This has just not been our week. We have had not one but TWO family pets pass away this week and the boys are not taking it well (although in all honestly I cried worse than both of them). Let me share our adventures.

Those that know me, know that Chris and I have struggled for years with smoking. ACK!! I know it's a horrible habit. We both had done very very good but after we lost the baby in June, it was just to much and we picked up the habit again. After much prayer we finally felt strong enough emotionally and spiritually to put it down and quit for good. So, on go the patches, in goes the nicorette gum and out come the claws and cranky tempers. Honestly we were cranky for about a day but it hasn't been to bad. We will be trying to get pregnant soon and knew we needed to do it for the baby, our kids and our own health. (A nice prayer for us would be wonderful if you can)

Ok to make a long, long, long story just a tad shorter, we picked a really bad week to stop. Monday the boys had a baseball game that started 30 minutes late which made us late for boy scouts and we both hate being late for anything. Tuesday, about an hour before cub scouts, I told the boys to go outside and feed / water the dogs. Christian comes tearing back into the house in tears because Scooter, my beloved Shih'Tzu is dead. Honestly, Scooter hasn't been in the best of health. He was blind in both eyes, he suffered from a blood disease that was slowly causing his body to shut down. I couldn't manage emotionally to put him down so the vet told us a few weeks ago to take him home, make him comfortable and he would pass peacefully. Well I had let him outside a couple of hours before so he could use the restroom and get some fresh air. He always LOVED being outside, playing with our older dog, Sam. Well I suppose that is where he felt most comfortable because he curled up under his favorite tree in the shade and passed on. Needless to say I was distraught and there was no going to cub scouts. Instead my dear Chris went outside and dug a grave for 2 hours in the backyard then we had what could only amount to a full blown burial service in the yard. Complete with the boys reading from the bible. It really was lovely. Chris then cuddled on the couch with me and watched Steel Magnolias. It is my favorite movie and any girl will know, if your depressed or upset, it will make you laugh and laugh then make you cry even worse than when you put it in. Wonderful therapy!

Wednesday went off without much happening. It is a busy day for us so we ran around as usual. Thursday was much of the same. Rather relaxing actually. Then came today.

The boys have a pet rat named Snoball. I was so against getting a rat as a pet but the boys insisted and then Chris got in on it so I became outvoted. Well 3 years ago I drag myself and the boys to the pet store and scowled at the cage of rats. That is until the saleslady took this little white rat and put him in my arms. He curled up against my chest and went sound asleep. Needless to say my heart melted and I said SOLD! Turns out, Sno-ball is one of the funnest pets we have ever had. He chased the cats and the dogs!! They were scared of him. He used to love to make tunnels under our comforter, snooze on the couch while we watched movies or sit on my shoulder while I did dishes or played on the computer. He had a liking for peanut butter, dried bananas and of course sliced cheese. He was one spoiled rat. Unfortunatly, they only have a 2-3 year lifespan. We knew a couple of months ago that his time was coming to a close. He wasn't moving as fast, he had difficulty breathing after going up and down the stairs in his cage, he wasn't eating as much, etc.. Well this morning about 7:30, I go in to wake up the boys and I always bring Snoball a treat. I went to his cage and immediatly knew he was gone. The boys were upset but honestly I think Chris and I were the ones most upset.

So goes the circle of life I suppose. The boys are handling it well but are obviously upset and are wondering if Scooter and Snoball are in Heaven with their brother. I know the answer is NO, and I think they know deep down that isn't the case but with everything that has happened these past few months, if thinking that keeps them happy, well, I'm not going to be the one that breaks their heart. I think in another few months we will sit down and explain the truth but for now I am just not saying anything. Meanwhile, Snoball and Scooter are resting side by side under the big oak tree in our backyard.

It was rather ironic that they both passed the week of St. Francis of Asissi's Feast Day. He is the Patron Saint of pets and animals. I am comforted by the thought that he was with them, holding them in his arms when they passed. I sure am going to miss them but they brought so much love, laughter and all around joy to our family.

Here is Scooter with his binky. Yes he sucked a binky..don't ask I don't know why haha (I told you he was a character)

Here is our precious Snoball. He was such a cutiepie. I don't think we will ever be able to find another rat as cool as he was.