Finally Finished...

Thanks to Kelly's Korner and her tour of homes (in a sense) I enjoy looking at pictures of my friend's homes. I don't think I have the dedication it takes to post pictures of my home every Friday, but I so enjoy looking at everyone elses.

Michael and I moved into our house a little over a year ago, and we have worked so hard to get it like we want it. We had no furniture or furnishings, a master bath that was desperate for attention, and a yard that had not been touched in over a year. I am SO thankful to say, though...that it's complete!! I just love coming home and being able to relax instead of knowing there's a major project hanging over my head. It's the best feeling in the world, and I am so very thankful for mine and Michael's home.

One of my favorite things to do is to entertain in my home. I feel like that is a way that I can share what God has blessed us with as well as fellowship with our friends and family. Nothing makes me happier than to open my home to others, and I hope that I can continue this habbit throughout my life.

I am always so impressed wth my friend, Sarah Denley, and her ability to actually post a picture of her home each week (Stop by and see her precious home...it is great!). I love seeing the diversity in everyone's taste, but it always ends up making a beautiful home. So, here's my one home tour. I will not be posting pictures of Michael's office...it's always a total mess, and I am embarrassed for you to see it. I love my husband with all of my heart, but we do not have the same cleaning habbitts. I may post some pictures if it ever gets clean?!?!?! BIG IF!!!

Anyway, if you are ever on the neighborhood, please stop by and see us :)...

Happy Father's Day...

Here's hoping that you have a wonderful Father's day. Michael and I are so thankful to be blessed with such great fathers and a grandfather. You all do so much for us, and for that, we are so very grateful. I cannot imagine where we would be today without the love and devotion that our fathers have shown us. I am so very glad to say that we are ultimately blessed with the ability to claim our Heavenly Father as our father, too...

How deep the Father's love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
And make a wretch His treasure
How great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the man upon the cross
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection
Why should I gain from His reward
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

Why should I gain from His reward
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

Busy Weekend Ahead...

I will be absent from the world of bogging for the weekend...Michael and I have a busy few days ahead of us. His younger brother, Jonathan, is getting married Saturday!! We are so very excited about all of the wedding festivities, and even more excited about Sara officially becoming a FORD!!! I can't wait to post some pictures from the weekend...

Winsty Thursday...Wrap Up...

OK, I think it's time to bring this series of posts to an end. I know that you are so tired of looking at pictures of Winston that are only special to us. So, in this final post, I will include some of our most favorite pictures of our beautiful dog.

We may have been a little biased, but we thought Winston was the most beautiful one in his litter. He was the first one born, biggest puppy, and we know that it was meant for us to be his parents, becuase when we contacted the breeder, he was the only male still available. He brought more joy to Michael and me than we could ever imagine, and although I am very sad everytime I walk by his favorite places to lay throughout the house, I know that we will see our Winston again one day. As far as I am concerned, he can destory every bed that exists in heaven. Here are some of our most favorite pictures of our sweety...

I still miss my baby so much. I was checking my email last night at work, and our sweet breeder, Wendy, had emailed me some pictures that she took of Winston before he came to live with us. I began to tear up, and I had to just shut the computer down and walk off...I was quickly losing it. I still sob like a baby everytime I blog about him. That is one reason I am choosing to end the posts about Winston. So, please pray for Michael and me as we contuniue to (somewhat stupidly) grieve. Our house is still so quiet. Some people probably think we have lost our mind, but they are the ones that never met our Winston.

We know that there will be more bulldogs in the future. As a matter of fact, the only thing that makes us happy is to talk about another one. We have already decided on names...Chaucer (male) or Penelope (female). It may be a while, but hopefully the next dog picture I post will be of a new puppy...

I want to say one last thank you to all of our family and friends that have called, texted, emailed, blogged, sent facebook messages, made donations in memory of Winston, offered to bring food, and sent cards and flowers. You are all so very special to us, and each kind thought or word has meant so much to us. God has truly blessed Michael and me with the most wonerful family and friends. We would not be who we are today without all of them. You all have made this terrible time a little easier. Our prayer has always been to be the type of friend that you all have been to us. Thanks again for listening to us babble about our precious Winsty Baby everytime we were around you.

Winsty Tuesday...Bed Disasters...

If you knew Winston, you knew he LOVED to destroy his bed. In the nine short months that we had Winston, he had FIVE different beds. He eventually learned that when he destroyed one bed, he had to sleep on the tile floor for a few weeks until his mommy felt sorry for him. The last one was around for a while...I'd like to think he was learning.

This was Winston's first bed, and it was my favorite. One night, Michael was telling Winston that only girls sleep on zebra print...

I guess Winston heard him because the next morning, we found this...

This was bed number four. My grandparents gave it to him for Christmas. I made him sit on it and promise me that he would not tear this one up...

and the next morning, we found this...

Winsty Monday...Winston and all of his friends...

Since Winston was a puppy, I tried very hard to get a picture of him with everyone that came to visit. He always made them feel very welcome by meeting them at the door and either licking their toes or untying their shoe laces for the first hour they were in our house. I can't talk too bad about him though, because he was so not the hyper, jumping, barking dog that can quickly annoy every guest. He was allowed on the couch only when we had company. He knew this, and as you will see in some of the pictures, definitely took advantage of that priveldge. It seemed that everyone that came into our house absolutely fell in love with him, and if you couldn't tell already...so did his mommy and daddy.

Here are some pictures of Winston and all of his friends. I'm sorry if you are one of Winston's friends and I missed getting a picture of you...

Medow tried so hard to like Winston. I am so proud of her for even touching him...

Amanda was quite different from Medow. She liked Winston as long as he was nowhere near her. I think he could sense her distaste for him because he always found a way to get close to her...Thad may have helped him a little?!?!?!

Winsty Saturday...sleeping with Daddy

I know that I originally said that I would post a funny picture/story about Winston every Wednesday, but I have come across too many cute ones. I would have to spread them out over way too many weeks for you to care. So, I will just post a cute picture or two and short description every day or two to speed this process along. I know that you are so sick of reading about Winston, but I the only way I can not be a total blubbery mess is to think about all of the sweet/funny memories we have with him. So, I promise not to drag this out for a miserable amount of time, but for right now, it is good therapy to remember my Sweet Winsty in this manner...

Winston loved both of us very much, but it was pretty obvious that he liked Michael the most. I'm OK with that because I originally had to beg (yes, cry and plead) Michael to let us get Winston, and Michael ended up falling head over hills in love with Winston..more than I ever though possible. Here are a few cute pictures of Winston and Michael sleeping in the chair together or laying on the floor together. I love these...they are so sweet.

He Was Such a Sweety...

As many of you know, Michael and I lost our precious English Bulldog, Winston, on Tuesday.  He was such a spoiled dog, and we loved him like a child...he WAS our child. 

Michael wrote the sweetest blog about the Winsty Baby...

The Ford Retort

I am so sad that he left us so early, but he brought so much joy to so many people in just one short year. Please take time to read Michael's blog.  It really does totally express our love for him.

Also, the outpouring of love from all of our friends and family has been absolutely unbelieveable. I am sorry that I have not been able to respond to all of the text messages, facebooks, emails, etc. Please know that your kind words have meant so much to us during this very difficult time. It is so amazng to me how God prepares you for situations like this.  He has blessed us with such a wonderful family, and allowed us to become friends with the finest people around. We have felt so surrounded with the most amazing family and friends, and we are truly grateful. 

Every Wednesday, I will post a favorite picture of Winston.  So, please check back for the next few Wednesdays to see how sweet our baby really was.