What I'm Loving Wednesday!

 

I like this Link Up. Here are few things I am loving about today!

 

1. Yesterday, I posted about a Zach Sobiech and his inpirational story (here) - Well, I just found out his song, "Clouds," just surpassed Justin Timberlake, Macklemore, Pink and Daft Punk to be

 #1 on iTunes!!!

That is just SO cool. A story about him here

 

 

I am also loving that it's almost Memorial Day Weekend which means a LOT of fun things:

 

2.  I am taking my parents and my 7 year old nephew to a Michael Jackson Tribute Show tomorrow evening at a local theatre. Jack is OBSESSED with MJ. He knows more dance moves and songs than I do at this point. I am so excited for him to love it. Here is a promo for this show:

 

 

3. It's my friends' Steph, Kinzie, Justin AND Caroline's birthday this week!!

LOVE YOU ALL - Can't wait to celebrate with you :)

 

 

4. I get to FINALLY go to my cabin and even if the weather is shit, I will be with my family for raking, drinking, and games!!

(Photo taken from my yard at my cabin. Silver Lake is heaven.)

 

5. My final thing I am LOVING right now are my GOOFY puppy children.

This is Griffin "wearing" my Havianas.

And

Dashel with a bone hiding in his mouth. Making sure noone could take it.

 

 

Thoughts for Today

This has been a powerful and emotional start to the week. Actually, back up, I had an emotional weekend as well.

 

On Saturday we went to my big brother's overdue housewarming party (he bought his house in December, haha). But the weather was finally right, so we grabbed the pups and headed to his house for some games and grilling. The  pups loved the yard and the sunshine.

The best surpise ever? My aunt Diane came AND my Uncle Mike. Both are my godparents and I haven't seen my Uncle since Christmas. He was diagnosed about a year or two ago with a rare form of lukemia (less than 2,000 cases) so his treatment has been tough, to put it lightly. I will back up... for a few years, when he was healthy, he would make each of the grandkids a custom "bags" set. If you have ever played this game, it is also called "cornhole." My brother and my cousins have received beautiful hand-painted and custom wood sets with various designs, like Vikings, Twins, and even my brother's which is Pink Floyd "Dark Side of the Moon"-themed.

 

About a year ago, Mikey asked Brady and me what design we would like for ours as our wedding gift. We thought a Twins Baseball design would be really cool. Or the "Leinenkugel's" logo for my hometown brewery in Chippewa Falls, WI. But that design was pretty intricate, so we told him to just choose whatever one was easier. Well, it's been 8 months since our wedding and with his health, I didn't think he was working on them... I mean, he has been in the hospital for the better part of a year already.

 

So to see him on Saturday was a present enough but then, our "gift" gets carried into the backyard. And then the tears started...

 

 

 

 This is SO special. The whole set has our wedding date as the "est" date on the set. Mike custom-made a "Leinie Lodge" carrying case. It has a custom wood score board and holders for beverages! And matching bags ready to go! Just unbelievable. It is truly a work of art from a VERY special man.

We got a few photos including this big one of my whole family. Proud moment. :)

As if the day couldn't get better, we ventured Sat evening over to Woodbury to celebrate Brady's sister's 10 year wedding anniversary! WOW! Congrats Bria and BJ!

 

My nephews were adorable per usual! Kohan's 6th birthday (white shirt) was on Sunday so we gave him his present - "a digital watch just like his gym teacher!" haha. I guess he wore it to bed that night! :)

I tried Halibut for the first time too - DELICIOUS!

 

 

 Just a BEAUTIFUL family!!!

 

 

On Monday, I got to work to hear some pretty tragic news that Zach Sobiech had past away. If you don't know anything about him, he is a local Mpls kid who was diagnosed with bone cancer at age 14 in 2008. In July of 2012, the doctors told him they were out of treatment options for his rare form of osteosarcoma, and he maybe had a year.

So, Zach did not sulk. He celebrated life each and everyday. And pursued his dreams of writing and singing music. With the help of my company, Hubbard Broadcasting, Zach recorded his first song, "Clouds." This "good bye" song is now the #1 Amazon download for the singer/songwriter category.

His Youtube video we created at work has now over 2 million views. Celebs and people everywhere have become SO moved and inspired by his strength and message. I love one of his quotes:

"You don't have to find out you are dying to start living."

 

I was fortunate enough to meet him and hear him play this song back in December at a staff luncheon. He was as nice and wonderful as he seems in this song. Also, Soul Pancake (ppl who are behind the Kid President and more) produced this documentary towards the end of his life. It'll make you ball.

 

"My Last Days" Video:

 

 

And one of my FAVS: A Celebrity video message to Zach with a lot of famous peeps showing their love and admiration to Zach.

 

 

 

My heart aches for both Zach's family and friends as well as the people affected by the tragic tornado in Oklahoma. I hope everyone is able to get through all of this sadness and live each day to the fullest. Something I have to remind myself each and every day.

 

 

2013 Walk for Animals - PRE Walk (#9.1)

I may be at work right now with hot chocolate I found in the work kitchen that may or may not be from the 1990's... but damn, it's still good!

BUT, nothing  - not even the fact that it's MAY today and it's snowing out - can squash my mood for the Walk for Animals this Saturday benefiting the Animal Humane Society!

 Our Team, "Gunnie's Pack" is in 6th place overall! We are walking in honor of our friend's yellow lab, Gunner, who passed away suddenly last year at a very young age. Dash and Gunner were friends and this was a hard loss. If anyone has "furbabies"- it is like a child loss...

This was part of my "Thirty Before Thirty" list as I have a goal to raise money for a variety of charities, and I am SO proud about this one!

We are SO happy to help other "furry friends" in need with our team this year - we even have TEAM SHIRTS! :) (Pics to come soon!)

We walked last year with Dash and had a blast - we raised $250 in 2012 and this year I set my goal at $500!


And last week we met that goal!! Now we even are OVER our goal!
You can still donate! Click HERE
 

 



 

Here are some fun photos from our team last year!

 

 

Last year, it was such a FUN day even though it was chilly and wet! AND it just so happens, that is the forecast for this Saturday's 2013Walk is pretty much the exact same - 44 and raining. Wet dogs anyone? :)

 

Either way I am SO excited!! Can't wait to take Griffin to this and see all of the furbabies of every shape and size! Yes, people even put cats on leashes and put rabbits and birds in wagons and strollers... there is something of an art to "people watching" at the Walk for Animals! :)

 

I will update after the Walk next week!! Thanks again to everyone for your support!!

 

Catch ya later,

Kelsey

 

My Fur Baby Boys

What a fun link up today! I am going to take inspiration from my friend Steph and get to "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly" with my two little men.

 

Meet Dashel Xavier Sells...

aka Dash, Dashy, Bash, Dash Bash, Dashman, Bashel, Big Pooper

 

The Good:

1. Dash is the abolsute sweetest dog on the planet. He is the cuddle with you when you are sick, lay by you when you are scared, lick your face when you need it kinda boy.

2. He has the cutest, most expressive eyebrows EVER and it literally makes people wonder if he is a human and understands your thoughts.

3. He also "smiles" and people on the street will think there is a 100 lb lab walking down the street, SMILING!

 

The Bad:

1. My Dashel baby boy is also just that - a baby - and tends to express himself verbally with whining. Sometimes he is a genious and it means "Mom, I gotta go pee," but other times it is for a reason completely unknown. On the other side though, he is SO cute when you get home as he "whine greets" you with a wiggling tail and tells you "stories" about his day.

2. The vet tends to call him "big boned" but basically our 100 lb boy is a little on the heavy side during the winter so he can always stand to lose a couple... BUT hey, so can Mom! lol

3. Dash is an amazing watch dog but sometimes his thunderous bark can be at friends, so we have to tell him to calm down and stop growling/barking at his friends and family!

 

In Lieu of Ugly - I will go with "The Quirky"...

1. This big boy is a COUCH/BED dog... and he loves to go on his back and do his "roll" and sleep like that for hours. Upside down. Legs in the air. Overbite. It is priceless. Sometimes I wake up and think Brady is in bed, but nope it's Dash. Sleeping like a human.

Meet Griffin Chadwick Sells

aka: Griffy, Griff, Griff Pants, Grifferson, G Baby

The Good:

1. This little 15 week old man is our little blessing. We rescued him from a local shelter at 8 weeks (see post here: Meet Griffin)

He is a FAST learner and potty training, walking and sitting have been a BREEZE!

2. Griffin is a funny little boy too. He looks at you like a little human like he really understands you! And it is SO funny when he watches TV!

3. Griffy is also the sweetest when he snuggles up - sleeping Griff is the best. He lets you hold him while he snores quietly. Ugh, this one is my little baby.

The Bad:

1. Griffin is a puppy so there are some things to work on... Like biting us, his brother, the rug, etc. But he is a good listener so hopefully that will be a phase LOL

2. Griffin also is a little barker when it's time for his kennel during the day. I have even taken to "Go Pro" filming his barking to find out poor Dash has to listen to him whine and bark while we are at work.

3. He doesnt really understand boundaries yet. AKA trying to jump in the shower, licking the toilet..while you are on it! haha. Chewing on your sweat pants strings. Licking your eyes, hair, mouth, teeth, LOL pretty much anything...

In Lieu of Ugly - I will go with "The Quirky"...

1. One of the cutest moments with Griffin is when he is sleeping -- he positions that kids find himself in crack us up. He will be on his back on the couch stretched out with his head hanging upside down off of the couch -- like THAT is comfy? Just a nut.

 

Basically these two boys have my heart. My first borns. My fur babies. My life is complete with them :) Wouldn't have it any other way!

 

 

 

 

Newest Addition to the Family!

First off, I need to keep up with this whole blogging thing! Definitely realized I haven't blogged in a while so I am going to try and keep at it better.

Although the point of this blog was to chronicle my "Thirty Before Thirty" achievements, I need to post about the BEST surprise I should have had on my list! Brady and I adopted a puppy from a local rescue last week!!!

Meet: Griffin Chadwick Sells

Born on January 11th, 2013

He is an Australian Shepherd/ Golden Retriever Mix

 

 

We rescued him from Second Hand Hounds - This awesome organization in the Cities that does SO much for animals and saving them. Griffin (called Forrest online) and his siblings were in Mom's belly in Lousiana when "Sophie" the Mom was going to be killed. SHH went down  to save and transport pregnant Mama back to MN. On the way, 7 puppies were born! All of them were adorable and shared either the Labrador or Australian Shepherd coloring.

 

These are pics I found on FB through the resue. Sophie is SO cute! The arrows point to our baby, Griffin!

 

 

After I found the listing for Griffin "Forrest" and his siblings online, I started the long process of convincing Brady that we NEEDED to adopt him. I filled out the application for him, and didn't even realize until the Foster Mom contacted me that this litter was a HOT ticket. Our application was the 5th one received in less than 12 hours of posting the litter. The Foster lived in Mankato, and told us that we shouldn't waste our time and gas that night unless she called that he was still available.

8:00pm that night, Griffin's two brothers were pending adoptions, but he was still available.

After an hour in the car, and 30 mins of meeting him and cuddling with him, we spent the rest of the night and with NO sleep, deciding what to do.

 

At 8:15am the next morning with no concrete decision, I drove to work. Seconds in the car, I got a call from Brady saying "I think we should get him!"

:):):):):)

 

Once we decided, the Rescue did a vet check, reference check, and a home visit with a volunteer to make sure we were legit. We were approved and told we could pick Griffin up from his required neuter appt on Sat March 9th in Owatonna. He was 8 weeks old and we now have him, he is healing right up from his surgeries (he also had to get a hernia repaired that they found). He is hilarious, and has the funniest personality. He is picking up potty training and crate training pretty well.

 

 

The best teacher, his big brother Dashel, is getting used to him too. Griff just LOVES Dash... as you can see here.

 

 

 

Dashel says "cheeseeeessee"

 

 

 

Griffin doing AWESOME on his first walk! He followed exactly what Dash did :)

 

Here is a good one - the playful and sleepy sides of Griffin!

 

 

 



LOVE OUR NEW LITTLE BOY!!!!