Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Nathan's Surgery


My sweet, funny, charmingly dramatic Nathan is having surgery on Friday. He's having a hernia repaired & also another procedure that will, unfortunately, probably hurt quite a bit (think little boy surgery - I'm trying to avoid TMI). I know what to expect for me having surgery but I've never experienced it for one of my kids, so I'm feeling cautious & concerned. (Hoping I won't either burst into tears or pass out when they wheel him away!) He's having it done at a very good childrens' hospital by a Pediatric Surgeon, so he's getting great care. Still, I'd definitely appreciate knowing friends & family are praying for my little man! Thanks so much! Oh, I'll update when I know a surgery time- they don't let us know until Thursday afternoon. 

Saturday, June 26, 2010

"My Girl" (probably only interesting if you are a dog lover)



It has been three weeks since we got Juneau. She is fantastic with the boys - patient & adoring. I love that about her! She has also learned to go into her crate when asked, to come when called (when in the back yard - I'm not sure about total freedom!)  & to carry a pack, which she really seems to like. My main challenge with her is that she is very timid of anything new & since she has been exposed to very little in her life, "anything new" includes a lot! Yesterday, I helped her examine tin foil after she was afraid of the noise it made when crumpled. When we are out in public she cowers or tries to run from any new sight. There is zero aggression there - she's a sweetheart, but we have a long way to go to get her to a place where she is comfortable in public places. I'd LOVE to train her as a licensed therapy dog but we are a long way from that. My long range goal is to see if we can pass the CGC test - the "Canine Good Citizen". That would be a big accomplishment for her. We'll see...I'm studying up on working with fearful dogs.

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Chicken ER?


Our kitchen has been home to two ailing chickens lately. One just is sick - it's very hard to determine exact cause with chickens. The other is this cute little Cochin chick, we've named "Chicken Nugget". A visiting dog got her tiny snout through the chicken wire & bit off most of his wing. I did NOT think he would make it, but after about two weeks of John & me bandaging him up daily, he is feeling great! He has gotten really tame & vigorously prefers John over the rest of us. (He squawks if anyone else holds him.) It's so amazing to me that even the simplest of creatures have their own little personalities.

Monday, June 21, 2010

John


Yesterday was Father's Day & I wanted to post something about John. I was too busy doing family stuff, dealing with little boy arguments & having a "Daddy's Day" swim at the pool though. So, today is the day...

I've been married to John for almost 15 years now & we've been parents together for 8. So, I know him well & I have to say that he is simply the very best man I know. He serves us, protects us, puts us first & makes us feel loved & secure. He is a humble guy & I doubt that many know what a gem he really is, but this man loves the four of us every day in a way that has helped me to understand God's love better - sacrificially, kindly, practically, and unconditionally. 

I AM SO THANKFUL FOR YOU JOHN!

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Busy!


I am currently taking care of 6 dogs (3 at my house & 3 at the neighbors), 2 horses, 5 bunnies, 2 fish, 1 cat, & 19 chickens, including a hen who is sick & a handicapped chick. A friend suggested I start calling myself a 'petting farm" & charging tickets.  

As far as the above pictures, I was recently trying to find a missing mini Dachshund & probably walked past the laundry basket several times before I spotted her nose! As long I can keep my eyes on my Creator & my sense of humor, I am OK. (Otherwise, I am TOAST!)

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Nathan

We talked to a very nice Pediatric Surgeon today & Nathan's surgery is tentatively set for July 2. Updates to follow.

Monday, June 14, 2010

Truth


"My friends, adoption is redemption. It's costly, exhausting, expensive, and outrageous. Buying back lives costs so much. When God set out to redeem us, it killed Him." Derek Loux .

Saturday, June 12, 2010

It Happened Today

I knew it would happen eventually & I prayed I would handle it well. Today was our first time & I think I did OK. I'm just still processing it though.

It was the first racial slur against one of my children & it felt like a cruel attack on our whole family & a painful jolt to my heart.

We were at the pool when the boys came to me & said a boy had called Nathan a bad word that started with "n". They weren't sure what the word was or what it meant but another child had informed them that it was mean. I remained calm & stone faced even though my heart must have been racing. I found out the boy's name & located his parents. I breathed a quick prayer for wisdom & then went over to introduce myself to them. I didn't attack. I explained to them what had happened & that I thought they would want to know their son had said such hurtful words. They were apologetic, embarassed. I felt bad for them. I assured them that I wasn't irrate, just wanted them to know. They gathered their kids & left right away. I felt sad.

I am one of those people who takes awhile to process, so I have no profound words to share about this yet. It was just my first time & it feels bizarre, unfair, and wrong.

My kids still don't know what exactly was said to them. Mark said he thought it might have been "nit wit" which made me smile. I LOVE that innocence but wonder when & how we should approach this issue. Seems to me that it will have to be soon whether I like it or not.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

New Construction/New Chickens/New Dog


John is building the new chicks a super-cool house. If they don't like it, I may move in myself - it's really nice! Right now they are in "baby housing" with a tiny grade wire they can't just walk right through. 

Juneau is tough to take pics of, because she is usually right in my face, but these are the best I've got yet. I don't think they do her justice. 

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Monday, June 7, 2010

Nervous!

I'm teaching a Dogs/Kids Safety class at 4H today. I've never done anything quite like this before & I'm definitely nervous! I'm also not feeling well - I think I may have gotten a touch of food poisoning yesterday. Ugh! I know my stuff but I hope I can communicate it well so the kids can learn to enjoy dogs more safely. Ben, my 11 year old Pit Bull mix, is coming along as my demo-dog.

My new dog, Juneau, is doing very well settling in with us. She has had very little training so is working hard to learn house manners. She is a willing student & it's fun to see her figuring things out. She was quite shocked that all the food in the kitchen was not for her. I can tell she thinks it makes no sense at all, but she's willing to accept it to be polite. 

I'm not sure how far I'll be able to take her in training, but I'm having fun finding out. Working with dogs is just a favorite creative outlet for me, I guess. 

Anyhow, off to the 4H class. I hope I don't pass out! Ha!

Friday, June 4, 2010

Chicks!


The chicks arrived about two weeks ago & are growing fast. We have 6 Australorps, 5 Silver Laced Wyandottes, & 3 Mottled Houdans, plus a bonus chick, that is a Cochin & has been named "Chicken Nugget". They are all cute & healthy but I can't wait to get them out of the kitchen & into their new home in the back yard.