You have to see this video!!

Get your tissues out ladies!!!
A little background first.....
(this was in the 60's and 70's so people didn't know any better to leave wild animals wild)
Two friends had a pet lion cub that lived with them in their London Home. He would go to work with them, but soon he reached over 100lbs and they realized he was just too big. So they contacted someone they knew who directed them to a program in Africa that would rehabilitate Christian the lion and set him free. A year later they decide to go visit Christian, they are told he has been set free and they probably won't see him while they are visiting the reserve. The day they come to visit, suddenly Christian appears...like he could sense his old friends were there. The rehabilitors said he would not know them anymore.
Here's the link.... http://youtube.com/watch?v=_6UWU4--lv0

Thanks Marlita!

Thanks to Marlita...I finally figured out how to get my blog background changed....and it's not even midnight yet! I've also added a poll...I'll change the question every once in a while so I invite you to check it out and play along!!! I'm also going to try adding my playlist (just like Trish has)...but that's for another day! Hope my new blog is a little easier on the eyes!

So for now, I bid you goodnight!!!!!

Oh yeah....Country Fever!

The Brandon Clark Band (Heath's band) was able to secure another spot at Country Fever Fest in Pryor, Oklahoma this year. This time they played two of the four day event. The likes of Willie Nelson, Gretchen Wilson, Trace Adkins, Dierks Bentley and Sugarland were just a few of the BIG names to headline at this years event (last year Big & Rich & Reba McIntire were among the big names to play). On Thursday the guys played in an all day family tent, then Sunday they got to play the main stage! This year there was a meet & greet & lots of great press there.....O & I headed out there to support our guy....we were so proud...PLUS it was Father's Day...what a better way to spend the day!!! Way to go Daddy....we love you!!!

This is O showing her support as well as being a DIVA...she knew she was important...she was with the band!


One day I hope to see the Brandon Clark Band's face on the side of one of these!! Wouldn't that be awesome!!!

Backstage there was an area where the bands & other VIP's got to go for food, drinks and A/C cause it was hotter then H*LL out there!! This is their poster!!

O of course...she's an Okie and gots to show that she's got the fever!


Us on the way home. I was sick and Heath was exhausted from a FULL weekend of giging! He better get used to it if this is the life he wants!!!

Go to www.brandonclark.org to order a CD or listen to some of their music. I think you'd be surprised....and for those who have a myspace...go to http://www.myspace.com/bclarktulsa you can also listen to some songs there.

It's been a few days.....

Not much to report. I didn't got to Pugtona this year....I've gone the last 3 years. With a one year old....it seemed nearly impossible, however I don't think she would be at a loss for babysitters!! Oh well....I start the count down to Puggerfest in October! Don't worry I will start an officially countdown and annoy the heck out of you!!!

Simon is doing good....he's still very scared but slowly showing what a sweetie he is...he loves being close to Ben. I think he feels safe around him because he doesn't move too fast!! LOL!

O is--well--O. Not enough hours in the day to get into everything. But LOVE IT! We are trying to come up with fun things to take her to & expose her to new things. Living in Tulsa seems to prove difficult because they isn't a whole lot of options. Soooo....we are getting creative!

Tomorrow...Ben will say his finally goodbyes to the love of his life Annabelle (yes she's a pug)....so we have our afternoon set aside for the farewells. No one is dying, it's just that Annabelle and her family are moving to St. Louis!

That's about it. I'll post pictures this weekend. For now...PEACE OUT!!

STUPID PEOPLE!!!!

I hate uneducated, selfish, money hungry STUPID backyard & puppymill breeders. I've worked with our local Pug rescue now for almost 6 years and I thought I'd seen it all but apperently I've only scratched the surface. I'm helping our rescue director out while she goes on vacation (which is LONG over due) and she needed to place a some pugs in some temporary foster homes (currently there are a little over 30 in just our rescue alone). Of course I agree! Anyway....she wanted me to foster Simon. He's a puppymill boy....overbred.....not properly cared for...etc., etc., etc...... Well turns out his jaw is pretty much mush and all the bottom teeth were rotten & he had TWO husk like teeth proturding from the bottom which prevented him from eating properly. This guy is only six. There was a forced sale of dogs from a kennel that owed over $50000 in fines with 300+ dogs. Two pugs were pulled thank God. Simon was one of them......I went to meet our transport & went to pick up & he just froze! He's sooooo scared! He couldn't really eat anything with his mouth the way it was and cannot close it all the way. Well Gail, got him, took him to the vet and got him all fixed up. He will forever have "rubber jaw" as the vet called it but at least now he's eating soft food and will start getting treated the way a pug (or any dog for that matter) should be treated!!!
This is what an uncared for puppymiller looks like....it's not something the humane society or rescuers make up....it's REAL, it's happening EVERYWHERE not just in hick towns, not just the amish...but everyday ordinary people who think it's cute to have puppies or do it for the money! Now don't get me wrong I know there are plenty of quality, RESPONSIBLE breeders who follow the law, care for their pets & make sure that their lineage of their bred is kept in tact NOT just because it's cute to have puppies!!!! Or just to have one liter to see what they'll look like. Meanwhile, thousands of healthy, abandoned dogs get put down because someone BOUGHT a puppy! I'm sick and tired of it..............it really DOES have to stop. TOO many innocent animals pay the price for our selfish needs.
This is the outcome of the "wanting" cute puppies and money hungry humans...




This is what is what HE has to deal with for the rest of his life......was it worth it??


**steps off her soap box now**

Simon is up for adpotion & I know he's an extreme case but it's reality. He does need some house manners but that is only because he has been kept in a crate all his life ONLY to be let out for breeding. He's sweet & with time, patience, encouragement & love he will make a great Pug. I'll be working on him & hoping we can bring him out of his shell. I see it already...he sniffed Olivia and she laughed at him. Even she sees his potential.

He's ready for someone to love him unconditionally & help him sit up with confidence that he's not ever going to be hurt again.

guck.........mooooooooooooo.

that's O's new thing. she was playing with toys....she pulled out a "duck" and said "guck"....then two seconds later...she pulled out a "cow" and said "moooo".

yup, she's pretty much a genius.

I was looking at her tonight....

she's soooooo big! Where does the time go???

This was her just last year in her bed...

and this was her tonight!!

It's been a while.....

time for an update. Well, I went to Chicago.....Heath & O (puggies too) survived. Saw the Sex & The City movie....which was great but it also made me sad because now I can't bring myself to watch anymore episodes because now I know how it all ends...and in some way brought me some sort of closure I wasn't prepared for! Is that weird?? It was good regardless...and maybe once I'm back on the scrapbooking track I'll put those suckers in for old times sake! Go see it if you haven't..........only if you are or were a fan because then seriously...none of it would make sense! ;o) Pictures of our weekend will follow!

O is doing great in her summer program. It's two days a week but she seems to be doing pretty good. I've been looking around for fall programs....I've got to get her signed up somewhere soon. She's walking and babbling. She's hysterical. I wouldn't trade her for anything in the world.

Heath has been playing alot......promoting the new CD and it's been doing pretty good. And although I'm sad because I'm alone most every weekend.....I know this is what I signed up for! I'm so proud of him/them....they've worked so hard and are so talented....I just want them to succeed...especially because I see the talent that IS out there and think............their band is so much more talented...how can this be??????????????? Anyway....I pray that something good happens. I'm not looking forward to next weekend though........he'll be gone Thurs-Sunday. It's sad we won't celebrate Father's Day together! Ahhh.......the life of the wife of a Rock Star! LOL! ;o)

My mom left for Wisconsin this morning....whether it's permanent or not I know this is the time for my family to grow. To use the tools my mom taught me and make my family stronger. So while YES I will be sad that she is gone and WILL miss her no matter what ANYONE says....I know this is all for the best.

Okay, that's about it on the update. Here are some pics from Chicago!

Me & Cyndi our 1st day....in downtown.

Heading to the movie.

Me & my sisters

After we went to bar called Pops for Champange. It was pretty awesome...


Me & Becca.


Suzie & Alexis

After we went dancing at this really cheesy but FUN club called the Excalibur.



The next day we went sight seeing.....the architecture was beautiful.

more pictures.

i took the subway for the first time.......that was pretty interesting and smelly!!!

then when were weren't on the subway we were walking (ugh).

We Shopped on Michigan Ave.

that was pretty much it. There are some more pictures....just waiting on the other ladies to upload their pictures!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Leaving.....

will be on hiatus for about 3 days!!!!!!!!! Check back for pictures from my weekend and O's weekend away from Mommy & all weekend with Grandma & Heath!!!!!!!

There will be serious fun to be had by all!

See ya when I get back.

It's getting closer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm soooo freakin' excited....girls weekend (1st one in a LONG time).....Chicago.....Sex & The City movie opens! Let the good times rooooooolllllllllllllllll!

So...let's see...2 days left till the movie....but I leave tomorrow in the morning. I'm gonna miss both my babies & my puggies....but I'm ready for a "ME" weekend!

Well it happened!

O started Summer school today. As I was getting her ready this morning, I thought to myself.....WHEN DID WE GET HERE?? When did this happen?? She was walking around in her new shoes, her jacket and all the while I'm screaming inside.....NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! Then I got her to school---she even had her own cubby-hole. Anyway....just had to share--it was hard and I'm a little bummed today. The only good thing about it is when she gets done @ 2pm today & I pick her up I get just go home for the day. So.....only 2 hours left!

I couldn't believe it.........

i had my chance and blew it!!!!!!!!!!!!! O decided to sleep in until 9am--I got up around 7:30am to get Ben's food ready (he's on a set schedule because of his diabetes) & I thought I heard her but nothing. 8am......I let Ben out, feed & give him meds....I even get O's morning stuff ready....but nothing. So I sit and chat with Mom............still NOTHING. I peek in around 8:30am.....she's STILL snoozing! HOW DARE SHE! Had I realized......I would have sezied the opportunity and slept in or at least I would have just laid there to enjoy my pillow! Oh well..........maybe I get lucky the NEXT BLUE MOON!

Countdown continues.....................

7 days left!!!!!!!!!!! Did I mention that I'm leaving for Chicago a week from today to meetup with my sisters & some other girl friends for the movie opening!??!!? I'm excited and little scared. Excited to finally have a girls weekend.....scared because this will be the first offical weekend I will be away from my baby girl OUT OF STATE!!!! YIKES! You also might be wondering why we are going to Chicago...why not New York. One word.....CHEAPER!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol. It's just as good, just as many things to do.....so I can't wait! I'm gonna miss my baby girl and of course her Daddy............but I know we'll have some serious fun!

She's a little angel.

I think O knows Ben hasn't been feeling well lately, so she thought she'd help........so she shared her blankie & read him a book. She's such a sweet little spirit--she's such an angel. I love her.

Lots going on....

lots of desicions to make, lots of changes going on. Keep us in your prayers....especially lil' miss as she will be the most affected by all the change. Nothing major, just trying to map our next BIG move....especially now that Pinkie will be leaving to Madison, WI in the next week or so. O will be starting a two day a week summer school/daycare program AND then will start with a new sitter the same week (actually, to be honest, I'm still on the search as it kinda crept up on me). Anyway, that's a lot for my tiny girl! I'm really still sick about it...but I'm getting better. I just need to quit my job and stay home with my little girl........although I'd still like to have some income coming in.
Anyway...............I'm still trying to handle being away from my little girl. Am I normal?? I hate this. Anyway...took some cute pics this weekend....I'll have to upload them and post them!

Thanks for listening......BIG WIDE WORLD WEB!!!!!!!!

Three funny pictures.

Over the weekend, for Mother's Day, we went to dinner at a great Mexican resturant that's a little hole in the wall called Cancun. Then after we came back home with the kids and played Skip-Bo. It was a nice day! Anyway. There are three funny pictures from that day that I just had to share!!!!!
This is O....sharing my goods. I swear....we did NOT plan this one!!! It was just chance that Heath was snapping pictures!


Then this is her.....well, I'm not really sure what she's doing but it's pretty funny!!!


Then we we got home, O got all dressed up for more pictures (with the help of her friend McK). I just thought her facial expression, her stance & her outfit were classic!!! Oh the joys of having a girl!! hehehe.

Time to check my calendar...............

16 days left.......................

So very happy....

to be an inspiration to those who have brought their blogs back to life! The trick now.....is keeping it updated with stories & pictures! Because living so far away....you miss out on all those special moments!

Love you guys.

Here they are!

My friend since I was in 10th grade--we were the popular girls in H.S. =^)!!!

---> Miss Monique

The next two, I have been friends with since I was in high school--but we didn't go to H.S. together! but we got in to lots of different trouble together!!! ahhhh....good times....good times!

---> Trish & Family or you can visit her other blog

---> Sandy & Family

Anyway..................can't wait to see what's new in your world!

to all those lovely mommies out there in cyberland.....

Happy Mother's Day!


Love,
The J Family.

let's see....

20 days left...............................

so i'm another year older....

so yes....today was my 31st birthday. it was a pretty good day. i got treated to lunch, dinner and the casino! i got some pretty flowers...roses & peonies. all so pretty. i made out pretty good this year...i can't complain. not to mention....not a tornado siren in sight either!! :D all in all it wasn't too bad turning 31......however....i don't feel 31....so i guess that's good!

anyway...thank you everyone for your birthday wishes. i appreciate it!

Our hidey-hole.

Sirens went off this evening. Possible tornado headed towards Broken Arrow....at the very least pretty damaging winds. So we all pile into the master bedroom closet....it's big.....just not big enough for 2 adults, a ONE year old & 3 pugs (maybe it was more cramped because it's also loaded with a few other unnecessary things). PLUS we had ONE more dog that we had to put in the guest bath because there was NOOOOOO way on God's green earth he was coming in with us (not for a lack of wanting to...he's just would NOT have had any part in that action). Anyway.....despite being scared poopless......we made the best of it while waited to see if we'd actually get HIT! Nice. The joys of Oklahoma as Marlita says! So here are some pics of the evening.


Watching the news...pillows in tow.

Our teeny TV and 3 heavy breathing PUGS! (the 3rd one you can't see but he pretty much goes with the flow and will fall asleep anyway)

O trying to keep the Pugs calm. (can you see Ben's head buried down there??)

Our Entertainment...she did a jig for us!

We survived....no doubt we may have to return as the season is not quiet done....but who knows....it is Oklahoma! (honey....now can we move to WISCONSIN!????)

lets see.....

if my calendar is correct (hehehehe)......23 days left.

it's only temporary & only day TWO.

but O's is doing great at the babysitters. it's only temporary...until G-ma Pinkie gets back BUT I'm so happy O is adjusting so well. She's grown fond of her new friend Lily....and I think it's great that she gets to also hang out with her cousin C all day! I can relax...............................for now. ;0)


Here are some cute pics Miss C got of her and the kiddos today. It does make me really want to stay home with her. Heath just rolled his eyes at me tonight because...i cried at a Kay's Jewlers Mother's Day commercial. He tries to be supportive..............but he just doesn't understand....but I don't hold it against him either. He's a good Daddy & great husband! Anyway...here's lil' miss having FUN!



Chillaxin'...

and snackin'


Now playing BIG girl with L.

isn't this a great shot!!!!


Happy Lil' girl!


Hanging with the cool kids! ha!