november 2013.

November held lots of new firsts, and new additions as well.  I was so determined these last few posts to get us caught up on life around here that I forgot to mention one of the first new addition was my new dining room table!!!  Whoop, whoop! I was in desperate need of a table, and in my many failed (second and third) attempt at building a decent table top to our old one...I threw in the towel.  Yup.  Cuz it totally okay to admit defeat sometimes.  And as much as I love a good DIY as the next Mormon gal...I know that sometimes it's okay not to.  My poor little family always has to deal with furniture being out of commission or delays...so we decided to go with Plan: B.  And now I'm the proud owner of this gorgeous table.  

Hellooo, lover!

On Veteran's day, the kids were out of school and we thought it would be fun to get out and do something as a family.  We'd never taken the kids bowling before and thought that might be a good fit for Ben.  It's hard sometimes to figure out what we should do together because for Ben, he's just not interested.  He's never really "engaged" with the activity.  But we were really really racking our brains to find something that he might take to.    

And thankfully we did!  He really enjoyed it.  Phil and I would take turns helping him roll the ball down the lane and even after his turn was done, he wanted to keep going.  It was really cute.  We ended up playing two games and the kids were phenomenal.  Both of them had a good time...as well as Phillip and I.  

The score.  Lizzie had quite a game and showed Ben and I both up. We were super excited to find something that we could do as a family and that we could all enjoy.  Yay, for bowling!

We also have a new addition to the family.  A little maltese-poodle, that Lizzie so proudly named, Ariel.  Thank you, Disney.  We thought it would be good to bring a dog into the family, first, because mommy asked for one, and two, we are hoping in the future to get Ben a service dog.  So we thought it would be smart to get him familiar with having a four-legged friend around the house.  He is still a little timid around her, but she is a great dog.  She isn't overly excited and seems to ignore Ben's behaviors when he has them.  Ben is slowly becoming sure of her, but still keeps his distance.  In just the last few months, Ben is slowly beginning to trust her.  He even tries to play with her at times.  She'll be napping on the floor or sitting with me and Ben will either throw his blanket on her or drop pillows on her.  I know it's his way of trying to initiate play with her.  And hopefully the beginning of a friendship.

Nov. 2013