RIP Diddle Dubbies

He joined me shortly after my birthday in 2002. He was the present that I gave myself. We were a family of two and he was my everything. My best friend, my companion, my baby.

I met Mike about five months after and he soon learned that Gussie and I were a package deal! So, we became a family of three. For 6 years he was our baby... long before we had the boys. My mom would say that Gussie lived a life that was better than some kids ever get to experience - and she was right. We loved him with everything we had and we treated him like he was a human. As a dog, he couldn't have wanted for more.

Saying Goodbye to Gussie on January 9th was one of the hardest things that I have ever done, but I know it was for the best. He was suffering from congestive heart failure, which came on quickly and unexpectedly. I know that he is in a better place now - free of suffering and being smothered with kisses by Grandpa Freddie and his best buddie Jake.

I got his ashes back last night, so we will bury him on my grandparents farm.

Thank you Diddle Dubbies for being the best dog one could ever ask for. I love you and miss you so much already. This house just isn't the same without your voice!

Family and Friends...

two of the most important things in this world...

LOVE all of these smiles!

Christmas Day 2011

Santa paid a visit to the Reik boys this Christmas and boy was he good to them! He left them LOTS of goodies and even a personal letter. Now that's a good Santa Claus!

And this is the smile that I live to see... the smile of pure joy and excitement because of what he sees awaiting him at the bottom of the stairs!

And to the basement they go with their Mimi... what awaits them below?

more gifts from Santa... the BIG gifts...

I think it's fair to say that they were happy with what they saw!

Christmas Night... Mike, Jason and Dad preparing the meal this year. What a welcomed change. Now this is something that I could get used to.

And one of the best things about Christmas... spending it with family (all of my family), including those friends that are just like family. Especially when we don't get to see them but every other Christmas. Two of my favorite guys in the world... two of my three brothers!

And Great Uncles who give and help assemble work benches for their great nephews and LOVE doing it for them! So sweet.

As I mentioned in a previous post... Christmas is a time for family. I am so blessed to get to celebrate Christmas with my entire family. Most of us are in the same place and are blessed to be able to get to be together for this special holiday! I recognize that is rare and I am very thankful... especially for my boys! How lucky they are.

Christmas Eve at Aunt Karen's

Christmas is absolutely my favorite time of the year - hands down. It is a time to focus on family and celebrate the season with those you love most. It is a time for reflection and remembrance of times past and to recognize traditions old and create traditions new.

This year's Christmas had a different focus than on year's past... it was about the kids. And so, for requesting that we just purchase gifts for the little kids, I was lovingly called "The Grinch" by my dear brother. So, the Grinch made an appearance that night at Aunt Karen's... not just under the tree, but in places unexpected.

Aunt Karen's beautiful display of family photos and my boys pointing to their Great Grandma Helen and Great Grandpa Freddie... whom they recognize and know by heart even though they never met. They are the reason that we are all here today. Although they aren't here to celebrate with us any longer, they are always present in our hearts and among our Christmas Eve traditions.

And, as I mentioned before... family. My beautiful family. All of those people that I love with all of my heart and soul.

(notice the shirt?? i said the Grinch appeared in unexpected places)

Thanks to Aunt Karen for hosting Christmas Eve and for always making us feel welcome, comfortable and at home. If we can't be at my grandma and grandpa's house for Christmas Eve any longer, her house is where I would want to be. I am thankful that my boys will grow up making memories at their Aunt Karen's house. Even if those memories include running around buck naked, getting chased by their cousin Janika as they all three scream at the top of their lungs like girls!