The dust has settled

Well, things are getting a little more amicable here at the Awesome household.  We're agreeing to disagree and moving on.  Ashlyn has been getting into debate in school, I'm happy to see her involved!  Karlie had a friend from Centerville move across the street last week, YAY!!!  Natalie wears me out daily, what a tyrant!  She can be so sweet sometimes and then just start screaming and acting really spoiled at other times.  I can't wait for her to outgrow this spoiled phase.  I follow her up and down the stairs every day, yesterday she climbed to the top and sat down and started checking out her feet.  She looked like such a cute little monkey! 

Yes, I am a dog killer

I've heard it said that millions of people would keep their family dog after it bit one of their children.  Not only am I not one of these people, I think that idea is wrong.  I believe that the parents should protect the children and not the dogs, and that the safety of the kids should always come first.  I also believe that it is selfish to choose to have the dog remain in the house while the child is not free to roam any longer.

This was the case in our house.  I made a decision to make sure that my children, all of them, are protected above the dogs in our household.  I took the dogs to the pound to be put down when I finally had the realization that I had put Keith's desire to keep the dogs above the safety of the kids.  In doing this I know that quite a few people will feel that I'm mean and callous when they find out that I took the dogs despite Keith's feelings.  This has caused quite a rift in our marriage, however I'll spare the details in this aspect.

What I would like everyone to know, despite how wonderful the dogs are, Precious has tried to nip at and has growled at Natalie several times.  You may not know this but not only has she bit several adults, she's also bit a kid before.  It was one of Keith's friends kids.  As everyone already knows, Jersey has bit one of the neighbor girls on the hand and Karlie twice on the leg hard enough to leave bruises.  The dogs have been locked up for the most part since the bite happened, however he has still been allowed out around Karlie and the other kids off leash since.  What you may not know is that since the dog bite he has tried on several occasions to bite Karlie again threw the kennel bars.  We didn't see who tore up the role of paper towels in the bathroom, but Karlie was jumping up and down being happy and hyper and Jersey got mad, freaked out and acted like he wanted to tear her apart and then we found a roll of paper towels shredded in the bathroom immediately after.  He too has tried to nip Natalie.  He's also pinned Precious down and bit her uncontrollably.  And he has bit Keith since the incident.  Karlie was not allowed to come downstairs to the main level of the house without making sure she was safe from the dogs first.  She was also the one to get in trouble for acting like a happy, silly, eight year old because that is the action that made Jersey want to eat her face off.  I'd also like to remind everyone that when he did bite her, she had done absolutely nothing, not even acting hyper, to entice him to bite her.  She simply leaned over Natalie while Natalie was in her walker.

I regret that I didn't take action against the dogs sooner.  I should have been a better mother before.  Some of you may still be mad at me, I know Keith is.  I'm disappointed that my husband wasn't able to put us first.  He knows everything I've already mentioned because he lives with it but is too blinded for the love of his "children" to see that anything I've stated has any bearing on the dogs being put down.  In his view I simply did it out of spite.  Maybe all of you believe this too.  Fine.  Believe what you will, my kids are now safe.

A Poem by Karlie

I Just Can't
By Karlie

I just can't be plain
I just can't be sane
Why try to be as pretty as a cat
When you drive a hat
And you sat on a mat
With scat



I asked her and yes, she does know what scat is.  What's the matter with kids these days?!? 

Happy Birthday Liz!!!

For Liz's birthday I bought myself a minivan!  Happy Birthday Liz!!

The Awesome Family

All is well at the Awesome home.  Kids are getting bigger and the family is doing well.  Ashlyn is in debate and loves it, Karlie is still crazy, and Natalie gets into just about everything these days.  Keith has been switching to his new fish tank, it's looking good!  We took the kids up to the Great Salt Lake a few weeks ago to get some sand for his tank.  It was a fun trip.  We couldn't find where we were supposed to be so we drove past the place twice.  Once we got there we let the kids out and Natalie played in the snow, which was fun for not even five minutes before she realized it's cold!  The rest of the trip Keith was digging for sand on his own while I was trying to get Nato warm.  Well, that really meant I only helped him with about three shovel full's of dirt.  =P 

Keith started his new job today, I think he would have enjoyed the extra hour of sleeping in had he not spent most of the night awake listening to me taking care of Natalie who spent the entire night being needy!  I had to cuddle her for about three or so hours last night.  Always a joy!  Don't worry though, she's still up bright and early this morning! 

Hey! We moved in!

We've lived here for over a year now and yesterday marks the first day we ever put a screw and nails in the walls.  Keith loved having no pictures up and I've always wanted them up but not known where to hang things.  As we were accomplishing our to-do list yesterday I added a few more things on.  I wanted the walls to not be bare anymore!  It feels like we're finally moved in!

Been busy...

Well, I've been pretty busy making myself a new coat out of the dogs.  I think it turned out pretty good other than I couldn't get all the dirt out since they haven't been bathed since 2008.  I've been wearing it and it kind of makes me a little itchy.  I'm thinking of selling it on eBay.  If anyone is interested in it please let me know before it goes on auction.

Happy Decade!!!

Today is not only the start of a new year but also the start of a new decade.  Unfortunately the start of this decade is as up in the air as the last one was.  We aren't sure if we're coming or going in our house still.  We're really hoping we can work things out to stay but it all depends on money.  If we move we'll be moving up to Tremonton where houses are cheaper and it's closer to Keith's new job.  In a way I would like to move up there anyway just to be farther away from the messes that we deal with here but in another way I really don't want to go.  We like it here and the kids are settled into their school and like their friends.  I know they'll make new friends but it sucks to make them move so much in life. 

That stuff aside, I think we're off to a great start this decade!  We're all healthy and happy and life is mostly good despite the wrenches that life throws. 

Happy decade all those who read this!!!  I hope this one will be great for each of you!