Our Week with Losing Duke, Trixie's Birthday, Ben in Baltimore, 22 Years, and Homecoming Festivities.

Hey Y'all! Happy Monday! I hope y'all had a great weekend. I am recapping last week and this past weekend. Y'all it was a heavy week and a busy one. 

Monday, September 15th-21st

Monday, September 15th- Trixie's 9th Birthday. 

Ian woke up sick so he stayed home, Ben to the office, and Ella to school. Coffee and Jesus for me and then I called the vet at 8:30. I needed to drop Duke off at 9:30 for him to be examined and wait for a call from the vet. I got ready, dropped him off all while crying. The tech said they would call later that afternoon so I thought I had time to run through Publix but I got down 2 aisles and the vet was already calling me, so I knew that wasn't good. She said our Duke was in another stage of heart failure and struggling to breathe. She had him in a make shift oxygen chamber and our next steps were to choose to send him to UGA and put him in a full on oxygen chamber but that would only help his breathing but nothing was going to heal his congestive heart failure. He was a sick boy. So I made the call to let him meet Jesus. He went very, very peacefully. I know in my heart of hearts that it was the right decision after seeing how fast he declined from just Friday to Monday morning. I opted to have him cremated and to bring his ashes home. 

Ella met me at the Vet and we were both with him when he took his last breathe. 

Duke was the BEST boy and I miss him so freaking much. Trust me I didn't want to lose him on Trixie's birthday but I couldn't let him suffer any longer. 

Ben had an 11:30 call and then he headed home for the day. When he got home, me, Ben, and Ian went to lunch at Friends. Once we got home, we just chilled. I cried on and off most of the day. 

We did celebrate our Trixie girl. She turned 9! She was missing her brother :( 

Ella got accepted to her second college. So far ABAC and Toccoa Falls. 

Pup Cup for Trixie's Birthday. 

Ben grilled smash burgers on the Blackstone for dinner. We ate, I cleaned up, and Ella went to YL. I showered and curled up on the couch to wait for her to get home. While the boys went to their beds to watch MNF. 

Tuesday, September 16th- 

Ian to work, Ben to the office, coffee and Jesus for me, Ella off to school. I went to walk with Keri. 

My mornings look a little different without my other sidekick. 

After we walked, I did lots of things around the house. I went to an 11:15 doctors appointment. Got home and worked on blog posts and other things on the computer. 

Everyone got home, I made BBQ chicken, dirty rice, and oven fries for dinner, cleaned up, showered, and Ella and I curled up on the couch to watch Dancing with the Stars! LOVE IT!! 

Wednesday, September 17th- 

Ben left the house around 3:45AM to head to pick up his boss and head to the airport for Baltimore. They had a 7:25AM flight. 

Ian to work, Ella to school, coffee and Jesus for me, and then I went to walk with Keri. I got back and started on a sign for Leigh Anne. It was my first canvas sign. It's not perfect but it should be cute for the shower. 

Later that evening Ian and I went to Ashlynn's 8th grade night. Ella went to work. 

After the game, we went to El Real for dinner and I got the large margarita. 

Ian and I got home, Ella got home a few minutes later, and we all crashed. 

Thursday, September 18th- 

Ian to work, Ella to school, and coffee and Jesus for me. I enjoyed a slow morning, did a few things around the house, and then got ready for my 11:15am hair appointment. 

I got home and Ben got home from Baltimore around 1:45. He was exhausted so he chilled for a bit. Ian got home from work and I worked in my planner and watched a few episodes in For the Love of Sourdough subscription.  

We picked up CFA and headed to WB to watch Laney Brooke and Catherine in the homecoming parade. Look who came to tailgate with us....

She loved it. 

Catherine. 

LB

We all got home, showered, got ready for Friday, and crashed. 

Friday, September 19th- 

Ian to work, Ben to the office, Ella to school, and coffee and Jesus for me. I walked with Keri. I got busy doing things around the house including cleaning the laundry closet. That little space can get so dusty. UGH! I started this blog post. I got ready and Ben and I went to dinner at The Bistro before heading to WB for the Homecoming Football game. 

I did pick up Ella's bouquet for hoco. 

I sent this picture to LA. We love Bistro's chicken skins! 

Love my Benji! 

Of course, We had to get an espresso martini. 

We made it to the football game. 

Catherine

LB

We love our Jo! 

Ella and Abby.

Love the X Team. 

X Team with Abby the YL Director. 

Addison

Aubrey

LB's and Catherine's biggest fans. 

Our Homecoming Queen.... Miss. Catherine. 

We left during the 3rd quarter. Got home, got ready for bed, and crashed. 

Saturday, September 20th- Our 22nd wedding anniversary. 

Ian went to work, the rest of us slept in, and then Ben and I were lazy and Ella got ready to head to campaigners, and her hair appointment at 11am. Ben and I got ready and headed to Athens to have lunch and drinks at Dolley's. We shared nachos and wings. We got there around 1:30. 

This little pup named, Goose, was next to me at the bar as a service dog. He was so cute. 

We got to the botanical gardens a little after 5pm for hoco pictures. 

worshipping their "queen" ;) 

Love my sweet Ian. 

Ella and her "other dad" Jud. 

Addison and her "other dad" 

Addison's "other big brother" 

After pictures the group went back to Addison's house for dinner. Stephanie had CFA catered. It worked out perfectly. 

They love Miles. 

Ben and I went to dinner at a local steakhouse for our anniversary. It was ok. Not great. My steak was great but he didn't love his pork chop. We went back to The Bistro for dessert and an espresso martini. 

We got home, I got ready for bed, and waited for Ella to get back to Addison's after the dance. Ian and Kathryn were already home. 

I crawled into bed and crashed. 

Sunday, September 21st- 

We slept in and then Ben went to pick us up breakfast. We ate and then we were lazy. Ben and Kathryn did clean out his room and closet. 

I worked on laundry and took a nap. Ella got home and was exhausted. I did finally come to my office and worked on this post and watched Charlie Kirk's funeral. 

Ben watched the Falcons game. Around 5pm, I started dinner, we ate, I cleaned up, got ready for Monday. 

Cheers to another week.