Go Bears!

Campbell is ready to cheer on the Baylor Bears in the Fiesta Bowl!  

Happy New Year!

Ruthie

I don't think I mentioned on the blog that in May we had to put our Gracie down.  She was 13 years old, and her health had been declining for quite some time.  Judd got her as a puppy before we got married, so she has always been a part of our family.  We still miss our Gracie girl.

We enjoyed six months of being pet-free.  It was kind of nice not having to worry about the responsibilities that come with having a pet.  But, we're dog people, and we knew we would get another dog eventually.  I don't think we realized it would be so soon.

Judd and I started talking about what kind of dog we wanted and thought about several breeds.  We searched for breeds that were comparable in size to a cocker spaniel, but eventually decided that cockers were perfect for us.  Judd had a buff colored cocker spaniel as a child, and Gracie was black, so we decided we wanted a chocolate one.  We began looking online...just to look...and found a cocker spaniel rescue in the Austin area.  There were lots of cockers available for adoption through the rescue, but one caught our eye and tugged on our heart.  Her name was Rolo.  This is what we read and saw about her on the website:

Isn't she adorable?  We filled out an application to adopt that very night.  Here is the timeline of events that followed:

November 5 - Found Rolo's picture and filled out application

November 8 - Application approved, home visit scheduled

November 10 - Home visit (Representatives from the rescue brought their own cocker to our house to visit and make sure we and our home were suitable for adopting a dog.)  We were approved the next day and expressed interest in Rolo.

Rolo's foster family informed us of her condition.  She had been rescued from a shelter.  They believe she was part of a breeding mill and had been dumped.  In the process, she had been attacked by something (possibly another dog.)  She had been bitten pretty badly on her back, and she had a broken leg that was in a splint.  In addition, she had an extra fold of skin on one of her eyes that caused continuous eye infections.  She would need surgery to fix her eye, remove scar tissue from her bite, and possibly to fix her leg.  We were overwhelmed by the potential cost for her care, but couldn't turn her away.  She ended up not needing surgery on her leg, and the rescue paid for the other two surgeries which were scheduled for December 10.  

November 19 - Rolo came to visit.  Rolo's foster family lives in Austin, and they brought her to visit us on their way to Houston.  She spent the afternoon and evening with us.  Her leg was in a splint and she was unsure of her surroundings, so she was pretty subdued the whole time she was here.  I was a little disappointed and felt like she didn't like us.  Judd assured me that she would be better once she came home for good.

She stayed by the door most of the time she was here.

Playing with Bailey

Checking out the backyard

Getting acquainted with both kids

When Rolo left that night, we confirmed our intent to adopt her and told her foster family that we would name her Ruthie.  They kept us informed of her vet appointments, surgeries, and progress.

December 18 - Ruthie's "Gotcha Day!"  

 Ruth Collins Cochran

(She's named after my dorm at Baylor...Ruth Collins Hall.)

Ruthie already has her own stocking!

  

Ruthie has adjusted well and has fit right in with our family.  She loves to play outside, and she loves to sleep!  We're already in love with our sweet girl!

Snowflake

Snowflake is back!  He arrived on the Sunday after Thanksgiving with popcorn and a Christmas movie.  He has appeared in different places all over the house, sometimes doing some pretty funny stuff!  The kids love looking for Snowflake as soon as they wake up every morning.  

Snowball fight with Captain America

Snowflake brought breakfast!  And made a MESS!

Snowflake on Christmas Eve before going back to the North Pole

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

On Christmas Eve we went to the candlelight service at Maw-Maw and Pop's church to celebrate Jesus' birthday.  Both kids loved holding their own candles!  

After our traditional Mexican food dinner, we opened gifts with Maw-Maw, Pop, Uncle Kenny, Aunt Meike, Esra, and Jonah.  Then the kids sprinkled "reindeer food" in the yard and left cookies and milk for Santa.  

Santa came!

Bailey got American Girl pajamas and slippers (for her AND her dolls!), a Holiday Barbie, a Razor scooter, and an eight ball.

Campbell got pajamas, a Nerf gun, Nerf flag football set, Wolverine action figure, the Monsters University DVD, and an eight ball.

And they both got a trampoline!  Santa delivered it to Sealy, so he left them a poster size note and picture of the trampoline.  

 Christmas Morning!  I love these faces!

Bailey and baby Jonah

sweet baby Jonah

Here are all four grandchildren on the Furnell side.

On Christmas Day, we went to Kaufman to celebrate with Judd's dad's family.  Here are eight of the ten great-grandchildren. They're not all looking or smiling, but it's the best I could get!

Later, we celebrated Christmas with Nonnie, Bubba, Aunt Calie, Uncle Matt, Beau, Charlie, and Scottie.  Here are all five grandchildren on the Cochran side.

Bailey got money for summer camp!

Campbell got an iPad Mini!

This Christmas, we enjoyed spending time with our family.  Our kids were spoiled rotten.  We made some precious memories.  But above all, we celebrated our Savior!

"For to us a child is born,

    to us a son is given,

    and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called

    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

Isaiah 9:6

Merry Christmas

Christmas Card 2013

Family Christmas

We celebrated Christmas as a family of four the day before we left town.  We ate taco soup (a family favorite) for dinner, opened gifts, and drove around to look at Christmas lights.  

Our tree

An attempt to get a picture with Ruthie...not happening!

Ready to open gifts!  In keeping with tradition, we got the kids three gifts each.  

Gift #1: New Bibles

Gift #2: headphones

Gift #3: 

Campbell got a soccer ball, football gloves, and wrist bands

(He very specifically asked for a medium sized black and white soccer ball.)

Bailey got what I affectionately call "Justice junk." She got a "B" earring tree, "B" zebra hairbrush, and panda sequin iPod case/wallet.  She loved every bit of it!