Rainbow Bridge

Last night I experienced the loss of our fourth family pet. Although this dog was technically my parents dog, he was a big part of our lives and we have cared for him on and off for the past couple of years when my parents went out of town, and even know while we are staying here.

Although Harley has had some health problems over the past year (wrist problems, arthritis, and neuron firing problems) I never expected to lose him last night. At 12:15 a.m. my husband and I heard him make a very painful sound so I decided to wake my dad up and tell him what was going on. My dad stayed with him until 2:15 when he felt his stomach and it was twice the size it should have been. My dad woke me up at 2:15 and we took him straight to the animal ER. We were told that his stomach had flipped and other than surgery there was nothing they could do. Putting him through surgery would have been torture as he was barely hanging on by a thread as it was. My dad decided to let him go peacefully.

I thought I would share the Rainbow Bridge poem since it has helped with the past losses of pets and hopefully it can help someone in the future. It is truly one of the saddest moments to see the life go out of an animals eyes. Rest in peace, sweet Harley.

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

Tape, plaster, & paint.

Today we got a lovely surprise as we pulled up to our house - EXTERIOR PAINT! So exciting, everything is coming together and we love it! We did not get to pick our house colors because it is a planned community and every lot has a floor plan and colors already chosen, but these colors could not be more perfect for us!

Some of the trim and the area on the porch are not yet finished, but it is pretty darn close! 

Also, the plaster and tape are finished on the inside! 

We can't wait for the day we pull up and the painting and texturing on the inside is finished and the cabinets and counters are installed! 

Kick Buttowski room.

Like I said last week, Aiden has asked for a Kick Buttowski room with skateboards. I never pictured my kid to like skateboards, but I jumped on the opportunity to think up a cute, toddler urban design and toss in a little kid mix to the equation.

Kick Buttowski room:

I guess this is what kids think is cool these days. I so need to find him a boom box. 

Today I ordered his bedding that he helped me pick out. If you have never had a kid in a bed, I strongly advice getting a duvet cover. That way, when they vomit randomly in the middle of the night, you can just remove the duvet and put a cheap-o one on for the duration of the sickness! 

These are from Land of Nod and when you sign up on their e-mail list you get 10% off your purchase. I also just found out the twin duvet inserts are only $7 dollars and IKEA! YES! - much better than the $79 Land of Nod charges! We are probably going to do a light grey as shown in the photo. I also ordered a light blue Q pillow so Aiden and Luke can both use it in the future. Here is some skateboard inspiration that I plan to use for his new room as well! 

And here is the art I bought last week for his room.

Hopefully this turns out as well as I hope it will! 

Granite and rounded corners.

Last week we drove over an hour to some boon town to find the tile company that Richmond Homes uses for their granite. Literally an hour, with a screaming baby. He only doesn't scream in the car when the windows are down. The toddler, he has some anal retentive issues and he absolutely cannot have the windows down or he freaks. I secretly think he doesn't want his beautiful curls messed up. He is going for the McDreamy look. Anyway, that was fun.

Then we get there and they failed to tell us that children cannot be in the showroom. Awesome. So I was the only one allowed to go in while my husband stayed in the waiting area with the kids. Luke had a poop explosion and Aiden lost the iPad. More fun.

By the time I looked at the pieces, I came back and asked if he wanted to go look too. He just said I trust you - it was that kind of day. So much undue stress for five minutes of picking granite. (Insert angry face here).

The grey-ish granite we chose has natural "clouds" in it. Both of the pieces they had in stock had clouds, but one was smack dab in the middle, the other had a few near the edge. We I chose the ones near the edge thinking they may get cut off. The type of granite is called Barcelona.

We also went to our house last night. There was not too much done, but we have rounded corners! We forgot we chose that option! We also went there and saw all of our windows open. The rain was coming in, so we shut them! :) Just keeping the house mold-free for the kiddos!

Today marks the 45 day countdown! I am sure my parents are happy about that! 

Labor day shopping spree.

I am fully taking advantage of living with my parents and not having a mortgage payment right now. I can slowly decorate my house in my mind and buy some of the things that I know that I am going to want in our new home. I had originally decided to use navy blue and chartreuse for our interior colors and have now decided to get rid of the navy, and gear more towards tans, champagnes, golds, and ivory with a tiny bit of yellow pops in there. I am still going to use the canvas art over our fireplace after polling my good friends on Facebook asking whether I should use a mirror over my fireplace or a piece of art. My lovely friend Katy made the perfect statement, the wall already has reflective qualities.

So off I went today, sans children, to find some good labor day deals. I also couldn't help but wonder into the Christmas section at Hobby Lobby and buy some Christmas decorations. I don't think my husband was entirely too excited about it. Oh, well. I am!

I also have been waiting for this gorgeous sunburst mirror to go on sale at Hobby Lobby and I just couldn't pass it up being 50% off today! I think its new home is going to be in our downstairs powder room!

I also bought an antique lantern a few months ago at a street market for Luke's new room. It is red, so I need to change the color of it, but it is perfect for a travel themed nursery. When I saw these bad boys, I knew they would be perfect in his new room! 

This city scape art is for Aiden's new room. He has informed me he wants a skateboard room like Kick Buttowski. Yay. Not. But, I accepted his challenge and I am going to give him a little boy urban skateboard room. 

Now onto Christmas. AH! These were all 40% off at Hobby Lobby. I saw these gold, sparkly treats last year and waited until they went on clearance after the holiday was over and they only had the small ones. Boo. So I jumped on this bandwagon this year to make sure I got them! 

Also new stockings to match our new home decor. I will probably add some sort of cute burlap flower or something to make them a little more personal. I will still keep the boys adorable Pottery Barn Kids stockings because they are oh so expensive cute! 

Does anyone else shop for Christmas stuff on Labor Day? Just me? What are you fall and winter plans already in the works?

Aiden's third birthday invitations.

All Aiden wanted for his third birthday was a Mater party. So, that is what he had! Last week I blogged about Luke's birth announcements. I ordered these invitations from Tiny Prints as well, also with the recycled cardboard and rounded edges. They turned out so cute and he loved them so much. He even carried one around with him and slept with one. Maybe I should just get him invitations for his birthday from now on?

I know I have shared these before, but they are so darn cute not to share again! I ordered them from this Etsy shop! 

I love birthday parties. I have a really cute idea in mind for Luke's first birthday in November!