Dogs...

Having three dogs in a new house is posing a challenge at the Valentin household. Jorge is intent on keeping everything as shiny new as possible. I'm a little more laid back in my feelings about it. What stresses him out seems like a non issue to me, which only stresses him out more! Having three dogs means feeding times must be coordinated, walks taken to ensure all animals have gone #2 and listening to the dogs ques of when they need to go #1 or #2.

In our first few days of being in our new home, Jorge has insisted the dogs stay in the garage when we are not home. My major concern was that it would be too hot. In trying to find a common ground for my husband and the dogs we begin the process of trying to engineer a way for them to stay cool and healthy while keeping them in the garage. We really wish we would have had the forethought to install a window in our garage. Then a window unit could have been added and made it very easy for us all! None the less...we were not thinking ahead. A fan is in the garage and it keeps it surprisingly cool.

It didn't take long for us to get distracted while working outside and Jewel did what she does best...she took off. Just as I realized I hadn't seen her around, my cell phone rings. It is a sweet young girl named Lauren calling to say, "Yes Ma'am..I think I have your dog." Jewel had cut through a couple of yards to the next street over. We rode over in our truck and put Jewel in the back. I guess she just wanted a ride. In any case, we set up the wireless fencing right then and there. Now we don't worry about leaving her outside. She won't cross that electrical line!

It's like having three toddlers in the house! While they drive us crazy...we love them so much and wouldn't give them up for anything. As we had our first overnight vistors last night, Ellie hopped up in a chair with me and layed in my lap. She just wanted some lovin'. This morning Gracie knew there was company upstairs and had to go investigate. She greeted our guests with a wag of her tail and led them downstairs to a fresh pot of coffee! What a hostess!

Home Sweet Home!

I can't believe how quickly the summer has passed by. It seems like yesterday we went on a cruise and they had just started framing our new home. Now it is finished, we are moved in and trying to get settled.

Jorge and I spent the majority of our summer in a small two bedroom apartment with three, yes three, dogs! The boys stayed with their mom for the summer and plan on moving in with us soon. Ya know...as soon as the cable and internet are connected! That's like bread and water to these kids! I have to say, I miss the internet too. I feel cut off from the world of communication. We've missed the kids terribly. We can't wait to be one big family in our new home.

With the house completed...there are lots of boxes to unpack, treasures to rediscover and finding a home for all our pictures! I love pictures of family...everywhere! I'm creating a picture gallery down the hall and upstairs. My mom has done this and I want to follow suite. It's great having family faces surrounding you. Even the scary ones! Just kidding!

Jorge is babying the lawn trying to keep the grass sod alive. Not an easy feat during the hot summer months. Our backyard is another story. It is full of weeds. It has been Hydroseeded with what we think was a great mix of 1% grass seed and 99% weed seed! I'll keep you posted on this!

Chris spent his first night with us on Monday. He had been enjoying endless video games in the "game room" when we went to bed. When we got up the next morning...there he was on the couch outside our bedroom. I couldn't figure out why he was sleeping there instead of his new bedroom. He said there was something in his room rustling papers. Being a country KY girl I'm thinking Stuart Little, field mouse, has moved in with us and found a home in Chris' room. When I went to check out his room, I remembered I didn't take the tags off his new dog hair free pillows I had just purchased. He swears it was more than just tags on pillows. I'm sure at even 15, a new house with new noises to get used to will take some time and can seem a little scary. It was great just having him in the same house for a change. We've missed Chris and Jose terribly.

Jorge is looking forward to creating a MAN CAVE in the garage. He wants it to be his domain! I said that was fine! But now I have to find out what I'm going to do with 12 storage boxes of Christmas decorations! He has plans for a large flat panel LCD tv and walls lined with tools. Watch out Tim "The Tool Man" Taylor, Jorge Valentin is about ready to give you a run for your money! He has a love for tools like I do for shoes! He's so cute about it.

We plan to have a big cookout in September and hope everyone can come. We'll keep you posted and remember our home is open anytime for family and friends. We have two guest rooms ready and waiting.

Love to Everyone! Pictures coming soon!

Wedding Anniversary

We did it! Jorge and I reached the One Year mark yesterday May 20, 2008. We ate our cake and everyone said it would taste terrible, but it was Delicious! We'll eat on it for the rest of the week. So long Weight Watchers! (at least this week!) I can't believe how quickly this year has gone by. I avoided the blogspot for a while trying out MySpace, but it is too much hassle. I'm too old for this stuff. The blog is a better way to update everyone and you don't have to join anything to view it. So...here's an update on what's been happening.

First the kids...
Jose graduates next Tuesday from Byrnes High School. Jorge is so proud! He's been giving Jose a hard time saying he'll get the award for missing the most days absent and still able to graduate! Of course, he's just kidding! He also has an interview at Circuit City which we hope he gets the job. He is still working at Hollister but gets very little hours there. Jose plans on attending Spartanburg Community College this fall and hopes to go into Radiology. Now comes the dreaded financial aid forms. Yuck!
Chris is doing great in school. He is making the Honor Roll and wants to now get his drivers permit. We are very nervous and want him to wait a little while longer. Maybe later this summer. He's wearing his hair very long. Not sure we like it, but we don't have to wear it!

House:
Most of you know we are building our dream home! We're so blessed that God has given us this opportunity to expand our home, litterally. We sold our home on Kenwood after a few hiccups in the closing process. We thought for about a week we would have to move back into it until it sold. Fortunately God took care of all the details for us, as usual. We closed May 15, 2008. We are currently living in a two bedroom apartment until our house is complete in July. Our new home is coming along quite nicely. The brick is in place and we are waiting for the siding to go up. So far everything is going smoothly. We will have 5br/31/2 baths with a huge game room for the kids to have a hang out. We can't wait for all of you to see it!

Babies:
I wish I could deliver better news on the baby front, but we still are not pregnant. I am leaving it all up to God to handle. He knows our future and needs and will provide in His time. I am clinging to Psalm 37:7 that says, "Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for Him." The be still part is difficult, but we're trying. And if you've met my husband, patience is on short order there! We have a doctor's appointment tomorrow and an ultra sound. I have no idea what she'll tell me, but after several months of fertility drugs, hot flashes, mood swings and crying uncontrollably, I'm ready to hang it all up. We are considering adoption more and more and have contacted several agencies to check out the process. Please pray God takes us on his path, not ours.

Wow...what a year so far. I pray the latter part of the year is more subdued than the first. We're looking forward to settling into our new home before school starts and enjoying lots of family time together. With 5 bedrooms, ya'll better plan to visit!

All our love...
The Valentin's