Missing Dad

Played these lyrics at Gary's funeral: "Light up the Sky" by The Afters

When I'm feeling all alone and so far to go
The signs are nowhere on this road guiding me home
When the night is closing in
It's falling on my skin
Oh God will You come close

Light, light, light up the sky
Light up the sky to show me You are with me
I, I, I can't deny
Oh I can't deny that You are right here with me
You've opened my eyes so I can see You all around me
Light up the sky to show me You are with me

Prayer From the Pillow

Last night brought with it some unexpected and difficult news.  Jesse's dad suffered a heart attack last night while playing basketball.  The doctors are concerned about several things, but one of the biggest concerns is that he was without oxygen for a long period of time.  They will check brain function today.  They performed an angioplasty last night and found two collapsed arteries (my terminology may be wrong here), and they expect to do a bypass either today or tomorrow.  Jesse flew out this morning to be with family, and I will follow if needed.  Please pray for the Field family.  We endured a sleepless night, curled up together and praying to the only Comforter there is.  I kept reminding Jesse that while Gary's mind is not with us at the moment, perhaps he's visiting with Jesus in his state of unconsciousness.  Gary is in GOOD Hands.

The photo below isn't really relevant, but I wanted to post it anyways.  Even puppies need to find comfort in a cuddle or a hug.  Found him sleeping this way this morning here at work. 

Red & Itchy

People come far and wide to witness the beauty of the blossoming trees.  Trees of every kind wake up from their cold slumber and yawn their dainty buds.  And while I too find the view to be magnificent (especially the Princess Drive--my favorite road to drive under the canopy of blossoms), my body is saying, "No thank you."  A little thing called Allergies has overtaken me.  Runny nose, red eyes, itchy throat, and uncontrollable sneezes that burst with gusto.  Forget that thing they call Spring Fever...more like Spring Sneeze.  Some mornings I look like I'd be better suited to stand in a cage at the circus than sit at a desk for a company.  Now that I go on many walks or quick breaks outside for our dear little boy, those nasty little allergens make their way into my system.  Out of curiosity, I wanted to see what pollen looks like, and not just what it looks like when a car is covered in a thick layer of yellow dust.  And after a quick Google, I quickly understood why I feel the way I feel...

Pollen is pokey!!!  No wonder my eyes are red and irritated.  Of course my throat itches.  Duh!!!

Child at Heart

Children aren't the only ones who like to play with McDonald's Happy Meal toys!

A Weekend to Remember

Here are some more photos from Holly's trip.  I realized I was so busy behind the lens, there are ZERO photos of Holly and me together.  Guess that means she needs to return soon for another trip! 

And she says she's not photogenic...

Jesse and Holly in the very dark Dinosaur segment of the Smithsonian

Holly spent a lot of time in the Transportation-Boats section of the American History Museum.

She ate her first street-vendor hot dog!!!

For more photos, check out my facebook page on the I Think It's Spring photo album.

A Good Hair Brushing

After a long day's work...or vacation...the last thing on the list of I WANTS is a good hair brushing.  I grew up with a mom who always had her hands running through my long blond hair. She and my aunt Gayle taught me that girls are meant to brush each others hair in the evenings.  Somehow the Shitzu family believes the same thing...Hutch took care of Holly.

 And then after he thought the job was complete, he found a nice cool place to relax...bringing his best bud The Duck with him.

Holly's DC Trip

Here's just a quick glimpse at our doings since Holly has been here.  More to come...

Holly and Hutch modeling in front of the Washington Monument

The White House peaking through its hiding place...Holly can now say she's parked in front of the White House

Victory at Sea Monument.

Love this photo...minus the creepy boy in the background

Korean War Memorial.  Holly was pleased to find proof the US was part of the U.N. 

Holly and Me floating on the Korean War Memorial wall

I believe the first thing Holly said when she saw the Lincoln Memorial was, "Do we really have to climb ALL those stairs??"

We visited National Arlington Cemetery

Witness of Changing of the Guard

RELAXATION

Undercover

Perhaps they won't notice me here...

Hot, Hot, Hot

Hutch was unusually antsy yesterday after I got home from work.  Jesse stayed home and rested after his colonoscopy, but he was unable to take the little guy outside for a real potty break.  So, to make up for it, I took Hutch on a long walk.  Well...at least it was intended to be long.  His fuzzy little body and 90 degree weather don't quite fit together.  After we'd gone half the way I'd hoped, he lurched to a stop, collapsed down on his belly and stuck his tiny pink tongue out.  He was pooped.  When we returned, he lapped up a bunch of water and found a nice cool place to sprawl out. 

Weekend Warrior

 This weekend was set aside to get our home ready for our soon-to-arrive guest.  Waking up to this sky provided some enthusiasm and inspiration to get it all done...plus many, many cups of coffee.

 Here is proof of our four-story garden.  No one can limit you if you don't let them.  The veggies are now planted and seem to be doing okay...however, they don't like the wind.  I'm excited about my flower pots as well.  It's refreshing to look out our balcony door and see this!

Tomato Plant :)

Splash of color with orange-red marigolds

Sweet Peas!! (Dad, notice the GREEN palm in the background?? It's come back from the dead!!)

Precarious Places

We've temporarily moved to a new office to allow new employees for a new contract to use our old space.  Long story short, several people are crammed into one large room.  While I'm not a huge fan of looking into someone's eyes while I work, I have to remind myself this is a TEMPORARY solution. I will have my own space soon. One very big advantage is that Hutch is a favorite here.  Yesterday I made it "Bring Your Dog to Work Day." Of course, I didn't announce it to the world, so Hutch has become the office mascot.  He was invited back this afternoon, so we'll finish of the week with a cutey pie hanging out at work.

Hutch found a comfy spot on my desk.  He later wrote his own Memo, which consisted mostly of spaces and Bs.

After work, we drove to East Moon Asian Bistro to pick up Sushi for dinner.  Hutch again found a precarious place to sit.

Field Fitness

Whoever said weekday evenings are reserved for vegging on the couch and doing nothing?  Not in our home--at least not anymore. :)

Hutch went on his first "real" walk.  Besides the distraction of one meeellion smells, he did very well.

After our walk, Hutch joined Jesse in Yoga.  He isn't quite as limber as Jesse is.

All worn out from his evening of fitness

Good night!

Little Sprouts

Tuesday's Cuddles

On our lunch break today, Hutch and I went for a quick walk, greeted by the cold raindrops.  His long hair makes him soak up the water like a mop, so when we returned to the apartment, I immediately dried him off with a towel.  For whatever reason, this made him get sleepy and completely relaxed.  He climbed into my lap and fell asleep immediately. I love the cuddle moments...they are just about PERFECT.  Here are some quick snaps of Hutch...

Kolby and Hutch have become best of pals

Hangar48

This weekend was the Sr. High youth retreat.  The overall turnout of students was great, and from our own small group, we had six girls.  The weekend was full of laughter and smiles.  We had a great time playing Broomball, watching movies, skipping sleep, doing a mall scavenger hunt, and learning about God's Story.  It was great!

My self-portrait

Tina explaining the scavenger hunt to the girls

 When I got home, it was time to give Hutch a bath...he always looks so tiny after his bath...

I love bathtime!!

Hutch tried to entertain Jesse as he was sick on the couch