Crate Training 101

Finally! The planets have aligned and we now have a predictable potty training routine for Charlie! After a few weeks of potty "missteps", we have the little guy all figured out. With the addition of a crate that fits him, a baby gate and a new food and water routine, he is responding beautifully. Brian and I look absolute ridiculous walking him through downtown Orlando screaming "Good potty Charlie," and high-fiving each other while we remark about how incredibly smart he is. Needless to say we are very proud of his progress! I am just waiting for one of our neighbors to scream ITS JUST A DOG!!


I think the biggest breakthrough has come from picking up the water bowl. In short, he was drinking what seemed like a gallon of water a day just because it was there. Crate training has really helped too. All the books assure me that he will LOVE his crate one day. It says he will actually go in voluntarily without the promise of food one day. I guess for the time being he will continue to conveniently forget how to walk each time we open the crate door.

Layla is getting more and more used to Charlie each day. I know that it really just comes down to the fact that she did not have the same "puppyhood" Charlie is having. He has all the fun toys, organic doggie food, a quality crate and so on...there is a huge difference and its called a paycheck ha ha! She really is doing well with him. She's a sweetheart!!

On another note, Petsmart has become the new Anthropologie or Macy's (where I used to spend all of my money). Brian and I are frequent visitors as we like to personally test out each toy that Charlie is to receive! Sorry Layla, about the lack of toys but you definitely have him beat in the people food area (he has not caught on to the begging yet!)

This video is hilarious (for me at least)...it answers the question what do you get when you cross a cat, a vacuum and a new puppy? ha ha!

Charlie E. Stamper

Our cat Suki and Queen Bee Layla are less than thrilled to announce an addition to our family. Charlie E. Stamper is our new Golden Retriever puppy!! He was given to us by Brian's parents, Leslie and John. They had made a deal with him upon graduating from Vanderbilt that they would reward him with a puppy of his choice when the time was right. 2 years later...Charlie has joined our family and we are so thrilled. Brian and Leslie drove to Longwood, FL last Monday to choose from a litter of Goldens. They brought Charlie up to school for a visit with his Mommy. It was so much fun to show the kids in my 3rd grade class !! Charlie is by far the best motivator for good behavior with a 9 year old audience!!

Layla is not taking it as well as we had hoped. Every time he sees her, he gets so excited!! He can not help but to run over her! He thinks it is so much fun! So now when he comes anywhere close to her, Layla growls and shows him her clean and odor free teeth (finally took the poor girl in for a cleaning). Charlie is unfazed however by Layla's ferociousness. Just as quickly as he runs away, he comes back for more. We are hoping that they will eventually learn to love and respect one another. Actually we just hope Charlie will learn that it is not worth being bit on the nose and resist the urge to pounce on her.

At the moment, Charlie is at Gradma and Grampa's house learning the ins and outs of potty training and other vital puppy survival skills. We will begin our first set of puppy classes soon but he has already began learning to play fetch and has discovered his love for sticking his head out of the car window.

I can not wait until Charlie grows older. It will be so much fun to run with him and take him to the lake. Golden Retrievers are very good with children so I am so excited to have him as a permanent member of our family!!

Charlie does not stay still long enough to take a picture while he is awake. So when he is asleep, all the cameras come out! Here are a few pics of our new little guy...sleeping.

Taking advantage of Grandma's cool floor!

Yes, I am holding Layla in that position. She will not come within 10 feet of him! Yes, that is my favorite shirt!

He tried to move out from under Brian and fell asleep in the process!

Happy Birthday, Spring Break and Such

Spring Break kicked off with a birthday surprise! Mom, Dad and the girls drove to Orlando for my birthday. It was such a wonderful surprise!! Below are some pics of the beach and my 25th birthday celebration! Brian baked me 2 cakes!! Chrissy also came to visit!

Mom and I at the beach

25th Birthday!!

Ring Shopping

After a few weeks of looking and browsing jewelry stores, I have found the perfect ring(s)! Here are a few details on the engagement ring:

• It is a solitaire 1/2 carat diamond on a very thin platinum band. I was very adamant about a thin, dainty band.



• The setting is what they call the North, South, East, West setting. It is very similar to the traditional solitaire setting (x shaping of the 4 prongs) except the 4 prongs are aligned just like a compass; North, South, East, and West.



• The ring is set in a way in which the diamond looks so much bigger that it actually is. I can not believe it is only a 1/2 carat. The quality of the diamond is a clarity VS1 G. I have no idea what any of this means-I could care a less as long as it is from Brian... and really sparkle-y : )

The picture shows the two rings; wedding and engagement. The wedding band is made up of diamonds with tiny platinum balls connecting them. The diamonds go half way around the circle. It is the perfect compliment to the thin engagement band. I am so happy with my choices!!

It is not that great of a picture. I wish I could have gotten a better one with more detail but Brian quickly snapped the picture from his I-phone while the sales lady "pretended" to look away-I guess this is not allowed. I like to tell myself that it was impossible to get a clear picture with all that sparkle and flash going on : )

More important than any ring, I am so excited to spend the rest of my life with Brian. I am so blessed that my family loves him as he has already completely become a part of it! I also think it is important to note that Brian is willing to convert to Catholicism. We already worship together in the Catholic Church and one day we will take communion together-Grampa would be so proud!

Borcky Top 25!!

In case you have not heard, our Bobby Borcky is one of the top 25 players in the State of Florida! We are all so proud of him!! Below is the posting of the Top 25!

Written by Ty Ensor 25. Bobby Borcky ATH Lake Highland Prep 6'1 180 lbs Borcky plays QB for LHP but will probably move to a slot WR or a DB on the next level. He has already decided to follow his older brother TJ to Colorado State. Go Rams.

You Will Be Missed

As many of you know, Peyton Manning Borcky and Sky Juno Borcky were taken from us WAY too soon as they were involved in a tragic accident over a week ago. They were Mia's pride and joy. While it is still extremely difficult, Mia feels a little better each day. Since then, we have had the opportunity to add to our family without forgetting or replacing the 2 dogs we all loved so much. Welcome Beowolf "Bear" Borcky to our home and hearts! Soon Bella Borcky will join her brother and the rest of us at the Borcky compound. Below are some pictures of the new Husky puppy on his first day home and at the park.

We will miss you Manning and Sky!!

First day home! All the kids plus the new pup!

We are all hoping his snout will catch up with his tongue!

Bobby holds his new puppy Bear! TJ was in town for his Spring Break, making the experience even more exciting!

Getting used to walks

Posing

Layla looking less that thrilled as a group shot is taken.

Big Sister Layla

Catching Up and Up to Date...

Alright...so it's been a while since the last time I updated this thing. Below are a few pictures to catch you up to speed on what's going on with us in Orlando, FL!

Brian and I on his Birthday (September 27th). One of our very first pictures together!

Brian and I in Memphis, TN for Thanksgiving with the Eason Family. He flew in the day after and spent the entire weekend in the Midsouth! It was such a happy time. We sat in the livingroom as an entire family-talking and laughing! What a great trip! My family LOVES him and so do I!

The Eason family Christmas card in Memphis, TN (don't worry if you didn't receive it. It's not bc we don't love you, its bc it was never sent out!) Briley just turned 11, Emily is 15, Amy is 17 (driving already!) and I am almost 25.

After Thanksgiving Dinnner. Amy, Dad, Ashley, Pepa, Mom and Emily. My favorite thing that happened is when someone accidentally opened the gibblet and gravy leftovers...making the entire house smell like rotton eggs. Welcome to Memphis Brian and to our family!!

I have my OWN aprtment! My roommate Julie I are lucky enough to rent a beautiful, fully renovated apartment from Mia and Timmy Joe. Only 1 mile from Lake Highland's campus, it has 2 bedrooms, granite countertops, and hardwood floors among many other things! I live just across the driveway which is great in case I need to sneak a snack! Here I am taking a cue from HG TV, painting a dresser drawer set in Leap Frog Green (Not to be confused with John Deere Green).

Lake Highland Preparatory school is a K-12 private school located in the middle of Downtown Orlando. Here, I am employed as a Lower School P.E. teacher. I teach 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 2 classes of 6th grade. Every day is so much fun! Above, 3rd grade is competing in Tug O' War!!

I know, I know. I am way too excited about my job! In addition to teaching lower school P.E. I am also the JV and Middle School girls' soccer coach as well as the Varsity Track Asst. Coach! It makes for a busy day but it is always well worth it!

Below is a picture from our New Years' trip to New York City. Here, we were in Central Park. We were lucky enough to ring in 2009 in the Big Apple with Brian's Dad, Robby, Chrissy and Jac. We had such a great time sight seeing and we even saw 2 shows; Rock of Ages and Mary Poppins. We can't wait to go back...when it is warmer!