TENDER MOMENTS

MacGyver recently accepted a new position.......it has been a great move for him and he feels that he can really make an impact on our community through this new job. He also feels strongly that this is where God has led Him and that makes all the difference.....in all things. Needless to say we are all adjusting to the new changes and challenges put before us, but it's not anything that changes the dynamics of our family. One morning I walked downstairs and saw this on the family calendar......courtesy of Bottle Rocket!

Talk about a good cheerleader!!!

NEW KID ON THE BLOCK!!

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Meet……….Lucy! She is a hound mix (we think a blue tick coonhound mix) that we adopted from the shelter recently who has adapted into our family quite nice. After we lost Sandy, there was a huge hole left in our hearts that left us yearning for another pet companion. Poor Miles was showing the signs of depression, after all he had grown up with Sandy for 10+ years. He was sleeping until 10am in the morning , sitting at the bottom of the stairs at night waiting for his friend and asking to go out numerous time each day only to peruse the premises for something he would not find. There is no way any animal could ever replace Sandy. But God knew just how to handle the situation. We walked into the shelter that bitter cold evening and walked through the kennel of dogs. We were unsure that we saw any pet that would suit our needs (with 4 little variables, safety and smart decisions were a must!). We were stopped by a volunteer who asked about our situation and as we told our story, she and another volunteer immediately mentioned “Dixie”, a four month old pup. They brought her out to meet our family and as they say, “she choose us right away!” She lay down and instantly turned to mush as all four kids rubbed, squealed and loved on her as if she were their own. To top it off, Miles was in tow and met this pup as well. He sniffed and circled, checking everything out, but kept his tail wagging which spoke for itself.

The volunteers told us about a litter of puppies who were due to arrive momentarily and we did in fact investigate. But Lucy had notched a place in each of our hearts that could not be replaced! So Dixie was renamed Lucy (by the kids vote) and became a member of the family. She is playful, yet calm. She is friendly and laid back. But most of all she seems grateful. I cannot explain it, but I truly believe “pound pups” are honestly thankful for what they have. Sandy showed us this the first night she was with us. Lucy has been no different, as she is affectionate, obedient, and extremely gentle with the kids. She does great with crate training and is mostly housebroken- ringing a bell when she has to go out. Miles now gets up in the morning with all the other family members and plays fetch with Lucy daily. What a blessing she has been to all of us, two legs and four!

THE LATEST IN WALL ART

Can you guess who did it? She (oops!) also decided to redecorate her brothers newly painted room. And I swear she (I am not pointing any fingers!!) was only out of sight for 2 minutes tops. But she did a bang up job- efficient we will call her. I only wonder if she was humming and singing her pretty made-up sounds while she worked!!

I would not be telling the truth if I said I did not gasp out loud when I first saw this sight. And then gasped some more when I found she had also redecorated her brothers’ wall(s) as well. I mean this is not coming off easy and most likely it will need a coat of paint to really hide it. I was mad at myself and frustrated with her. BUT, this is minor compared to A LOT of things. Really most things! I heard someone in a seminar, (literally 1 day before this happened) say that we should not “major in the minors”…... kind of like “don’t sweat the small stuff”. So I decided to look at the situation in a positive light. The walls (or most of the walls) she colored on have never been painted and are due an update. Also, my mom gave me the magic eraser and it works like a charm for this project! I do admit that I have left the art work undisturbed for now……because years from now I will be longing for more!