Building Walls?

I have been doing some soul searching this week.  It is probably because I have the plague and have been convinced on more than one occasion that I was all but done for. (Kaitlyn says I'm a big baby and then in great detail gave me the symptoms of the plague and why I don't have it).  I have been thinking about social media AKA Facebook, and how it has made a difference in my life.  I love that I have been able to connect with old friends and find out what new friends are doing at the touch of a button.  I have thought that in some way this was my way really being connected to people.  I have realized, however, that the communication is not genuine, not real and not all that I think it is.  I am pretty open and share with people what is on my mind, in fact, maybe a little too much BUT that isn't always a good thing :)  I was telling one of my friends the other day that I felt she was building up walls to see who was willing to tear them down....I think that is where I am.  I am not done with Facebook...it is an invaluable tool, but I think I am going to be a bit more selective with who I am communicating and how.  I want genuine real relationships.

World Tragedy

I was watching the news of the horrific earthquake in Japan this week.  There were houses washed away, cars destroyed, lives forever changed.  Jacob looked at the images and said, "they're ok mom, they have food storage".  I wanted to explain to him that food storage probably doesn't help them much when they're houses are washed away but the faith in his little eyes was too strong.  I simply said, "yes Jacob, they'll be blessed".  I pray they are.

One YEAR!!!!

We have had Waffles for one year this month.  I don't love dogs.  I like the idea of dogs and have always felt that every child should grow up with one.  I have tried big dogs, little dogs, medium sized dogs and I had just about decided that I was not meant to have one.  I had this nagging feeling that I had to try one more time.  Zach convinced the shelter to let us "borrow" dogs over night and see what we thought of different ones but I didn't like any of them.  I did a lot of driving back and forth to the Humane Society looking.  On a whim I checked out a dog that was at one of the local shelters.  She wasn't at all what I was looking for but for some reason I just had to meet her.  I took Jacob with me because if  dog doesn't like Jacob then it was a big NO.  This dog loved Jacob immediately.  She was well trained, thanks to the animal control officers who saw her potential and worked with her.  They let her roam the shelter and had her very well socialized.  I decided to give her a chance. I took her to several different vets offices trying to figure out what kind of mix she is.  Each one came up with "lab mix"  each vet had a different breed they thought she was mixed with.   It took some work getting her trained to find the door to go outside.  It was worth it.  She is my favorite dog ever and I love that she keeps an eye on my babies when they're playing and that she eagerly answers the door with me.  People ask about her name....Waffles. I honestly didn't think we'd end up trying her out for more than over night so when we thought about names I just threw out the name of something I had eaten that morning.  Thankfully, it fits her personality. 

Poor Jacob

Jacob had a rough week.  I received a phone call this week from my sweet baby who was in tears.  The only words I was able to make out were ,"bleeding" and "mom".  I very calmly asked him to talk to the nearest grown up, all while frantically trying to decide if he'd be humiliated if I showed up in my pj's or if it was an urgent enough matter that no one would notice.  I went with the pj top and a pair of jeans I pulled on as  I ran out the door.  My baby had cut his finger with scissors during class and the office was unable to stop the bleeding (or my tears).  I was at the school within about 30 seconds (they're always impressed with how quickly I can get there when my kids need me).  His sweet little lips were shaped in the saddest of frowns and tiny little drops of tears were on his cheeks.  After jumping the counter in the office to get to him I assessed his wound (I am CERT trained after all) and decided that if there were enough skin left he could use a stitch or two but I decided to butterfly it at home. 

Today while trying to walk with his eyes closed to get his school gear he ran into the banister and cut/bruised his cheek.  As we were assessing the wound again (boy CERT comes in  handy) he said, "I'm beginning to see a flaw in my plan".  How cute is that?  Between his injuries and Bailey's leg we may not be looking great in our pictures next week.

Giveaway

One of my talented friends that I've known from high school has a great giveaway on her blog.  Check it out!giveaway

We all make mistakes

Zachary came to tell me that Jacob is the most positive person he's met.  Apparently they were having a conversation about mistakes and Jacob said, "Zach, I'm going to make mistakes in my life, but I'm not going to feel bad about them now, I'll wait until I make the mistakes.  But don't worry, I'll be much older when it happens and I will know how to repent".

shoes

I have a thing for RED...it makes me happy.    I ruined my favorite red shoes in the garden last year (I know...why in the world did I wear them in the garden) so today I went in search of the perfect pair.  Sadly, I didn't find the red high heels I was searching for and on the way into Kohls my favorite red purse broke!!!  It was so so very sad but I found one for 75% off and I had a coupon for 15% off of that so it was ALMOST free. I found a pair of Naturalizers on sale for $40 and though that is about four times the amount I like to spend on shoes (my mother taught me that shoes were the most important investment and to always buy quality but I was never a very good listener). Bailey made me buy them but when I came home I was convinced I would have to take them back because they were excessive so I spit on them.  Yep....I SPIT on my shoe so I wouldn't have to take them back.  They are now safely on my feet and I may sleep in them.  Hooray for red shoes!