What should I do?

Remember in my last post how I mentioned a dog? Yes, a dog. Her name is Izzy and she has been living with us for about a month now. She belongs(ed) to Traci, my new sister-in-law. Their condo doesn't allow dogs, or it costs some crazy fee to have them and so they offered her to us. It kind of started out as we would watch her while they were on their honeymoon, but if we liked her we could keep her sorta thing. And here's the thing. We probably should have never agreed to it in the first place. I am a dog liker, not a dog lover. Richard is great with any animal and the kids just love her. After the first few days I actually got a few hives on my neck and Richard told the kids that if I was allergic we wouldn't be able to keep her. "No fair!" they said. "C'mon guys, if you had to choose between me and the dog, what would it be?" I said. After a long pause, they said, "ugh...that's a hard one!" We were planning on getting a dog next summer, a dog of our own choosing. But now, even though Jake and Traci would be happy to find a new home for her, I just don't know what to do. My kids love her. She sleeps with them every night. Kate even says her name and it is the cutest thing ever. But I am the one who is home all day and listens to her bark at every freaking person that passes my house. She barks at every piano student and then has to sniff them for 5 minutes and often camps out at their feet during lessons. Even as I am writing this I am pausing to go tell her to SHUT UP! because Kate is asleep for crying out loud! Kate gets into her food and water (and spills it all over the kitchen floor) multiple times a day. Izzy has even pooped in the toy room so many times that I've lost count. I found dirty diapers stashed under my bed that the dog had pulled out of the garbage! So....what do I do? I need advice! The kids really do love her, but I am not really on the bandwagon. Do I get rid of her and have my kids all mad at me for it, or do we keep her and I just deal with it?

Don't judge me

Some days are just crazy. Some days just never slow down, and there is hardly a minute to stop and think. The other day was like that. I was babysitting my niece and nephew for the weekend, two other friends were over (8 children), I was trying to teach piano (9 children), the dog was barking (more on that later), Kate was trying to play the piano and have me hold her at the same time, the kids were running up and down the stairs, and I didn't know what else to do. Something had to give, and so I put Kate in her high chair and gave her a handful of chocolate chips. (They were quick and handy and I knew she would like them!) It kept her quiet for the remainder of the lesson, but this is how she looked when she was done. I had to give her a bath (obviously), but it was well worth it. See....chocolate saves the day again!

Date night

Thanks to our great friends for the fun date night on Saturday! Want to know what we did? Go here. http://mjbeardenblog.blogspot.com/2009/11/refinement.html

Tender moment

I went to the cemetary this week for the first time since the funeral. I didn't realize that the temporary grave marker has a picture of my Mom on it. When I set Kate down on the ground she immediately loved Grandma. She hugged it, stroked her face, smiled, kissed it. I cried and cried. My sweet little baby. My sweet Mom. I hope Kate never forgets the love she feels for her Grandma.

Boo to you!

Hope everyone had a fun and happy Halloween! It was a perfect night for trick-or-treating! We went to our ward trunk-or-treat and then up to my Dads for more fun! He was awesome and made chili and witch's brew (apple juice with dry ice)- it felt just like Halloween always feels at the Hague home! We all had fun getting dressed up!

Gypsy, Esmerelda and the Hunchback of Notre Dame, Quasi Moto. Richard loved his costume because it was easy and his back hurt anyway- he played the part well.

My cute little tribe...who decided to do their own make-up.
This was as long as our little Princess Tiger Lily kept her headdress on.
Frank and Chief Dan.
Landon was a great Frankenstein, thanks to a tip from Family Fun. His head thing is a milk jug...so fun and creative!
Chief Dan
Princess Pocahontas

We had fun carving pumpkins!

My baby is one year old!

I can't believe my sweet baby is already one! (Her birthday was on the 27th) She is such a darling little thing and we love her so much! She makes us all so happy and gives such sweet little hugs and kisses. Happy Birthday Kater baby!

Loving the baby doll Grandpa Kevin gave her!

If you look closely you will see why I am making the face I am....Kate got a little too close to the flame and her bangs got singed!!! I was watching them get singed right when the picture was taken!
This is her cute little peek-a-boo face. She is wearing this darling outfit from Grandma McAllister.

Jake and Traci Hague!

Jake and Traci got married on Saturday. Remember, they had moved their wedding up 2 months so my Mom could make it to the wedding. They had lots of planning to do in little time, but it all came together and it ended up being a beautiful day. The temple was very special and my Moms sweet spirit was so strong. There is no doubt she was there. Jake and Traci make such a darling couple and we are so very happy for them. I don't think I have ever seen a bride cry as much as Traci did. She is so cute! Congratulations Jake and Traci!

Jake is a happy, happy man!

Landon, Connor, Carter, Parker and Daniel
Such a beautiful couple!
Our cute kids. Right after this shot Kate slipped right out of Emmas arms- slippery little dress!
Ooops! I guess I forgot to turn this one!
Grandpa Kevin with Emma and Hailey. I just love this picture.
Me with my cute kids outside of the Conference Center.
Beautiful baby Kate.
This is a blurry picture, but oh so cute of the kids. The had a blast dancing the night away at the reception. We all had a fun time dancing and partying!
They had a really cool cupcake cake!