Baby Jesus

I hope you all had a good Thanksgiving. Our day was full of food, family, and fun. I did brave the crowd at WalMart on Friday morning, leaving the house at 4:30 a.m. I got some good things for the girls and we are about done with our shopping, thank goodness. Saturday was a day of work outside in the yard before the coldness arrived late this afternoon. We have about 10 large black trashbags of clippings from the yard which required everyone, large and small, help with the work. Hooper and Hershey, of course, did their fair share of "cutting" up limbs with their teeth and Hooper was FILTHY after the afternoon of work. I gave him a bath and he, naturally, thought I was trying to kill him. When will he learn? He did allow me to brush his teeth a bit more today so that was good. After his bath, I wrapped him up in a towel so only his little face was showing. I carried him into the house and asked HV and HM if they wanted to see my "baby." They laughed and said he was Baby Jesus. So, here's baby Jesus for you. HV took the picture, looking over my shoulder at the baby.

We didn't get the papers we were anticipating on Thanksgiving Day. We actually knew before Thanksgiving day that we weren't going to get them. We are supposed to get them tomorrow. Since we've been told that for the last two weeks, I won't be holding my breath until we get them. I don't know that I can hold it that long.

Meet Hooper

Well, we've had Hooper now for almost 2 weeks and I'm just now posting about him. Why? He's a mess! Boy, it's been a long time since we've had a puppy. About 5 years to be exact. Hooper was born September 10 and we picked him up on November 7. The first few nights were rough. Very little sleep by everyone in the house. After moving his crate into the bedroom, it has been MUCH better. He typically sleeps through the night now--thank goodness. He loves to play with Hershey and she has been very tolerant with him. Again, thank goodness. We're getting used to another H name in the house but having a "boy" in the house has been a hard adjustment. We call him "her" most of the time, forgetting that he is a she. Confused? He probably is.

Here's Hooper on his 1st day at our home.

Hooper's dad. Hooper's markings are very similar to his dad's.

Hooper's mom with Hooper, trying to nurse for one last time.

And here's Hooper, up to his normal antics here at home. I'm loading the dishwasher and he jumps in. He's carefully watching J's house slippers because he likes to attack those too.

I'll have to keep trying to get a picture of his eyes. His eye with just the tan around it is blue. His other eye is what they call "amber" but it is basically like a light brown. I don't know how remove the red eye you see here.

Of course, we had to make a trip to PetSmart to buy Hooper a few things. His favorite toy, however, isn't something we bought there. Watch the video below and you'll see him in action with it. You might be able to see his neat eyes in the video too. If we could all have this same energy....

Lessons from Hershey, Part I

When we were in Guatemala, I missed Hershey. We all missed Hershey. Hershey LOVES to go on a walk and so this morning, she and I went on our first walk since returning from our "home" down south. I worked a really long day yesterday (17 hours) and so I took today off. After taking the kids to school and doing a little follow up on the ol' computer, I got Hershey's harness out and we headed out. There's just something about walking with my dog that is good for me. Yes, I know the exercise is good, but I'm talking about my emotional and spiritual parts. I've been thinking about that today, and I think I have it figured out: I can learn a lot from Hershey. I think I have a lot to say about this, so I'll call this "Part I" and I'll share more on another day. If you aren't a dog person, you might think this post is corny. Sorry!

Lesson #1--Love

Hershey loves me. She knows that I'm the one that typically takes her for a walk and she greets me with great excitement, especially if I have her harness in hand. She promptly sits down, putting up her right front paw so that I can put the harness on. She's ready. She doesn't pull on the leash when we walk (unless she sees another doggie and then she's ready to meet a potential new friend). But, she's happy if we see no one and it's just us. Again, she loves me. And I love her.

I see so many parallels and lessons in my relationship with Hershey and my relationship with God (or perhaps where I would like to see my relationship with God). God loves me. And I love Him. I should be so excited to meet God every day. I wish I could say that I am, but it's not always the case. Sure, I'm grateful everyday, but there are some days when I just don't want to do what God wants me to do and so I'm not always "excited" about meeting Him each day.

Lesson #2--Safety and Protection

Hershey trusts me. She trusts me to keep her safe when we are out and about. She looks back at me when we are walking along, often putting her "beak" as we call it (her nose/muzzle) in my hand for that little reassurance that I'm coming along. Yes, lovie. I'm right behind you, holding gently to your leash.

I look to God for His reassurance and protection too. Being with Hershey today, however, reminds me that I perhaps need to do this more--Look to Him.

Lesson #3--Be Still

Hershey and I don't have to talk. Yes, I know she doesn't talk, but you know what I mean. We are just WITH each other as we walk. No talking is needed. We enjoy being together and walking.

God doesn't need me to talk all of the time. He needs me to listen. He needs me to just be with Him. Spending time together. Just like Hershey needs me to spend time with her. One of the things that resonated with me over and over in Guatemala was for me to "be still." Here, I have many more distractions. It's not always easy to be still and listen, but I am trying. I'm getting better at it, I think.

....to be continued....

This is one of the only pictures I have of Hershey (on the right) and Augie together. Sweet Augie crossed the rainbow bridge in March 2009. Oh I miss her! I'll write another post on her another day. She taught us many lessons too (and she loved walks too!). I love you both, my four-legged kiddos!