First Puppy + Kids

So, you think you want a puppy?

If you have had a puppy before, this is not for you. If you have never had a puppy, like me. If you grew up a bit afraid of dogs as a kid, like me. If you have 3 kids or more 6 and under, like me. If you think you want a puppy, like me- then this post is for you.

First of all our 4 year old is petrified of dogs, so much so she'd rather sit in the car when we visit family for the holidays then go in where they have 2 dogs. She gets hysterical and it is tearful and loud.

Growing up I was scared of dogs, but not like my girl.

Since our oldest is 6 and our young 2 it seemed the time was right for a puppy. I have been searching the past year and doing lots of research on breeds and prices, etc.

I had come to the conclusion that I wanted a Sheltie- Shetland Sheepdog for these reasons:

• easy to train- (extremely intelligent). 
• can be kid friendly
• looks like a collie (my favorite dog). 
• small size (ours will be a house dog). 

However, they are very expensive with documents. So I spent the last year keeping an eye out for ones that would be available without documents in our price range.

One month ago that moment came- and our visit to the dog family went well. I was very impressed with the Mother dog's personality- she was sweet, quiet, not too loud or barky (shelties are very vocal) and she was good with the kids.

We reserved our puppy and one week ago we brought her home.

Never having had a dog before I was totally unprepared for some of the things that come along with having a puppy and so I want to share those with you:

• Your puppy will wake up early, every day and need to go out. As in early I mean BEFORE 6.a.m. After that she will want to eat and her day will start, no more sleeping for you. 
• Your puppy will bark at you and growl and nip- she isn't angry. She may want to play, she may want something to chew, she may want to go outside (and I am still learning what else she may want). 
• Your puppy may not be able to stop going potty mid-stream and keep right on going while you carry her to the "right" spot. 
• Your puppy may not like going potty outside after having learned to go on the potty pad and it may take a while before she accepts that idea. 
• Your puppy will get VERY distracted when you take her outside and may forget she even needed to go potty. 
• Your puppy will jump on you- what will you do? 
• Your puppy will ignore you like your kids do while you are beginning to train her. 
• Your puppy will have crazy moments every day where she bounces off the walls and needs to get out her growling and puppy crazies with a good squeaky toy. (She is normal and not aggressive by the way)  

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• Your 2 year old may not like having a puppy smell him and might kick at her until he learns to respect her (NEVER leave your kids and puppy alone). 

 That is what I have learned one week into having a puppy and even though it is harder then I expected and I feel extremely sleep deprived because I am NOT a morning person it is also great to have a little furry puppy to go on a walk with- despite her wanting to stop and sit when she doesn't want to go.

Having my niece here has made a huge difference, she is a great helper and has also showed me that getting a puppy when your kids are 6 and under isn't the best time, and it would have been better to wait until my oldest was about 10.

So, if you think you want a puppy, KNOW that it will be a ton of hard work by YOU, unless your kids are older and can help train and teach her.

So without further adieu, I now present to you Lassie (named by our kids)

A Crazy, Rainy Day

I've a wedding cake to make later in the week, and with that in mind I took my 3 kids, the puppy and my niece on a quick supplies trip to the city.

But our muffler was getting louder and one bump was enough to knock it free and dragging. Thankfully we were close enough to my final stop that I got there and went in to get my supplies. I called my husband for ideas of what to do. . .

When checking out I asked the cashier if one of the men who worked there was handy with cars and would be able to tie my muffler up so that I could get home. She sent me two guys and in the RAIN that got down and had a look. Then they drove up with their forklift to lift the car enough that they could get underneath it.

The kids were waiting patiently all the time in the car and I was so thankful when the guys were able to secure the muffler with some wire. They both also refused the money I offered them for their help. I thanked them profusely for being so helpful so I could drive home. And told my son that that is the way men need to help those in need- not expecting anything in return.

Then began the seemingly long drive home with a VERY loud car- and me avoiding the gas as much as humanly possible in order to drive oneself forward. It was a long, embarrassing drive since my car was as loud as a race car. and my son was sure everyone was scared by us since they seemed to be all driving around us ( I was just driving slowly to avoid the gas). :)

Thank God for:
-sending us men to help.
-that it broke in place not far from our destination.
-that we got home ok.
-for HIS goodness to us.

For my Daddy on Father's Day

Dad, I want to thank you for caring and making your love for us known. Every year I have FELT your love as you tell the story of my birth and your great joy. Thank you for verbally affirming me , those words will go with me forever. 

Thank you for taking us fishing with you. I remember going bass fishing in the middle of the night with you and how there were tons of centipedes crawling everywhere on the boat ramp in the water. Thanks for teaching us to appreciate God’s creation by spending time in it. 

Thank you for the hours of reading and many books you read us growing up. Those stories shaped my dreams and inspired me to be who I am today. You helped me learn to love reading by reading to us. 

Thank you for setting an example to us in word and deed. You have been the person in private that you portrayed in the pulpit. Thank you for setting a good example to us. 

Thanks for never being too proud to do humble jobs, whether it be washing dishes, or changing diapers. You’ve always been willing to help where it was needed. Thanks for showing me to be that way. 

Thanks for caring for the elderly. I loved going to the nursing homes with you all those Sundays and singing with you and playing the piano. Thanks for teaching me to be kind and friendly to those older than us- even if that is just giving a warm hello and a friendly hand-shake. You taught me that being old is nothing to be feared by the hours we spent serving in the nursing homes. 

Thanks for encouraging me in my dreams, and believing in me. 

Thanks for the blessings you gave us every night growing up. Those prayers of blessing cling to me now and remind me that You and God are with me! 

Dad- there are so many memories that I could recall of fun times growing up. But I wanted you to know that I value you and the hard work and sacrifice you invested in us kids growing up. 

You have been a great Dad, the BEST. 

I love you!

The Case of the MIssing Tooth

One day my D-boy woke up and we realized his loose tooth was gone. He was as shocked as anyone and we all wondered if he has swallowed it, or if it had got stuck in some hard food, or what.

Later I decided it must have fallen out in his sleep because he does grind his teeth at night. So D-boy decided to look for it. Sure enough he found it near his pillow.

Wow, just shy of 6 years old and he has already lost his first tooth. It is hard to believe my kids are now getting old enough to lose teeth. What will be next? ! 

Happy Birthday Sweet Cousin

Somewhere out there in this big wide world I have a cousin who has a birthday today.

I don't have your address or phone number. I don't know what you are doing or even where you live. But what I do know is that today is your birthday.

I have always thought you a pretty, lovely lady. Since you were the oldest of the cousins and I was the second oldest female cousin I always admired you. I loved how you were elegant, and feminine and able to express yourself through acting. Yet at the same time you knew how to play with the boys- you even played those big games of football at Thanksgiving. Wow!

I remember how when we all lived at Grandma's house you used to turn on some nice loud music and clean the house. Somehow that stuck with me and I like doing that too. It gets me moving and helps me stay cheerful while cleaning.

I loved dressing up with gals and walking around Wheaton one fine day. It was fun to be fine ladies together.

I loved the way you talk- always so clear and you were so great at doing accents. I'd love to see you interacting with your kids now. . . 

I love you dear cousin, wherever you are. I wish that we could keep in touch despite the distance and all the changes life has brought. I know people just drift apart- but I wanted you to know, wherever you are I am thinking about you, and I admire you!

Blessings on your birthday!