Saying Our Goodbyes to Our Sweet Brittan Girl

These are the last photos of our sweet doggie. Her face turned white and she seemed to age a lifetime literally overnight.

So sad to see her go...

This is What Happens....

When one little girl decides that while her mommy is getting her a snack, she'll turn herself into a human zebra via black crayola washable marker.
Moral of the story:
Tears and Washable Marker should not be mixed :(

Hee hee hee, ho ho ho, ha ha ha
I'm such a mean mom!

Friday Family Update....

I didn't even cry yesterday. We even talked with the kids about if and when we would get another dog. Family consensus is Christmas. We're hoping Santa will come through for us. I have a good feeling that he will. We all agree that a little mini Dachshund would suit us best.
It's been a very busy week at our home. I am still adjusting from the "mom shock" of preschool, kindergarten and 1st grade. Add class projects, soccer, dance, National Assisted Living Week and Senior Games and I'm pretty much a raging crazy person!
Isaac~has now decided that First grade isn't so bad and that school lunch pretty much rocks! His teacher sent home a note this week that said during the summer and his first part of 1st grade, his reading skills have jumped to a 2nd grade level. He has gotten a perfect score on all three spelling tests thus far. It helps that we pay $1 for a perfect test and $.50 for each bonus word he gets correct. Same for soccer, $1 for goals $.50 for assists. Before you judge us, remember that his main source of income (scooping poop) has went away. His book order came yesterday. He was excited and read independently 10 pages in his "Diary of a Wimpy Kid". He then asked if he could take it to school and read it on the bus and at recess. There's ALOT of brains in this kid and he is so much like his dad, constantly filling our home with joy.
Ethan~ the gentle, quite giant of the family has really come out of that little turtle shell since starting Kindergarten. It helps that he and best friend Christian are in the same class. He excitedly greets each new school day (up at 6:30 am) with a smile. Many mornings, I open my eyes to his bright toothless grin staring back at me. He hates wearing jeans or slacks to school. I am addressed every day with the, "Mom, WHY do you have to make me wear NICE clothes everyday?" That kid could live in pajama pants his whole life and be perfectly happy. He spends his days after school picking veggies from our garden, hopping the fence to see the baby kittens on Brother Heaps' "farm"and feeding crickets to his pet frog Dip. He's taken to telling me every day, all day how much he loves me (I don't mind at all:) He recently gave his first prayer at Church (big deal for him) and is giving a talk this week, we'll see how that goes. Ethan continues to add a quiet sweetness to our family
Our little Abby~isn't so little anymore. She spends most of her days dressed as a princess and has very much taken to being treated like a princess (ALL THE TIME). When not dressed as a princess, she obsesses over the whereabouts of her backpack and is prideful of her status as a "school girl". Abby is enjoying her preschool experience discovering her new friends at Mrs. Kelly's. She loves her dance class. However, she is kind of a menace to the entire class. I called today to switch her to the "mom & me" class so we can re-direct a little easier. Our little Tweeter is enjoying the fact that her brothers leave for school each day and she has Miss Aubrey all to herself! Abby will be seen at Primary Children's again this next week to prepare for a surgical procedure she will soon undergo to test for possible Glaucoma. This little girl is proving to be quite resilient. We try to remain positive that her sight in her left eye can be restored, but it's an uphill battle. We're so grateful for this free spirit in our lives!
Jus and I plug onward....
We are happily awaiting our upcoming "baby free" journey to New York City to celebrate our 10 year anniversary. Our careers keep us hopping and we continue to be grateful for the opportunities we are given to provide for our family during this economic downturn. Mr. Hill is in Football Heaven and has high hopes for his Chiefs this season. I am enjoying being room mom for Ethan's Kindergarten class, PTA and volunteering at the school. I am almost finished with the two Pirate Quilts I am making for the boys rooms and am quickly turning my attention to Christmas projects. My goal is to make homemade gifts for all those on my list. Don't worry....it's good stuff. Oh, and I'm going to start soon on re staining my formal dining room set (in all my spare time). It's obvious how much I love blogging. I am most frequently asked how I have time for it. I will let you in on a little secret, most weeks I blog on Sundays for the entire week. I just save my posts as drafts and then publish them each day. Seriously takes 10 seconds.
Well, that's it in a not-so-nutshell!
Have a great weekend all!

Good News!

There are some exciting things happening at Justin's company. I just read an article in The Daily Herald that made me leap for joy! I'm kind of proud of him and all that he has accomplished at his time with VBC/Cartmanager. I'm not exactly sure what all of this means but I know it's something he has been talking about and hoping would happen for a very long time. I'm sure that VBC owning a bank won't hurt our stock options either he he.
Read all about it
HERE

Thursday's Thought

There never was a child so lovely, but his mother was glad to get him asleep.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

I love observing her in peaceful slumber, even if it is in my bed.

A Lonely Ball

Things just aren't the same since My Master has gone.
I am beginning to think that I was the Master all of those loyal years we spent together.
Her people, they cry, they mourn.
They don't even want to frolic in the yard anymore.
They don't want to play with me like SHE did.
Oh how I wish the heavens would open up and take me with HER.
~Written by me...the sad, brokenhearted mother of the best dog in the world
Did I tell you how sad I am, did I tell you how much I cry? Did I tell you I don't feel like eating?
It's just not the same.....

A Brag.....

After all that's what blogs are for, right?

I painted my first mini mural, for my best friend's Nursery!
Of course, with the help of one talented Rebecca Walters.
I think I still need to add some bumble bees.
What do you think?

Monday Night Enemies

UNO:

DOS:

SOLUTION:

I think I am on to something here, Ladies.....
Handsome Husband+ Laundry+Monday Night Football=Everyone's Happy!
Oh, and GO CHIEFS!

Brittan Caldwell Hill 1998~2009

Have you ever seen a dog smile? This is for real, can't you just see the SMILE on her face?

Our beloved canine companion died this morning with the five people who love her the most in this world at her side.

I could have never imagined the joy one animal would bring into the life of our little family. Nor could I ever begin to realize the pain her loss would bring. We would have never been fully prepared for this unexpected farewell.
For anyone who has stepped foot into our home, you know that this dog is a major part of our lives. She's greeted many of you countless times with her slobbery plea to play a little ball. She's been our constant companion on hiking trips, mountain biking to Moab and playing in the river. Too many times to count, she has greeted night time story hour with her "gas" that leaves us all in speechless laughter & covering our faces. Recently, she has taken to climbing onto the counter and tables to get herself a tasty treat. Mostly because we stopped giving her people food, and she decided to take manners into her own paws :) I will miss the constant tripping over her as she would follow one of us aroung constantly. She's taken her role as nurse maid to our children without complaint, even though she might have been a little sad to lose the title as "first child" in our home.
She was the first living thing that Justin and I shared a deep love and companionship of during those first few years of our marriage.

We left our house yesterday morning prepared for a great day of fun. She was fine....I mean, she has slowed down a lot lately and had a few tummy troubles but otherwise pretty okay. Our day was filled with sunshine, soccer, and the much anticipated fair. It was a beautiful day! After the fair, we picked up a sitter and went out to dinner with our brother and sister in law. We returned home late yesterday evening to find her hunched under the kids swing set. Justin and I struggled to get her inside and make her comfortable.

It was clear to us both that she was dying.
I can't explain it in total, but I can tell you that neither of us felt as though we needed to get her to the vet. It wasn't something we even discussed. We just knew that the Winter of her life had arrived and we needed to embrace it. Deep inside, I think we both knew it was coming. Two months ago, we watched "Marley & Me" but refused to watch the ending.

We told the kids and stayed up nearly all night expressing our love for her, reminiscing about happier days with her and said our goodbyes. She and I spent one last restless night together. This morning we woke up and made her comfortable. She was not in pain. She seemed peaceful. Mid-morning, it was clear that she really wanted to be outside on the back porch. This was the spot she would always wait for us to come home so she could join us inside. She passed away around noon with all five of us at her side, while serene music played in the background. We watched her take her last breath. I am so grateful we were able to experience that with her. I am so grateful our children have learned at such a young age to love this deeply.

Isaac said to me after it was over, "Mom, I feel better."

I feel better too. Just knowing she was young until the day she died. She had played ball until she nearly collapsed in utter happiness last Sunday night and again on Thursday. Maybe we weren't ready to say goodbye. I don't think we would have ever been ready. But I know it was her time to be free.
It's an incredible thought that one little dog could give so much of herself, all of herself to the five of us. We still feel her love all around us.

I carefully selected which photographs I wanted to include in this post. There are so many more I want to share. I hope you don't mind......my posts the next several Sundays will be for me to share & remember this best friend of mine.

Just Another Saturday Morning in the Hill House....

This should be a picture of our kids doing their chores, but they have more important things to do.....
Who Needs Snow or Sleds?
When you've got stairs and sleeping bags?
This is what mom and dad get for trying to pretend they're sleeping in......
I just realized I forgot to fix the red eye.
Oh well, they are little devils so I think it's fitting that I just leave this photo alone.

I could watch this movie over, and over, and over......

If you're looking for something FANTASTIC to do this weekend, I suggest you snuggle up to someone you love and take a look!
It is possibly the most romantic film I think I have ever seen!
Mr. Hill would agree.
He likes "gushy" as much as me.
Maybe even more :)

Note to female readers: You may find Eric Bana VERY EASY on the eyes :)

Thursday's Thought

I had a old friend that reminded me of this welcomed thought this week.


"Don't walk behind me, I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend." ~Albert Caumus

So Long Sweet Summer

We bid farewell to our favorite watering hole this past weekend.
It's been a great summer, one that we have accomplished many things on our bucket list as a family, such as.....
Going to the Valley of the Goblins
Camping in Moab and Hobble Creek Canyon
Hiking Arches as a Family
Floating the Provo River
Weekend in Park City
and most recently our great accomplishment of Stewart Falls

Next Up.....NEW YORK CITY....1 month!

No, You go first....

Mischievous Little Dude, Isn't He?

Capturing Pure Fun!

Making Sand Angels One Last Time

Beach "Nuggling" With My Little Gal

All You Need Is A Couple Of Sticks, And, You're Set For A Day Of Fun!

Peek-A-Boo

Do We REALLY Have To Go Mom?

What I'm Working on This Week..........

Do I just have the most fun job ever? My kids think so.....
Oh, and you are ALL invited to attend.
It's sure to be a BLAST!

Thanks to the most talented Rebecca Walters who designed this amazing flier for us!

Our Stewart Falls Adventure

We woke up Saturday morning itching to do something different.

I haven't hiked (or ran) the 4 mile trail up and back from Stewart Falls in 8 years when I helped coach cross country at Orem High School in 1999-2001.
We decided to take a chance the boys would enjoy it, packed a picnic, stuck Abby in the
backpack and we were on our way!
It's not the easiest hike at times for the little ones but everyone seemed to embrace the spirit
of this adventure and had an awesome time.
We made it to the falls, ate lunch and started back home. It rained the last half and hour of the trek, which made it a slippery and muddy mess. Just what little boys love. Luckily the Princess was safely kept in a tall tower on her daddy's back!
It was such a great time and a memory we will all cherish I am sure!

This is What Saturday Morning Looks Like at Our House....

THIS

+

=

Pure Saturday Morning Delight!

Soccer Mom.....

A title that has (proudly) been added to my list of responsibilities this week.

Isaac had hist first soccer game last night and could hardly wipe the smile off his face the entire time.

Truth is, neither could I.

If you were the mom of this bright shining star you would feel the same way!

Thursday's Thought

If only....is right!

New Dance Shoes....

Abby had her first dance class today and we are both completely tickled!

I got out her shoes last night to discover they were much too small for her. I had a disucssion last night with Justin that I would need to go first thing this morning and get her some new slippers and tap shoes. He reminded me that the nanny could take care of that for me and I replied, "I would rather do it because she might just be tempted to buy the most expensive, cutest pair." What I should have said was that I am the mom and I want to bargain shop and take care of this on my own because it's important to me.

Miss Aubrey arrived this morning and was greeted by brilliant Mr. Isaac who informed her that his mom was away buying dance shoes for sister because she might have spent too much money on them.

If you're wondering if I ever say anything bad about you...just ask Isaac. I need to teach that kid about filtering, or else give a second thought about the noise coming from my mouth.

I love Miss Aubrey, her reply to Isaac was "Your mom is probably right" with a big smile I might add.

Can we say: OPEN MOUTH INSERT FOOT?????

School Days.....

Abby with her teacher Mrs. Kelley

On her way, her first day of Preschool

Isn't she the cutest little school girl EVER?

Waiting for the bus.

Our three school kids....Preschool, Kindergarten and 1st Grade....

It's great having 3 kids in 3 years!

Super Nanny Miss Aubrey says goodbye to the Jellyman his first day of school!

Waiting for the bus to come....

Isaac with the best dad ever!

It's been a busy couple of weeks getting everyone back in the school routine.....It didn't help that everyone started three weeks apart. The transition to 1st grade has proven a bit difficult for our little tender heart but he's doing better now! I must admit it's really fun watching these cute kids grow and learn. This morning I dropped Abby off at her first day of preschool and she looked at me and said, "okay mom you can go now". HMMMMM, wonder how she became so independent.