Walking, Walking, Walking

Just a reminder that Jeremy , Banyan, & his family will be walking 2 miles on Sunday September 23, 2012 for Chelsea's Walk for SUDEP Awareness.
Jeremy set a goal to raise $800 and so far we are at $180.00 thanks to family & friends. If you could help me spread the word anyone can donate as little as $5.00 helps a child living with seizures get a grant for a Service Dog or an EMFIT monitor that alerts to seizures while sleeping. Please go to our Team Page or our personal page to make a donation. Then copy the link & SHARE with your friends. No parent should have to live in fear each night that their child might not wake up yet so many of us do daily. This is just a small way we can help spread the word about Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy as well as get money raised for a great cause.  The Chelsea Hutchison Foundation is a Non-Profit so if your looking for a charity here is a good one & Tax deductible to make a donation. Please remember that our highest donation winner will receive a FREE Banyan t-shirt as well as his dog tags! Go ahead click on our link & Join our Team today- Thanks!

You have two choices to either donate to Jeremy individually or to our Team- either way it all counts!

Jeremy & Banyan's Journey Donation Page

Jeremy & Banyan's TEAM Donation Page

A Little of This & That

I dropped my mom off to head back to Tennessee this morning. It was a very short visit with her for me but great for my boys! I hope that she can come out again sooner rather then later. Most times we only see them twice a year if we are lucky. My dad is still here & off fishing with Paul for the weekend. They took two of the boys so my house seems super quite. It's nice since I managed to get an ear infection on our return from vacation. Silly allergies then flying just messed my left ear up. Thankfully I got right into my doctor & hope to be able to hear again soon. I am also enjoying some much need stay at home & lounge time. I am super tired from all the activities even though I enjoyed everything.


 Now to address the following:
We had someone ask me how we where able to afford a trip to Hawaii when we fund-raise for Banyan constantly? Even though it's not really anyone's business I did realize others may wonder as well. Here are my thoughts on the subject.

1. This is the first vacation in 16 years Paul & I have taken together alone w/out children out of state. So I am pretty sure after four consecutive deployments we earned a vacation.


2. Tax Money- we used cash to pay for everything.


3. Hale Koa R&R/ Block Leave discount. When your soldier is on either from OIF or OEF you get 30% off your stay- HUGE MONEY SAVER!


4. My amazing parents paid for 1 of the plane tickets as Paul's Welcome Home / 40th Birthday/ Happy Father's Day gift. They had no idea what to get him while he was deployed so I had them save all the cash & chip in for our trip.


It may seem we where unwise to spend money on a vacation, but trust me we did not splurge- we where extremely frugal. We had fun & enjoyed every moment , I'll never regret going. Paul & I needed that time to reconnect as a husband & wife. It's hard to get quiet time with 4 boys in the house. I hope anyone else who thinks we are unfair in fundraising while going on one trip takes time to read all my posts about our Army Life- then readjusts their thinking to realize one vacation is not breaking the bank or taking advantage of others wonderful generosity helping with Banyan.

Now I am going to sit back relax & read some more of my books I have been waiting to read. I managed to get through 3 while on vacation & I have 9 more in this series to go. Have a great weekend everyone. 

Virtual Walk

Stay Tuned on July 1st I will post how you can join us in a Walk or Run to help raise funds for SUDEP. Chelsea Hutchinson Foundation does the walk every year to help raise more money for children in need of Grants for Seizure Alert Dogs & Emfit Monitors. This is the amazing foundation that hopes to help Jeremy get the last bit of money needed to finish Banyan's training. We are more then happy to help them with this walk. We can't be in Colorado or the other locations to participate in person. Therefore we will make a virtual team to walk here in WA. Anyone will be able to join Jeremy & Banyan's team to walk whether they live in WA or around the globe. You will receive a T-shirt to wear that day you complete your walk or run. As soon as I get it all set up I'll post & you can join us and help spread the word!

 

Cute Puppies Go Vote Please

We entered Mr. Banyan in a contest on Facebook over at City Dog Country Dog. If you have a Facebook account please go look at all the pictures see how super cute they all are, then Please Vote for Banyan-LOL He has a chewing problem & we just found him finishing off a brand new flip-flop from Aeropostle we just purchased last week- naughty pup! The prize is a chew toy from Mr. Chewy's so that would be perfect! Plus it's his first birthday next week! What a great birthday present for him & mom! Help save our flip-flops & click "LIKE" under his picture. Thanks!

The Proof is in the Pictures

Jeremy & banyan had their photos taken together about two weeks ago by a friend who does amazing things with her camera. Mrs. Shawnie Deutsch took about thirty five minutes to let Jeremy & Banyan have some fun! She captured some great moments in that short amount of time that I am so excited to have on film. If you want to check out more of her work & your in the Yelm,Lacey, or Olympia area here is her website Shawnie Deutsch Photography  she does travel & can come to you! Here are just a few of the proofs before she even does any retouching- which makes them even more fabulous! I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.

 

 

Incase you haven't found us on facebook yet here is the link to our page where you can watch all the happenings on our new adventure: Jeremy & Banyan "our Journey"

Fudge, Cookies, & more Fudge

There just hasn't been much going on around our home which makes me happy. I threw my lower back out last week & went into see the doctor on Friday. They gave me muscle relaxers & strong mortin for daytime. I mean after all folks I am the only driver in the house for another year so I can't be drugged up during the day. They said they thought I had to much stress going on right now. I literally laughed out loud like a snort! I was thinking umm, one deployed husband, four boys 2 of which or teenagers, three dogs, two that are teaching our very pricey service puppy bad habits, going to Puppy classes twice a week - yeah I see no stress do you all? But I am not complaining because up until this point I have been blessed with good health. My back pain was so bad I was in tears though so I need the pain medication. I can't currently sit in one position for too long or bend over. Which makes it helpful to have two rather tall strong boys to help with groceries etc.

I did take Banyan with me to the doctor's office even though technically he needs to be registered on post & I haven't done that yet. He did AWESOME! All the soldiers loved him- he waited patiently for me to tell him they could pet him. He was not to sure about the doctor making me do things that made me suck in my breath & wince. He wasn't a fan of that at all neither was I. But he did great! We then went to see the Trees for Troops people & got a free 6ft live tree to take to our friends. They had not gotten their tree yet & their dad is deployed as well. They had no idea about the free trees & where very surprised when Banyan showed up to make the delivery. It was fun since I had pain pills by then!

Since yesterday was too cold to be outside after church I made mint fudge, sugar cookies, white chocolate walnut fudge, & chocolate dipped pretzel sticks. They where all for the boys teachers at school. The little guys delivered them today so the teachers could enjoy them all week. That really has been all we've done lately. I hope to have more entertaining stories soon- but I am OK with nothing to much going on for the moment. Have a great week everyone!

Making Christmas Tree delivery.

At the doctor's office with mom

Things that Make Me Laugh

It's been another crazy busy week around our home. My lower back hurts so bad & no amount of pain pills seem to help. It's just stress I didn't injure it working out. It actually feels good to stretch it out with long walks. But it has caused me to stay in my chair a bit more this week with a temperpedic pillow behind me which of course leads to aimlessly browsing the internet or Facebook. I came across of few things that made me laugh out loud . With some crazy spouse drama that I am trying to avoid going on around our part of town as well as back ache I needed a good laugh.  I thought I would share a couple with you this Thursday since we don't have a lot of new to report on lately. I hope they make you laugh or at least smile as well. Have a great Thursday everyone!

Another funny red-head posted this & I got a chuckle. You know why if you read my Blog Post on Stages of Deployment.....if you didn't go check it out!

I am sensing a pattern amongst my fellow Army wives.....just saying once again go check out my last post-hehe

I just thought this one was cute.

 After the week I've had this made me bust a gut- some people  just deserve to be on  Santa's Naughty list!

I can't imagine that anybody hasn't seen the movie ELF by now, but if not hurry out to buy a copy! We've already watched it twice this week. " You smell of Beef & Cheese"-HAHA

Haha- poor Santa!

I am so glad we have a fake tree or my dogs would be saying this!

 

Last is a picture of our sweet Banyan who was resting in front of the Christmas tree after being groomed yesterday. Not sure he was to thrilled but he sure is cute.

I hope you find somethings in your day that makes you smile & forget about all the craziness for a few moments.

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow

For as long as I can remember we have gotten snow in WA right before Thanksgiving & this year is no different! We woke up to a winter wonderland outside. So very pretty to look at until the boys decided to go play! They where out the door by 7:30 AM to play with the dogs. Banyan was not to impressed at first but eventually realized it was great fun! They enjoyed making an itty bitty snowman, snowball wars & jumping on the trampoline in the snow. Then we tromped inside to take off all the gear that took forever to put on them. I made some hot chocolate & let them eat poptarts while watching Shrek. A great way to spend a Saturday morning.

Jacob all bundled up 

Banyan looks mean but he was smiling for us-haha

Jeremy is tethered to Banyan who is ALWAYS working- this way they could both have some snow time fun!

A service dog is always working & not allowed to do a lot of "normal" puppy play. As part of his training Banyan is tethered to Jeremy when he is home. He must learn that Jeremy is his person who he stays with at all times. In order for Jeremy & Banyan to enjoy the snow we let them go out tethered together. Banyan soon learned that snowballs, little boys squeals all mean everyone is having FUN! All these experiences are new to Banyan so he seemed a little shy at times. But with some praise he soon enjoyed all the madness with Jeremy. Now mom must groom him so he stays super clean.

Monday Means No Fun Day

We had an amazing weekend getting to bring home our new pup & playing with him whenever we wanted. We also got in some good training on his first field trip to church. He did an amazing job sitting with either me or Jeremy for a long period of time with only minor corrections. I admit I was nervous but-YAY- he did AMAZING!! 

Banyan sitting at Jeremy's feet for an hour of Church. I know I should have been listening to the sermon & I did after I snapped a picture for documentation.

Now it's Monday and we have a few errands to get accomplished. I am anxious to see how me working out goes with Banyan ? Hopefully I can get him to lay down & wait while I get my sweat on! If not then he will be kenneled for awhile until I finish. Monday is NO FUN Day  as I have to then finish cleaning the house. We have an interview with the local newspaper right after school this afternoon.  I did get the carpets steamed clean so they look better. Hopefully they stay nice looking until my parents arrive next week. But mostly until at least the reporter leaves later today. Can't have him think we live in a crazy pig sty house-haha  Even though my friends know other wise.

Anyway not to much fun going to be happening this Monday but I am thankful for a slow day while the kids are at school. I know Jeremy will miss Banyan but I will enjoy a little much needed quiet time. Check back  in tomorrow to see what happens during the interview later today. Please keep your fingers crossed that the dogs & children all behave.

Home to Washington

We traveled back to Oregon today to check on Banyan & we where so excited to get to bring him home with us! Jeremy was thrilled to learn we would get to take him home in the van to stay. We had another two hours of class & then off we went with Banyan & James. James is a friend's Medic Alert dog who was in Oregon for some extra training. He needed a lift back home to his Josh so we let him hitch a ride. The pups where so well behaved I almost forgot they where even in the van. Jacob came along with us & had a lot of fun. We are now all adjusting to the new puppy. Heidi is mostly unaffected & Panzer is not thrilled even a little bit! Hopefully after a few days everyone settles down into a good routine. We have lots of hard work ahead!

They gave Banyan to Jeremy- he was so happy

Jeremy was telling Jacob that Banyan was all his!

Jeremy & Banyan "Our Journey"