Still "Man's Best Friend?"

Well, this may look awful familiar--awful being used literally in this instance.

Our family dog's (Charlie) at it again:

And guess who got to pick all this crud up and clean up afterwards?

Urghh! It was so gross and made me exceedingly displeased. But Charlie's old and he looked so forlorn and ashamedly curled on the floor looking up at me with those chocolate eyes of sorrow and pouty black lip...


so I didn't yell at him...or murder him.


And yep, he's still walking around with all four limbs.

However, I almost altered his appearance when I had to also clean up sick he'd left earlier this day on the floor. Surprisingly, I didn't think anybody'd really want to see that, so I didn't take a picture of that.

Well, I guess he didn't mean to (I hope!! D:< ) , so I'll forgive him... yet again!

Do Re N' Mi (Translation: Dory and Me)

Disclaimer: Unfortunately, this post really doesn't feature me in photo and/or text. I just thought the post title was mildly clever.

This is my a'Dory'ble new niece, (you guessed it) named Dory.
I was privileged enough to see her just this last Saturday and Sunday while visiting cousins/family in Glendora, California.

It's the story
of a girl named Dory
who--

Naw, just kidding, but she kinda looks like she is singing in the above pic.

Anyways, I'm so happy I got to finally see my sweet little niece. Thanks Lisa, for flying all the way out there with her so we could all meet and get to know her!

It looks like she's saying, "C'mere, lemme show yeh somethin." in the picture above.

She's a way well-behaved baby, and she has such a beautiful face/smile and quirky expressions. I fell in love with her when she first smiled-which she, thankfully, liked and kept doing!

I couldn't (obviously) get enough of her (or taking pictures of her). She even does a crooked smile (sadly not caught on camera yet) that's to die for! It's way unique and so cute! Edward lovers, eat your hearts out!

In case you needed any other reason or argument of why my niece is the most adorable, sweet, and boss baby ever in existence:
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Get ready...
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Here it comes.
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Can you tell yet how much I love to brag about my niece?
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Ready to smack me for making you scroll down/wait so much?
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AW!!!

Can't wait to see more of you, Dory--not to mention the rest of your equally awesome family later this Summer. Thanks for making the beginning of my Summer so memorable and special, Lisa and Dory!

Love you both lots!!!

Good-bye, Grandma.

This is one of the most precious memories I have of my Grandma. Sadly, she left us this last Wednesday on April 29th, 2009.

This photograph was taken on my sixth birthday when I spent the night with my grandparents in Glendora, California. There was nothing I loved more than sitting with my Grandma, nestling against her as she rocked slowly and talked quietly to me in her wonderful, loving voice.

This picture sums up everything my Grandmother represented to me. I've never felt more loved, content, and at peace then when my Grandma held me and rocked with me. Time seemed to slow, and all other thoughts or troubles disappeared as her love and soothing voice washed over me, and we rocked and rocked, enjoying each other's quiet, happy company.

Her passing leaves a aching, empty place in my heart--and I'm sure with everyone else who knew her well. I loved her so much, and I always, always will!

This particular verse has been on my mind since her death:

And should we die before our journey's through,

Happy day! All is well!

We then are free from toil and sorrow, too;

With the just we shall dwell!

-"Come, Come, Ye Saints" William Clayton, 1846

Grandma's journey on earth has been fulfilled, and she has been called home by her Heavenly Father. I know she can once again be happy, at peace, and feel loved as she once gave me (and always has) in a certain reclining rocking chair years ago.


Also, during this difficult time, we need to remember to:

"...not pity the dead...[but to] [p]ity the living..."

-Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, p. 722

Contemplating these words, I'm so grateful for my family/relatives/friends and the strength and comfort each gives me. I can't imagine trying to get through this without any of them.

For any of those people reading this, I love each of you so much! I hope you know I'm here for each of you--no matter what.