Catching up

So I have fallen far off the blogger trail. I tell myself every so often that I have to update it and yet another day will go by. So there have been a few events in the Hough household that have happened since I have last blogged. First and foremost, Athena Marie passed away Christmas Day. She began to have seizures that we could not stop. Before I knew it, she was gone. I always said a prayer with her at night. One of the things I asked God was to let her go to him quickly and he granted that. Athena came into my life when I was making the transition from Amarillo to Lubbock. She was my friend day in and day out. I raised her puppies with her and she was my right hand man! The day I got married, I didn’t want to get ready with anyone. My bridesmaids had their own cabin and I have a separate one. The only one there was my Athena. We spent the day slowly getting ready, watching horse rides go by, the beautiful mountains and enjoying a day that was just ours. What a special dog I had, and a best friend. Although Soli and Hannah are too very special, there will never be another who holds my heart like she does. I found a poem that I want to have matted in a frame with a picture of Athena. Here it is:

I was laying on the couch early one daya dog was barking; from where I couldn't sayI got up from the couch and went outsidethen off I went out into the countrysideI took a path thru the bushes and treesbut the sound of that bark kept nagging at meI followed the path till I came to a riverI reached for a branch and caught a sliverUnder an oak tree I sat down to restI watched all the bird's fly from their nestsAfter awhile a group of ducks waddled bythen a fox gave chase so they decided to flyI walked down the river past a small ridgeand down in the meadow there was a bridgeDown by the bridge thru the fogI saw what I thought was the barking dogLike a bolt of lightning in the darkI knew right then that was my old friend's barkI looked thru the fog toward the bridge againand sure enough there was my old friendAs healthy and beautiful as the day we metI ran down thru the meadow to greet my petShe ran thru the meadow at such a fast paceit was like the old days when we used to raceI hugged and kissed her as she licked my faceall her sickness was gone there wasn't a traceWe were together again after such a long timethe sun was shining and all was fineWe walked toward the bridge together againthen we crossed it together me and my friendThis is the way I know it will bewhen we meet again my Athena and me.
-John Quealy


Slowly we have gotten back to normal. Recently, we decided to help a boxer in need. We adopted Presley (formerly Britt) from North Cal Boxer Rescue. She is a 4-5 year old brindle. She is such a little lover. She has been abused, starved and God knows what else. All she wants is love. She is very tiny for a boxer. 40 pounds. She is fitting in nicely. She also like to steal tortillas. Saturday Jarrod caught her sitting/hiding a bag of tortillas. She had gotten them out of the pantry. Ha! I just love her and she has kept me busy which I need!

Robyn gave birth to her first son Brayden right before Christmas. He is such a doll! I got to see him Sat. and took some pictures. Now to get them downloaded off my camera : )Brian's sister also had a baby girl before Christmas. Brian had a chance to visit and spend some time with her. She has the reddest hair! Brian’s nanny recently had a pacemaker put in but is feeling much better and is back home resting. My friend Ginger is going through a rough patch and I am praying that each day gets better for her. Kim and Mike I am also thinking of you! My parents are doing well and my mom is looking forward to retiring at the end of this school year.

Brian has been home more and I am very thankful for that. I love to go to the movies with him cause he has to turn off his phone: ) We have seen many good movies lately like Avatar and that was my first 3D experience! I have gone back to part time work which I LOVE! I enjoy getting up and being domestic. I like to cook breakfast for Brian and plan new meals for dinner. I have time to grocery shop, walk the dogs and sleep in later than 4am!

Hope this very condensed version of my life for the past few months catches you up. I swear to be better and write more often. XOXOXO Jenny