Sienna

There are moments in life that become a part of the “life flashes before your eyes” slide show. The more someone is in that slideshow the more they were probably a big part of your life and who you are. Sienna was my dog. She was the first dog I had owned on my own, and I couldn’t have asked for a better one. The $450 I spent for her between my sophomore and junior year in college seemed like a fortune at the time, but man, that seems like nothing looking back at the last 12 years.

I remember sitting at home in college with Paul Hutchings. We were bored college students. So what do poor college students do when they are bored and have a puppy? We teach her stupid party tricks of course! Sienna performed “Bang!” as late as last week. Her motivation was purely about getting that treat out of dad’s hands, but I never got tired of seeing the amazement that such a simple trick could bring to people. “Do it again!” they would say. “How did you do that?!” they would ask. “Show so-and-so that Bang! Trick”. It sounds stupid now, but it made me proud.

She dealt with me moving all over the country and to what must have seemed like countless houses and barely batted an eye. As long as she had a ball to chase, and food in her bowl twice a day, she was satisfied and loyal. I know everyone thinks their dog is the best dog in the world, just like every mom thinks there kid is best looking one in the room. I think Sienna was one of the best. I am not sure I am ever going to have a dog that brings as much joy, smiles, and love into a house as much as Sienna did.

“It’s just a dog”. I know. We knew this day would come. She is 12 years old after all. It doesn’t make it any easier. I’ll remember Sienna not as she was this last week, but as she was jumping into pools, chasing balls as if her life depended on it, sleeping on the couch next to me with her head in my lap. I’ll remember her wet nose at the side of the bed in the morning at the first sign that I might be thinking about waking up. I’ll remember how excited she got when we said “Wanna go see grammy?” or “You wanna go outside?” or “You wanna go for a ride?”. She was a part of our family, and that family will never be the same. We will move on, and there will be new puppies. We will have our own kids to give us grief and laughter, but Sienna won’t be there. Just yesterday she went to the backyard and brought me a ball to throw. It was more of a gentle toss, but she just wanted to be herself again. So when I wake up tomorrow morning, and there isn’t a thumping tail to greet me, and a wet nose in my face to say good morning, a little part of me will hurt all over again.

I know she is running around endless fields with tennis balls and pools, and whenever God decides to call me home, I know the first one greeting me will be Sienna. She won’t even miss a beat, and she will be looking at me like this, waiting on me to throw the ball so she can chase it just one more time:

…but tonight, I cry. I cry at the loss of one of my longest friends. I miss her already. I don’t know if your life actually flashes before your eyes, but if that day ever comes, this is how I’ll remember my friend. My dog.

Sienna

2000 – 2012

Over half way there!!!!!

Finally, I have had some time to sit down and reflect on life.  It has been a long time since I have posted a blog so there is a lot to fill in.  I am sure by this time everybody knows that our little nugget is a boy and we couldn't be anymore excited.  His name will be Aaron Jonathan Prebish.  We have been working on painting the nursery and picking out all of the things to go in it.  The paint is pretty much done and the furniture has been purchased.  I can't wait to start getting everything put in there and getting it set up.  My mom is going to make the bedding for us so that will come sometime next month.  I promise, I will post pictures, but not until it is done :)  We have decided we wanted to do something different than the baby blue and brown that most nurseries are done in so we have gone with bright colors; like Jon says, "Think a box of crayons".

Jon and I are starting to get very restless as we finish up our respective grad school programs.  It has been a long time since I have had senioritis like this, and it is bad.  I am currently working on two classes and will finish them the beginning of May.  After that I will take one mini-mester for the month of June and then I am DONE!  Jon, is much more fortunate than I am, he will be done in May.  He has been working on his capstone class, the final project, since January and will begin is last 8 week class next week.  Both of these classes will be done in May and he will have his MBA!  I am so proud of him and his perseverance in working through this program.  It is crazy to think of all we have accomplished over these last few years while working and doing school, however I will not be sad to see that business come to an end.

Another change that is in the works is the the exciting move of my parents.  My parents have talked for awhile about downsizing eventually and we are excited they have decided to do so a little closer to us.  They didn't live too far but it was a good 45 minute drive from their house to ours.  My mom has so graciously offered to watch Aaron so that Jon and I can both work and not worry about having to send him to day care.  We are so excited that we don't have to face that difficult decision and feel it is a blessing to have them moving closer. Their house was on the market for a wopping 4 days and they had 4 offers!  They have been busily working on downsizing their belongings and moving things to storage for their approaching closing date in early April.  They are building a house near us that is also in the works but won't be done for a few months so they will be our house guests, and assistants for a little bit.  Selfishly, I am very excited about them being here when I am big and fat to help with things.  I have no idea how women to some of life's chores through their whole pregnancy.  I am almost 6 months pregnant and am already struggling doing the grocery shopping, and yes I know it gets much worse.  Thankfully I will have my mommy here to help :).

In February Jon and I celebrated our one year anniversary and it is amazing how fast time flies.  We are very excited to be taking a late anniversary/babymoon trip to New Orleans the beginning of April to celebrate.  We are looking forward to some fun time to just play and be visitors while enjoying good music and food.