All Dogs Go To Heaven.

Well yesterday 3/18 it happened.

Our very 1st childhood dog, Bruiser (I always liked the spelling Bruzer better), passed away.

We knew it was going to be soon but when it happens it just breaks your heart.

Here are some special memories that I want to share.

My mom always said no to having a dog and then Bruiser happened as a secret.

My aunty Tia was living with us at the time and she showed up one day with the cutest little puppy, Bruiser.

We hid him in our room and when my aunt was gone Cec and I would play with him and feed him.

Well her situation changed and she was going to move to Hawaii, so she finally told my parents about the dog and asked us if we wanted him.

My mom's initial reaction was NO.

But after a little persuasion with 5 sets of puppy eyes (all 4 of us kids and Bruiser's) she gave in and said YES!!! We all couldn't believe it but were SOOO excited!

And that's how we Bruiser became a part of the Horlacher family.

(My mom has all our older pictures.)

I had everyone send me some of their favorite memories so we can always have them recorded...

Dad

Bruiser would always open the gate with his paw, pulling it open, but he couldn't ever figure out how to get back in so he would wait patiently til we let him back in.

Also, when Bruiser knew he was going for a walk he would go to the leash and get so excited.

Another memory is when Bruiser would wrap himself in a blanket, lay quietly til he heard something then tried to get out but couldn't find his way for a minute.

Mom

Bruiser and I had a special relationship, he respected me by not ever jumping on me or licking me, but he would always show he loved me by his eyes and sitting close to my legs and wanting me to pet him. I loved watching him listen to the commands of "sit" and "no"! I also loved watching him with Chloe (our other dog, his baby mama, or unofficial wife) she would always nag him and try to annoy him but he would always walk away like a man.

Chloe and Bruiser.

Me

My memory is kind of sad but really bonded us. A couple weeks after he was officially ours I was snuggling with him on the couch when I fell asleep with him curled up by my stomach. I am a crazy sleeper and somehow my leg ended up on top of his little puppy body and I didn't know it. One of my siblings woke up in the middle of the night hearing heavy panting so went to see what it was. It was Bruiser panting heavy and sweating (dogs don't sweat) being crushed by my legs. They hurried and woke me up and everyone else in the house and got my dad to try to save Bruiser. He was weak, and panting fast, soaked in sweat, and wouldn't open his eyes. I was bawling like a baby cause I didn't mean to and I felt like I killed him. I don't remember how my dad got him to be alright, all I remember is praying and saying sorry over and over. After Bruiser was okay he instantly forgave me and loved me anyway, I felt like I needed to keep my distance from him cause I didn't want to hurt him again but he would always come up to me and snuggle with me still. I feel like that experience bonded us, even though Bruzer (my spelling) doesn't talk, his actions spoke volumes of love and forgiveness. After that experience I felt like I owed it to him to make sure he was always good and happy. I miss him and will miss seeing his excitement anytime he saw me, seeing his puppies (which were many), his little dog syndrome of toughness, his obedience to any of his tricks and waiting for our okay to get his treats, and just his happy little countenance. Dogs are a beautiful gift from God, and I truly believe that ALL DOGS GO TO HEAVEN.

Cecilee

My favorite memory is really just snuggling with him anytime! His breed (mini doberman pinture) isn't known for being the snuggling type but Bruiser was always so cute and would come up and lay with you and make you feel loved! He definitely would make you feel loved! I also gave him the nick name of "Bubbas", he knew my voice and all I had to say was "It's me, Bubbas" and he would calm down and stop barking. He was our families watch dog and we all loved him so much. I can't wait to see him again.

Trevor

Trevor took care of Bruiser, and Bruiser LOVED him. One of Trevor's favorite memories are when Bruiser would pull Trev around on his rip stick whenever Trev would take him on a walk. Also, Trevor would always race with Bruiser and Bruiser would always outrun him. (Trevor always has few words, but I know that his heart is the heaviest of all cause he had a really special bond with Bruiser.)

Sydnee

When Syd and Trev were trying to come up with a name for him, they thought long and hard about the name. Also, playing the chasing game with Bruiser anytime he would get out. Bruiser would let them get close then bolt, and do that over and over until he got bored then decided he'd come home.

The last time I saw Bruiser alive. He was weak and skinny but he wanted to be with the family and you could see in his eyes the love but also that he was telling us that he wasn't going to be here much longer but that he would always love us.

The ants go marching...

We have been at war with sugar ants this last week.

Ants make me soo mad.

If there is one thing to learn from them it is their consistency.

Earlier this week we started seeing lots of ants so we used store bought bug spray and it worked for a couple hours.

Then we tried some On Guard Do-Terra and that kept them away but they found other ways.

So we tried the cinnamon and found the similar to the on guard.

On Monday night I was so fed up that I wanted to swear so we did a late night run to Smiths and bought some Borax and scheduled to have Garett come spray again.

I'm not sure which one it was, maybe it was a combination, but IT WORKED!!!

Hurray!!!!!

 After getting our house sprayed I was not about to cook so I used the ants as an excuse and we went to In N' Out one of my favorites! :) You can't go without getting a hat! (I'm a child.)

Mmmmmhhhhhmmmm the only good thing that came out of the ants was this meal! :)

If you ever have to deal with ants, first of all I am so sorry, and second this meal really does cheer you up! 

Goodbye ants, you can go marching on somewhere else!!!

What a week.

Wow, what a week!

This has been a roller coaster week.

So many ups and downs it's hard to remember them all.

But in the end, it was great!

Ups...

• Jeff changed my transmission fluid and my oil, and I now have a new thermostat. (Haha quite the story with that one, click story to find that out.)
• I had a job interview at a place that I would LOVE to work.
• I ate a lot of oreos :) my favorite!
• I did a post on my favorite article of clothing, cardigans! Click here to check it out!
• I went to Vegas and had a super fun weekend. End of story.
• Watched 17 Miracles and was reminded of my gratitude for the pioneers.
• My face is choosing to be clear and I can't express my excitement for that!!!
• My little brother put the wrong dish soap in the dishwasher and caused a disaster. Gotta love it!

Vegas!

Yay for no major zits!

"What do I do now?"

Downs...

• Got in one too many disagreements. Quote below.
• Was super excited about the job interview but I'm afraid they are looking for someone with retail experience. But I will keep my fingers crossed...
• Happy New Year to you...a fresh start, starting with the . (period)
• A lot of self reflection and maybe even a little bit of feeling sorry, but in the end pulled through! Haha

I know I say this a lot...but I truly love my life!! :) 

And I know that everything happens for a reason, but that life is meant to be enjoyed.

We need to always remember to find joy in the journey.

Today I'm like a wave.

Upset. Hurt. Exhausted. Sad.

All are words that describe me right now.

Why is it that everyone always feels like they know what's best with you?

They work and work behind your back to build up all this ammunition for what?

To hurt you with it? Use it against you? Get what they want?

People always say they just want you to be happy.

But why do they close their eyes to your joy.

They pick and choose what they want to see.

Let me just say this...

Life is hard.

Things won't always work out the way you had hoped.

Or if your me, they will hardly ever work the way you'd hoped. Haha.

Sometimes they will bring you down.

And unfortunately, sometimes it will show that they have brought you down.

But you can't blame it on the sun.

It's not the suns fault things have brought me down.

If anything the sun has just been constant and comforting.

The sun has brought so much hope and love.

The sun isn't perfect, but nothing is, except for our Savior.

Have people ever sat to think how hard they make it to show the joy the sun brings me?

My prayer is that eyes will be opened, hearts will be softened, and the sun will shine through as constant and hopeful as ever.

Today I am this wave. Tossed and turned by emotions and maybe a little hurt. But every day I learn a little more and more to roll with the flow and trust that the sun will always shine through. 

I know this probably doesn't make a lot of sense.

But sometimes nonsense rambling helps the soul.

Much aloha! Have a great day! :)

This week.

This week.

Highlights:

• Went Christmas shopping! I love getting gifts for people I love. I wish I had no limit to my spending and my creativity!
• Took family pictures. I love capturing our family in time. :)
• Had a heart to heart talk with first my Aunt and role model, and then another one with my boy, Jeff :) both play a big role in my life, and I am so grateful for both!
• Got to go shopping with my mom and best friend! I love the time we get to spend together, especially when we are shopping ;)
• I got to work/hang out with my sister! That is a rare occasion, but I absolutely love it when it happens.
• Kalamity try outs! SCARY! I still don't know if I made it, so everyone cross your fingers and say a prayer for me.
• Was treated to Red Lobster by Jeffrey, mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm :) sooooo goooooood!
• Saw "The Warrior" and it was a great movie!
• Had a fun little sleep over with Major (hahahahahahahhahaa I LOVE THAT KID!)
• Had laughs and warm moments with my family, gosh I love them so incredibly much!
• And to top off my week I had an amazing day at church! I'm richly blessed and I know it!

Opposite of highlights (I can't think of a word for that right now, guess that's what not going to college does to you haha)

• We lost an adorable puppy, Roxy. I won't go into detail but it broke my heart. That is one reason why I don't want to have a dog when I'm out on my own. 
• Christmas shopping, although I LOVE IT, sucked my wallet dry :(
• Went home sick from work for the first time EVER.
• Still just trying to figure everything in my life out. I'm learning more and more just to roll with the punches and make the most of every situation. Cause there is always joy to be found in every situation. Life is just life, it really is what we make it.

I am so blessed. I really love my life. I know that even in hard times there will always be more highlights then lowlights (haha).  It's as the scripture goes, "Adam fell that men might be, and men are that they might have joy." We are the way we are to find joy, we all just have to look in our own way with the Lord's help and eventually we will see nothing but joy. :) I'm learning that slowly but surely.