We finally got a dog. Randy wanted a pug, I wanted a Great Dane, so we got Golden Retriever! The story is actually funny. Randy one night mentioned that he wouldn’t mind a Yellow Lab. I was ecstatic. Then we both agreed to a female dog. So the hunt started….I called the Denton Animal Shelter to see if by chance they had a yellow female lab. They did so I went and took Cameron to see how he would react to her. All I have to say is that she was way to hyper! She knocked Cameron down and scared him. I really couldn’t manage her either. She was cute, but not fit for our family. I was bummed. I went to go home and do more searching, but Cameron insisted on going back to see more doggies. I saw some really really cute puppies that I wouldn’t mind having too. Except I really didn’t want a puppy. I really didn’t want to start that training all over. So on with the story… I then saw this sweet looking dog that was just sitting there. He wasn’t even barking! They labeled him as a 4yr old Golden Retreiver. I asked to see if we could take him outside to see how Cameron is with him. Let me tell you, he was the BEST to Cameron. He didn’t even jump up on us. We sat down on a bench and Hudson, the dogs name, just sat down and put his cute little head on the bench for us to pet. He was so sweet. I wanted to take him home right away. I called Randy and told him all about Hudson. Randy was hesitant to get him because he wasn’t what we wanted. We wanted a female yellow lab. I talked him into coming to see him, but I had to leave. Randy got off work a little early so we could get there before the shelter closes. When the boys got off the bus I told them that I found us a dog! We were all so excited. I called Randy to see where he was… he was on the way to get his haircut. His haircut!!! I couldn’t believe it! I then told him that I was on my way with the boys. I told him to call me and I would give him the directions. I was so shocked that he wasn’t coming straight home! I really loved this dog. So on my way… I did the speed limit through this school zone, but after it I gunned it! Of course there would be a police officer rigth there! Yep, I got a ticket! I was going 45 in a 30. First thing, I really can’t believe I was going 45! I guess I really wanted to get there! At any rate, I was speeding. I knew it too. So I didn’t say much. Now the kids always look at the speed limit and my spedometer. It gets annoying sometimes. At least they won’t speed when they start to drive. Hopefully.

So then I called Randy. Boy did I dread that phone call. I really wanted this dog, but now I have this ticket. Randy was so sweet to me. We still went to see Hudson. He was still there when we got there. The boys fell in love right away. Hudson was so good to the boys too. Randy showed up and liked him, but was unsure if he was the right one because he wasn’t what we were looking for. Randy left it up to me. What a good husband. So needless to say, he is home with us now.

Hudson has a very cute personality. We got him on Friday February 20th and we haven’t even heard him barked or growel. He is just so sweet! The Vet told us too that he is only 2yrs old. It’s amazing how good he is. He always has to have something in his mouth too. It is so cute. Cameron bus driver gave him a gift bag of goodies that he loves. She is so sweet. Hudson loves going to the bus stops to take the kids and then he loves to go pick them up. I know that my boys love having him around. Last night Randy was outside running around with him and having fun with him. Randy loves him too. He has gotten over the fact that he is a bigger dog than he ever thought he would get. Hudson had to have been trained before. He hasn’t had an accident in the house at all. I love it!! All I can say is how fun and cute he is. He has such a cute personality. Here is all the fun pictures we have so far:)

So yesterday it drizzled and some ice rain came down, enough for the school to close. Ricky was so excited when I woke him up to tell him the good news. We let Michael sleep in a little longer. So we played and watched cartoons all day. What fun we had.

Randy came home a little early too! We ate early so we were able to play on our Wii guitar hero world tour game we got from Santa. We sure love Santa around here. I have to say too, we are sure getting good. I wonder if we can really have our own Rockband in a few more years?!

I just thought some pictures would be fun to see. Just a side note too, I did shower, I just didn’t do anything with my hair or do any make-up. I figured I wasn’t going anywhere. It was a great day and night. I love family time. It’s sad that we have to have a ice storm to get more family time in. Ill take it though. Enjoy! I love the videos too.

This video is so cute too. Check out how fast Michael’s little fingers are going. He is a pro! Don’t I have a great start of a Rockband?!

We finally had some time to take a few pictures at the bridge. It was really fun. I was expecting the kids to give us a hard time, but they didn’t! It only took us 20min. to get the pictures done. I don’t like my hair in them. Oh well. The wind was blowing pretty hard. It’s all good though. We had fun.

This year was quite a different year for our family. My heart was full this year to do service where it is needed. I really want my boys to learn that serving others is so much better than getting service(presents). We did two days of service.

Christmas Eve we took all the toys, crafts, and games to the Children’s Hospital in Dallas. Boy did we get a lot of donations……

I am so grateful for the outpouring gifts everyone donated. I am so glad I finally acted on my heart. Sometimes it is so scary to take that jump and do something new, but when it is all done it feels so good to look back and say “I did it!”.
Now we weren’t able to see any of the children due to germs, but we did get to see the train exhibit. The kids loved it! Cameron thought it was the coolest thing.

Then on our way to the cafeteria, to get some food and a drink, I ran into the Director of Child/Life Specialist, Renee. It was so neat to talk to someone that actually works with these children. Renee said she saw all we brought and was so excited. They rely on the donations. I guess they don’t get a lot of money for all the extras that these kids need. Renee also knew my cancer. I told her my story, well a brief synopsis that is, and how I knew how some of these children feel. I wanted to give back somehow. Maybe it helps me feel needed or it gives me that reason of why I was saved. All I know is that I was on the highest of highs Christmas Eve. Renee gave me her card so now I have a direct contact. I am going to keep collecting stuff all year long and when I get a load of donations, I will take them.

After the hospital we celebrated Christmas Eve with the Steven’s Family. They were awesome! They have the same tradition that we have with opening pj’s on Christmas Eve. They also open one more present, so we joined in and let the kids open one. The kids all had fun playing together. Amy brought this domino game called “The Mexican Train, or Chicken Foot”. I was hooked:) We all played until 10:30pm! Time goes by fast when you are having fun:) After Christmas Randy had to go and find the game so we can play again. I love him:)

Christmas morning was fabulous. We got up early to open presents and then we left to deliver Meals on Wheels to the elderly. We teamed up with a family in our ward, the Duckwall’s, and set off the a scary part of Dallas to deliver. I was nervous but I felt safe having Randy and Lew to protect us if needed. We never needed it though. The people we delivered to were so happy to see us. We sang a Christmas song to them and handed them their meal. They got this little TV dinner like meal with a little milk, a biscuit, and a little piece of pie. The kids were all sad to see how little they get. We had to explain that that is all they live on. They don’t know any difference. It was really a neat experience for our boys to see. We delivered the meals to 10 family’s. When we were done the boys were mad. They wanted to do more. I think they caught onto the serving spirit.

When we got home we had about an hour to play with our new stuff and then we headed to the Martini’s house for dinner. This family is like family to us. My twin sister is a Martini; therefore we have to be related somehow right?! My sisters husband and Heidi’s husband are cousins. That means Heidi’s kids are our kids second cousins by marriage?! It sounds complicated, but I have to say that it all doesn’t matter. We just say that we are cousins:) We are all brothers and sisters anyways right? The kids had fun playing, but they couldn’t wait to come home and play with their DS.

I had such a great holiday season. I couldn’t of asked for anything better. The smiles on every ones faces this year was all I needed. There was a Rabbi that said: “Don’t give a present, just be a present in somebody’s life”. What a quote. It is my hope and prayer that I can live my life being a present. I know that I am a miracle in some life’s eyes, but in mine I know I am blessed by our Father in Heaven. I got a second chance at life and I hope to live it to the fullest. I have learned not to hold grudges, get mad easily, smile more, and more important I have learned to love my family everyday. I don’t leave the house without giving them a hug and saying I love you to them. Life is so short. It isn’t worth being upset at anyone or anything.

Thank you to all my friends out there that have been there for me. Especially thank you to a friend here that is always listening to me. She has been there through all of this and she still is there for me. I didn’t realize how much she has done for me. I have started remembering more of the past when I was really sick and all she has done for me. All I can say is “Thank You”

Happy New Year!

~Becca:)