Just for Fun: 60 and Sunny!

The perfect day to sneak in some mid-day trail time at Castlewood State Park with my girl.

Back to school, 'tis the season!

If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook, you know that it has been hustle bustle, back to school week around here!  A welcomed return to routine and the slower pace of Fall, even though I will miss these faces.

Hello, Junior year in high school...

 Hello, Sophomore year in college...

The only one not-so-thrilled about this return to normalcy?

Needless to say, Miss Willow adores her gratuitous time with her boys.  So sad, isn't it? 💔

Personal Mom Moment...

The boys were kind enough to indulge me in a few photos this week...

16 and almost 14. 

 *sigh*

Where has the time gone, even with Miss Willow?

A Personal Moment: Back to School and Farewell Summer

It has taken me a few days to catch my breathe with last week's busy closing schedule and getting the boys prepared, but my babes went back to school last week. Bittersweet.  While Summer 2015 was packed with fun, it is nice to get back to the "norm" around here.

I say it every year, though I feel like I am on a high speed train with these 2 boys, my babies. My oldest hopped in the car to drive himself to his first day of 11th grade, as our Fall calendar begins to fill with standardized test dates and college campus tours.  My "little guy", now a big 8th grader, had to bend down to give me a hug this AM as he is now taller than me. Heck, even Miss Willow (now 4-1/2 months) is almost unrecognizable after a summer of growth.  *sigh*

Like sands through the hourglass, friends.

Regardless, while Summer 2015 was a busy one, it was grand. A peek back at the fun, as we journey into beloved Fall...

Just For Fun: An early morning at Queeny Park

Our new rescue pup, Willow, would like to thank St. Louis County Parks for their recent installation of doggie drinking fountains, even though she isn't quite sure how to use them yet.

It's a girl! Thank you Gateway Pet Guardians!

Friends, meet our new addition...

... Willow Nenonen.  8 weeks and dreamy.

Our family was devastated to lose our loyal Poppy earlier this year.  So sad, so difficult. Regardless, when we were ready to rescue another puppy... I reached out to one of my fellow Coldwell Banker Gundaker agents, who also does extensive work with Gateway Pet Guardians.

Gateway Pet Guardians is a nonprofit, virtual animal shelter and pet rescue located in St. Louis. They feed and rescue stray dogs and cats in and around East St. Louis, Illinois and the St. Louis metro area.

The volunteers feed the stray animals in East St. Louis daily. When a foster family becomes available, they can then rescue one of the animals on their feeding route. The foster guardians help rehabilitate the dog or cat and then wait to find a perfect forever home.

I can't say enough about this organization.  Our family is now complete, the process was seamless, and Miss Willow (who was part of a stray litter found in East St. Louis) now lives a charmed life in Casa de Nenonen. =) She is socialized as was raised with other puppies in a foster home over a shelter, and is the absolute perfect addition to our family.  

If you have questions about our adoption or why we chose Gateway, I urge you to PLEASE email or call me!  I am happy to share my experience and contact.  In the meantime, learn even more about GPG here.