Boys & Dogs

I LOVE boys and dogs! 

My house is full of them and that's how I like it. 

It's amazing how good they are for each other, all kinds of good therapy-type things happen. (Supervision is necessary of course!) 

Here's a sweet moment that happened today...my son, Nathan, reading with our six month old German Shepherd, Kaiser....

An aside...I weighed Kaiser today. He is 76 lb at six months. 

Twenty Years!

I can hardly believe John and I have now been married for twenty years. It went by so quickly which perhaps sounds cliche but is true, nonetheless. 

Wow. 

I knew when I got married that I was making a huge decision, but as the years go by, I realize it so much more seriously, deeply, solemnly, and in our case, with an utterly thankful heart. This man, my husband, is the best man I know. ❤️

Fostering for German Shepherd Rescue

I have become a foster volunteer for a great GSD rescue group! This is something I've considered doing for a long time and it just came together this Summer. The dogs are brought to us and we care  for them, get to know them, train them and love them for a minimum of two weeks. If we think they are ready for a forever family at that point, I post their pics and bio on the rescue website, Southeast German Shepherd Rescue.  

Our first foster girl arrived last week.

Casey, on her transport to our home

Some of the fur we removed as we worked on her long neglected coat, which is now beautiful. 

Casey and me. She's a good girl and is longing for a forever family of her own! 

Camping

We went camping in VA at the Grayson Highlands campground. I always feel like some kind of "magic" happens in a family when they go camping. Maybe it's the trimming down of our normal excess or the cramped quarters or just being outdoors the whole time? Something good happens though, even if it rains a lot and the dogs whine, and it's a long walk to the bathroom in the middle of the night. 

Kaiser was king of the pic nic table. The mist was so beautiful. 

Sam wasn't sure about staying in the tent all night and told me he wanted to go home a few times at first, but he learned that camping is fun! If getting dirty and grimy is a sign of a good time, then Sam had a fabulous one! 

We took a hike in a stunning area, walking under a canopy of blooming Rhododendron, but it rained us out about two miles in. It actually rained a great deal of the time we were there. 

Me. ☺️

June

Summer has begun for us. It's my favorite Season. I love the relaxed pace, warm weather and sunshine, time at the pool, no school. There's no down-side for me. 

We've been taking a few days trips. 

Sam was a bit nervous on this "horse" but loved it after Nathan got on up behind him. I love that they can enjoy such simple pleasures.

 

We're back to swim team four nights a week. It's a lot of work but I think it's worth it. The boys are very good swimmers and have a lot of fun too. (Nathan and his buddy)

My heart has been really hurting over the Charleston shooting and for our broken world in general. Jesus is our only hope for wholeness, healing, joy...and He is enough. He really is. 

Wedding Celebration

We went to a gorgeous stable yesterday for a wedding. From start to finish, it was full of love and fun and sincere sweetness and even Chic-fil-A for the reception! Sam loved the candy bags! If John and I were going have a renewing of our vows, I would want to have it there. It was perfect. 

Forever Family Day

We celebrated Sam's "Forever Family Day" yesterday! It's been two years since we got to bring him home forever! What a joy he is to our family! He is sweet and funny, sensitive and curious, smart and creative...and CUTE as can be! 

This was the first family pic we did with all six of us. Sam was two. 

This was taken this year, when we finally discovered where the missing baby Jesus (from crèche scene) had gone! 

Daddy and Sam in ND in April