the Life of Olena

So while tooling around with Blogger this morning I noticed that I had 17 draft post entries that I saved but never published for one reason or another so I took a trip down memory lane.  A few...I was thankful were never published! LOL! and some seemed interesting enough so I decided to post them.  Thus the reason for some very off topic, and random posts to follow.  :)  Enjoy.  The video of Olena melted my heart.  Hard to believe she was that small once! xoxox

I am sure some of you wonder why all of the sudden the updates and where the heck have I been?? Life just got the better of me and we have hit a place as a family that has required some reconstructing and the idea of facing the basic task of blogging, just seemed exhausting.  One of the big changes?? My uncle is now part of our household :) he has been living with us since May.  While we love him dearly, adapting to another person in the house is an adjustment for everyone.  on the flip side he is use to living alone so coming into a house with 3 other people and 4 dogs I am sure is overwhelming.  Thankfully it has been a relatively easy transition and things will get better with time.  He is big help in many ways.  With Jason and I both working full time now and opposite shifts, it is nice for us to each have an extra hand around for some help if needed.  Olena loves having him around but unfortunately with the change came a new mouthy and...

O singing one of our favorite bedtime songs..."the clock says eight". I learned this song as a kid from my Cricket Doll. Any of you remember her? I guess being an only child you tend to find "comfort" in make believe friends - and your dollies. I LOVED this doll so much and she sat on my headboard each night telling me stories and singing to me until I feel asleep :) oooohhh how I miss her!!! I tried to find one for O, but since they are "collectors" now, to get a decent one or one in a box would be close to $200. I can't see myself spending that!   Well her she is, singing part of it. I missed the first half before I started taping.

Silas's 3 month photo montage! I call him Mr. No Neck! he is a pretty happy baby and such a butterball, a far fall from the teeny tiny thing I helped his momma deliver!  

For those of you who follow regularly, you know we are bully breed lovers.  Jason and I have always been supporters for the breed and firmly believe that the owners are responsible for their dogs and their behavior.  Yes they are a breed that has aggressive tendencies, they are strong, they are hunters, especially when in a pack, and they can be stubborn! oh and did I mention they DO NOT get lock jaw...no dogs do! it is an urban myth.  Yes they have a powerful jaw and bite but they can release their jaw.  On the flip side of the coin, they are also mighty protectors of their families, they are loyal, they are easily trained, dedicated, LOVE kids, silly, loving, cuddlers, and most are very compatible with other animals.  Believe me, the great things far out weigh the bad.  Should everybody get a pit bull? NO, they are not for everyone or every family.  They require work, discipline, exercise, companionship, and dedication. ...

  We had our annual family picnic for Jason's side of the family over the weekend.  Olena loves the idea of the picnic and she had a great time. It was a record breaking weekend...for the weather that is.  Though this is usually the sweltering time of the year here in Michigan, we seemed to have welcomed Fall.  It has been in the low 70s and on Sunday at the picnic it didn't even get that warm.  I personally found it pleasant because I hate hot weather but it sure feels strange to be so cool especially in August.  We have a camping trip coming up soon and this weather will be a welcomed treat!     

Thought I would share some fur family pictures! :)   This is Putter.  She is one of the first family pets Jason and I got.  She is 12 years old.  Sweet as can be and is one of the easiest animals I have ever lived with.  She minds her own business, she is not needy as all, she likes to be pet occasionally but does not want to be held! She is a bit of a pudge ball because she loves her snacks and she has an obsession with licking the gravy and leaving behind the meat of her canned cat food.  While she is never mean to Olena, there is not much of a mutual love between them.  She seems to find Olena a bit annoying and usually avoids her or just runs away.  She was my first cat and will most likely be my last.  I have adored having her as part of my family, but I am much more of a dog person!

Our friends, Jenn and Nick Fecht, tied the knot in a very loving, charming, personalized backyard wedding on the 4th of July.  They were kind enough to trust me to take the pictures.  While this was not your traditional shindig, I have never been to a wedding with so much love! the love and energy that swelled among these families and friends was truly amazing.  I cannot thank them enough for allowing me to capture such a special moment in their lives.  Congratulations and may love and happiness bless your marriage until the end of your days and thereafter!  Introducing Mr.&Mrs. Fecht.

For those interested in her progress.... she will start a 2nd grade curriculum this year.  She is still struggling a lot with math but we are going to move right along and I just pray that one day it will click.  I have decided to stay with the Little Lincoln through our local school districts virtual academy.  I am still working full time so the idea of traditional homeschooling is completely out the window :( she is growing like a weed again.  Tall, and putting on weight but in a muscle form.  She is solid and getting heavy! but she is still my tiny peanut. she is no way shape or form the sweet little lady like princess girl! she is dirty, rough, loud, obnoxious, constantly on the move, usually annoying, :) and very imaginative. she hates doing chores.  she will complain about them every single day. yes she will do them and do them pretty good but it is not without a theatrical display. if it where up to her, her entire day would consist of playing....

Alvaro at 12 years old! the similarilies between these two are so heartwarming! I know he is exactly where he is meant to be but sometimes my heart aches because I know Olena would love to have a brother in her life....I wish we could do that for her! :(   I can't even imagine life without her, it can bring tears to my eyes thinking about it, but also I can't help to wonder and smile about how I think these 2 would be together growing up...in a loving home of course.  She is such a little a bugger and that poor boy would have his hands full that's for sure!  LOL I am extremely grateful for what we get, pictures and updates about him are more than I could have ever hoped for.  xoxox Alvaro.

Olena has been riding at a new barn for the last 2 months.  She is now in a private lesson verses a group, and they train the girls here to compete.  The class has more structure and requires a lot more commitment and drive from her.  We LOVED Banbury and I miss the staff and our friends there but they were geared at the therapeutic aspect of riding and Olena has the desire to go beyond that.    We've had a good time, we get to spend a lot of time with the horse and getting to know him.  We are responsible for grooming, tacking, bathing...I wasn't exactly the most well liked person in the barn for the first few weeks, (the girls teased it was bc the horses knew I was clueless at what I was doing) I was so kindly nibbled on a few times, took a few harsh nudges to the fanny while trying to pic his hooves clean, and was even blocked in the stall while trying to exit.  But with some practice and a bit more confidence ,I am now...

The other day Olena and I were driving down Woodward and she told me so sweetly from the back seat..."mommy, I really miss my great grandma and great grandpa" :( !!! you know what kiddo? so do I. We just happened to be on track to pass the exact place where they now rest, so we went for a visit.  And I just happened to have my camera in the car so I figured, the weather is great, the landscaping is nice so why not take a few practice pictures while we are here.  So that is exactly what we did.  We had a little sit down and catch up session with gma and gpa and then walked around for a bit.  We had a nice time reading and admiring some of the beautiful headstones and taking a few pics! The headstone has only recently been put in place so this was my first time back since the funeral service, Olena's too.  I was pleasantly surprised to discovered that she found the moment "satisfying"  We left there with smiles and thinking about th...