A Beginning & An End

It's been another big week at our house. Colson started Kids' Day Out on Monday. He was so ready to go to "school" like his big bro. He will go two days a week.

 Cutie pies

 Colson loves backpacks. He has three of them and one is usually on his back. He wears them around the house filled with his treasures. Pennies, toothbrushes, rocks, cars and anything else he can get from Zach's room. Ha!

He has the sweetest teachers and had a wonderful first day.

We've also had some sadness at our house this week. We said goodbye to our sweet German Shepherd Riley. She was almost 10 years old. She had arthritis that grew progressively worse, and it became so bad over the weekend she could hardly walk, stand or sit. We couldn't take it seeing her in so much pain.
Riley has been around almost as long as Jason and I have been married. She was a Christmas present I gave to him. We picked her out of the litter because she was a feisty one. ; ) I remember driving away with her in our car thinking, "What have we done?" Our first big responsibility!
The first night at home she whined and cried and Jason and I took turns with her until we gave up. We picked up her crate, put it in our bedroom and didn't hear a sound from her the rest of the night. She just wanted to be with us.

Ri was such a love. She's been with us in three houses. She let the boys tug on and play with her. She shed everywhere, destroyed our backyard, and made us crazy sometimes, too. That's all a part of having a dog, and now Jason won't have anything to complain about. ; )

 These past few days have been hard coming home, and I'm a homebody. Her dog bowls. Her leash. The yard feels so empty without her running around. I miss how she was always waiting for us when we got home, always right at the car door to see the boys. We love to be outside, and she was always right there with us. I miss hearing her moving around. She always made me feel safe when Jason was gone.

I'm very thankful she's not hurting anymore. That's the most important thing. Zach and Colson are ok. Now I just have this big ache in my heart I have to deal with. Z tells me I cry all the time and have crazy hair. Really? At least he makes me smile.
Goodbyes are terrible. Ahh! Hope your week has been better than mine. ; )

Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

1 Peter 5:7