Our Sweet Kali

I have not wanted to write this post because I knew hard how it would be. On 2/13 we had to put our dog Kali to sleep. This was one of the hardest things that I have ever had to do. Yes, I know that she was just a dog but for me she meant so much more. In essence, she was my first "baby". We adopted her when I was really struggling with my infertility and she brought so much joy and hope into my life. She was someone I could be a mother to. I cannot even begin to describe the ways she helped me during some very dark times. Kali was such a fun dog who was so full of life and energy. We really miss her (especially Kassie).

I created a video with a bunch of pictures of Kali. I know that no one will want to watch this video (I really made it for me) but I will share it all the same. Here it is:

When we adopted Kali we took her to Petsmart to get some supplies and we bought her this pink doggy.

We still have it (although Kassie ripped open the seam on the head) so I pulled it out for Kali to play with on her last day. She loved playing with it again.

The reason I wanted to share the story behind this pink dog is because of what happened a few hours after Kali passed. Terrie (Ken's mom) sent Katie a package for Valentine's that had a few things in it. One of those things was a pink stuffed dog. I couldn't believe it when I saw it. The coloring was almost identical to the stuffed dog we bought Kali almost four years ago. I cried and hugged this stuffed dog the minute I took it out of the box. Thankfully there were other things in the box that Katie was more interested in because I claimed this dog immediately as mine. It felt like a sweet reminder that Heavenly Father is always aware of us and what we are going through. I tightly hugged that stuffed dog for the next couple of days.

Here are a few fun videos of Kali:

A much needed visitor

My sister came to visit us a few days after we got home without Kaleb. The original purpose of her visit was to come and help me adjust to life as a mother of two. But thankfully she still wanted to come even though we didn't get him. It was such a blessing to have her with us. Katie adores her Aunt Kari and had a blast with her. Kari was able to stay with us for two weeks! (Thanks to Chris and the kids for loaning her to us and her friends who helped to make it possible!)

For the first week we didn't do much of anything or really leave the house for that matter. I just wasn't feeling up to it. Kari was great at listening to me when I needed to talk, also we cried together, we laughed together and just sat together. It was exactly what I need! She also introduced me to Words with Friends which we would play against each other on our phones. (I am addicted now.)

Whoops: I over edited the eyes...whoops. I am playing with a new technique.

Katie was attached to Kari. Every morning she would run into her room saying, "Good morning Aunt Kari. Wake up Aunt Kari."  She couldn't wait for her to get up so they could play. 

The second week was filled with a lot of the same things from the first week but we actually left the house. Yeah for progress in the healing cycle.

Here is a video of how I was getting some of my frustrations out. I passed my useful skill on to Katie. She loves it, lol.

One afternoon while I was getting some things done around the house Kari took Katie outside to play. They had a blast and Kari took some great pictures. Katie loves her bubbles!

One of the most fun things we did while Kari was here was go to Fossil Rim. We (Kari and I) had a blast! Katie had fun too don't get me wrong, just not nearly as much fun as we had. We both feed the giraffe's for the first time and loved it so much we went around the park three times. Crazy I know, lol. Now for the mass amount of pictures:



And now for all the videos:

Thanks again Kari for coming and visiting with us. We all had so much fun with you! It was just what we needed especially me!