Aspen

So here is our new addition to the family. She is a cute fuzzy buddle of joy! Don't get me wrong- having a puppy is a lot of work, but so far well worth it! She is a golden retriever and yellow lab mix (both her parents were those mixes as well) and we named her Aspen. We are actually being pretty strict on where she goes in the house right now, to ensure her becoming house trained asap. She gets to be in her crate, outside, on our laps, or in the kitchen when shes eating. So far I think shes very bright and shes doing very well! I think she be fully trained in a week or so more... but who really knows. We joke because its a lot like having a baby- good practice anyway. I come home at lunch every day to let her out, and we really hate to leave her for more than 4 hours right now, because of her tini bladder! So she gets her first vet visit on tuesday- a well puppy check, de-worming, and her first set of vaccinations. Oh- i can't even wait until those are done so we can actually take her out for walks, and eventually runs- its going to be great. So here she is....

On a sadder note... Jon's work called him out to be a part of some crews that are out of town near Crater lake doing a huge project. There was a huge landslide that took out a chunk of the railroad. Since the railroad is losing tons of money- its a rush to get his thing put back together. So hes out there doing the surveying for it. That means that he will be gone for 7-9 days and nights, back for a few? and then potentially gone every other week for the next 1-2 months. I miss him already! His company has been praying for work- I guess next time we should be careful what we pray for! Although I miss him, and this will be the most time we've spent apart since we've been married, I know that good can come of it. I sure know that we will appreciate each other so much when we are reunited. I have been really blessed by the support and love from friends here! Little notes and invitations for dinner- its means so much.

So... we are finding ourselves in a similar place as we were in before we got married. Jon off on a crazy adventure full of hard work, long days, and mud (although I think it was more smoke when he fought fires) . As hard as it is, I love knowing that he is in the mountains doing something that he enjoys. As many of you know - Jon needs some escape from the standard day to day.

Ok enough of my blabber- I'll leave you with a picture of my new herb garden- yup its that time of year again!