Count Your Many Blessings...

I've always been a very optimistic person. But lately I haven't been feeling that way. I think that's why I haven't blogged in a while. I know blogs don't have to be happy, but it's just makes life more happy. But the truth is life is hard sometimes. Really hard. I guess right now I've just been struggling a lot. None the less, there have been plenty of happy moments. And I think especially with how I'm feeling right now that it's time to focus on those… because it really does just make life more happy!

WE FOUND OUR PUPS!

We went to Katy last friday. On Saturday morning we woke up to the dogs gone. No where to be seen. And on top of that neither of them had tags on. Perfect :P… So we drove around all the neighborhoods surrounding my parents. If you're not familiar with Katy, it's suburban land. House after house after house. We drove around for an hour or so and they were no where. And we called all the local shelters, and they were all closed for the weekend. Don't get me wrong, I was heartbroken. But I really didn't want to spend my whole weekend crying over not knowing where the dogs were. So Jacob and I went to the batting cages with my brother Michael. Then we met up with our other 2 brothers to help the oldest move a few things. Then I went to run some errands with my sister. And then we all got back together for dinner at my parents. Saturday night I got on Facebook and started searching for local FB groups with lost and found info. And that's where I found Chewie. Good news right? Well, yes and no. I found one, but that meant they were separated. So I messaged the woman who posted and kept looking for Leia. And then I found her picture. And there was a phone number. So we called… And they said she got into their backyard in the morning and out by the afternoon. So I sent all the pages I found a message and picture of Leia so they could share. Worried some more. And finally fell asleep. Sunday morning we got a call from a family who had Leia. Turns out she was about a mile and a half from my parents. We still hadn't heard back from the family who had Chewie but we knew he was safe. So Leia stayed at the house with my brother (you think we were letting that dog out of anyones sight? you're crazy!) And we took my niece to the pool. As we were getting ready to leave the pool, we finally got a call about Chewie. Turns out he was one street over from where Leia was. I can't tell you how thankful we are to have both dogs back. How worried I was that we would have to leave without them. And how blessed we were to have so many people looking out for us. The people who originally found Leia called us later on Sunday to check up on her. The neighbor of the lady who had Chewie called us Sunday morning trying to help us get in contact with them. And plenty of Facebook friends sharing the dogs pictures and some advice.

They were so happy to be back together, they slept cuddled up most of the way home.

BABY BELLA

I'll be honest, it's no secret that I'm baby hungry. Fortunately, one of my nieces lives less than a mile from me. This past semester I've been watching her on Thursdays when Dad has class and Mom and meetings for work. A few weeks ago we even went on a day trip to see Grandma in Katy. I was so exhausted afterwards! And last weekend her and Dad were in Katy while Jacob and I were too. She was having a bit of a rough weekend. But on the bright side whenever Dad wasn't in sight I was her go to person. Sweet, I love baby cuddles ;) Anywho… here's some cute pictures of her :)

Before and after our trip to Katy. She seriously wore me out!

The cutest little bunny around. Who can't stand to have anything on her head, hence the yanking of the ears...

Going swimming with Aunt Cyndi and Uncle Jacob

I can totally pull it off! …Sorry baby hungry speaking ;)

MY LOVE

I'm seriously about ready to throw my hands in the air and give up. Thankfully I have the sweetest support system. One of my favorite things about marriage is that I don't have to take on the world alone. I've got Jacob by my side. And sometimes I swear he knows me better than I know myself. Really it's all just little things. But I feel like he does so much for me. I'm just grateful for his support and strength. He is so good to me. And he even puts up with me when I want to take pictures. Like our wild flower shoot a few weeks ago :)

Although the only way I get away with it, is if I allow some silly pictures. Too many 'cute' ones makes him grumpy...

He's a hit with the kids too ;)

Well that's us. I didn't think I had it in me. But my not so optimistic self still came up with a pretty optimistic post. Life is tough. And maybe I dwell on the rough stuff more than I should. I know I worry too much. But there really is so much to be grateful for. And when I count my blessings, it's hard not to be happy.