Conehead!!!

Sterling had surgery a little over a week ago. She had a large lump on one of her hind legs and had it removed. Apparently dogs have glands in that area and it's very common for them to leak causing lumpy cysts. We had it drained a couple of times and it kept coming back so the vet said the next step would be to leave it alone or cut her open, remove the lump and seal the gland. Since the lump came back even larger after having it drained we thought it might be a good idea to have it removed just in case. I was a nervous wreck and called a few times to make sure she came out of it ok and was doing well. She was our first baby afterall, and I was no less worried about her than I would have been if it were Berkeley or Oliver. As you can see she is doing well...just has to wear the cone when left unattended so she doesn't rip out all the staples and stitches! As you can see she has "sad ears" when she has that thing on. Her little stub still goes a hundred miles an hour though! Pretty nice to get a little "work" done for a Christmas present. She'll be a brand new lady for Christmas!

Just For Today

Just for this morning, I am going to step over the laundry, and pick you up and take you to the park to play.

Just for this morning, I will leave the dishes in the sink, and let you teach me how to put that puzzle of yours together.

Just for this afternoon, I will unplug the telephone and keep the computer off, and sit with you in the backyard and blow bubbles.

Just for this afternoon, I will not yell once, not even a tiny grumble when you scream and whine for the ice cream truck and I will buy you one if he comes by.

Just for this afternoon, I won’t worry about what you are going to be when you grow up, or second guess every decision I have made where you are concerned.

Just for this afternoon, I will let you help me bake cookies, and I won’t stand over you trying to fix them.

Just for this afternoon, I will take us to McDonald’s and buy us both a Happy Meal so you can have both toys.

Just for this evening, I will hold you in my arms and tell you a story about how you were born and how much I love you.

Just for this evening, I will let you splash in the tub and not get angry.

Just for this evening, I will let you stay up late while we sit on the porch and count all the stars.

Just for this evening, I will snuggle beside you for hours, and miss my favorite TV shows.

Just for this evening when I run my fingers through your hair as you pray, I will simply be grateful that God has given me the greatest gift ever given.

I will think about the mothers and fathers who are searching for their missing children, the mothers and fathers who are visiting their children’s graves instead of their bedrooms, and mothers and fathers who are in hospital rooms watching their children suffer senselessly, and screaming inside that they can’t handle it anymore.

And when I kiss you good night I will hold you a little tighter, a little longer. It is then, that I will thank God for you, and ask Him for nothing, except one more day……….


I don’t know who wrote this. It was an email and I can’t stop thinking about it. I have struggled with perfectionism my entire life and, unfortunately, probably always will. I think it’s just the way I’m wired. However, with every puppy and baby we have brought home, I have had to let go and just learn to relax when it comes to having a spotless house. I mean, come on, is it really even possible to have a perfectly clean house with 3 dogs and almost 3 kids? And, when I think about it logically, only bachelors and empty nesters have perfect homes. If having a spotless house 24 hours a day means I live alone, or worse, my kids are gone, then I don’t want it to be clean! I know someday when it’s time for me to leave this earth I most certainly will not wish that I had cleaned my house more often. I know, like everyone else, I will long for the days when my life was a little bit crazy, chaotic, cluttered and sometimes messy. I will wish with all my heart that I could hear my babies’ footsteps running through the hallways and their laughter echoing off the walls. I’ll wish I was still tripping over their toys scattered all over the living room floor.

The other day I let Berkeley help me make brownies before company came. She poured all the ingredients into the bowl and got brownie mix on her shirt and on the floor and I just laughed. Then, as she began to stir the mix, she pretended the spatula was a ballerina spinning in the chocolate. The back of the box said to stir until moistened (about 40 strokes), but I let her stir and twirl till she said she was done. We probably did around 46 strokes, but you know what? That was one of the best batches of brownies we’ve ever had. Our company devoured the entire pan. Hmmmph, 40 strokes, 46 strokes…what do those brownie manufacturers know anyway? In fact, I think it’s time to make more. And, you know what? When they wake up from their naps, I know of 2 perfect little helpers; a spunky little 2 year old and a precious little 4 year old. Oh, and incidentally…I think I’ll smile at the smudges on the windows and delight in the crumbs on the floor just for today. And maybe even tomorrow too!