PROGRESS!!!

This is the first in the series. We went to see the site on Saturday, and they actually had done a lot of work! It was a very exciting moment, and very encouraging. You'll be able to see that the foundation is coming along, and the footprint of the house is solidly on the ground. Please forgive me for the running commentary.

Turk - Marley's Husband

Turk is a different name. We're not sure yet if we think it fits him, but he's a good dog, and now-he's our dog! Thanks to Rob and Christen for giving us their first baby. Even though we're in-between houses right now, Turk is a good fit for us, and hopefully will be a good buddy for Marley. He is 3 years old (Marley is 4). He's been around a small child for a couple of years. He's a hound mix and is the same weight as Marley. Whereas she's a bit longer and taller that him, he's a bit more muscular and thicker through the chest. Marley was pretty possessive of her territory, but overall they played well together and it wasn't bad for the first day. Turk is the exact color of Marley's legs, so I'd say he's tan, almost russet.
Here's a couple of pics..I'm sure better ones will follow.

Big Boy

Tuesday the 21st was haircut day for Jack and I. Since there was no Mommy or Aunt Emily available to help out this time, we were on our own. Normally I would get Jack's hair cut while holding him in my lap, then Mommy or Aunt Emily would entertain him while I get mine cut. So, yesterday, Jack sat in the booster seat by himself while the nice lady at Greatclips did his hair. I was so impressed. And this is after a trip to the doctor where he let Dr. Wiley look in his ears, mouth, up his nose, and listen to him breathing before and after a nebulizer breathing treatment- all without the first chirp or tear!
He is such a good boy!

Watching the lady do her work in the mirror.

Careful around the ears please.

At the storage building where we have all of our stuff.

Time Marches On

We're settled in our temp house here in Brainerd, and life has finally slowed down a bit. Don't worry though...even though I haven't updated the blog in a long while, high-jinks have still been occurring in the Turner household. The pictures below are of Jack in the bath, wearing his 'hat.'

We had a great time during Easter this year. Jack wore a great outfit that his Grammie and Grandpa bought for him. We dyed eggs, had a huge meal, and generally had a great time visiting and playing.

The New House

Here's the artist's rendering of the house we're planning to have built by Pratt & Associates. We've picked out a lot at Horse Creek Farms in Red Bank and we're very excited. Our first design meeting was today-which left Leslie and I with a lot to think about and many choices to finalize over the next couple of weeks.

The move will commence this Saturday from the Brynwood house,
and we plan to start staying at the Conner St. house soon,
courtesy of our friends, Eric and Holly Bischoff.
It is all very overwhelming, but in a great way.
God has blessed us well all along.
Come help us move on Saturday! 952 Brynwood Drive-37415

Only a couple of pictures today

Jack decided to lie down underneath the bakers rack, and brought along a pillow. Only a few short months ago, he was trying to stand up and steadied himself by holding on to the sides of the rack.

If you remember the picture of Jack and I reading the paper at the counter when he was an infant, this is the latest version. Notice the colorful drumsticks beside us on the couch. All of the furniture is grateful when he puts them down.

More fun stuff...

Jack chased Marley back and forth throughout the house tonight pushing a laundry basket. It was hilarious and he loved it. Marley only protested a little bit. Enjoy the video of their shenanigans.

Marley is on the road to recovery by the way, if you've read our previous posts of her foolishness. The drain is out and the small holes are closing up nicely. She really never acted injured at all. God Bless her for putting up with Jack. It's like I told her during this episode of playing: "Marley, this is why we bought you in the first place!" Every boy needs a good dog.

Our President is a funny guy

I'm not a huge fan of Mr. Obama, but this is one funny video.
Please forgive the quality, and turn your volume up so you can hear it.

The Aftermath

Well, this is a picture of Marley's post-operative wound. As you can see, her left 'armpit' has been thoroughly sliced and diced, and finally sewed up. That piece of rubber is called a Penrose Drain in case you didn't know, and it is intended to allow the wound to drain, instead of swelling up, thereby increasing the rate of healing. Marley was a good girl, and we think she'll recover just fine.

Thank you to Dr. Kolb and her staff at the Red Bank Animal Hospital for their great work!

Life Imitates Art

If you have seen the movie, "Marley and Me," then you know the main character is a lovable Labrador retriever that causes his owner nothing but trouble throughout his life. Our Marley (*so named BEFORE the movie or the book!) has been creating a little trouble lately too. We've discovered that she has been sleeping on our leather couch whenever given the opportunity. We also think that she's been acting out in other words because of the decreased attention that she's gotten since Jack came along.

So, if you have a squeamish stomach, look away and avert your eyes,
because the pictures below ain't pretty,
and they show the gaping flesh wound she sustained today when she foolishly scaled the fence at Aunt Emily's house - twice.
But no worries, it's only going to cost us $270!
Hey, no problem! Wait a minute, that's not pesos, that's dollars! Arghhhhh! So, Leslie and I are really the one's that are hurting -right in the wallet!!!!!!!

Another look at the wound

On a lighter note, here's a great video of Jack demonstrating that he's a geniously advanced child and has skills far beyond that of normal 18 month-old children. And yes, geniously is a word.