Chewie Martini

Chewie had surgery last week and has been sporting the cone of shame. My friend captured this pic and coined it a Chewtini.



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Wordless Wednesday

We got this in the mail today.  It both warmed and broke my heart all at the same time.

Inside was a handwritten note from the doctor who saw us the night we took Scruffy to the emergency vet.

Love, hugs, and blessings,
The Mama

Today

Heartbreak is life educating us  ~George Bernard Shaw~

Today was a hard day.  

It started at 4:30 when Mini-Me came in to my bed asking for Scruffy.  I hadn't slept, and knew that breaking the news to her would mean no sleep until tonight.  

"Where is Scruffy?"

"He was very sick.  He died, Honey.  He's in Doggy Heaven."

"Oh.  But he was my favorite dog.  I miss him.  And I prayed a Hail Mary for him so he should come home!" (tears are starting to flow at this point)

"I know.  I'm sad too.  It's okay to be sad.  We loved him very much."

"Mommy, does Scruffy have a habitat in Heaven?"

"Um, a habitat?"

"Yeah, mommy, a habitat... like fish have habitats in the sea, and butterflies have habitats.  I bet he has a habitat in Doggie Heaven.  It has birds.  And butterflies.  Birds communicate, 'ya know.  They communicate by tweeting. "

"Yes... they do.  Did you learn about habitats in school?"

"No Mommy, we haven't learned that yet.  I just know it.  That's all."

Today was hard.  There were some tears, some questions, and a lot of quiet moments.  I watched as my oldest child dealt with grief for the first time in her young life.  I learned so much from her.  She is incredibly wise for her age.  Tonight, as I tucked each of my children into bed, I thanked God for them and for the blessing of having Scruffy in our lives.  And I silently promised them that tomorrow would be better.  And the next day after that, and the day after that...

And as I snuggled with my Mini-Me 16 hours after I first broke the news to her, she nestled her face in my neck and cried.  

"I'm heartbroken" she sobbed.  

"Me too..." I replied as a tear dropped from my own eye onto her long brown hair.  And as her heart broke for Scruffy, mine broke for her.  Because losing someone you love is a necessary lesson that you never want to have to learn.  

Love, hugs, and blessings,

The Mama

Edible

Being a parent, I have learned that when you spend most of your days with your belly parallel to the floor, nothing is considered off limits when it comes to what you can - and are willing - to try to eat.

This no-holds-bar approach to consumption is universal for two and four legged belly-down-movers.

My nine month old puts everything in her mouth. Fortunately, her gag reflex is faster than my fingers so very little actually has the opportunity to travel to her tiny belly.

I wish I could say the same was true for my babies with tails and fur.

The latest victim in the quest to consume anything that's not tied down was Barbie.


Chewie, my friend, you were named after Chewbacca from Star Wars. Get it right. I can assure you that you will not have nearly as much fun getting that arm out of your body as you had getting it into your mouth.

Love, hugs, and blessings,
The Mama

Unitled

Dear Family,
First of all, let me tell you how much I love you. I adore you. I love you more than all the stars in the sky and all the grains of sand on the earth combined.

That being said, I have just a couple of simple requests.

1. Could we please work on the tattling? I mean, really... is it necessary to tell me EVERY SINGLE TIME one of you looks at the other one? It isn't a criminal offense. And the wrath of The Mama will not come down on your beloved sibling simply because he/she looked in your direction. I also cannot control the extent to which the dogs look at you.

2. I, you are not moving to California on Monday. Nor can you skip ages 4 through 12 so you can immediately become a teenager. Furthermore, simply becoming a teenager will not entitle you to a spring break trip. If anything, this will prevent you from EVER SEEING THE LIGHT OF DAY on spring break. And for the record, repeatedly asking will not make me change my mind. And while I find it impressive that you have grasped the concept not only of States and Ages, but also of alternatives when one door closes, the window for you to move Hawaii in lieu of California will not be opening anytime before you are 18. I also commend your persistence. Asking more than 70 times in the course of three hours is impressive. But I will not be worn down... yet. Oh, and you cannot marry your brother. Or Chewie. I'm just saying...

3. N, your creativity is amazing. However, I really don't want to have to remind you again that your slice of pizza is NOT a golf club. Chewie's head is also not a golf ball. Scruffy is not a tractor to be ridden on. Your baby sister is also not a toy to be dragged around the house, although for the life of me I cannot figure out why her blood curdling screams every time you touch her have not alerted you to this already. And the way you say Sowee is adorable, but no matter how cute you are, you cannot repeatedly hit Sissy in the head and say "sowee" each time. It doesn't make it hurt any less, or prevent you from getting in trouble.

4. Hubs... really? Watch the news? Cars has played six times in the last four days; Tinkerbell has played twice. And when I get online, I'm much more concerned with my Farmtown skills than with the fast track on the crap train that our country is heading down. I need less stress in my life, not more. Google reader and Facebook are my bff's. It's not that I'm a space cadet. But lately, I need my happy place when the house gets quiet.

5. Dogs, please remember that YOU ARE DOGS!! You are not entitled to eat the food that I feed my human babies. And children, I appreciate your generosity, but please don't share your sandwiches and pop-tarts with the four-legged friends in our house. I clean up enough poop as it is.

I adore you all.

Love, hugs, and blessings,
The Mama

To Further Prove My Point...

Yes, she is MORE than a little bit crazy.

Love, hugs, and blessings,
The Mama

Puppy Love

My babies and my hobbies get 99% of the attention on here. However, I thought that I would start out this week with a post about my other 3 "children". They are adorable, hairy, and have tails and four legs!

Chewie is my oldest. He has some SERIOUS Napoleon complex issues. He thinks he's human and deserves to be treated so. He has the cutest face and very easily rolls with the punches. I have been known to dress him up in Halloween costumes and sweaters (which addmitedly may contribute to his "issues"). He has some hilarious quirks and provides us with hours of entertainment.

Leia is your typical "middle child". She came to us when I was just barely pregnant with our second and I immediately knew I was in serious trouble! She is a sweet little girl who is terrified of her own shadow. She prefers to sleep curled up in a corner or nestled in with her brothers. Her nose reminds me of a hyena, but we love her anyway.


Scruffy has a history that I only wish he could tell! He was a stray/rescue that came to live with us because I have an endlessly bleeding heart. At first we thought he was probably five or six, but now his cateracts have gotten worse, and his teeth are showing their age, and we're thinking he's probably quite a bit older than we first thought. We call him our "gentle giant" even though he isn't that big! He is so, so, so good with the kids. He's so well behaved and is so easy to love. He's gone on two trips with us - one to Mobile and one to St. Simons and was an angel both times.


I've often thought that I'm insane for trying to raise three children and be kept by three dogs. But when I look into those six big, brown eyes, I can't help but melt and know that they have been entrusted to my care for a special reason. They have taught me patience and have an amazing capacity for unconditional love and devotion. I love my crazy pups and I wouldn't have it any other way!

Love, hugs, and blessings,
The Mama