Busy, busy, busy

When did life get so dang busy?! At what point did "MOOOOOOOMMMM, I'm BORED" stop being a weekend event? Holy cow!

So, this last weekend we had a family BBQ with my siblings & cousins & grandparents. It was such a beautiful day, not TOO hot, but far from cold. and of course, when you get a bunch of us Rowley family members together... there's bound to be way too much good food. It really got me thinking about a few things. Mainly, how flippin' lucky I am.
My siblings and I have gone through so much together. Many dark days- but twice as many good memories. Lake Mead, Lake Powell, Lagoon.... how lucky were we?! I never really appreciated having them around as much as I should have. I spent way too much time being angry at one thing or another, and not nearly enough time appreciating what I have, and the people in my life. I spent way too much time being angry that I didn't have a dad in my life, and not enough time appreciating my mother for the strong, loving, caring person that she is. Who the heck needs a dad when you have the single most best mom in the world?! When needs a dad when you have a brother that would do ANYTHING for his sisters? Who needs a dad when you have grandparents that absolutely rock. If I could change anything about my past- it's how much time I spent wanting what I didn't have, feeling sorry for myself, instead of opening my eyes and recognizing how blessed I am, how much I have. Family is everything, it is the central unit to life, and I am so lucky to have the one I've got. All of them. Each and every one of them.

I have the most amazing family ever. I really do. How many families can get all the cousins, their spouses, and their kids together and everyone is just so happy to see each other. No arguing. No fighting. No mean comments. Just love. I think in today's world that's pretty hard to come by. I am so blessed to have such an amazing, loving, caring family. I'm not sure what I ever did to deserve to be a part of this group of people, but who am I to question a good thing?

In other news, this weekend Champ went to a new family. It was so bittersweet. I have so much history with him. So many memories- good times and bad. We went through such a healing process together both concerning health and emotions. Champ was there for me in my darkest of days, through it all. But he was never mine. I don't think that a bond like that can have claim. I've always felt like he was an animal that came into my life for a reason- but only for a season. Not forever. I'm so happy for him to be someone's world now- he deserves that. And, the last 3 days, we have had exactly zero pack issues and things here run much more smoothly. No dividing, no separating, no aggression, no frustration. I've gotten a little bit of flack for the decision, but he is happy, adored, loved.... what more can I ask for?

This week is of course busy, busy, busy. We will be leaving for Lake Powell on Thursday. I'm excited because that means a whole 5 days with Jon! We hardly ever get quality time together because of work, school, and conflicting schedules. I am so blessed to have such a hard-working man in my life, I have no idea how he manages the schedule he does. Thursday we will drive to Kanab and stay in a cheap motel (life's an adventure, right?!) and then hit the water at sun up Friday morning. I am so excited, I can't wait! I look forward to this trip every year. In fact, I think I'd rather go to Lake Powell than anywhere else in the world. No agenda, no phone, no work schedule... just sun, sand, family... and of course a Dane.
It will be really sad to leave the rest of the pack behind, but I think Zailey will have an absolute blast.

This week, I am in fact proving to be my mother's daughter- cleaning the heck out of my house, and getting everything in order before leaving. All the way down to pairing my socks to their original mate. My to do list over the next two days is about two and a half pages long. But it will be worth it. I can't wait. lake Powell makes enduring the miserable Summer heat so worth it. The dogs definitely know that SOMETHING is up. Packing, my stress, setting up and testing camping equipment in the living room... but they don't know what. I don't think Zailey is NEARLY as excited for her Lake Powell adventure as I am. In fact: I'm certain she's not.  That's ok, she will get over it.

Well, since it's 3am, I think I ought to swap the laundry, finish cleaning the bathroom, and then call it a night. A trait I seem to have gotten from my Grandpa: I simply can not rest with a to do list on my hands.