December 30, 2008

A Special Lunch with a Special Friend

Ever have someone in your life that was extra special and clearly sent by God? In our lives it is Natalie, Dani's long-time speech therapist and friend. Natalie worked with Dani for well over ten years and she and Dani became the best of friends.

About two to three times a year we meet for lunch to visit and catch up on things and it's always a super special time for Dani. Today we met Natalie for our annual Christmas lunch and gift exchange. Natalie gave Dani some beloved pink bracelets and decorated socks. (Natalie used to wear socks with fun designs which always caught Dani's attention. It's their special bond.) Dani gave Natalie dainty pink and brown polka dot Post-it Notes and showed her the new books her brother, Drew, bought her for Christmas.






Since Dani is so limited in her ability to communicate she has virtually no friends to play with. Such a dear friend and therapist is special beyond words. Thank you Natalie for all you've done and still do for our little Dani and thank you Lord for sending Natalie our way!

December 26, 2008

Pup Update...

Drew, Lyla, and her nine pups came home this week for Christmas. He walked in with a television box full of rambunctious bundles of fur and the first words out of his mouth were, "Mom, I don't think I can take them all in the car again. Pilgrim keeps trying to climb out while I'm driving!" Thank the good Lord they all made it home safe and sound. 

Jimmy set up a live webcam for those interested in choosing a pup or watching the one they've chosen and while we were at my sister's home last night, we watched them sleep and play. Though seeing poo on a towel drove me nuts, because I wasn't there to clean it up, it was utterly amazing to watch these little guys from 45 miles away. What's even more astonishing is we can also watch them on Jimmy's phone via the Internet. I don't know what man will think of next, but I do know that all these modern marvels just make me love God all the more. After all, we were made in His image and no matter what new amazing gadget we may come up with, He is the great creator of all things and nothing man can ever come up with will ever match His wonderful glory and vast wisdom. He's named all the stars in the sky, knows the number of hairs on our head, lives beyond the bounds of time, and is far more creative than man will ever be. What a wonderful God we serve and what a privilege to celebrate the birth of His Son Jesus Christ during this holiday season!

The pups are four weeks old and totally weaned. Drew had to get back to work in Springfield, so he and Lyla headed back yesterday. The workload for him would be almost too much for him to handle on his own so we decided the pups should stay with us. Jimmy and I take shifts with their care. Last night he fed and played with them at midnight, then I woke to repeat the process this morning at 8 am. The procedure is always the same, they wake a bustling ball of energy, head for the cafeteria, make their way to the latrine, climb all over us for some lovin' and play, and then fall fast asleep atop one another. We have homes for five pups, two more potential takers, and two weeks to find homes for them all. One good thing about taking care of all nine is that it will make adjusting to Cocoa Bean joining our family a cinch. After all, what's one pup?

PUPPER CAM

December 25, 2008

Happy Birthday Jesus!

I love how the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir performed this song and thrilled to have it on file to listen to whenever my heart desires. Take a moment to wish Jesus happy birthday, enjoy the music and lights, and have a blessed Christmas!



John 8:12 "When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”


December 20, 2008

The "Passion" of the Season

I can feel Christmas approaching. The beautiful lights, bustling crowds, and passion for the season abounds. Jimmy and I witnessed some "strong emotion" just the other day as a young lady in the Target parking lot began yelling out her car window for another woman to put a coat on her child. We got in on the last half of the interchange, but apparently the mother couldn't get her child (about three years old) to wear a coat. It was indeed quite cold but mercy what mother hasn't gone through that? The young woman in the car looked like a college age student, so I chose to assume she had no children and is still idealistic when it comes to raising children. Perhaps one day she will understand how intricate, delicate, and exhausting it is to raise another little human being. Sometimes you just can't win for losing. 

Then, my sister and I bathed ourselves in the bustling crowds of Wal Mart as we camped in an immovable line for 30 minutes. It was noon on Wednesday and who would have thought they wouldn't have had more checkers on duty the week before Christmas. The human check out lines were so long they ran into the clothing department, so I told my sister I'd show her how to do the self check. I thought for sure it would be faster, but no. With a cart too full to abandon we stuck it out, but it wasn't fun. We had a wonderful visit though!

Then Jimmy and I went to the mall yesterday. We found cologne for our son, but not one single solitary thing for Dani. Do you have any idea how hard it is to buy for an Autistic child? It's beyond awful. I wanted knee-hi socks for her to wear with her boots, but all I could find were ankle socks. I've been to Wal Mart, Pennys, Macys, and Dillards looking for these silly socks, all to no avail. If Target doesn't pull through we are out of options. She has one thing under the tree and time is wasting! She loves candies and cookies, so I think I'm gonna buy a cookie mix and put it under the tree so she can bake cookies. She'll be thrilled but what an odd gift.

Drew has taken Lyla and her puppies home for the weekend. He just texted me and told me the pups woke him at 2:30am. He worked till 11pm last night and had to be back to work at 6am this morning. He has no idea how this is preparing him for fatherhood! He'll be back here with the pups Monday through Christmas Eve and we can't wait. After the clan left yesterday Jimmy went in to check on the pups twice, only to find an empty pen. There is nothing like having a hankerin' to hold a pup and having a choice of nine to chose from. Sometimes we just sit in the pen and let them crawl all over us until they fall asleep. It makes you feel so special. Since many of you have asked, Jimmy and I have chosen the dark brown pup (formerly Hoss) and his new name is "Cocoa Bean." We'll get him in mid January. 

How is your holiday season coming along? Do you have your shopping done? Who is hardest to buy for on your list and what are you looking forward to most? Dear sister, I pray you stay safe, warm, and happy. Above all let's love and pray for one another even when we think someone isn't parenting well, we're forces to stand in long lines, or can't find a gift for that special someone. May we never feel compelled to judge or condemn, but rather love one another with the love of Christ!

 
1Peter 3:8 "Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble."

Update: Found the socks. Target rocks!


December 17, 2008

Who May Approach God?


Psalm 24:4-6 

"He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false. He will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from God his Savior. Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, O God of Jacob."

It's easy to get caught up in the concerns of the day and wonder where God is. Since God is holy and perfect, He never changes. We on the other hand continually flex and flow with the changing of the tides. 

Psalm 24 tells us precisely where God is and how we can find Him:
  1. God is found among "clean hands" or guiltless actions.
  2. God dwells among those with a "pure (sincere) heart."
  3. God is repelled when we "lift our soul" to worship anything other than Him.
  4. God cannot reside in a heart that "swears by what is false" or lies under oath.
In a nutshell, when we line our actions and attitudes up with God...He will be found. Like a magnet, all things pure are drawn to Him. Ladies, let that be us today.

"Dear heavenly Father, purify my heart, mind, and body. Sandblast the walls of my heart, removing all that is unholy. Fill me with your love and compassion and rid me of any wrong attitudes. Expose any false idols I may harbor within and lead me to your throne. Guide me in your ways and grant me the blessings of your righteousness,  for you O Lord are God!  Amen."

December 13, 2008

New Kitchy Floor


My Jimmy (who is handier than a pocket on a shirt)
finished installing our new wood kitchen floor
 just in time for my birthday today.
You did a fabulous job dear.
Thanks!

December 10, 2008

Mother's Day Out

We received our first snow of the season here in Kansas City, which allowed Lyla some time away from her pups.

Lyla

Lyla and Ecclesiastes


Have any of you received snow yet?

December 6, 2008

Various Sundry Saturday

I left the blog open for giveaway entries this week and things have piled up, so today is Various Sundry Saturday; a little of this and a little of that. 

NECK DIAGNOSIS: Did I ever tell you what was wrong with my neck that rendered me totally incapacitated three weeks ago? It's called "Acute Torticollis" and is basically the biggest pain in the neck a person can possibly have. It is a painful muscle spasm in the neck, similar to having a charlie horse in your leg. It's a pain I would not wish on my worst enemy, except maybe a terrorist. I hope in your lifetime you are aware of acute torticollis but never experience it for yourself.

ROCKS IN THE SINK: Jimmy, Dani, and I went to Best Buy the other day and upon arrival paid the restroom a visit. You're not going to believe it but all three sinks in the ladies restroom had about seven smooth stones, the size of the palm of your hand, placed in each bowl. As we washed our hands Dani looked at me and pointed into her sink as if to say, "Why are there are rocks in my sink?" I didn't know what to tell her, so I shrugged my shoulders and scrunched my mouth. On the way out the door Jimmy was passing by so I asked him if the men's bathroom had rocks in the sinks. His puzzled look confirmed it did not, so I grabbed his arm and said, "Nobody is in there. You gotta see the rocks in our sinks!" 

Now ladies, is this a new trend? Do you have rocks in your local sinks? I have never seen such a thing.


JEALOUS ECCLESIASTES: Ecclesi has been booted out of his bedroom and is kind of sick of hearing about the pups. To make him feel special Jimmy gave him a bubble bath and then he enjoyed watching me decorate the tree.







NEW BED FOR THE PUPS: The pups are trying to crawl and will soon be running around. Jimmy constructed their new home by laying down a plywood floor and putting up higher walls. Now mom and babes have a mansion.

The wait...

The move in.


December 5, 2008

And the Winner is...

I am pleased to announce Barbara as the winner of the Olive Leaf Ministries holiday giveaway. Barbara was the ninth blogger to enter the contest and since we have nine new puppies, nine was the number to be.

Thank you ladies for entering the giveaway. I look forward to doing this again soon!

December 1, 2008

Christmas Giveaway!

ENTER TO WIN AND TELL A FRIEND! 

(Giveaway ends Friday, December 5th at 6pm CST)