Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Because apparently my life is now a country song

For those of you who don't already know, I am expecting again. I'm almost 16 weeks along and I'm due in December. I'm due on Christmas Day actually, but I'm pretty much in denial about the possibility of a Christmas baby. Now, normally a pregnancy announcement would warrant it's own post right? Right. BUT, just when I was getting ready to write that post I got laid off. That wasn't lots of fun. There have been more than 3,000 employees laid off since the beginning of the year though, so I suppose I'm in good company.

Since the plan had been for me to work until Brian finishes school and he still has another two years (ish), me being without a job sort of put a kink in things. We decided our best course of action is to sell the house and move home to Colorado. (I'm sure I'll be doing a whole post on this later.) Before we could start moving in that direction though, my whole family came to visit. The trip had been planned for awhile and no sense canceling especially since now I didn't have to worry about work at all. (HA.) So for the last two weeks I've been processing the fact that I am now pregnant and without income.

And then yesterday? The dogs got out. The door got left open and they decided to go for a run. Brian and I weren't home when it happened and even though my mom and sisters went looking for them they were nowhere to be found. Brian went out after we got back and after much walking around and calling and whistling to them Onyx managed to follow him home. But not Brenna. We went out a few more times with no luck. This morning we called animal control thinking maybe they picked her up and that's why she didn't make it home. They did pick her up. She died shortly after they made it to the shelter. More than likely she got hit by a car and died of some sort of internal injuries. Brenna and Onyx are the first dogs I've ever had. This has been hard.

So: pregnant, laid off, selling the house, moving back to Colorado, and losing one of our sweet girls. It's been an emotionally exhausting two weeks.


Brenna letting Patrick give her some love.
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19 comments:

  1. MardiJuly 7, 2009 at 7:17 PM

    So, congratulations and I am sorry in the same sentence?! Wow - tough stuff. I am glad to hear about the baby and really sorry to hear about your job and Brenna. Keep us posted on things - we'll send some prayers your direction.

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  2. RachelJuly 7, 2009 at 8:40 PM

    Oh my goodness Elsha, I'm so sorry. Please let me know if I can help in any way. I'd love to watch Kalena anytime while you get ready for your move. You will be missed!

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  3. BrimacaJuly 7, 2009 at 8:48 PM

    Oh no! I'm so sad for you. I can't quit moaning and groaning about it. I know how much you love your dogs. So sad.

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  4. JenaJuly 7, 2009 at 9:39 PM

    Sounds like it has been a tough 2 weeks, with joy and sadness. Its never easy to lose a beloved pet. My prayers and thoughts are with you.
    Congratulations on the baby.
    ~ Blessings

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  5. KatieJuly 7, 2009 at 9:48 PM

    i am so sorry about brenna! she was so sweet... bummer of a week. i am so sad you guys are leaving though, so sad.

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  6. SarahJuly 7, 2009 at 10:00 PM

    I am so sorry you are going through all this, you are in my prayers. A Christmas baby is not all bad! I love mine to pieces!

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  7. katesJuly 7, 2009 at 10:32 PM

    I am so sorry. You know the saying about bad things come in threes, fives and sevens. Hopefully you got all the bad things out. Good luck with the new chapter in your life. Congratulations on the pregnancy.

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  8. Jules AFJuly 8, 2009 at 12:02 AM

    Oh man, I'm so sorry. Here's to a better time in Colorado! How is your husband continuing to go to school there???

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  9. AmyJuly 8, 2009 at 7:03 AM

    Oh, Elsha. I'm so sorry about your dog. :( Congratulations on the baby and the upcoming move. We'll keep you in our thoughts.

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  10. larshannonJuly 8, 2009 at 8:37 AM

    Elsha I'm really sorry about your dog. Surely things will start looking up soon. I couldn't think of anything to add that hasn't been said already. Sorry.

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  11. maggieJuly 8, 2009 at 9:20 AM

    Oh Elsha I'm so sorry. That's so much going on, and then to lose your dog too. I'm so sorry.

    A friend of mine emailed me in a panic this morning- surprise pregnant with her third. No money, no minivan, no room, but God provides, right? Somewhere I read something about all babies showing up at their new homes with a loaf of bread under their arms. I hope a move closer to family will be the best thing for you!

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  12. Brittany MarieJuly 8, 2009 at 10:48 AM

    I'm excited for your new baby(!), and I also hope your puppy finds its way home soon. :(

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  13. AnonymousJuly 8, 2009 at 6:52 PM

    So sorry to hear about Brenna. Good luck with the move. Love, Amy

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  14. Eric and AmyJuly 8, 2009 at 7:06 PM

    Elsha, I am sorry to hear about Brenna. I'm not a dog lover, but Brenna was about the sweetest pooch I've ever met. I am glad that I got to meet her last week and spend a few minutes scratching her head and neck. Good girl.

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  15. Kirsta 'n co.July 8, 2009 at 9:03 PM

    There have been so many blessings in disguise in the family lately (3-story flood? having to/getting to move home to mom and dad?) so perhaps having them lumped together like this will turn into a blessing... somehow. Like you really COULD turn it into a country song that makes a million dollars or something. I'll help you write the lyrics when you're ready. I'm looking forward to seeing you TONS more when you're in Junction, I'll be pacing the floors at 2 a.m. with you at Christmas (because yours is coming early, right?). I hope things are settling down with us gone, but I know Patrick misses the company (and so do I!) We love you.

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  16. AllyJuly 9, 2009 at 12:38 PM

    Elsha, I had no idea about Brenna. Truly sorry. Loves.

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  17. Kari and JonathanJuly 10, 2009 at 12:41 PM

    At least you and Brian still have eachother :) Hopefully everything happens for a reason, but I am really excited for you guys to be back in CO!

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  18. Christy & ZachJuly 17, 2009 at 7:22 AM

    Best of luck Elsha! You and your family will be in our prayers and congrats on the second baby!

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  19. AnonymousNovember 21, 2011 at 8:45 PM

    How did I not realize one of your dogs died? I'm sure I'm supposed to know that.

    Reading this post reminds me of my creative writing teacher senior year of college. She preached about writing authentic, believable fiction. Nothing too poetic and nothing over the top. Anyway, she used to say, "Don't kill the blind boy's dog." Which meant don't go too far trying to get an emotional reaction out of your reader.

    This, I think, is exactly the piece of writing she was talking about. Pregnant, laid off and then the dog dies. Only your story is true.

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