Jam Session

The Saga Continues

I'm feeling a tad guilty these final hours before we pack Buster off and ship him out. I watch the moments of glee and giggles my children have with him, how Adam babbles on to him moments on end, "See Bus, good doggie, right Bus?"

Or how Natalie loves to play tug of war with him (until he knocks her down in his enthusiasm), and I ask myself 'What kind of blackhearted cad are you to send away your toddlers' dog?"

I used to gaze out my window while doing dishes each morning and watch a mother with two tots in a jogging stroller and one or two panting dogs on leashes wrapped around her forearms jog effortlessly by. Or at the playground the proverbial 2 parents, 2 children and dog play frisbee with ease and nary a frown. It all looks so idyllic.

And so I decided, well I tried it once with a newborn puppy, now maybe we'll try one that's a little older. I can do this, I can hack it, it's not that big of a deal. But once I got the leash strapped around my forearms and began the lunging, ungainly task of walking the dog (or being dragged by him along with the stroller complete with two wailing toddlers, losing wheels and careening off curbs madly), it was a different story. I too tried the 2 parents, 2 children, 1 dog at the park frisbee toss and it went horribly wrong. Everyone in sight was knocked off their feet, Buster panting and foaming at the mouth to get at not only the frisbee but also to consume several fingers in the process. Forget about family time. It was a dog's day out.

So I am packing away my rosy visions of two toddlers and a puppy. Maybe it's only cute on paper, through the window. At least for me, right now.

So tonight if I am tossing restlessly in bed, unable to find the good ship slumber I will repeat this proverb over and over to myself:

Why keep a dog and bark yourself? - Proverb

Instead of this which will keep me up all night:

"A house without either a cat or a dog is the house of a scoundrel." - Portuguese Proverb

Man's Best Friend

Here's to man's best friend. A faithful companion, adventuring through life's storms and sunny days hot on your heels.

Running wrecklessly through tiny spaces, smashing into walls and doors and little people and leaving chaos in your wake.

A tongue that is quick to lick grubby hands, skinned knees and a freshly powdered nose right before church. Thank you.

Toenails that seem to grow for miles, snagging favorite rugs and pillows and scratching bare feet and ankles alike.

A nose that remains perpetually moist. How does that happen? Bringing enjoyment to bare legs first thing after you slide out of bed and the back of your neck as you rummage under the couch for a lost sock or baby doll shoe.

Breath that could slay the whole neighborhood with one puff. Many minutes have been lost scrubbing at tongue and teeth with baking soda paste to try to rid us all of that awful smell..

Muddy paws all over floors and walkways and rugs.

Knawing teeth that never seem to be satisfied.

Fur whose volume knows no bounds. Twenty minutes to clear from my shirt and even more from the carpet and living spaces...

The joy of bathing a 50 pound wriggling, twisting mass of meat and fur and then unclogging the drain afterwards and then scrubbing down the tub for almost an hour after that. Not to mention attempting to wrestle his wet body to the ground before he flings wet fur all over the place..

Ok, so can you tell I'm at odds with our canine pal? Actually all things considered he is a great dog. Has a particular fondness for me and is quite obedient most of the time and very gentle with our kids.

I first wanted him as a companion for me once Tim is deployed. Now it appears it is not the right time in our life for a dog, no matter how great. We will definitely be getting a bassett hound again, but probably not for another 10 years or so..

So farewell Buster old fellow. We have made numerous memories good and bad with you and we will definitely miss some things about you.

P.S. For all you fellow canine lovers out there we have found him an amazing home replete with another dog, two cats and an older couple who enjoy snuggles and long walks so I believe Buster will be quite glad we made this switch...

Hello Happy Happiness

We have survived the first week without our Daddy Bear (as Natalie calls him). Some moments of tearfulness but overall we have had loads of fun. We have a lesson and craft time each day.

Today we read The Very Hungry Caterpillar and made little pom pom caterpillars and yesterday was reading how wheat is threshed and bread is made and we even made a loaf of Honey Wheat ourselves. Mmm. Maybe we'll do that more often.

We have made several new friends at the playground this week and made plans to visit the Children's Museum and some new parks next week.

Natalie loves McDonald's so much she asked me today if we can call our home McDonald's instead of home. Ok by me, does it include someone else making the meals?

And Adam turns everything including himself into trains and is constantly running down imaginary tracks.

Such fun to live in a kid sized world.

Tomorrow is Valentine's #2 for us and we are planning to make Red Velvet Cupcakes for the neighbors. Thank you to all the grandparents for the goodies you sent. They will be much appreciated.

Tim, we love you and miss you and can't wait to celebrate Sapper status with you!

HAPPY HEART DAY EVERYONE!

Parties and Partings

After a flurry of trips and travels we landed back home for a few days. We had a Superbowl, or

as Natalie and Adam called it, "Football Party!", and an early Valentine's party complete with

heart shaped pancakes, personal mailboxes complete with treats and more than a little dancing

and giggling.

Then it was back to business and unfortunately sometimes, the busyness of life. Then Tim

headed out for a short cycle of trainings which will hopefully give me a taste of what the Big D

(deployment to Iraq) will be like. Although it was hard to swallow at first I find each time he

heads out we are able to live joyfully, sleep peacefully and play earnestly. We talk of Daddy

often, and though it seems hardest on Natalie she knows very clearly that he is telling other

soldiers about Jesus. They seem proud of him in their own little way, looking up at each plane in

the sky and thinking Daddy is on it...

Of course sometimes on a tough day or in the quiet of night we ask ourselves and God if this life

with its rigors and separations is best for them. I know for certain I can manage the three

squares a day, a bath and bedtime with no problem, but what about making sure they are

thriving? I used to be afraid to sit with questions, with being not absolutely certain, I wanted to

be able to say definitely for sure I knew...But then there was no room for the vital faith to teach

me to trust...

So yes, we have a lot of questions, but we also have one Great Answer. I like to think that all of

life with its twists and turns and decisions big and small is pretty much a question, but at the end

of the road and the end of each day one thing is for sure. He's here.