Unglamorous

After work yesterday I went to the gym. Upon returning home I showered and put on the following outfit:

a) Bronco colored flannel pj bottoms
b) Grey t-shirt with "Arizona" written in red, 2 sizes two big
c) Big clunky brown Ugg slippers (btw, best x-mas gift this year!)
d) and topped this outfit off with a messy pony tail and wet bangs from washing my face in the shower.

I went outside to throw some trash away as someone pulled up to visit a neighbor. I quickly remember thinking, "Look at what I am wearing!". I went inside and got on my computer and as Brian passed by the door, jokingly said, " Wow, you look really hot!". I happened to have a cute picture of us pulled up and my response was, " Look, I really looked cute here!"

Those two instances got me thinking...what happened to those days when I would have NEVER worn anything like this in front of Brian? I always straightened my hair, but now wear it curly more often than not. We planned spectacular dates that lasted long into the nights, filled with delicious cocktails. Now, I shop off the "Less than $9.99" wine rack at the liquor store. We spent $$ effortlessly, and now we are cheap-skates!

BUT, are those things really true life? I've decided they are not. I think those are things of "dating and impressing", not really showing your true colors, not living in reality.

My hair may be curly, but the important things still last like how we still hold hands every night as we lay in bed and watch TV. My Bronco pj's may not be too sexy but I am married to man who saw me in jeans, sweatshirt and a hat and was told me how cute he thought I was. I may drink cheap wine now, but we are still laughing, having good conversation and dreaming about our future. Our date nights are now simply a movie or getting away together, but we are still doing the things the matter... that make a marriage last. My husband still tells me, "I have so much fun with you." We live a real life.

Sure, I should probably replace those cool tall boots that Brian loves ( and were eaten by a foster dog). There are plenty of "should have's", but I also know I wouldn't trade my unglamorous life for anything. Unglamorous apparently equals happiness in my world.

Mr. and Mrs. Dew

We begin again...

It's been 3 months since our last miscarriage. We've yelled, we've cried but most importantly, we've healed. The degree of sadness and disappointment is never really gone, but time certainly is a great band aid.

We've gotten healthier- the gym and healthy eating has been our friend. We've taken a few trips, remodeled the house a bit and helped a rescue dog get thru two hip surgeries. We've been busy.

But now, it is time to get back down to business. It is time to start making that weekly drive to Conceptions. It is time for blood draw after blood draw. It is time to start drawing up those needles of magic medicine and having minor anxiety attacks about poking them into my leg, night after night. It is time to re-focus.

If we've dropped off your prayer list, I would kindly ask to be added back on.

Here's to a fresh start...

Where to even begin...

FRIDAY AM: Awoke in a pure state of excitement for two things: a) we are leaving for Vegas and b) I no longer have to keep the secret from my sister that we are crashing her birthday weekend. Keeping secrets from her is hard!!!!!

FRIDAY PM: Settled at The Flamingo, beers in hand, and off to Fremont Street we go for free country concerts. The first true gaggle of Munger girl laughs came when our husbands bum-rushed this guy for a picture:

Rupert from Survivor

After our Rupert sighting, we ventured outside to get a spot to listen to Lady Antebellum's free concert!
SATURDAY AM: Pool time was on our agenda, and it was lovely. Beer, warm weather & laughs

SATURDAY PM: Dinner at Margaritaville, followed by 4 hours of gambling at O'Sheas. More laughs than I can count

SUNDAY AM: We rode the Lazy River at the MGM, than we went our separate ways as that the Zeman had to get ready to attend the very fancy Academy of Country Show ( so jealous!). So Brian and I decided to have date night at Bobby Flay's restaurant, throw some more money at the casnino's and call it a night.

I cannot even explain how much fun we had. I cannot even begin to explain how blessed I feel to have such a wonderful relationship with my sister and brother-n-law. We all are 100% ourselves with one another and the laughs roll out with ease.

I had so much fun getting to spend so much time with my Babycakes... I think we both came away with a deeper appreciation of how good we have it in love & in family.

Floors

Project Kitchen is complete as of today! Light cream colored tiles are gone and cool green/grey slate is in! Tonight begins the clean up and re-install of all appliantes. Hillbilly living will be no more!

The BDews have had yet another action packed weekend.

Friday night we celebrated a friends birthday at Lucky strike where I proved my theory that I become a better bowler with each beer I drink.

On Saturday night, these guys:had us all over for dinner. The boys watched baseball while the ladies chatted and were entertained by Emma:

Brian and I ended up staying late into the night playing darts- and lets just say that my theory that alcohol makes you better at sports rang true again!

Corey turned on the 80's music channel and Brian kept us all entertained with his knowledge of songs we had never heard before. I happened to be filming him when we fell upon this gem that had us all doubled over in laughter...only my hubby!

Easter 2010

After a great church service at Greenwood with the Polumbus' Bri and I headed off to Aunt Denise's house which was soon to be filled with 25 of us.

We ate, we drank and we had an Easter egg hunt for the kiddos.
Before each family meal we stand around the table, hold hands, and either my mom or Woo Woo give grace. The past few holiday prayers always end with tears as that one of them will pray for a Baby Dew. This Easter that was not mentioned until we had all said "Amen" and were leaving the dining room. A little voice peeped up and said "Wait, we did not pray for Auntie B's baby". I looked over and it was my sweet, little, thoughtfull Coopey. We all quickly came back into the room to join hands yet again so that we could lift up this most important prayer. And as usual... tears.

Easter Miracle

For the sake of my friends privacy since many do not know this whole story yet, I will call her Amy.

Amy and I have been friends for years. We also have been comrades in trying to conceive. Ivf for both of us, miscarriages for both of us, total despair for both of us. I would be rich if I had a dollar for everytime I called her crying on my drive back to work from Conceptions.

About 6 months ago Amy and her hubby decided to go down the adoption route. They were approved to adopt 3 weeks ago and expected/hoped to be matched with a birthmother by this year. I was thrilled. She was guaranteed a baby...that is priceless guarantee in a world when having a baby is your top priority.

Here is our phone conversation last night:

Amy, very quietly:"I have a baby."

Me,confused: "What?"

Amy, very quietly:"I have a baby. She was born yesterday. I have a baby."

Me, screaming and crying: "WHAT? WHAT?ARE YOU KIDDING ME? WHAT? WAIT, WHAT?"

And in that moment, Amy was suddenly a Mom. To all of our surprise the adoption journey was not what they expected. They expected to be picked by a birthmother and have a few months to prepare. They did not expect a call at 5:15 to come to the hospital and be released today.

Brian and I hurried and out and bought them some essentials. Where do they even begin?

I met this precious Easter miracle today. She is gorgeous and Amy was literally, and I mean literally, glowing. I still cannot believe it and could not be more thrilled for such a deserving couple.

What an incredible gift Amy and her husband have been given.

Proud Mama & her book!

As most of you know, I am passionate about animal rescue and BDHPI. Helping create this rescue is one of the things I most proud of. I have given back and it feels great!

What most of you probably don't know is the tremendous success our rescue is having:

-Over 250 Volunteers, 50 Foster Homes, 100+ dogs in rescue at any time.

-We have an incredible management team who work day and night to keep this rescue afloat.

-We are being approached by families in Canada to adopt, and today I got an email from someone in Sweden asking how they can help! We are adopting all over the US

-We've adopted out over 600 dogs since August 2008 with a 97% success rate! We rock!

-We work with the Nebraska Youth Correctional Center that take in our dogs and put them through a 12 week obedience course. It helps the Youths, as well as the dogs. So far two have successfully graduated and two more are enrolled.

-We were approached by and eventually adopted a Saint puppy to a non for profit that grooms them to be working dogs for people with Epilepsy.

-We re working with a non for profit that works with matching dogs to wounded Veterans-how cool is that?

-We are receiving local new coverage in the majority of the regions with work in (CO, NE, UT, WY, NE, MO, KS, TX & NC)

-We are literally receiving Volunteer applications from all over the US and our network is continuing to grow at a rapid pace.

-We have a great relationship with "Paws for Pilots"- in which Pilots donate their time and airplanes to fly our dogs out of harms way and safely into rescue!

and lastly, our latest project and one I am so excited for is our new book! Yes, we have a book!

Claire Bow of Rouxby Photography here in Denver photographed and edited this entire book for FREE! What a huge heart she has!

I would love for the readers of this blog to consider purchasing a book to support the cause. It has gorgeous photos and beautiful stories! It would be a great photo book for the kiddos.

For Hardcovers:

http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/1255591

For Softcovers:

http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/1255544

Thanks!

PS- Zachey Poo Dew & Deacon Dew are in the book too!