Yes, we did.

We had talked about it for months and months.

We knew that Addie’s dog, Ruby, would be moving out with her once Addie was married.

Blake and I talked about how we still have three children we are raising here, and they LOVE having animals.

Honestly, Blake and I love having animals too!

We told the children we would get a puppy after the wedding – and there was one particular cute girl with Asian eyes who was holding us to that fact!

Sweet Eliza!!

I started the search for a puppy shortly before the wedding, never thinking I would actually find one.

But I did!!

Introducing, Jasmyn Bella – or Jazzy as she is most frequently called!

We picked up Jazzy the Saturday after the wedding in Lodi, Wisconsin.

She was bred by a breeder in Ames, Iowa, but they were going to be in Lodi that weekend, which was a much shorter drive.

Jazzy is a miniature schnauzer and was the runt of the litter.

We had the BEST experience working with her breeder as we purchased her and picked her up.

Very thankful for that!!

The children were SO excited to go and get her!!

It is already hard to remember those first days with Jazzy as it was already two months ago and she has changed so much!

She rode great in the van that day, and got a bath not too long after she was home.

We are very intentional in training our dogs, and that has not changed with this puppy either.

Do we need the work of a puppy right now??

Oh goodness, that is a SOLID NO.

But we can see the end goal in sight – and that is an obedient, sweet dog to love on for the next, Lord willing, ten or more years!

The first thing we did that day was roll up the rugs in our main area, get Jazzy’s new crate out, close the gate across the stairs, and put up a gate closing off the hallway to the bedrooms.

All of those were good decisions!

It took one day to see that the crate I originally bought was way too small, so we got a larger one.

We also still had Ruby at this point because the bride and groom were on their honeymoon!

Ruby is NOT a fan of all the change that has happened to her, just so you know, but she is especially not a fan of Jazzy.

Poor girl!!

I love on Ruby an extra lot when she is here with us.

We currently keep Ruby on the days that Addie works.

Blake, the children and I have enjoyed Jazzy very very much from the first minute we met her!

She is a great addition to our family!!

Jazzy’s crate training and potty training have had their moments, as I am sure you can imagine.

We had her fully potty trained and sleeping all night in her crate by the time she was home for six weeks though.

She rings a bell hanging from our front door when she needs to potty, and she sleeps in her crate in Blake and my room.

We are still working on training her to be happy in her crate ANYTIME we put her in there – especially when our house is so full of people – which has been a lot lately!

We know we will achieve this goal in time.

Jazzy has done so great riding in the car and going places (she even went to Illinois and Indy with us!), and also has done great at her vet appointments!

I really enjoy her – especially when she is cuddly!

She loves to cuddle, and then loves to be on her own, and then loves to be on my feet!

She looks so little in all of these photos!

She has been home over nine weeks already and is over four months old!

We recently had Jazzy groomed for the first time, and she looks like a different dog!

Just look at these before and after photos!!

Oh, Jazzy, you are turning out to be just the sweetest dog!

We love seeing your personality come out!!

It has been so rewarding watching you settle into life here!

We know there is more to come – like when we can take those gates down, when you are easier to manage when our home is full of people, and when you see your crate as your safe little spot no matter what time of day.

We are SO grateful you are part of our family and our children’s story!!!

WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!