RIP My Old Snoopy Doo

Today, we had to put our little Snoopy to sleep.  He was 14 years old.  What a sweet old man he was.  We got him in July of 2004.  He had severe separation anxiety.  He was a beautiful little man.  Stormy and Snoopy were the best of friends.  Whenever you picked him up- which he loved to be carried like a baby- you had to cover up his pee pee.  I don't know how many times he peed on me throughout the years.  He also suffered from seizures.  He was on prozac and meds for most of his life.  He was a happy dog.  He would sing and start up our doggie choir every morning and afternoon.  He would throw his head back with ears just a flapping and howl.  He loved having his chest rubbed. 

This year, he became blind based on old age.  He knew where everything was in his pen. This morning when I went to get him, he couldn't figure out how to  get out of his doghouse.  I knew it was time.  Dr. Mike agreed.  We seem to think he had another seizure during the night. 

I know he is in heaven having a good old time, but I am sure going to miss my little pee pee man. 

Funnies and Stories from the road....

Luke took Robert to Flag Football practice tonight.  I decided Asia and I needed some bonding time.  I took her to TaMolly's to eat.  It was 1.99 kids meal night after all!  We visited and chatted most of the time we were there.  That's a huge plus for us.  Some times when I try to bond with her, she sulls up and won't talk.  We have literally sat at a restaurant and said nothing to each other.  Well tonight, she was all talks and smiles. 

After dinner, we decided to go to Mills Park and walk.  She wanted to ride her scooter and a little energy release after one on one time is a good thing.  She told me in the car that today at school they learned about referees.  I'm thinking, ok, maybe P.E.  The more she talked- the more I realized it couldn't have been referees.  She talked about war times and how some of these "referees" had to leave with only the clothes they had.  She said, they walked miles and miles too!  It hit me, she was talking about REFUGEES, not REFEREES!  I then had to explain what a referee was.  LOL.

After our walk, we headed back to the house.  Usually when we have one on one time or counseling, it triggers something for them.  I wasn't as prepared as I would have liked.  We talked about how me and Luke are married.  How we fight sometime, but that we are always good the next day.  Asia said, "Well, sometimes you get mad at Robert and me, but it doesn't last very long."  I was thinking we were on a roll here.  Then, she says, "Mom, did you know sometimes girls marry girls?"  "And, someday I would like to have a baby."  ALL IN THE SAME BREATH.  Wow, not ready for this one.  I told her that yes, sometimes people make the decision to marry the same kinds of people.  I told her that while we are to love that person- we don't have to agree with their actions.  It's not what God would want for us.  I also told her that to have a baby, she'd have to be at least 45 and married.  She agreed- whew.....maybe! LOL!

Then it preceded to talk about jail.  That might have been triggered by driving by the detention center on the way home.  She asked me if I'd ever known anyone in jail.  I told her yes, and that it wasn't a good place to be.  She then started talking about her bad home....again.  She said if her Mom had kept her safe, then Moe wouldn't have beat them.  Then, she said, "Well, if my Mom (she called her by her name) kept us safe, Moe would beat her instead."  What do you say to that?  I told her, "Well, your Mom didn't keep you safe.  If she had, you wouldn't have ever met us."  We talked about the difference between spankings and "whoopings" as they call them.  She said, "It's a good thing Daddy doesn't have a belt with spikes."  I told her, "Yes, I cannot for the life of me see your Dad wearing a spiked belt." 

And just like that, we were home.  It was back to, "Do I need to brush my teeth?" "Can I put on my gown?"  But for the first time in a long time, I got a real hug from this kid.  One where her arms really pulled me in.  It felt nice.  Really nice.

Being a RAD Mom isn't easy by a long shot.  In fact, I'm still feeling like I'm in a tornado just from the car ride home.  Normal kids don't talk about their bad home, jail, beatings.  Heck, I never knew what DHS stood for as a kid.  It's sad really. 

But in all honesty, tonight for about 5 minutes, I might have made a difference in her life.  For 5 minutes, I felt like a real Mom.  I'll take that....referees and all!

Saline County Fair and Rodeo

We took the kids to the fair and rodeo here in town on Saturday night.  We had a blast!!!  The fair was free to get in.  We spent $20 bucks on tickets for them to use.  They rode the potato sack slide and seemed to enjoy it.  I remember doing that at the State Fair as a kid.  Mom and Dad let us ride that over and over.  We drank hot chocolate from a thermos and had a picnic at the fair. 

Anyway. After the potato sack ride, they went through a fun maze.  The last ride was the Carousel.  We were going to ride the Ferris wheel, but decided $20 bucks for that ride as a family wasn't worth it.  We checked out all the 4H animals- my favorite part of any county or state fair! Then, we grabbed some bottled water and headed into the Rodeo.

I think I enjoyed it more than anyone else.  I love seeing the animals and the smell of manure. There's just something about horses that have always been cool to me! Asia met a Rodeo Queen and even went down to get her autograph.  We watch Bull Riding, Calf Roping, Team Roping, and Barrel Racing.  Asia was impressed girls did this too! 

We didn't leave the fair until 11 o'clock that night.  It was a late night, but a fun one! The kids can now say they've been to a fair!

First Flag Football Game

Robert had his first upward game on Saturday.  He loved the idea of running through the tunnel.  Coach Zach did a great job with the team.  Upward is so much more low-key than Bryant Soccer Club.  Robert was able to focus the whole game and even got a few touches on the ball!  Of course, I know nothing about football, but we were all there as a family cheering him on.  That's all that matters!  Go Upward Volunteers!

RIP My Sweet Samson

Luke and I took Samson to Dr. Mike's this morning.  It was his time to go to the Rainbow Bridge.  It was a hard drive there.  We loved on him, talked to him, and kissed him a lot.  He was struggling to breathe, but I don't feel like he was suffering at this point.  Dr. Mike was teary eyed along with Levi.  Although it  was a tough thing to do, I wouldn't have been anywhere else. 

He was our baby.  I used to call him my "Big Old Brawny Man."  He loved canned dog food better than anything.  Last night, we treated him to a whole can.  We let him out of his pen to run in the yard and play with the whole family.  He ate the attention up. 

He wandered up to us on Mother's Day 2005 as a puppy.  I remember the first thing I said to him, "Well you're going to be a big dog."  and he was just that.  He was a 90lb gentle giant.  He loved to give kisses right up in your face.  He was terrified of thunderstorms.  His little short ears used to stand straight on end when something was bothering him. 

It's hard to believe he's in heaven now.  Putting one to sleep is the hardest thing to do.  I know he's in heaven and running free.  I simply could not ask for anything more.  My heart is breaking, but we did what was best for our old man.  Love you Samson!

Being a Daniel....

The Sista Girls recently went to see the movie War Room.  I cannot say enough good things about it and can't wait to see it again.  It changed my life.  I have always wanted a great relationship with the Lord and while we've been close before, my walk with God wasn't where it needed to be.  Like the movie, I was a lukewarm cup of coffee.  I came home and cleaned/straightened up my side of the closet.  I now have a place where I can hang scripture and feel close to Jesus. 

We recently started doing Beth Moore's study of Daniel.  I have done it before, but it's been a long time.  This week's homework related to Daniel 2:20-23:

“Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever;
    wisdom and power are his.
²¹ He changes times and seasons;
    he deposes kings and raises up others.
He gives wisdom to the wise
    and knowledge to the discerning.
²² He reveals deep and hidden things;
    he knows what lies in darkness,
    and light dwells with him.
²³ I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors:
    You have given me wisdom and power,
you have made known to me what we asked of you,
    you have made known to us the dream of the king.”

Beth encouraged us to pray these verses, making them personal to us.   I started doing that.  I've prayed before, but something about taking scripture and making it personal means so much more.  Luke and I have been wrestling with the idea of what to do with our Samson.  He's our 90lb. gentle giant.  He's such a sweet boy, but he's been really sick.  So, I started to pray with Samson in mind.  I know God can answer prayer.  I know He genuinely cares about me.  

Well, this morning, we got our answer to prayer.  I had a gut feeling all along that Samson has a tumor/cancer in his nose.  He hasn't been able to breathe well at all for several weeks.  He's been at Dr. Mike's off and on and  home on an antibiotic that is the strongest they make.  This morning, when I went to give him his injection, he had blood coming from his nose.  That was my answer.  That was the clarity I had been praying for.  I know what we have to do now.  It's not going to be easy, but it's the answer and peace I needed.  So in Daniel's words:

“Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever;
    wisdom and power are his.
²¹ He changes times and seasons;
    he deposes kings and raises up others.
He gives wisdom to the wise
    and knowledge to the discerning.
²² He reveals deep and hidden things;
    he knows what lies in darkness,
    and light dwells with him.
²³ I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors:
    You have given me wisdom regarding my sweet Samson;
you have made known to me what I asked of you,
    you have made known to us the dream of the king.”

While it's not easy sending one of your fur babies to heaven, I know it's what the Lord is asking me to do.  I've learned to some, it may just be a dog, but to me and MY God, it's a family member.  It's important to me, and you can bet your bottom dollar it's sure important to Him.  I'm not looking forward to Tuesday, but I know my God has my back.  

So, if you are struggling with something, claim Daniel 2:20-23.  You might just learn something that makes you smile in the midst of struggle and tears. 

Asia's New Dance Class

Asia is in a 2 hour dance class this year.  She loves it.  I think she loves tap the most because it's so noisy!  I got her a dance shirt to wear- it's a little big- and some new tights.  She couldn't wait to put it on.  This troupe has a costume they need to purchase.  The kids are going to sell cookie dough to raise money for their outfit.  Asia was excited about that.  We're looking forward to a fun year of  dance!