Whew! It was a Wild Weekend! (and a Monday!)

But now, my car is fixed! Extra kudos to Uncle Chris (my bro) for his mechanic hands. He was able to stop the oil from spewing from my car (for the 2nd time since Friday). I am faithful the problem is now solved and I can drop Dominic off at school tomorrow and make it home without oil puddling in my driveway. What an adventure!


I missed my MIM run on Saturday knowing we were down a vehicle. Rudy and the boys had a workout at their Kickboxing class. However, we managed to squeeze into Rudy's car with the kids' trikes and scooters for an ultimate birthday bash at Safetyville USA. My sweet twin nieces turned 4 and my nephew turned 7. It was down right busy in that little town. Thankfully the forecasted rain held off long enough for the little tikes to run themselves ragged and loaded on sugar.

Grey skies are gonna clear up...

...(then come back again) so, put on a happy face!

We took advantage of this short break in weather systems around here. We got out of our slump and out of our PJs to enjoy some sunshine today. Donovan didn't want to stop playing. I hope we can do this again soon.

Eau de Roxy... Ewwww!

Oh what a sleepless 4 nights we've had! What were we thinking, leaving "baby girl" home all alone on New Year's Eve with no one to cuddle with as the ball dropped 2010? Same thing you're thinking.... she's a dog!

Our last Thursday was productive, from what I remember. After Devin's afternoon nap, we went to Costco for some much needed staples - milk, bread, water, etc. - and came home quickly to put our groceries away, feed the dog, and grab our stuff to take with us to Grandma and Papa's. Not knowing how long the kids would last (or behave!) we took their pajamas over in case we came home anytime after their bedtime, which was almost very probable anyway! We had a yummy dinner and rang in the New Year with some Martinelli's and headed home no later than 1/2 hour into the New Year. I almost forgot... we only had ONE kid coming home with us, as Dominic and Donovan hitched a ride with the Party of Six girls and had a groovy time spending the night with their cousins. How sweet was that??

Because of the cold nights we've had, and the lonesome doghouse Roxy's had in the past month, we've allowed Roxy to sleep in our bathroom at night. She LOVES her Costco bed! And here is where the saga begins.... {enter Twilight Zone music here}....

It was nearing 1:00 AM when Rudy went to lock the doors, turn off lights and bring in the dog. She wasn't at the back door; didn't come when called; not a peep was heard from her, but the fireworks being blasted in the court next to ours. Roxy was GONE! Devin was sound asleep in his crib, I was ready for bed, and Rudy headed out in search of our girl. She has NEVER left her home before. We didn't know what to think! Getting a little worried myself (and not able to sleep anyway) I went to grab the phone and call Rudy to get home, as there was no point in searching in the dark, nor cold. It was 2:30 AM when he walked through the door. Luckily, Devin slept in a bit and we all got some much needed sleep. New Year's Day was a bit awkward not having Roxy around. The Animal Control and SPCA shelters were closed for the day and we didn't have much hope of having Roxy returned. She's a gorgeous, sweet little girl who would be happy with any attention she got. I was a bit furious, knowing she had her BRAND NEW collar on with her tag, giving out our address and 3 phone numbers, and STILL she had not be returned??? No call??? Next thought, if nobody has her, what street might she be lying in?

Saturday, January 2nd: Rudy went to three shelters in search of Roxy and left information in their LOST binders. I created a post on Craigslist about her disappearance. Apparently, there are a lot of animals gone astray on this very night. I didn't get any "leads" from my post; just the typical sales-pitch email that gets spammed to everyone. Thankfully my email address was hidden.

We went to church on Sunday and prayed for Roxy's safe return, when it was getting scarier just thinking of how long she'd been gone and our hope was near nonexistence. Grandma Gertie made the BEST "Missing" flyers to post around the neighborhood. Certainly someone had to have seen her, right? Rudy posted the flyers around the neighborhood in the dark that Sunday night. He had intentions of printing up more while he was at work the next day. I was looking forward to a good night's sleep, knowing that Monday would bring me a day of hope and phone calls. It was, however, a rough night. I couldn't sleep. I SWORE I heard dog feet scratching at our back door in the middle of the night - so much so, that I got up to go see if Roxy happened to be there. Nope.

Monday morning came along, kids were still in bed (Dominic didn't have school until Tuesday), Rudy was packing his lunch for work, when the doorbell rang... Our neighbor's son has spotted Roxy and is after her on his bike!!! Rudy takes off with his car, and comes back without Roxy. It was a positive identification however and we now know she's in the neighborhood somewhere. She's running scared. After dropping of his kids at school, our neighbor kindly went out searching for Roxy himself, knowing I had my hands full with three kids on the brink of breakfast. I gathered his search was unsuccessful when I spotted his car back at the house and no Roxy at mine.

About 9:30 am, the first call came in. I have an intersection to where she was seen. I load up the pajama'd kids, grab a leash and head out. Nothing. Not a sight. I looped around the block, and up and down a few nearby streets. I was determined to find her. I was about to turn a corner when I spotted her, running down the sidewalk toward me. I got out of the car, called her (to which she gave me the 'deer in the headlamp' look), crouched down to her level, yet she ran back the opposite direction... FAST. I got back in the car and began what was clocked as a 25 mph chase around the block. She was bookin' it! I wondered when a car would come along and hit her, or if anyone coming out of their house would see her and try to help me, but no. The chase was on. I felt bad, but I didn't want to lose her... again. I wondered what was going through her mind. She'd been roaming the streets all this time? Finally, I think she surrendered out of desperation. She was tired. She had a limp in her rear leg. I stopped the car as she wandered between parked cars. I lost track of her for a second, but she came around my car and allowed me to leash her. Her toenails were bleeding, her mouth moist with slobber, and oh my.... she'd been SKUNKED!!!

I hoisted her into the car and led her home where she belonged. She's home, she's safe, and she's getting so spoiled! A visit to the vet checked out okay and she's been enjoying her Costco dog bed A LOT. We are so happy to have her home, and so afraid to ever leave her again.

She's been doing a LOT of this since she came home.

....zzzzzZZZZZzzzzzZZZZZ....

Mom says, "Don't you ever, EVER run away again!"

Too tired to chew...

... easier to just dream about it.

Delirious, Roxy took up the kids' bean bag chair as her own!

Donovan is glad to have his girl home.

He's trying so hard not to disturb her....

... and gets this for doing so!

Having a little chat with Dad...

... and still not seeing eye to eye on things.

Rock On!

I had no idea how fun this could be! Donovan's been dying to go over and play with his Padrinos' guitar. So we did! ... and the drums and a tiny bit of singing too! Nina Kristie put on Band Hero and Rock Band and showed us how much fun can be had. Bianca showed us why she'll never be the next American Idol, while the rest of us took turns playing instruments. Of course, the guitar was the favorite.

Sydney was hilarious... pausing the concert to get the right wardrobe. Apparently we didn't make enough money for the good stuff, but there was plenty of pink attire at the thrift store, thank goodness. The look was complete and we were on with the show. Sing it sister!!

Thanks for having us over to rock out with you all. We can't wait to do it again!

A Cozy Christmas

The presents under our tree weren't nearly as abundant as years past, but the kids are enjoying the stuff they did get. Santa picked out some favorites. We spent Christmas Eve at Rudy's parents and had Christmas Day dinner here in our home. It was cozy. We want to thank all of our family for the gifts the kids received. It was pretty chaotic opening gifts in a flurry. THEY don't even know what they received from who.

My best presents, my kids.

You want me to sit between them???

Cousin Alex spent the night. Don't they look like they're having fun?

BBBBBaby, It's CHILLY outside!

Yes, chilly. I think Donovan picked that word up from his Dad. "Mom, I need a jacket.... It's CHILL-WEE outside!" he'd say. So everytime I try to use the word "cold", he has to correct me... it's not cold, it's chill-wee.

On one of those non-school days before Christmas last week, the kids were.... well... needing to get out of the house. We bundled up and went to the park for some cold playtime.

Swinging in the sun... still cold.

Dominic takes a break to empty out his shoe.

Devin, all smiles as usual.

Donovan's lips are taking a beating during this dryness.

With the holidays approaching once again, it seems at times we can never get caught up to where we want to be. Although this past year has been rough with a few bumps setting us back, I am truly thankful to have a roof over our heads and warmth in our home. I am blessed with an awesome family nearby and can't be thankful enough for my 3 Wild Ones....

Merry Christmas to All!

Thanks Mom for capturing these faces!