Good-Bye Yoda

Bill and I are in Anchorage at the Alaska state lectureships. On Saturday morning our friend Lee called us and told us that Yoda had been hit by a car. He was still alive, but noticeably injured. He wasn't in the best of health anyway. And any injuries he obtained would take a long time to heal, even if they could be repaired. Yoda would be in too much pain for us to bear. So we decided to have him put to sleep. Bill and I were/are both pretty upset about it. Lee was so nice to take care of everything for us.
When we left on Wednesday, we didn't know it would be the last time we'd say good-bye to Yoda. Bill and I got Yoda almost 6 years ago, about a year after we'd been married. He quickly became part of our little family. We've had many memories together.

Every time I would leave the house I would say to Yoda, "Bye-bye Yoda. Be a good boy." And he would always look at me like he knew exactly what to do. And, generally, he would be a good boy. When we would come home, he would be so excited - dancing around on the floor, tail wagging, and he'd be so excited that his body would curve into a 'C'.

When we brought Marie home from the hospital, Yoda was very curious about this new little thing. He sniffed her out. And then he followed whoever was holding Marie around everywhere. After those first few days, he pretended like she didn't exist. Silly dog - scared of a baby!

Yoda loved to perch himself on our furniture. I think he thought it made him human. Just this past Monday night at the Ladies' Bible study, he was right there on the couch with us. I thought how funny it was that he was sitting in on our ladies' class.

Yoda loved to look out the window and watch what went on outside. He knew every bird that flew into the yard and every person or car that passed by. He particularly enjoyed 'viciously' growling at all the school children as they passed our house on the way home from school.


Yoda loved just being with me and Bill. It didn't matter where we were going or what we were doing, we were sure to know that Yoda wasn't far behind.

We sure do love Yoda and will miss him a lot. We thank God for blessing us with him and for giving us many happy memories.

Bye-bye Yoda. Be a good boy.


(From Bill)
I just wanted to add that Yoda loved going for rides in the car. When we moved up to Alaska, Amanda had went on ahead and my riding companion for the 10 day journey was Yoda. He loved to travel with us. I know you would have loved to come back to the Wasilla area with us on this trip, but wherever we go, you are in our hearts. We sure did love you.

Happy Birthday, Tammie!

Today is my sister, Tammie's, birthday. She's one of the biggest reasons Bill and I moved to Alaska almost 5 years ago. Tammie is 15 years older than me. She went to college and moved away when I was 2. So we didn't have the opportunity to spend a lot of time together when I was growing up. Since we moved to Alaska, she has taught me so much about being a wife, a homemaker, a mother, and a Christian in the short period of time we've been up here. Oh, and I can't forget how much she's taught me about stamping and scrapbooking! I've missed her A LOT since we've moved down to Juneau. We're going up to lectureships in a couple of days, and I can't wait to see her and visit with her some more. Happy Birthday, Tammie! May God richly bless you in the next year of your life and each year thereafter.

Easter Fun

When I saw Dana's bunny ears picture of Eli I thought, "I've got to get Easter pictures of Marie before she gets the chicken pox." Here are a few Bill and I thought were cute.



Just hangin' with my bunnies.


Wow! Is this whole basket of Easter eggs just for me?


Yes!!! They are all for me!


When a city needs a hero at Eastertime . . . SuperBunny to the rescue!!!!!!

EXPOSURE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Eli came over last week to give Marie a little gift - exposure to chicken pox. Even though she loves playing with Eli . . .
. . . she didn't much like the idea of chicken pox. The baby Dana watches just got her first pox today. Hopefully Marie will be close behind.

Pointer

This is Marie's favorite thing to do now: grab things with her little pincer grasp. What do you think she's trying to get here?

10 Months Old

I know this is a couple of weeks old, but this is Marie's 10 month old picture. Isn't she just the sweetest thing?!