I recently started a Pinterest account, and in trying to fill up my “boards”, I found a home design website that gives thousands of ideas for all areas of the home. In scrolling through it, one of the rooms had vinyl lettering on the wall that said “The best things in life aren’t things”, and it was surrounded by pictures of their kids. I Loved It!

I know that feeling. Hannah is not only my mini-me in looks, but in personality too. Like me, she’s not a morning person. Like me, she’d rather eat carbs than just about anything. Like me (or at least like I use to be before having three kids), she’s pretty laid back and a go with the flow kind of person. Unless Reagan is tormenting her. I was an only child, or I probably would have reacted the same way. As I mentioned, neither of us is a morning person. Getting up for school can be pretty challenging, especially if she didn’t get enough sleep. We moved her bedtime up to get her in bed as close to 7 as possible, and most times she’s asleep 10 minutes after we put her to bed. But even with 10 1/2 or 11 hours of sleep, morning can still be rough. So days like today, when she wakes up with a smile on her face (instead of a growl, like me – just ask Zale, poor guy), it’s one of the best things in the world. And as I watched her walk into school with a spring in her step and see her turn to greet a friend with a smile on her face, it was just the best. I wish I could have captured the moment with a camera, but it’s forever imprinted in my mind.

As I looked at this home design sight I found myself dreaming of having some of these rooms in our home, or having a home big enough for them. But I have to stop myself and remember, it’s not things that make us happy and bring us joy. Maybe for a moment they make us happy, but not long term. And I would much rather have our modest little home, and it be a home, than have a huge house with little joy.

Saturday afternoon we had a family dinner, and those are some of the best things in life too. (If I could restrain Reagan from beating up our company, she’s an intense little girl. The more she likes you the more she wants to play, and the girl can get rough!) Hearing the laughter in the house, even some of us on the floor to play with the puppies, talking about anything and everything, but spending time with those we love. Those are the best things.

Hearing Anthony and Jake (Anthony’s best friend that’s been living with us since last summer) laughing through the walls, is one of the best sounds ever. (Except when it’s 2AM and I’m trying to sleep.) Seeing Anthony’s unguarded smile, which doesn’t happen very often, so I treasure it all the more when I do see it. Those are the best things.

Having an amazing marriage with a wonderful husband who’s first priority is to be a man of God, hearing the girls giggle while they play (when they’re not fighting to the death), watching the dogs play tug of war and prance through the house. Having a great relationship with my Dad, knowing we can talk about anything and I can tell him anything without judgement, but only with unconditional love. Those are the best things.

So internet, I challenge you to count your blessings, thank God for them, and think about “The best things” that really matter in life and the joy that they bring.

aww....maybe they do like each other

The picture is a little dark…but you get the idea. After a hard afternoon of “play”, these two finally gave it up to take a nap. I think this is the only time they have been on the bed together, but I’m sure it won’t be the last. At one point Mason had his head on Abby, but they moved before I could get my camera. Abby and Mason are starting to get into a routine, thankfully, they sleep through the night (for the most part), but are ready to go as soon as they see signs someone is awake. They spend the first couple of hours tearing up the living room together. There is debris all over the floor from the chew toy (I need to invest in more Kong toys), and yesterday morning they managed to knock the ottoman out of their way so they would have the whole living room floor to “play”. Then it’s time for their morning nap. They wake up and repeat the cycle. I’ll be so glad when I can turn them loose in the back yard to really get that energy out of their systems. But Mason still has a few days to go before he can go all out.

Mason after chewing on his bone..or maybe it was Abby's. They trade a lot.

I think Abby was ready for a nap...

And yes, the ottoman being out of place was their doing.

A rare moment of rest for Mason after about an hour of play

Abby didn't want to be left out of the picture...she's such a ham!

I’ve given up hope of keeping the floors clean, between the toy debris, bones, and dog hair. But so what, the joy these little guys bring, and knowing they have a happy home is worth it! Don’t forget to check out Middle Tennessee Boxer Rescue if you’re in need for some unconditional love and affection in your home!

I had a pastor once who joked about the US being so rich that we even build houses for our cars. And he’s right.We are a rich nation. For now anyway. I try to stay away from the news, not because I don’t want to be informed, but because it usually just pisses me off. (Excuse my language, but there’s really no other way to say it) I’m so sick of hearing complaints about the rich getting richer while the poor gets “poorer”. Your life is only going to be what you make of it. What you allow God to do in it. The more obedient we are to God’s leading, the more he will bless us. Not always with material things, but always with the things that really matter.  

I know there are times when people are are forced into homelessness because of bad circumstances, and I grieve for those people. But I also know there are times when they choose to be that way. I can hear it now, “You’ve got to be kidding, who would choose to be homeless?” But it’s true.

We’ve had a homeless person turn away food that we offered, I’ve known of families to choose to live off of foodstamps and welfare. Even though they were perfectly capable of getting out there and getting jobs. Not for all, but for many it comes down to this entitlement mentality. That we are owed something and that everything should just be set at our feet. The Bible even says if a man doesn’t work he doesn’t eat. And for the times that people need help, it’s the church that is supposed to provide it, not the government.

A lifetime ago I was on foodstamps and state funded health insurance. And I hated it. I was so happy to be able to call DHS and say I don’t need it anymore, please take me off the services. I knew it was not the life I wanted for myself or (at the time) my son. It wasn’t an example I wanted him to grow up around.

I wanted more in life than the bare minimum. And I worked hard for it and got it. But during that time I knew people who were very content to stay at home as much as possible, do as little as possible, and just expected the state to send them a monthly check and food stamps. I knew one guy who got fired for stealing from his employeer, and then got mad when he couldn’t draw unemployment. Really?! It’s that mindset that drives me crazy.

There isn’t anything in this world that we can’t accomplish if we just put our minds to it. We try to tell our kids “you can do ANYTHING and be ANYTHING you want”. Do we lose sight of that as we get older? Or do things just get too hard, so we give up?

It’s also been my experience that the ones who claim to hate the rich so much are the ones trying to find an “easy” way to get that way. I know one couple who plays the lottery and are constantly coming up with “get rich quick” scheams, instead of just buckling down and working hard for it.  So it seems as though they just don’t like the “rich” because they aren’t one of them. But they have a big house, one for their cars, land, and lots of material things, so I would consider them “rich”, but maybe it’s just not enough for them.

I’ll get off my soapbox now, but just let me end with this. People should take RESPONSIBILITY for their own actions. Stop blaming the “rich” or anyone else for their lot in life. If you’re not satisfied with how things are going or what you have, then do something about it. Stop bitching about it and expecting the government to provide you with what you want. Make a success story out of your life! In my opinion, the best way to do that is to seek God first, follow His leading, and stand in awe at His blessings for you and your family!

As I’ve blogged about before, we adopted Abby from the Middle Tennessee Boxer Rescue. They do such a wonderful job rescuing Boxers from bad situations, or taking dogs in who’s Family’s can’t keep them anymore. In this case, MTBR took in a Mama and a pup who were found of the side of the highway.

The Mama was full bred boxer, but the pup’s father is unknown, and not a boxer. German Shepard maybe?  I’m guessing that since the pup wasn’t a full bred boxer it wasn’t being adopted as quickly as most puppies are. I knew the rescue was full and volunteers were taking dogs home to accommodate them all. Not to mention a waiting list for owners/families who are trying to surrender their Boxers. So we offered to foster the little guy until MTBR could find him a “furever” home.

On Friday, I picked Hannah up from school and we headed to MTBR’s vet to pick him up.

Mason

Like many foster families, it doesn’t always work the way you intend for it to. MTBR has a great foster program. They supply the dog’s food, pay for vet bills, and even supply a crate if you need one. Your only job as a foster family is to love on the dogs and maybe take them to a meet and greet to meet other families. But they will even provide transportation for the dogs if you’re not able to take them. I FULLY intended on this being a foster dog. BUT, within 24 hours Zale was entertaining the idea of keeping him.

Add to that, we had a family get together yesterday afternoon, and everyone talked about how good of a dog he is and what a good addition he would make to our family. So today, I looked at Zale and said, “are we keeping him?”. Zale said, “yea, I’d like to”. After a couple of e mails with MTBR it was official, he has a new “furever” home. 

I guess we’re going to have to get out of the fostering business….the Dowlen INN is full.

As I look through previous posts I realized that I’ve not shown a picture of Abby since the weekend we got her. She’s changed quite a bit! When we got her she weighed 22 pounds, at last weigh in she was up to 45. She’s 8 months old now, so still some growing to do.

Having fun in the back yard

Yep, his name is Judge. Which I have to admit fits him better than “Gibbs” did. Not that I don’t still want to have pets named Abby (mission accomplished) and Gibbs after the characters from NCIS. I admit it, maybe I like the show a little too much. Anyway…..

This morning Reagan and I took Gibbs/Judge to the two Vets in town, sent pictures by e mail to other local vets, and called the Sumner Co shelter to see if anyone had called about him. I left my number with everyone and headed home. The Vets checked to make sure he didn’t have a locator chip, which he didn’t, and no one recognized him. Well, one vet tech thought she might have seen him before, but this dog is so beautiful, I don’t care how many animals you treat, you’ll remember this one! The pictures I took just don’t do him justice!

Within an hour of coming home I got a call from the neighbor of the owner. She happened to call one of the vets offices to see if they had heard anything. She was worried about him since it’s been so cold here the last few night. Temps down in the teens. My heart sank a little when she told me his name and he instantly responded to it. I was especially sad after finding out that he’s kept outside in a pen (that is too small for a dog this size) 24/7.  But when his owner came to get him, Judge seemed happy enough to see him. He lives less than a mile from our house, on a frequently traveled road, so at least we can drive by and wave at him every now and then.

On a brighter note, I had a good idea for names if we ever do have a couple of German Shepards or maybe Mastiffs, especially with Zale being an attorney. Judge and Jury.   And I do think Abby might sleep for a couple of days straight. She and Judge played non stop for 2 days. This is a lot more excitement than she’s use to. In fact, she’s snoring like a man right now. Totally exhausted. Good luck Judge! We will miss you!

Gibbs, during a rare moment of rest

Depending on what happens over the next few days, we may have a new addition to our already busting at the seams house. Yesterday afternoon there was a German Shepard going door to door through our neighborhood trying to get in to anyone’s house. It was a dog we’ve never seen before, with a collar, but no tags. These last two days have been painfully cold, and leaving this furry guy outside over night just wasn’t an option. We tried calling the city animal control, but were told we don’t have one anymore. So we called the county animal shelter, but they had already closed for the day. Local vets offices had also closed.

Abby was going crazy in the house, so I let her outside where she had already spotted him, and with one on each side of the fence, they were running the length of the fence together. No aggression, just playing. I cautiously went outside to see just how friendly he was and to see if he had tags. He joyfully ran up to me, stopped, sat down, and leaned into me for some lovin. There weren’t any identifing tags and he seemed more excited than hungry. So we put him in the fence with Abby and they played for hours. After awhile we brought him in to see how he reacted with everyone, especially the girls. In the middle of all of this I’m calling my Dad (he already has 2 GSDs) and our vet for advice, and Zale is getting smitten with this huge German Shepard PUPPY.

We posted on Facebook and Craigslist in case someone was missing him, but we’re wondering if maybe he wasn’t dropped off in the neighborhood. In the morning I’ll take him to the vet to see if he has a locator chip, and will e mail his pics to the local vets offices. But after spending a very short amount of time with this gorgeous creature, there’s no doubt if we can’t find his home, he’ll have one here. And if we do find his home, Zale has informed me we’re getting another one.

Even though he kept me up ALL NIGHT LONG! I’ve been a walking zombie today, and have never known a dog to not sleep. But in the 30 hours or so that he’s been with us, I’ve seen him take two 5 or 10 minute naps. Hopefully he will sleep well tonight!

Do you ever think back to your childhood and remember the things you swore you would never do? Zale, my husband, posted on Facebook some time ago that he always swore he would never yell at his kids, but that was before he met them. HaHa. I swore the same thing, before I had Reagan. And sometimes you just have to raise your voice to be heard over her screaming like a banshie. Thankfully as she gets older, the screaming fits are fewer and things are much quieter in this house!

But here are some things that I swore I would never do as an adult (mainly because of bad experiences through my step father), and for most of them, I find myself eating crow…just like my Grandma Polk said I would. She probably still has the list somewhere.

Bellbottom jeans….I grew up in the 80s, so thankfully I missed the 70s style. But Grandma swore it would come back around. Thankfully, the bellbottom trend hasn’t quite returned, unless you count the bootcut jeans. I don’t like those either. I stand firm on this one. Even if they come back with a vengance, I will never be seen in a pair of bellbottom jeans!

Camping….My one and only “camping” experience as a child was not a good one. There were some…how should I say this…”issues” going on with my step father where DHS was involved.  I was just 10 so I didn’t know the full story, but what I remember happening was being picked up from school in the middle of the day for a “camping trip”. Except there wasn’t a tent or real camper involved. Instead it was a mattress in the back of a pick up truck that had a topper on it. My step father, Mom, and I slept in the back of the truck at a campsite for a few nights.  No one knew where we were and of course that was years before the internet, laptops,  and cell phones.  I guess it couldn’t really be called kidnapping since my Mom had custody of me, but it did not leave a good taste in my mouth for camping. We didn’t even have smores! As a result, this was one of the things I swore I would never do again. The outdoors was not for me!

Many years later, enter Zale who loved camping, I was still skeptical, and Anthony being in the scouts when he was in 3rd or 4th grade. I was really dreading the camp out, but didn’t want Anthony to miss out on the experience. So I sucked it up and went. And had an amazing time!!! Even though it rained. (And rains almost every single time we go camping) Who knew that food tastes so much better cooked over an open fire!? Playing cards with friends outside on the picnic tables during the day. Taking hikes, and my favorite part, huddling around the fire at night with friends, talking and laughing while roasting marshmallows. And there’s just something about waking up early in the morning (and I am so not a morning person!), steping out of the tent and looking out at the river, or hearing a barge late at night.  With the girls being so young (and us being broke most of the time over the past few years), we haven’t gone camping near as much as we would like. But hopefuly that will change in the near future.

Next, having a garden…When I was 8 or 9  my Mom and step father put in a garden on his 12 acre farm. In my young mind it was huge and seemed to take up a full acre. But I’m sure that wasn’t the case. At first, they did all the work and I would sit around most of the day playing with the Old English Sheep Dog (I think her name was Sheba) or reading. One day I made the mistake of saying I was bored, that the hoeing Mom was doing looked like fun, and could I try. About 5 minutes later I was wishing I could take those words back. From that point on, every day that summer I hoed weeds, row after row, in that garden. Except for the week we went to Florida, or the weekends I was at my Dad’s.  I’m pretty sure I swore every single day I was out there that I would never ever have a garden.

Once again, enter Zale. In his preperation for the Commie, Zombie, Alien, Viral, Apocalypse he’s gearing up to put in a garden and even looking to can whatever we get from the garden. Admittedly I have done some eye rolling over this whole thing. But I’m starting to see the value and cost savings in doing this. As Zale knows my history, he wisely hasn’t asked me to do anything with this garden or the canning process. But the girls are getting excited about it, and in their excitement, I can see myself out there helping them take care of it. Of course our garden will probably be a tenth of the size of one on the farm, so that helps. But once again I’ll be eating crow in the next few months. I’m sure some vitiman D will be good for me.

Lesson to be learned, never say never.

p.s. please excuse any spelling errors…for some reason spell check isn’t working right now.