tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72708328372872213302024-03-14T01:51:03.454-05:00 Eklove AdventuresUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger574125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7270832837287221330.post-26093154865749027982014-05-23T19:32:00.000-05:002014-05-23T19:32:03.387-05:00The First Little Eklove<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This old girl has been an Eklove for almost 10 years. Tonight is her last night with us. It's been a long, good journey for all of us. Rewind ten years ago and Jeff and I were newlyweds living in an apartment that didn't allow dogs. Jeff's Dad owned the apartment….and I guess I decided to start testing the unconditional love of family early on - because about three months after we got married we started searching for a dog. The first time Jeff and I went to the shelter we came home empty handed. And full of tears (on my end….I have to clarify….Jeff is the rational one). He reminded me that we could go back the next week to look again. And the next time we went as soon as we saw her, we knew. She was the one. Her name was Jill and it only took us five minute to pick her new name - Autumn Louise Eklove. <br />
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She was a spoiled rotten dog for two years before we rocked her world (and ours) with Addison. She went everywhere with us and she was a good pup. When we brought Addison home from the hospital she was a bit miffed. She basically ignored Jeff and I for the first six months of Addison's life. She quickly abandoned her spot on our bed and slept in front of the crib every night. Over time, she returned to her spot on our bed - but we would often find her getting down to check both of the girls bedrooms and "doing the rounds".<br />
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Autumn has some funny traits. She will 'pre bark'. It's not quite a bark but she will quietly let us know she is talking to us. She literally eats her own paws when she gets anxious. Get that, the therapist's dog is literally a cutter. She has also decided in the last two years that she is allowed on the sofa. We just came home one day and there she was. And since then she's never once made an effort to hide it from us. She carries her leopard print stuffed bone around like it's a baby and she will lay on her back with her paws on the air just because she can. <br />
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The last few weeks have been exceptionally hard. She has become older and older, but she has also become sick. She has a growth that the vet can't do anything about. Her kidneys and liver aren't functionally properly and there's not much we can do for her. It's been such a tough call because she has days where she is her old, crazy, energetic self. On Easter Sunday she snuck away, rolled in the mud in the creek and chased about 20 wild turkeys and 5 deer out of the yard and came trotting up to us, with mud spraying everywhere. She looked like her puppy self. However, the next day - she never moved off the couch. <br />
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She has taught our girls so much. Before age 3 Addison took responsibility for feeding Autumn. And we've spent three years trying to teach Olive to watch where she's walking. Olive steps on Autumn. Every day. It's almost as if there are magnets in Olive's feet that pull her to Autumn. But most importantly, she has taught these girls how to love unconditionally. Explaining the loss of Autumn to Addy and Olive has been heart wrenching - but they have also, had the privilege of loving her. <br />
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She's a good dog, and she deserves the right ending. I am so thankful that God has given us the time to prepare the girls, to love and spoil this puppy and to get ready for tomorrow. It's not going to be easy. But loving her sure was, and always will be. <br />
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See you someday Autumn, we'll meet you at Rainbow Bridge. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7270832837287221330.post-15962681894855776212013-10-02T18:26:00.001-05:002013-10-02T18:26:29.941-05:00...remember that time........that I was going to have an ovary removed? True story. It was last Friday. I have known that I needed to have this done for about two months. I put it off as long as I felt I could, and as long as my surgeon would let me. So, last Friday, with my hubby and mother in tow....we waited - over three hours while the surgeon was running behind. I remember the tears of relief that rolled down my face as they administered some pain meds for the massive headache I had and being wheeled back to the Operating Room. I vaguely recall the starburst of lights overhead in the OR - but other than that the next thing I remember is the nurse in Recovery stating that I was staying overnight - to which I clearly recall becoming somewhat belligerent yelling that I was going home and sleeping in my own bed. <br />
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Then....I remember being in a room, and Jeff and my mom telling me that I still had both ovaries, because there was not a mass on my ovary. At this point, I might have become a bit more belligerent. However, Mom and Jeff are the only ones who could attest to that. I went through cancer screenings, ultrasounds and the decision making process about how to handle this procedure....leave the ovary, or take it. Only to find out....there was no mass. There was at one point...but not last Friday. <br />
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I have been irritated about many things. That I am sore and tired for no particular reason. That we didn't do a physical examination before surgery. That I had a dream two weeks before the procedures that there was no mass. That I was scared about cancer and other things that I didn't need to be for weeks. That I am going to pay a small fortune (think family vacation) for this procedure.<br />
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And I have these thoughts have rotated, marinated and rolled around in my head. And it has taken me almost a week....but this is where I am. <br />
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I don't have cancer. I don't have a mass. And there could be worse ways for this to have turned out. There are plenty of people who don't have great stories about no masses and generally good health. It's all good, and I'll take it. <br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7270832837287221330.post-14778735207214738042012-10-29T12:36:00.003-05:002012-10-29T12:36:48.303-05:00Reason #485 I love PinterestFresh Bread. It's pretty much as simple as that. I have been wanting to start making fresh bread, rather than purchasing the loaves at the store that tend to be packed with preservatives and high fructose corn syrup. I know that if I were home everyday I would be the kind of lady who made myself batty by trying to make as much from scratch as I possibly could. I would probably be more tired than I am now, working. However, I love my job, and I don't have any intention of fully becoming the natural home-maker I have the potential to be. So.....when I found a recipe on Pinterest that made making fresh bread look easy, I was hooked. <br />
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So, tonight for dinner, with our chicken taco soup....we will be feasting on Jalapeno Cheddar bread. I just pulled it out of the oven and it looks and smells amazing....we will see what my three taste-testers say tonight!<br />
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It really was super easy....I mixed the dough last night, let it proof overnight, and then rolled it and baked it this afternoon!<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7270832837287221330.post-58744015003817197042012-10-15T18:58:00.001-05:002012-10-15T18:58:39.917-05:00A Gift. Tonight I am thankful for a gift. From a stranger. I know that it is at someone else's loss, which makes it bittersweet. However, God has perfect timing, He is a healer and a giver. We found out this evening that my Uncle who has been long awaiting a kidney/pancreas transplant, has organs. I am prayerful that everything goes smoothly. I pray that the doctors have steady hands and are sharp minded and well rested. I am thankful for what we have in this moment <div>
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Amen. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7270832837287221330.post-37083816368972076162012-05-05T22:03:00.001-05:002012-05-05T22:03:29.849-05:00Mr. MastersI am incredibly proud of my husband. He has worked hard and today we celebrated the completion of his masters degree. He's a smart kind of guy, and I am lucky to be able to call him my Mister. We, together, are lucky to have the system around us that supported him and us through this.
Dear God, thank you for perseverance, hard work and celebration! Amen!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7270832837287221330.post-9276934086861873262012-04-29T06:31:00.001-05:002012-04-29T06:31:27.489-05:00TodayI so thankful for today. The fact that I have it is a gift. I think I sometimes forget to remember that. I am going to spend time with my loveys today. We have a few things to get done but visiting with some specials is on the list! Nicki and Drew are in town and NANA AND PAPA ARE HOME! We are so blessed with this beautiful life!
Amen.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7270832837287221330.post-70858115654652591582012-04-23T20:17:00.001-05:002012-04-23T20:21:05.664-05:00Day 47???- catch up!It's been almost a week since I posted! I haven't gone that long between posts since 2010! However, today there are two things I am exceptionally grateful for. My big kid learned how to tie her shoes. We worked on it for about 3 minutes yesterday before she got incredibly frustrated. But when I picked her up at school today she announced to me that she figured it out! I am so proud of that peanut. Also, today at noon marked the halfway point in our cleanse. Praise God!
Dear Lord, thank you for your abundant blessings! Amen!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7270832837287221330.post-11477501759629114542012-04-17T20:46:00.000-05:002012-04-17T20:46:56.605-05:00Day 470-NamaIs awesome. She helped us out with the girls after soccer tonight so Jeff and I could attend a kindergarten meeting. We came home to two clean girls, in bed. An tomorrow she's helping again so we can look at a house and go to the swim team meeting. She's the best!<br />
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Dear God, thank you for Nama. And her willingness to help us out! Amen.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7270832837287221330.post-885681066302224582012-04-15T22:15:00.001-05:002012-04-15T22:15:10.327-05:00Day 468 - one less houseWe went to an open house today. It was a dumb house. Here is the part I am thankful for in this really long process that has ultimately made me über picky...that's just one less house we have to see before we find ours. <br />
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Dear God, thank you for the roof we have over our heads, allowing us the time and space to find the perfect one. Amen.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7270832837287221330.post-32810846285064910792012-04-13T23:15:00.001-05:002012-04-13T23:15:10.076-05:00Day 466-reframeI am good at reframing. Other people's stuff. So today I am thankful for a friend who helped me do this with my own life today. Much appreciated JZ.<br />
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Dear God, thank you for friends who know what I need. Amen.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7270832837287221330.post-60368918254577416522012-04-12T20:10:00.000-05:002012-04-12T20:10:09.050-05:00Day 465-datesTomorrow I have two dates. One with Austin and one with my husband. Saturday I have another one at the yoga studio. Lots to be thankful for!<br />
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Dear God, thank you for fun things ahead! Amen!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7270832837287221330.post-50249793294124404032012-04-11T20:04:00.002-05:002012-04-11T20:04:56.235-05:00Day 464-bedtimeIt's an early night at the Ekloves. And for this I am thankful! Amen!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7270832837287221330.post-14939163270077828672012-04-10T21:45:00.001-05:002012-04-10T21:46:06.232-05:00Day 463-cooperationWe are having a garage sale. And everything that does not sell is going directly to Goodwill. I cannot wait to get stuff out of my house. Pretty much anything and everything. Stuff had got to go. My mon and I went through all the kids clothes last month and tonight we went through the rest of their stuff. Toys, games, stuffed animals...everyone pitched in and nobody threw a fit. So what if I realuzed fast that Olive answered 'uh-huh' everytime we asked her a question about keeping something- and just made sure we asked the right question. :)<br />
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Dear God, thank you for a cleansing process and entire family involvement. Amen.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7270832837287221330.post-72220898599763452882012-04-09T20:04:00.000-05:002012-04-09T20:04:41.860-05:00Day 462-back to schoolSpring break was fun. But I am super glad that it is over and we get to move back into our groove. <br />
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Dear God, thank you for a return to normalcy. Amen.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7270832837287221330.post-14341645318019542492012-04-07T22:17:00.001-05:002012-04-07T22:17:25.918-05:00Day 460-empty tombHe is risen. He is risen indeed! Amen.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7270832837287221330.post-19754975075340769002012-04-05T21:05:00.000-05:002012-04-05T21:05:55.205-05:00Day 458- My boyI love my girls. But they are certainly not boys. Today I got to spend with Austin, also known as The Dude. I love this little boy, and for everything Austin, I am truly grateful.<br />
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Dear Lord, thank you for this little boy who fits perfectly in our family. Amen.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7270832837287221330.post-14399256182753471102012-04-04T21:20:00.000-05:002012-04-04T21:20:34.284-05:00Day 457- babiesToday boo-boo took all three of our kids. They went to the library and zoo. Tonight Austy is spending the night here and he and Addy have been fun to be around! No fighting, but enjoying each other. Let's hope for a continuation of this tomorrow as I have all of them all day!<br />
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Dear God, thank you for this little boy who is as close to mine as I will get. Thank you for the special relationship these three kids have. Amen.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7270832837287221330.post-9390165088172425092012-04-03T20:53:00.002-05:002012-04-03T20:53:32.592-05:00Day 456 - Mrs. MarkoskyMy favorite nurse at the pediatrician's office finds humor in calling me Mrs Eklove. That makes me feel much older than I am. However, she always makes me laugh...and sneaks my kids candy. Our little Olive has not been feeling well, and today we were able to add a symptom to the list, other than random fever. I called Sam this morning and before noon I had two Rxs and we are heading in the right direction. I am so thankful for Sam and the Dr.'s she works with. Truly amazing people, with my kids best interest as a priority. <br />
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Dear God, thank you for these great people and some steps in the right direction for our peanut. Amen.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7270832837287221330.post-21759926039157175252012-04-02T20:30:00.000-05:002012-04-02T20:30:35.036-05:00Day 455 - coverageTerri McKim is awesome. She is a woman that I have the privilege of working with. She's on our customer service team. Today she had to leave for a few hours due unexpectedly and I had the opportunity to step outside my comfort zone and cover for her. I am so thankful for this wise and kind woman. <br />
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Dear God, thank you for the opportunity to serve. Amen.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7270832837287221330.post-72846077180935323712012-04-01T21:53:00.001-05:002012-04-01T21:54:47.093-05:00Day 454- six year laterSix years ago I asked for an espresso machine. And I got it. End of story. Until today. Today we figured out how to use it. We made two Red Eyes (an Eklove favorite) and then two "magic milks" topped with whipped cream. I am so thankful for the fact that our life shows some visible signs of slowing. My gratitude isn't really about specialty coffee drinks but the type of home we are trying to have.<br />
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Dear God, thank you for a Sunday that allowed for family time, celebrating Grandma Diane Day, and time to connect over coffee. Amen.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7270832837287221330.post-18569351277306156072012-03-31T21:39:00.001-05:002012-03-31T21:39:18.925-05:00Day 453 - long overdueToday was a day that truly had nothing on the agenda. We did what we want and not what we had to do. Such a blessing. <br />
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Dear God, thank you for a day that was much needed and for the restoration that today brought. Amen.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7270832837287221330.post-91738996762618371132012-03-29T20:48:00.001-05:002012-03-29T20:50:11.868-05:00Day 451- 101.8About halfway through my day Jodi let me know that our babes had spiked a fever. So a half hour later I found myself in the green chair, snuggled and staring out at the blue sky as my peanut took quite the snooze. It was an opportunity to do nothing.<br />
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Dear God, thank you for a daycare provider who loves our baby and for an unplanned afternoon. Amen.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7270832837287221330.post-86608841496891929832012-03-28T21:02:00.002-05:002012-03-28T21:02:39.184-05:00Day 450 - Take 2Today I took Addy from another bike ride. I walked instead of ran and we went on a route that is much more flat. She was so far ahead of me that I have no doubt that it'll be a perfect route for our run/rides! <br />
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Dear Gif, thank you for a much better experience this time around. Amen.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7270832837287221330.post-38854413048727222062012-03-27T20:16:00.000-05:002012-03-27T20:16:08.465-05:00Day 449- snuggledRight now I have 57 lbs on top of me. My neck has a krick in it and it is hot. And slightly uncomfortable. There is some snoring involved but I so thankful for this little girl who is willing to snuggle with her Mama. <br />
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Dear God, thank you for making my life full. Amen.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7270832837287221330.post-73417039555506917582012-03-25T18:34:00.000-05:002012-03-25T18:34:56.678-05:00Day 447 - My baby's pen palMy best friend, Linds has become pen pals with Addy. This has been such a fun process. She gets her letters from Aunt Lindsey, has me read them to her and then dictates a response. We are working on making a book showcasing all her letters from Aunt Lindsey and she's got her eye out for cute cards almost everywhere we go. Today we wrote a response. And she was excited to put her stamp on it and place it in the mailbox for Les, our mailman, to pick up tomorrow. <br />
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<em>Dear God, thank you for this opportunity to let Addy and Lindsey build their own relationship over state lines. Thank you for the things that Addy will learn in this process. Amen. </em>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0