...

We planned to meet Gavin and his foster family in Casper (they live about 2 1/2 hours north and were kind enough to drive down part way.. bless their hearts!). DH does business in Casper quite regularly and had golfed there in the past. Knowing there was loads of parking and nice green grass for dog play, we set up camp right next to one of the courses...



.. and Rufus awaited Gavin's arrival..



Missy meeting Gavin for the first time..



Mommy and Gavie..



The Men Folk played a round of 18 holes while us chickies held down the fort. We were a sight to behold! Two gals in camp chairs and dogs (we brought one of our min pins also) in Xpens about 30 yards from the first tee box. We would run into the rig for potty breaks, to get water (or Hard Mikes) and munchies.

It was hot as H.E Double Hockey Sticks and I was sweltering in the jeans and top I threw on in the wee hours of the morning. Of course, I didn't have shorts in the motor home.. everything but. I did, however, score a pair of DH's swim trunks and an old tank top of mine. Niiiicee. I have no doubt that my keg cup pulled my redneck look together completely. So nice to accessorize properly. Mama would be proud. I may just post that picture at a later date..

Please bear in mind, this was no crummy city course, it's pretty dang froufrou. I'm sure we were the talk of the Club House (which was just off to our right)..



Knowing full well this was probably our last opportunity to soak up the sun and just relax for the season, Missy and I made the most of the beautiful day. We chatted, read and played with the dogs.



Me and my Baby relaxed in the shade..


Mr. Gavin is a delightful little guy and got along wonderfully with Rufus and our min pin, Maria. He is 5 years old and spent his life in a cage as a puppy mill breeder dog. This past June the rescue was able to finagle him (and several other dogs) from the mill as they were to be put down because they were "done with them".


For not having contact with people or much socialization his whole life, he really is a sweet and trusting boy. His foster parents did an amazing job with him these past 3 months and we so look forward to watching him blossom as he is showered with more love and attention. For now, he is very shy but loves to be on laps and snuggle.

When the husbands finished their game in the early evening, we had a feast prepared (okay, Missy did) of lasagna, manicotti, garlic bread and a bottle of cab sav waiting for them. We toasted to family and to the newest little member of our pack. We rolled back into the driveway at about 10pm.. it was a fantastic day.

All this hoopla over a little dog. Yes, that's how we roll. I can't even begin to imagine what our future over the top shanigans are going to be when we finally have a child placed with us. Should be a hoot!