Yesterday, we took Mia and Zoey to get groomed. Poor Zoey gets cut short because her hair mats so bad. So, as soon as you let her outside, she does her thing, then wants right back in.

Mia gets to keep her hair because they just do a "Firminating" procedure on her, and it removes her undercoat leaving her soft, shiny, and eliminates most of the shedding. But she's still a wuss...she just goes out and does her thing also, then wants right back in. I was able to get her to chase her toy, but only to grab it and bring it right back in. I thought labs are supposed to like being outside!!!??? Not mine...too big of a baby!

You can always tell when it's a Sunday

It's cold and snowy outside, this is all there is to do!

The girls just veggin in the front room, watching Juno.

Kyle, of course, finishing up homework and Kitty supervises!!!

MEET OUR PETS:
Mia, Lucky, & Zoey...This was meant to be our Christmas card, but it didn't quite go as planned!

Zoey, my LITTLE baby girl & Mia, my BIG baby girl. This photo was taken while they were both laying on me. Zoey IS a lap dog...Mia just thinks she is. They are both just a year old. Zoey turned one in November and Mia turned one in December. And they are both replacement puppies to our first pets. I know that sounds bad, but they sure comforted us when we needed, and they are as much a part of our family as the other two were.

Then there's Lucky. His name says it all. We were NOT cat people until about 4 1/2 years ago. We found him in a casino parking lot and he wasn't in the best shape. Well...no need to explain how he's doing now. Pictures say it all!!! He is a GREAT cat! Some people say we took him, or stole him, but I know we saved him!!! Hense the name: Lucky. But he also goes by Kitty. That's all I've ever called him.

Kyle: Very intelligent. He is a Freshman in high school in almost all Honors classes pulling straight A's! This picture was taken before he went to Homecoming. His date was a friend he's had since kindergarten. He had a great time. He will be going to Wichita in February to attend the National Young Leaders Conference that one of his 8th grade teachers nominated him to go to. He was also chosen to be honored as a member of the Rotary Honor Roll. This was also a very big deal.

(http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=3940&u_sid=10343325) In the 6th grade, he wrote a poem for a class project about my Mom, his Grandma, that was published in a book. He has played football, baseball, and basketball for little league since the age of 5. Since beginning high school and having to put the little league days behind him, he has made his grades his priority. He is genuinely a good kid and has a HUGE heart. I must be doing something right. He is a very social bug. He has several guy/girl friends, and they all just "Hang". No serious girlfriends yet. But she's going to have to be pretty special to have my approval!

Taylor: She is an athlete! She plays shortstop for Omaha Sizzle Blue 14U. (http://www.leaguelineup.com/welcome.asp?url=sizzleblue14u) They say she has on of the best "Gloves" on the team!!! We'll be traveling to Basehore, Ks. in April, Ankeny, Ia. in May, Oklahoma City, Ok. at the end of May, Sioux Falls, SD in July, & Lenexa Ks. at the end of July for her NATIONALS that will last the entire week. She will have a few tournaments here in town and play several regular league games during the season. I don't know where she gets her athletic skills from, but we know it's not me. I was a cheerleader...but I was a good one. She is in the 8th grade, and plays on the High School basketball feeder team. It's a select program that prepares them for High school Basketball. She also tried Volleyball this year. She made the B team, but after one game, moved her up to the A team. I am amazed that girls can have such athletic talent. But then she has her "Girly" side. When and if there is any free time, she and her best friend frequent the malls whenever they get a chance.

Before I start my 2009 year off on a fresh positive note, I want to make sure I mention the things that have been the most life changing events so far in my life. Things that have happened that have made me the person I am today. 1st/I met and married Shane in 1992, 2nd/gave birth to my almost 15 year old son Kyle in 1994, 3rd/gave birth to my 13 year old daughter Taylor in 1995 and 4th/and so far the most difficult I've had to deal with yet...the death of my much too young and amazing mother on July 2, 2004, after losing her long and awful battle to cancer.

Then there's the man that has kept us all sane and together. I wonder how one man can have the strength to raise 4 daughters in to mature women, but still be there when his little girls need their Daddy. He is my rock, my support, and my idol. I do not know what I would ever do without him.