Monday. A Better Day.

My goal for today was for a better day.  

A better day than yesterday.  

Anything better than yesterday.  

God gave me a sense of "calm" when I woke up this morning and I knew I was going to feel a little better today.  I have had my moments with tears but nothing like yesterday.  I was actually able to talk about Gus and celebrate how wonderful he was.  

I miss him.  I miss him at night more than ever.  We spent our nights together.  He always laid by me...close enough to touch.  I am having a hard time realizing he is never coming back.  

We visited the ArtsVan that travels around to local parks during the summer.  We created a poster illustrating a way to improve our earth.

Seri is going to plant flowers.

Jett is going to plant apple trees.  

Then we were off to the library.

Followed by swimming.

Yes, my boy wears pink floaties.  Safety over Style.

Before heading home we went to swing.  

After dinner we ventured out on our 

first official bike ride.  

Picture us...

Seri was in the front on her bike.

I followed on my bike pulling the bike trailer with Jett and Henry.  Yes, Henry came in the trailer with Jett.  Pretty funny.  He barked the WHOLE time.  

So there we were.  The 4 of us riding together.  Seri was SO proud of herself riding her bike.  She was also SO proud of me pulling the trailer and riding behind her.   Honestly I was proud of myself.  That trailer is HEAVY!  I am sure I will be sore in the morning.  

Jett would've fallen asleep if it wasn't for Henry walking all over him and barking.  

It was a little crazy.  But it was fun.  The feeling of riding on a cool summer evening was nice.

I loved it.  

So, today was a better day than yesterday.  

I pray tomorrow will be even better.

Our Sweet Gussy Boy

Sadly, our sweet Gus moved on to heaven last night.  We were blessed to have him in our lives for over 12 years.  

He was the BEST dog EVER. 

We all miss him tremendously.  

It will never be the same around here without our Brown Man.   

He was truly my best friend.

 Gus's favorite things were:

~tennis balls
~ice cream
~water

~any toys that squeaked.
~swimming
~riding in the car with his head out the window
~having his booty scratched

~having his ears rubbed

~apples

~sleeping

~walks

~the park

~milk bone treats

~playing fetch, especially with Boppa

~sleeping on the bed, under the covers

 I will never forget...

~his spot on his tongue.

~the time I slammed his tail in the door.  Poor Bud.

~all the trips we took him on.

~how cute he was as a puppy.

~hiding him in our apartment, taking him to and from the car in a duffel bag.

~when he ate my favorite pair of shoes.

~when he jumped out of my brother's truck at a busy intersection.

~when I lost him for the longest 30 minutes 

of my life.

~Lincoln carrying Gus on his shoulders because he got goat heads in his feet and he wouldn't walk home.  He was STUBBORN.

~taking him to play fetch on tennis courts.  NOT a good idea.  His poor paws were torn up.

~how he loved to carry his own leash and run around the park.
~The years of only him on our Christmas card.  He was such a good sport...even wearing a sweater a few times.

~his ability to remember where his favorite park was.  I would have to avoid certain roads when he was in the car or he would whimper and whine and bark.

~hugging him in happy times and in sad times.  He was always there for me.  He made me feel safe.  I knew he was always waiting for me at home.  That may be the hardest part of losing him.  

When Gus was a puppy he LOVED to chew on things.  It took him a good 3 years 

to grow out of it.  

He chewed...

~books

~my favorite pair of shoes

~yard sale money

~remotes

~all the corners off our throw pillows

~the wall

~phones

~flip flops

~glasses

and so much more that I have forgotten 

about over the years.

"Gus died of an enlarged heart.  His heart was figuratively and literally TOO BIG."  ~Lincoln

 We will love and miss our sweet Gus forever. 

Happy Birthday Gus!

12 years ago today the best chocolate lab in the world was born.  6 weeks later he became became part of our family.  

His first 8 years he was spoiled rotten.  

Slept on the bed.  

Went everywhere in the car.  

Traveled.  

Laid on the couch. 

Swam.

Played fetch. 

Then, life changed and Jett and Seri came along.  

He now sleeps on the floor and moans constantly to remind me how rough his life is.

He is the best dog any family could ever ask for.  

We are so lucky to have him.    

I never imagined I could love a dog as much as I love my brown man.   

He is handsome, lazy, patient, loyal and my best friend.

He is awesome.    

Oh, if only he could talk.  

He would have quite the story to tell.

 

6 weeks old.

He got some of his favorite things for his birthday...

balls, a big bone, and toys that squeak.  

 One of my favorite pictures of him.  It hangs in our hallway.

We had a little party for him tonight.  

He gobbled up his cupcake in one bite.  

Happy Birthday Gus!

We love you soooooo much!

This is for you Karla.

Gus wanted me to tell you that I brushed him today

and THANK YOU for the delicious bone.  

Big man is looking a lot better.  

Paws in the Pool

The local pool invites dogs to swim on the last day before they close. So, we decided Gus would LOVE it. Sadly, he hasn't swam since before kids, so it was his time today. It was hilarious. There were Big Dogs. Little Dogs. Life Jackets. Lots of Barking. A pool full of happy dogs and their families. We had a blast. We will definitely be going every year.

Henry might even get to come next year.

Just another summer afternoon.

Seri swinging in the sprinkler. She LOVES it. Jett and his mud.

Henry...taking a break from barking at everything
Big Bad Gus
My new chair, thanks to the neighbors who are moving and some spray paint, and one of my new magazines from yesterday's yard sales.

Two crazies.

Yes, Jett is in his underwear. He was naked at one point, so underwear is good.

Local Watermelon. YUM.

One was asleep on the floor during a movie at 7:15. The other was out by 7:30. Wonderful Summer Day.