Never be forgotten

After a long battle, that none of us knew about, Pressley, our sweet, 4 yr. old Golden Retriever is no longer with us. Last weekend he stopped eating and would barely move. Late Sunday evening, Wade and I took him to the Emergency Clinic and had blood work done. The results showed chronic kidney failure and lupus, both diseases are very difficult to live with. Two very long days later, we decided it was best to let him go and stop suffering; though it was a very difficult decision.

After having to put down our first family dog, Karly, in March 2005, Wade got Pressley for my family. He surprised me on my 19th Birthday wi

th the sweetest, most energetic golden yet. He was born on June 16, 2005 and was given to me with a red bandana around his neck on August 20, 2005.

His midnight-blue eyes sparkled fro

m the very beginning and we knew he was sp

ecial from the get-go. He loved many things: water, mud, food, Dakota (black labrador, his best friend), th

e lake, cool weather, hot dogs, walks, escaping from the back yard, visiting the neighbors, and his belly rubbed, constantly.

He would lie in front of the air vents in the kitchen like a little frog... we later found out he has sever hip-dysplasia. As a puppy, he got so excited when it was lunch/dinner time that he couldn't control his bladder.

We contemplated what to name him. From the time he was a puppy, he looked like a teddy bear, but instead of naming him "Teddy," we thought "Pressley" was more fitting... he and Wade shared almost the same color hair, but same texture and curl.

He knew exactly where he was headed when the weather began to get warmer and when he hopped into the ba

ck of the truck... THE LAKE! He loved to let the wind blow through his auburn curly hair. As soon as he got there, he headed straigh

t for the shore to swim.

He knew at Christmas he would get a BIG bone and leftover prime rib. He knew on his Bi

rthday he would get a yummy cheeseburger and eat it in one bite. He knew when Halloween was because every year

he was 'Woody' from Toy Story. He loved to help pass out candy to all of the Trick-or-Treaters. He would jump on the cou

nters while no one was watching and eat dozens of cupcakes before parties. He definitely had a sweet tooth.

I honestly never thought it would be this hard to let something go that I love so much. I can't tell you how much fun, laughter, and hope he brought into my life and my family's. I will never forget the way he smelled, how velvety-soft the hair above his nose was, the way he would cut his eyes at me (or anyone) when they said or did something he didn't like, how he l

oved to be petted and loved and scratch at you for more, the way he sniffed my hair and twitched his nose when he knew it was me who was there, or how he was pigeon-toed

. His character, personality, and love will stay with me my entire life. He truly was the sweetest, most loving dog.

Life is SO busy!

The past month has been really busy.

Last weekend, Wade played in a golf tournament in Heber Springs, AR and I watched the RaZoRbAcK game at some of our friend's house.

Sunday, we went house hunting and thought we found the perfect house. After getting all of the papers and bid ready to be submitted, someone else, unfortunately, beat us to it. After bawling all afternoon on Tuesday, I was reminded by a dear friend, "finding a house is like finding a guy... sometimes you like them, but there is just one that feels right." I have high hopes that we will find the right house for us... wherever it may be.

Here is my family celebrating my parents anniversary.

Good Morning bloggers!


This is my first post on my own blog, ever!

Let me just tell you a little about myself!

I attend the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith and am majoring in Secondary English Education. I will begin my internship in the Fort Smith Public School system in the Spring and plan to graduate on May 8, 2010.

I became engaged to my best friend and soul mate January 4, 2009 in Runaway Bay, Jamaica. Two days before, my sweet sister Ellen became engaged. Through discussions, family meetings (ha!), and much thought, together we decided to combine this incredibly special time in our lives and have a double-wedding.

I knew I was going to marry Wade Pressley when I was 4 years old... seriously, ask my mother. My family had just moved to St. Louis (1994) and his dear family were one of the firsts to meet The Kamp Clan. He never paid attention to me, which agged me on. We began 'talking' as friends my 8th grade year and his freshman year. After two years of really getting to know the other and becoming best friends, my charm FINALLY worked and we started dating the summer of 2003.

My family is the most important aspect in my life. We are SO incredibly close and open. I have two of the most wonderful parents, Bill and Elaine. I couldn't have chosen a better family. They have been married 30 years, which we celebrated this past June 9, 2009. Their love, encouragement, and support is never-ending and I am truly blessed to have them as parents.

We (my fam.) sent my little brother off to college at the University of Arkansa in August. I can't believe he is becoming an adult. I am so proud of his accomplishments and know he will continue to do great things.

I graduated from Southside High School in 2005 and decided to attend the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith. I cheered at the University my freshman and sophomore years and then became a founding member of Delta Gamma Fraternity on campus. The Greek system was completely new to UA-Fort Smith, so I was absolutely thrilled to be part of a great addition to our campus.

As for now, I think this is enough... I will continue to post over the weekend.

Tomorrow is a FULL day, packed with working, a baby shower for my sweet soon-to-be sister-in-law, Delta Gamma Parents Day, then the RaZoRbAcK game!! Go Hogs!