Well I signed up.....

Ok it is official. I signed up for a 5k this morning. I am doing the Summer Breeze 5k on June 20th. The great thing....Natalie is doing it with me!!! So I guess I need to get training again. I took a bit of a hiatus with the insanity of the puppy and the change to Madison's schedule. BUT NO LONGER! It really amazing how much clarity I get while running...or at least I thought so this morning. Fortunately or unfortunately for Chris......I come back and have all kinds of things figured out!

No home computer

I know - I have promised pictures - of all kinds - easter, Riley, even Madison's second birthday.

Here's the problem. Apparently our computer decided to die or at least pass out about 2 months after the warranty - of course! Chris took it to work to see if one of the hardware computer guys (read geniuses) could figure out the issue. They thought it was the power supply - I asked and the only answer I got was it is the what supplies the power - really? - So we ordered one and it came yesterday.......that wasn't the issue.

Apparently we need a new mother board. Again - no idea what this is but I do know that when we moved into the ghetto and had computer issues.....Dell had to come out and replace it once before. I am noticing a trend.......

Well Chris is working with the geniuses at his work to figure out the best road to take - while trying not to have to buy a new computer......Keep your fingers crossed. But until then....sorry no new pictures.

Catching up

So the last week or so was a little bit crazy. We had a wonderful time at Easter seeing everyone and bringing Riley home. Monday was the first day we really were alone at home and trying to figure things out with the new puppy. Tuesday Chris left for CA and things start to fall apart. I had a hard time - at first - putting Riley in her crate while I was here during the day. Which, unfortunately, left me constantly following after her and getting absolutely nothing done. Put that on top of trying to help Madison what she can and can not do with Riley, the stress at work and ZERO sleep - let's just say I was thrilled when Chris came home.

So over the weekend - we had lots of highlights. First and foremost - was Madison's 2nd Birthday on Friday and her party on Saturday. Daddy, Madison and I had a great time celebrating her birthday on Friday and then Saturday, well let's just say that Madison now has the biggest sweet tooth. The entire ride to Build a Bear was "cake" "cake" "cake""cake""cake"!!!!! But once we got inside and all of our friends arrived, we had a great time "building bears". Madison ended up with a monkey which is perfect b/c I call her Monkey.

We also decided to get a gate to go across our open area of the house to split it in half so Riley could roam around but not with too much freedom. Well on Monday - I decided to let her stay in the kitchen area......bad move. She is a magician and can get out of anything. Plus there were several "accidents" on the carpet. New Plan: Crate throughout the day. Walk in the morning, at lunch and in the afternoon and evenings. No free roam of the kitchen if I am working at home for at least several more months

On a different note - work still is stressful. We have a Asset Purchase Agreement with PwC but we still have to go through auction. Who knows who will end up buying us and if anyone will have a job....

Our house computer is getting fixed so once I get that back online I will post some of my 300 pictures from the last couple weeks!

Several things......

We had a wonderful weekend with family and friends and the new addition to our family - Riley. I will add more later about the weekend and what we did and add some pictures when I get my camera back later this week - Chris took it to CA.

I am heartbroken today b/c my boss was let go from BearingPoint. We knew that a round of layoffs were going to happen today.......I know of several others that are in the same situation.....some that are not definite yet. So I am just sad and would rather not be working - but I have to so hopefully I can keep my job....

Pictures from Picking out Riley

Madison loves to have pictures taken..... and this one she got up close and personal!
















Riley following Madison. Madison was not quite sure what to do with her. The funny thing is Madison wanted to go down the hill to play with the bigger dogs.

I think this is Marine but not sure. Madison was just getting use to having a puppy up close.

Big Weekend - HAPPY EASTER

So much going on this weekend. Chris and Madison are off today while I have to "work". I am actually on a call at the moment so I guess I am working..... Chris and Madison are off to Lowes to get more mulch for the final bed we are going to do. Chris has worked all week and has done an amazing job with several news beds out in the yard. It looks amazing!!! I am really excited about it. He has one more tree to do today and that will finish up all the smaller beds. He has had to pull up all the sod, add in top soil, compost and peat moss and then mix it all up. We have some beautitufl flowers in the beds now.
My mom and grandmother are coming in town today. I know Madison will be so excited to see them. Hopefully the rain will hold off so we can go to the park for a little while - Madison loves the slides and thankfully, the sand. That will Chris some time to work in the yard and finish up that bed.
Tomorrow morning is the big day - we are going to get Riley!! I can not wait. I am sure we are in for lots of fun. We will be up there about an hour and back to Charlotte around lunch. The Mahoneys are coming into town as well at some point on Saturday. We can not wait to see them and for Abby to meet Riley.
Sunday, of course, is Easter. We are going to church in the morning and then have an Easter Egg hunt. The Tarnowskis are joining us for the Easter Egg Hunt and then for dinner. Should be a lot of fun!
Then Sunday night......we will all pass out!

Riley's New Bed

So we have a name - Riley and she now has a new bed. Chris put together her crate last night and it sits in the sunroom. Madison was very excited about it this morning. She kept saying "Riley's bed!" On the way to school, she was drawing on her etch-n-sketch and saying, "Daddy, Mimi, Madison, Riley". Too cute! I have some more pictures of her from this past weekend with the puppy. I will try to get those later today.

5k date change

So realistically speaking, my training would take me to the day before the 5k run on April 25th.....I am not sure that is the best plan of action. Somehow I think that I would frustrate myself. So now the plan is for June 20- the Summer Breeze 5k. Registration has not opened yet but with the wise words from Natalie, I will sign up as soon as I can so I do not find a reason not to be able to do it. I might even have friends running with me.

My training went GREAT today - Mondays are usually my best days. I am sure the warmer weather will helps too!

Visit at the Mahoney's last weekend

We got to visit the Mahoney's last weekend. Here is a great picture of Natalie, Will and Charlie. We were all having fun on Will's slide bed right after baths. Natalie was the only parent in the pictures from the weekend.

Somehow I missed Steve and Chris.....and the kite that hit the house!

Madison and Will at the top of the slide. One would go down, then the other and both right back up the ladder to go again. Madison adores Will and loves his slide bed.

Cool chick on the ride home!

We picked a puppy!

So Madison and I went up to see the puppies today. When we got there, Bruce and Shannon picked Marine and Amber out of the whelping box for us to play with them. They were all over the basement. Both puppies came up to us, but Amber sat in my lap for a little while. Madison did pretty well and like looking at the puppies and she also like to make the whining sound of the puppies who wanted out of the box.

We then took the puppies outside and got to play with them a little bit. Amber seemed to hang around us just a little bit more. It was so tough to pick between the two b/c they are so much alike but we decided (or should I say I decided) on Amber since she seemed to have picked us.

Madison was a little scared of the puppies but really wanted to get down with the big dogs - too funny. The bigger ones could run her over but I guess she is use to Abby. She will have to get use to a puppy soon too!!

Here is the link to Amber's page that the breeders set up: http://furfeathers.thruhere.net/Amber.htm I can't wait to get her next weekend.

Still no final word on a name.....I'm working on it.

We will get to pick up "Amber" next weekend at 9:30. My mom and grandmother are going to go with us. Then later in the day Natalie and the family including Abby will be up. Should be an interested night!

Cutest Outfit

Ok I think I found the cutest outfit ever!
http://www.squeezehugs.com/girl/apparel-2t-4t/tralala-french-ribbon-blue-ruffle-pant-set.html

Update on Puppies T minus 8 days!!

We found out last night that the first two families have picked their puppies. The first family with 2 almost 3 years twin girls picked Rose - both are very low key so it is a perfect pick. The second family has a 10 year old daughter and she picked Lavendar. That leaves us Peaches, Marine and Amber. After talking with Bruce and Shannon the other night, we all decided that Peaches would be best for the lady that picks after us. She is looking for a service dog and Peaches would be perfect. Peaches is high-energy and needs chores every day so it is a good match. Plus I am not sure I am ready for a high energy puppy.

That leaves us to pick between Marine and Amber. Both are laid back puppies. Marine is bigger at the moment but that does not mean she will be bigger when they get older. Marine is also a little more square - stockier. Amber was my first pick from the beginning. She was the smallest at first and she had the cuter face. I also started liking Lavender but since she is already taken - well who knows. Madison and I are going up to see the puppies tomorrow morning to pick. I guess we will see which ones likes us the most! We can't wait!

Now that it is getting closer to bringing her home, we are getting all the essentials. The crate should show up today. We went to Petsmart last night and got some food, bowls, leash, collar, bed for the crate......I am sure I missed something.

Madison keeps saying - Madison puppy Madison puppy so I am think she is excited too!

And the name.....well we aren't there yet......