A Tribute To My "Harley Mar": January 8, 2004 - February 06, 2010.

Tonight I have to pay tribute to a very important little guy in my life. If any of you know me.. you know that there was at one time, before little London came along, another great love in my life. Harley Marley. Yes, he was my dog.. but that didn't stop me from treating him like my baby boy! Ohh how I loved him from the moment I met him. One of the happiest days ever! My ex husband, Dave, after only a few weeks of dating, had surprised me with him at work one day. I had told Dave, on one of our first dates, that when I was having a bad day I would go to the pet store because the puppies made me happy & they never failed to brighten my day. I had wanted a yorkie for as long as I could remember & that is how the story of Harley begins.. One morning I received a mysterious card that was delivered to my office, which read "it doesn't happen very often, but every once in awhile you meet a person who never deserves to be sad in life & always deserves to smile. That person is you. Hope he will always brighten your days.." along with the card, was a tiny dog bone. I remember jumping up as quick as I could & ran to the front desk & there he was.. this tiny little ball of fur with great big brown eyes & a tiny green bow tied in his hair.. need I say more?! It was love at first sight, & Dave was right, from that day forward, Harley always brightened my day. You see, he was not just any yorkie, Harley loved everyone.. especially kids.. & smart, he understood everything you said to him. One of my favorite things Har would do, every time I would reach for my purse or any bag for that matter, he would jump right in or hang on to it for dear life as you were walking out the door. He even understood & loved his car seat, he'd jump right in & sit there happy as could be. (yes, he had a car seat..) But probably my favorite quality, it never failed, he was always happy to see you walk through the door. If only everyone greeted us as happy as a dog! Harley really was like a little person, maybe cause I always treated him that way, who knows, but he understood everything you were saying, & you better believe, he had more clothes than any dog on the block! I have to share one of my cutest memories of Harley. Like I said, he really "got it," & one day I was packing my suitcase to head down south, well Harley sat right in the middle of the suitcase watching everything I did, he was NOT getting left out on this trip. Lol.. anyways I had left the room for a bit & when I came back in I saw him digging around in there with his nose, sniffing or burying something inside... well I didn't think too much of it at the time, packed up the car & left. When we finally arrived at our destination while I was unpacking, sure enough, buried in the bottom of my suitcase under all my clothes, was Harley's FAVORITE BONE! Lol, he knew we were leaving town & he sure as heck was not gonna leave his bone behind! Can't say I blame him, not really fair we get to pack all the neccessities we need on a trip, he should too, right?! Just the thought of him makes me smile, he was the best. Harley was always there, by my side, helping me smile through any challenge that I faced for the coming years, he never let me down. I can honestly say that lil dog, literally saved me during a really hard time in my marriage & getting me through my divorce. I wouldn't have survived it without him, by my side, sleeping next to me every night & letting me cry on his shoulder.. literally lol. He would lick up all my tears & bring my smile back again as fast as he could. And then again, during a very lonely time in life while I was pregnant with London, as always, there was Harley & I laying on my bed together, but instead of by my side this time, he would lay right on top of my belly, no where else. So you see.. he was more than "just a dog" to me. He was my lil' Angel & that is how I will always remember him.

I have to thank Jason & Strawberri for taking him in for me, after London was born & I wasn't allowed pets in our new apartment. They loved him & he loved them so much! I think he was possibly even happier with them than with me, cause of all the love & attention he received daily from their family. I know its safe to say, that they know & feel exactly what I'm talking about when I say Harley wasn't just any dog & we were all very fortunate to have him in our lives as long as we did. So here is in remembrance to Harley Marley.

We love you "Har" & you will be missed & loved forever!

Harley laying on my preg belly..

I have to end my post with this song I heard the day he passed away & thought of Harley. I know this is the song he'd play for all of us if he could! :)

"Think of me" by Rosi Golan:

When you hear it but you just don't listen
When you're looking but you just don't see
When you're thinking there's no rhyme or reason
Think of me

When you're getting to the end of a hard day
And you're thinking it's a long way home
When you're thinking that you're just plain crazy
Because you're on your own
Think of me

I will find you, I promise
I will make you believe, oh
That I'm in this crazy love for the long haul
So think of me
Think of me

When you're laying on my favorite pillow
All you want to do is fall asleep
When you're gazing out the bedroom window
Please think of me
Think of me

When you're driving down an empty highway
You're surrounded by the sky and sea
When you're seeing such a thing of beauty
Do you think of me?
Think of me

I will find you, I promise
I will make you believe, oh
That I'm in this crazy love for the long haul
So think of me
Think of me

'Cause if I make you a promise
That's a promise that I'll keep
And I'm in this crazy love for the long haul
So think of me
Think of me

And I'll be home soon
I'll be home soon
I'll be home soon
Home to you
'Cause if I make you a promise
That's a promise that I'll keep
So think of me
Think of me.

We will continue to think of you & the joy you brought to all of our lives. Love you Harley!

I believe this to be true...

"You come to love not by finding the perfect person, but by seeing an imperfect person perfectly."

And isn't this statement so true when it comes to the way we love our children? We think they are the most precious, perfect lil people and we love them more than anything. Maybe we should learn to love the "other important people" in our lives with that same vision... just a thought. And a cute pic of my perfect puppy, whom I do love more than anything in this world. :)

Everything happens for a reason...

As I was sitting in church today.. I realized I haven't posted for awhile on my blog, so I thought I'd take a moment tonight and post some recent thoughts and feelings. I wish I could start by saying the last few months have been extremely happy and easy but unfortunately, that's not the complete truth.. they have actually been a bit difficult and a major trial for me in my life. Some things that I loved and that were once "constants" for me, changed without warning and out of my control. Sometimes I think there is no worse feeling than your whole life changing all around you and there's nothing you can do to stop it! All you can do at that point is hold on and hope for the best! So here I am doing just that. I realized something this week.. that no matter how tightly you hold on to a hand that you think will make you happy, sometimes you have to let it go in order to find the happiness you've been looking for and deserve! I have lost my job of four years and someone I thought I loved very much this month, and like I said, it was all out of my control. I was counting on these things in my life to make me happy and be here for good. I couldn't have done anything to change those things, and if I could have, I probably would have, but sometimes you dont have that choice, its not your decision to make. But the one thing you can control is yourself and how you will react to the situation placed before you. Gosh, if anything in my life, I have learned that! There is one thing I know right now, I may not have a job, I may not have a man to share my life with anymore, but I do have the most amazing little girl that I get to spend everyday with and am so lucky to be her mom! I also have an amazing family and amazing friends. No one is as fortunate as me in that department, and just when you need them, they always seem to surface! For instance, tonight I received a suprise phone call from a long lost friend who I haven't spoken to in forever. . and it oddly enough it was exactly what I needed. He said all the right things I needed to hear, and reminded me of what I deserve, have to offer and to look forward to! He gave me the strength I was needing to find in that moment. It seems that God always knows what and who we need, when we need them.. and besides that, its always nice to have a little reminder that brings a big smile to your face! So my point is this, no matter what it is we have or are facing in life, we always have many around us loving and supporting and soo much to be happy and thankful for! I know I do. These are the things that help us all at the end of a long hard day, or month or year or whatever it may be. Life is uncertain and people are going to disappoint you, but all you can do is move forward looking at the bright side, learning from your mistakes and experiences and do the things you can do now to work towards the things you want to be happy in the future. Stop focusing on the negative, so you can see the positives standing right before you! One of my all time favorite quotes is "REJECTION IS OF THE LORD'S PROTECTION." Silly I know, but I can't tell you how many times in my life this has proven to be true.. and when the storms come pooring down, I remember these words and find comfort in knowing this. Everything happens for a reason and I truly believe what's meant to be.. will. We will all get our happy ending one day, whether thats today, tomorrow or whenever it may be, it will happen! Remember what you deserve and be confident and strong in who you are and where you're going and for anyone or thing in your life, that don't see it or the things you have to offer, that will be their misfortune. In the meantime, smile and be happy with the people who do and are in your life now and be thankful for what you have today. :)

When we risk, we often feel good- more fulfilled than when we don't. Take a leap into the unknown today. U may just find yourself!

oh and by the way.. being a mom is the greatest joy there is.

London in the drivers seat, literally!

What a fun weekend we had in Cello for the 24th! Here's a few pics of London in the drivers seat playin around! I forgot how much fun I have getting out my nice camera and practicing my photography!

Here's a few of her in the moment.. I love these pics because they show so much of her personality! ahh, my baby is getting so big, she cracks me up here!

These are the Moments.

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. "

“Life gives us brief moments with another...but sometimes in those brief moment we get memories that last a life time...”

“Kiss your life. Accept it, just as it is. Today. Now. So that those moments of happiness you're waiting for don't pass you by.”

Here are some of my favorite "moments" of the summer thus far....

ahh boating with Aunt Shellee! London's first boat ride...what a great moment.

playin with London while watching Dave play baseball, does it get any better? perfect moment.

Swimmin in Idaho without our suits! London's first diaper swim! fun moment.

takin' London to the pool, this was her first time... lovin the moment.

Her first fly fishin trip in colorado! amazing outdoor moment.

Four wheelin' in CO with my sis! always the funnest moments.

London was soo tired she fell over sitting down and was out cold, a completey priceless moment. haha.

Four wheelin' with my BF! crazy and a very fun moment.

Hangin with Dave and his kids at Bear world, so much fun, these are "the" moments.

Posing with Lily, after a game of mini golf, love that girl moment!

London's first Rodeo with mama Kay! what a great moment.

The "uncle dad" swimmin with London in the lake, what an adorable moment.

Ahhh, Moab car show and hikin the arches, the co river... an unforgettable moment.

Boatin with London, perfect moment.

Hangin with my boy, what a great moment in idaho.

Jackson hole with Dave, kids and London, so much fun, this was a moose moment.

London's first Lagoon trip with the fam! Fun Fun moments!

Her first ride, classic moment at lagoon!

Hangin with NaNa.. love those moments the most!

Hangin at the pool, London had to have some mommy cuddle time.. always my very favorite moments.

Concert time with Dave... caught in the moment.

Good times with good friends, I adore all these moments with my Girlfriends.

Her and I, again my favorite moments.

Just lovin time spent with my daughter.. these moments are truly priceless.

tribute to my boy!

when i think of Dave, these are the words that describe him.  thank you for making me so happy baby.

I thought this was a cool little site! you can make your own about someone or something  you love at http://www.wordle.net/.

It's official....

I found my logo today online... ha.

London Claps for Food!

My baby girl is getting so big! She is now clapping, which I have been working on for awhile now, but it hasn't happened until today when she discovered clapping will get her more of her favorite "puffs!" So here she is.. clapping for food, isn't she adorable?! Enjoy. 

Well its official. My biggest vice is on its way out the door! Here's the deal. I HEART DIET COKE more than most things in this life, besides my daughter and all of the rest of you of course.. but back to my other passion.. its the one thing that wakes me up in the morning and keeps me going and calms me down on a stressful day! Well that wonderful refreshing habit is out the door! I am a very determined person and have "bet" if you will, my one and only, that I would not drink the big DC until Sept 1. wow! Here's the deal, No DC.. equals $1000 vacate and avoids the embarrassment of me having to wear teva's for two months! If you know me at all, you'll know teva's in and of itself motivated me to NEVER lose. So Mr. Dave .. here's to you and the very sad riddance of my DIET COKE passion! So I'm saying good bye to one of my favorites thing in this world.. DC you will be MISSED.... but dont worry, I'll see you again soon, just this time on an Island in Hawaii! :)

Mom, I hate that BINKI!

Bringing my hopes "UP!"

Krista and I went to the Disney movie UP last night and can I just say... adorable! We fell in love with it. It's about an old man who is trying to fulfill his wife's childhood dream.. and

Ok.. yes... we were crying in the first five mintues of the movie.. mind you , its a cartoon... and then again and again through out! I literally teared "UP" four different times. It reminded me of my grandma and grandpa. I know my grandpa loved my grandma like this. I want that... I want a love like Carl and Ellie... I want someone to grow old with. It truly was a great movie and one that should bring all our hopes "UP" in finding true love in this life. And for those of you who have found that person already, I hope you love them like Carl loves Ellie.

dreaming of a trailer

So lately, I've had an "itch" to go camping, which of course means, I would need to buy a trailer, so I can easily load up London and take her along with me.... and possibly even 3 other little ones I've been wanting to get to know a bit better as well!

Anyhow.. I'm thinking this is the one I want.. can't you just see me now?!