Counting My Blessings

I'm pretty blessed. I've been doing "30 Days of Thanksgiving" for my Facebook posts all month (today's the last day!) and it has truly made me turn my gratitude meter UP. I was even thankful for my dog one day...now I know a lot of furparents who love their pets like their children. I even know some people who care more for their dogs than their own flesh and blood. But, that is not me. I like having pets, I think there is definitely a purpose and reason people love animals. Like, maybe because God put us humans in charge of them. We name, watch, and generally steward them - usually from afar. But, I think getting our dog was a little bit of a mistake. It's like having a perpetual toddler that you can't actually take with you when you leave the house. Plus, the black dog hair everywhere is a pain frustration. However, there is no denying the comfort of that big black body sleeping beneath my feet in the evening and the "high alert" status he goes on at night. Protector of the house!

I hope to continue this atmosphere of gratitude and well-being as we enter the Advent season. Keeping my eyes and, by extension, our children's eyes set on the heart and person of Jesus Christ will definitely help. I'm thrilled to be preparing to take the journey of Jesus from Angelic Proclamation to His flight to Egypt. Talk about an Advent-ure! I'm thinking about getting a small tree to feature the children's special ornaments they're going to be making from Truth in the Tinsel: An Advent Experience for Little Hands this month. I definitely need to prepare the special calendar with each day's focus to explore. I hope you will all go on the journey with us. Amanda is offering her incredible e-book for only $4.99 and it is full of great ideas, beautiful crafts your kids can actually make, and moments you'll always treasure. Consider joining the fun on the Tinsel Facebook page too! http://facebook.com/truthinthetinsel
We're working on our special "custom" advent calendar right now; we'll (of course) use our Lego one too. ;)

What special preparations are you making for Christmas?

The New Baby

Just when I was really reveling in the fact that Sabina is my last baby (and growing up so fast), we got a new one. A few weeks ago we rescued a puppy. He was 10 weeks old at the time; sweet, fluffy and quiet. That didn't last. Although I did not have to endure the hardship of pregnancy or the ordeal of labor and delivery, there are many similarities here. Indy - the name we agreed on - cries when left alone or if he's in trouble, steals toys from the other kids and tries to break them, gets up during the night, and is also growing so fast. The nice thing is, Daddy gets up and takes him out. I get to stay in bed unless there's a mess to deal with. The kids were so excited at first. They love dogs and have been asking for one for ages. I wanted all the kids to be potty trained before we got a dog. I lost on that one. Sabina hasn't started yet. But, she is the only child in the house who's not afraid of Indy. He's a rambunctious puppy mix of black lab and border collie - sometimes called a borador. He's still fluffy and occasionally sweet. He likes to run and "herd" the kids, if they freak out, he tries harder. I'm trying to teach them to stand their ground and tell him NO if he snips at them. So far, only Sabina (at 19 months) is reliable on the "No, Indy." They are buddies. She plays in the water bowl, and he picks up the food she drops.

It's a symbiotic relationship.