Jack has a new collar!

by Cora

As you all know, Jack hasn't been the greatest son to Mom and Dad since Mom has been home on bed rest. He's been to neighbors numerous times to crash their dog parties, and Mom had to go get him a couple of miles away. Well I think Mom and Dad took some action.

Dad has been working hard outside the past few nights. Last night we sat and watched him with this machine that dug a trench. Tonight we watched him put this yellow wire in the trench. Then...... when Mom brought us outside they put this new collar on Jack. I was kind of upset at first, because I didn't get one, but now after all is said and done, I'm GLAD I don't have one like that. Anyway, Dad took us to the back by the big ditch and Jack's collar started to beep! Then all of a sudden, Jack jumped about 5 feet into the air and back toward the house. We walked the rest of the yard, but nothing was happening and Mom and Dad looked confused. They took the collar off and Dad messed with it, then they put it back on and put him on the leash.

We walked to the front, where Jack would have crossed the road, and the beeping came back. mom backed him up, and then praised him. Then they went to the next spot, and Mom took him past the beeping. Jack cried and cried. She backed him up and made him sit then praised him for backing up. They did that a few more times around the yard, then we got to go inside and Jack wasn't happy. He layed by Mom's chair and wouldn't move. I asked what had happened, and he just didn't want to talk about it. But Mom gave us both a greenie and I couldn't be more happy. Maybe he will tell me tomorrow what had happened.

Oh, by the way, thank you for the prayers and I feel a lot better. Don't know what had happened, but I'm doing great.

We had a scare!

by Jack

I know Cora usually writes in here, but she is really tired today. She scared us all last night.

Mom and Dad brought us over to our cousin's, Mike and Cotina's, new property. They spent the day with them on Friday moving their trailer. We weren't able to go on Friday, because there was too much commotion, and Mom said something about me getting into trouble!!! I don't know what she is talking about ;).

Well, they took us last night and we got to roam around. Later, while the adults were eating and Cora and I were laying in the living room, Mike came in through the front and Cora went to meet him, but she couldn't get up. She lost her balance and tried again and couldn't get to her feet. She fell down and her legs went stiff and she was shaking. Mom rushed over to help her lay down. They put a blanket over her head and Mom layed there with her until she came out of it. They think maybe she had a seizure. Well, Mom held her for a little while and I wanted to help, so I layed on Mom's feet. I just didn't want to get in the way.

Cora was a little out of it for a while, couldn't find her balance. Mom said she was going to call the vet on Monday so she might have to take us in, but hopefully just Cora. I don't mind the vet, but they stick me with those needles, and it doesn't feel too good. Well please pray that everything is all right with my sister. We were all scared last night, but I think she will be okay. I'm just going to let her rest today. NO WRESTLING FOR CORA, my orders!

Mardi Gras!!!

by Cora

Not much has been going on here in Louisiana. Mom and Dad went to the doctor this morning and everything seems to be going great with the baby. She just has to keep doing what she is doing, which is NOTHING! I like having her home with us though!!!

So, without a lot of news, I figured I'd write about a big holiday that is celebrated here in Louisiana, Mardi Gras. Jack and I were able to celebrate it this year with Mom, Dad and Grandma Jo. Well, we celebrated Fat Tuesday. Fat Tuesday is held on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, and it is when everyone goes nuts, before they give things up for lent!!!!! It isn't as crazy here in New Iberia as it is in New Orleans though.

When we lived in Katy, Texas, Mom and some friends spent a few nights in New Orleans and met up with some of their college rugby buddies. They seemed to have a good time, but when they got back, they were really tired and wiped out. Mom didn't have any pictures from that trip, because she supposedly lost the camera. Yeah, right. I don't think she wanted to share those pictures with anyone!!!!!

This year Grandma Jo was here and got to experience some of the festivities. Mom and Dad took her to a costume contest just a couple of miles down the road. From the looks of the pictures, there were some scary and beautiful costumes. On Fat Tuesday the took us to a parade close by in Grand Marais. We sat in the back of the truck with Mom and Grandma. I didn't like the drums and loud noises, but I caught a lot of beads and I didn't even have to show anything!!!!! LOL They just thought I was cute. Grandma Jo got a lot of beads too. I think she enjoyed the parade.

Next year, Mom said she would take us all to Houma, Louisiana. They have the big floats like in New Orleans, but it is more family oriented and a little safer there!!!!!

Jack's big adventure.

by Cora

Jack went on a big adventure this morning. I warned him. I always do, but he just can't keep his nose off the ground and cannot stop visiting with people and animals. This lady was walking on our road and he decided to follow her home, but how was I supposed to get to Mom to tell her before he got to far off. I hate to bark, so that was out of the question. I sat at the back door and hoped that Mom was getting up soon to get some water or go to the bathroom, but her phone rang and she was heading to the door. By the look on her face it wasn't good.

Jack told me all about it when he got home....... Mom had to take the car, and that wasn't good. SHE ISN'T SUPPOSED TO DRIVE, and he was that far away!!!!!!! Jack was pretty scared when he got home in the house. So here was his story... " I HAD to follow that lady, Cora. I just knew she would lead me to those other dogs over the field. OK... I guess I didn't know she was going to take me over there, but I thought it would be fun. Well I ended up at her house and I was just sniffin' around and then this man and woman came out from another house. They had a little Yorkie and I guess she thought I was cute. She was going crazy in their house and wanted to come and meet me. Anyway, I knew it had to be bad when the man was on the phone and explaining what I looked like and said where he lived. It was either Mom, or Dad. Thank God it was Mom, because she is a silent scolder, but she isn't supposed to be driving. It makes me nervous when she is quiet like that, because I could see her face, but Dad...... he would have given me an ear full. The lady was really nice, and she talked to Mom for a little while. Then.... we started home. I could see her eyes in the rear view mirror and she was angry. Now here I am in the kennel, and who knows how long I'll be here today."

After he told me his story, I got a greenie and I got to sit with Mom in her chair all morning. I think she was rewarding me for staying home. I really don't care about those people and those dogs, I have everything I need right here. Mom and Dad are great and I know they love us, so why would I leave.

Well Dad came home from work and Mom reminded him that Jack wouldn't remember what he did today and he's been punished enough. So, we got this new/old John Deere lawn mower for free from one of Dad's co-workers, but it needs a little work.

Dad was checking it out, so Jack thought well maybe I can help, and Jack was checking it out too.

Then I thought, maybe I can help too.

Well all Dad was doing was finding somewhere to put the rope on it and drag it out of the way.

Go figure, but I think Jack and I have some good ideas to fix it. Maybe he will let us help when he decides to fix it.

I love my Marine Dad!!!

by Cora

I've been through a lot with my Mom. I've been there for her every time, and Jack really has too, but he was a little bit of a hassle until he realized that he belonged with us. Mom and Dad decided to get married before he was to leave for his deployment to Africa. They were planning a Catholic wedding in Jeanerette in Sept. of 2006, but Mom got a call from Dad at work, and they moved the deployment up, so it changed everything. She was upset, but I think what upset her more is that he was leaving earlier. Well with plans changing there were so many options to get the wedding over with before he left, Justice of the Peace in Louisiana, or Texas. Mom knew her friends weren't going to let it be just a wedding, but then our uncle Steve had the idea of having the wedding in Minnesota at the Nilson family reunion. That was what they decided June 17th, 2006. It was a long trip, but so worth it. We became one big happy family.

Dad left for training in North Carolina at the beginning of July. Mom kept herself busy with sports camps and open gyms and stuff, so it wasn't too bad. Once school had started, mom got to take a little vacation to visit Dad before he left for Africa and she showed me tons of pictures. Kind of a little honeymoon for them.

While Dad was in Africa, Mom and I did a lot together. Our friends in Katy, Texas were wonderful and very helpful. We went to visit people and dogs as much as we could.

New Years in Texas!

Dad told Mom that I was the only one she could kiss for new years

How lucky am I!!

We also just sat in the back yard and Mom played with Jack and me as she sat in her hammock and had some wine.

Not the best picture of me, but that was all I could find!

We also went to Minnesota and Louisiana to visit family, and Mom took us every time she went somewhere. We were great at road trips!!!!!

Christmas in Minnesota!

So we support all of our troops and Mom understands what many families are going through. She would tell you to be strong and when you get to see them get off that plain when they arrive home, it is the best feeling in the world. Something you will never forget!!!

Baby Drew Van

by Cora

It is a rainy day today, so Jack and I are stuck inside and I thought today should be the day to tell you about our little brother Drew. He is up in heaven with Great Grandma Arvilla.

Well Mom and Dad were so excited in July when they found out they were having their first baby. They had been talking about having a baby, Mom isn't a spring chicken anymore and getting to the age of higher risk pregnancies. Everything was going great. We were even getting company in the fall, Mom's oldest sister and her family, except the dogs, were coming to visit for the first time, so Mom was so excited.

Mom is always busy with school and sports in the fall. She coaches volleyball and basketball and they overlap, so she was working 14 plus hours a day sometimes. Mom went to the doctor on a routine visit and everything seemed to be fine, the babies heart beat was 160 beats per minute, and her belly was getting bigger. Estimation: 15 weeks along. Mom started having trouble the day after her appointment, but it didn't worry her too much. That Friday night, it started to get worse, and Mom and Dad started to get a little worried. They headed to the Hospital Sat. morning. Mom was having contractions, but there was nothing they could do at 15 weeks. Mom said that the emergency doctor was not very helpful, but one of the nurses told her to come back if it gets worse.

Saturday was the day, Mom was so excited, but couldn't do much, because the contractions came back early afternoon before my aunt and uncle arrived. Grandma and Grandpa had planned a meal for all of us that evening. While we all went to their house, Mom was getting worse. We went home early and Mom called the hospital. After talking with the on-call doctor, she decided she wanted to sleep in her own bed. 5 a.m. Sunday, October 12th, Mom woke up and they left for the hospital. I was so worried, because she hadn't come home. My Aunt and Uncle were there to take care of Jack and I which was nice, and I remember when Dad called my Aunt Leah. I could tell it wasn't good by the tone in her voice. Mom had lost our little brother Drew Van Frederick at 11:15 a.m. The doctor's said that Mom was 17 weeks by the size of him and she lost him because she has an incompetent cervix. That is where her cervix isn't strong enough to hold a baby full term. He was 6 inches long, and 3 ounces.

Mom came home on Monday, and I was so happy to see her, but she was really sad. So I made sure that I stayed by her and let her cry on my shoulders and just hug me all she needed. I did all I could to help her feel better. You know, the thing about all of this is that Drew helped Mom realize that she can carry a baby, and that now they know what to do to prevent anything like this from happening. Drew also did something special, he let Mom and Aunt Leah get to know each other better. They are 12 years apart in age, and Aunt Leah was married and out of the house before Mom could even remember a lot. Mom told me that Leah had baby-sat her quite a bit and did a lot for her, but she was so little that she doesn't remember a lot. Anyway, Mom was more than grateful that Aunt Leah was the one here to hold her hand and comfort her from the Nilson side of the family.

Mom had the week off now for rest and to help her get through this rough time. Aunt Leah, Uncle Steve and my cousin Amanda were here for the whole week. Mom got to go to a few places with them, to show them around Louisiana. They even saw a big alligator, but Drew was a great big thought in everyone's minds. Mom and Dad had a little service for my little brother, with just family and they were so grateful for all of the support.

Family was surrounding us that week, and that was the best medicine for my Mom and Dad. We are grateful for Drew, and Mom has said from the beginning that when Renee Arvilla Frederick arrives here, our new sister arrives and is old enough to understand, Mom will definitely let her know that because of Drew, she is here and is healthy and strong. Mom's cousin Christin sent her a quote;

'To get something you never had, you have to do something you never did.' When God takes something from your grasp, He's not punishing you, but merely opening your hands to receive something better. 'The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you.'

That says it all right there. We love you Drew and will never forget you!!!!!

This is a picture of the little memorial we have in our house.

We got to play some guitar hero!!

by Jack

Mom was so bored yesterday, that I think she gave us the run of the house and we could do what ever we wanted today. Well, until we got our baths. Uncle P came over and I was so excited to see him. Mom said it was like I hadn't seen him in a long time, but I think that baby is taking her brain juice too, because we just saw him yesterday. Anyway, I am always excited to see him, he plays with us and runs with us in the yard, but I don't think I'll be as excited next time he comes over. HE GAVE ME A BATH!!!!! Mom's friends have been saying that I smell like a dog. DUH! I am a dog and I figured since Dad gave me a hair cut last night, he would have cut all of the stank off of me. So I got a bath, Cora did too! I do smell pretty good.

After our bath Mom and Uncle P started playing guitar hero on the X-box. It is fun to watch and listen to the play. Mom was saying that the baby must have liked some of the songs, because she was dancing in her tummy. That must be really weird. I wonder if she was doing ballet, or tap, maybe she was head banging 'cause they were playing some rock and roll. After a while Mom and Uncle "P" took a break and Cora and I started to jam. We got tired pretty fast. Must have been water logged from the baths, cause we fell asleep with the guitars in our paws.

I little while later some of Mom's basketball players came to visit here too, and they took the guitars away from us, but I didn't mind, because one of them spoils me and gives me a back massage the whole time. So I go to sit with her. They all said I looked handsome with my new hair cut too. It was a fun day with all of the visitors, and I think Mom enjoyed it too.

Oh yeah, Cora told me to tell you about the puppies that came to visit too. They were BABIES, and I mean big babies. They cried every time I tried to play with them. Oh well, they were smaller than me and they seemed kind of young, but I had fun playing with someone other than my bigger older sister.I think Mom enjoyed having some puppies around too. I guess they were kind of cute!

Trying to stop the flooding!

by Cora

Flooding in southern Louisiana is inevitable. Mom and Dad were told we didn't need flood insurance when they bought the house, so they didn't bother. Money had been tight with all of the moving and the changing of jobs, so they had to cut a little somewhere. Jack and I loved our new yard. At times when it would rain hard, there would be a big puddle on the south side of our house, and Mom would let me go in it to get my frisbee, but I never thought it would be bad here.

Aug. 2008 hurricane Gustav came to visit us. Mom and Dad were trying to figure out what they were going to do. mom was going to go to Texas and Dad wanted to stay. Mom just couldn't leave Dad, so we went to a friends house. 6 adults, 4 kids, and 2 adults in a small house, but it was fun. The kids kept me sane from all of the noises outside, and Dad stayed out in the garage with the guys and Mom and the ladies played cards and did puzzles. The next day after the hurricane passed, we went home. Everything looked fine. The ditches had water in them, but we weren't too worried. Then the rain came..... the water rose 2 feet in 4 hours. It happened so fast, that there was not much we could do. The cars were parked up on an incline in the yard, and Mom and Dad loaded us up in the truck and we went to stay with more friends. The water didn't get into the house which we are all grateful for, but it was an eye opener.

Our house is built on pillars and it is about 2 - 3 feet off the ground if not more. It looks like a boat house!!!

Mom had just got flood insurance at the end of March, and the same weekend she had called in to get it, we had a hard rain, that happened through the night. The thunder was so hard, that it shook the house. As we woke up, the water had gotten up to 6 inches under the car port, but was gone by the time we had looked outside. The mud and sugar cane stalks were all over. It had been enough. Dad stayed home and cleaned up his shop and the car port, but we had enough. That rain shouldn't have flooded us that easily, so we contacted our Parish (county) councilman and they came out this afternoon and cut down the brush in the ditches. Hopefully this will help keep the water flowing, so we don't have anymore trouble. At least for a simple rain.

What else could be wrong?

by Cora

Mom has been doing very well with this bed rest thing, but today, she was very bored. She called whoever she had thought would be off and able to come over, or even take her to get her nails done. She told me that Dad doesn't like the purple she did a few weeks ago. He likes the french manicure she gets, but she has to have someone else do that.

Dad was going to take her to get her nails done until she got a call from her Doctor. Mom told us that she has this thing called Placenta Previa now. While Mom and Jack took a nap in the big chair I did some research on it. Placenta Previa is when the placenta forms over the cervix, and as most of you know Mom's cervix isn't that strong and that is why she had that surgery (cerclage) and she is on bed rest. Anyway, the placenta could cause some bleeding that could be detrimental to the baby and to Mom, and that wouldn't be good. The placenta could also move away from the cervix and that is what we are praying for. If it doesn't move, Mom will have to have a C section, and if that is the worst thing that could happen then we will take it. There are other things that could happen, but I didn't read those, because I know in my heart that the placenta will move.

After Dad arrived home from work, we all took a ride to Mike and Cotina's new property. We brought the pictures of the new baby to show Mike and Cotina and the we went to Grandma and Grandpa's house. On the way home Mom had asked Dad if he had to go to Mississippi again next week for work, because she had heard he might. I think she wants him to stay home now with all of this going on. Dad reassured Mom that he had made the decision to stay home until we have our healthy baby home safe and sound. I like to hear that he isn't going anywhere too, because I worry when he is gone, but I know he can take care of himself and he knows that I take good care of Mom.

Please keep my Mom and the baby in your prayers.

Brother or Sister?

by Cora

Well, Mom and Dad were gone for a while this morning. I knew today was the day, and I knew they were so excited. Mom didn't sleep well through the night, and she got up earlier than normal. The alarm was really annoying.

She showed us pictures, and all sorts of stuff when she got home. She told me to be careful who I tell too, because Grandpa Steve and Uncle Vern in MN don't want to know what it is. So writing it here might not be too good.

I'm really excited, because I love kids and Jack is good with kids too, but Mom told me that we have to be very careful for a while when the baby comes, because we are not used to babies. We are used to small kids and big kids, but I think I'll be good with the baby. I have to have my head on Mom's belly, because it is fascinating what is moving and making noises in there. Mom doesn't mind me being there, because she is always cold and I keep her warm.

I suppose you are all waiting....................... Well maybe Mom will be able to go to Walmart one of these days and copy those pictures she has on the frig, they all tell you what it is.

Okay, okay, okay...... Jack is bugging me to tell you all.........it is a GIRL!

Happy Easter!!!

by Cora

Happy Easter everyone. We got to enjoy the festivities today too! We went to our Grandma and Grandpa's here in Louisiana. The weather was pretty unforgiving today, but we still managed to play both outside and inside.

Easter is special for our family. Not only because Jesus rose from the tomb, but because 3 years ago Dad proposed to Mom and I guess he adopted us, and now we are getting a little brother or sister in less than 5 months. Mom is excited again, because she is going to be able to tell us if it will be a boy or girl.

We like to celebrate with the entire family and Grandpa Hoa makes so much food, that we are not able to taste, but by the look and smell of it all, it looks delicious. After everyone eats and takes a nap, we get to play. Our little cousin, Turtle, played with us all of the time.

Dad likes to bring his 4 wheelers everywhere, and Turtle has a little one that he rides around the house, so it was Uncle Floyd and Turtle all afternoon, and Dad had to do what Turtle said, so if he wanted him to stand, he had to stand. If he wanted me to chase him, I had to chase him. You catch my drift, right?
And of course Turtle is one cool dude! With his shades, and his rad bike.

Well I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter and remember to always forgive, like Jesus did.

Jack has been a bad boy today!

by Cora

It was nice having both Mom and Dad home today. Hasn't happened too often lately. Jack and I were able to go outside for a while this morning and we usually sit on the front porch and watch our neighbors mess with their yards, wash their cars, and we see maniacs drive by our house like mad men. They go so fast sometimes that I get scared to go as far as the ditch, but Jack is a little more curious and daring than I am.

Mom says it is Easter weekend, and we see more cars at neighbors houses. Must be families getting together, but one neighbor had more dogs too. We always see the yellow lab, but she doesn't roam in their yard much. They had a chocolate lab, a weimeriner, and a Yorkie. I know my dogs, because Mom talks about them a lot and I met so many different breeds back in Texas at the Bark Park.

Anyway, Jack is really sociable and he's not scared of crosing the road. I told him not to do it, because Mom and Dad will be mad, but he never listens to his older and WISER sister. As soon as he left, I went to the back door to find Mom or Dad, and Mom happened to be there puting something into the oven. She went to the front, but the neighbor had Jack on a leash and was bringing him home to us. I over heard a little bit, and I guess he got into a fight with one of the guys over there. Jack does that too. I think he needs anger management sometimes. Of course he was sent to his room, and I just went and layed in there, because I didn't know if I was in trouble too. Mom always taught me about guilty by association. I knew I hadn't gone over there, but she didn't even see Jack over there. The neighbor had told her.

After that we had to stay in the house for a while. Dad had decided to go for a ride on Big Red ( his 4 wheeler) and let us out while he was out there. Where did Jack go? Back to the neighbors. You would have thought he had learned, but Jack is a little hard headed. The neighbor came a knocking again and Jack was sent to his kennel again. I sat with Mom while Dad was gone, and then they let us out again after Dad arrived home. Mom snuck out the front to watch, and Jack saw here right away, so he didn't try anything. I kept telling him that he was pushing Mom's patience, and she went back inside. She must have been sitting at the door, because he got just to the ditch by the time she opened the door and scared the POOP out of the both of us. We both ran as fast as we could to the door, and into our room.

Jack had to stay there, but I was rewarded for being a good girl and I got my favorite.... a GREENIE! Dad made me work for it, but it was soooooo good, and Jack hopefully knows now that if he does what he is supposed to, he can have a greenie too!

In honor of my Great Grandma Arvilla!

by Cora - the lab

Every morning Mom goes out the back and says, "good morning Gorgeous!" I couldn't understand who she was talking to until she told me some stories of her.

Gorgeous is my great grandmother, who passed away last April. Mom told me stories of how she grew up with Gorgeous right across the driveway and how they were really close. When Mom was a little girl, they would look out Gorgeous windows and bird watch. They would look each bird up in her bird book, and Mom said that they would always see cardinals and Great Grandmother would tell her how beautiful they were. Mom came to realize that Gorgeous favorite bird was the cardinal, because she had figurines, plates, clocks, and clothing with cardinals on them.

During Gorgeous rough times in the hospital and nursing home, Mom would see this beautiful bright red cardinal out the back door, right in perfect view. And if you didn't see it right away, you definitely heard it. I think it gave my mom the peace of mind that Gorgeous was going to be okay and that she would always be here for her. Mom laughed on her 29th birthday when she went outside and all she could hear was Gorgeous singing as loud as could be. I even think you could hear it in the house that day.

She had also had a special moment with the cardinals after Mom and Dad had lost my little brother at 17 weeks of her pregnancy. Mom, Jack and I were the only ones home that day and it had been a week since Drew had passed. Mom went to the cemetery and talked to Jesus and Gorgeous. She came home and we all cried the rest of the day. The following day, mom went outside like normal with her morning cup of coffee and spotted 3 cardinals on a tree in plain view. They didn't sing that morning, they just all turned to mom and let her see that they were okay and then they flew off. I believe it was Great Grandma letting Mom know that she was taking very good care of him.

We all miss her and I know I'll run over to the house to see if she is home when we go to the north country to visit. She always gave us scraps from the table. Mom and Dad don't allow us to eat them, but she always seemed to sneak them to us. We love you Gorgeous and I'll make sure Mom says hi to you from me tomorrow!!!!

How Mom and Dad found us!!

by Cora - The lab

Not much happened today. Mom played computer games and Jack and I spent some time outside. It is beautiful out there. Today I'm going to tell you about how Mom found me, Dad and Jack.

I was born in Katy, TX and went to a couple of homes before Mom found me. The first home I went to wanted me to be a hunting dog, but I just can't stand the sound of those guns. Scary things. After they found out I was so afraid, they brought me back to the place I was born. I was about 7 months when 2 ladies came over the the house and they sat on the floor and called me over. My name was Sweet Pea then, and one of them I really liked and layed by her legs and put my head on her thigh. She was asking if I barked a lot, and a lot of other questions and I couldn't understand why. She took me home and I was as happy as I could be. They both took me to the Millie Bush Bark Park, and I loved that place. I went to Galveston and played in the Gulf of Mexico all of the time.

I was with my Mom for a while and I had 2 friend that were cats. We moved a couple times into apartments and houses, and then my Mom met this guy. He didn't know about me being in the house, but him and Mom hit it off. Mom would talk to me and tell me that she was in love, and I kind of understand, because I was in love too. With Mom's best friend's boxer, Cane.

Anyway, Mom and, well I called him Dad, because he was around a lot got married in June of 2006 and I got to be the ring bearer.

About a month before that though Mom had brought home Jack. He tested Mom and Dad by digging and getting out of the back yard, and he had a couple of accidents in the house. Dad said he had to go, and Mom convinced Dad to let him stay until the wedding, because Jack is the kind that is supposed to run after animals and make them go in different directions. What did Mom call that? Oh yeah, herding. Well Grandma and Grandpa have a big farm, and he could do all of that stuff, but Dad was convinced when Jack became very protective with Mom and me. Or he couldn't let him go after Jack gave him the puppy eyes.

Dad, you see was going to Africa for the Marines after they got married, and he was worried about us, probably cause I was scared of everything. So, Jack was the one that barked and growled if anything was out of sorts.

Now we are one big happy family: Mom, Dad, TJ, Manny, Jack and I. One on the way too. Mom is ready to tell us if we are getting a brother or sister and we will find out on Monday, so bear with us and you will hear all about it!!!!

Did we have some visitors today!!!!

Hi I'm Jack, the Australian Shepherd. Decorah's little brother.



We had to get up early this morning to say goodbye to Grandma Jo. Kind of sad to see her go, because I got to sleep in a bed with her. Mom let's me sometimes when Dad is gone, but that doesn't happen too much.


Grandma Jo has been here so long, that I thought she was moving in with us. She helped Mom out a lot with painting one of the rooms in the house, and she has brought all of this new furniture in the house. Mom is saying it is for the new baby, what ever that means.




Now it seems like my aunt Holly is staying with us for a little bit. Aunt Holly stays with us when Mom and Dad go on trips and can't bring us, but we are lucky and get to go on the road a lot. I think I've traveled to more states than most dogs.


Mom's friend, Amanda, came to visit today, and she brought my little girlfriend, Tina. I was so excited to see her. Cora (Decorah) and I chase her around the house. I think she likes me!!! She is kinda cute!!! Mom and Amanda watched some movies and we played and played and played, 'til I fell over. Tina is still a puppy and she NEVER stops.


After they left, some of Mom's basketball players and another coach stopped by. One of the girls wanted me to come by her, then she picked up her feet and told me to go away. She did that a few times, until Mom rescued me. She even made fun of my tail, probably cause I don't have one. Mom says I have lambs butt. Whatever that means.


It is nice that Mom gets company every once in a while, because sometimes she just sit there and talks to us. I don't see anything wrong with that, but other people make fun of her for it. Well, the day was pretty eventful and I'll have to beat Cora to the computer again so I can write more at another time. So Long and Farewell

What a day for my Mom.....

Decorah - "I'm the Black Lab"


Mom is an early riser and is usually the one to wake Dad up, but not this morning. I knew something was going on, but I just couldn't put my paw on it. Dad left for work; that's normal. Mom got up and actually put make-up on; that's not normal. What is going on? Then she told us while she was jumping around and seemed to be very excited, because today was the day that she was going to finally tell us what has been kicking my head when I lay with her, a girl or a boy.




She even told my brother, Jack, to bark once if he thought it was a boy, or twice if he thought it was a girl. Of course he only barked once. I think he is a little prejudice.



Yeah, he thinks he is so innocent..... but he is the one that gets us both in trouble.



Anyway, The day was going to be a good one I could sense it, but all of a sudden, Mom was really upset and talking to Dad on the phone about the Dr. office not scheduling the appointment right or something like that. I just wish she talked in my language!!!!!! But I knew what I had to do, and I assumed position next to her with my head on her belly and let her wipe her tears in my ears. She seems to be more moody these days too, and blames it on the thing in her belly that really likes to kick me.



Mom really wanted to go to the doctor today, because my Grandma Jo, from Minnesota, was leaving to go back home early tomorrow morning and I know Mom wanted to share that with Grandma.



Well, Mom is home now and she hates it when I'm on the computer all day, but when she leaves, she leaves me in my room and the computer is right there, so I have to keep myself occupied. Jack has to be in his kennel in the computer room, but she trust me to be out in here. I just have to make sure the computer looks like it did when she left so she has no way of knowing about my blog. Hope you all enjoy, and I'll write more later. Mom doesn't leave to often anymore, she is on this thing called bed rest! I don't know!!!