I have to interrupt my semi-blog break to say Happy Birthday to my sweet husband, Jeff!!! We have a lot going on here, and he is doing an amazing job of keeping us on track. As he likes to say, "there are a lot of moving parts!" I know there are a lot of things he would rather be doing on his birthday than packing boxes.. But, that is what's on the agenda for today! Next year... Napa Valley!!! Right honey?

Thirteen years ago, we had our first date on his birthday week! I love how God surprised us with such an amazing plan for our lives together.... I can honestly say we never dreamed we would be blessed with four daughters!! It has been quite an amazing journey thus far!!!

Jeff, thank you for being such an amazing partner!!! I love you more than I can say! And, I can't wait to go back to China with you in 19 days!!!! We will have a birthday toast in Shanghai! Happy Happy Birthday!!

And, I can't close this birthday post without a sweet pic of our birthday girl who is not here to celebrate with us... If there is ice cream in heaven, she is already on her second bowl!!! We miss you Caymus!

July 16, 2000 - January 15, 2011

Caymus

Ten years ago I flew from Nashville to Milwaukee, Wisconsin to pick up the most adorable puppy I had ever seen. I even escorted her to her new home in a Sherpa Bag in First Class! She had the softest, fluffiest fur I had ever touched. One paw looked like she had stepped in white paint. This was our first dog... our training baby! At the time I worked out of the house, so she grew up under my desk. What we didn't know when I made that trip to bring her home, was that I was pregnant with Ainsley. It was an exciting time. We named her Caymus after a vineyard in Napa Valley that we love. For 10 years she has been my companion. Always at my feet or at the window seat in my office. Caymus has a reputation for being smart and naughty too. She was a professional at stealing food when you were not looking. Unless you were a fruit or a vegetable you were not safe when she was around. We have lost a cake for a baby shower, pies, plates of cookies, even a raw fillet. She was the master. She loved being in the mix of it all, and hated being alone. At the cabin she would be beside herself if she could see me on the boat or a kayak. She was known to jump in and come swimming after me. Always a true and loyal companion. She looked up to Jeff. They even shared the same birthday! She always treated him differently than anyone else. She had the utmost respect for her master, and she never pulled off any of her antics when he was around. I on the other hand, had been accused of being treated like her litter-mate! She was so funny and smart! She was a pure bread Portuguese Water dog, and such a beauty. She loved walks, retrieving a ball, and having space to run at the cabin. She loved to give kisses, and she adored having her back end scratched. And, when Jeff was traveling, she was the first one to claim his spot on our bed. She never walked in from outside with out waiting to have her paws wiped. And she would sit at the door for hours until you gave her the treat she believed she deserved! A high maintenance lady since the day we met!

Caymus has not been herself for the last three weeks. It was obvious very quickly that something was very wrong with our girl. After multiple tests we were given the bad news last week that she had cancer. An in-operable cancer that was causing her to lose blood. Through my tears I took her home that day. But, I stopped first to get her a treat, ice cream. Even in her weakest state I knew she would not pass up on that. Throughout the week she had some bursts of energy that gave us hope. She even managed to rally enough to steal some food, and get into the garbage. This time it didn't even make me mad. Just a window to see the precocious girl I loved so.

Yesterday morning, Caymus let Jeff and I know that she was ready... Perhaps she didn't like to see us so sad. We had prayed that she would let us know, and she did. Thankfully, she was well enough to follow me around one more time before she went home. Her last meal, 2 monster cookies and some ice cream. Thanks Lisa!

And when the dreaded time came it was peaceful.. She had her Mom & Dad there to love her through the journey, and her best friend Piper there to say goodbye too. As she went off to sleep we, thanked her for ten years of unconditional love, for her amazing loyalty and for all of the great stories, that will be her legacy.

It will take me a while to get used to not having her under my feet. I will even miss her crazy barking when someone walks by. But, mostly I will miss the way she enthusiastically loved me. Jeff and I celebrated our "first born" last night with a bottle of her namesake!

We love you and miss you Caymus!

Love,

~Mom, Dad, Ainsley, Sienna, Ruby and Piper