Our sweet, wonderful Bela is gone. I took her to the vet this morning where we shared our last snuffly good-byes and she slipped peacefully away. She was 12 ½ years old. Shelbi, the Boston Terrier above, preceded her in death by five years (and the wheels of a passing car).

I thought I had prepared myself well enough for Bela’s passing. After all, she has been slowing down for several years and we knew putting her to sleep would be the final outcome. I was surprised to find myself weeping like a child after the vet left the room. Bela spent 11 ½ years with our family. That’s the longest time I have spent with an animal, and I am a card-carrying dog lover who’s had dogs her whole life.

Bela walked literally hundreds of miles with me. She’s been my companion through 4 miscarriages and placing Jordan in the care center. She faithfully kept my kitchen floor spotless. She’s loved and protected three children and countless neighbor kids. She has been the cat’s refuge from the other dogs.

My tears are not so much for the pain of her death as they are for the memories I will forever cherish. A dog’s unconditional love is priceless. The pain of parting is worth the price of sharing a life. Thanks, Bel, for teaching me how to be a better human being. Love you. Rest in peace.

~ tlc

**WARNING!!** This is another “rah rah Blake” post, so please look away if you are squeamish.

My job with Nordstrom ended on Dec 31. The store is closing on Feb 24 anyway, so I made the decision to quit early and come home to the family for the New Year. I had a wonderful 8-month experience in retail and makeup artistry. Lots of new skills and wonderful friends. It is an experience I will always cherish.

I want to thank Blake for his support through this adventure. He has always encouraged me to pursue my dreams and interests. We just didn’t think this would take quite so much of my time. I would rather be a full-time mom while the kids are still young.

I am so grateful to Blake for his ability and willingness to provide for our family. He is a good, good man. We are looking forward to being home with each other all day again while the boys are in school. I’ve had several neighbor women ask me how I can stand to have Blake around 24/7 and I reply that I can’t stand NOT to! After almost 17 years of marriage he is still the person I want to be around most.

Thank you, Sweetness. I could not ask for better. I love you dearly and look forward to our coming adventures! ~ tlc

I lost my cool new job today. Nordstrom University Mall will close its doors on February 24. I have truly loved every minute of the job. I have great colleagues and customers whom I’ll miss. It has been a fun learning and growing experience. I feel privileged to have worked for such a great company even for so short a time.

I will spend some time back at home with the boys and then consider a couple of job offers I received within hours of the closing news. I do not wish to commute to Salt Lake on a regular basis. Even working part-time has been a bit more than I wanted with the kids still needing quality “mom time”.

Thanks to those who have supported me and visited me at the store. The boys did think it was cool to visit mom at work at the mall! I am having a grand adventure with this whole fashion/cosmetics thing and will continue to ride the flow the universe has placed me on. Who knows what new paths will open up!

~ Tonya

All the kids are safely ensconced back in school. Jordan is in year two of Junior High School (8^th grade for those keeping score).

She spent the summer chillin in her ‘too small for her’ pool. We will work on a bigger one for next year.

On a date with Mom and Dad. She got a fun talking dog from Build a Bear, but don’t call it a bear, she will correct you. It’s a dog.

Jackson is in 6^th Grade, his big last hurrah for elementary school.

Britten is in 1^st Grade and is now a full time student. This is the only year he and his big brother will actually get to go and come from school together.

They spent some time down on cousin’s farm, getting into farm type trouble.

They have an awesome cousin Marqui who has a horse.

They slept on the trampoline with the dog. I know, fun huh?

Water rocket fights (or something).

Yesterday we went to the Heber air show.

Britten and Jackson in the cock-pit of a WWII bomber.

Sitting in Life Flight, which although we did not know it was about to be put into service.

In the background of the Life Flight picture you can see where this guy was giving rides. We watched him come and go for a while before heading home and we didn’t know he had crashed until we got home. Several injuries but luckily nobody killed. So, that was kind of freaky.

Tonya was recently selected to be the Dior Cosmetics counter manager at Nordstrom University Mall.  That adds to her time and responsibilities yet she enjoys it very much.  She likes her department manager and wonderful colleagues.

Tonya traveled to Denver last week for Dior training.  She had a blast being a business traveler!  After three days of training she felt absolutely drenched in Dior.  She loves and is excited about the product.  It was fun to return to Colorado since she spent eight years of her childhood in Fort Collins.  Seeing the mountains to the west again instead of the east was somehow comforting.

You are welcome to come and share the Dior experience with Tonya anytime!

I have been hired part-time at Nordstrom-University Mall as a make-up artist in the cosmetics department. Come see me for all your skin-care, cosmetic and fragrance needs! I begin work the first week of May. What an exciting new adventure this will be for the whole family.

Here are the boys. Of course it could be anyone under the masks.

Trust me, it’s them.

Tonya toyed with ‘un-dead’

This was her look for Dracula, which we saw at Pioneer Theater.

For Halloween itself she went with Maleficent.

She had a cape to go with it, but I think the dog got to it first.

I, as usual, went as Dad. Sorry, no pic.

Pumpkins!

Britty insisted on traditional. He’s a funny kid.

Jackson made a spider. Oh, scary!

After helping with the boys I was ready for simple.

Tonya got more ambitious and created Maleficent. She had a theme going this year.

Jordan’s pumpkin didn’t get made, but we did have a nice ‘bug’ design. Maybe next year.

We hope you all enjoyed your holiday.

I call this ‘grocery store parking lot at night’. New phone you know. Don’t worry, it gets better.

Father’s day card in chalk. Britty did this.

Jordi at her Luau.

…loving her iPod.

Boys waiting for mom and dad to come down the trail.

Kelli and fam in for a visit.

Jordi chillin with mom.

…more chillin.

New puppy, old puppy, old cat.

Sometimes the lens gets dirty.

Self portrait, not quite lined up.

Little better.

Ah, now smile.

Colin Hay concert (Men at Work).

A week later, Rush. Geddy Lee on the big screen.

Jackson’s new glasses.

Hiking on Traverse Mountain with the boys.

Time to clean out the camera memory and start again.