and so it begins.

hey guys,

i am taking the deepest breath as i start writing this.

this weekend was entirely unforgettably filled with Labradors.

i mean loads of them.

i haven't spoken at all on here 
about what's been in the works.

i haven't spoken at all on here 
about what's been wrong with my health.

its been sort of a sacred spot, this Stroesslerland.

no mentions of MS and all its dirty, flabbergasting little nuances.

i've kept my MS from here for so many reasons.

i'm a big No Whining kind of gal,

and i could easily do so to what 
so often seems like just my computer screen.

i'm also a big No Stewing kind of gal,

a There's A Time and A Place kind of gal,

and an If You Can't Type Anything Without Cussing... kind of gal.

easily my biggest obstacle :)

yet,

here we are. 

i've dropped the loaded 'MS' twice already,

and i'll tell you why.

meet Cade.

he, my friends,

could very well be my future Assistance Dog.

my sister, Kim, after hearing about my diagnosis,

was one of the so many of you that

decided to do something to help the greater good.

she joined up with Service Dogs of Virginia.

she's a puppy-raiser, a volunteer trainer,

and my general dog guru.

the amazing women that run the organization

are now helping her raise Mr Cade

with the goal of bringing him back up to ohio

when he's fully ripe.

by which, of course, 
i do not mean smelly.

there is so much to this dance with MS

that will be aided and enhanced with a pup like this at my side.

and now he's here.

it has begun.

and i'm in love, kids.

there is so much to tell,

so many incredible stories, blessings,

ridiculously giving people to share,

and so many questions to answer,

that i've decided to create another blogspot.

should you want to follow this little guy's path,

join me over on

http://cadeandme.blogspot.com/

it ought to be a good time.

all of you bring so much joy to our little family.

we're thankful for it all this Christmas.

we wanted to send out a card

chock full of Little Man pictures this year,

but we've been... uh...

distracted :)

and so,

we wish you all an incredibly

Merry Christmas!

looking forward to walking 2012 with you!

classic Spud

its no wonder 
the kid finds his uncle 
a delightful playmate.

ice cream w uncle spud

look out, Martha

joshua and i are mini-pie-ing it up

in mason jars, no less!

video fun

joshua's take on bedtime routines... please note the check marks and Xs he placed on Dada's helpful chart.



i had to share this with the shu's aunt Kimmy. there are so many similarities between our shu and her D2, i knew she'd love it.  what i didn't know is that she'd respond with one of the most genius videos i've seen in a long time.