First week with out our baby...

For those of you who have not heard, AJ and I put Maverick down last Monday before Thanksgiving. It was about the hardest thing I've ever had to do in my entire life. We had found out he had Rocky Mountain Tick Disease which effects the joints and nervous system and is treatable but still would never be able to run and have very limited activity the next 10 years of his life. He also had torn a ligament in his other knee on his right leg. His left knee hadn't completely recovered enough to even support him if we paid for surgery on his right knee. Either way, Maverick was in a lot of pain and could barely walk outside to go to the bathroom.

As much as we loved him and as often as he tried to put a smile on his face, we just couldn't imagine putting him through the next 10 years of his life with joint and nervous system problems. Please pray that we can get past this moment in our lives. All we've known of our married life and our new house has been Maverick. We did everything with him. Thank you for your prayers and after a great break from reality in NC for Thanksgiving, we're now getting back to a routine, without the 10 walks a day and a puppy to finish left overs from dinner.

I hope everyone can look forward to celebrating the truely best gift this world has ever seen, Jesus's birth. AJ and I have slowly been putting up decorations and little white tinkle lights are lining our front door and front garden.

The one thing I keep repeating after this past week is: "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart, the entire portion." Maverick took a hug part of our hearts and only God can fill up that hole, all of it.

It's NOVEMBER!

Well, Maverick is having a hard time with his back legs, both of them. Please keep him in your prayers. It's been so hard on us since he needed surgery on his first back knee. We've already decided that if he needs surgery on his next knee we're not going to do it... But anyway, we've been enjoying any time we get with him!

I made new curtains and throw pillows for our living room. Then AJ told me we'd be able to get our new couch and new curtains maybe before Christmas so we're enjoying them for this short time!! :o)

Also, AJ had a car scare where it wouldn't start! Right after he had changed his roters on his car. Dad came over to help him replace his battery and spark plugs which was not difficult and saved us over $1000 in having someone else do it!! Maverick and I just enjoyed the weather and cheer AJ on!

It's funny because Maverick still thinks he's a lap dog! Here he's actually relaxing his entire back half on me because he likes how I rub his back legs when I can tell they are sore! Such a cute 87 pound lap dog! I've been Christmas shopping already and almost have AJ finished!! I can't wait until Thanksgiving! NC here we come!